Surprised to see you post that amigo---pretty bold statement.
Care to make the case?
Your Honor,
I submit that without London Fletcher, our defense will suffer a drop back down to the bottom of the league.
When the ill advised switch to the 3-4 was implemented, it was Fletch who likely prevented an all out veteran mutiny. As the leader, he had to be instrumental in getting the team to buy into, and keep working hard at, making it go. As one of the best students of the game this old fan has ever had the pleasure to cheer for, he probably knows the defense now as well as the coaches trying to teach it.
His example of drive and dedication is as good as it gets. I feel he has been very instrumental in the positive development of fellow linebackers Orakpo, Kerrigan, and Riley. I expect White to step it up this year as well. Hopefully we add another LB or two during FA/Draft. It is to their benefit that London is their tutor as well. If we do not re-sign the heart and soul leader of our team, I think the psychological hit to this group, as well as the rest of the defense, and the team in general, would be huge.
This guy helps align every defender on the field. LB's, secondary, and linemen. I doubt anyone currently on the roster, or anyone we could sign, or draft, could come close to doing the same, as well.
Now, I know that the coaches also deserve a lot of credit for last years climb out of our self inflicted gutter. Which is another strong reason to re-sign Fletch. We lost one of our best coaches when we lost LB coach Spanos. I believe the 3-4 switch would have been even worse if we hadn't had him to teach it to the LB's. His departure is gonna have an adverse affect, IMO. Maybe not fatal, but damn noticeable. Getting rid of Fletch, the on-field coach, on top of that will certainly magnify whatever impact it does have. Keeping as much continuity on defense, with the addition of Raheem Morris for the secondary, I feel, gives us the potential to be a top 5 defense with the players we already have. Any upgrades, and the sky's the limit.
In closing, as a fan, I am a son of George Allen & Joe Gibbs. I believe you reward veterans who have proven their worth to your team, on and off the field. At times you may wind up holding on to a guy a year too long. So what? Plenty of young guys get drafted and play 2-3 years, never being worth their pay. Besides, if London plays another year at the level he has been, it'll be worth a 2-3 deal. Even if the he starts to slip a little in the 2nd. At which time you move him to the sideline. Where you can pay him what you want.
And with that, for now, I rest my case.
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