Washington Football Team’s five most versatile players
By Ian Cummings
No. 4 – LB Ryan Anderson
I’ve been skeptical of Ryan Anderson‘s schematic fit in the Washington Football Team’s new 4-3 defense in the past, and that isn’t changing today. But even I can’t deny that his background as a 3-4 outside linebacker does give him some versatility in the new alignment.
As a 3-4 outside linebacker, Anderson primarily set the edge on running downs and rushed the passer on passing downs, as most edge rushers are assigned to do in those situations. In the 4-3 scheme, however, the edge rushers more often rush from a three-point stance, as opposed to standing up, and the linebackers play mostly off-ball roles.
Anderson will be a 4-3 linebacker first, and he profiles well as a SAM linebacker. SAM linebackers place an added emphasis on run defense, and that’s an area where Anderson has shown flashes in the past. His 6-foot-2, 255-pound frame helps him to fill gaps and stand his ground, and his motor and urgency help him reach his landmarks in time.
With that being said, Anderson does have versatility, in the sense that he can also rush the passer, and has a background in that area. Anderson is too small to be a 4-3 defensive end on a consistent basis, but situationally, he can fulfill that role and provide a more natural edge presence than blitzes from other positions.