RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

I admire your optomism, but Blache horribly mis-used Jason Taylor last year. Granted, alot of that was due to injury, but still...
i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute

i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute

Yeah, I tend to agree with this, I really watched Taylor a lot because I saw him at the HOF and man, in person he just looked like a rock. But after he got hurt, he just never got the execution that I know I was looking to see. Every game I watched he got pushed by the o-lines alot. I just hope that Orakpo really becomes a stud!

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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.

Here's a thought about the LB situation. I would personally like to see Orakpo develop as a DE, he has the power and speed to be elite at that position. Now onto my thought for the LB's, according to ESPN's free agent tracker (which isn't worth two shits and is probably wrong) Roy Williams, who has been a safety for the cowboys since 2002 is available. I don't know why he didn't play much in 2008, but he has been an excellent run stopper for the Cowboys, and has always been week for a safety in the coverage area. Why not pick him up cheap, throw him at the weak side, he will have above average speed at the position, can make tackles and will have amazing hands for a LB, he would be somewhat undersized for LB (ESPN has him listed at 6' 221). Which could pose problems since the OL would overpower him. But, I propose to you the Jury, that the OL will be occupied with our MASSIVE (Haynesworth is up to 340 according to the Skins) DL. Williams has proven he is excellent against the rush. Can we pick him up and Move Rocky to the strong side. Is he even available?

well one he was a cowboy, and two he had some terrible play over the past two years, in any capacity.