Let's talk some Orakpo

per matty's original post, that we could be set at DE for a while. That's hopefully the case, and the DT position looks stacked as well. Dixon is at least due for the practice squad if he plays like he did last week, and if he does go to the PS, somebody might snatch him up as DTs are always in demand. I don't know if they could keep 5 on the roster? That's counting Alexander as a DE.

Same for DE, somebody is gonna be cut that we would like to see on the team. Most likely Wynn and/or Buzbee.

Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.

I don't know if anyone saw this from John Clayton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4404222), but this just hyped me up even more about Orakpo.

Q: Do you think Green Bay was wise taking B.J. Raji over Brian Orakpo in the 2009 draft? Orakpo is a DE/LB and I hear that they are just going to move Raji to the DE, even though he is a DT. Do you think that Orakpo would have been the smarter choice looking at what position needed to be filled?

From Chris in Gahanna, Ohio

A: What a great question. From what I see of Orakpo, he has a chance to be a 10-sack star. Players like him are hard to find. But if you are switching to the 3-4, you have to find big defensive linemen. Raji is good enough to be a 3-4 end, but if needed, he can be Ryan Pickett's replacement at nose tackle in the next couple of years. The fact that the Packers drafted Clay Matthews covered the outside linebacker question, but, wow, I'm thinking Orakpo could be a star.

i dont exactly like the way greg blache schemes as far as the DL goes.... at all ... i think re-signing daniels wasnt the smartest move either, i think wilson jarmon and orakpo should have just recieved all the playing time, its like he doesnt get it, we need the pressure off the edge.... if a qb steps up he'll prolly meet AH ... if AH penetrates, the edges are there, im just not confident enuff in daniels ability off the edge.... so im not particularly the happiest person with the decisions that have been made so far.

i dont exactly like the way greg blache schemes as far as the DL goes.... at all ... i think re-signing daniels wasnt the smartest move either, i think wilson jarmon and orakpo should have just recieved all the playing time, its like he doesnt get it, we need the pressure off the edge.... if a qb steps up he'll prolly meet AH ... if AH penetrates, the edges are there, im just not confident enuff in daniels ability off the edge.... so im not particularly the happiest person with the decisions that have been made so far.

We resigned Daniels March 31st -before the draft! and a great pickup I think, as much for mentoring as current ability. Also see the story in the current news section Awesome determination

We didn't know we would have Orakpo or Jarmon, and as much as I like Jarmon, he is a rookie, with 1 preseason game.

That end has always been a run-stuffer first, when we went with the other guy last year our sacks went down, and run stop was hurt.

I am fine with the way the D Line is set up. both now, and for the next 4-5 years atleast!

jason taylor played hurt and shitty all last year. thats why sacks went down and run stopping suffered, at least on that side.... i like daniels as a mentor ur right, i just hope they rotate a hell of alot cuz we have the guys to do it....

Michael is terrible. He's such a comapny man. He makes me puke sometimes.

So you like Brian Mitchell's approach better?

I see nothing wrong with a commentator for the Redskins Broadcast Network actually being optimistic and supporting the team.

Just saw this little tidbit from the article on Daniels:

"There is a real optimism in [Daniel's] mind, about rookie Brian Orakpo, another weight-room disciple creating havoc in the other guy's backfield -- a player 'who reminds me of myself coming up, a young me,'" Daniels said.

Mike Wise - Redskins' Daniels Embarks on a Quest to Prove 36 is Not Too Old for an NFL Comeback - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702871_3.html?sub=AR)

Good to hear that Orakpo takes his body and craft seriously. <ahem> Devin Thomas.

Going into this last offseason the DL was a real concern. Now freddyg is rightfully talking about our being stacked there. While I am no great fan of Cerrato, he deserves credit for this.

In the next offseason if we rebuild the OL the way the DL was rebuilt this year, we might have something.There's a giant, gaping, post-Griffin hole at the 3-technique, but with the type of youth and top end talent we've put on the DL in the last four years, dare I suggest that even a free agent or trade related stop-gap would be sufficient in 2010 or 2011 or whenever.

It's something to watch: if Griffin goes down, we're playing a man short on the DL, but that's not a particularly premium defensive position, and can be filled with a 4th round pick or a mid-tier free agent in the future.

Meanwhile, in the other three spots on the DL, the only thing we'll need to do over the next four years or so is inject depth periodically.

First of all I don't for a second buy into the suggestion Rak is too small to play DE right now. It would have to be RDE in Blache's system but size wise he is right there with AC...around 255 lbs. And Rak's strength is outta this world so c'mon let's put that question to bed. That said I'm not suggesting he takeover RDE this season. His speed and talent mean Rak has a shot to help us at SLB (where he's desperately needed) on 1st and 2nd. Putting his hand in the dirt on 3rd is a good idea. It gives AC a break, something he's rarely had since coming east, and gives our DL a new look.

Longterm if Rak bulks up a bit, as Daniels did over the course of his pro career, and as you'd expect w/ his insane penchant for the throwing the weights around, I think Rak will have what it takes to play either end. Real students of the game have a better idea of where he'll excel i'm sure, but my point is this kid's talent/abilities seems to give us some very nice options.

I'm curious how the front 7 will look when phat Al swings out to RDE. Do we put a speed rusher like Rak/AC at LDE or keep a larger guy in there? In those scenarios I think Jarmon at LDE and Rak blitzing from SLB would be almost impossible for any offensive line to handle :)

Just saw this little tidbit from the article on Daniels:

"There is a real optimism in [Daniel's] mind, about rookie Brian Orakpo, another weight-room disciple creating havoc in the other guy's backfield -- a player 'who reminds me of myself coming up, a young me,'" Daniels said.

Mike Wise - Redskins' Daniels Embarks on a Quest to Prove 36 is Not Too Old for an NFL Comeback - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/17/AR2009081702871_3.html?sub=AR)

Good to hear that Orakpo takes his body and craft seriously. <ahem> Devin Thomas.

Hopefully he'll surpass Daniels and register more than 9.0 sacks in a season for his entire career :p