Lorenzo Alexander starts over Andre Carter at OLB
Andre Carter appeared to be a bad fit for Washington's new 3-4 scheme this season, and it appears the team has acknowledged as much after only three games.
Before Sunday's game against Philadelphia, the Redskins announced that Lorenzo Alexander would start at outside linebacker opposite Brian Orakpo. Carter, at his best as a hand-down end, has struggled to become comfortable as a stand-up player who must drop into coverage.
The Redskins' planned for Alexander to have a limited role on defense as a backup because of his heavy special teams workload. Alexander, however, has outperformed Carter to this point, and with the Redskins last in the NFL in defense, coordinator Jim Haslett decided to make a move.
"I think that's a guy that deserves an opportunity to play just because of what you see on the film," Haslett said Friday at Redskins Park. "He has done a good job when we put him in there and he'll have more and more of a chance when we go along."
In three games, Carter has been credited with 10 tackles, including five unassisted. He has no sacks. During the best season of his career in 2009, Carter shared the team lead with 11 sacks.
Carter's stats in his only other year as an outside linebacker, with San Francisco, were solid: 58 tackles and 4.5 sacks. But Carter was uncomfortable standing up and lacked the natural instincts to drop back in pass coverage, people familiar with his performance said.
Before the 2009 season, the Redskins renegotiated Carter's contract. Among other things, the Redskins guaranteed Carter a $3.2 million bonus, which he received before the season. He is due another bonus of $4.075 million, which is not guaranteed, next summer.
The hard-working Carter is respected in the locker room for his selflessness and optimism. And at 31, Carter, who has a no-trade clause, would seem to have some good seasons still ahead of him. But he is not an outside linebacker.
By
Jason Reid
| October 3, 2010; 4:18 PM ET
Categories:
3-4 defense, Andre Carter
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Banks!!!
Posted by: SkinsfaninKaneohe | October 3, 2010 4:21 PM | Report abuse
banks haters eat your heart out!!!
Posted by: pabrian2008 | October 3, 2010 4:22 PM | Report abuse
Freight Torrain!
Posted by: SkinsfaninKaneohe | October 3, 2010 4:22 PM | Report abuse
Now can we get DT11 out there? I can't stand the old fart DT11 haters here...they must have something against speed!
Posted by: pabrian2008 | October 3, 2010 4:24 PM | Report abuse
Banks great run, Torain great run>>the lowest he's ran this year. Starting Lorenzo instead of Carter great. Having Chris Wilson in nickle package great move. I'm happy.
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:24 PM | Report abuse
Good god was that a hit by the one man gang.
Posted by: Flounder21 | October 3, 2010 4:25 PM | Report abuse
Think the Skins will ride the gravy Torrain all game?
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:27 PM | Report abuse
haynesworth made a tackle. eat it haters
Posted by: pabrian2008 | October 3, 2010 4:28 PM | Report abuse
Who are these defensive players?! Great start!
Posted by: RomoLongballs | October 3, 2010 4:28 PM | Report abuse
I've said it before I'll say it again, One Man Gang for President!
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:28 PM | Report abuse
Albert just stopped them on 3rd down.
What am I seeing?
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:29 PM | Report abuse
Give AH credit he made both 3rd down plys.
Posted by: Flounder21 | October 3, 2010 4:29 PM | Report abuse
Banks great run, Torain great run>>the lowest he's ran this year. Starting Lorenzo instead of Carter great. Having Chris Wilson in nickle package great move. I'm happy.
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:24 PM |
Have the coaches been reading this blog?
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:30 PM | Report abuse
I'll tell you what, at this point, every time Banks touches the ball I'm expecting a big play one way or the other.
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:30 PM | Report abuse
Looks like the Skins are definitely using Landry to spy on Vick on 3rd downs. Anyone else get the feeling that Landry is gonna really pop Vick one of these plays? He's already hit him twice
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:31 PM | Report abuse
2 punt returns for 60 yards. Banks was behing Buchanon why again?
Posted by: elfreako | October 3, 2010 4:31 PM | Report abuse
Does Portis look different to anyone? This is the most burst I've seen him show, OL also doing a great job.
Posted by: RomoLongballs | October 3, 2010 4:32 PM | Report abuse
RUN Mutha Phukers RUN!
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:33 PM | Report abuse
Have the coaches been reading this blog?
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:30 PM | Report abuse
Nah..it's Bruce Allen.
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:34 PM | Report abuse
Portis looking like a rookie again!
Posted by: ga8085 | October 3, 2010 4:34 PM | Report abuse
Who gave portis the giant line of speed before the game?
