Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian...

MTK · 06-12-2007, 12:46 AM

From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian, To An Italian Ending That Was Too Rocky For My Taste - Redskins Insider

Figured that with OTAs essentially over now and not much brewing at The Park until the weekend mini camp, we'd spend the week discussing some of the key players for the upcoming season, one day at a time. We kind of got started last week on the punters and kickers, before all kinds of news stuff broke out to get us on a different bent.

But this week I figured we'd look at people being asked to take a major step up, and start with Rocky McIntosh. He is expected to go from being a special teams guy last year to a starting LB this season, and judging from the smile on his face while we chatted recently, I'd say so far so good. (Also, I have to vent a bit about that lame ending to the Sopranos last night, that to me was more a precursor to a movie than any sort of true conclusion to these characters).

Okay, let's start with football.

I hear that Rocky is being looked at as a real weapon, someone who can be deployed in multiple ways, and is thriving under the tutelage of new LB Coach Kirk Olivadotti And has been a stud this off season. He has essentially lived at the facility, getting up to speed on the defense and all of his responsibilities after struggling to get a grasps of it last year after being picked in the second round. Also, Olivadotti is a more of a "luv 'em up," kind of guy and more touchy-feely than Dale Lindsey was, and the new approach is working well from what the players and others can tell out there.

Bottom line with this defense last year was that nobody made plays. Nobody. Short of Kedric Golston, you tell me who surpassed expectations on that D last season. It was a down year all around, from the coaches to the players; starters through the backups. But Rocky is definitely a guy who has the ability to change games - he provides another athletic presence missing a year ago and is a sure tackler.

On top of all of that, the dude plays with an edge. He hates the opposition for those four quarters on Sundays, and when he hits, it hurts. That physicality was lacking a year ago, too. Rocky has the wheels to do things in coverage now - his struggles learning the system limited his role greatly last season - and he will be allowed to get after the passer some as well, from what I gather.

I know the Bears had really high reports on him and thought he would be an upgrade over Briggs in time in their system, and the Redskins are utilizing a whole lot of Lovie Smith's stuff this season, so make of that what you will. Of course, the one red flag has always been Rocky's knees.

He had a scope in the off season and says he feels great now. But there are definitely concerns from within the organization that he could continue to experience knee problems and that it could be a degenerative condition over time. He will have to be monitored closely and the medical team will have to stay on top of it aches and pains.

But if he does manage to keep the knees in decent shape this could be a real breakthrough season for the kid. Rocky's wife is also expected a child soon, and if you remember postponed his honeymoon last off season to be around Redskins Park and prepare for his life in pro football. Perhaps he will be reaping rewards on the professional side as well as the personal side of things this year.

itvnetop · 06-12-2007, 04:26 AM

That's absolutely great news on the LB front... i'm looking forward to a breakout season from Rocky.

Hog1 · 06-12-2007, 09:28 AM

What a huge deal it will be if Rocky steps up as this article suggests! I CANNOT WAIT for the season to start. ...................off-season is rough............

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-12-2007, 09:37 AM

Hearing that about his knees really worries the hell out of me though. I just hope we could at the VERY least get 4-5 good years out of him before it becomes too bad for him.

freddyg12 · 06-12-2007, 10:32 AM

We'll know Rocky has made it when there are no more Lavar threads/comparisons. It's been a while since there's been one.

hooskins · 06-12-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Hearing that about his knees really worries the hell out of me though. I just hope we could at the VERY least get 4-5 good years out of him before it becomes too bad for him.

Exactly, but who doesnt have injury problems in this current league? I hope it is ok.

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-12-2007, 02:12 PM

Injuries are part of the game but when I hear the word "degenerative" I get VERY nervous.

GusFrerotte · 06-13-2007, 12:32 AM

Rocky hopefully will truly turn into a diamond in the rough type a acquisition for us. Came in here with not that much fanfare, but I hope he lives up to what this article is suggesting.

GTripp0012 · 06-13-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Rocky hopefully will truly turn into a diamond in the rough type a acquisition for us. Came in here with not that much fanfare, but I hope he lives up to what this article is suggesting.

He was a second round draft pick. 35th overall, thats a fair amount of fan fare.

hagams · 06-13-2007, 10:42 AM

I don't want to get my hopes up too high, but I want so bad for this guy to come out this year and rip Offenses apart. I want a hard hitter with good hands that plays hard every down, and I hope this is him.

