Excellent Orakpo article

BurgundyandGoldfaith · Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:26 pm

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http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sport ... 35502.html

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Rick Snider » Cowboys hatred comes standard
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
04/27/09 9:14 PM

Tony Romo just gained bigger problems than Jessica.

Brian Orakpo wants to rekindle the good old days when Redskins defensive ends terrorized Dallas quarterbacks. Orakpo studied video of Dexter Manley and Charles Mann devouring Cowboys passers. The Redskins’ newest first-rounder grew up in Houston hating Dallas so the rivalry game suddenly becomes a little more personal, especially since Orakpo’s high school team was the Redskins.

“It’s ironic — I never was a Cowboys fan. I’m from Houston and we feud with the Cowboys all the time,” he said. “My high school coach told me once you’re a Redskin, you’re always a Redskin. We watched everything the Washington Redskins did in terms of pride and tradition. ... I’m glad I dropped to No. 13 because being a Washington Redskin is a perfect fit.”

Something tells me Redskins fans just found a new favorite player. There will be a whole lot of 98 jerseys in the stands.

Orakpo wants to be the second coming of the Manley and Mann whom the Redskins have spent nearly the last two decades trying to replicate. Orakpo might be more like Mann than Manley, who was simply a brawler. The Texas tweener will play some linebacker, some defensive end. He’s quick like Mann, but also has enough brawn to withstand a chipping end or back.

“I’m a little bit of both in how they get to the quarterbacks,” said Orakpo of his predecessors. “They both have their charisma and own competitiveness. Defensive end-wise, I just want to continue that great tradition we have.”

Ironically, Orakpo is more remindful of offensive tackle Chris Samuels. Same deep voice, calm demeanor, rock hard body. He’s just a smaller, younger version of Samuels, which bodes well given the latter’s five Pro Bowls.

“[Orakpo] seems to have a peace about his life, where he is,” coach Jim Zorn said. “Chris exudes that. I think they both have that inner drive, self starting. You might be on to something. I love Chris Samuels. The way he gets himself ready to work and motivate himself … We don’t know that yet in this guy, but he seems to go in this direction. He has a sense of humility about himself. He doesn’t come in saying ‘I’m the answer. I’m in charge now.’ He says whatever I have to do to be a better football player.”

JCaptMorgan12 · Post by **JCaptMorgan12** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:58 pm

i know that this will be the first defensive Redskins jersey that i have purchased... and as a Texas fan, i am proud that it will be Orakpo... i already told my wife to mark this down as THE birthday gift come August...

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:53 pm

Doesn't Samuels have six pro bowls, not five?

SoulDOut · Post by **SoulDOut** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:13 am

i laughed so hard when the teams before us didn't pick him up. guess its one of those wtf!? things that happen i guess

also soooo glad we didnt go after Sanchez and cripple our chances for the future.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:24 am

Everything I read about this kid excites me...BRING IT COWPUKES!!!

HanburgerHelper · Post by **HanburgerHelper** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:15 am

I think Orakpo slid because of his knee sprain in college and before and simply offensive needs of the other teams in the top 12.

Rak is a workout warrior but I'm concerned about a guy whose squatting 600 lbs and benching 550 lbs (or whatever). Too much stress on the bone structure. I'd like to see the trainers work on his conditioning and flexibility more since he may be asked to cover backs at OLB. He's strong enough.

I thought for sure we'd pick DE Tyson Jackson and I really didn't see him going that early. In any case, I'm happy with the pick of Orakpo. No brainer and there's always an injury spector over a lot of picks. Great attitude.

Also, I saw some flashes in DE Rob Jackson last year. He could develop.

vwoodzpusha · Post by **vwoodzpusha** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:43 am

I can't wait for Orakpo to drill Romo, and watching Romo get up and hobble to sideline with his girlfriend Witten helping him.

JCaptMorgan12 · Post by **JCaptMorgan12** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:46 am

HanburgerHelper wrote:I think Orakpo slid because of his knee sprain in college and before and simply offensive needs of the other teams in the top 12.

Rak is a workout warrior but I'm concerned about a guy whose squatting 600 lbs and benching 550 lbs (or whatever). Too much stress on the bone structure. I'd like to see the trainers work on his conditioning and flexibility more since he may be asked to cover backs at OLB. He's strong enough.

I thought for sure we'd pick DE Tyson Jackson and I really didn't see him going that early. In any case, I'm happy with the pick of Orakpo. No brainer and there's always an injury spector over a lot of picks. Great attitude.

Also, I saw some flashes in DE Rob Jackson last year. He could develop.

i watched the majority of UT games this year (that is the college team I have followed for over the past decade) as well as past years, and have always liked Orakpo, he is a beast, and always gives 110%... i was concerned with the knee injury at first, and he did miss a few games, but i cannot remember which games...

HOWEVER, you cannot dismiss the fact that he said he hates the cowboys, that is reason enough for any Redskins fan to like him...

Gibbs4Life · Post by **Gibbs4Life** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:51 am

I got an email from Redskins.com asking me to pre-order my Orakpo jersey. I felt like replying "I'd love to, but I blew my budget betting that benjamin on MNF against the Steelers, so actually you owe me $100!"

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:22 am

I wouldn't have bet against the Steelers last year....

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:23 am

VetSkinsFan wrote:I wouldn't have bet against the Steelers last year....

I wouldn't bet against any team that plays us on a nationally televised game, we NEVER show up for them and we have 3 of them this year...

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:38 am

Chris Luva Luva wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:I wouldn't have bet against the Steelers last year....

I wouldn't bet against any team that plays us on a nationally televised game, we NEVER show up for them and we have 3 of them this year...

I was pointing out how tough the Steelers were last year...