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:35 PM | Report abuse
even though Portis just lost three yards, I'm hoping today may finally put an end to the ground game questions. I think the o-line is starting to really get used to working together and understanding the scheme better with every snap. Fingers crossed it's not an apparition
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Where are the guys who were saying all week that the Shanahans don't know how to call plays? Could Sherm Lewis be sending in the calls?
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Clinton is playing awesome early.
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Cooooooooooooooooley
Posted by: Diesel44 | October 3, 2010 4:36 PM | Report abuse
COOLEY!
Man, am glad both he and Torain (along with Santana) are on my fantasy team.
Posted by: NosferatusCoffin | October 3, 2010 4:36 PM | Report abuse
Where the F-ck did this team come from.
Posted by: Flounder21 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
F yeah Cooley!
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
DMAC comes back with a bee-u-tiful TD to Cooley!!
Posted by: ga8085 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
Hellz yeah, How 'bout them Redskins!!
Posted by: Curzon417 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
We CANNOT let up, we have to put our boot on their throat. Awesome start
Posted by: RomoLongballs | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
DONOVAN MCNABB!!!!!!!!!!
SHANAHAN WITH THE PLAN!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
COOOOOOOLEYYYY! It's so quiet in that stadium you could hear a pin drop.
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
don't worry, we'll probably ending up blowing this lead anyways
Posted by: prc805 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
Where the F-ck did this team come from.
Posted by: Flounder21 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM
They thought they were all game day inactives last week. Even the ones who were on the field.
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 4:38 PM | Report abuse
I think the D can force Vick into a turnover or two soon. Landry is gonna give him a big hit and shake him up a bit
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:39 PM | Report abuse
Up 14-0? Is this The Twilight Zone?
Posted by: RichinVA | October 3, 2010 4:40 PM | Report abuse
don't worry, we'll probably ending up blowing this lead anyways
Posted by: prc805 | October 3, 2010 4:37 PM
Die you basterd!
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:40 PM | Report abuse
staff admitting some preseason mistakes and correcting them... Banks on st, Torain over williams, Lo Alexander starting...
Posted by: chrislarry | October 3, 2010 4:41 PM | Report abuse
You were thinking it, scamp.
Posted by: stevie_in_gp | October 3, 2010 4:42 PM | Report abuse
Time for the defense to look like hot garbage. Geez..
Posted by: ga8085 | October 3, 2010 4:43 PM | Report abuse
gotta get pressure up the middle
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:45 PM | Report abuse
Come on defense.
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:45 PM | Report abuse
You were thinking it, scamp.
Posted by: stevie_in_gp | October 3, 2010 4:42 PM
I know, hence the explicit invective.
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:45 PM | Report abuse
Can big Al earn some $$
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:46 PM | Report abuse
Carter got blown off the line
Posted by: scampbell1975 | October 3, 2010 4:47 PM | Report abuse
Good work by Fat Albert to force that hold.
Posted by: NosferatusCoffin | October 3, 2010 4:50 PM | Report abuse
Hollywood couldn't make this stuff up. Kolb coming in...DELECIOUS!!!
Posted by: elfreako | October 3, 2010 4:50 PM | Report abuse
Vick got punished!!!
Posted by: goskins21 | October 3, 2010 4:50 PM | Report abuse
Albert Haynsworth is KILLING today at nose tackle. He is pushing the heck out of the Eag;es Center and Gaurd.
Posted by: roccoskins | October 3, 2010 4:52 PM | Report abuse
92 has made 3 impact plays from the NT position. That's 3 more than we've had all year. If he would only "buy in".
Posted by: Diesel44 | October 3, 2010 4:52 PM | Report abuse
Thought AH should've been in 4th and short (I didn't see him). He made a difference in three third down plays so far in the game.
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:52 PM | Report abuse
Seems like Vick just had one of his ribs broken.
And does it seem to anyone else like Haynesworth is finally back in football shape?
Posted by: --swb | October 3, 2010 4:53 PM | Report abuse
I love me a Vick sandwich.....no homo.
Posted by: TinyJordan | October 3, 2010 4:53 PM | Report abuse
"Revenge...how sweet it is"
-Petey Pitbull
Posted by: rickyroge | October 3, 2010 4:53 PM | Report abuse
92 is tearing it up!
Posted by: TheDirtySanchez | October 3, 2010 4:54 PM | Report abuse
"I love me a Vick sandwich.....no homo." - D. Hall
Posted by: TinyJordan | October 3, 2010 4:54 PM | Report abuse
The Redskins are playing awesome. They better not blow this.
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:54 PM | Report abuse
Well, at least the D is making them work it.
