While the 22-year-old quarterback is generating all the attention, the Redskins are also benefitting from the continued excellent production of a 37-year-old linebacker who never seems to slow down.
Of course, linebacker London Fletcher is in many ways the anti-Robert Griffin III. He’s not flashy or able to wow you with extreme athleticism.
But just like with RG3, the plays keep getting made.
Giants left guard Kevin Boothe, who will see Fletcher up close tomorrow, called him the “ageless machine” and said keeping a body on Fletcher is a priority.
“Every time we’re getting ready to play them, it always seems like No. 59 is the guy getting off the pile,” Boothe said, via Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com. “That’s going to be the key Sunday. Somehow, we’ve got to get him blocked and neutralize their front seven guys.”
Not many people have effectively done that.
Over 15 seasons and 230 consecutive games (most of any active player), Fletcher’s been a steady contributor for the Rams, Bills and Redskins. With more than 1,600 tackles in his career, and 54 already this season, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
But his leadership role is as important, as the Redskins defense has lost key parts Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker already this season.
“I think the defensive coaches have taken advantage of the strengths of the other guys who have replaced them,” Fletcher said. “There have been some situations where we’ve had to play a couple of different guys in different roles to replace the guys we’ve lost.
“With that being said, the guys have accepted the challenge in the roles that they’re playing and they’ve played them well.
Fletcher’s in the middle of all that, but he’s also mentoring on the other side of the ball, saying he’s had many conversations with his young quarterback.
“We talk about a lot of things,” Fletcher said. “The best advice I’ve told him is that with a lot of stuff, you’re just going to have to experience it yourself. I can tell you one thing but experience is the best teacher sometimes.”
And experience is the one thing Fletcher can speak from, and impart important lessons RG3 should file away.