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Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

Brian Orakpo was on the field for the first session of the three-day minicamp and, as expected, did all of his individual work with the linebackers, working as a linebacker with the first-team defense. He had told The Post before he was drafted that he figured to be broken in as a strong-side linebacker and to be used as a defensive end in pass-rushing situations. However, he's listed as a defensive end on the roster.

Here's how the first-team defense lined up:
Linemen: Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter
Linebackers: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo
Secondary: Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (cornerbacks), LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (safeties)

Rocky McIntosh has been excused for personal reasons.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/[/i]

Sounds like a pretty good defensive lineup. Getting excited to see what these guys can do on the field together.

Here's how the first-team defense lined up:
Linemen: Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter
Linebackers: H.B. Blades, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo
Secondary: Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (cornerbacks), LaRon Landry and Chris Horton (safeties)

Works for me as long as Rocky is in at WSLB when he is there.

I want to know what the projected lineup is going to be for week 1.

I think that's it. I see Blades playing SSLB on third down, with Orakpo moving to LDE. Maybe Daniels moves in to DT and Griffin comes out.

Edit: Of course, Rocky will be in at WSLB.

VetSkinsFan wrote:I want to know what the projected lineup is going to be for week 1.

And sir that is going to be my next thread.

I would rather see Orakpo at LDE 90% of the time not just passing downs. I know they are just trying him out at SLB. I have a hard time believing he can keep up with pro TE or Receivers. I would like to see him switch back and forth from LDE to RDE just to keep the offense on their toes.

on one hand I like getting you best players on the field...

On the other hand, if you want an outside linebacker... draft one

I kind of feel like the Reskins are trying to fill two needs with one player, and it scares me that it could slow his development or take away his aggressiveness...

The complexity of the playbook for a Defensive End is right above kickers and punters... It would be nice for a young guy to come in, focus on one thing, and not have to think a whole lot, at least until the game slows down for him...

At Strong Side LB he needs to know his responsibilities, the MLB resposibilities, the DE resposibilities, the strong safety resposibilities... all those change with each formation and each pre-snap movement... for young players that can cause paralysis by analysis, instead of being the aggressive player that was drafted...

I'm not saying he's not good enough to handle it, but I'd like him to get his primary job down before throwing stuff at him...

Of course I thought it was a mistake putting Jason Taylor in a different position than he was used to, but he said it was no big deal... and look how productive he was...

I think we're just going to have to watch and see how this plays out. At the moment, the Redskins are utilizing Orakpo the only way that makes sense. He has the prototypical size and mobility for a Sam linebacker, and the Redskins don't have a returning starter at that position. Meanwhile, they have Daniels available to play DE on running downs.

I don't see Orakpo covering TEs, either. But that's the point. On passing downs, he's going to play DE. Does that create the possibility that other teams will exploit him by passing on first down? Sure, but at least it's the Redskin defense dictating to the offense rather than the other way around.

Also, it's possible Wilson or Fincher could assert themselves at linebacker and move Orakpo to DE full-time. It's early in the process yet and I think the coaches are just trying to see what he's capable of and how best to utilize his skills. They'll figure it out.

I'm not a professional scout obviously, but everything I've read about Orakpo says he's pretty much strictly a 4-3 DE prospect and he lacks the ability to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 or a 4-3. I don't think I like this, but hopefully someone with his athleticism can get it done for the Redskins.

The thing I see with guys like Orakpo, Haynesworth, Daniels, and Wilson is flexibility. We have guys that can move around and play different positions within the front seven. We should be able to give the opposing offenses many different fronts and looks to keep them off balance. I am excited for our defense as I believe that it will cause havoc for opposing offenses and they way they will try and scheme for us.

What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

Kilmer72 wrote:

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

That whole thing has been discussed to death...

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

Kilmer72 wrote:

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

That whole thing has been discussed to death...

Lol true but do you remember his weight last year Chris?

I am very excited about watching our defense this year. Wouldn't it be great to see us with a monster pass rush? Aside from 2005(? either that or 2004) when GW's blitzes took teams by surprise, I can't remember the last time our pass rush was a major force in games.

