Orakpo is Open to Change

[SmootSmack]

Redskins' Orakpo is open to change - NFL Nation - ESPN

[53Fan]

Bring back Marcus Washington and we would'nt need Orakpo at LB. Him and Haynesworth side by side with Marcus at SAM would be pretty imposing.

[Redskins_P]

53Fan, I know you're a fan of MW, but I think there is a reason why he still hasn't signed with anyone

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

53Fan, I know you're a fan of MW, but I think there is a reason why he still hasn't signed with anyone

Yeah, he's waiting for more money from us! Sorry man, he's only 31. I think he has a couple of good years left and is ready to prove it. But I do admit I'm biased.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Yeah, he's waiting for more money from us! Sorry man, he's only 31. I think he has a couple of good years left and is ready to prove it. But I do admit I'm biased.

FRPLG is right, MW makes 31 look like 37. He's lost at least a step, maybe two. I love his motor and enthusiasm, but there's a big reason no one else wants him and we aren't budging on the vet min contract we've offered. I've got nothing against the man whatsoever, but his skills have diminished significantly over the past few seasons and he can't stay healthy.

As far as Orakpo, I agree with Mosley. To take the best DE in the country and turn him into a 4-3 OLB and only a part time DE wouldn't be smart at all. If we ran a 3-4 and were looking to turn him into a Demarcus Ware, then sure. IMO he needs to have that hand in the dirt on every down. I don't really see the point of selecting the best pass rusher in the entire draft and then putting him out of position, all the while only letting him do what he does best on 3rd downs.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GMScud

FRPLG is right, MW makes 31 look like 37. He's lost at least a step, maybe two. I love his motor and enthusiasm, but there's a big reason no one else wants him and we aren't budging on the vet min contract we've offered. I've got nothing against the man whatsoever, but his skills have diminished significantly over the past few seasons and he can't stay healthy.

As far as Orakpo, I agree with Mosley. To take the best DE in the country and turn him into a 4-3 OLB and only a part time DE wouldn't be smart at all. If we ran a 3-4 and were looking to turn him into a Demarcus Ware, then sure. IMO he needs to have that hand in the dirt on every down. I don't really see the point of selecting the best pass rusher in the entire draft and then putting him out of position, all the while only letting him do what he does best on 3rd downs.

The only, or at least the best, justification that I can come up with for doing this is if Blache wants to keep the DL mostly 100% technique and wait for the run first style. He already has to deal with letting Haynesworth needing more free reign than the system generally allows, and lord willing Blache will give it to him, so maybe he feels 2 left to do their own thing on a 4 man front is too much? Or maybe he's really not confident in Orakpo's run stuffing. Perhaps the LB assignment could give him a bit more freedom.

Anybody more familiar with the intricacies of the D care to comment?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

The only, or at least the best, justification that I can come up with for doing this is if Blache wants to keep the DL mostly 100% technique and wait for the run first style. He already has to deal with letting Haynesworth needing more free reign than the system generally allows, and lord willing Blache will give it to him, so maybe he feels 2 left to do their own thing on a 4 man front is too much? Or maybe he's really not confident in Orakpo's run stuffing. Perhaps the LB assignment could give him a bit more freedom.

Anybody more familiar with the intricacies of the D care to comment?

If Blache is worth a damn as a coordinator, he'll make some adjustments to fit the personnel, which I think he's prepared to do with Big Al. If in fact he's not confident in Orakpo's ability to stuff the run and plans to use him as on OLB on 2 outta the 3 defensive downs, then why didn't we draft a linebacker?

Orakpo is the same size as Andre Carter and he's probably the strongest guy on the team right away. I don't think his run stopping was mentioned as a weakness or concern in his draft profiles.

We drafted a DE in the 1st round for the first time in more than a decade. Let's use him at his natural position.

[Lotus]

Yes! Bring back MW! Sign the doggone contract, MW!

Then leave Orakpo with his hand in the dirt. While I often disagree with Mosley, who can be a terrible Cowboys homer, this article is spot on.

[FRPLG]

MW is an OLD 31. His hip issues aren't getting better. His main attribute, speed, has been reduced. He can still bring the energy but we didn't see a heck of a lot of MWlike plays year when he was in. He isn't what he from afew years ago and is only getting worse. Plus he wants money that isn't consistent with his current skill set. I love MW but we need to move on from him. Especially for the price.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

MW is an OLD 31. His hip issues aren't getting better. His main attribute, speed, has been reduced. He can still bring the energy but we didn't see a heck of a lot of MWlike plays year when he was in. He isn't what he from afew years ago and is only getting worse. Plus he wants money that isn't consistent with his current skill set. I love MW but we need to move on from him. Especially for the price.

Very true..."for the price".
If he would sign a MUCH smaller contract, I'd LOVE to have him back.

[vallin21]

MW will sign with us by training camp. He has nowhere else to go.

[cobracai1]

Originally Posted by vallin21

MW will sign with us by training camp. He has nowhere else to go.

I would agree if it were pre draft but I think they've moved on. As much as I would like him back for his intangibles, he really has lost a couple of steps. Time to see what we have in the young LB's/Thomas/Blades/Orakpo/Fincher and whoever else I'm missing

[53Fan]

I understand everyones point and I think if he signs it should be at a reduced rate. But I think "losing a step" is directly related to being injured. Who does'nt lose a step when they're injured? This is why I don't think Springs wanted to play less than 100%. The same would have been said about him. I still believe he's a step above anyone else we have and someone like Fincher or Thomas isn't even going to come close no matter how long they play. Either way, I'll guess we'll see at the end of the season.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

I understand everyones point and I think if he signs it should be at a reduced rate. But I think "losing a step" is directly related to being injured. Who does'nt lose a step when they're injured? This is why I don't think Springs wanted to play less than 100%. The same would have been said about him. I still believe he's a step above anyone else we have and someone like Fincher or Thomas isn't even going to come close no matter how long they play. Either way, I'll guess we'll see at the end of the season.

I can agree with that I guess. Problem is, he's injured more often than not these days.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I can agree with that I guess. Problem is, he's injured more often than not these days.

And yet we still sign players with past injuries and talk about signing guys like Levi Jones. And of course we know the Patriots don't know what they're doing because they sign players like Springs.