Meet the Beast: Brian Orakpo

Getting Haynesworth makes the Orakpo pick that much more valuable. To get the kind of push up the middle we're going to have now with a DT rotation of Big Al, a healthy Griffin (who apparently is looking the best he has since his first year with the Skins), Monty, and Golston... Let's just say AC and Orakpo are going to have their ears pinned back. I can't wait.

I mean, seriously. Let's take an optimistic approach and project Orakpo out as good as we think he is. Doing that we start Orakpo, Griffin, Haynesworth, Carter. Even if we drop him back to SAM we still have improved our front 4 or 7 immensely. Like going from one of the worst(front 4) or average(front 7) to a top 10 unit in both cases. One of our biggest weaknesses becomes a strength.

If we can find one OT capable of not getting JC killed and some depth guys on the OL who, again, don't get JC killed then our OL can be fine. I mean getting a good RT would have still left issues on the OL that'll need to be fixed via shrewed veteran acquisitions and hopeful progression of younger guys. But improving the DLine was essentially impossible using that same strategy. Historically, there aren't difference makers available along the DLine post-draft and we don't have even any real hope for young contributers with growth potential in-house. Guys like Wilson, Alexander and Jackson while sexy in some respect have serious weaknesses that involve unimprovable attributes like size and speed. They have roles but every down starters they aren't At least not on a good line.

I'm actually ecstatic with this pick.

Redskins Insider - The Orakpo Plan: 'He's Going to Play' (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2009-nfl-draft/-after-a-2008-season.html)

I gave it a B, only because I wanted Oher. But if he gets Double Digit sacks, I will raise it up to an A++


I agree that OT was more pressing but i think this pick was a no brainer...I was hoping we might trade (somehow) to get Oher too- but i'm glad we have our 2010 first rounder still in the bag.

I wonder if signing Mike Williams was the difference between Oher and Orakpo?

Let's send a thank you card to Al Davis for drafting Heyward-Bey, who slid Crabtree down, and slid Orakpo down to us. We benefited from Al's speed obsession.

I wonder if signing Mike Williams was the difference between Oher and Orakpo?
Well Vinny and Danny said that it wouldn't be, but who knows.. a lot of people said that Oher was a fair separation from the top 3.. and early on the talk was of the top 3 OTs and it's fairly recent that it became a discussion of the top 4

If we're relying on Orakpo to drop back and cover TEs, we've got bigger problems in the front 7.

This was a sick pick and we were lucky to land him... the dude is a straight beast upfield and we're going to see a totally changed defense with a line that can blow up things for the backers.

Watch the secondary get more INTs, too.

It's amazing how well our secondary has been last couple years considering we've gotten zero pressure on the qb. Really looking forward to this year.

I remember Jason Taylor speaking highly of Rob Jackson. So, let's see what the preseason has in store.
Taylor had positive things to say while in DC?

It's amazing how well our secondary has been last couple years considering we've gotten zero pressure on the qb. Really looking forward to this year.
Yep, just hope that we can keep Carlos.. if not we'll definitely need some help there cuz if he's gone and with Smoot likely being gone.. well yeah

edit: next year that is

I mean, seriously. Let's take an optimistic approach and project Orakpo out as good as we think he is. Doing that we start Orakpo, Griffin, Haynesworth, Carter. Even if we drop him back to SAM we still have improved our front 4 or 7 immensely. Like going from one of the worst(front 4) or average(front 7) to a top 10 unit in both cases. One of our biggest weaknesses becomes a strength.

If we can find one OT capable of not getting JC killed and some depth guys on the OL who, again, don't get JC killed then our OL can be fine. I mean getting a good RT would have still left issues on the OL that'll need to be fixed via shrewed veteran acquisitions and hopeful progression of younger guys. But improving the DLine was essentially impossible using that same strategy. Historically, there aren't difference makers available along the DLine post-draft and we don't have even any real hope for young contributers with growth potential in-house. Guys like Wilson, Alexander and Jackson while sexy in some respect have serious weaknesses that involve unimprovable attributes like size and speed. They have roles but every down starters they aren't At least not on a good line.

I'm actually ecstatic with this pick.

Yup. I agree with everything you just said.

I too am ecstatic with this pick. I really didn't think he'd fall to us at all. I love that we had the pick turned in after about 20 seconds, and we had a jersey ready with his name on it. LOL! Smitten with Sanchez my ass. We were drooling over Orakpo.