Brian Orakpo Hamstring Injury a Blessing for the Redskins?

by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 24, 2009 9:00 AM EST in NFL Draft

Orakpo_medium
Brian Orakpo, the stud DE from Texas, injured his hamstring yesterday at the Combine. Even though it looks like he will be 100% for Pro Day, some scouts think he will drop a few spots in the draft, which I believe helps the Skins' chances they can lock him up. He has had (sprained) knee injuries in both 2007 and 2008 for Texas, which is a bit of concern for the trainers to evaluate. His stats are:

6'4" - 240 lbs.

Combine:
40 yard dash: 4.70
225 lb bench presses: 31
Vertical jump: 39.5
Love of Kittens: Infinite (ok, kidding here)

Orakpo's strength is spectacular. He benches 515 pounds and squats 600. Encompassing this type of speed and power makes for an incredible player. The Redskins met with Orakpo at the Combine, where they told him his most likely position would be strong-side linebacker. Take a look at ESPN's very impressive highlight real of #98 at Texas:

The top pass rusher in the draft, Orakpo is out to prove he's versatile enough to play defensive end and linebacker regardless of the scheme.

Orakpo has played in both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes and would be able to make an immediate impact on the field.

As serious as hamstring injuries can be, I really am not too worried about Orakpo's most recent one. A LOT of Redskins have had hammy problems, so I'm confident the Skins training staff can take all the preventive measures here. Last year Devin Thomas, Randle El, and Malcolm Kelly all had hamstrings issues in training camp, and later in the season Santana had one. If anyone knows how to deal with healing a hammy, it's the Redskins. I wonder if they apply the same healing move that Mr. Miyagi does?

Poll

Is Brian Orakpo a slam-dunk pick if he's still available at #13? (if you think NO, add a comment who you'd like to see drafted instead)

Yes

177 votes

No

45 votes

222 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Counter-argument

Actually…Andre Smith and Mark Sanchez’s woeful combine appearances could booster Orakpo’s draft pick. Some “experts” have Andre Smith dropping all the way back to the Eagles in the late first round.

by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 24, 2009 9:26 AM EST reply actions

Wonder how Orakpo feels about possibly being drafted to play OLB...

I would not at all be surprised if the ‘Skins took him, should he fall that far. Vinny’s proven that he doesn’t care about injury concerns. (Malcolm Kelly? Shawn Springs? Phil Daniels? etc.)

We are truly in the presense of greatness here…-- unnamedDBacksfan

by DbacksSkins on Feb 24, 2009 9:46 AM EST reply actions

He is OK with it...

“Right end, left end, ‘Sam,’[outside] ‘Will’ [weakside linebacker], ‘Mike’ [middle linebacker] – 3-4 or 4-3 – it’s doesn’t matter,” he said. “I’m not a guy who they have to project and or say has the potential to play the 4-3 or 3-4 – I’ve played in both. I’ve done it.”

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/22/redskins-keen-on-orakpo/

by Kevin Ewoldt on Feb 24, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

booster?

I’ll let it slide for now….
As for Andre Smith…don’t make me post the Kirstie Alley picture again. Andre will be calling Jenny for sure. He’ll slim down before his pro day and move himself back up into the top of the 1st round. And then he’ll also have some quick endorsement money from Jenny Craig.
I find it interesting that in at least one interview he blamed his poor conditioning to a lack of agent/advice. Wasn’t the reason he was banned from the Alabama team reportedly his involvement with an agent or agents? I expect guys like him to enjoy the banquet circuit and then start shaping up as the summer approaches. The fact that Nick Saban cut ties with him is more alarming to me. Nick Saban! You have to have done something pretty bad for THAT guy to wash his hands of you.

by Ken Meringolo on Feb 24, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions