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London Fletcher News & Rumors

London Fletcher signing brings steadiness to Redskins' sea change
April 17
Washington Post
 columnist Tracee Hamilton
"Oh, that London Fletcher, stealing the spotlight as always. What an attention hog. Kidding, of course. Fletcher didn't call a news conference to announce his new contract with the Washington Redskins, and there was no smoke, no confetti, no throbbing bass as he stepped out from behind burgundy and gold curtains. Fletcher tweeted the news, his teammates tweeted their congratulations — "Let's all sing like the Redskins sing, tweet tweet tweet tweet tweet" — and it was done."
Redskins reach deal with linebacker London Fletcher
April 14
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Redskins reached a deal Friday on a new contract with free agent inside linebacker London Fletcher, ending a lengthy negotiation with the team's captain, who led the NFL in tackles last season. Fletcher tweeted "Redskins fans your captain is back! #HTTR # Resign59" and a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed that he and the team had come to terms. The terms of the pact were not available Friday evening. Fletcher, his representatives and the Redskins did not immediately respond to requests for comment."
LaRon Landry agrees to one-year deal with Jets
March 19
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Jets finally nabbed a safety in free-agency: Former Redskins starter LaRon Landry, a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed. That person requested anonymity because the team has not yet announced the move. Landry will sign a one-year contract, the person said. According to ESPN, it is worth $4 million. Landry arrived for his visit with the Jets yesterday and the team made a push to sign him today. Immediately before signing, Landry was talking with three teams about a contract, the person said."
Pro Bowl player's tweets draw NFL's ire
January 30
CBSSports.com
 
"London Fletcher took to Twitter to try and make Sunday's Pro Bowl a little interesting for the fans at home, but the NFL apparently decided he was making it a little too interesting. The league used the annual competition between players not going to the Super Bowl to encourage them to tweet from the sidelines, a break from its social media policy during the season. The Washington Redskins linebacker, who wasn't voted into the Pro Bowl, a trend noted in this space before, but was playing as a replacement player, picked up the ball and ran with it. "$500 to whoever predicts the final score.Must be my follower.$1000 if you predict the score and MVP. deadline halftime #probowl!" Within 20"
London Fletcher named Bart Starr Award winner
January 12
Washington Post
 
"Linebacker London Fletcher has been named the NFL's 2012 Bart Starr Award winner, the Washington Redskins and Athletes in Action announced Wednesday. The award is given to a player who shows outstanding character and leadership. Fletcher beat out Philadelphia's Nnamdi Asomugha and Dallas' Jason Witten for the award."
Redskins' London Fletcher makes Pro Bowl after all
January 10
Washington Post
 
"Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher, snubbed for the Pro Bowl last month despite leading the NFL in tackles, will appear in the annual all-star game anyway after making the squad as an alternate. Fletcher, who just completed his 14th season, tweeted Monday morning, "Aloha! Officially added to the pro bowl roster today." He will replace Chicago's Brian Urlacher, who suffered a knee injury in the Bears' season-ending game against Minnesota."
Pro Bowl snub doesn't surprise Redskins' Fletcher
December 29
Washington Times
 
"London Fletcher was stung by being left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster Tuesday, but he wasn't surprised. "The bottom line," he said, "is we need to win more games." That was the consensus at Redskins Park on Wednesday as players and coaches discussed the fact no Redskins were named to the NFL's all-star game the for the first time since 1993. New England and San Francisco — teams with double-digit win totals — have eight representatives. The Redskins, in contrast, were bound to be overlooked largely because of their 5-10 record."
Redskins coach Shanahan still upset with call on Fletcher's hit
December 13
NFL.com
 
