ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Linebacker Keenan Robinson has signed a contract with the Washington Redskins, who picked him in the fourth round of last month’s NFL draft.

The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Robinson played college football at Texas, including one season with Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Robinson was a three-year starter for the Longhorns and was the 119th overall pick in the draft.

He is expected to provide depth at linebacker for the Redskins in their 3-4 defense, behind starters Orakpo, London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan and Perry Riley.

The team announced Robinson’s deal Thursday.

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ASHBURN, Va. (AP) Linebacker Keenan Robinson has signed a contract with the Washington Redskins, who picked him in the fourth round of last month’s NFL draft.

The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Robinson played college football at Texas, including one season with Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Robinson was a three-year starter for the Longhorns and was the 119th overall pick in the draft.

He is expected to provide depth at linebacker for the Redskins in their 3-4 defense, behind starters Orakpo, London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan and Perry Riley.

The team announced Robinson’s deal Thursday.

The Washington Redskins announced Thursday that they have signed linebacker Keenan Robinson to his rookie contract.

The second of Washington’s two fourth-round draft picks, Robinson saw time at both outside and inside linebacker for Texas, but the Redskins plan to groom him to back up veteran inside linebackers London Fletcher and Perry Riley.

The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Robinson — a two-time Butkus Award semifinalist for Texas — was the 119th pick of the draft.

Terms of the deal were not announced, but last year, fourth-round draft picks signed four-year contracts worth a little more than $2 million.

The Redskins have now signed six of their nine draft picks. First-round pick Robert Griffin III, third-rounder Josh LeRibeus and fourth-rounder Kirk Cousins remain unsigned.

The Washington Redskins’ added one of the last missing pieces to their offense by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with veteran running back Tim Hightower.

That adds Hightower to a running back mix that features Roy Helu, Evan Royster and sixth-rounder Alfred Morris. Let the competition begin.

The team will hold its first round of organized team activities next week. They will run on May 21, 23 and 24th, May 29-31 and June 4-7. The team’s mandatory minicamp takes place June 11-14, and then comes a lull in the action until late July, when training camp kicks off.

Many starting jobs appear to be decided, but some remain up for grabs. Sure, it’s early and a lot could – and likely will – change between now and the start of the season. But let’s take a look at the projected starting lineups and possible position battles on offense and defense.

OFFENSE:

QB Robert Griffin III

RB Tim Hightower. Challengers: Roy Helu, Evan Royster

FB Darrel Young

TE Fred Davis. Challenger: Chris Cooley

WR: Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson. Challengers: Santana Moss, Anthony Armstrong, Brandon Banks, Aldrick Robinson, Terrence Austin

LT: Trent Williams

LG: Kory Lichtensteiger. Challengers: Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt

C: Will Montgomery

RG: Chris Chester

RT: Jammal Brown. Challengers: Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus

Notes: Hightower is coming back from a torn ACL, but Redskins coaches consider him valuable. He’s the most well-rounded of the backs on the roster and a strong leader. Helu and Royster aim to overtake him with a year of playing time under their belts. … The Redskins don’t currently have a backup fullback on the roster, but Kyle Shanahan’s three-receiver and double-tight end sets often eliminate the need for a fullback. … It will be interesting to see how things play out at wide receiver, where Garcon and Morgan, or Hankerson, will likely start. Those three are likely to be on the field together often, with either Morgan or Hankerson lining up in the slot. How does that affect Santana Moss? Judging by Coach Mike Shanahan’s comments last week, it sounds as if the soon-to-be 33-year-old will be reduced to a reserve role. But he also has Banks and Robinson eying snaps at that slot receiver position. … Lichtensteiger continues to make progress in his return from torn knee ligaments, but LeRibeus (who also is being groomed as a backup center) or Gettis could contend for that starting left guard job. … Right tackle will be interesting. Shanahan says he feels much better about Jammal Brown and his hip after an offseason of rehab, but will the former Pro Bowl tackle be able to truly return to form? If not, does the team go with a promising second-year player in Smith with Polumbus and sixth-rounder Tom Compton as the backup tackles? … Another key competition is at kicker, where incumbent Graham Gano and free agent signing Neil Rackers face off.

