Meet the Beast: Brian Orakpo

[SmootSmack]

A few thoughts:

-The interest in Sanchez was legit, but they weren't going to trade up any higher than 8th to the Jaguars and they were relatively stingy in what they were going to give up. Plus, the deal would have had to have been coupled with a Campbell trade (or possibly someone else) for another 2nd or 3rd round pick

-A bit surprised that Orakpo fell, though not entirely (I had in my mock to the Skins a couple of weeks ago). His stock seemed to be falling recently through no fault of his own really. But this was the guy Vinny has wanted for a long time. He was definitely the driving force behind this pick. At the last minute I thought they might pick Cushing (he's another guy I know they liked), but I'm glad they went with Orakpo (Matty, sorry about the Maualuga text-my USC guy was messing with me)

-It is kind of funny though how we put so much focus on the dinner and private meetings they had with Sanchez, yet when a few of us pointed out the same exact stuff was happening with Orakpo...it was ignored.

-As for the pick itself, I think it's a good one. The knee issues obviously are something to monitor closely, but he has the ability to do all the things we envisioned for Jason Taylor (and he's a decade younger). He'll be exciting to watch.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

A few thoughts:

-The interest in Sanchez was legit, but they weren't going to trade up any higher than 8th to the Jaguars and they were relatively stingy in what they were going to give up. Plus, the deal would have had to have been coupled with a Campbell trade (or possibly someone else) for another 2nd or 3rd round pick

-A bit surprised that Orakpo fell, though not entirely (I had in my mock to the Skins a couple of weeks ago). His stock seemed to be falling recently through no fault of his own really. But this was the guy Vinny has wanted for a long time. He was definitely the driving force behind this pick. At the last minute I thought they might pick Cushing (he's another guy I know they liked), but I'm glad they went with Orakpo (Matty, sorry about the Maualuga text-my USC guy was messing with me)

-It is kind of funny though how we put so much focus on the dinner and private meetings they had with Sanchez, yet when a few of us pointed out the same exact stuff was happening with Orakpo...it was ignored.

-As for the pick itself, I think it's a good one. The knee issues obviously are something to monitor closely, but he has the ability to do all the things we envisioned for Jason Taylor (and he's a decade younger). He'll be exciting to watch.

One thing that has been overlooked in this flirtation with Sanchez is that Sanchez's agent released the details from that dinner meeting, and the restaurant also publicized it. I'm sure the Redskins interest in him was genuine, but it was overblown because of those two extra sources touting the meeting.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

A few thoughts:

-The interest in Sanchez was legit, but they weren't going to trade up any higher than 8th to the Jaguars and they were relatively stingy in what they were going to give up. Plus, the deal would have had to have been coupled with a Campbell trade (or possibly someone else) for another 2nd or 3rd round pick

-A bit surprised that Orakpo fell, though not entirely (I had in my mock to the Skins a couple of weeks ago). His stock seemed to be falling recently through no fault of his own really. But this was the guy Vinny has wanted for a long time. He was definitely the driving force behind this pick. At the last minute I thought they might pick Cushing (he's another guy I know they liked), but I'm glad they went with Orakpo (Matty, sorry about the Maualuga text-my USC guy was messing with me)

-It is kind of funny though how we put so much focus on the dinner and private meetings they had with Sanchez, yet when a few of us pointed out the same exact stuff was happening with Orakpo...it was ignored.

-As for the pick itself, I think it's a good one. The knee issues obviously are something to monitor closely, but he has the ability to do all the things we envisioned for Jason Taylor (and he's a decade younger). He'll be exciting to watch.

So it wasn't really a clever smokescreen designed to get the player we really wanted.

I still maintain that it was a relatively cheap price to pay for the Jets to move up to #5 -- switch spots in the first, give up their 2nd and a few players most of us have never heard of? That wasn't as pricey as I thought it would be.

And those Browns -- they move down a total of 4 picks in the first round to the Bucs and Eagles and all they get are two 6th round picks in return? Just doesn't make sense.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

So it wasn't really a clever smokescreen designed to get the player we really wanted.

I still maintain that it was a relatively cheap price to pay for the Jets to move up to #5 -- switch spots in the first, give up their 2nd and a few players most of us have never heard of? That wasn't as pricey as I thought it would be.

And those Browns -- they move down a total of 4 picks in the first round to the Bucs and Eagles and all they get are two 6th round picks in return? Just doesn't make sense.

Many teams inquired about moving up for Sanchez as part of due diligence.

Given that, as you say, the price to move up was relatively cheap, then the Skins were not very serious about moving up for Sanchez.

