Orakpo coasting ?

[fansince62]

Id like a thread about opinions where I am not being told mine is wrong constantly.

can we have one where we post our opinions and others respect it and not always try to prove each other "wrong"?

Mike...I think you're wrong about constantly being told your wrong. Right?

 

[Lanky Livingston]

For once, I would love to see this team trade a player with value (or perceived value) prior to signing him to a multi-million dollar deal. Brian Orakpo is a quality guy...I say trade him as soon as a team becomes desperate enough for a 4-3 DE! He is out of his element on this team, R-Jax can cover so much better than he can! We need our rush to come from the middle of the DL. If we are going to pay top dollar for anyone, it should be someone to replace Adam Carriker or a true NT (unfortunately, there are only about 4 of them in the league).

I wouldn't be averse to trading Rak - but it would have to be sweet, and include some pass-rush. I disagree about where the pass-rush should come from - we drafted Kerrigan & Orakpo specifically to generate pressure from the edges. I'm not 100%, but isn't that how the this defense is designed? The NT/DEs are not supposed to generate pressure, just hold the line/absorb double-teams so the LBs can make plays. Again, I could be wrong, but that's how I have always thought of the 3-4. Rak is needed desperately in that scenario.

 

[servumtuum]

can we have one where we post our opinions and others respect it and not always try to prove each other "wrong"?

Mike, I'm not trying to be facetious but the internet doesn't function that way.

I don't think I've ever seen a blog or forum anywhere in which people just post their opinion and then someone else posts theirs and there is no rebuttal or answering response after that if the opinions don't coincide.

Frankly I can hardly imagine my reaction to seeing such a thing.

I'd probably think to myself "OMG, alien abduction is real and I've been taken somewhere where humans don't live."

 

[Neophyte]

I really think this is more a case like that of Sean Taylor, where a young guy who has always gotten by on his athletic ability and instincts comes into the league and manages to continue that trend but after a few years grows up a bit in the maturity department. He realizes that if he wants to be considered great, not just good, he is going to have to do more than just be physically gifted. He realizes that to be feared, rather than just respected, he has to be able to dominate his opponent and maybe even take a game over, and he knows he can't do that without knowing his opponent so well he knows his opponent will do before that opponent does.

I don't see much mystery here and I don't see much controversy.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Mike, I'm not trying to be facetious but the internet doesn't function that way.

I don't think I've ever seen a blog or forum anywhere in which people just post their opinion and then someone else posts theirs and there is no rebuttal or answering response after that if the opinions don't coincide.

Frankly I can hardly imagine my reaction to seeing such a thing.

I'd probably think to myself "OMG, alien abduction is real and I've been taken somewhere where humans don't live."

Agreed 100%. In fact, I encourage members to bring their views to the BBQ blogs, even if it is totally opposite of what has been posted. That brings forth great conversations and insights to how we view our favorite team.

True, but thats not what I said. You post yours, I post mine. But I don't need to hear "thats just dead wrong" just because you dont "buy it". Its not up to you to decide right or wrong when it comes to opinions. Its up to you to maintain respect and civility.

With that said...

You think maybe Rak is saying this all yo try and make it seem to other teams like he has more and can do more?

I am reminded of the thoughts that were posted about Tim Duncan last week. I still feel the same way, but it surely brought a harsh rebuke. Ultimately, I was ok with it, but though it needed to be mentioned in the context of this thread. Differing views are fine imo, but if we have a set of standards for ourselves, then it should apply to all members too.

As for Rak, I'll keep an open mind and wouldn't be upset if a huge plate of crow is served to me. Yes, this is a contract year and the team can lowball him next March with a transition tag - decent money that won't destroy the cap, but a first rounder in the draft if someone else signs him. It's a win-win for the Redskins.

 

[Terry]

I think Orakpo is the best pass rusher we have and it's not even close. Kerrigan couldn't cut it as the weak side pass rusher in Orakpo's absence, and Jackson is a blitzer and only generates pressure behind an existing pass rush as the overload factor.

I'm not sure that trading him would be smart at all.

 

[Elephant]

I think Orakpo is the best pass rusher we have and it's not even close. Kerrigan couldn't cut it as the weak side pass rusher in Orakpo's absence, and Jackson is a blitzer and only generates pressure behind an existing pass rush as the overload factor.

I'm not sure that trading him would be smart at all.