DEFENSE

DE: Adam Carriker. Challenger: Jarvis Jenkins

NT: Barry Cofield

DE: Stephen Bowen

OLB: Ryan Kerrigan

ILB: London Fletcher

ILB: Perry Riley

OLB: Brian Orakpo

CB: DeAngelo Hall

CB Josh Wilson

SS: Brandon Meriweather. Challengers: Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes

FS: DeJon Gomes. Challengers: Tanard Jackson, Madieu Williams, Doughty

Notes: The front seven remains intact thanks to the re-signings of Fletcher and Carriker, but the team gets a valuable addition with the return of Jenkins, who missed all of his rookie season with a torn ACL. He figures to see significant snaps at both left and right defensive end. The team also brought back the reliable Kedric Golston, who can spell either end as well, and is counting on second-year pro Chris Neild for depth at nose tackle. … Hall and Wilson both return, but there will be competition at nickelback. Kevin Barnes remains under contract, but the team signed veteran Leigh Torrence and undrafted rookie Chase Minnifield, and also has second-year back, Brandyn Thompson. And where does Cedric Griffin fit? … The biggest question mark involves the two safety positions. Gone are LaRon Landry and Oshiomogho Atogwe, and there are some uncertainties about nearly every player in the mix. Can Meriweather return to the two-time Pro Bowl form he showed in New England in 2009 and 2010, or will he disappoint as he did in Chicago, where he lost his job after four games? Can Gomes flourish in his second season and hold down the free safety duties? Or will one of two free agent signings, Jackson or Williams, claim the job?

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Competitors: London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Lorenzo Alexander, Keenan Robinson, Jonathan Goff

The Redskins finally re-signed London Fletcher (hallelujah), so naturally he can be expected to start all 16 games and make a thousand more tackles this year.

The big question mark here is at the other 3-4 inside linebacker spot, where they have four legitimate options to work with.

Perry Riley has a lot of physical strengths, but he has shown weaknesses in coverage. In a 3-4 defense, the inside linebackers are often asked to drop back in coverage on a tight end or running back.

Lorenzo Alexander has been terrific on special teams, but he may be the Reed Doughty of the linebacking core—a smart player who makes tackles, but just doesn’t have the athletic ability to get consistent playing time.

Keenan Robinson and Jonathan Goff are the two mysteries of this group.              

Robinson is a rookie from Texas who showed great athleticism at the combine. In theory, his speed makes him best suited for the job, but he is just a rookie and thus carries rookie expectations.

Goff is even more vexing—in 2010, Goff recorded 80 tackles with the Giants and looked great. He tore his ACL after that great campaign, however, and missed the entire 2011 season. If he can recover and return to form, what a duo he and Fletcher could form up the middle.

Prediction: Everything hinges on Goff’s injury. If he heals, he should be the guy. If not, look for Riley to play a lot on running downs and a combination of Alexander and Robinson on passing downs.

Ask any Redskins fan how Brian Orakpo did last year and you’ll probably hear the same thing, “Once Kerrigan got there, Orakpo took a step back.” From an “eyeball test” standpoint, many fans and critics alike think that Orakpo had a down year in 2011. 

Maybe the league is starting to figure him out? Maybe he peaked in his rookie year?

Where does this school of thought come from?

Some will point out that his sack numbers have been down since his rookie year. Others may say it was the switch to the 3-4 that hurt him.

But in 2011, Brian Orakpo set a career high for combined tackles, assists, pass deflections and forced fumbles.

At his right outside linebacker spot, Orakpo is routinely going up against the best athlete on the opposition’s offensive line. With the emergence of Ryan Kerrigan, the backfield chips and double-teams may not necessarily go to Orakpo each time.

However, if Orakpo and Kerrigan have the ability to swap spots on any given down, it adds another dimension to the defense. When an offense picks out a particular weakness or strength in either players’ game, they are going to develop there game plan to either offset or take advantage of what the OLBs are presenting.

