Rocky

McIntosh

Minor knee surgery kept him out of late offseason work, but McIntosh is a candidate to start with Warrick Holdman slightly ahead in the weak-side LB competition at the moment.

Depending on how he responds to the procedure, McIntosh will sit out June 16-18 minicamp and return to compete with Warrick Holdman and Chris Clemons to be Washington’s starting weak-side linebacker. Coach Joe Gibbs expects the Redskins’ top pick in 2006 to be ready for the start of training camp.

It’s his first known visit of free agency. With the Redskins since being a second-round pick 2006, McIntosh lost his starting job in Week 10 last season, and drew a Week 17 suspension for breaking curfew. McIntosh can play weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 like the Dolphins’ new scheme, and pinch in at Mike.

McIntosh had previously visited the Bears and Dolphins. He would likely back up WLB Erin Henderson and expected first-year starter MLB Jasper Brinkley if he lands in Minnesota.

McIntosh started 69 games for the Redskins over six seasons before losing his job in November last year. He could back up on the weakside and in the middle with the Bears.

Riley has deservedly and officially passed McIntosh on the depth chart. He had nine tackles against the Dolphins last week, including four for a loss.

McIntosh’s fate in Washington is essentially sealed and he likely knew it. They’ll use Perry Riley as their starting inside linebacker of the future, allowing McIntosh to walk in free agency.

“It did not work,” according to Russell. Perhaps things would have turned out differently had McIntosh had his parents call coach Mike Shanahan and ask permission to stay out later. McIntosh will be playing elsewhere in 2012.

A surprise inactive, McIntosh reportedly drew the ire of coach Mike Shanahan for being “late to some meetings/inattentive.” Set to become a free agent, McIntosh had appeared in every game before Week 17, starting eight. He tallied 65 tackles and one sack, grading out as one of the worst inside linebackers in the league by Pro Football Focus. There’s a good chance his six-year tenure in Washington has come to an end.

McIntosh is getting benched for performance reasons as the Redskins continue to flail around. Riley is the Redskins’ inside ‘backer of the future and has some immediate IDP appeal in deeper formats. McIntosh was averaging 7.0 tackles per game on the season while playing next to London Fletcher.