RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

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 remember some sets in which there were just three down linemen, while Taylor was up and about, shifting in different places just before the snap. Too bad he couldn't do more of that.

I don't care where Orakpo lines up as long as he wreaks some havoc.

Orakpo is not a full time 4-3 DE yet.

Unless you would like to see Andre Carter on the bench?

Orakpo can play LDE on passing downs, but he is too small right now to handle full time strong side DE duties.

My thoughts exactly. Let Daniels play DE on the run downs.

When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

Just curious if anyone watched Blache's brief interview after practice today (on Redskins.com)? When asked about Orakpo he gave a very sober answer, something to the effect the kid is very athletic, can rush the passer and he's bright. Nothing over the top or leading into unrealistic expectations. I like Blache very much...realizing he's not perfect in his calls, like continuing to blitz in certain games last year when it just led to giving up big plays, i think Blache has done admirably w/ what he had to work with. I think he's a smart, sober guy who should 1) turn this defense into an elite unit this season 2) be sensible about Orakpo's development.

Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

Word...pretty hard to not get excited at this point.

Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?

Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.

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.

Yes. It is day 1. It is still just May. Of course they are going to at least look at him as a linebacker. It doesn't mean tiddlywinks in the long term. Chill.

I think they're just trying to find out what the guy can do first hand. Better to find out now than during a game.

He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.

So you're thinking he'd be on the field as a linebacker for a very limited number of packages, correct?

So then in most circumstances when he's not facing those packages, where does he play? Phillip Daniels rides the bench?