The Washington Redskins completed the signing of linebacker Lemar Marshall on Friday. Marshall is a hard-working, talented young player who produced the best season of his four-year career in 2004.

Marshall, who had entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, was a dominant special teams player for the majority of his career with the Redskins--until stepping up last season due to injury to become a major contributor on the NFL's third-ranked defense.

"We're thrilled to have Lemar re-sign with us here at the Redskins," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "He was a huge part of our success on defense last season and we plan on him being a huge factor in what we try to accomplish here in the future."

Marshall, 6-2 and 227 pounds, started 14 games for the Redskins last season after starting weakside linebacker LaVar Arrington suffered a knee injury. He finished sixth on the team with a career-high 82 tackles (52 solo) and posted a career-high 1.5 sacks. He also finished with 10 special teams tackles.

Marshall has appeared in 44 games for the Redskins in the past three seasons, contributing on special teams until he was inserted into the starting lineup in 2004.

He has compiled 92 tackles (58 solo) and two sacks in his three-year career. In 2003, he appeared in 12 games and finished with three tackles and his first career sack, a half sack at the New York Giants in Week 15. He also finished fourth on the squad in special teams tackles with 14. In 2002, he posted seven tackles (four solo).

He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay from Michigan State in 1999 and has also had stints on the Denver and Philadelphia practice squads. At Michigan State, Marshall lettered all four years, compiling 261 tackles and 27 passes defensed.

"I am extremely excited to re-sign with the Redskins and get to work," Marshall said. "I am eager to get back with my teammates and the coaching staff and start working for the 2005 season."