I agree. I think a healthy Orakpo would be a great addition to our defense, but he hasn't been 100% in 2 seasons now. Our defense progressed last year without him. But, can he stay healthy? Not convinced he can and sometimes it's best to get what you can for a player before he has 0 value. The successful Eagles' and Pats teams of the 2000's knew this.

 

[Terry]

I agree. I think a healthy Orakpo would be a great addition to our defense, but he hasn't been 100% in 2 seasons now. Our defense progressed last year without him. But, can he stay healthy? Not convinced he can and sometimes it's best to get what you can for a player before he has 0 value. The successful Eagles' and Pats teams of the 2000's knew this.

Sure, but you can't make personnel decision based on an abstract fear that a guy is injury prone. And our putting Orakpo up for trade automatically hints at that and thus decreases his value.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

If Orakpo is not healthy, then I would tend to agree with those saying his value isn't there. But the guy is in ridiculous physical shape - it seems highly unlikely to me that he is not 100% healthy, possibly even stronger than he was before. We shall see, of course, but I am looking forward to a huge year from #98.

 

[Dead Money]

I'm hoping that Rob Jackson's success last year brings about healthy competition and a rotation that may give Orakpo both an occasional rest and incentive to play better in situations where he hasn't played strong, like against our division rivals.

 

[Terry]

I'm hoping that Rob Jackson's success last year brings about healthy competition and a rotation that may give Orakpo both an occasional rest and incentive to play better in situations where he hasn't played strong, like against our division rivals.

I dunno... I just don't see Jackson as a pass rusher. Blitzer and coverage linebacker - sure. But not a pure pass rusher.

I think Jenkins might have more pure edge skills than Jackson.

 

[Elephant]

I dunno... I just don't see Jackson as a pass rusher. Blitzer and coverage linebacker - sure. But not a pure pass rusher.

I think Jenkins might have more pure edge skills than Jackson.

I hope to see that from Jenkins. It would be nice to see him fulfill the promise we saw before his knee injury...hopefully another off-season to heal gets him back to football shape.

And I understand what you're saying about Orakpo, I just don't think he will ever be a great as a 3-4 OLB...he is a 4-3 DE. What do we want? Pass rush or pass pro coming from our OLB? What we have now is two players who excel at opposite strengths in that regard. What Rob Jackson does in coverage is almost as good as what Rak provides in the Pass rush.

Oh and like others have said...good to see you around these parts again.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

And I understand what you're saying about Orakpo, I just don't think he will ever be a great as a 3-4 OLB...he is a 4-3 DE. What do we want? Pass rush or pass pro coming from our OLB? What we have now is two players who excel at opposite strengths in that regard. What Rob Jackson does in coverage is almost as good as what Rak provides in the Pass rush.

As stated earlier, pass rush.

As far as Rob Jackson's coverage almost as good as Orakpo's pass-rushing; how does one quantify a statement like that? I would say the pressure he provides on the QB, that may force him into a bad decision, result in a sack and possibly a fumble, or just throwing the ball away and a loss of down are much more valuable than taking away one receiver in coverage. Now, run defense is important, but I don't think he's nearly as bad in that area as others do; he and Jackson aren't noticeably different in that aspect IMO anyway, so that's a wash.

 

[fansince62]

I'm hoping that Rob Jackson's success last year brings about healthy competition and a rotation that may give Orakpo both an occasional rest and incentive to play better in situations where he hasn't played strong, like against our division rivals.

this!!!!!!!!

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

Rak is our best pass rusher but he gets by with one move really, the bullrush, he plays with excellent leverage and is amazingly strong, you often see him jacking up Tackles who outweigh him by 60 pounds. however he has piss poor passrush seperation moves, has never developed the dip or the rip to spin or rip to swim hell even a decent rip. He literally gets by with a good first step, excellent strength and relentless motor.

He would be an absolute beast in a 4-3 wide alignment, he is and always has been miscast as a 3-4 OLB and 4-3olb that he played because we didnt have anyone better. Shanny saw his measurables and thought he looks somewhat like ware, and then got wood over the 3-4, but the truth is he is better with his hand in the dirt. If we stay with the 3-4 he is still our best rusher, but he will never be what he could be in the right scheme.

 

[Nobody]

Rob Jackson has out-played Rak over the last couple of years. Sign RJ long term (yeah, the drug thing hurts, but he is not a junkie and will atone for his momentary lapse in judgment) and see what we can get for Rak on the open market.

My $0.02.

Your thoughts on this sum up my thoughts on this exactly. I have a funny feeling that like Landry, Orakpo is a sheep in wolf's clothing.