Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Five linebackers that could be signed in the wake of Reuben Foster’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Vincent Rey #57 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackles Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Vincent Rey #57 of the Cincinnati Bengals tackles Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

. Linebacker. Bengals. Vincent Rey. 3. player. 56

If the Redskins are looking for a player with a lot of experience, Vincent Rey could be a good fit. Rey has played in 128 career games (50 starts) over his nine-year career and was generally a solid player for the Bengals.

Rey spent each of the past nine years with the Bengals, and he was a solid tackler for them. He has 299 career tackles, but he racked up 133 of them in a single season back in 2014. He started a career-high 13 games that year and put forth his most well-rounded season.

Additionally, Rey was with the Bengals during Jay Gruden’s tenure as offensive coordinator. So, there may be a little bit of familiarity between the two parties. And with both needing help, Rey in the form of work and Gruden in the form of a linebacker, uniting the two could make sense.

More from Riggo's Rag

However, there are some issues with Rey’s game that could impact the ‘Skins’ interest. While Rey has generally proven to be a strong tackler and good against the run, his coverage skills have only been decent at best. And with him growing older, he’ll turn 32 in September, it’s hard to imagine that aspect of his game improving. So, he might end up being limited to more early-downs work for Washington.

The other concern with Rey is that he has spent his whole career as part of a 4-3 defense and he has mostly played the weakside linebacker position. He did play middle linebacker at times in sub packages, but he hasn’t had as much experience on the inside in recent seasons. That could stunt his development with the squad as a result.

Still, Rey can play special teams, is a good tackler, and has familiarity with Gruden. That could be enough to make him an interesting candidate to join the Redskins in the wake of Foster’s injury.

Home/Commanders News