WASHINGTON (FNN Media) — Much of the talk regarding the Washington Redskins defense centered on the play of veteran London Fletcher and rookie Ryan Kerrigan this season.
The linebackers are at opposite ends of the career spectrum, yet still performing at high levels. Both proved to be worthy of the talk, with Fletcher leading the league in tackles at the age of 36 and Kerrigan proving to be an every down player . . . literally.
Their hype and praise was well deserved.
But quietly putting together a solid season in his own regard was a former first-round pick Adam Carriker. For whatever reason, he hasn’t garnered much attention.
It was puzzling.
Once widely considered a bust, Carriker has done really well as the starting left end since joining the Redskins. This past season he led the defensive lineman in sacks until Stephen Bowen edged him out late in the year.
And his numbers came with fewer opportunities, as he did not play in the nickel package.
Like Fletcher, Carriker is a free agent. Unlike Fletcher, the coaching staff has not outwardly said re-signing him was a priority leaving his future in Washington in doubt.
The Redskins have depth along the defensive line making its revamp a priority following the 2010 campaign. Washington brought in a host of fresh faces including Bowen, Barry Cofield and Jarvis Jenkins.
Gone were veterans Andre Carter, Phillip Daniels and the troublesome Albert Haynesworth. Carter actually asked for his release, knowing he was not a good fit for Jim Haslett’s 3-4 scheme. It was arguably the best decision he ever made. Despite suffering a knee injury late in the season, Carter was nominate for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award and came within 60 seconds of earning a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots.
But Carriker was still in Washington as one of the holdovers in a reshuffled defense. And he was happy to be there.
Carriker grew more comfortable in his second in the defense, building on a successful second half of the 2010 season.
“The first eight games was definitely a learning curve in my first year,” Carriker told Football News Now. “The last eight I played really well and it carried over into this whole year.”
His 2011 campaign got off to a hot start, recording 4.5 sacks through the Redskins first six games. It was a feat not usually accomplished by defensive ends in the 3-4 system.
Despite the strong start, he had no notion he would even be in the running for a trip to Hawaii.
“I just figured I was listed as an end, I’d be and end and I’d never have a chance at the Pro Bowl because we aren’t going to get those high sack numbers,” said Carriker.
But it didn’t play out that way. The team, which had cooled from a 3-1 start at that point, wanted to ensure he would have the best shot at becoming a Pro Bowler for the first time.
“Our media guy came to me and said ‘I think you have a chance for the Pro Bowl, but I think you’re going to have to get about five more sacks,’ “ Carriker explained. “You have Jared Allen out there with whatever he had . . . You’ve got all these guys with sacks in the teens. That just doesn’t happen for 3-4 defensive ends.
“ ‘I’m thinking about moving you to defensive tackle on the Pro Bowl ballot with guys who get five or six sacks. That’s more what you play if you’re realistic about it. You’re not on the edge, you’re not rushing the passer. You’re more like a d-tackle in a 4-3 than you are an end in a 4-3 in this 3-4 defense. ‘ “
The move is fairly common around the NFL. Richard Seymour (Oakland Raiders) and Justin Smith (San Francisco 49ers) are both 3-4 defensive ends listed as defensive tackles on the ballot.
With Carriker’s blessing, the switch was made, but he was at home when the game kicked off.
C’est la vie.
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This is the first in a three-part series featuring free-agent Adam Carriker and his future in Washington.
READ PART 1: FROM HOLD OVER TO NEARLY A PRO BOWLER
READ PART 2: WHY 2011 WAS A SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR CARRIKER
READ PART 3: WILL HE RETURN TO THE REDSKINS NEXT SEASON?