If an offense doesn’t know whether or not Orakpo is rushing from the strong side or weak side or if Kerrigan is dropping into coverage or delaying a blitz from either side, it will keep the offense on their toes. Opposing quarterbacks will have to consistently make more adjustments at the line to try and adapt on the fly.

Great defenses excel when they put their Pro Bowlers in the best positions to succeed. The Cowboys move DeMarcus Ware all around their defensive front throughout a game. Even though it’s not a direct correlation, the Steelers allow Troy Polamalu to line up in a number of different spots pre-snap.

With London Fletcher back and a healthy Jarvis Jenkins, Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are going to be a force to reckon with. Add in the extra dimension of strong-side/weak-side interoperability and the Redskins front seven will be downright dangerous. 

What the NFL Draft provides each year for the fans of all teams is hope. Even the franchise that was down and out the previous season can have some sense of optimism with the players brought in from the college ranks. The Washington Redskins and their legions of supporters are feeling good right now knowing the talented quarterback that will be wearing the burgundy and gold in 2012. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Skins satisfy their most glaring need. However, there are more holes on the roster that need to be filled.  

Quarterback

By obtaining Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III with the second pick in Thursday’s first round, it is expected to give the Redskins their first elite-level quarterback since the days of Joe Theismann. With his speed and solid passing skills, Griffin provides excitement for football in Washington. But this new addition will only be successful if the Skins can give him some assistance. They started that by signing veteran wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan via free agency. However, he still needs protection.  

Offensive Line

Jammal Brown’s hip injury and subsequent rehab stint has limited his playing time in each of the previous two seasons. This makes right tackle the most serious question on the entire line. With the Redskins having their next pick in the third round, they’ll look to under-the-radar talent. Among those projected to land in that part of the draft include Donald Stephenson (Oklahoma), Kelechi Osemele (Iowa State), Mitchell Schwartz (California), and Jeff Allen (Illinois).  

Linebacker

The third round selection could also be a time to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan were the stars of the defense in 2011, with the latter showing that he was a wise selection in last year’s draft. But beyond these two youngsters, there isn’t much left to be desired. Washington is still thin at outside linebacker and can use a late-round choice to spell either of them with the pass rush. The re-signing of London Fletcher retains a veteran presence at middle linebacker. But by being a NFL player for 14 seasons is a clear indication that he’s on the back nine of his professional football career and that a replacement is necessary.  

Defensive Tackle

As stated above, the pass rush is one of the Redskins’ strengths. The middle of the defensive line, however, could use some upgrades. By obtaining a player that can be long a good chunk of playing time in short order will provide plenty of versatility in this area.  

Brian Wright is a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.

Now that NFL.com has confirmed that the New York Giants have acquired ex-Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers for a 2012 fifth-rounder, the Redskins should sign former Big Blue starter Jonathan Goff.

According to the New York Times, the Giants may use the trade of Rivers as an opportunity to move Michael Boley into Goff’s sot at middle linebacker. Goff visited the Cleveland Browns earlier in free agency and yesterday visited the Miami Dolphins. The Giants cap limits have meant they have only offered minimum length deals to many of their free agents this offseason.

The Redskins front office has yet to reach a new deal with defensive leader London Fletcher. Moves made this week, including finding room for contracts for Leigh Torrence, Madieu Williams and James Lee, leaves the question, why has Fletcher still not been re-signed?

The inside linebacker is crucial to Washington’s defense and his loss would leave a huge hole in the front seven. Goff has the attributes to man the middle of the Redskins’ 3-4 scheme and could revive his career in D.C.

At 6’2″ and 241 pounds, he has the size necessary to plug the middle and take on blockers in coordinator Jim Haslett’s 2-gap system. Goff is a stout run defender with sure tackling technique and excellent instincts.

He is more of a thumper in the middle, possessing decent downhill quickness, but lacking true range and athleticism. However, Goff compensates for these deficiencies with natural smarts and the ability to diagnose plays.

A career 4-3 ‘backer, Goff has the intelligence to make a quick transition to the nuances and requirements of Washington’s 3-4 front. The only serious question mark surrounding him is durability.

Goff missed the entire 2011 campaign with an ACL injury. The Redskins front office would need to be sure that the ailment hasn’t robbed Goff of the necessary mobility and initial quickness to succeed.