Irn-Bru wrote:I am very excited about watching our defense this year. Wouldn't it be great to see us with a monster pass rush? Aside from 2005(? either that or 2004) when GW's blitzes took teams by surprise, I can't remember the last time our pass rush was a major force in games.

Yes, and just pressure from the Dline alone you might have to go all the way back to 91. There were teams after then that had pressure up the middle but I cant remember many that had it all.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

Kilmer72 wrote:

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

That whole thing has been discussed to death...

But it seems to have m ore lives than a cat.

yupchagee wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

Kilmer72 wrote:

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

That whole thing has been discussed to death...

But it seems to have m ore lives than a cat.

Oh, who cares? I wont lose any sleep over it. If it bothers you just ignore. I thought it a bit odd too when we drafted a tweener but I do like like this guy. He is the rare exception. I prefer more the throw back type like 280 vs 260 or smaller.

Kilmer72 wrote:

Irn-Bru wrote:I am very excited about watching our defense this year. Wouldn't it be great to see us with a monster pass rush? Aside from 2005(? either that or 2004) when GW's blitzes took teams by surprise, I can't remember the last time our pass rush was a major force in games.

Yes, and just pressure from the Dline alone you might have to go all the way back to 91. There were teams after then that had pressure up the middle but I cant remember many that had it all.

Gardener had a pretty good year a few seasons back, Before that... well... when did Dave Butz retire again?

Deadskins wrote:

Kilmer72 wrote:

Irn-Bru wrote:I am very excited about watching our defense this year. Wouldn't it be great to see us with a monster pass rush? Aside from 2005(? either that or 2004) when GW's blitzes took teams by surprise, I can't remember the last time our pass rush was a major force in games.

Yes, and just pressure from the Dline alone you might have to go all the way back to 91. There were teams after then that had pressure up the middle but I cant remember many that had it all.

Gardener had a pretty good year a few seasons back, Before that... well... when did Dave Butz retire again?

Ha ha true... 91 was good though. I have an old VHS tape of it (Bowl Game). We had a push.

I think he can play 4-3 DE without much issue, he could easily get bigger. 4-3 OLB's can only rush the passer so many times. If you think about it though, we have the personnel to run a 3-4 pretty solid.

DT- Haynesworth
DE Daniels, Wynn
OLB's- Orakpo, Carter
MLB's -Fletcher, Mcintosh/Blades

brad7686 wrote:I think he can play 4-3 DE without much issue, he could easily get bigger. 4-3 OLB's can only rush the passer so many times. If you think about it though, we have the personnel to run a 3-4 pretty solid.

DT- Haynesworth
DE Daniels, Wynn
OLB's- Orakpo, Carter
MLB's -Fletcher, Mcintosh/Blades

Yeah sort of. DE Daniels, Wynn are old but yeah if they were younger...

Kilmer72 wrote:I would rather see Orakpo at LDE 90% of the time not just passing downs. I know they are just trying him out at SLB. I have a hard time believing he can keep up with pro TE or Receivers. I would like to see him switch back and forth from LDE to RDE just to keep the offense on their toes.

Completely agree with you. I don't think he can stay with TE's like Witten and Boss.

Kilmer72 wrote:

Hooligan wrote:What I can't figure out is why the coaches couldn't make a pro-bowl DE/OLB hybrid (Taylor) work last year, but go ahead and draft a similar player this year.

Am I missing something? Aside from an extra 10-20 pounds, how is Orakpo a different player than JT was? I'm not trying to be too critical, I'm just puzzled.

I could be wrong but I think Taylor was 240#. Is that right guys? Also he was injured. I think it could have worked out way better if he wasn't injured. Remember he got nicked up early before he got the calf problem. Also I think Orakpo is way stronger. Both lower and upper body.

Orakpo also wants to actually PLAY here. Taylor didn't and I'm sure his effort on the field reflected that. Orakpo will play and try harder than Taylor did.