Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Yes Rak-attack was the highest rated DE prospect entering the draft but, is Orakpo a better OLB [U]prospect[/U] than Curry?

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=diehard;556453]Yes Rak-attack was the highest rated DE prospect entering the draft but, is Orakpo a better OLB [U]prospect[/U] than Curry?[/quote]

I wouldn't say he's a better OLB prospect than Curry, but I would say he's a better overall prospect.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

No knock intended against Rak but purely as an OLB, no.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Anything is possible but in the end he will be a DE.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=SkinzzFan;556454]I wouldn't say he's a better OLB prospect than Curry,[B] but I would say he's a better overall prospect[/B].[/quote]


I wouldnt say that at all

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;556462]I wouldnt say that at all[/quote]

You didn't say that...I did.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=SkinzzFan;556466]You didn't say that...I did.[/quote]


I know that, I was saying I wouldn't.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

I'm just torn on this. Speed and power is coveted at DE and Orakpo isn't undersized heightwise either. I was hoping a good enough pure OLB was available in the 3rd and 5th rounds to fill out the roster stapling Rak at DE. OSU Marcus Freeman went a few spots earlier in the 5th before we drafted Cody Glenn. To all the skeptics who thought we selected Orakpop with too much time remaining on the clock this is a good reason why it was a overzealous decision. If a team calls a couple of spots down and wants to leapfrog the team picking next (but not interested in Orakpo) you gain a valuable second day pick. I hope Glenn and Henson compete. Rak is just to good a pure [B]DE[/B] to be wasting time in coverage. Great against the run, great against the pass. What happens if we change his position on Madden?

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;556469]I know that, I was saying I wouldn't.[/quote]

I know, I'm just playing around.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=diehard;556472]I'm just torn on this. Speed and power is coveted at DE and Orakpo isn't undersized heightwise either. I was hoping a good enough pure OLB was available in the 3rd and 5th rounds to fill out the roster stapling Rak at DE. OSU Marcus Freeman went a few spots earlier in the 5th before we drafted Cody Glenn. To all the skeptics who thought we selected Orakpop with too much time remaining on the clock this is a good reason why it was a overzealous decision. If a team calls a couple of spots down and wants to leapfrog the team picking next (but not interested in Orakpo) you gain a valuable second day pick. I hope Glenn and Henson compete. Rak is just to good a pure [B]DE[/B] to be wasting time in coverage. Great against the run, great against the pass. What happens if we change his position on Madden?[/quote]

Right now, I think the Skins are just trying to get their best players on the field. I think they know that Orakpo is a better fit at DE than at SLB and that DE is where he will eventually play. But, for right now, the Skins have a solid LDE in Daniels but they don't have a solution at SLB, so they want to see if Orakpo can help the team as a hybrid DE/SLB this season.

I don't agree at all that the Skins should have passed him up and traded down. I think Orakpo was a fine pick at #13.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

if he turns out like Merriman, or Ware, we've got ourselves a baller. all i really care about is him getting to the qback. from what position is irrelevant

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

I don't think he's going to be real good at OLB. I'm starting to think maybe bringing back Washington isn't such a bad idea. I really don't want Orakpo playing over the TE cause that's going to take him out of pass rushing situations on 1st and 2nd down.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Not sure why some are already so convinced he can't handle OLB. I'd at least like to see him in live action before I make up my mind.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;556496]Right now, I think the Skins are just trying to get their best players on the field. I think they know that Orakpo is a better fit at DE than at SLB and that DE is where he will eventually play. But, for right now, the Skins have a solid LDE in Daniels but they don't have a solution at SLB, so they want to see if Orakpo can help the team as a hybrid DE/SLB this season.

[B]I don't agree at all that the Skins should have passed him up and traded down. I think Orakpo was a fine pick at #13.[/B][/quote]

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Orakpo is a beast of a player and it would have been really stupid of the FO to pass him up.

