London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

“One thing you have to do is, you’ve got to have a mindset that there’s no way you’re going to retire. Because if you’re thinking about retirement, you’re not really sure – at least when I look at my previous years, and you look back at guys – if you’re thinking about retiring, you’re probably already retired.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/03/01/mike-shanahan-on-london-fletchers-future/]Mike Shanahan on London Fletcher’s future[/url]

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

I don't think shanahans comments necessarily reflect what London fletcher is actually thinking. I think Shanahan is just making an observation based on his experience with other players. I think he could also be putting that out there to pressure fletcher to make a decision by march 12th. We're about 4MM over the cap now and cutting fletcher would save us about 4MM.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Fletcher is kind of getting the decision made for him here. The team can't restructure his salary only to watch him retire, and if the Redskins release him, no other team is going to bring in a 38 year old LB on even a flyer basis. He ends up retired either way.

Fletcher's only play here is to come out within the next week and say he intends to return next season...but that might not even be true.

I think he's played his last snap. At least if he retires in the next week or two, he gets the opportunity to have an actual retirement party. I don't think Shanahan is doing anyone any favors here, but he's intending to do whatever he can to keep this situation cordial.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

And, I mean, Ed Reed has been talking retirement for about 6 years now.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

If he does retire, do we really have any linebackers on the roster who could effectively replace him? Or will we have to pick one up in the draft?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Well if someone was here they probably say we are forgetting someone when it comes to Fletch's replacement

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Well, either one of three things are going to happen.

1) He'll retire

2) We'll force him to retire when we cut him after refusing to reduce his salary

3) He'll take a huge pay cut, and he plays one more season.


No two ways about it, Fletcher drew no interest on the open market last off-season. None. We aren't going to keep him at his current salary so he'll either have to take a huge pay cut or retire. It really is that simple. Truthfully, I don't even know if they'll keep him even if he does take a pay cut.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Chico23231;996044]Well if someone was here they probably say we are forgetting someone when it comes to Fletch's replacement[/quote]

I'll pick up the slack on this one. Despite Keenan Robinson's season ending injury, I think if Fletch retires he will be the next man up. He looked good in limited action last year.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=GTripp0012;996036]Fletcher is kind of getting the decision made for him here. The team can't restructure his salary only to watch him retire, and if the Redskins release him, no other team is going to bring in a 38 year old LB on even a flyer basis. He ends up retired either way.

Fletcher's only play here is to come out within the next week and say he intends to return next season...but that might not even be true.

I think he's played his last snap. At least if he retires in the next week or two, he gets the opportunity to have an actual retirement party. I don't think Shanahan is doing anyone any favors here, but he's intending to do whatever he can to keep this situation cordial.[/quote]

I think you nailed the situation. At the end of the season, i felt for sure Fletch would be back, but given how well he seems to be doing on TV, i could understand him deciding to call it quits now. From our perspective, the cap penalty makes keeping him for one more year at 6MM just doesnt make much sense. If we were "close" to being a superbowl team, maybe... but we're not. It might be best for everyone involved if we part ways.

Given our cap situation, i think the team could have to make a choice between resigning Rob Jackson and Lorenzo Alexander for the next 3-4 years or keeping Fletcher for one more year. If thats the choice, its a no-brainer.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1549500-if-london-fletcher-walks-away-he-has-to-be-considered-a-hall-of-famer]If London Fletcher Walks Away, He Has to Be Considered a Hall of Famer | Bleacher Report[/url]

I'll read things on Bleacher I don't agree with one bit, and I'll read some things on Bleacher I completely agree with. This is something I completely agree with.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;996059]I think you nailed the situation. At the end of the season, i felt for sure Fletch would be back, but given how well he seems to be doing on TV, i could understand him deciding to call it quits now. From our perspective, the cap penalty makes keeping him for one more year at 6MM just doesnt make much sense. If we were "close" to being a superbowl team, maybe... but we're not. It might be best for everyone involved if we part ways.

