RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-la-canfora/orakpo-starts-out-at-linebacke.html]Redskins Insider - Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker[/url]

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

I do not like this move one bit. Let him stay at 4-3 end.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

I hope he stays at DE otherwise he will be another Vernon Gholston.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

No issue with it. We need to have as much flexibility as possible with a player like him and he needs to learn the responsibilities of the LB position quickly. His learning curve at DE will be minimal.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

i think Merriman is technically a linebacker. as long as he can get to the qback, i don't care what the skins call him

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

He's going to be a DE on passing downs and LB on running downs.
I'm with you guys he should always be a DE. Maybe they are just experimenting for now.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Orakpo is not a full time 4-3 DE yet.

Unless you would like to see Andre Carter on the bench?

Orakpo can play LDE on passing downs, but he is too small right now to handle full time strong side DE duties.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=dmek25;553995]i think Merriman is technically a linebacker. as long as he can get to the qback, i don't care what the skins call him[/quote]

That's what I care about.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

There are obvious negatives to this, but this is unquestionably the quickest way onto the field.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

I trust the coaches wouldn't put him at LB if they didn't think he was capable. We'll see how it goes.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Interesting; we seem to expect our players to switch positions quite frequently.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

It seems to me that when coaches are evaluating how to use a player they would put him in all the positions he might be asked to play, and further, I would imagine they have a belief DE will be less of a problem.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Blache likes to run some tricky schemes. Whatever blache wants to do with this amazing athlete let him do. The lb spot is probobly the spot that they want rak to be efficiant at when he is there. where he needs the most improvement

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

This is to begin to teach him what to do at LB in this system. My guess is that's much more complicated than rushing the QB from the edge. That's what mini-camp is for.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

As soon as I saw this I knew people were going to blow this out of proportion. Why is everyone so fixed on Vernon Gholston's failure, when you have both Shawne Merriman and Terrell Suggs as examples of DEs (in college) that made successful transitions to LBs? I'm not saying that Orakpo is going to be a LB, but just as you bring negative examples, there are positive examples of successful transition. Besides, when Greg Blache or Jim Zorn say the words "Orakpo will be a full time LB" stop speculating so much.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Mattyk72;554007]I trust the coaches wouldn't put him at LB if they didn't think he was capable. We'll see how it goes.[/quote]

I admire your optomism, but Blache horribly mis-used Jason Taylor last year. Granted, alot of that was due to injury, but still...

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Blache didn't even want JT in the first place.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Ruhskins -- You brought up some examples of DEs in college that made a successful transition to LB. However, name one player that has made the transition from 4-3 DE in college to a 4-3 LB in the NFL. Bet you don't find (m)any worth a damn.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

It looks like he was playing linebacker because Mcintosh was excused for personal reasons. Once he's back, he'll slide back into LB and Orakpo takes over for Daniels.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Ruhskins;554026]As soon as I saw this I knew people were going to blow this out of proportion. [B]Why is everyone so fixed on Vernon Gholston's failure, when you have both Shawne Merriman and Terrell Suggs as examples of DEs (in college) that made successful transitions to LBs[/B]? I'm not saying that Orakpo is going to be a LB, but just as you bring negative examples, there are positive examples of successful transition. Besides, when Greg Blache or Jim Zorn say the words "Orakpo will be a full time LB" stop speculating so much.[/quote]Merriman and Suggs are poor examples since they are largely pass rushing 3-4 linebackers in the pros. Asking Orakpo to play LB in a 4-3 is a far more difficult transition. Hopefully his hand will be in the dirt on 3rd and long passing situations.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;554034]I admire your optomism, but[B] Blache[/B] [B]horribly mis-used Jason Taylor last year[/B]. Granted, alot of that was due to injury, but still...[/quote]
i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=dmek25;554060]i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute[/quote]

Yeah, I tend to agree with this, I really watched Taylor a lot because I saw him at the HOF and man, in person he just looked like a rock. But after he got hurt, he just never got the execution that I know I was looking to see. Every game I watched he got pushed by the o-lines alot. I just hope that Orakpo really becomes a stud!