While I understand the concerns about having Orakpo playing at LB, I do think that we have a great athlete who's up to the challenge. I mean we all bitch and whine about the team not building through the draft and whatnot, but don't you guys think we're due to have a stud impact player picked up through the draft that can make a difference. Yes, I know that Merriman and Suggs are not good examples of DEs changing over to LBs (due to the system they are in), but those guys still changed positions and they had the talent and athleticism to make the change, and so will Orakpo.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=SkinzzFan;556491]I know, I'm just playing around.[/quote]


I know, so am I.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Mario Williams (who's a great pass-rusher now) really struggled at DE when he entered the league so why not just let Orakpo concentrate on what he knows best before having him play a couple positions. Why overload him?

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=diehard;556453]Yes Rak-attack was the highest rated DE prospect entering the draft but, is Orakpo a better OLB [U]prospect[/U] than Curry?[/quote]

I dont think so. Curry is a true LB who can play any LB spot in a 4-3 or 3-4. As a OLB Curry has all the tools to be a very good player in the NFL. Alot of teams questioned Orakpo before the draft about his ability to play the pass. I think Orakpo can fill a void at OLB for us but I think part of the reason he slipped was because teams didnt think he could play LB.

Orakpo has the power and burst off the edge to be a HOF Defensive End imo. I know he hasnt played a down yet in the NFL but he has the potenial to be great. I dont think he can be compared to a LB like Curry though.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=John Denny;556532]Mario Williams (who's a great pass-rusher now) really struggled at DE when he entered the league so why not just let Orakpo concentrate on what he knows best before having him play a couple positions. Why overload him?[/quote]

That was the problem with signing Daniels and Wynn. Now with Orakpo on board its going to be hard for him to crack the DL on 1st and 2nd downs. I think the experience of Orakpo at DE on every down is key to him being ready to make more plays sooner. The problem is the team wants to win so bad I think they are looking to fill a void at OLB instead of setting up Orakpo for years to come. We might make the playoffs this year but we arent a Super Bowl contender imo at this time.

Id play Orakpo at DE and let him make his share of rookie mistakes and big plays. I agree with you 100%. Why teach him the OLB spot if we know hes going to play DE for us in the future? It really scares me that the Redskins finally drafted a beast DE and they want to toy with him at OLB.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Plus if he's playing OLB on 1st and 2nd down, don't you think teams will try to take advantage of him in coverage. We won't have a great pass rush with Daniels in his place so the odds are against us.
WE'VE NEEDED A DE FOR A LONG TIME. LET'S LEAVE HIM THERE.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=John Denny;556532]Mario Williams (who's a great pass-rusher now) really struggled at DE when he entered the league so why not just let Orakpo concentrate on what he knows best before having him play a couple positions. Why overload him?[/quote]

I agree with you, to a degree. The one difference is that Mario was designed to be the anchor of a nonexistent line Orakpo is coming in with what should be excellent interior support, and two DEs, Carter and Daniels, to show him the ropes.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

Wynn and Daniels are NOT starters anymore. Sure they can show Orakpo the ropes but nothing can replace his talent. And why not put Orakpo in a position to make a play at the point of attack instead of running him down field?
Resign MW or someone else that plays the position and is comfortable playing there. A good example is when teams try to take college QB's and make them WR's. Why would they be better than a guy who's played the position his whole life? They're all athletes so let them stick to what know and have developed throughout their careers.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;556496]Right now, I think the Skins are just trying to get their best players on the field. I think they know that Orakpo is a better fit at DE than at SLB and that DE is where he will eventually play. But, for right now, the Skins have a solid LDE in Daniels but they don't have a solution at SLB, so they want to see if Orakpo can help the team as a hybrid DE/SLB this season.

I don't agree at all that the Skins should have passed him up and traded down. I think Orakpo was a fine pick at #13.[/quote]The problem can't be our solution to both DE and SLB at the same time.

Not that Orakpo wasn't great value at 13th overall but, if the team was interested in a pass-rushing OLB they had two great options in the draft. Trading down and aquiring another valuable pick to have competition at DE or RT and perhaps drafting Everette Brown (who was selected 42nd overall) sounds good in hindsight.

Nobody want's to think we have a talented player playing out of position. It's like starting Cooley at FB...

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

i say keep him on the line. get a SLB when teams start makin their cuts or hope one of our guys we signed or drafted can step up.

