It's pretty common for NFL athletes to throw sunshine up our ass every year about this time. In the second year under Zorn, all the players preached the consistency and how everything is easier since coaches and players don't have to waste time learning where to be. With Shanahan last summer, players mentioned accountability, his Super Bowls, and true leadership. All great, but the Redskins still can't get win games. That's why I love Brian Orakpo and his willingness to tell it like it is. The dude works hard and wants to win, which was spectacularly evident in a brief Q & A he did at the Univ. of Texas' recent Spring Game:
Is it your goal to be thought of as one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL?
I don't really care about it. It's just they always want to disrespect people on a losing team so I just have to show, and the Redskins [have to show], that we just have to win more ball games. So hopefully we are going to do some good things this year.
What are your goals for the Redskins this upcoming season?
I want to win a Super Bowl. I have done all of the individual accolades already. I want to win some games. My first two years we won four games, then we won six games, and that's terrible. I want to do better than that. I want to help my team get to the playoffs and hopefully reach that ultimate goal of the Super Bowl.
With all the young, hard-working, good-character guys the Redskins just drafted, winning games will come. Thank you Brian Orakpo. Thank you.
To say Orakpo doesn't care for accolades is a bit of misnomer. I quickly recall his Twitter reaction when he was left off of ESPN's top 10 pass rushers:
"I seen some list rankin the top 10 pass rushers and left me off. FUCK THEM im gonna kill the league next season."
THANK GOD Brian Orakpo is on our team. That is all.