RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

Ever since Shanahan was fired the Broncos seem to be plagued by questionable moves including the hiring of McDaniels.

McDaniels always seems to have a terrified look in his eye.

McDaniels always seems to have a terrified look in his eye.


bill belilicheck was his boss

That's what she said


Who is "she" exactly? Whoever she is she needs to shut up and keep her legs closed. LOL

Merriman and Suggs are poor examples since they are largely pass rushing 3-4 linebackers in the pros. Asking Orakpo to play LB in a 4-3 is a far more difficult transition. Hopefully his hand will be in the dirt on 3rd and long passing situations.

T. Suggs was a DE at ASU which ran a 4-3 defense. He dropped in the draft do to his 40 time was slower than scouts expected. He has made a great transtion to the 3-4. You aree right i think the use Suggs more to rush the QB.

Merriman and Suggs are poor examples since they are largely pass rushing 3-4 linebackers in the pros. Asking Orakpo to play LB in a 4-3 is a far more difficult transition. Hopefully his hand will be in the dirt on 3rd and long passing situations.

T. Suggs was a DE at ASU which ran a 4-3 defense. He dropped in the draft do to his 40 time was slower than scouts expected. He has made a great transtion to the 3-4. You aree right i think the use Suggs more to rush the QB.

Ever since Shanahan was fired the Broncos seem to be plagued by questionable moves including the hiring of McDaniels.

Agreed, mcdanields should have gone to Kansas city with pioli that way they'd have cassel and all those new England guys over there and the same philosophy

Some scouts feel that Rak will put on weight as he matures, maybe getting over 270 pounds. Then he would be better built to take the pounding that running teams will throw at him on the strong side. The team doesn't want to put Rak out of position at the LDE and have another Jason taylor situation. I'm comfortable with them taking a look at him as a tweener. We'll see how it plays out.

Ever since Shanahan was fired the Broncos seem to be plagued by questionable moves including the hiring of McDaniels.

Well, when they think there are SEVERAL problems, you have to break down to build up. Their previous method didn't work out too well for them. They missed the playoffs the last 3 seasons, and have won exactly 1 playoff game after the 1998 season. Whether you think the moves are questionable or not, a shake up is exactly what this team needed.

Some scouts feel that Rak will put on weight as he matures, maybe getting over 270 pounds. Then he would be better built to take the pounding that running teams will throw at him on the strong side. The team doesn't want to put Rak out of position at the LDE and have another Jason taylor situation. I'm comfortable with them taking a look at him as a tweener. We'll see how it plays out.

This is my gut feeling too...won't be surprised if he's over 270 when all said and done. Plenty of room on that frame and I think he'll really focus on building leg strength at this level, which is the easiest way to add weight/mass.

This is my gut feeling too...won't be surprised if he's over 270 when all said and done. Plenty of room on that frame and I think he'll really focus on building leg strength at this level, which is the easiest way to add weight/mass.

I feel the same. I also feel like sending him a case of steaks and some workout music as encouragement.