Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Cowboys at Redskins)

[MTK]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

wow. am i the only one that thinks this is really harsh assessment of Orakpo?? THe guy has been really really good over the last couple of years. I dont think he is playing horrible this year. Do you know think that Kerrigan may be taking away some of his sack numbers? I just think as a whole our D line is better as a whole as well, which may have taken a couple sacks away from him. I didn't see him getting mushed all day. He got pressure, made some plays. On the TD late in the game, he was visibly held that should have been called. Still dont understand how the ref missed that when he was 5 yards away. He was basically pulling him down by the neck of his jersey. anyway, I think bashing Orakpo or calling him out is a little nit picky

Agreed 110%. Especially with all of our other problems to consider, and we're sitting here picking apart one of our better players.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Agreed 110%. Especially with all of our other problems to consider, and we're sitting here picking apart one of our better players.

I may have missed some "bashing" of Rak, but that's certainly not my intent. Like SirClintonPortis I'm pointing out that he's not winning his 1 on 1 matchups much of the time. Even Shanahan alluded to the pass rush being partly to blame for the 3rd & 15 when Hall took the blame.

He's definitely a cornerstone of this D, and I would go farther to say that re-signing him in the next couple years should be budgeted for now. I would not want to see him walk, but at the same time his game needs some evolution & he's capable of improving.

Maybe this is just a case of standards & expectations. As one of our best players & a no. 1 pick, we're expecting him to be great. Ditto for Landry.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

I may have missed some "bashing" of Rak, but that's certainly not my intent. Like SirClintonPortis I'm pointing out that he's not winning his 1 on 1 matchups much of the time. Even Shanahan alluded to the pass rush being partly to blame for the 3rd & 15 when Hall took the blame.

He's definitely a cornerstone of this D, and I would go farther to say that re-signing him in the next couple years should be budgeted for now. I would not want to see him walk, but at the same time his game needs some evolution & he's capable of improving.

Maybe this is just a case of standards & expectations. As one of our best players & a no. 1 pick, we're expecting him to be great. Ditto for Landry.

He's certainly not above criticism, it just strikes me as a little odd how much time we've spent talking about him lately considering how many more glaring problems we have. I'd argue he has been a great player for us, just not great enough for some I guess.