By Rich Tandler
If reports that Lou Spanos is leaving as Redskins linebackers coach are true — and one of his main men, London Fletcher, confirmed his departure to UCLA on Twitter — one would think that the Redskins would not have much of a problem finding a replacement.
The Redskins are loaded at linebacker. On the outside are All-Rookie selection Ryan Kerrigan and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo, who just finished his third NFL season. On the inside are Fletcher, the team captain and the NFL’s leading tackler, and promising second-year player Perry Riley.
Besides the veteran Fletcher, who probably has a couple of good seasons left in Washington assuming he can come to contract terms, Orakpo is the oldest at 25.
And there is some depth, especially on the outside. Lorenzo Alexander can play outside or inside. Outside reserves Rob Jackson and Markus White are fast, athletic and hard-hitting.
Everyone likes to come into a job where it is easy to look good right off the bat. NFL coaches are no different. Contrast the linebacker opening to the one at wide receivers coach. Whoever takes over for Keenan McCardell has to work with a group that is composed of players who are either aging (Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney) or unproven (Leonard Hankerson, Niles Paul).
That doesn’t mean the Redskins won’t be able to find a good receivers coach. But they should get some good candidates for the plum job replacing Spanos.
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