Given our cap situation, i think the team could have to make a choice between resigning Rob Jackson and Lorenzo Alexander for the next 3-4 years or keeping Fletcher for one more year. If thats the choice, its a no-brainer.[/quote]

I think we are close. we've got the QB, all we need is some luck, BUT i don't see it this year with the cap hit and the secondary needing some work. If fletcher doesn't retire, he might end up cut anyways, so...

as for as Zo, i don't think locking up a 30 year old special teamer for 4 years would be the world's greatest move.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=That Guy;996141]I think we are close. we've got the QB, all we need is some luck, BUT i don't see it this year with the cap hit and the secondary needing some work. If fletcher doesn't retire, he might end up cut anyways, so...

as for as Zo, i don't think locking up a 30 year old special teamer for 4 years would be the world's greatest move.[/quote]

Don't forget he's a Pro Bowl special teamer.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=SirLK26;996180]Don't forget he's a Pro Bowl special teamer.[/quote]

So basically you are saying you want to give a bunch of money to a back up role player who gets maybe 10 ST plays per game? Instead of putting that money toward shoring up porous secondary, or adding needed pieces to our Oline? Priorities.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

They gotta let Zo walk if the money gets stupid, he is a good backup. He should get a raise. If Danny Smith convinces the Steelers to make a silly offer, we move on. I really doubt he gets much free agent interest though.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=CultBrennan59;996134][URL="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1549500-if-london-fletcher-walks-away-he-has-to-be-considered-a-hall-of-famer"]If London Fletcher Walks Away, He Has to Be Considered a Hall of Famer | Bleacher Report[/URL]

I'll read things on Bleacher I don't agree with one bit, and I'll read some things on Bleacher I completely agree with. This is something I completely agree with.[/quote]

He'll be another Art Monk I bet. Because he wasn't loud and obnoxious on the field, he won't get the same treatment as say someone like, oh, Ray Lewis?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;996204]He'll be another Art Monk I bet. Because he wasn't loud and obnoxious on the field, he won't get the same treatment as say someone like, oh, Ray Lewis?[/quote]

With Fletch it will have more to do with the fact that he played for mediocre teams (Bills/Redskins) rather than being "quiet".

I will say that looking at Fletch in the NFL Network last week, I can see him becoming a sports talking head after he retires.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;996035]I don't think shanahans comments necessarily reflect what London fletcher is actually thinking. I think Shanahan is just making an observation based on his experience with other players. I think he could also be putting that out there to pressure fletcher to make a decision by march 12th. We're about 4MM over the cap now and cutting fletcher would save us about 4MM.[/quote]

It's funny how I agree with more posts during the off-season. It was Shanahan's comments, not Fletcher's, that could be read as negative. I'm not even sure Mike has historical evidence on his side. Favre started considering retirement half way through his career lol and still turned out some solid seasons. Ed Reed too, and he's still the best safety in football IMO.

I'd still like to think it's better than 50/50 London returns. Who's to say he's just watching what the FO/coaches do to help the defense during the off-season?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=SirLK26;996040]If he does retire, do we really have any linebackers on the roster who could effectively replace him? Or will we have to pick one up in the draft?[/quote]

No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.

If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

LB core is one area I'm not worried about.

Even with these reports I feel like he will be back. I can't see him getting a little taste of what use to be & then giving up on another season. I think it's all smoke & mirrors.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;996204]He'll be another Art Monk I bet. Because he wasn't loud and obnoxious on the field, he won't get the same treatment as say someone like, oh, Ray Lewis?[/quote]

Art Monk wasnt held out of the HOF because of not being loud and obnoxious. Art was held out of the HOF because when the media told him to dance, he laughed in their faces and told them to jump off a bridge. Take a wild stab at who votes for the HOF, the idiots that we call the media.

Art Monk was held out of the HOF for no other reason than the media proving that they dont take the HOF seriously. That the media considers kissing up to the media more important than actually succeeding at the sport you played to be considered for the HOF. One of the reasons I have absolutely zero respect for any of the major sports HOF's.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

I think Fletch should retire. He had a solid year but he can no longer cover TE's. Better to go out at the right time or a year early, then a year too late.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=The Goat;996260]No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. [B]Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.[/B]

If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS.[/quote]

Why would an inside backer be out covering a WR?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

i know one thing ,if fletcher does retire we have to find a big time reolacement for him,because we don,t have that person on the roster right now..

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

So little faith in Keenan Robinson in this thread...

