Redskins place franchise tag on Orakpo

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by TenandSix:Unacceptable

As far as Orakpo the football player I'm pretty sure he was just a warm body out there, or at least the first half of the season when I was actually paying attention. As far as Orakpo the person he's always seemed like a solid citizen type guy. I'd have let him walk, personally. It's a lot of money for someone who there are better versions of elsewhere, but given our dearth of pass rush in general, I suppose keeping him this year and trying to add to our rush could actually make him more effective.

I'm thinking we can't fix it all in one offseason so this allows us to focus on some other things. I'd concentrate on upgrading the OL and front seven at the expense of other holes. Last year was unacceptable. We essentially added no one on OL or DL. This team with a good OL and some real players in the front seven has plenty of upside and room to grow even if our DB's are getting torched and our recievers can't get open without time or scheme.

Generallly, I agree with your statements.

The bolded statement is something I have seen in various forms from the "Let Rak walk" crowd. Who are these double digit pass rushers that also play OLB? As far as I can tell, the only other ones currently in the conversation are possibly Ware if he gets cut or Worilds. As to each, at this stage of the game - even if he gets released - Rak>Ware (age, injury, production) and Worilds got transition tagged at 10M. In his four years, Worilds was okay but in his contract year he gets 8 sacks. Wohooo.

I just don't see any real replacement that provides the production Rak does. Again, who is providing these double digit sacks for less than 10M a year?

(If I hear R.Jax, my head may explode).

[CRedskinsRule]

Rjax

[JoeRedskin]

KA-BOOM


Stand back from the splatter zone.

[TenandSix:Unacceptable]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Generallly, I agree with your statements.

The bolded statement is something I have seen in various forms from the "Let Rak walk" crowd. Who are these double digit pass rushers that also play OLB? As far as I can tell, the only other ones currently in the conversation are possibly Ware if he gets cut or Worilds. As to each, at this stage of the game - even if he gets released - Rak>Ware (age, injury, production) and Worilds got transition tagged at 10M. In his four years, Worilds was okay but in his contract year he gets 8 sacks. Wohooo.

I just don't see any real replacement that provides the production Rak does. Again, who is providing these double digit sacks for less than 10M a year?

(If I hear R.Jax, my head may explode).

I think Orakpo's big problem is outside of sacks I really don't think he's a very good player. I wouldn't count him in the top 10 OLB's in the league and if you're building a team for the long haul I'd rather lose in the short term and plug my holes/use my cap space for solutions that I'd consider optimal. We're talking about a mammoth contract to get him signed for term and he's not a player I'd offer a franchise type deal for. You only get a limited number of those for each team, and imo he's not worth it.

[JoeRedskin]

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. If you want to say he is not "elite", fine. No argument. To say "outside of sacks, I really don't think he's a very good player", well, that's a huge leap. I would suggest that it is also unjustified.

From a purely objective standpoint, he may not be worth 12M a year, but he is certainly a 8-9M/year player. Since coming in the league, he has consistently improved his game "outside of sacks" and is well thought of by his teammates who, if you go back and look at their comments, definitely considered him a top 10 OLB. Rak starts on every team that doesn't have a OLB named Ware, Suggs or Mathews. Is he top 5, no. Top 10, yup.

As someone else said, in three years are highest paid players are T. Williams, RGIII and Rak, we are doing something right.

Side note, from a Keim report:
"Finally, KC Joyner included a stat on linebacker Brian Orakpo: 'Orakpo posted a 2.3 percent mark in the disrupted dropback percentage metric that tracks how often a defender tallies a sack, interception, pass defensed or batted ball. That total ranked sixth among all linebackers last year and illustrates the kind of impact Orakpo can have.' "
Offseason Blueprint: Washington Redskins - ESPN

[Skinzman]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. If you want to say he is not "elite", fine. No argument. To say "outside of sacks, I really don't think he's a very good player", well, that's a huge leap. I would suggest that it is also unjustified.

From a purely objective standpoint, he may not be worth 12M a year, but he is certainly a 8-9M/year player. Since coming in the league, he has consistently improved his game "outside of sacks" and is well thought of by his teammates who, if you go back and look at their comments, definitely considered him a top 10 OLB. Rak starts on every team that doesn't have a OLB named Ware, Suggs or Mathews. Is he top 5, no. Top 10, yup.

As someone else said, in three years are highest paid players are T. Williams, RGIII and Rak, we are doing something right.

Side note, from a Keim report:
"Finally, KC Joyner included a stat on linebacker Brian Orakpo: 'Orakpo posted a 2.3 percent mark in the disrupted dropback percentage metric that tracks how often a defender tallies a sack, interception, pass defensed or batted ball. That total ranked sixth among all linebackers last year and illustrates the kind of impact Orakpo can have.' "
Offseason Blueprint: Washington Redskins - ESPN

Wouldnt that mean he is #4 then if he doesnt start over only 3 guys? Therefore a top 5 guy.

Also, I think to many of you are still wrapped up in the whole cap being 120 mil or less. It is over 130 mil now and will be around 150 mil in 3 to 4 years. His value of 8-9 mil will go up as the cap does. I would agree that 11 mil is to much for him with 120 mil cap or less, but with where the cap is headed, he is worth 11 mil imo.

