Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=freddyg12;576631][B]per matty's original post, that we could be set at DE for a while. That's hopefully the case, and the DT position looks stacked as well.[/B] Dixon is at least due for the practice squad if he plays like he did last week, and if he does go to the PS, somebody might snatch him up as DTs are always in demand. I don't know if they could keep 5 on the roster? That's counting Alexander as a DE.

Same for DE, somebody is gonna be cut that we would like to see on the team. Most likely Wynn and/or Buzbee.[/quote]

Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

I don't know if anyone saw this from [URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4404222"]John Clayton[/URL], but this just hyped me up even more about Orakpo.

[QUOTE]Q: Do you think Green Bay was wise taking B.J. Raji over Brian Orakpo in the 2009 draft? Orakpo is a DE/LB and I hear that they are just going to move Raji to the DE, even though he is a DT. Do you think that Orakpo would have been the smarter choice looking at what position needed to be filled?

From Chris in Gahanna, Ohio

A: What a great question. From what I see of Orakpo, he has a chance to be a 10-sack star. Players like him are hard to find. But if you are switching to the 3-4, you have to find big defensive linemen. Raji is good enough to be a 3-4 end, but if needed, he can be Ryan Pickett's replacement at nose tackle in the next couple of years. The fact that the Packers drafted Clay Matthews covered the outside linebacker question, [B]but, wow, I'm thinking Orakpo could be a star.[/B][/QUOTE]

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

i dont exactly like the way greg blache schemes as far as the DL goes.... at all ... i think re-signing daniels wasnt the smartest move either, i think wilson jarmon and orakpo should have just recieved all the playing time, its like he doesnt get it, we need the pressure off the edge.... if a qb steps up he'll prolly meet AH ... if AH penetrates, the edges are there, im just not confident enuff in daniels ability off the edge.... so im not particularly the happiest person with the decisions that have been made so far.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Meks;576941]i dont exactly like the way greg blache schemes as far as the DL goes.... at all ...[B] i think re-signing daniels wasnt the smartest move either, i think wilson jarmon and orakpo should have just recieved all the playing time,[/B] its like he doesnt get it, we need the pressure off the edge.... if a qb steps up he'll prolly meet AH ... if AH penetrates, the edges are there, im just not confident enuff in daniels ability off the edge.... so im not particularly the happiest person with the decisions that have been made so far.[/quote]

We resigned Daniels March 31st -before the draft! and a great pickup I think, as much for mentoring as current ability. Also see the story in the current news section Awesome determination

We didn't know we would have Orakpo or Jarmon, and as much as I like Jarmon, he is a rookie, with 1 preseason game.

That end has always been a run-stuffer first, when we went with the other guy last year our sacks went down, and run stop was hurt.

I am fine with the way the D Line is set up. both now, and for the next 4-5 years atleast!

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

jason taylor played hurt and shitty all last year. thats why sacks went down and run stopping suffered, at least on that side.... i like daniels as a mentor ur right, i just hope they rotate a hell of alot cuz we have the guys to do it....

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=skinsfan69;576609]Michael is terrible. He's such a comapny man. He makes me puke sometimes.[/quote]

So you like Brian Mitchell's approach better?

I see nothing wrong with a commentator for the Redskins Broadcast Network actually being optimistic and supporting the team.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Just saw this little tidbit from the article on Daniels:

"There is a real optimism in [Daniel's] mind, about rookie Brian Orakpo, another weight-room disciple creating havoc in the other guy's backfield -- a player 'who reminds me of myself coming up, a young me,'" Daniels said.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702871_3.html?sub=AR]Mike Wise - Redskins' Daniels Embarks on a Quest to Prove 36 is Not Too Old for an NFL Comeback - washingtonpost.com[/url]

Good to hear that Orakpo takes his body and craft seriously. <ahem> Devin Thomas.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Lotus;576694]Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.[/quote]There's a giant, gaping, post-Griffin hole at the 3-technique, but with the type of youth and top end talent we've put on the DL in the last four years, dare I suggest that even a free agent or trade related stop-gap would be sufficient in 2010 or 2011 or whenever.

It's something to watch: if Griffin goes down, we're playing a man short on the DL, but that's not a particularly premium defensive position, and can be filled with a 4th round pick or a mid-tier free agent in the future.