He would need to quickly demonstrate that he is capable of returning to his 2010 level. Goff started all 16 games that year and tallied 80 solo tackles and one sack.

The 26-year-old is a savvy, young linebacker who has overcome a lot to earn starter’s status in the league. He fits the mould of the kind of player Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen have pursued in the last two free agency periods.

If he can prove his fitness, Goff could step in for Fletcher and develop in the scheme, or even learn from the veteran for a season before taking over. At the very least Goff would boost the Redskins’ depth at linebacker and provide insurance in case Fletcher finds a new team for 2012.

The Washington Redskins have approximately $7.1 million in available salary cap space, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

That figure includes the free agent additions made by the team this offseason. It also includes the $18 million salary cap reduction given to the Redskins by the NFL for the way the team structured players’ contracts during the sport’s season without a salary cap in 2010. The Redskins were given a $36 million salary cap reduction over two years, at least half of which must be absorbed this season.

The Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, who were given a $10 million reduction over two years, are challenging their salary cap subtractions in a case before arbitrator Stephen Burbank.

Coach Mike Shanahan said last week at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., that the Redskins want to re-sign free agent linebacker London Fletcher. Shanahan also left open the possibility of the team making a move in free agency to fortify its offensive line. But the pace of free agent moves has slowed considerably league-wide as teams focus on their preparations for the NFL draft later this month.

Free agent linebacker Rocky McIntosh, who spent the first seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins, had a visit with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Miami’s FOX affliate.

McIntosh, whom the Redskins drafted out of the University of Miami in 2006 as an outside linebacker, recorded a career-high 110 tackles for Washington in 2010 — his first season at inside linebacker. He re-signed to a one-year deal last July. But, he fell out of favor with the coaching staff and lost his job as a starter after eight games.

McIntosh played primarily on special teams the next seven games and then was inactive for the final game of the season. The Redskins seem content to allow McIntosh to depart via free agency.

The emergence of 2010 fourth-round pick Perry Riley is a big reason why the Redskins aren’t expected to retain McIntosh. Riley made eight starts and recorded 68 tackles and a sack. He is expected to remain a starter at inside linebacker for the Redskins as he enters his third season out of LSU.

Riley currently is the only inside linebacker under contract for the 2012 season. London Fletcher, who led the team in tackles and serves as captain of the defense, remains unsigned, but coach Mike Shanahan said last week that negotiations remain ongoing.

Keyaron Fox served as a backup at both inside linebacker positions last season, but also is a free agent.

Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III, in his first public comments since the Washington Redskins traded up to acquire the No. 2 draft pick last Friday, would not concede he is destined for D.C.

“Coach [Mike] Shanahan and the GM and the owner there in Washington have a decision to make,” Griffin told 1660 ESPN Radio in Central Texas on Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m just looking forward to being in the NFL.

“I don’t say that just because that’s what I’m supposed to say. I say it because you never know what can happen. That’s why I try to keep an open mind that way. No matter who drafts me, I’m excited to go play for that team.”

It would seem the Indianapolis Colts are the ones with the real decision, though. Griffin plans to throw at Baylor’s Pro Day on March 21. He wants to help his teammates get attention from NFL scouts, but he also is still pushing to convince Indianapolis to take him first overall.

“The pick itself, everyone is assuming Washington is coming to get me, but that’s not certain,” he said. “Nothing in life is certain.”

Washington’s move to position itself to draft Griffin became official Wednesday. The NFL approved the Redskins’ trade of the sixth and 39th-overall picks in 2012 and their first-rounder in 2013 and 2014 to the Rams in exchange for the second-overall pick next month.

“I think it wasn’t too bad of a trade,” Griffin said. “I think it is a high price like many sports minds would say, but if they’re going after the player that they feel is going to help them win, then I think they were willing to play that high price. There’s no telling who that player is because if there was, there would be a lot of happy people.”

Fletcher remains on radar

Now that the Redskins addressed their biggest need by finalizing contracts for free-agent receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan on Wednesday, Washington’s attempt to re-sign linebacker Pro Bowl linebacker London Fletcher took over as the main storyline in the Redskins’ free agency period.

