Good article on Carriker:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/Carriker-strengthens-_D_--499409-100817249.html
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<h1>Carriker strengthens 'D'
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August 17, 2010</span>
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Adam Carriker's strength and ability to hold the gap at the
line of scrimmage makes him an ideal fit in the Redskins' 3-4 defense.
(Jennifer Milbrett/Examiner) </div>
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Redskins defensive
end a perfect fit in 3-4 set</span></font>
ASHBURN - Adam Carriker's scouting report contains
one word. And it's one that Redskins right tackle Jammal Brown repeats
with a mixture of adulation -- glad he has a teammate like this -- and
exasperation -- not so glad he has to face it every day.
So here's Brown's description:
"Strong," he said. "Very, very strong. Just strong."
And just in case he wasn't clear, he punctuates the report with one
more sentence.
"I can sum it up in one word: strong," Brown said.
Nobody would disagree; and it's why the Redskins coaches say Carriker
is such a good fit as an end in their 3-4 defense. They also like that
he knows how to use his strength; because of that, the linebackers are
able to do their jobs. It's what an end in this system must do.
"The first thing they told me when I got here is that at end, you'll
get the least amount of credit, but the defense goes as you go," he
said. "It's just like the offensive line. The offense comes and goes
with the line, but they get no credit. But if we win games here I don't
care."
Besides, it's a defense that scouts long ago predicted would be
better for him, rather than playing end in a four-man front. Carriker
agrees. It's simple: In a four-man line, the ends are asked to charge
upfield to make plays more. Carriker recorded only two sacks in 25
career starts. In a three-man line, they're asked to play more
laterally, holding a gap and letting linebackers free to make the play.
"He likes to get his big body on people," defensive line coach Jacob
Burney said. "He wants to go get thick on people.
A lot of defensive
linemen these days just want to find [gaps] and run. They're not
interested in hitting blocks. He'll hit blocks from sun up to sun down."
But playing over the center at times in the 4-3 did help him prepare
for end in this defense. His job was to occupy double teams, same as it
is now. The good thing for Carriker is he's routinely one of the best
linemen at staying low, despite being 6-foot-6. Often, his backside is
lower before the snap than his linemates, providing him with leverage.
"You could spend all your time trying to coach that," Burney said.
"To have a guy that can do it that has natural flexibility in his
ankles, knees and hips, that's a big plus."
Add it up and it's why Carriker is excited to be in Washington. He
missed last season with a shoulder injury and was traded to the Redskins
this spring.
"I was overhyped, I'd been waiting for so long," he said of the
preseason opener. "And this [defense] suits me very well. I'm a
physical, strong guy."
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