Orakpo - - A Star in the Making

sportscurmudgeon · 11-30-2009, 02:43 PM

Back around draft time, I wondered if Brian Orakpo would turn out to be a great pick for two reasons:

1. If the Skins wanted to play him at DE full time, they had to worry that he did not play the run very well in college. To be sure, one reason for that is that the offenses in the Big-12 South last year tended to throw the ball 75% of the time so his"assignment" was to get to the QB because the odds are that is where the ball was going to be.

2. If the Skins wanted to play him at OLB full time, they would have to teach him a new position and new skills - - like pass coverage. He did none of that in college...

The risk in taking a physically gifted athlete and trying to change his position is that he may not be able to - or amenable to - learning the new skills and techniques needed for that position. Often, top-flight athletes resist "teaching" and rely on what got them notoriety in the first place - - their athletic abilities.

Scouting a player's willingness and ability to be coached up quickly into a new position is much harder than scouting a player's strength or speed or "nose for the football".

Well, the Skins hit the jackpot with Orakpo. He is learning his new position and he is learning fast. He is significantly better now than he was in September in terms of his technique of playing in space and in terms of his ability to stay with tight ends when the defense calls for him to cover instead of rushing. He was as rough as an abused mule at those things in the Exhibition Season and he has gotten significantly better.

Given that it appears as if he has the head for the NFL game in addition to the physical skills for the NFL game, the likelihood is that Brian Orakpo is destined to be a complete player - - not just a pass rushing specialist - - for the future.

Imagine, the Skins being able to leave Orakpo and Fletcher out there on defense on every down in every game. That has to help...

SmootSmack · 11-30-2009, 02:49 PM

Is this a positive thread from sportscurmudgeon?

Hog1 · 11-30-2009, 02:50 PM

I quick ran a scan on my pc. I thought I had a virus?

Lotus · 11-30-2009, 03:30 PM

As much as Oher would have helped the line, it is hard to hate on the Rak pick. That guy is going to be an elite beast for years to come.

GTripp0012 · 11-30-2009, 03:42 PM

I actually think in today's game, it's easier to play the run from the DE position than the OLB position. A lot of the time, the DE gets the TE or FB one on one. Linebackers either have to take on offensive lineman, or they get a free run if the guys up front win their battles.

A linebacker who can't shed a guard and make a play is basically useless, but if a DE can rush the passer, you can work him into your defensive scheme, even if he simply takes a blocker out of the play against runs.

3-4 schemes are the other way around. But DE's in the 4-3 tend to become OLB's in the 3-4, so if you look at it that way, I think this analysis still holds.

GTripp0012 · 11-30-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus

As much as Oher would have helped the line, it is hard to hate on the Rak pick. That guy is going to be an elite beast for years to come.

Like I said at the draft: I would have taken Oher in Vinny's position. But simply by not trading up for Sanchez, we landed our defensive superstar of the next 10 years. That's just as valuable as a great OT, and actually, a lot riskier to find in future drafts. Knowing what we now know, I would have taken Orakpo there over Oher.

The problem all along was that we spent the second round pick on Jason Taylor, which would have been an issue even if JT was a resounding success.

tryfuhl · 11-30-2009, 03:50 PM

I blame the defense for making him have to do this!

BDBohnzie · 11-30-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Is this a positive thread from sportscurmudgeon?

I guess sc felt he needed to "make up" for getting everyone's panties in a bunch for "blaming the defense" last week

mlmdub130 · 11-30-2009, 05:38 PM

gotta wonder if he will play at d end a little bit more with jarmon done, anyone know who we might be getting for the roster spot? wynn?

CrazyCanuck · 11-30-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

I guess sc felt he needed to "make up" for getting everyone's panties in a bunch for "blaming the defense" last week

I got SC's back... his thread last week was right on or at least not far off.

Did anyone think we would hold that 8-point 4th quarter lead? Didn't think so...

SmootSmack · 11-30-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlmdub130

gotta wonder if he will play at d end a little bit more with jarmon done, anyone know who we might be getting for the roster spot? wynn?

Rob Jackson.

Isn't Wynn on our roster already?

Hog1 · 11-30-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCanuck

I got SC's back... his thread last week was right on or at least not far off.

Did anyone think we would hold that 8-point 4th quarter lead? Didn't think so...

You know.......that's a REAL shame when you KNOW your team is going to tank the lead at the wire........but totally correct!

mlmdub130 · 11-30-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Rob Jackson.