"One day after his Washington Redskins lost 34-27 to the New England Patriots, coach Mike Shanahan still couldn't stomach a controversial call and one of his player's antics. With a minute left in the second quarter and the Patriots at the Redskins' 23-yard line, New England quarterback Tom Brady scrambled for a 3-yard gain and attempted to slide to the ground. He collided with Washington linebacker London Fletcher, who then was flagged for delivering a forearm to Brady's head. The Patriots were awarded a first down, and kicker Stephen Gostkowski converted a chip-shot field goal to tie the score at halftime. But Fletcher protested the call as soon as it was made, saying the hit was clean"
London Fletcher won't quit on Redskins
November 12
Washington Post
 columnist Jason Reid
"Don't count on London Fletcher quitting. And he has no intention of letting anyone else give in. Wherever the Washington Redskins' latest slide takes them, their leader guarantees that they will at least fight. Even at 36, the inside linebacker still only has one speed. As another wasted season unfolds around him, Fletcher won't compromise, which, once again, should remind Redskins management just how much he means to the team. In the struggling organization, Fletcher's contributions are unmatched. He's one of few guys (the only one?) on the team with universal credibility. He continues to show that Washington needs more people like him — especially now. The Redskins have lost four"
London Fletcher already notices Barry Cofield's impact on Redskins
August 10
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Redskins have yet to play their first preseason game, but inside linebacker London Fletcher can see what new nose tackle Barry Cofield can do for the defense this season. Fletcher has noticed that in the 11-on-11 portions of practice, he encounters blockers more infrequently. Instead, they are tied up trying to hold off Cofield, double- and sometimes triple-teaming him to do so. As a result, Fletcher has more open lanes into the backfield and thus, more opportunities to make plays. "Don't let [blockers] get to me," Fletcher said with a laugh. "It's not going to be where [Cofield] is going to have a bunch of tackles, and people are saying this or that. He don't need a bunch"
Fletcher tabbed for Pro Bowl
January 25
Washington Examiner
 
"London Fletcher waited 11 seasons to make his first Pro Bowl. He only waited one year for his second. Meanwhile, rookie Brian Orakpo is officially two for two. Fletcher earned a Pro Bowl berth when Chicago's Brian Urlacher withdrew from this weekend's All-Star game, citing an injury suffered in the Bears' 21-14 loss to Green Bay in Sunday's NFC Championship game. Orakpo knew a week ago that he would be in the game. As a first alternate he was assured of a spot because one of the two players ahead of him, Chicago's Lance Briggs and Green Bay's Clay Matthews, would have to miss because of the Super Bowl."
Orakpo, Fletcher added to roster
January 24
Washington Post
 
"Two Redskins were officially added to the Pro Bowl roster Monday morning, which means a total of three Washington players will participate in Sunday's game in Hawaii. Linebackers Brian Orakpo and London Fletcher will each play in the annual all-star game for a second consecutive year. Orakpo will take the place of Green Bay's Clay Matthews, who will instead be preparing for the Super Bowl, and Fletcher will take the spot of Chicago's Brian Urlacher, who will miss the game due to injury. "I am extremely honored to play in the Pro Bowl," Fletcher said in a statement released by the team. "I am very excited to make the trip to Hawaii. I would like to thank all of my teammates, coaches, fans"
London Fletcher approves of Redskins' new approach to free agency
March 19
Washington Post
 
"The Redskins often signed high-profile free agents in Daniel Snyder's first 11 seasons as owner. But Washington only had three playoff appearances during that span. With Coach Mike Shanahan and General Manager Bruce Allen directing the football operation now, Washington has not been among the most aggressive teams in free agency this offseason. And that's not a bad thing, according to middle linebacker London Fletcher. "Obviously, the Redskins, they always know how to create excitement or anticipation during free agency in years past. But it's a new regime here now," Fletcher said Thursday during a break from workouts at Redskins Park. "Bruce Allen and Coach Shanahan, their approach to"
Redskins' Fletcher thrilled to be experiencing first Pro Bowl
January 31
Washington Post
 