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[quote=Mattyk72;556518]Not sure why some are already so convinced he can't handle OLB. I'd at least like to see him in live action before I make up my mind.[/quote]It's obvious that he has the atlehticism to play multiple posisitions but, there has to be a reason he's has zero experience playing LB. He's only played DE since HS. It seems like the FO was trying to get a two-for-one player and how realistic is that? As I look back at the LB and DE prospects in the draft, it seems that Clay Matthews (played DE), Sintim, possibly Everette Brown (have you seen his spin move?) and Aaron Maybin (already gone), would've been better suited to the plans the coaches and FO had in mind. I just hope Orakpo doesn't get hurt trying out for SLB.

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Well they say the other DE's are looking good so i guess the SLB position is the bigger need and RAK has the talent to fill that void. But yes i would like to see us sign a SLB -waiver or FA during roster cuts-and put him back at DE.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

It's not like putting him at LB will risk [I]ruining[/I] him. At worst, it will hinder his development a bit. But getting him onto the field early might pay off in the long run as well.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=GTripp0012;559519]It's not like putting him at LB will risk [I]ruining[/I] him. At worst, it will hinder his development a bit. But getting him onto the field early might pay off in the long run as well.[/quote]

I agree getting him on the field early will pay off in the long run. I just think he should be doing it from the DE position where he will end up playing for us. I just dont like drafting a guy in the 1st round and playing him at a new position. It just doesnt make sense to me. I know we got Daniels and Wynn and putting Orakpo at OLB fills a hole. I just dont like the idea of taking a top-rated DE playing him at OLB and hurting his devlopment at the DE position in the NFL.

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Daniels and Wynn are similiar players and that's seems to be a sign of which type of player coaches want at that position.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=John Denny;556548]Wynn and Daniels are NOT starters anymore. [/quote]


I may be in the minority here...but I am holding out hope that Daniels is a starter on DE.

I see Orakpo playing 3rd and long for him and occasionally giving a break to Carter.

I really dont see Orakpo as starting at LB anyways...I really think they are just trying to develop him as an emergency backup....why?
So they can see if they can cut folks like Chris Wilson if need be.

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=John Denny;556543]Plus if he's playing OLB on 1st and 2nd down, don't you think teams will try to take advantage of him in coverage. [/quote]

Exactly

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

The FO may be wanting to field their best 11 players on the field...Orakpo is one of them...unfortunately Carter and Daniels are also in that group...the weak link is LB...
I agree with all of you who say...just sign Washington or someone else for LB.
I personally do not feel comfortable with Orapko at starting LB or Fincher or Wilson

To me, the only way Orapko starts at DE immediately is if Daniels gets in the DT rotation and gives the DE's an occasional break

Re: Rank Orakpo as a OLB prospect...
 

[quote=diehard;559532]Daniels and Wynn are similiar players and that's seems to be a sign of which type of player coaches want at that position.[/quote]

Yeah I agree. That seems to be the problem I have with this defense though. I dont like how we have a run stopping DE at LDE when other teams that run the 4-3 have pass rushers on both sides.

The defense ranked 4th so its not a big deal but the more pressure you get the more sacks and turnovers you get. Haynesworth will help out alot but I wish we just put Orakpo at DE to go with Haynesworth, Griffin, and Carter on the DL.

[quote=skinsnut;559542]So they can see if they can cut folks like Chris Wilson if need be.[/quote]

I really hope they arent thinking about cutting Chris Wilson. He has alot of potenial. If he leaves its going to be another Chris Clemons deal all over again.

[quote=skinsnut;559545]The FO may be wanting to field their best 11 players on the field...Orakpo is one of them...unfortunately Carter and Daniels are also in that group...the weak link is LB...[/quote]

Yeah and hopefully it works out if thats the way they go. Im just afraid placing Orakpo at LB on 1st and 2nd down will hurt his development at DE. Id rather just roll with Orakpo at DE and Wilson at LB.

I see why the team wants Orakpo at LB because we have Daniels/Wynn at LDE but I think they are filling a hole instead of looking at the long term succes of their 1st round pick.

If I drafted a player in the 1st round the last thing id want to do is play him out of position. This is how id set up the front 7 (it wont happen though :( )....

LDE Andre Carter
LDT Cornelius Griffin
RDT Albert Haynesworth
RDE Brian Orakpo
SLB Chris Wilson
MLB London Fletcher
WLB Rocky McIntosh