Meanwhile, in the other three spots on the DL, the only thing we'll need to do over the next four years or so is inject depth periodically.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

First of all I don't for a second buy into the suggestion Rak is too small to play DE right now. It would have to be RDE in Blache's system but size wise he is right there with AC...around 255 lbs. And Rak's strength is outta this world so c'mon let's put that question to bed. That said I'm not suggesting he takeover RDE this season. His speed and talent mean Rak has a shot to help us at SLB (where he's desperately needed) on 1st and 2nd. Putting his hand in the dirt on 3rd is a good idea. It gives AC a break, something he's rarely had since coming east, and gives our DL a new look.

Longterm if Rak bulks up a bit, as Daniels did over the course of his pro career, and as you'd expect w/ his insane penchant for the throwing the weights around, I think Rak will have what it takes to play either end. Real students of the game have a better idea of where he'll excel i'm sure, but my point is this kid's talent/abilities seems to give us some very nice options.

I'm curious how the front 7 will look when phat Al swings out to RDE. Do we put a speed rusher like Rak/AC at LDE or keep a larger guy in there? In those scenarios I think Jarmon at LDE and Rak blitzing from SLB would be almost impossible for any offensive line to handle :)

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;577155]Just saw this little tidbit from the article on Daniels:

"There is a real optimism in [Daniel's] mind, about rookie Brian Orakpo, another weight-room disciple creating havoc in the other guy's backfield -- a player 'who reminds me of myself coming up, a young me,'" Daniels said.

[URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702871_3.html?sub=AR"]Mike Wise - Redskins' Daniels Embarks on a Quest to Prove 36 is Not Too Old for an NFL Comeback - washingtonpost.com[/URL]

Good to hear that Orakpo takes his body and craft seriously. <ahem> Devin Thomas.[/quote]

Hopefully he'll surpass Daniels and register more than 9.0 sacks in a season for his entire career :p

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

^^ I agree. I was more impressed that Orakpo was a weight room fiend. Hopefully, Daniels was just having delusions of grandeur.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Phillip Daniels can hold his own. And then some.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Buster;576961]So you like Brian Mitchell's approach better?

[B]I see nothing wrong with a commentator for the Redskins Broadcast Network actually being optimistic and supporting the team.[/B][/quote]

Thank you!

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Brian Orakpo can become an All-Pro defensive player in the NFL - - but anyone who looked at his first pre-season game and used that single performance to make such an extrapolation jumped the gun by more than a little bit.

At Texas, Brian Orakpo played DE; but in the pass-happy Big 12, what he did on 80% of the snaps was to get after the QB. Against quality opponents, he got the QB about once a game.

Against the run, he really did not do all that well. Probably he never really worked on the techniques for run-stopping nearly as hard as he worked on his speed-moves to the QB, so there is every reason to suspect he can be taught how to play both aspects of defensive football. But until he stands up to an NFC East team running the ball at him over and over and over again and shows he can stop that run, he is a question mark for achieving "greatness" as a DE. Great DEs - - e.g. Reggie White, Too Tall Jones, Charles Mann, Michael Strahan - - stop the run AND they sack the QB.

Moving Orakpo to LB will alleviate the problem of taking on behemoth offensive linemen in the run game play after play, but it will create another thing for him to learn - - pass coverage. If he "comes" on every play that he is on the field, offensive coordinators will be dumping the ball into his vacated area a lot. It won't take them long to spot that trend. Remember how things unfolded when Lavar Arrington vacated the linebacker spot with his "freelancing"? The results are not always pretty. Brian Orakpo has to learn to cover pass routes. He is certainly athletic enough to learn; the question is how quickly will he learn.

Add either or both of these ingredients to his demonstrated capabilites - - and avoid injuries of course - - and you may see Brian Orakpo in the Pro Bowl in a couple of years...

Don't add either or both of these ingredients and you have a situational pass rusher and not much else.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;577579]If he "comes" on every play that he is on the field, offensive coordinators will be dumping the ball into his vacated area a lot. It won't take them long to spot that trend.[/quote]

The Ravens did just that on one or two plays. They let him rush and dumped a screen in the left flat. If it starts to become a problem, I am sure Blache will adapt.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Greg Blache is great at hiding players weaknesses, and exploiting there strengths in his defense. Orakpo isn't that great in the pass, or at least right now, so expect blache to maybe drop a Dlineman back in coverage and rush orakpo, or allow the defenders to shift one man over, allowing a man to be wide open, and depending on the QB's decision making, will probably be sacked, by the time he see's the open man. Thats my guess at least

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Man, Orakpo was all over the place last night, I was impressed

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Mattyk72;578821]Man, Orakpo was all over the place last night, I was impressed[/quote]

He's got a very good chance to be defensive ROY. Although BJ Raji looked really impressive for the Packers last night as well. Like a younger Haynesworth.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Mattyk72;578821]Man, Orakpo was all over the place last night, I was impressed[/quote]

I've read that he took plays off in college. I don't see it. He's like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and.........

