An Interview With Redskins Defensive End Adam Carriker
What’s this? An article about a Redskins defensive linemen not named Albert Haynesworth? Yes sir!
Who would you say is the most important defensive player on the Redskins roster? London Fletcher? Brian Orakpo? Laron Landry? Any of those three would be a good choice. But who’s fourth? Who else is as vital to an improving defense as the guys listed above. I say it’s defensive end Adam Carriker.
Carriker was one of the few bright spots on a bad defense in 2010. He was, by far, the most consistent guy up front. He also posted a career high in tackles (37). But where did he come from? How the heck did the Redskins manage to get him from St. Louis simply by swapping fifth and seventh round picks?
Few people know that Adam Carriker actually started three years at quarterback in high school and was the team captain. When asked how he went from a quarterback to a standout 300 pound defensive lineman at the University of Nebraska, he said “After I committed to Nebraska, I worked out for 4 hours a day. Then every day while I was in college, I would work out with the team, then go work out for an extra hour on my own. I just kept growing and getting stronger along the way.”
Being drafted 13th overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2007 was “pretty awesome” for him, but unfortunately for Carriker, he ended up on a bad team and playing in a defense that didn’t maximize his skills. “I was the starting nose guard,” he said. “The nose guard is double teamed almost every play.” Carriker wasn’t surrounded by a ton of talent in St. Louis either, and he was also asked to move around a lot and play multiple positions. “A lot of times I had no idea what position I was going to be playing until about 15 seconds before the ball was snapped, depending on who just came in and who left the game,” he said.
As a 3-4 defensive end for the Redskins, though, he’s able to do more with less. “I think the difference for me is I’m now playing a position that fits me physically,” Carriker said. “Also, I don’t get quite as many double teams and I’m allowed to play one position and focus on that which allows me to get really good at it.”
Carriker thinks the Redskins are poised to have a much better 2011 on defense. “I think the biggest difference from this year’s defense and last year is the fact that this is our second year in the scheme,” he said. “We all know what’s going to happen, what to expect, what the calls are, and just the familiarity will give us a huge jump on last year.”
It won’t be difficult for the defense to play better than they did in 2010, but I think we could see dramatic improvement. The additions of O.J. Atogwe and Ryan Kerrigan will surely help.
Speaking of Kerrigan: “I haven’t been able to see him a whole lot yet,” Carriker said. “I do know what he did at Purdue was very impressive. He certainly was a great college player and we have high expectations for him.”
I also had to sneak in an Albert Haynesworth question: “I’ve had some interaction with Albert,” he said. “Whether he will be with us next year is tough to call. He wants to play in the 4-3 and we are a 3-4 team, so it’s tough to say what will happen there.”
As far as the lockout, Carriker has been doing what most players have been doing because well, they have no choice: working out, spending time with their families, and waiting, just like us.
One thing we can be sure of once the lockout is lifted is that Adam Carriker is planning on picking up right where he left off in 2010.
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Well, for one thing do your research. The Redskins swapped 2 picks moving down in both the 5ht and 7th rounds to acquire Adam Carriker.
Besides, you need to get it straight. Doug Dutch was traded to the Ravens for John Beck and it is correct that he is back on the Practice Squad.
Many thanks to Neil who caught me in a memory-lapse. He’s absolutely correct. The Doug Dutch trade was with Baltimore for John Beck, not with St. Louis for Adam Carriker. The Redskins acquired Carriker from the Rams by swapping seventh round picks, an even better deal than the John Beck – Doug Dutch trade. I don’t know why I got those mixed up. THanks for the catch Neil!!
The Redskins/Rams swapped fifth and seventh-round draft picks in 2010 – but the premise I whole heartedly agree with.