Washington Redskins fans know that the linebacker corps is one of the strengths of the team. With a veteran leader in London Fletcher and a pair of effective, young backers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, the linebackers always have the potential to give opposing offenses fits.
Apparently, folks agree with that assessment. Ryan Van Bibber of SB Nation recently looked at all of the linebacker corps for all 32 NFL teams. Out of the entire league, he ranked the Redskins corps fourth in the league, behind only the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Van Bibber says that while other areas of the Redskins defense have been problematic for the team, the linebackers pick up as much slack as they can.
4. Washington Redskins
Sure, we had our fun at the expense of Washington's secondary, but defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's linebackers are nothing to snicker about. London Fletcher is yet another ageless wonder in the NFL. Brian Orakpo, as you may have heard, is no slouch. Ryan Kerrigan had an incredible rookie season.
The Redskins certainly hope that their linebackers can be the leaders of this defense, especially in the 3-4 system that defensive coordinator Jim Haslett runs.
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