RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

Ruhskins · 05-01-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daseal

Ruhskins -- You brought up some examples of DEs in college that made a successful transition to LB. However, name one player that has made the transition from 4-3 DE in college to a 4-3 LB in the NFL. Bet you don't find (m)any worth a damn.

My point was that this is not final and people need to stop overreacting (as they always do). You guys are right, Merriman and Suggs went to 3-4 defenses. But until Blache or Zorn say so, Orakpo is a DE.

Lotus · 05-01-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

My point was that this is not final and people need to stop overreacting (as they always do). You guys are right, Merriman and Suggs went to 3-4 defenses. But until Blache or Zorn say so, Orakpo is a DE.

Yes. It is day 1. It is still just May. Of course they are going to at least look at him as a linebacker. It doesn't mean tiddlywinks in the long term. Chill.

GTripp0012 · 05-01-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daseal

Ruhskins -- You brought up some examples of DEs in college that made a successful transition to LB. However, name one player that has made the transition from 4-3 DE in college to a 4-3 LB in the NFL. Bet you don't find (m)any worth a damn.

Roosevelt Colvin. pwned.

MTK · 05-02-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Roosevelt Colvin. pwned.

Didn't our very own Marcus Washington play DE at Auburn?

Double pwned

SC Skins Fan · 05-02-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Didn't our very own Marcus Washington play DE at Auburn?

Double pwned

Miathias Kiwanuka made the transition in 2007 too.

NoviSkins · 05-01-2009, 04:16 PM

It looks like he was playing linebacker because Mcintosh was excused for personal reasons. Once he's back, he'll slide back into LB and Orakpo takes over for Daniels.

tryfuhl · 05-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoviSkins

It looks like he was playing linebacker because Mcintosh was excused for personal reasons. Once he's back, he'll slide back into LB and Orakpo takes over for Daniels.

Rocky was expected to be out that day only; that's not a reason to put somebody else in that position during a minicamp.

Lotus · 05-03-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Rocky was expected to be out that day only; that's not a reason to put somebody else in that position during a minicamp.

You are correct. But seeing what the new boy can do in different positions well before the games count is a reason for putting him there. It is positional due diligence, if nothing else.

tryfuhl · 05-03-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus

You are correct. But seeing what the new boy can do in different positions well before the games count is a reason for putting him there. It is positional due diligence, if nothing else.

True, after reading some of the posts in this thread I'm definitely more comfortable with it.

DoggDayAfternoon · 05-01-2009, 06:19 PM

it would be great if we were a 3-4 defense. then he'd be like a Demarcus Ware or Greg Ellis and thats hard to stop..but to lose a lb on 4-3 scheme to play him is a mismatch against us not for us

Dirtbag59 · 05-01-2009, 06:43 PM

If anything they should use him like the Cardinals used Travis Laboy last year when they have him at LB.

jsarno · 05-01-2009, 06:49 PM

I'm hoping this is just some sort of formality. What is the point of drafting a superior DE and make him a LB? That's just dumb. However, if they use him like they say, at LB unless of pass rushing situations, then I have no problem with it. This could have more to do with the scheme than anything.

The Goat · 05-01-2009, 06:56 PM

Experimenting at this stage of the game is just that: experimenting. It's ok in the short run but i really hope Blache keeps Rak's long term development in mind. We require a hell of a lot of LB IMO. They have to cover effectively, make tackles in wide open spaces in many of our formations and stop the run early and often in the NFC East...these are not at the heart of Rak's skill set. If he develops into a Marcus Washington type SLB (early in his career anyway), able to do all of the above at a high level and then get after the QB on 3rd down, we basically got a gamechanger. But isn't there some risk of Rak losing his DE mojo spending time at LB? and then if he doesn't develop at the LB position...well yeah then you have the worst case scenario. Blache needs to be very smart w/ his new player.

...btw did anybody else chuckle a little bit looking at our starting lineup on d?

Linemen: Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter
Linebackers: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo
Secondary: Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (cornerbacks), LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (safeties)

Rocky McIntosh has been excused for personal reasons.

When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?

GTripp0012 · 05-01-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Goat

When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?

Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

The Goat · 05-01-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

Word...pretty hard to not get excited at this point.

05-01-2009, 04:16 PM	#6
NoviSkins Camp Scrub Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 60	Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker It looks like he was playing linebacker because Mcintosh was excused for personal reasons. Once he's back, he'll slide back into LB and Orakpo takes over for Daniels.

05-01-2009, 06:19 PM	#10
DoggDayAfternoon Camp Scrub Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 51	Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker it would be great if we were a 3-4 defense. then he'd be like a Demarcus Ware or Greg Ellis and thats hard to stop..but to lose a lb on 4-3 scheme to play him is a mismatch against us not for us

05-01-2009, 06:43 PM	#11
Dirtbag59 Naega jeil jal naga Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, Georgia From: Silver Spring, Maryland Age: 40 Posts: 14,750	Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker If anything they should use him like the Cardinals used Travis Laboy last year when they have him at LB. __________________ "It's nice to be important, but its more important to be nice." - Scooter "I feel like Dirtbag has been slowly and methodically trolling the board for a month or so now." - FRPLG

05-01-2009, 06:49 PM	#12
jsarno Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 31 Spooner St. Age: 51 Posts: 9,534	Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker I'm hoping this is just some sort of formality. What is the point of drafting a superior DE and make him a LB? That's just dumb. However, if they use him like they say, at LB unless of pass rushing situations, then I have no problem with it. This could have more to do with the scheme than anything. __________________ Zoltan is ZESTY! - courtesy of joeredskin

05-01-2009, 06:56 PM	#13
The Goat Pro Bowl Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5,662	Re: RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker Experimenting at this stage of the game is just that: experimenting. It's ok in the short run but i really hope Blache keeps Rak's long term development in mind. We require a hell of a lot of LB IMO. They have to cover effectively, make tackles in wide open spaces in many of our formations and stop the run early and often in the NFC East...these are not at the heart of Rak's skill set. If he develops into a Marcus Washington type SLB (early in his career anyway), able to do all of the above at a high level and then get after the QB on 3rd down, we basically got a gamechanger. But isn't there some risk of Rak losing his DE mojo spending time at LB? and then if he doesn't develop at the LB position...well yeah then you have the worst case scenario. Blache needs to be very smart w/ his new player. ...btw did anybody else chuckle a little bit looking at our starting lineup on d? Linemen: Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter Linebackers: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo Secondary: Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (cornerbacks), LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (safeties) Rocky McIntosh has been excused for personal reasons. When was the last time we had this much talent/potential? __________________ 24-34

RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

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