I think this might be our answer for OLB... (Greg Ellis?)

Originally Posted by 30gut

I got answer to the OLB problem...
4. The Washington Redskins have a completely different plan for first-round choice Brian Orakpo than some people expected. At the Redskins' minicamp, Orakpo was used as the starting strongside linebacker. The plan is for him to blitz from the strong side on first and second downs. On passing downs, he will line up at right defensive end next to Albert Haynesworth, the former Tennessee Titans star who appeared dominating at his first Redskins camp. Orakpo was drafted to rush the passer. The surprise is that he won't just be doing it from a defensive end position.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=4135310

unleash the hounds!!

Ever since the Skins have put Orakpo at LB in Minicamp I have had mixed feelings on it. While I feel he can be successful id rather him play as a 3 down end. Im not sure if he will be blitzing on all 1st and 2nd downs though like the article suggests at LB. It seems like the Skins are just filling a need be throwing Orakpo at LB instead of looking at the long term success of their 1st round pick by playing him at the position he played in at college as a DE.

Honestly id rather him just play RDE all 3 downs and let him grow into the position at the NFL level and reak havoc along the defensive line with Albert Haynesworth.

[GTripp0012]

So we shouldn't have signed Demetric Evans back in 2004?

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

So we shouldn't have signed Demetric Evans back in 2004?

Damn dude great post. I forgot Evans had last played for the Cowboys before signing with the Redskins.

I was trying to think of different players and that one skipped my mind.

[Stuck in TX]

way too old, injury prone, and not something we need here. IR/the training room will already be busy this year with the likes of our geriatric backup DE's and Griffin.

[Nflnick11]

Hell no

[Ruhskins]

Here's Stats, Inc. take on Greg Ellis. While I'm not advocating for him (for a trade at least, since he will most likely be released) just wanted to add this to this discussion. Also, someone mentioned him being injury prone, well he played all 16 games last season, only missed 3 in 2007, and it was only in 2006 when he missed 8 games.

2008 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Greg Ellis #98 LB
Grade: 75 | Key
Alert: None

Comment: Ellis is 10-year veteran with very good size and adequate speed and quickness. He reacts quickly to the run. He has good size and strength to maintain effective hand use. He has long arms to stack and shed. He will get upright with his pad level, but has good strength and balance to keep his feet. He's a former defensive end who understands leverage. He can play physical and get off blocks with good timing. He is still quick enough to work his feet and re-gain outside leverage. He is also quick enough to contain and force running backs back inside. He has adequate acceleration in space with good effort to pursue from behind. As a pass rusher, the Cowboys will bring him off the edge from a three-point stance where he has good success recording sacks when his hand is on the ground. He has strength in his upper body to re-work his hands inside then react off of the offensive tackle's technique. He's physical with his hands and works to finish. He is also strong with the ability to rip inside-out. He has a variety of pass-rush moves including spins and counters. He does a good job turning speed to power. He will get upright on counter moves, but comes hard inside and has strength into traffic. He has some limitations in coverage due to his lack of burst in space. He will stall changing direction and lack the quickness to break down consistently, when isolated.

[DBUCHANON101]

In our 4-3 he would be more suited for the DE spot instead of SLB.
you honestly think he can cover guys like Witten and Ingram?

Originally Posted by DBUCHANON101

In our 4-3 he would be more suited for the DE spot instead of SLB.
you honestly think he can cover guys like Witten and Ingram?

I agree hes a DE in a 4-3 defense but if the price is right I wouldnt mind giving him a shot at OLB. Hell id put Orakpo at DE, Ellis at WLB, and move Rocky to SLB.

I know the odds of this happening are slim to none but I think it would be a upgrade over playing Orakpo out of position and two old DEs at LDE.

[skinsfan69]

No cowboys

[Nflnick11]

I got a better OLB option, Brady popinga of the packers, cause thyre switching to a 3-4 and they don't think that he'll fit in it, and he's a great 4-3 OLB, I think theyll cut him by training camp

[GTripp0012]

New rule: if we're going to suggest players who would make sense at OLB in our 4-3 defense, they have to be a better player than Marcus Washington. Who is still a free agent.

Pisa Tinoisamoa was an interesting case, because he is a great player. He's just very, very lanky, and almost exclusively needs to be in a cover two defense to be great. I think Poppinga would be worth a look. But the Greg Ellis' of the world...we can do better.

Also, SLB is a position that is very much a two down position in the NFL, so it makes sense to hand the job to Orakpo as a rookie, if just to get him onto the field and tackling NFL RBs. We're not lacking in nickel linebackers with Blades and Fletch, and the team appears to be happy with Rocky Mac as a two down weak-side linebacker, which is a place I think a move would make sense. So given that, maybe we don't have a need at LB.

[70Chip]

My take on LBs is that you get the fastest, best motor guys available, preferably young and you let them run to the ball. Vets are good as situational guys, they know the drops, etc, but Ellis, to me, was always a bit stiff.

[DBUCHANON101]

We had the chance to get a good LB in the draft, we passed and now we either have to see who hits the wire when the cuts begin or sign a FA now. Id like to see us bring in a OLB and keep RAK at DE.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by DBUCHANON101

We had the chance to get a good LB in the draft, we passed and now we either have to see who hits the wire when the cuts begin or sign a FA now. Id like to see us bring in a OLB and keep RAK at DE.

I'm still not over how we drafted our second day picks either and I have serious concerns with RAK at OLB...but Im fully against throwing away future draft picks for a player right now especially Ellis. Cuts is going to be the way to go at this point with bringing in a ready-to-play starter at OLB.

[DBUCHANON101]

Dallas Cowboys release defensive end/linebacker Greg Ellis.