The FO has clearly stated that they wanted Orakpo all along. VC said they gave him a top 5 grade.

So the Sanchez stuff was still a smokescreen. We were not as "smitten" as everyone claimed.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

So it wasn't really a clever smokescreen designed to get the player we really wanted.

I still maintain that it was a relatively cheap price to pay for the Jets to move up to #5 -- switch spots in the first, give up their 2nd and a few players most of us have never heard of? That wasn't as pricey as I thought it would be.

And those Browns -- they move down a total of 4 picks in the first round to the Bucs and Eagles and all they get are two 6th round picks in return? Just doesn't make sense.

I don't know that any real smokescreen was in play with Sanchez, in my opinion. I know that Orakpo has been their true top choice for a while, and Vinny and co. had been going around saying "He's too good. No way he drops to us." Maybe his rep as a talent evaluator scared off teams ahead of him? And I also know that we should be happy that a) we had no 2nd round pick that we may have offered to move up to get Sanchez, and b) Cerrato is one guy who wasn't as keen as others in the organization on moving up to get Sanchez, this was Zorn and Snyder driven.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I don't know that any real smokescreen was in play with Sanchez, in my opinion. I know that Orakpo has been their true top choice for a while, and Vinny and co. had been going around saying "He's too good. No way he drops to us." Maybe his rep as a talent evaluator scared off teams ahead of him? And I also know that we should be happy that a) we had no 2nd round pick that we may have offered to move up to get Sanchez, and b) Cerrato is one guy who wasn't as keen as others in the organization on moving up to get Sanchez, this was Zorn and Snyder driven.

Zorn wanted Sanchez, as well?

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

A few thoughts:

-The interest in Sanchez was legit, but they weren't going to trade up any higher than 8th to the Jaguars and they were relatively stingy in what they were going to give up. Plus, the deal would have had to have been coupled with a Campbell trade (or possibly someone else) for another 2nd or 3rd round pick

-A bit surprised that Orakpo fell, though not entirely (I had in my mock to the Skins a couple of weeks ago). His stock seemed to be falling recently through no fault of his own really. But this was the guy Vinny has wanted for a long time. He was definitely the driving force behind this pick. At the last minute I thought they might pick Cushing (he's another guy I know they liked), but I'm glad they went with Orakpo (Matty, sorry about the Maualuga text-my USC guy was messing with me)

-It is kind of funny though how we put so much focus on the dinner and private meetings they had with Sanchez, yet when a few of us pointed out the same exact stuff was happening with Orakpo...it was ignored.

-As for the pick itself, I think it's a good one. The knee issues obviously are something to monitor closely, but he has the ability to do all the things we envisioned for Jason Taylor (and he's a decade younger). He'll be exciting to watch.

You know that QB isn't the same as every other position. The fact that the FO was even thinking about it kind of makes you really wonder. I'm really looking for JC and the young guys to take off this year.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

You know that QB isn't the same as every other position. The fact that the FO was even thinking about it kind of makes you really wonder. I'm really looking for JC and the young guys to take off this year.

It made me wonder too, but the team never tried anything with Sanchez. Had Sanchez been there at #13, we would have traded with the Jets. I'm glad the team didn't have to trade up to get Orakpo.

[+21+]

YES!!!!! We just drafted THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Unlike Bruce Banner though, it looks like RAK won't change back into a wimpy little scientist. DON'T...MAKE...RAK...MAD!!!!!
Double Digit Sacks easy with Big A tying things up in the middle.

[Oolak]

After having a nightmare that we drafted freeman, today was like a fairytale. Still hoping for good news with the OL tomorrow.

[Skins4L]

i love this pick.... im starting to really like this Defense...

[redskin37]

Could also go lb in the 3rd today. There is some quality still out there.

[skins89moss]

I been saying all along that defense wins championships ( Steelers,Giants). Our defense was ranked 4th but we did not get to the QB. This was the big reason why we did not get many Ints cause QB has to much time to throw the ball. With Big Haynesworth he should help our run defense and pass rush. Our defense has to create more turnovers this year which translates to more points from the offense. Turnovers change momentum
and of course field positon.

[skins89moss]

Is this the 1st D-Lineman we have drafted in the 1st round since DE Kenard Lang out of the University of Miami? I'm almost certain it is. He left us to play for the Browns.

[Nflnick11]

Ya I would have probably of gone with oher since the oline sucks and orakpo has had injury problems and some say he's too small for the 4-3 DE


That said, this would have been my next pick and let's see how great he'll do his first year, and see if we can get another DE to rotate with him or as a just incase pick