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

You see that bull rush where he literally took that Steelers lineman right off his feet? Dude is mad strong.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

I think he's got a real good shot at being defensive ROY. Seriously, he's only going to get better as the season get's underway.

He was everywhere last year.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Mattyk72;578828]You see that bull rush where he literally took that Steelers lineman right off his feet? Dude is mad strong.[/quote]

That was freakin AWESOME! I thought rookie DE's didn't have much of an impact in their first year? Orakpo is already a force to be reckoned with.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=53Fan;578827]I've read that he took plays off in college. I don't see it. He's like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and.........[/quote]

I did see him SEEM LIKE he took a couple of plays off last night. But I think he was just gassed. I'm not concerned with the beast.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Mattyk72;578828]You see that bull rush where he literally took that Steelers lineman right off his feet? Dude is mad strong.[/quote]

That was a play to remember for a long time. What a freakin' stud Rak is.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=SmootSmack;575819]Imagine how good Orakpo will look when Albert Haynesworth is in their taking double teams[/quote]

I wasn't able to watch the game, but I watched the highlights on the Redskins website, and there seemed to be no shortage of Steeler passing plays in which Batch had a pocket large enough to fit a dining room table and enough time to throw a tea party. Haynesworth did play in the first quarter correct? Again, I only saw highlights, but from what I did see there was very little pressure from Haynesworth, Rak and Co.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Coff;578870]I wasn't able to watch the game, but I watched the highlights on the Redskins website, and there seemed to be no shortage of Steeler passing plays in which Batch had a pocket large enough to fit a dining room table and enough time to throw a tea party. Haynesworth did play in the first quarter correct? Again, I only saw highlights, but from what I did see there was very little pressure from Haynesworth, Rak and Co.[/quote]

That really wasn't the case, there was pressure all night long

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Lotus;578848]I did see him SEEM LIKE he took a couple of plays off last night. But I think he was just gassed. I'm not concerned with the beast.[/quote]


Yeah he just seemed tired out towards the end of the 2nd quarter

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

I only watched the first half, but Im a little nervous about other teams spreading the offense with their qb in shotgun. We were great against the run, not counting that Parker td, but that drive mainly consisted of a couple big pass plays. I'm not sold on Rogers or Hall at corner.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Mattyk72;578876]Yeah he just seemed tired out towards the end of the 2nd quarter[/quote]

I think they've got to spell him here and there playing SLB. That position is draining cause he's got to line up over the TE. You can't expect him to play SLB and then rush the passer on 3rd downs. His value is rushing the passer and he seems to do it very very well.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Coff;578870]I wasn't able to watch the game, but I watched the highlights on the Redskins website, and there seemed to be no shortage of Steeler passing plays in which Batch had a pocket large enough to fit a dining room table and enough time to throw a tea party. Haynesworth did play in the first quarter correct? Again, I only saw highlights, but from what I did see there was very little pressure from Haynesworth, Rak and Co.[/quote]

Monty was in real fast. I think Haynesworth played the first 4 plays before they pulled him. Then it was just spot duty for a couple more plays.

The pressure was there from the front four... although I will say the blitzing didn't seem to work very well. Looks like we are at our best with the 4 down linemen bringing the pressure and maybe a delayed safety or LB blitz.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

The games on right now on NFL Network

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Rak98=Beast
He literally lifted an OL of their feet and pushed them into the backfield

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=GoSkins!;579361]Monty was in real fast. I think Haynesworth played the first 4 plays before they pulled him. Then it was just spot duty for a couple more plays.

The pressure was there from the front four... although I will say the blitzing didn't seem to work very well. Looks like we are at our best with the 4 down linemen bringing the pressure and maybe a delayed safety or LB blitz.[/quote]

Definitely glad to hear that. Thanks.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

Another thing, after Big Al left the game, the Steelers started double-teaming 'Rak. They can't do that in the regular season. :)

We're going to get a LOT of sacks this season.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Buster;579657]Another thing, after Big Al left the game, the Steelers started double-teaming 'Rak. They can't do that in the regular season. :)

[B]We're going to get a LOT of sacks this season.[/B][/quote]

Amen brother. :headbange

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

I think I want to rename myself Orakpo Slice!

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

I'm looking back now at the 2009 draft and I think Orakpo is one of those guys where you going to look back and wonder why he lasted until pick 13. Most of the guys picked ahead of him are probably going to be just steady players if that. The only exception of course being Aaron Curry.

