Here is what you need to know on this Monday, January 28, 43 days before the start of NFL free agency.
Alexander shows versatility
After RG3’s knee injury and Trent Williams’ nightclub misadventure, the Redskins wound up with three players in the Pro Bowl. All of them happened to be linebackers—London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan, and Lorenzo Alexander.
Fletcher made three tackles and Kerrigan posted two. But the standout from the Redskins contingent was Alexander, who wasn’t even selected as a defender. He was there as the special teams player but he registered five tackles on defense, all of them solos.
Alexander is an unrestricted free agent and his ability to contribute on defense will go a long way towards determining the value of his new contract. After playing just 11 snaps on defense in 2011, he was in on 325 defensive plays this year, about 27 percent of the team’s total on defense.
Going into the year, Alexander learned the finer points of playing inside linebacker and he was supposed to back up London Fletcher and Perry Riley. But after Brian Orakpo was lost for the season with a Week 2 injury, most of his defensive action came from at outside linebacker. He ended up with 2.5 sacks, nine QB hurries and 12 QB hits.
With all of this, it looks like Alexander is making himself some money. His last contract paid him $3.8 million over three years. Alexander should be in line for an increase but it seems likely that his camp and the Redskins, again laboring under an $18 million salary cap penalty, will be able to come to an accord.
“A lot more goes into [the decision] than just money,” Alexander told CSNwashington.com before leaving for the Pro Bowl. “My family is here. Me and my wife have decided we’re going live here when I’m done. We have a business here. I’m very entrenched here in the community and I love this area.”
Nothing is done until it’s done, but, barring a big difference in money or an opportunity to be a starter, it looks like the One Man Gang will be back in 2013.
Trent looks OK
@abe_squad tweeted out this picture of Trent Williams on the sideline at the Pro Bowl. It looks like he took that champagne bottle to the left side of his forehead. I’d say he’s probable for the season opener some 223 days from today
In case you missed it
- The Redskins could have problems finding contracts to restructure to create cap room.
- Redskins LB’s play well in Pro Bowl
Days until: 2013 league year starts 43; OTA’s start 107; NFL kickoff Sunday 223
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