DE Brian Orakpo

[Om]

Oh, hell yes. :pint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGUc3UL64f0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZTelDHwUwY&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R1RNlZLq4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOz6Y0TNJp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTS3tOnHDc&NR=1

[beamish]

imagine this beast with sean taylor? simply cannot wait to see him and the D this coming season...

[Aston Gambino]

Does anyone know of anyone else in the league that plays on their feet on 1st and 2nd, and on their hands on 3rd and long, like we're planning on doing with him?

Kind of hoped he would just be used as an end, but if there's one thing I have faith in, it's Blache's scheme. Can't wait to see this dude in action.

[Neophyte]

I've seen the Cowboys use Greg Ellis as a LB most of the game but use him as a rush end in their 3-4 a few plays a game. Does that count?

[Walking Deadman]

I just hope they use him to hit the QB and get as many sacks as possible.

The Skins really haven't had a dominating DE sinces the days of Manley and Mann IMO.

[Lanky Livingston]

I just hope they use him to hit the QB and get as many sacks as possible.

The Skins really haven't had a dominating DE sinces the days of Manley and Mann IMO.

What about Bruce Smith and Jason Taylor? ;)

[Tastes Like Chicken]

What about Bruce Smith and Jason Taylor? ;)

Are we still going to Canton for Bruce's induction? :rockstar:

[Walking Deadman]

What about Bruce Smith and Jason Taylor? ;)

Greatest DEs of the Dan Snyder era......:rotflmao:

[Walking Deadman]

Are we still going to Canton for Bruce's induction? :rockstar:

Yeah, we all can scream "Bruce" for an hour......heh.

[Henry]

I'd be happier if we had him playing end full time but if he's knocking QBs around all day I won't complain. :)

[Neophyte]

I'd prefer he played DE full time too, Henry. This taking a rookie high and making him learn a whole position scares me. I know we are hearing good things but still...let him line up next to Haynesworth full time and get after whoever has the ball.

[MikeSr619]

I know they really didnt have much of a choice at the time but the Skins seem to be putting players in positions that dont help themselves like they did with LaRon. They put Taylor on the side that he wasnt dominant at and now we are using Orakpo differently then what he was known for in college.

I am not saying Blache doesnt know what he is doing or it won't work but it does make me wonder why we draft a DE and try to convert him to a hybrid LB.

[brandies]

hey, I will be satisfied if he only equals Lawrence Taylor

[LoyalSkinsFan]

Yeah, we all can scream "Bruce" for an hour......heh.

What's wrong with that?

[Walking Deadman]

What's wrong with that?

He's going in as a Bill.....so personally, I think it would be funny to see Redskins fans showing up en mass for Smith, when he just finished out his career here to break the all time sack record.

Smith's numbers as a Skin aren't that bad and I like Smith as a player, but to me Bruce Smith's time here is just a bad reminder of the beginnings of the Snyder era and how the Redskins FO royally set this franchise back even worse than it had been. And this is coming from an occasional Snyder supporter/apologist.

I don't know. I know he spent more time here than Monk in Philly, but I think it would be kind of weird to see Redskins fans out there for Smith; It'd be like Eagle fans showing up for Art Monk's HOF.

[Henry]

I've got nothing against the guy, but Bruce Smith is a Bill and he should go in as a Bill.

Not to go totally off topic or anything. :)

[Om]

What's wrong with that?

Why nothing, Bruce. Nothing at all. :scholar:

[Lanky Livingston]

I'm getting a little nervous that this deal is not done yet. Its not totally Orakpo's fault, because his contract will be based on those around him, and the closest picks to sign around him are Sanchez (#5) and some center (#21). But seriously, let's get a deal done and play some football!

[LizKauai]

Yes- let Orakpo be signed SOON!

[BAFGA]

I've got nothing against the guy, but Bruce Smith is a Bill and he should go in as a Bill.

Not to go totally off topic or anything. :)

Well, is the HOF like baseball where you go in as a member of a certain team? I think they look at the player and necessarily the team you played for. Of course he might mention mostly stuff he did while he was in Buffalo when he gives his acceptance speech. It's not like he's going to wear a helmet on his plaque.

[MR Historian]

I recently did a wide-ranging interview with legendary Redskins DE Dexter Manley, the team's all-time sack leader with 97.5. If anyone would know how good Brian Orakpo is, he would. Here's what he had to say:

“I’m from Texas and watch Big 12 football. The SEC and Big 12 are the two top conferences in college football. So of course, watching the Big 12, you’re going to watch a little of Texas, a little of Oklahoma. He has all the ingredients to be a fine football player. He seems to have the determination, the tenacity, the will and Nigeria produces some pretty good athletes (Orakpo is the son of Nigerian immigrants). Let me tell you something. There’s something great about Texas water. There’s just something in the water that Texas puts out fine football players. He grew up in Houston, so that means he’s got Texas blood in him, it’s in his veins. So I’ve got to give him an A-plus just because he’s from Texas, and he went to the University of Texas. My only concern, the times I did watch Texas play, is him coming off the edge. Normally, he’s not a blazing speed guy. He may be a 4.8 guy coming off the edge. That’s the rap on him. If he’s like a 4.7, he’s going to be kind of slow coming off that edge. Then when you’re playing in the pros, you’ve got guys 6-7, 6-8, they’re going to punch you. Most times when guys come into the league they put on 20 pounds. He’s already about 266-267, put 20 more pounds on, can he come off that edge, no. If he’s smart, he’s got to keep that weight off, because when you put that $100 million in his hands, he’s got freedom to go shopping, go eat. He's got to be very disciplined.”

Do you see the Redskins using him more at end or LB? “If I’m (defensive coordinator) Greg Blache, I’m going to put him where he can make an impact, not drop him off in coverage because you’ve got nobody on that front four who can get to the quarterback. You’ve got to have somebody on all downs putting pressure on that quarterback. If you can’t do that, then you can’t win in this league. Don’t put the man in coverage, put somebody else back there, that’s what Rocky McIntosh is for. If you take him away from the ball, how’s he really going to make an impact? You’ve got to have somebody constantly putting pressure on that quarterback. If you’re taking somebody out of their element, then you’re hurting the team. I’m not a coach, I’m in the background, but they have nobody on the front four who can put pressure on the quarterback relentlessly. If you have nobody putting pressure on the quarterback relentlessly, you don’t win the NFL.”

[CHUBAKAH]

Just heard he is signed, being reported on DC sports radio.

[Lanky Livingston]

Just heard he is signed, being reported on DC sports radio.

Yeah, I'm seeing the same thing on twitter. Apparently they have agreed to terms, but waiting to see if anything crazy happens with the picks around him.

[Aston Gambino]

Great news!

[HapHaszard]

I just heard from a former drinking buddy who has given me pretty good tips in the past that he is signed, but no announcement yet.

[HapHaszard]

I sent a note to Pappas who is at Redskins park reporting and he hasn't heard anything but is going to check it out.

[Pappas]

Sources here say no deal yet...

[Lanky Livingston]

I heard the deal is in place, they are just waiting for the other first-rounders around him to sign, in case anything crazy happens.

[HapHaszard]

Sources here say no deal yet...

Thanks John, its great to have our own source in place. Keep up the good work.