06-12-2007, 12:46 AM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,568	Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian, To An Italian Ending That Was Too Rocky For My Taste - Redskins Insider Figured that with OTAs essentially over now and not much brewing at The Park until the weekend mini camp, we'd spend the week discussing some of the key players for the upcoming season, one day at a time. We kind of got started last week on the punters and kickers, before all kinds of news stuff broke out to get us on a different bent. But this week I figured we'd look at people being asked to take a major step up, and start with Rocky McIntosh. He is expected to go from being a special teams guy last year to a starting LB this season, and judging from the smile on his face while we chatted recently, I'd say so far so good. (Also, I have to vent a bit about that lame ending to the Sopranos last night, that to me was more a precursor to a movie than any sort of true conclusion to these characters). Okay, let's start with football. I hear that Rocky is being looked at as a real weapon, someone who can be deployed in multiple ways, and is thriving under the tutelage of new LB Coach Kirk Olivadotti And has been a stud this off season. He has essentially lived at the facility, getting up to speed on the defense and all of his responsibilities after struggling to get a grasps of it last year after being picked in the second round. Also, Olivadotti is a more of a "luv 'em up," kind of guy and more touchy-feely than Dale Lindsey was, and the new approach is working well from what the players and others can tell out there. Bottom line with this defense last year was that nobody made plays. Nobody. Short of Kedric Golston, you tell me who surpassed expectations on that D last season. It was a down year all around, from the coaches to the players; starters through the backups. But Rocky is definitely a guy who has the ability to change games - he provides another athletic presence missing a year ago and is a sure tackler. On top of all of that, the dude plays with an edge. He hates the opposition for those four quarters on Sundays, and when he hits, it hurts. That physicality was lacking a year ago, too. Rocky has the wheels to do things in coverage now - his struggles learning the system limited his role greatly last season - and he will be allowed to get after the passer some as well, from what I gather. I know the Bears had really high reports on him and thought he would be an upgrade over Briggs in time in their system, and the Redskins are utilizing a whole lot of Lovie Smith's stuff this season, so make of that what you will. Of course, the one red flag has always been Rocky's knees. He had a scope in the off season and says he feels great now. But there are definitely concerns from within the organization that he could continue to experience knee problems and that it could be a degenerative condition over time. He will have to be monitored closely and the medical team will have to stay on top of it aches and pains. But if he does manage to keep the knees in decent shape this could be a real breakthrough season for the kid. Rocky's wife is also expected a child soon, and if you remember postponed his honeymoon last off season to be around Redskins Park and prepare for his life in pro football. Perhaps he will be reaping rewards on the professional side as well as the personal side of things this year. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

06-12-2007, 04:26 AM	#2
itvnetop Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 47 Posts: 3,007	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... That's absolutely great news on the LB front... i'm looking forward to a breakout season from Rocky.

06-12-2007, 09:28 AM	#3
Hog1 Quietly Dominating the East Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 10,675	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... What a huge deal it will be if Rocky steps up as this article suggests! I CANNOT WAIT for the season to start. ...................off-season is rough............ __________________ Goodbye Sean..........Vaya Con Dios thankyou Joe....... *“God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.” – Joe Gibbs*

06-12-2007, 09:37 AM	#4
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,233	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... Hearing that about his knees really worries the hell out of me though. I just hope we could at the VERY least get 4-5 good years out of him before it becomes too bad for him. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

06-12-2007, 10:32 AM	#5
freddyg12 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,540	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... We'll know Rocky has made it when there are no more Lavar threads/comparisons. It's been a while since there's been one.

06-12-2007, 02:12 PM	#7
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,233	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... Injuries are part of the game but when I hear the word "degenerative" I get VERY nervous. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

06-13-2007, 12:32 AM	#8
GusFrerotte Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Detroit area Posts: 4,153	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... Rocky hopefully will truly turn into a diamond in the rough type a acquisition for us. Came in here with not that much fanfare, but I hope he lives up to what this article is suggesting.

06-13-2007, 10:42 AM	#10
hagams Impact Rookie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Beaufort SC Age: 45 Posts: 933	Re: Redskins Insider: From a Rocky Who Is Not Italian... I don't want to get my hopes up too high, but I want so bad for this guy to come out this year and rip Offenses apart. I want a hard hitter with good hands that plays hard every down, and I hope this is him. __________________ We are always superbowl contenders in March!!! HTTR!!!!!!!!

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