Let's talk some Orakpo

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

I listened when I left a friends place during half time, when Sam disappeared for 3 minutes of game time during the start of the second half. I think Sonny said he went to the ATM? What the hell does he need to go to the ATM for during halftime? They do remind me of 2 old uncles, I feel like they might be drinking too.

I never really followed Maryland, but wasn’t shawne merriman really only a DE in college that got converted to OLB in the pros. Can anyone draw any comparisons, besides physically?

Maybe that's code for "he had to go to the bathroom." Those guys ain't exactly spring chickens.

I don't buy that Rak is too small to play every down DE, I think from Blache's comments it's more that he isn't that good at it yet. Plus they are short at OLB. Blache has always instilled a stop the run first/play your gap approach to his d-linemen & he probably wants more girth on the d-line for that, like DAniels.

Carter isn't much difference in size than Rak & he's been an every down DE for us. Though as his run stopping has improved, his sack #s are down.

Jarmon looked really good, nice burst & quick to disengage his blocker. I caught some of the replay last night in the 2nd half & saw him get in on a # of plays. He was of course going against scrubs on the o line, but if he can't beat those guys he doesn't have much of a chance at getting any pt. I agree w/someone's earlier post that said he looked winded at times. Especially on the last td play.

[53Fan]

I wonder how they get those ships in those little bottles.

[NYCskinfan82]

They Say Orakpo is not big enough to stand up to the run so they put him at LB so he dosen't become a 3rd down guy, his physical abilities demand that he's always on the field, by him playing LB this will also allow him to blitz from that slot and a safety will pick up the TE

[Ruhskins]

Orakpo looked great, he is a hell of a pass rusher and I think he played well as a LB. I think overall though, LB coverage was terrible (Fletch getting beat for that long gained earlier in the game, come on!) I'm also seeing a lot of dump off passes killing the middle of the field. I think the coaching staff needs to address this weakness.

I do hope that with a better pass rush this won't become an issue. Call me a Kool Aid drinker, but our d-line seemed unstoppable without AH, the Ravens got away with a lot of non-calls last night. AH will only make this better.

[tryfuhl]

Rak looked awesome and Jarmon looked solid; we could definite be set for years to come barring any injuries/trades, etc

But with all of the strength that we have at DL coming up, we have questions at CB, kinda the opposite of where we have been for the past handful of years

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Rak looked awesome and Jarmon looked solid; we could definite be set for years to come barring any injuries/trades, etc

But with all of the strength that we have at DL coming up, we have questions at CB, kinda the opposite of where we have been for the past handful of years

Well the questions at CBs are with the backups....which is a bit of a concern, but nothing to scream about.

[gibbsisgod]

His closing speed is unreal. One play in particular stands out to me. The D was running a delayed Stunt and even before BO came around, The Baltimore QB started to run out of the pocket and BO closed on him like he was standing still. I also liked JJ but he seemed to winded after just a handful of plays. Could have been he was hyped up just to be on the field and ran his tank empty , or it could be he just isn't in very good shape. I guess we will see come Saturday. Another guy that seemed to be all over the place was Henson. He didn't have good technique on a few plays, but overall, I was impressed with a guy that many said was a wasted pick. He could be a valuable backup at LB

[skinsfan69]

Both guys did very well. Very very impressed with Orakpo's explosiveness. He was constantly getting held.

[Monksdown]

'Rak' should stunt every play behind Albert. Pick the gap you want.

[hail_2_da_skins]

Orackpo looked good in his first preseason game. I wouldn't elect him into the Hall of Fame yet, but he shows great promise. It was hard to tell if he was in position while he was playing linebacker. When he lined up at defensive end, his pass rushing skills are obvious. He can best help the team if he can play strong side linebacker on early downs and rush the passer on third down. So far, I like what I see.

[freddyg12]

per matty's original post, that we could be set at DE for a while. That's hopefully the case, and the DT position looks stacked as well. Dixon is at least due for the practice squad if he plays like he did last week, and if he does go to the PS, somebody might snatch him up as DTs are always in demand. I don't know if they could keep 5 on the roster? That's counting Alexander as a DE.

Same for DE, somebody is gonna be cut that we would like to see on the team. Most likely Wynn and/or Buzbee.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

per matty's original post, that we could be set at DE for a while. That's hopefully the case, and the DT position looks stacked as well. Dixon is at least due for the practice squad if he plays like he did last week, and if he does go to the PS, somebody might snatch him up as DTs are always in demand. I don't know if they could keep 5 on the roster? That's counting Alexander as a DE.

Same for DE, somebody is gonna be cut that we would like to see on the team. Most likely Wynn and/or Buzbee.

Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.

There's a giant, gaping, post-Griffin hole at the 3-technique, but with the type of youth and top end talent we've put on the DL in the last four years, dare I suggest that even a free agent or trade related stop-gap would be sufficient in 2010 or 2011 or whenever.

It's something to watch: if Griffin goes down, we're playing a man short on the DL, but that's not a particularly premium defensive position, and can be filled with a 4th round pick or a mid-tier free agent in the future.

Meanwhile, in the other three spots on the DL, the only thing we'll need to do over the next four years or so is inject depth periodically.

[JoeRedskin]

I was thinking the same thing. How many DE's & DT's did we keep last year?

Also, <sigh> I think Chris Wilson's time with the club is limited.

[DBUCHANON101]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I was thinking the same thing. How many DE's & DT's did we keep last year?

Also, <sigh> I think Chris Wilson's time with the club is limited.

I take it his move to OLB hasnt panned out