I am not too scared of Alfred Fincher playing because he is a really big tackler but if we lose Fletch, H.B. Blades will be a huge drop down in talent
http://www.dcexaminer.com/sports/112508_Injuries_could_have_Giant_impact.htmlThe star linebacker walked to his car, with a pronounced limp and a walking boot on his left foot. That’s hardly the way Washington wanted this week to begin.
With five games remaining, and the playoff race thickening, the Redskins can’t afford many setbacks. If London Fletcher can’t play because of a sprained foot — he underwent an MRI Monday, though the results weren’t yet known — that would qualify as a big one.
Defensive end Andre Carter also left with a walking boot on his right foot, protecting his planter fasciitis. However, Carter, at least, was optimistic about playing the first-place New York Giants on Sunday.
“It’ll be a game-day decision,” he said, “but I feel confident.”
Both players were hurt in Sunday’s 20-17 win over Seattle, which left the Redskins at 7-4 and tied for second in the NFC East. However, if the playoffs ended today, the Redskins would have the second wild card spot.
Considering how much New York likes to run — it gained 154 yards vs. Washington in the 16-7 win in the season opener — the Redskins need a healthy Fletcher, who has started 130 straight games and hasn’t missed a game since entering the NFL in 1998. If he can’t play, H.B. Blades would start in the middle and Alfred Fincher would start on the strong side, while Marcus Washington remains out with a high ankle sprain.The Giants have the NFL’s top rushing offense.
“We’d have it covered,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “Yeah, we wouldn’t have our starters and that’s an issue for us, but every team is like that now. Every team is playing sore and we’re no different.”
The Redskins also could use more nickel coverage, using the strength of the defense — the secondary — though that would almost force New York to run the ball more. They did use end Jason Taylor more in a standup, linebacker role Sunday. If Carter is able to play, they could opt for that again.
More offensive production would provide a boost as well. The Redskins rank 27th in the NFL in points scored. They did run the ball well vs. Seattle, with Clinton Portis gaining 143 yards despite his sprained knee and also a strained hip muscle. But they once more left points on the field.
“At some point we hope we have a higher level of point production because we are better than that,” Zorn said. “Maybe we are only that good right now. I don’t feel that, but something is not happening.”
