Is there room for Orakpo and Rob Jackson?

The better question is what is Orakpo? A one trick pony that is only good at pass rush with only one pass rush move? Or is he finally going to take the next step, stay healthy and develop into the next great OLB. He has not done that later yet.

Maybe I am crazy, but I see Orkapo and Kerrigan excelling at playing as down linemen, Jackson playing great as a coverage LB... so how about the 4-3?

Starters:

DE: Kerrigan, Orkapo
DT: Cofield, Jenkins
LB: Jackson (O), Fletcher*(M), Riley (O)
S: Draft, Draft :(
CB: Hall, Wilson


* - If Fletcher retires then it's a camp toss up

I like the look of that front 7.

Just cause it looks good on paper doesn't mean its going to work on the field. We're doing fine in the 3-4. Why fix something that ain't broken? Our weakness is in the secondary, and 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 1-6, it doesn't matter what defense you play you have always 4 guys starting in the secondary.

I like all angles of the discussion. But no one can convince me that Brian Orakpo is an elite talent at this point in his career.

I called him an elite talent, but he has not produced at an elite level. Certainly above average, though. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to call him the most naturally gifted player on the defense, which is why I'd rather keep him. "Try Hards" are fine, but every legit defense in the NFL has at least a few exceptionally talented players.

I like all angles of the discussion. But no one can convince me that Brian Orakpo is an elite talent at this point in his career. He has solid sack totals, but that's it. And not to diminish his talent and contribution to the team, but freak of nature doesn't get it for me. Now I'm not saying dump the guy or trade him or any of that, but I think we get caught up and miss the point at times.

Mario Williams accumulated a lot of sacks in Houston, but they aren't missing him one bit down there.

Our pass rush has been impacted significantly since he has been out of the lineup. I think his impact has been pretty clear.

I think his injury is the biggest variable in this discussion. It could linger the rest of his career, therefore we need to resign Jackson. I dont think he will be demanding high money, his biggest reason to leave might be an opportunity to be a full time starter somewhere.

Do you think Orakpo makes that INT that Jackson did this past weekend? Hell, do you think he makes any of those INTs that Jackson has this year? (probably not since he hasn't had a INT since he's been in the league) He's got 4.5 sacks, but didn't start 2 of those games. He's better in passes defensed, INTs, but doesn't bring the pressure that Orakpo does.

Maybe I am crazy, but I see Orkapo and Kerrigan excelling at playing as down linemen, Jackson playing great as a coverage LB... so how about the 4-3?

Starters:

DE: Kerrigan, Orkapo
DT: Cofield, Jenkins
LB: Jackson (O), Fletcher*(M), Riley (O)
S: Draft, Draft :(
CB: Hall, Wilson


* - If Fletcher retires then it's a camp toss up

I like the look of that front 7.

I don't. It would make our front 7 much worse. Carriker and Bowen (whom you are not in your lineup) are much better players than Jenkins and Jackson. Your proposal also leaves us little depth behind the starters. I think the lineup you described would be a nice defensive look to mix things up, but it's a weaker base defense than what we have now.

I also don't like any lineup that has hall an window as our primary corners.

In addition, you have us starting two rookie safeties. Considering our first two picks will be in the bottom of the 2nd and 3rd rounds, the idea of starting two rookies is even more preposterous. Overall, I think your lineup would result in a weaker defense than what we had this year.

Do you think Orakpo makes that INT that Jackson did this past weekend? Hell, do you think he makes any of those INTs that Jackson has this year? (probably not since he hasn't had a INT since he's been in the league) He's got 4.5 sacks, but didn't start 2 of those games. He's better in passes defensed, INTs, but doesn't bring the pressure that Orakpo does.

We won the NFC East with out Orakpo's pass rush pressure. How critical is that pressure?

Why not kick Rob Jackson inside with Perry Riley when Fletcher decides to hang it up?

Why not kick Rob Jackson inside with Perry Riley when Fletcher decides to hang it up?

This makes sense to me. Jackson doesn't generate a big pass rush, which is more a function of an OLB. An ILB needs to be a sure tackler, and if he can pluck errant passes out of the air, so much the better. And Jackson can do that (just as Fletcher did this year too). I realize that they're different positions, but I would imagine that Jackson is a solid enough player to make the transition, and who better to teach him than Fletcher?

Just cause it looks good on paper doesn't mean its going to work on the field. We're doing fine in the 3-4. Why fix something that ain't broken? Our weakness is in the secondary, and 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 1-6, it doesn't matter what defense you play you have always 4 guys starting in the secondary.

While I get your point, my point is putting you talent in a position where they are most beneficial to the team is a good strategy. Orkapo is a good pass rusher, Jackson is a ball hawk, I was just presenting an option that puts them both on the field in a position where they excel.

In fact, we have been fighting for years now to pigeonhole Kerrigan and Orkapo into 3-4 LB positions when their natural talents are in the 4-3 DE position. Why not build the defense around our best players best skills?

Adjusting your scheme to the skills of your players is what winning franchises do. Getting rid of a good player because they don't fit in your scheme is what losing franchises do.