Posted by: NosferatusCoffin | October 3, 2010 4:56 PM | Report abuse
And hate to be that guy but......why do I feel like we're about to give Kolb a career day? I mean, did the D even study him during practice?
Posted by: TinyJordan | October 3, 2010 4:56 PM | Report abuse
I'm going with collarbone.
Posted by: stevie_in_gp | October 3, 2010 4:56 PM | Report abuse
Lo all over the field.
HaHa, Vick got the pit bull treatment from Hall and Moore.
Posted by: Curzon417 | October 3, 2010 4:57 PM | Report abuse
Looks like Haynesworth is playing a little more insipired this wk. Keep it up please!!
Posted by: wattsicon | October 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Report abuse
Now way in hell I'm talkin' smack at this time...NOT UNTIL THE LAST TICK OF THE CLOCK!
Posted by: rickyroge | October 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Report abuse
This is why the NFL favors pocket passers. This isn't college.
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | October 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Report abuse
FGs are going to be hard to come by. That wind was pushing the ball all over the place.
As for AH, seems like he's not playing straight up at NT. I guess that's why he's in on nickle. Anyways I hope this is a comprimise between player and coach(es)
Posted by: TWISI | October 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Report abuse
I'm thinking Vic broke his collar bone.
Posted by: edvar | October 3, 2010 4:58 PM | Report abuse
Weak block by J. Brown on the Cooley play.
Posted by: elfreako | October 3, 2010 4:59 PM | Report abuse
Lovin' me some Redskins today!! Too bad AA fell down.
Posted by: Curzon417 | October 3, 2010 5:02 PM | Report abuse
AA! Bumemr that he stumbled, but gotta love the deep attack. A lot more of that this season, for sure. That is what happens when you have some actual speed outside, aside from Moss.
Posted by: NosferatusCoffin | October 3, 2010 5:02 PM | Report abuse
Looking good thus far.
Boy, sure wish DMN would have laid that out to Anthony Armstrong for a TD
HTTR
Posted by: RedskinRay1 | October 3, 2010 5:02 PM | Report abuse
End of Qtr beeps.
Posted by: Curzon417 | October 3, 2010 5:04 PM | Report abuse
Why the hold Heyer...c'mon man!
Posted by: elfreako | October 3, 2010 5:04 PM | Report abuse
Arrgh! Heyer is worth 10 points to the apposing team just by stepping out on the field.
Posted by: NosferatusCoffin | October 3, 2010 5:04 PM | Report abuse
What a stupid hold by Heyer. Didn't he go to the University of Maryland?
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 5:04 PM | Report abuse
Stop trying to get the ball to Banks! WTF!
Posted by: ga8085 | October 3, 2010 5:05 PM | Report abuse
Not sure i like these little tricky plays for banks.
Posted by: SkinsfaninKaneohe | October 3, 2010 5:05 PM | Report abuse
Moss is playing, right?
Posted by: DC2AZ99 | October 3, 2010 5:06 PM | Report abuse
Not sure i like these little tricky plays for banks.
Posted by: SkinsfaninKaneohe | October 3, 2010 5:05 PM
I'll bet you wouldn't be saying that if they worked. Personally, I love them. So many surprises for the Eagles.
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 5:07 PM | Report abuse
How much time has Haslett been spending on containing Vick, Blitzing Vick, shadowing Vick?
and now Kolb is the QB, will Haslett adapt well ASAP?
Posted by: RedskinRay1 | October 3, 2010 5:08 PM | Report abuse
Heyer costs us points every week...look it up!
Posted by: rickyroge | October 3, 2010 5:11 PM | Report abuse
and now Kolb is the QB, will Haslett adapt well ASAP?
Posted by: RedskinRay1 | October 3, 2010 5:08 PM
Works both ways, Ray. Eagles didn't design a game plan for Kolb. They expected Vick to play. And also Kolb -- will he adapt?
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 5:12 PM | Report abuse
beep beep
Posted by: beep-beep | October 3, 2010 5:13 PM | Report abuse
Cripes, how long have the Eagles had the ball?
Posted by: RichinVA | October 3, 2010 5:30 PM | Report abuse
HTTR !
Keep up the attack. More Banks, more Portis.
Posted by: mussdd | October 3, 2010 5:48 PM | Report abuse
You gotta be kidding me, 2 timeouts burned ALREADY?
Posted by: RichinVA | October 3, 2010 5:59 PM | Report abuse
When you write London Fletcher, Reed Doughty, Mike Sellers and an unamed offensive star isn't starting, I'll watch the Redskins knowing we have a TEAM chance of winning in the 4th quarter.
Posted by: CTaylor42 | October 4, 2010 2:16 AM | Report abuse

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