Isn't Wynn on our roster already?

i have no idea i stopped trying to keep track, we keep cutting and signing guys, he might be

Dirtbag59 · 11-30-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Rob Jackson.

Isn't Wynn on our roster already?

More playing time for Lorenzo Alexander as well.

SmootSmack · 11-30-2009, 06:01 PM

And Chris Wilson

11-30-2009, 02:43 PM	#1
sportscurmudgeon Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,159	Orakpo - - A Star in the Making Back around draft time, I wondered if Brian Orakpo would turn out to be a great pick for two reasons: 1. If the Skins wanted to play him at DE full time, they had to worry that he did not play the run very well in college. To be sure, one reason for that is that the offenses in the Big-12 South last year tended to throw the ball 75% of the time so his"assignment" was to get to the QB because the odds are that is where the ball was going to be. 2. If the Skins wanted to play him at OLB full time, they would have to teach him a new position and new skills - - like pass coverage. He did none of that in college... The risk in taking a physically gifted athlete and trying to change his position is that he may not be able to - or amenable to - learning the new skills and techniques needed for that position. Often, top-flight athletes resist "teaching" and rely on what got them notoriety in the first place - - their athletic abilities. Scouting a player's willingness and ability to be coached up quickly into a new position is much harder than scouting a player's strength or speed or "nose for the football". Well, the Skins hit the jackpot with Orakpo. He is learning his new position and he is learning fast. He is significantly better now than he was in September in terms of his technique of playing in space and in terms of his ability to stay with tight ends when the defense calls for him to cover instead of rushing. He was as rough as an abused mule at those things in the Exhibition Season and he has gotten significantly better. Given that it appears as if he has the head for the NFL game in addition to the physical skills for the NFL game, the likelihood is that Brian Orakpo is destined to be a complete player - - not just a pass rushing specialist - - for the future. Imagine, the Skins being able to leave Orakpo and Fletcher out there on defense on every down in every game. That has to help... __________________ The Sports Curmudgeon www.sportscurmudgeon.com But don't get me wrong, I love sports...

11-30-2009, 02:49 PM	#2
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making Is this a positive thread from sportscurmudgeon? __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

11-30-2009, 02:50 PM	#3
Hog1 Quietly Dominating the East Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 10,675	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making I quick ran a scan on my pc. I thought I had a virus? __________________ Goodbye Sean..........Vaya Con Dios thankyou Joe....... *“God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.” – Joe Gibbs*

11-30-2009, 03:30 PM	#4
Lotus Fire Bruce NOW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 11,434	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making As much as Oher would have helped the line, it is hard to hate on the Rak pick. That guy is going to be an elite beast for years to come. __________________ Bruce Allen when in charge alone: 4-12 (.250) Bruce Allen's overall Redskins record : 28-52 (.350) Vinny Cerrato's record when in charge alone: 52-65 (.444) Vinny's overall Redskins record: 62-82 (.430) We won more with Vinny

11-30-2009, 03:42 PM	#5
GTripp0012 Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Evanston, IL Age: 36 Posts: 15,994	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making I actually think in today's game, it's easier to play the run from the DE position than the OLB position. A lot of the time, the DE gets the TE or FB one on one. Linebackers either have to take on offensive lineman, or they get a free run if the guys up front win their battles. A linebacker who can't shed a guard and make a play is basically useless, but if a DE can rush the passer, you can work him into your defensive scheme, even if he simply takes a blocker out of the play against runs. 3-4 schemes are the other way around. But DE's in the 4-3 tend to become OLB's in the 3-4, so if you look at it that way, I think this analysis still holds. __________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

11-30-2009, 03:50 PM	#7
tryfuhl Gamebreaker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waldorf, MD Age: 40 Posts: 12,514	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making I blame the defense for making him have to do this!

11-30-2009, 05:38 PM	#9
mlmdub130 Playmaker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Woodbridge, VA Age: 41 Posts: 3,238	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making gotta wonder if he will play at d end a little bit more with jarmon done, anyone know who we might be getting for the roster spot? wynn? __________________ "I don't think anybody should have regrets, especially me, ... You don't regret what you do in your life. If you do it, you do it for a reason." ST21

11-30-2009, 06:01 PM	#15
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Orakpo - - A Star in the Making And Chris Wilson __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

Orakpo - - A Star in the Making

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