RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

It comes down to this. Orakpo = Jason Taylor. All the info coming out of Redskins Park was that they were gonna stand Taylor up more and utilize him in a more hybrid mode. When Taylor flaked we got lucky and drafted Taylor 2.0. Insert Orakpo for said position description and continue on. The plan all along has been to maintain contain with our ends as much as possible and rush off the edges with speed from the LBs. Where Blades fits in that is questionable but I'd rather have Daniels and Orakpo on the field and Blades for depth at this point. It's a better base mix for us it seems to me.

Blades might be a decent linebacker but he doesn't do anything great. Phillip Daniels has no real pass rushing ability but he is as good a run stopping end as there is. With AH moving the middle backwards and freeing Griffin up a bit to make some magic we don't need continual pressure from LDE. Back him with a rushing LB to keep some balanced pressure and it works for me as our base. Plus the beauty is that we can change looks all over the place. Hell we could drop to a 3-4 and execute it pretty damn well in a gimmicky sort of way. With Haynesworth and Orakpo we have so much flexibility now. Of course this all depends on Orakpo actually being any good.

It comes down to this. Orakpo = Jason Taylor. All the info coming out of Redskins Park was that they were gonna stand Taylor up more and utilize him in a more hybrid mode. When Taylor flaked we got lucky and drafted Taylor 2.0. Insert Orakpo for said position description and continue on. The plan all along has been to maintain contain with our ends as much as possible and rush off the edges with speed from the LBs. Where Blades fits in that is questionable but I'd rather have Daniels and Orakpo on the field and Blades for depth at this point. It's a better base mix for us it seems to me.

Blades might be a decent linebacker but he doesn't do anything great. Phillip Daniels has no real pass rushing ability but he is as good a run stopping end as there is. With AH moving the middle backwards and freeing Griffin up a bit to make some magic we don't need continual pressure from LDE. Back him with a rushing LB to keep some balanced pressure and it works for me as our base. Plus the beauty is that we can change looks all over the place. Hell we could drop to a 3-4 and execute it pretty damn well in a gimmicky sort of way. With Haynesworth and Orakpo we have so much flexibility now. Of course this all depends on Orakpo actually being any good.

Wasn't too long ago (maybe 2005?) Daniels posted 8 sacks in one season from the LDE position...sure he's aged but a healthy Daniels can really surprise you, in part cuz he's so damn serious about his fitness.

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?

I think run formations Orakpo will be at linebacker and Daniels at LDE. Orakpo won't have to cover a TE because Horton will cover the TE and Orakpo's responsibility would be to run blitz or maybe cover the fullback or the slower TE, or zone maybe. And when they're not in those packages it's likely a passing situation/formation and he can play LDE. Initially when I saw Orakpo at LB I didn't like it, but the more I think about it the more I like it. We will be very solid against the run with AH, Daniels, and Orakpo. We can run blitz Orakpo which would also get real good QB pressure if they choose to throw. Stopping the run...forcing the other team into passing situations...QB pressure...their offense becomes uncomfortable...turnovers and punts...short field...Redskins score...Redskins win

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?On third downs, he's strictly a pass rusher. On rushing downs, I think he's going to be asked to split time with Carter at right end. I think it all depends on who we play. A pass heavy team, and one week, he could line up at end 100% of his snaps. Against a run heavy team, maybe 60-40%.

Inevitably, he's eventually going to be our RE. I just think the quickest way onto the field is SLB, and generally, that player doesn't often get man coverage responsibilities with Horton up near the line.

It's important to remember that Orakpo isn't the only good end we have on this team. He's just the only one who is 23.

Roosevelt Colvin. pwned.

Didn't our very own Marcus Washington play DE at Auburn?

Double pwned

You are correct sir. Marcus played DE and had 7 sacks his senior year. Turned out to be a pretty good 4-3 LB I'd say.

Let Orakpo stay at DE, Merriman will be a free agent next year. All 270+ pounds of him. how fun would that be?

haha

On third downs, he's strictly a pass rusher. On rushing downs, I think he's going to be asked to split time with Carter at right end. I think it all depends on who we play. A pass heavy team, and one week, he could line up at end 100% of his snaps. Against a run heavy team, maybe 60-40%.

Inevitably, he's eventually going to be our RE. I just think the quickest way onto the field is SLB, and generally, that player doesn't often get man coverage responsibilities with Horton up near the line.

GT why are you dead set at seeing Rak RDE long term? Based on his skill set? Team needs? I just strikes me that w/ his strength and power (and given a little time to add mass the way Daniels did initially) Rak would be a beast @ LDE...able to stop the run and pressure/sack the QB w/ equal dominance.