1. Stafford - Really could go either way. However if he is a Jay Cutler clone then he'll be fine.

2. Jason Smith - Probably one of those guys you won't hear about a lot but he'll always being doing a pretty good job.

3. Tyson Jackson - I thought like many that he was picked way to soon. Pioli thinks he could be Richard Seymour but I can't help but wonder if he'll be Marcus Spears. I wonder who you guys trust more.

4. Aaron Curry - Excellent pick, enough said.

5. Sanchez - Not sure how it'll go but I think he'll have a good career.

6. Andre Smith - Not even in camp thanks to Mike Brown insisting on taking a stand now against the slotting system instead of the CBA meetings next winter.

7. Heyward-Bey - Most likely going to be a bust with shady QB play and questionable route running.

8. Eugene Monroe - Probably one of those guys you'll be happy to have and will probably make it to a pro bowl or two.

9. BJ Raji - He'll be good. If anything he played well in the Packers last preseason game.

10. Crabtree - Agent is an idiot and as a result Crabtree will loose millions of dollars by entering the draft next year. Not smart at all considering the guy is coming off an injury. Maybe if he had never missed a game it would be a different story. If I was him I would get a new agent and hope for a slotted salary.

11. Aaron Maybin - To undersized and came out of nowhere to fast. My guess is he ends up being a bust but nothing more then a solid player at best.

12. Knowshon Moreno - My guess is he has a few good years then break downs by around his 5th or 6th year.

In all I think the only player here that will be better then Orakpo is Curry.

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;580313]I'm looking back now at the 2009 draft and I think Orakpo is one of those guys where you going to look back and wonder why he lasted until pick 13. Most of the guys picked ahead of him are probably going to be just steady players if that. The only exception of course being Aaron Curry.

1. Stafford - Really could go either way. However if he is a Jay Cutler clone then he'll be fine.

2. Jason Smith - Probably one of those guys you won't hear about a lot but he'll always being doing a pretty good job.

3. Tyson Jackson - I thought like many that he was picked way to soon. Pioli thinks he could be Richard Seymour but I can't help but wonder if he'll be Marcus Spears. I wonder who you guys trust more.

4. Aaron Curry - Excellent pick, enough said.

5. Sanchez - Not sure how it'll go but I think he'll have a good career.

6. Andre Smith - Not even in camp thanks to Mike Brown insisting on taking a stand now against the slotting system instead of the CBA meetings next winter.

7. Heyward-Bey - Most likely going to be a bust with shady QB play and questionable route running.

8. Eugene Monroe - Probably one of those guys you'll be happy to have and will probably make it to a pro bowl or two.

9. BJ Raji - He'll be good. If anything he played well in the Packers last preseason game.

[B]10. Crabtree - Agent is an idiot and as a result Crabtree will loose millions of dollars by entering the draft next year. Not smart at all considering the guy is coming off an injury. Maybe if he had never missed a game it would be a different story. If I was him I would get a new agent and hope for a slotted salary. [/B]

11. Aaron Maybin - To undersized and came out of nowhere to fast. My guess is he ends up being a bust but nothing more then a solid player at best.

12. Knowshon Moreno - My guess is he has a few good years then break downs by around his 5th or 6th year.

In all I think the only player here that will be better then Orakpo is Curry.[/quote]

According to a report today, it is Crabtree, not his agent, who is making irrational demands.
[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/49ers-holdout-Crabtree-s-agent-blaming-player-fo?urn=nfl,185191]49ers holdout Crabtree's agent blaming player for cash demands - Sports Rumors - NFL - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

every year has its locks. i knew orakpo was a top 5 player (talent wise) in feb... just like i knew calvin johnson or adrian peterson or patrick willis or sean taylor were going to be locks... sometimes guys are just that good.

looking back i don't think we'll have much to regret this year. if we took him with the #4 pick, we'd have still been good value wise from what i've seen so far. let's hope he keeps it up (and playing next to AH with AC/CG etc is just going to make him look even better).

Re: Let's talk some Orakpo
 

[quote=Lotus;580315]According to a report today, it is Crabtree, not his agent, who is making irrational demands.
[URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/49ers-holdout-Crabtree-s-agent-blaming-player-fo?urn=nfl,185191"]49ers holdout Crabtree's agent blaming player for cash demands - Sports Rumors - NFL - Yahoo! Sports[/URL][/quote]

I stand corrected. Lucky for me that story isn't even a day old so at least I don't look like a total idiot. Speaking of which I found a pretty funny quote from the comment section

"What is it with wide receivers. Do they take a special class in "college" called STUPID AND ARROGANT."