[TenandSix:Unacceptable]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. If you want to say he is not "elite", fine. No argument. To say "outside of sacks, I really don't think he's a very good player", well, that's a huge leap. I would suggest that it is also unjustified.

From a purely objective standpoint, he may not be worth 12M a year, but he is certainly a 8-9M/year player. Since coming in the league, he has consistently improved his game "outside of sacks" and is well thought of by his teammates who, if you go back and look at their comments, definitely considered him a top 10 OLB. Rak starts on every team that doesn't have a OLB named Ware, Suggs or Mathews. Is he top 5, no. Top 10, yup.

As someone else said, in three years are highest paid players are T. Williams, RGIII and Rak, we are doing something right.

Side note, from a Keim report:
"Finally, KC Joyner included a stat on linebacker Brian Orakpo: 'Orakpo posted a 2.3 percent mark in the disrupted dropback percentage metric that tracks how often a defender tallies a sack, interception, pass defensed or batted ball. That total ranked sixth among all linebackers last year and illustrates the kind of impact Orakpo can have.' "
Offseason Blueprint: Washington Redskins - ESPN

Well we went 10-6 w o him and 3-13 with him. Also as many have pointed out he was invisible the first part of the year when we still had a chance. He made a classic "contract push" when games were meaningless. Also, saying someone is a starting player at OLB puts him into the top 64 at their position plus there's over 100 starting LB's in the league. I'd personally rather upgrade the other LB positions and then find someone who may be an adequate downgrade for Rak. I don't think Orakpo is a true game changer at LB. A solid cog? Sure. Worth top 5 or 10 money at his position? No.

I honestly think that's why they franchised him. So they can keep him in the fold with an eye towards letting him walk in a year if he doesn't really turn a corner. If that's the case, like I said, I hope they go after OL and more help in the front seven with the remaining cap.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

Or instead of looking at the last 8 games as a contract push, look at the first 8 as reacclimating himself to the game he was away from for a year.

Don't try to compare the redskins 2012 record to 2013 and put that on Orakpo as the reason we won 10 or lost 13. It doesn't make any sense. There are way to many factors that have nothing to do with Rak. I would argue if he was healthy all of 2012 we would have won a couple more games.

The guys back.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

Or instead of looking at the last 8 games as a contract push, look at the first 8 as reacclimating himself to the game he was away from for a year.

Don't try to compare the redskins 2012 record to 2013 and put that on Orakpo as the reason we won 10 or lost 13. It doesn't make any sense. There are way to many factors that have nothing to do with Rak. I would argue if he was healthy all of 2012 we would have won a couple more games.

The guys back.

Definitely agree.

He's always played with a high motor, I don't buy the "he was just playing hard for a contract" BS.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

How could you honestly? The guy plays a pretty consistent game. He has improved each year. And I totally agree that he always plays with a high motor.

[punch it in]

Rak just needs help as does Kerrigan. We got absolutely zero push from the middle of our d-line last year. We need to beef that shit up. I hope we do. However we have to improve our secondary as well as our o-line. If there was ever a time in which we had to hit in the draft, and free agency on almost every move this is it. I have become completely dis-interested in going after any of the skill positions on offense for now. The number one problem on offense is keeping Griff healthy. Not finding more targets for him. Reed, Garcon, and Almo are weaponry enough if we can sure up the D and the oline. Sorry somehow this rant got away from Rak, but suring up the middle and the secondary will go a long way twards him having a monster year.

[Gmanc711]

I have no problem with this move, and am certainly in favor of it. I'm no "cap gu-ru"; but we're still twenty million under the cap AFTER franchising Orkapo. I think thats still plenty of money for next year; and I'm not sure of any big time free agents, outside of maybe Byrd that we would be targeting.

I still hope we lock up Orkapo long term, but since this is a one year thing at this point, we don't have to worry about his contract for now taking up the money it will cost to resign Trent, Rg3, Morris in the next year or two. Specifically Trent.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Rak starts on every team that doesn't have a OLB named Ware, Suggs or Mathews. Is he top 5, no. Top 10, yup.

Aldon Smith. Tamba Hali. Von Miller. Robert Mathis. Justin Houston.


You forgot a few.

[That Guy]

the biggest names that could help would be byrd or mack at 10mill/year each (or around there). and talib (which might be a bit more)

there are cheaper safeties (at least 3 others) that'd give us most of what byrd would at a much cheaper contract. and there's really no one at mlb (D'Q, and he's an upgrade, but not amazing). we can get a 2nd tier WR like britt and be fine, since they'll be replacing morgan, who wasn't setting the world on fire.

best bet at #34 right now would be OG or MLB i'd gather, though you really just have to wait and see how that pans out and not handcuff yourself to one guy or one position.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

Or instead of looking at the last 8 games as a contract push, look at the first 8 as reacclimating himself to the game he was away from for a year.

The problem with this is that those sacks in the back half of the season came at the expense of backup tackles.

I for one am happy he'll be around one more year, but I hope they don't overpay him on a long term deal. I like a few other think that we should have probably let him explore free agency. I'm all for keeping our home grown talent......if the pay is accordingly. If not, I would do like the Patriots, Steelers do and let them walk. Smart organizations pay their elite talent and let the others walk instead of overpaying.