Orakpo gets LB shot?

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The Washington Times

Monday, April 27, 2009

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Since they cut veteran Marcus Washington, the Washington Redskins have searched for a successor to fill his spot at strongside linebacker. They will try to fill that void from within the organization, moving weakside starter Rocky McIntosh there during the upcoming minicamp and organized team activities.

Top draft choice Brian Orakpo, a defensive end at Texas, might get a shot, too.

“We’re going to try to put Rocky at strong side,” coach Jim Zorn said Sunday. “You may even see Orakpo line up [there] … so we can see whether he’s got the potential to do that.”

None of the three linebackers the Redskins added this month - journeyman Robert Thomas and draft picks Cody Glenn and Robert Henson - fit well on the strong side. Leroy Hill, 26, a four-year starter for Seattle, could be a possibility. The Seahawks made him a free agent Saturday.

On the sideline

Offensive tackle Mike Williams, whom the Redskins signed Friday, won’t participate in this weekend’s minicamp because he weighs 410 pounds, 40 more than he carried during his last NFL season of 2005. The fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft to Buffalo, Williams has been living with former Texas teammate Derrick Dockery.

“He is two guys standing side by side with their arms around each other,” Zorn said. “That’s how wide he is.”

Executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said he liked the way Williams looked during his workout Friday, helping prompt the Redskins to bypass their need for a tackle at the draft.

At June’s OTA sessions, tackle Chris Samuels (triceps), receiver Malcolm Kelly (knee) and seventh-round fullback Eddie Williams (knee) won’t be on the field. Guard Randy Thomas (neck) and safety Reed Doughty (back) will be limited.

QB Daniel signs

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel wrote on his Twitter page Sunday night that he would join the Redskins as a rookie free agent. A team source confirmed the signing.

Daniel, a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2007, passed for 12,515 yards and 101 touchdowns at Missouri. But he doesn’t have the size - he measured 6-foot and 218 pounds at the scouting combine - or arm strength coveted by NFL teams.

About the Author

David Elfin

David Elfin has been following Washington-area sports teams since the late 1960s. David began his journalism career at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., history) and Syracuse University (M.S., telecommunications). He wrote for the Bulletin (Philadelphia), the Post-Standard (Syracuse) and The Washington Post before coming to The Washington Times in 1986. He has covered colleges, the Orioles ...