Faceoff - ILB London Fletcher, Washington Redskins

Posted 8/12, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Jene Bramel

London Fletcher hasn't missed a game or finished with fewer than 90 solos in nine seasons. He's flourished on three different teams with multiple defensive coordinators in a number of different schemes. He's been above-average in pass rush (28 sacks in ten seasons) and coverage (30 passes defensed in the past three years). In the default FBG scoring system, which is slightly tackle heavy, he's finished in the top twelve for seven consecutive seasons. If you're looking for a safe, consistent inside linebacker to put in your lineup and bank solid numbers every week, Fletcher is your man.

However, Fletcher just turned 34 and has been ticketed for fantasy purgatory by many. Despite his long history of durability, some don't want to be left holding the bag if this is the season that he abruptly falls off the IDP map. They're concerned that Fletcher's tackle numbers went down slightly last season and that he managed only a half sack and no interceptions in 2008. Those concerns are valid. But I wouldn't yet start digging Fletcher's fantasy grave.

Fletcher still managed 96 solos last year despite the second worst team tackle opportunity in the league. Those 96 solos (and 133 total) tackles came in the framework of the passive, read-and-react, front seven philosophy favored by Greg Blache, who replaced the much more aggressive Gregg Williams as the Washington defensive coordinator last year. The drop in pass rush numbers can also be blamed on the rush four, drop the rest schemes of Blache. This offseason, the Redskins added stud defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and are rumored to be strongly considering a more aggressive front seven philosophy. Both changes will bode very well for Fletcher's prospects.

I think Fletcher's age is frightening folks more than it should. He's a durable, productive, safe LB. Put another way, Fletcher is the Cris Carter of MLBs: All he does is make tackles. If the FBG consensus ranking (LB8) is any indication, he'll provide great value as your LB1 rounds after the top names (and a few others with more question marks) come off the board.

Downside - by Sigmund Bloom

It happens to every player. Signs start to mount that they are reaching the precipice - that they are about drop in productivity and effectiveness. Soon their play will just make us say, "What happened to the guy who used to wear that uniform?"

Last year, London Fletcher suffered a modest drop in solo tackles to his lowest level since 2004. He was in the fewest number of turnover-producing plays he's had since 2003. He was barely a factor in the pass rush, with only one-half sack. He had his fewest number of passes defended since 2006, less than half of what he had in 2007, and four less than 2008.

Let's face it. Fletcher is 34, and while he is one of the best players of his era, he's not the hall of fame type talent that can somehow stay excellent past the age of 35. One might say, well, the foot injury Fletcher suffered must be responsible for the drop in stats. Actually, two of his three double digit solo tackle games came when he was on the injury report with that problem foot. The injury last year also cuts both ways. On one hand, it gives Fletcher room for his performance to improve. On the other hand, it could be yet another sign of his impending drop-off, because Fletcher has been a very durable player throughout his career. This foot injury was responsible for Fletcher being on the injury report more in 2008 than he was in the six years prior combined. It might be that Fletcher's body just isn't as resilient as it used to be, and it wore down as the season went on last year.

Another argument for Fletcher is the addition of Albert Haynesworth. The logic goes, Haynesworth will run so much interference that Fletcher will often be unblocked and in position to make big plays. That argument also cuts both ways. Haynesworth so effective last year that the Titans faced very few plays and long drives on defense compared to other teams, and their IDPs tackle numbers suffered because of it. Haynesworth's havoc will also free up the younger and more dynamic linebackers around Fletcher - Brian Orakpo and Rocky McIntosh. They are just as likely to benefit, and maybe even beat Fletcher to more tackles.

London Fletcher could return to his perennial top 10 ways this year, but this could also be the year the wheels come off. There are LBs with just as much upside and less risk due to age available at the same point in your IDP drafts, and I'd recommend taking one of them instead of Fletcher.