"How could Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo not feel a bit uncomfortable? Here he was, voted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, waltzing onto the team while 12-year veteran London Fletcher, part teammate and part mentor, once again was bypassed, and once again made plain his disappointment. Orakpo, however, never experienced the awkwardness that seemed certain to accompany the honor of being the only Redskin named when Pro Bowl rosters were announced in late December. "The thing that made it comfortable is, he praised me," Orakpo, 23, said. "He said I deserved it, that I had a tremendous season." Partly out of gratitude, and partly out of wanting a buddy with him at Sunday's"
Fletcher Pro Bowl bound
January 25
Washington Examiner
 
"London Fletcher played on a team that won the Super Bowl and didn't make it. He had seasons where he made big plays, a knock against him in other years, and didn't make it. He played on defenses ranked in the top five, led them in tackles and drew all sorts of praise from players and broadcasters. And, nope, he didn't make it then, either. Turns out what he needed was for the Pro Bowl to be moved up a couple weeks and for a guy ahead of him to play in the Super Bowl. New Orleans' Jonathan Vilma was voted to the Pro Bowl along with San Francisco's Patrick Willis. But with Vilma headed to the Super Bowl in two weeks, and with the Pro Bowl this coming weekend, Fletcher, as the first"
Finalists named for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
January 25
NFL.com
 
"Three community-minded NFL players will be recognized during Super Bowl week as finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, it was announced Sunday. Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher, Cleveland Browns WR Mike Furrey and Kansas City Chiefs G Brian Waters are the top candidates for this year's award, named for the legendary Chicago Bears running back who died in 1999. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is the only league award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced live on CBS before Super Bowl XLIV on February 7. Fletcher, Furrey,"
Fletcher displeased with Haynesworth's reaction
December 28
Washington Examiner
 
"Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth erred by voicing his displeasure about the coaching staff to the media. While other teammates played it down the middle when it came to Haynesworth, Fletcher took the stance of a team leader. Haynesworth first sounded off after the Giants game last week on how he was being used in his first season with Washington. After being sent home early from practice Friday, he went further in an interview with the Washington Post. "Obviously I'm not really happy with it," Fletcher said. "I think everything doesn't need to be voiced in the media. There's a way to handle everything. It's a team game. Coaches are put in a"
Fletcher on Pro Bowl Snubs: "Mind-boggling"
December 17
Washington Post
 
"After London Fletcher missed the Pro Bowl yet again last year, he lashed out in public, providing a rare example of a humble, team-first, captain-type dude going all "Check my paperwork!!!" on the world. Fletcher called the snub "BS," referred to himself as "the Susan Lucci of the NFL," and didn't stop there. "My career has been Hall of Fame worthy," Fletcher said then. "But some coaches and some players get caught up in the hype reading the newspapers or listening to some national TV game as opposed to watching the game with no sound....I put myself up against anybody playing the position, anybody." Fletcher has been mostly quiet on the subject this year, letting Greg Blache and Mike"
The non-stars come out to play
December 14
Washington Post
 columnist Thomas Boswell
"The Redskins should be awful. But they aren't. They should have quit by now, but, for the fifth straight week, they haven't. The more players they lose, including five who have been all-pros, the better rookies like Brian Orakpo (four sacks) and second-year players like Fred Davis (two touchdowns) seem to perform. As for the few veterans left standing, like Andre Carter (two sacks) and London Fletcher (nine tackles), they simply refuse to stop performing like determined professionals. The more journeymen the Redskins are forced to put on the field, on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield, the better the final results seem to be. On Sunday, the Redskins were without Albert"
Year after year, Fletcher proves size doesn't matter on defense
November 30
Washington Post
 
"In the locker room, with another loss only a few minutes old, there was no snarl left on London Fletcher's face. He still had some grass on his jaw, blades from the Lincoln Financial Field turf that had not yet been washed off. Eye black smudged his cheeks. A giant bandage pinned ice to his right knee, and he endured the same routine he had endured 194 previous times in the NFL, yanking the tape from his joints, heading to the shower. For the 96th time, Fletcher went through this routine after a loss, this one 27-24 to the Philadelphia Eagles. And before the eye black was gone, before his burgundy uniform pants were exchanged for jeans, the 34-year-old middle linebacker of the Washington"