The Redskins Blog

Bringing To Light Fletcher’s Draft Omission

(AP photo)

The story of London Fletcher’s rise from a seldom known, undersized linebacker of a NCAA Division III school to four-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s sole ironman come September 9^th is one of the best in league history.

Hundreds of players go through the NFL Draft process without hearing their names called and hope to grasp onto a roster spot, but even if they do find a new home their chances of making the squad dwindle with each cut date.

So when the St. Louis Rams called on a 5-10 linebacker out of John Carroll University in 1998 no one expected him to make a squad that would go on to win the Super Bowl just one year later.

The thought that he would still be one of the top linebackers in the game 15 years later was unimaginable.

After a decade and a half of racking up tackle after tackle, though, Athlon Sports ranks him as one of the best undrafted players over the last quarter century.

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Mix Of Young And Old Have Team Near Top

(AP Image)

While London Fletcher and Robert Griffin III’s paths to NFL stardom drastically differed, the two have one common bond—being Washington Redskins.

Okay maybe two if you count the fact that they were captains on the NFC East champs.

No. 10 dazzled the nation behind a lethal concoction of speed, accuracy, and an infallible will to succeed. No. 59, however, displayed his typical blue-collar work ethic that has far succeeded his undrafted status.

Griffin III symbolizes the Burgundy and Gold’s offensive style while Fletcher does the same for the defense—in age that is.

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For Three Redskins It’s All In The Name

(AP Images)

Robert Griffin III–Alfred Morris–London Fletcher.

Those are three names that are currently linked to the Washington Redskins across the league as key cogs to the Burgundy and Gold claiming their first division title in 13 years.

While the trio looks to join Redskins greats Sam Huff and Chris Hanburger in the halls of Canton someday, one current Redskin will be joining them on a slightly different list. (Hint—he hasn’t even played a game yet.)

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Key Performers Against Philly In 2012

(AP photo)

With a pleasant Memorial Day weekend behind us, it’s time for America to get back to the daily grind of a typical work week.

The Washington Redskins are among the masses who are heading back to work as they are back at the Park for another week of OTAs and with news that it is 100 days until the start of the 2013 regular season (104 for the Burgundy and Gold) the hype surrounding the Redskins Monday Night Football opener is starting to gain speed quicker than Robert Griffin III in the open field.

Before we preview the Redskins season opener against the 2012 last place Eagles, we want to look back at the lopsided season series that was against one of Washington’s biggest rivals last year.

While we all know the story of Griffin III’s perfect quarterback rating in the 155^th meeting between the two squads, let’s take a look at four players who deserve recognition for helping the Redskins sweep the season series against the Eagles for the first time since 2008.

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Morris Hits Another Unexpected Homer

(AP photo)

Going into the 2012 season, the hype surrounding the Redskins reached unrivaled levels thanks to this fellow by the name of Robert Griffin III.

Griffin III was joining a team littered with first round talents (Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Williams and Brian Orakpo) and undrafted phenoms outperforming their draft day exclusions like NFL ironman London Fletcher.

While No. 10 thrashed his opponents en route to AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, he isn’t the top rated Redskin on CBSSports’ NFL Top-100 list.

Enter Alfred Morris.

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Fletcher Stands Alone At The Top

(AP Photo)

On Wednesday, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ronde Barber announced his intentions to retire after a 16-year career in which he appeared in five Pro Bowls and was named as an All-Pro three times.

On November 22, 1998, Barber took the field against the Detroit Lions in just your average regular season game. Three decades, one Super Bowl victory, and a decision to ditch their famous, or infamous, creamsicle jerseys later, Barber appeared in all of Tampa Bay’s 240 games until December 30, 2012.

While the defensive back pulled a Darrell Green and became a lifer for the loss-stricken franchise before his arrival, London Fletcher was proving that every NFL team completely miscounted his talents during the 1998 NFL Draft.

Since 2007, the four-time Pro Bowler has called the Nation’s Capital home and today he can also officially claim himself as the NFL’s sole Ironman after being tied with Barber with 240 consecutive appearances.

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‘Top 100 Players of 2013′: London Fletcher

Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, 37, appeared in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl this year, making him the first Redskins player since tackle Chris Samuels to earn four consecutive Pro Bowl berths (2005-08).

The defensive captain and NFC’s Defensive Player of the Month for December, finished the season with a team-high 188 tackles (112 solo) and posted a career-high five interceptions while pushing his consecutive games played streak to 240.

Earlier in the offseason, the 15-year veteran announced that he would return for another year in the burgundy and gold and good thing because he ranks #86 on the list of “Top 100 Players of 2013″!

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Jenkins Added To Loaded Linebacker Unit

(AP Photo)

As I wrote earlier today, the Redskins had an extra fifth round draft pick in this year’s from a 2011 trade and used it on Florida State linebacker Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins was the second Florida State player selected by the Burgundy and Gold in the fifth round. Just eight picks earlier, the Redskins took FSU running back Chris Thompson.

Did the Redskins just add another future Pro Bowler to a unit that already features Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrgian, London Fletcher and Perry Riley?

Jenkins was a preseason All-American and All-ACC candidate in 2012 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. If the former Seminole plays up to his top pick potential before being sidelined, the Redskins just got another late round steal–a Mike Shanahan specialty.

Here’s a little video to get you jacked up for Jenkins arrival in the Nation’s Capital.

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Possible RG3, Vick Duel Headlines Opener

Mark your calendars Redskins Nation its official, the 2012 NFC East champions will open the 2013 slate against NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football at FedExField. The opener is one of five primetime affairs for the Burgundy and Gold.

And yes its the same Eagles who the Redskins swept during the 2012 campaign including a 31-6 victory at FedExField that jump started the Redskins epic run to the postseason.

With plenty of storylines to dig into, it only seems fitting to do a way too early preview of a game that is still months away.

Here are some topics to follow that night:

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Redskins Have New Linebacker On Tapp

Last week, the Washington Redskins signed former Philadelphia Eagle and Seattle Seahawk Darryl Tapp. During his seven years in the National Football League, Tapp has dug his hand deep in the dirt in the three-point stance on the line.

However, with the Burgundy and Gold Tapp will convert to linebacker and provide quality depth for one of the best linebacking units in the league that includes Pro Bowlers London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo. Middle linebacker Perry Riley was top-15 in tackles in his first year as a full-time starter and Rob Jackson burst onto the scene after setting career-highs across the board including a key interception in the team’s Week 17 NFC East clinching victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

While he has spent the past three years with one of the Redskins biggest foes, Tapp is ready to play for the team he grew up rooting for.

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