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Lotus;996271]So little faith in Keenan Robinson in this thread...[/quote]

Well since he didn't light the world on fire as a 4th rd rookie LB you know he must be garbage, right?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Mattyk;996273]Well since he didn't light the world on fire as a 4th rd rookie LB you know he must be garbage, right?[/quote]

Absolutely, he has to suck right? They said so on the internet. You can't put it on the internet if it isn't true.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Robinson played mostly special teams and some packages on defense, and then tore his pec. Lets wait and see if he's a wasted pick or not. We shouldn't give up on him, nor should we expect him to be the answer either.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

If need be I think we could get by with a rotation of Alexander and Robinson at Fletcher's spot.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Sometimes you gotta just let a guy get in there and play.... and now is the time to get Robinson in there. He can't be any worse in coverage than Fletch was. He might even be better in that area.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=skinsfan69;996295]Sometimes you gotta just let a guy get in there and play.... and now is the time to get Robinson in there. He can't be any worse in coverage than Fletch was. He might even be better in that area.[/quote]

Coverage is his strength. Its run defense where he struggled.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

I gotta agree Pass Defense is where they need massive help, and he was as bad as anyone in coverage at times. Either that or he plays less downs on obvious passing situations, which means he needs to make less anyway.

I think he is 100% a HoF though, not sure how anyone could debate he isn't. The guy was an alternate 11 times in 12 season at one point.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=CultBrennan59;996298]Coverage is his strength. Its run defense where he struggled.[/quote]

I don't think he's even played enough to know whether or not he can play the run. But like Matty mentioned, there could be a combo between Robinson and Alexander....if we can get him signed.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=The Goat;996260]No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. [B]Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career [/B]like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.

[B]If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS[/B].[/quote]

We lose a lot with Fletch going, but FS and RT are still more of an issue as well as CB.

How did this become Dez vs Robinson?

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

Wasn't Riley brought in to ultimately replace Fletcher? Everything I've seen from Riley suggest he'll be fine. Question is about the rest of the LB's. Health wise, growth, etc.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Mattyk;996269]Why would an inside backer be out covering a WR?[/quote]

I'll look for a video replay at some point. Admittedly, three of my best buds are Dallas fans and we all watched the first game (in Dallas), so I've never heard the last of this one play. But it was pretty shocking how bad/weak Robinson was. Dez caught a ball near the sideline, maybe it was a screen, and juked the first defender out of his shoes. By that time Robinson had come from midfield, he was at a full run but didn't lower his shoulder to make the tackle (terrible form all around really) and Dez turned around just in time to lower his shoulder and absolutely slam Robinson to the turf, before he scampered off for a big gain.

I feel like if the roles were reversed, say Morgan or Garcon did this to Lee, it would be in Redskins lore already. Honestly surprised so few remember it around here because Robinson was just pathetic, but again I've had to hear about it ever since.

Unless there's some kind of inside info about Robinson "holding back" or suddenly discovering his inner awesomeness, the notion he's anywhere near starting caliber is insane. Oh, and he's coming off injury too.

I think it's way premature to make any assumptions about Robinson.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Mattyk;996389]I think it's [B]way premature[/B] to make any assumptions about Robinson.[/quote]
I.........don't want to live in a world where....that matters.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=The Goat;996386]I'll look for a video replay at some point. Admittedly, three of my best buds are Dallas fans and we all watched the first game (in Dallas), so I've never heard the last of this one play. But it was pretty shocking how bad/weak Robinson was. Dez caught a ball near the sideline, maybe it was a screen, and juked the first defender out of his shoes. By that time Robinson had come from midfield, he was at a full run but didn't lower his shoulder to make the tackle (terrible form all around really) and Dez turned around just in time to lower his shoulder and absolutely slam Robinson to the turf, before he scampered off for a big gain.

I feel like if the roles were reversed, say Morgan or Garcon did this to Lee, it would be in Redskins lore already. Honestly surprised so few remember it around here because Robinson was just pathetic, but again I've had to hear about it ever since.

Unless there's some kind of inside info about Robinson "holding back" or suddenly discovering his inner awesomeness, the notion he's anywhere near starting caliber is insane. Oh, and he's coming off injury too.[/quote]

You are dismissing Robinson based on one play? You'd have to release every player in the league by that logic. I saw Tom Brady throw a dumb interception - so the Pats should bench him as not ready to start?

C'mon man.

re: London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)
 

[quote=Lotus;996399]You are dismissing Robinson based on one play? You'd have to release every player in the league by that logic. I saw Tom Brady throw a dumb interception - so the Pats should bench him as not ready to start?

C'mon man.[/quote]

This post is below your typical IQ IMO.

I've not heard/seen/read a single reference about Robinson impressing on a specific play, series or game. And again, now he's coming off a relatively serious injury. The rising notion he's a starter, let alone a good choice for replacing London, is just absurd. That's my point.