Brian Orakpo at LB

by SSBlitz on Jun 26, 2009 12:43 PM EDT Comment 25 comments

I'm reading the rookie first impressions report by Steve Wyche over at NFL.com, and can't help but think that he's made another wrong assumption. Steve Wyche has never really impressed me. You may remember that it was his "source", and only his "source" that said the Redskins were going after Sanchez in the draft (and if you've seen my other posts, you'll know I think this is vastly exaggerated). Now in this article, he is saying that Orakpo is going to be playing OLB.

Like English, Orakpo is making the transition from collegiate defensive end to outside linebacker. The 13th overall pick has shown well enough in offseason workouts that he will enter training camp as the Redskins' starter on the strong side.

Now I have read that he has been practicing with the LBs at OTAs, and will be used (probably frequently) in situations at strong side linebacker. But I haven't read anything about him being our starting SAM, and everytime I hear reference to his position change, there is an emphasis to note that he is still coming in to attack the quaterback (and will be back to practicing mostly with the linemen in training camp).

So what do you think? Are we going to see Orakpo more at SLB or DE? And is there any justification for calling Orakpo our starting LB?

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Orakpo at LB

When we had dinner with Robert Henson Wednesday night, we asked him about Orakpo (writeup coming Monday). But in short, as the coaches have said, Orakpo will be SAM 1st and 2nd downs, and he’ll play DE on 3rd. Henson said Orakpo is EXTREMELY fast off the line and he is a beast. He also said Orakpo is doing OK at LB. We got a winner with #98.

by KevinE on Jun 26, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we see him at DE on some 1sts and 2nds too.

by SSBlitz on Jun 26, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd bet on that...

Blache mixes things up really well.

by KevinE on Jun 26, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starter

It’s to early to tell if he’ll start but if anyone can get him ready it’s KO and London.

by KevinE on Jun 26, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m still surprised he might get moved to OLB. On draft day I would have figured we’d just play him at DE every down.

Well, I trust Blache to do what’s best…

by smutsboy1 on Jun 26, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what Spurrier would have done with him

by KevinE on Jun 26, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

made him a running back

I'm to young to Die Danny...don't make me do it tomorrow....

by Rekka on Jun 26, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Made him a Runing Back"

And sent him out on passing patterns on every down so that the QB (who "can’t execute or understand MY system) would get sacked 16 times a game. The day that Spurrier quit was one of the best days for the ‘Skins in terms of coaching (if you can call it that). Spurrier, the one coach Snyder didn’t want to fire was the one that deserve it most.

by scredskinsfan70 on Jun 28, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i read an article (i’ll try to find it) it was pretty much saying the linebackers coach and the dl’s coach were pretty much fighting over him

by travisjh86 on Jun 26, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure that makes sense.

It would be up to Blache and Zorn to say where he plays. I can see both coaches wanting to work with him more though.

by SSBlitz on Jun 26, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

blache and zorn have him playing both linebacker and d end, the linebackers coach and the defensive line coach wanted him all to themselves, not with the other

by travisjh86 on Jun 27, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s great hear.

by smutsboy1 on Jun 27, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by travisjh86 on Jun 29, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

here's the link

http://blog.redskins.com/2009/06/04/thursday-june-4-coach-john-palermo-talks-versatility/

by travisjh86 on Jun 29, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pick your poison

I don’t see where Orakpo learning the OLB and DE schemes could be a bad thing. Training camp will obviously help determine the best course of action. But, can you imagine Haynesworth, Carter and Orakpo (SAM) just completely crushing the opposing OL’s left side?!

RAK EM UP!

by VA_Skin on Jun 26, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree,

I definitely see a broader skill-set as a good thing.

by SSBlitz on Jun 26, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd

rather he just focus on DE. We haven’t had a dominant DE since Mann. This is our chance. I like the move of Chris Wilson to SLB. I’m hoping he impresses enough to win that spot, then we have good pass rushers at both spots. We shall see.

by CJHutch on Jun 26, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Disaster

Why can’t he play at the position he’s played since HS? The LB corp. is legit. I do not want to see Orakpo trying to keep up in pass coverage with B.Westbrook, or Felix JOnes. I want him murdering the quarterback from the blindside. DE not LB

by Elaw6 on Jun 26, 2009 10:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any justification?

My answer is no because he hasn’t been named the starter yet. What worries me is that we played Jason Taylor out of position and that it could happen to Orakpo.

I’m all for him getting knowlege about the WILL and SAM LB positions, but it scares me to think that other teams would just run right at him like they did Taylor. Some hybrid scheme with Orakpo, Carter, and Chris Wilson coming on a rush from diffrent angles would be cool…and Haynesworth blowing up the middle at the same time would bring an uber smile to my face.

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Jun 27, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Orakpo

Well…coaches met Orakp pre-draft and asked him about LB…he was more than willing.

by KevinE on Jun 27, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course he was "willing"

You don’t want to hurt your chances at being a top-10 pick by coming off closed minded or anything.

If he is played at LB I hope it’s the weak side and that Blache game plans for teams to run and pass his way. LaVar Arrington was a physical beast but in Gregg Williams’ disciplined schems, all that was for not. I’m just hoping that Blache ~~changes~~ tweaks the D enough to generate a pass rush.

I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble

by CptChaosSidekick on Jun 27, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rocky

Rocky is our weak side guy. Orakpo would be used as SSB and thats what they have him practicing at now. I agree with other people…he’ll have his hand down a lot…even on 1st and 2nd.

by KevinE on Jun 27, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

can’t help but think that he’s made another wrong assumption. Steve Wyche has never really impressed me. You may remember that it was his “source”, and only his “source” that said the Redskins were going after Sanchez in the draft

you think it was only Steve Wyche and his mysterious source that was pushing that story?? Every sports media outlet was running with that story (where there is smoke there is fire).

Whats up with you HHers and thinking any/all football writers(cough florio cough) are out to get you guys?? Where in the article is he “(making) another wrong assumption”?? The skins have been pretty clear that they plan on playing him at LB 1st and 2nd, moving him to DE on 3rd. Why wouldnt he be considered the starter there going into the season?? Has Alfred Fincher developed some game that I am unaware of??

As far as Sanchez goes… Cerrato came out himself and admitted they were going after him…

“We made a couple of calls, but it was too expensive,”

And dont even try with that whole he was just trying to light a fire under Jason, letting him know his job isnt 100% safe. That message was already sent with the all the Cutler talk. Continuing to pile on with Sanchez (if they werent interested) 1) doesnt make sense 2) is just kicking a guy while he is already down.

orakpo at DE > Oher > orakpo at LB

by dt3 on Jun 29, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We made a couple calls…

Yeah, sounds like they were pursuing him pretty rigorously. They may have even watched game footage!
And if you look to “every sports media outlet” running the story, the citations made were all back to Steve Wyche at nfl.com.
It’s slow in the offseason, so sports reporters will look for anything to write about. I don’t think they’re targeting the skins in particular, but their speculation towards us is always painted in a negative light.

by SSBlitz on Jun 29, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs