Lorenzo Alexander says he feels at home on the defensive line.
It's his natural position, and he has had a strong training camp re-establishing himself at the position. In last Saturday's intra-squad scrimmage at Redskins Park, Alexander posted three tackles and a sack.
Alexander also has one eye on playing for the Redskins' offense. He understands that he could be called into duty--just as he was last season--on offense at any time.
"The offensive coaches came to me and told me to be patient," he said. "It's a long camp and they will probably use me some on offense. It's just a matter of when and where.
"Right now, I'm playing a lot of defense. I've played it all my life and I'm used to it. I'm adjusting back to it real well."
Alexander was Mr. Everything for the Redskins last season.
Nicknamed the "One Man Gang," Alexander occasionally lined up at defensive tackle, offensive guard, tight end and even some fullback to help offset some injuries.
The third-year player out of Cal even started a game at tight end for the Redskins last season.
Asked about Alexander's versatility, head coach Jim Zorn said: "He's going to stay on defense right now. I do have one eye on him for some plays on offense. Because of Fred Davis and Todd Yoder, I have to look at him to see how he comes along.
"So we may not need Lorenzo as much on offense. He could go in at the fullback or that H-back position. I think he could come in. We could give him a few plays, and go."
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache is fine with having Alexander back full-time.
"He's a good player," Blache siad. "He is in his third year with us. He had a big scrimmage on Saturday. He is a competitive young man, and I am very proud to have him as a part of this organization."
In the offseason, Alexander dropped his weight about 15 pounds. He stands at 6-1 and 286 pounds now.
Defensive coaches wanted him to improve his quickness up the middle.
"I'm not ever going to be a big guy, and when I was that big I was a little too slow," Alexander said. "So I got my weight down a little bit to get my quickness back."
The quickness will help him on both sides of the ball, Alexander said.
"My strength is still there and I can utilize it when I want to have power," he said. "My weight is down to help with my conditioning and my footwork."