Fletcher, who will turn 37 in May, is seeking what figures to be his final NFL contract. It happens to follow a season in which he recorded a career-high 166 tackles.

Neither side would comment Wednesday, but the Redskins have been open with their desire to retain Fletcher.

“I’m not going to hide behind the fact that we love London,” general manager Bruce Allen said on Saturday. “We hope he’s a Redskin.”

• Cornerback Aaron Ross is scheduled to visit the Redskins on Thursday, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Ross, who has played all five of his NFL seasons with the New York Giants, had a career-high four interceptions in 15 starts last season

• The Redskins also have explored the possibility of signing left guard Ben Grubbs, a source said. Grubbs played for Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster in Baltimore in 2007.

© Copyright 2012 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

The team also brought in free agent strong safety Brandon Meriweather for a visit Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Seemingly content to let strong safety LaRon Landry depart, the Redskins would fill a pressing need if they were able to sign the former Chicago Bear, a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

The team also must replace free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who was released Monday. But second-year pro DeJon Gomes and six-year veteran Reed Doughty, who saw significant time at that position last year, may be called on to fill that role.

The Redskins also will host free agent cornerback Aaron Ross on Friday, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed, and joined several teams pursuing free agent left guard Ben Grubbs, another person said Wednesday.

A five-year veteran with the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-foot-3, 311-pound Grubbs has started 70 of 74 games for the Ravens during his career. Ross has spent all five of his pro seasons with the New York Giants.

The Redskins face uncertainty at left guard. Starter Kory Lichtensteiger missed the final 10 games of the 2011 season after tearing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

The Redskins expect Lichtensteiger to be ready to play by the start of training camp, but want to bolster their interior offensive line depth.

Meanwhile, Washington has yet to reach an agreement to re-sign inside linebacker London Fletcher, the team’s captain and the NFL’s leading tackler last season. The 36-year-old Fletcher and the Redskins both have expressed a desire to reach a deal, but it was unclear Wednesday how far apart they are.

The Redskins also lost a backup quarterback candidate when free agent Kyle Orton agreed to a contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday.

The Redskins have quarterbacks Jonathan Crompton, who spent last year on the Redskins’ practice squad, and John Beck under contract. Last year’s starter, Rex Grossman, is a free agent. It’s not clear whether Orton’s decision to sign with the Cowboys will lead the Redskins to more strongly consider re-signing Grossman.

After Tuesday’s flurry of free agent signings, the Redskins have upgraded their wide receiver corps, analysts said. But they expressed mixed opinions about how much progress they had made.

Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman said the Redskins’ addition of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan and their pursuit of Royal will help, but more needs to be done.

The Washington Redskins should target ferocious inside linebacker Bart Scott this offseason. Yesterday, NFL.com reported that Scott is unlikely to be back with the New York Jets in 2012.

It seems that the veteran is set to become one of the high-profile casualties of the Jets’ inevitable house cleaning, following their limp finish to the season.

Mike Shanahan should seriously consider adding Scott to the Redskins 3-4 defense. The 6’2″, 242-pounder is a vicious hitter and a highly aggressive presence in the middle of a 3-4 front.

Scott’s tough tackling and physicality would help improve the Redskins’ soft run defense. Jim Haslett’s unit could use an infusion of tenacity after ending 2011 by surrendering 67 points in two games.

The defense was outmuscled by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 and appeared unable to cope with the brute force of bruising back Toby Gerhart.

Scott would add a nasty streak to the defense and make the group more intimidating at the point of attack.

Scott is also an excellent blitzer, having played in Rex Ryan’s multiple fire zone schemes for most of his career.

This skill would make the 10-year pro a valuable weapon in the heavy blitz packages favoured by the Redskins defense.

With London Fletcher now 36, Perry Riley still growing into the position and Rocky McIntosh’s future in the 3-4 in doubt, the Redskins need to add another capable inside linebacker to the mix.

There won’t be many as qualified as Scott available. His abundance of 3-4 experience and fiery demeanour would provide the spark to elevate the Redskins defense from a solid unit to an elite one.