London Prepared to Leave (If No Deal)

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

W/out question he's been the most consistent performer on an average defense. He's been solid. Not lights out. I just get so tired of everyone saying that he can teach the younger guys, be a mentor.... blah blah blah. Give me a break. This isn't Romper Room. It's the NFL. If guys need to be motivated at this level then we have the wrong guys. I just don't see the need to keep an old LB on a bad team that's rebuilding. Let the guy go to New England or somewhere that's a contender. And if I'm the front office I'm not keeping any old guys cause it makes no sense.

I believe Fletcher led the league in tackles last year, that doesn't seem like keeping an old guy just because. It's keeping a guy who is a producing where the team needs a production. That's where the discussion begins, then if you want to continue it, you go to the mentor/character conversation, which is more than just about football mentoring, it's about life. A 21yo coming out of college, and having the lights of the NFL shine on him can be overwhelming, and having some guys that are setting the tone in the locker room has a place in the discussion of keeping/paying an aging, but productive, vet.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I believe Fletcher led the league in tackles last year, that doesn't seem like keeping an old guy just because. It's keeping a guy who is a producing where the team needs a production. That's where the discussion begins, then if you want to continue it, you go to the mentor/character conversation, which is more than just about football mentoring, it's about life. A 21yo coming out of college, and having the lights of the NFL shine on him can be overwhelming, and having some guys that are setting the tone in the locker room has a place in the discussion of keeping/paying an aging, but productive, vet.

I agree with all that. I just don't see Fletcher as a must sign.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I agree with all that. I just don't see Fletcher as a must sign.

Who would you replace Fletcher with if we fail to resign him?

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Who would you replace Fletcher with if we fail to resign him?

I'd try and find a guy in the draft that can step in and start alongside Riley for the next several years.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I'd try and find a guy in the draft that can step in and start alongside Riley for the next several years.

Let's suppose we traded up to draft Griffin, and we are left with only 2nd round, 5th, 6th, and 7th picks. Are you suggesting that we use 2nd round pick to draft a LB to replace Fletcher? Since not many teams would expect a player from 4th round or less to start on first game. If so, then what about WR, RT, FS, and CB? However if we expect to stay at #6 or trade down, then we maybe could use 2nd or 3rd pick to draft the replacement, but I think we would be taking a big gamble. Look at Eagles and their LB situation last year, they took Casey Matthews in 4th round with the expectation of starting him - look at how it worked out for them.

That is my point - we are not in a situation where we have the luxury to let Fletcher walk and expect to find someone to replace him.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Let's suppose we traded up to draft Griffin, and we are left with only 2nd round, 5th, 6th, and 7th picks. Are you suggesting that we use 2nd round pick to draft a LB to replace Fletcher? Since not many teams would expect a player from 4th round or less to start on first game. If so, then what about WR, RT, FS, and CB? However if we expect to stay at #6 or trade down, then we maybe could use 2nd or 3rd pick to draft the replacement, but I think we would be taking a big gamble. Look at Eagles and their LB situation last year, they took Casey Matthews in 4th round with the expectation of starting him - look at how it worked out for them.

That is my point - we are not in a situation where we have the luxury to let Fletcher walk and expect to find someone to replace him.

This team is simply not in a position to throw away 3 high draft picks to draft someone that may or may not become a great player. That's one of the reasons we're not a good team cause we've been too carless with draft picks. Keep the picks and keep building your team so you can sustain success.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

This team is simply not in a position to throw away 3 high draft picks to draft someone that may or may not become a great player. That's one of the reasons we're not a good team cause we've been too carless with draft picks. Keep the picks and keep building your team so you can sustain success.

I totally agree with not trading up, I would prefer for us to stay pat and draft Tannehill. But then there are so many rumors claiming the fact that Redskins is looking to trade up to draft Griffin. You are still missing my point, regardless of what we do in draft, we still do not have enough picks to draft a replacement for Fletcher that we can expect to contribute immediately. We have several needs to fill in, such as QB, WR, FS, RT, CB, and maybe SS if we don't resign Landry. By letting Fletcher walk away, we would only add another position that we will need to fill in.

The only scenario where I can see us drafting a LB in draft who we can expect to replace Fletcher next season is if we trade down and gain another 2nd or 3rd round pick. I am not sure if that will happen since Tannehill will be gone in top 15, unless we want Weeden.

My ideal plan for ILB situation would be to resign Fletcher and draft a replacement next year.

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I agree with all that. I just don't see Fletcher as a must sign.

If Fletcher were to leave would it leave us a weaker team?

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by GreekSkin

If Fletcher were to leave would it leave us a weaker team?

No. Although London Fletcher has been a tremendous performer for us over the course of the last four or five seasons, we still have options if we are unable to re-sign him. Mike Shanahan has stated that re-signing Fletcher is an off season priority and I think they'll get a deal done before free agency starts.

But...there are other options to consider if the Redskins and Fletcher don't come to terms. There are other inside linebackers such as Bart Scott and even young men already on the roster like Lorenzo Alexander, Marcus White, Keyaron Fox or the coaches could even move Rob Jackson to the inside. But all in all, I expect Fletcher to re-sign with the Redskins before the beginning of free agency.

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

No. Although London Fletcher has been a tremendous performer for us over the course of the last four or five seasons, we still have options if we are unable to re-sign him. Mike Shanahan has stated that re-signing Fletcher is an off season priority and I think they'll get a deal done before free agency starts.

But...there are other options to consider if the Redskins and Fletcher don't come to terms. There are other inside linebackers such as Bart Scott and even young men already on the roster like Lorenzo Alexander, Marcus White, Keyaron Fox or the coaches could even move Rob Jackson to the inside. But all in all, I expect Fletcher to re-sign with the Redskins before the beginning of free agency.

You're telling me that replacing Fletch with the likes of Lorenzo, Keyaron Fox and two players that arent even close to being ILB's wouldn't leave us weaker? There was a reason Bart Scotts role was reduced last year btw.

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by GreekSkin

You're telling me that replacing Fletch with the likes of Lorenzo, Keyaron Fox and two players that arent even close to being ILB's wouldn't leave us weaker? There was a reason Bart Scotts role was reduced last year btw.

Lorenzo Alexander has excelled at every position he's played for the Redskins during his entire tenure. He already said that he could play the inside position. Bart Scott has been successful playing ILB for years for the Ravens and Jets. The only reason he was benched was because his mouth got him into trouble. Rob Jackson, because he's still young with potential and upside, could surely fit into the inside because of his instincts and athleticism.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

The only reason he was benched was because his mouth got him into trouble. .

In Fletchers whole time in the NFL has this ever happen to him, NO ....and why is that?

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

Lorenzo Alexander has excelled at every position he's played for the Redskins during his entire tenure. He already said that he could play the inside position. Bart Scott has been successful playing ILB for years for the Ravens and Jets. The only reason he was benched was because his mouth got him into trouble. Rob Jackson, because he's still young with potential and upside, could surely fit into the inside because of his instincts and athleticism.

Well if Lorenzo himself said it then surely he could match the production of London Fletcher... As for Rob Jackson while he could eventually make a good OLB he doesn't have what it takes to play inside and I don't know where you're getting that idea from. His instincts last year lead him to lose sight of the ball on more than one occasion, but sure let's have him replace the anchor of our defense.

[TexSkins]

Tag Fletcher, not Davis

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by GreekSkin

If Fletcher were to leave would it leave us a weaker team?

HELL YES!!! If the Skins had someone on the team now who could lead the entire NFL in tackles he would be playing all ready, add in his leadrship and knowledge of the D and the game it's self....just show him the damn money!