Lorenzo Moving Inside

[JoeRedskin]

As an 3-4 inside backer, does he have more coverage responsibilities than if he is outside? Anyone know if the guy can cover?

I mean, it seems to make sense given all the young talent at OLB (White, Jackson, Kerrigan, Orakpo) and, like I said at first, I thought he was more of an interior guy anyway. Maybe they put him at OLB b/c it didn't require him going sideline to sideline? Maybe they thought he didn't have the speed to stay with a TE deep over the middle? I guess the bottom line is - does he have the physical ability to meet the demands of the position?

I really am just curious if anyone actually knows his physical ability. I love the guy and am sure he has the heart and the football i.q. to play the position - but when a TE goes deep (not talking Gronkowski - but your standard NFL TE), does Alexander have the speed and athleticism to stay with him and cover him effectively?

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

As an 3-4 inside backer, does he have more coverage responsibilities than if he is outside? Anyone know if the guy can cover?

I mean, it seems to make sense given all the young talent at OLB (White, Jackson, Kerrigan, Orakpo) and, like I said at first, I thought he was more of an interior guy anyway. Maybe they put him at OLB b/c it didn't require him going sideline to sideline? Maybe they thought he didn't have the speed to stay with a TE deep over the middle? I guess the bottom line is - does he have the physical ability to meet the demands of the position?

I really am just curious if anyone actually knows his physical ability. I love the guy and am sure he has the heart and the football i.q. to play the position - but when a TE goes deep (not talking Gronkowski - but your standard NFL TE), does Alexander have the speed and athleticism to stay with him and cover him effectively?

1. MLB coverage responsiblities are about the same as the OLB's are. MLB's in 3-4 Defenses are there to blitz up the A gap, and cover the middle of the field, the TE's and the RB's. Some 3-4 MLB's have do more 'hook zones' coverages. Typically 3-4 MLB's don't play a lot of man, they tend to play zone.

2. His physical ability from a redskin fans stand point is that he's 'solid'. His physical ability from another teams stand point is that he's poor for the coverage ability.

3. He definitely has the football IQ being that he's played so many years at so many different positions, but MLB isn't just something you learn over night nor with a few months from the season away. Lorenzo is in a good situation because Fletcher and Riley know their stuff, so they can teach him. Unless one of them goes down early, you have nothing to worry about Lorenzo starting for us this year at ILB.