Will Brian Orakpo = the next Vernon Gholston

[rbanerjee23]

Is anyone else concerned that Orakpo could end up being the next Vernon Gholston. Both of them had killer final campaigns and are weight room warriors to the max. However, Gholston managed only 13 tackles of which only 5 were solo.

I want to believe that Orakpo will be different but can any one give me a tangible reason why?

[Ijaeger]

seriously? dude is a beast. he will be playing beside haynesworth, griff, and opposite carter-enough said. barring injury, i would imagine we will have more sack lunches than a middle school field trip...yum yum yum yum

[SirClintonPortis]

Gholston plays in a 3-4. Didn't follow the Jets though, but he probably couldn't handle covering on a zone blitz.

[GMScud]

Orakpo turned in multiple dominant seasons at Texas. He plays in a different system. Also, the knock on Gholston before he was drafted was that he seemed to disappear from games at times. He'd have a few good plays, then vanish. Funny, since his first season in the NFL earned him the nickname "Ghost." As in you can't see him, since he couldn't get on the field. He's headed towards the colossal bust category if Rex Ryan can't squeeze something out of him

In summary, Orakpo won't come close to equaling Gholston. Or should I say, Gholston won't come close to equaling Orakpo.

[NicknacK89]

i think the addition of haynesworth is infinitely helpful in developing orakpo

[Pocket$ $traight]

I am more concerned that the weakness of the team is offensive line and the first 4 picks off the board are defensive guys. Then with the last two picks they get guys who belong on the practice squad.

Great job Dan. I am sure that 410 Mike Williams will fix everything.

[The Goat]

Ok...i guess you painted the worst case scenario. For the likely scenario I'll plagiarize Mr. GTripp and say Orakpo is probably just Carter reloaded, which isn't a huge addition for us on defense and ultimately doesn't make a great impact for some time cuz Carter probably isn't going anywhere. The best case scenario is Orakpo bulks up a bit and becomes a badass run-stopper so he can be our stud LDE who also gets to the QB.

Probability among the scenarios: 10%, 65% and 25% respectively IMO.

...it's fun to make predictions when they don't count for anything

[redskingrove]

The biggest difference between Orakpo and Gholsten is the company he is surrounded by on the field during game time. The 49ers are mediocre at best. With Haynesworth, Griffin, Carter, P.Daniels/R. Wynn for D line, then L. Fletcher, Orakpo, and R. McIntosh as LB crew, Greg Blache could easily start bringing the PAIN with the blitz and feel comfortable doing so. With Orakpo at LB, that would more often that not put a RB trying to block him on a rush. Do the math! Also Orakpo could be spelled at LB and slide in to DE on passing plays if desired. The options are endless. I'm anxious top see how Blache plays his hand. Now the big question is can the Offense put points on the board when the Defense shuts a team down?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by redskingrove

The biggest difference between Orakpo and Gholsten is the company he is surrounded by on the field during game time. The 49ers are mediocre at best. With Haynesworth, Griffin, Carter, P.Daniels/R. Wynn for D line, then L. Fletcher, Orakpo, and R. McIntosh as LB crew, Greg Blache could easily start bringing the PAIN with the blitz and feel comfortable doing so. With Orakpo at LB, that would more often that not put a RB trying to block him on a rush. Do the math! Also Orakpo could be spelled at LB and slide in to DE on passing plays if desired. The options are endless. I'm anxious top see how Blache plays his hand. Now the big question is can the Offense put points on the board when the Defense shuts a team down?

How do the 49ers fit into this discussion??

[Ijaeger]

Originally Posted by redskingrove

Now the big question is can the Offense put points on the board when the Defense shuts a team down?

I'm hoping we improve by an average of 3 points per game offensively while doing the same defensively. I stand by "if you can score 21 per game and hold a majority of your opponents to < 21 then you have a strong contender.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Ijaeger

I'm hoping we improve by an average of 3 points per game offensively while doing the same defensively. I stand by "if you can score 21 per game and hold a majority of your opponents to < 21 then you have a strong contender.

Maybe our improved defense will give the offense shorter fields, resulting in those 3 points you desire.

[vallin21]

There is no way BO is going to be the next Gholston. BO is way more talented and experienced than Gholston was, and BO is more motivated to succeed.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by rbanerjee23

Is anyone else concerned that Orakpo could end up being the next Vernon Gholston. Both of them had killer final campaigns and are weight room warriors to the max. However, Gholston managed only 13 tackles of which only 5 were solo.

I want to believe that Orakpo will be different but can any one give me a tangible reason why?

Can you give me a reason why he would be a Gholston? Saying that he had a "killer final campaign" is not a sufficient reason - many players do. Saying that he is a workout warrior also is not a sufficient reason, as many players are.

Until Orakpo plays badly, I have no reason to suspect that he will be a Gholston.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Can you give me a reason why he would be a Gholston? Saying that he had a "killer final campaign" is not a sufficient reason - many players do. Saying that he is a workout warrior also is not a sufficient reason, as many players are.

Until Orakpo plays badly, I have no reason to suspect that he will be a Gholston.

Seriously. It's a GREAT thing to be a workout warrior if you're also super productive on the field. Do you guys realize how friggin insane it is to bench 515lbs?? Plus he power cleans nearly 400 which is almost funny it's so crazy. That kind of strength to go with his first step means if he's not going around tackles, he can push them out of the way.

I'm really fired up about this kid.

[Pocket$ $traight]

I think the only knock on Orakpo is durability. When healthy he was recognized as the premier pass rusher in the draft.