RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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?

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.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

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.

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?

[an23dy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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?

I think run formations Orakpo will be at linebacker and Daniels at LDE. Orakpo won't have to cover a TE because Horton will cover the TE and Orakpo's responsibility would be to run blitz or maybe cover the fullback or the slower TE, or zone maybe. And when they're not in those packages it's likely a passing situation/formation and he can play LDE. Initially when I saw Orakpo at LB I didn't like it, but the more I think about it the more I like it. We will be very solid against the run with AH, Daniels, and Orakpo. We can run blitz Orakpo which would also get real good QB pressure if they choose to throw. Stopping the run...forcing the other team into passing situations...QB pressure...their offense becomes uncomfortable...turnovers and punts...short field...Redskins score...Redskins win

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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?

On third downs, he's strictly a pass rusher. On rushing downs, I think he's going to be asked to split time with Carter at right end. I think it all depends on who we play. A pass heavy team, and one week, he could line up at end 100% of his snaps. Against a run heavy team, maybe 60-40%.

Inevitably, he's eventually going to be our RE. I just think the quickest way onto the field is SLB, and generally, that player doesn't often get man coverage responsibilities with Horton up near the line.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

On third downs, he's strictly a pass rusher. On rushing downs, I think he's going to be asked to split time with Carter at right end. I think it all depends on who we play. A pass heavy team, and one week, he could line up at end 100% of his snaps. Against a run heavy team, maybe 60-40%.

Inevitably, he's eventually going to be our RE. I just think the quickest way onto the field is SLB, and generally, that player doesn't often get man coverage responsibilities with Horton up near the line.

GT why are you dead set at seeing Rak RDE long term? Based on his skill set? Team needs? I just strikes me that w/ his strength and power (and given a little time to add mass the way Daniels did initially) Rak would be a beast @ LDE...able to stop the run and pressure/sack the QB w/ equal dominance.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by The Goat

GT why are you dead set at seeing Rak RDE long term? Based on his skill set? Team needs? I just strikes me that w/ his strength and power (and given a little time to add mass the way Daniels did initially) Rak would be a beast @ LDE...able to stop the run and pressure/sack the QB w/ equal dominance.

I think you can get away at LDE with a marginal pass rusher, because it's very, very easy for the offense to neutralize the rush on the strong side. If we put Orakpo there, we would need someone that offenses fear on the other side.

Two pass rushing ends works for some teams, but not for others. Freeney and Mathis can put QBs on their backs very quickly, but Denver went with two really small rushers last year...and well, let's just say their first pick this year was a pass rusher.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I think you can get away at LDE with a marginal pass rusher, because it's very, very easy for the offense to neutralize the rush on the strong side. If we put Orakpo there, we would need someone that offenses fear on the other side.

Two pass rushing ends works for some teams, but not for others. Freeney and Mathis can put QBs on their backs very quickly, but Denver went with two really small rushers last year...and well, let's just say their first pick this year was a pass rusher.

This begs the question...why? Why does it work in some cases and why not in others? Why can't it work for us?

In Denver's case, I would argue that the answer to "Why?" is: lack of performance by the DE's, not the setup itself. Jarvis Moss is a bust. It doesn't matter what defensive strategy you pursue when you have a bust executing it.

Personally I see no reason, once Rak bulks up a bit, why we can't make Rak at LDE and Carter at RDE work. In fact, I look forward to this!

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Lotus

This begs the question...why? Why does it work in some cases and why not in others? Why can't it work for us?

In Denver's case, I would argue that the answer to "Why?" is: lack of performance by the DE's, not the setup itself. Jarvis Moss is a bust. It doesn't matter what defensive strategy you pursue when you have a bust executing it.

Personally I see no reason, once Rak bulks up a bit, why we can't make Rak at LDE and Carter at RDE work. In fact, I look forward to this!

My answer to this at least, is that "it works, so long as both ends are better than the guys they are going up against." Jarvis Moss. Not better than most RTs in this league. Elvis Dumerville is only better than a handful of LTs.

The way I see it, by the time Orakpo has enough of a move arsenal to be a factor from the left side (remember that everything he did in college came from the right), Carter's best years (arguably 2007 and 2008), will be so far in the rear view mirror, that we will be searching for his replacement. By 2011, I see Orakpo as our full-time right end.

In the mean time, I caution against taking Orakpo out of his comfort zone. I like moving him around to get him mismatches as a rookie. But moving him around to exploit offensive weaknesses, and moving him around just for the sake of having him learn multiple moves from multiple positions are very different ideas.