RI: Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by dmek25

i definitely disagree with this. i was at both the giants and cowboys games, and Blache put Taylor all over the field, trying to get him in the best position to make plays. he just didnt execute

Yeah, I remember some sets in which there were just three down linemen, while Taylor was up and about, shifting in different places just before the snap. Too bad he couldn't do more of that.

I don't care where Orakpo lines up as long as he wreaks some havoc.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Orakpo is not a full time 4-3 DE yet.

Unless you would like to see Andre Carter on the bench?

Orakpo can play LDE on passing downs, but he is too small right now to handle full time strong side DE duties.

My thoughts exactly. Let Daniels play DE on the run downs.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by The Goat

When was the last time we had this much talent/potential?

Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

[The Goat]

Just curious if anyone watched Blache's brief interview after practice today (on Redskins.com)? When asked about Orakpo he gave a very sober answer, something to the effect the kid is very athletic, can rush the passer and he's bright. Nothing over the top or leading into unrealistic expectations. I like Blache very much...realizing he's not perfect in his calls, like continuing to blitz in certain games last year when it just led to giving up big plays, i think Blache has done admirably w/ what he had to work with. I think he's a smart, sober guy who should 1) turn this defense into an elite unit this season 2) be sensible about Orakpo's development.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Talent + Potential? I don't think ever. This defense has the potential to be the best in the NFL.

Word...pretty hard to not get excited at this point.

[Schneed10]

Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Can Rak run with the better TEs he'll have to cover from the SLB position? That's what I'd worry about. I think stopping the run from the LB spot will come naturally to him because he's strong and sheds blocks really well. But can he cover Witten?

He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

My point was that this is not final and people need to stop overreacting (as they always do). You guys are right, Merriman and Suggs went to 3-4 defenses. But until Blache or Zorn say so, Orakpo is a DE.

Yes. It is day 1. It is still just May. Of course they are going to at least look at him as a linebacker. It doesn't mean tiddlywinks in the long term. Chill.

[53Fan]

I think they're just trying to find out what the guy can do first hand. Better to find out now than during a game.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

He'll never be asked to do that anyway. If he's in the game at all at LB, I would assume it's some sort of 2 back set from the offense, in which case, if there even is a tight end, Horton would be right over him.

Now whether Horton can cover is a totally seperate question.

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?

[FRPLG]

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.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

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.

[an23dy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

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.

[GTripp0012]

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.