Meet the Beast: Brian Orakpo

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I wonder if signing Mike Williams was the difference between Oher and Orakpo?

Well Vinny and Danny said that it wouldn't be, but who knows.. a lot of people said that Oher was a fair separation from the top 3.. and early on the talk was of the top 3 OTs and it's fairly recent that it became a discussion of the top 4

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

If we're relying on Orakpo to drop back and cover TEs, we've got bigger problems in the front 7.

This was a sick pick and we were lucky to land him... the dude is a straight beast upfield and we're going to see a totally changed defense with a line that can blow up things for the backers.

Watch the secondary get more INTs, too.

It's amazing how well our secondary has been last couple years considering we've gotten zero pressure on the qb. Really looking forward to this year.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by DIRTEE

I remember Jason Taylor speaking highly of Rob Jackson. So, let's see what the preseason has in store.

Taylor had positive things to say while in DC?

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Zerohero

It's amazing how well our secondary has been last couple years considering we've gotten zero pressure on the qb. Really looking forward to this year.

Yep, just hope that we can keep Carlos.. if not we'll definitely need some help there cuz if he's gone and with Smoot likely being gone.. well yeah

edit: next year that is

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I mean, seriously. Let's take an optimistic approach and project Orakpo out as good as we think he is. Doing that we start Orakpo, Griffin, Haynesworth, Carter. Even if we drop him back to SAM we still have improved our front 4 or 7 immensely. Like going from one of the worst(front 4) or average(front 7) to a top 10 unit in both cases. One of our biggest weaknesses becomes a strength.

If we can find one OT capable of not getting JC killed and some depth guys on the OL who, again, don't get JC killed then our OL can be fine. I mean getting a good RT would have still left issues on the OL that'll need to be fixed via shrewed veteran acquisitions and hopeful progression of younger guys. But improving the DLine was essentially impossible using that same strategy. Historically, there aren't difference makers available along the DLine post-draft and we don't have even any real hope for young contributers with growth potential in-house. Guys like Wilson, Alexander and Jackson while sexy in some respect have serious weaknesses that involve unimprovable attributes like size and speed. They have roles but every down starters they aren't At least not on a good line.

I'm actually ecstatic with this pick.

Yup. I agree with everything you just said.

I too am ecstatic with this pick. I really didn't think he'd fall to us at all. I love that we had the pick turned in after about 20 seconds, and we had a jersey ready with his name on it. LOL! Smitten with Sanchez my ass. We were drooling over Orakpo.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Yep, just hope that we can keep Carlos.. if not we'll definitely need some help there cuz if he's gone and with Smoot likely being gone.. well yeah

Wait, what? Keep Carlos when? You mean keep him after the 2009 season? He's not going anywhere this year.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Wait, what? Keep Carlos when? You mean keep him after the 2009 season? He's not going anywhere this year.

Yeah, sorry, omitted next year from that

[724Skinsfan]

A-

Good (great?) pick. Says a lot of good things. Seems to take nothing for granted. His speed and strength are going to be trouble for opposing linemen. Imagine the poor RB that has to pick up his blitz. I'm not expecting any special numbers in 2009, but I do think we'll see plenty of flashes of what he'll become for us for many years to come.

[Beemnseven]

I know nothing about the guy, so I can't give him a grade. But since it's the first defensive linemen we've taken in the first three rounds since 1997, I like the selection.

As to whether OT was a bigger need -- flip a coin. DE and OL needs seemed to be about even.

[GMScud]

I think this pick has off the field ramifications for the Redskins fanbase. A lot of us, including the administrator of this website, were considering having a serious falling out with the team amidst the Cutler thing and if the supposed Sanchez love affair came to fruition. I think staying put, not mortgaging the future and opting for stability at QB, and then landing a guy like Orakpo, all the while running a great bluff around Sanchez is a big deal.

This move made me feel a good bit better (for now) about how the front office is doing things. The sense of relief I have is huge.

[roth74va]

Originally Posted by jsarno

A+ pick...he was the one guy I really wanted but thought it was unrealistic to have him there at 13. I was getting more and more excited every time a team took another player. Make no mistake, this kid is a beast, and we got a steal. Yes, he was at 13, so how much of a steal can he be? Well, he will put up numbers worthy of a #1. Smart pick...thank you FO for not kicking the team in the nutts with a dumb trade for Sanchez! We are MUCH better off! This gives us an amazing line. I am super excited for our pass rush this year! I don't recall the last time it looked this good!

Well said, my feelings exactly.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I think this pick has off the field ramifications for the Redskins fanbase. A lot of us, including the administrator of this website, were considering having a serious falling out with the team amidst the Cutler thing and if the supposed Sanchez love affair came to fruition. I think staying put, not mortgaging the future and opting for stability at QB, and then landing a guy like Orakpo, all the while running a great bluff around Sanchez is a big deal.

This move made me feel a good bit better (for now) about how the front office is doing things. The sense of relief I have is huge.

I don't feel relief because I never really bit on the Sanchez stuff. But, yes, I feel a lot more confidence about the FO after today. They bluffed exceptionally well and landed a very fine pick. They capitalized on their reputation for stupidity by doing something pretty smart.

[Superman13732]

I lost my voice (even though they picked him in 20 seconds) yelling at Dan to take this kid when he dropped to us. He benches over 500 pounds, and runs a 4.66 40, AND, he knows how to use those skills. ESPN reports he has a weak lower body, he squats OVER 600 pounds, that doesn't seem too weak to me. this is a great pick. Hopefully Carter will be able to come out of his 2008 slump so we can see this D line DOMINATE. Great pick.

[Superman13732]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I don't feel relief because I never really bit on the Sanchez stuff. But, yes, I feel a lot more confidence about the FO after today. They bluffed exceptionally well and landed a very fine pick. They capitalized on their reputation for stupidity by doing something pretty smart.

Amen. I was legitimately scared when all of the Sanchez/trading up rumors surfaced. Oh, and thank god Al Davis is a complete idiot, i think his stupidity shook it up enough for Orakpo to drop to us.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I don't feel relief because I never really bit on the Sanchez stuff. But, yes, I feel a lot more confidence about the FO after today. They bluffed exceptionally well and landed a very fine pick. They capitalized on their reputation for stupidity by doing something pretty smart.

That's what I'm saying. If in fact that was our real intention (which I doubt we'll ever know), then it's a really great move by Snyderatto.