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Daseal;554046]Ruhskins -- You brought up some examples of DEs in college that made a successful transition to LB. However, name one player that has made the transition from 4-3 DE in college to a 4-3 LB in the NFL. Bet you don't find (m)any worth a damn.[/quote]

My point was that this is not final and people need to stop overreacting (as they always do). You guys are right, Merriman and Suggs went to 3-4 defenses. But until Blache or Zorn say so, Orakpo is a DE.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

it would be great if we were a 3-4 defense. then he'd be like a Demarcus Ware or Greg Ellis and thats hard to stop..but to lose a lb on 4-3 scheme to play him is a mismatch against us not for us

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

If anything they should use him like the Cardinals used Travis Laboy last year when they have him at LB.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

I'm hoping this is just some sort of formality. What is the point of drafting a superior DE and make him a LB? That's just dumb. However, if they use him like they say, at LB unless of pass rushing situations, then I have no problem with it. This could have more to do with the scheme than anything.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Experimenting at this stage of the game is just that: experimenting. It's ok in the short run but i really hope Blache keeps Rak's long term development in mind. We require a hell of a lot of LB IMO. They have to cover effectively, make tackles in wide open spaces in many of our formations and stop the run early and often in the NFC East...these are not at the heart of Rak's skill set. If he develops into a Marcus Washington type SLB (early in his career anyway), able to do all of the above at a high level and then get after the QB on 3rd down, we basically got a gamechanger. But isn't there some risk of Rak losing his DE mojo spending time at LB? and then if he doesn't develop at the LB position...well yeah then you have the worst case scenario. Blache needs to be very smart w/ his new player.

...btw did anybody else chuckle a little bit looking at our starting lineup on d?
[B]
Linemen: Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter
Linebackers: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo
Secondary: Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (cornerbacks), LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (safeties)

Rocky McIntosh has been excused for personal reasons.[/B]

When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Daseal;554046]Ruhskins -- You brought up some examples of DEs in college that made a successful transition to LB. However, name one player that has made the transition from 4-3 DE in college to a 4-3 LB in the NFL. Bet you don't find (m)any worth a damn.[/quote]Roosevelt Colvin. pwned.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Here's a thought about the LB situation. I would personally like to see Orakpo develop as a DE, he has the power and speed to be elite at that position. Now onto my thought for the LB's, according to ESPN's free agent tracker (which isn't worth two shits and is probably wrong) Roy Williams, who has been a safety for the cowboys since 2002 is available. I don't know why he didn't play much in 2008, but he has been an excellent run stopper for the Cowboys, and has always been week for a safety in the coverage area. Why not pick him up cheap, throw him at the weak side, he will have above average speed at the position, can make tackles and will have amazing hands for a LB, he would be somewhat undersized for LB (ESPN has him listed at 6' 221). Which could pose problems since the OL would overpower him. But, I propose to you the Jury, that the OL will be occupied with our MASSIVE (Haynesworth is up to 340 according to the Skins) DL. Williams has proven he is excellent against the rush. Can we pick him up and Move Rocky to the strong side. Is he even available?

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

well one he was a cowboy, and two he had some terrible play over the past two years, in any capacity.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=dmek25;554060]i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute[/quote]

Yeah, I remember some sets in which there were just three down linemen, while Taylor was up and about, shifting in different places just before the snap. Too bad he couldn't do more of that.

I don't care where Orakpo lines up as long as he wreaks some havoc.

Re: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=wilsowilso;554001]Orakpo is not a full time 4-3 DE yet.

Unless you would like to see Andre Carter on the bench?

Orakpo can play LDE on passing downs, but he is too small right now to handle full time strong side DE duties.[/quote]

My thoughts exactly. Let Daniels play DE on the run downs.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=The Goat;554075]When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?[/quote]Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the[I] potential[/I] to be the best in the NFL.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Just curious if anyone watched Blache's brief interview after practice today (on Redskins.com)? When asked about Orakpo he gave a very sober answer, something to the effect the kid is very athletic, can rush the passer and he's bright. Nothing over the top or leading into unrealistic expectations. I like Blache very much...realizing he's not perfect in his calls, like continuing to blitz in certain games last year when it just led to giving up big plays, i think Blache has done admirably w/ what he had to work with. I think he's a smart, sober guy who should 1) turn this defense into an elite unit this season 2) be sensible about Orakpo's development.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=GTripp0012;554123]Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the[I] potential[/I] to be the best in the NFL.[/quote]

Word...pretty hard to not get excited at this point.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Schneed10;554128]Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?[/quote]He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=Ruhskins;554063][B]My point was that this is not final and people need to stop overreacting (as they always do).[/B] You guys are right, Merriman and Suggs went to 3-4 defenses. But until Blache or Zorn say so, Orakpo is a DE.[/quote]

Yes. It is day 1. It is still just May. Of course they are going to at least look at him as a linebacker. It doesn't mean tiddlywinks in the long term. Chill.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

I think they're just trying to find out what the guy can do first hand. Better to find out now than during a game.

Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker
 

[quote=GTripp0012;554130]He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.[/quote]

So you're thinking he'd be on the field as a linebacker for a very limited number of packages, correct?

So then in most circumstances when he's not facing those packages, where does he play? Phillip Daniels rides the bench?