Brian Orakpo as a 1st Pick for the Packers???

by CommanderKeenItaly on Mar 6, 2009 5:38 AM CST Comment 17 comments

What do you think about Brian Orakpo as a 1st Pick for the Packers???

Overview

Since earning Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2005, Orakpo flashed game-changing ability but saved his best for last. As a senior, he won the Lombardi, Hendricks and Nagurski awards and established himself as arguably the elite senior defensive lineman in the 2009 draft. An effective all-around defender capable of making plays against the run -- not to mention his most recognized skill, chasing quarterbacks -- he was even better than his impressive statistics (42 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles) would indicate, despite the fact that he missed time due to a knee injury. Orakpo also missed time with a knee injury in 2007, his only other season as a full-time starter. Orakpo's senior production and NFL teams' hunger for pass rushers is certain to make the All-American a first-round selection. Durability questions and a lack of elite burst off the snap could make it a later pick than his big name and trophy case might seem to indicate he'd warrant.

High School

Coached by Tom Nolan at Lamar High ... Three-year letterman ... A starter at defensive end as a sophomore, junior and senior ... A two-time first-team all-district selection ... Helped his team to a 29-8 mark in those three seasons ... Was part of a Lamar squad that posted at least nine victories all three years ... Was twice tabbed an all-district defensive end ... also saw action at tight end ... Tabbed second-team All-Greater Houston and first-team all-district (18-5A) as a senior ... Despite missing one-third of his senior season due to injury, posted 36 tackles, 12 TFLs and nine sacks ... Had three sacks and eight solo tackles versus Yates that year ... Posted two sacks and seven solo tackles versus Sam Houston as a senior ... Helped his team to an 11-2 record and the state quarterfinals in 2003 ... Earned first-team all-district (18-5A) honors as a junior ... Also earned All-Greater Houston recognition that year ... Posted 10 sacks in helping Lamar to a 9-3 record and a spot in the regional finals that year.

source: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/brian-orakpo?id=71423

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Comments

It’s certainly an option if he’s available at the 9th pick, but really any defensive lineman up there is better than what we’ve got. Which is, uh, who do we have again now that Kampman is moving to LB?

by trenchfoot on Mar 6, 2009 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Orakpo would play LB too

by mittens on Mar 6, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Orakpo

would play OLB and we definitely need an upgrade from Poppinga at the position if the new defense is going to work. I’m still hoping for Peppers but just don’t see it happening by TT’s current level of offseason aggressiveness (or lack there of it)

by justinlewis on Mar 6, 2009 9:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Peppers would involve us trading draft picks (which we all know TT is averse to) and giving him a mega deal if we did trade for him. I would love to see Peppers also but what is the old saying?
Wish in one hand…

by juggernaut400 on Mar 7, 2009 2:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Peppers would be awful. He’s never played LB before and he’s never played in the 3-4 before. Aside from that, we’d have to trade draft picks for him (probably at least a first) which are better spent on drafting guys who are younger and less expensive, and more built for the position.

Also from my Panthers-fan friend, he doesn’t do anything in the second half because he relies on pure athleticism and never bothered learning proper technique, so when he’s tired he vanishes. Also he may have mental problems (I think he said something about anxiety disorder). A huge gamble and definitely not worth it.

by trenchfoot on Mar 7, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Peppers would be that bad as an OLB

I’ve seen drop back in zone dogs and run back picks in his career. He certainly has the athleticism to drop back into zones and maybe cover somebody out of the backfield.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Mar 8, 2009 3:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Saying he would be awful is a stretch. The only thing different about a 3-4 OLB from a 4-3 DE is that they have to drop into coverage. I had read earlier that we want to model our 3-4 after the Steelers, and they bring their OLB’s on blitz almost every play. We definitely need an upgrade from Poppinga, he can’t rush the passer at all. I think Carolina would want to much for Peppers so i really can’t see that happening but Orakpo is realistic. From what i have read it seems like people think Everette Brown could be a very good 3-4 OLB so i think we’ll go there if possible but if not Orakpo is very intriguing also.

by packallday555 on Mar 7, 2009 2:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Orakpo

I believe that if he falls to number 9 the Packer’s better grab him he has got to be gone way before that though with as much talent he has he is a draft pick you have to take if you have a chance

by OIFVET on Mar 7, 2009 6:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

"Awful" was an exaggeration

Not worth it would be more accurate. Aside from trading picks, he’s got a list of four specific teams that he wants to go to, none of which are the Packers. If we were, he would probably be an okay linebacker, not worth trading the 9th overall pick for though. We need help on defense but we can get that help through the draft and the maturation of our existing players, and hopefully through Capers’ schemes being better than Sanders’. I don’t have high hopes for next season’s defense but two or three years from now I think we will look back and be glad that we didn’t trade for Peppers.

by trenchfoot on Mar 8, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what if

we could Peppers without trading a first round pick-maybe like a 2nd and 3rd or 2nd and 4th type of deal. btw who is on Pepper’s 4 team list that someone mentioned?

by justinlewis on Mar 8, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The four were the Dallas Cowboys, “an AFC team” (probably the Miami Dolphins), and two NFC South teams (probably Tampa Bay and New Orleans). I can’t find where I got these names but I can find a bunch that say Dallas, two NFC teams, and an AFC team. Take your pick as to which one’s more accurate.

by trenchfoot on Mar 9, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From here: “Two are teams that Carolina will not want to trade him to.” Atlanta and Tampa, they have the cap space (NO doesn’t) I don’t remember where I got the Miami from. So Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, and an AFC team.

by trenchfoot on Mar 9, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orakpo

He’s a guy I would love to see the Packers draft. A dynamic pass rusher and athlete to play outside LB. To be the Packers’ DeMarcus Ware.

The big question mark is whether he can convert from college DE to NFL OLB. Lots of guys have done it, usually to play outside in a 3-4 defense. But not everyone can do it. I’m trusting that the scouts and coaches know whether he can do it. And if they pass on him, I’ll hope they knew what they were doing and he’s not a good candidate to switch to linebacker.

by Brandon on Mar 8, 2009 11:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Question

I agree that Orakpo and E. Brown are both worthy of the #9 pick. Both are talented pass rushers… My question, if anyone knows is this: What is involved in learning to drop into coverage? Seems not all guys that project as 3/4 OLB are able to learn or have the ability to drop in coverage. Doesn’t seem like it should be all that difficult to do. THey usually only cover the flat on thier side, if they drop. Don’t need alot of depth, so backpedal shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

If these guys are very athletic at all, which they must be, why is that such a big deal. Any ideas as to what abilities are needed to project the ability to drop?

by Strohman on Mar 9, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

answer

Its not the dropping into coverage that is hard for them. Most can do that fairly easily. Its the making reads while they are in coverage, and/or keeping up with the backs or slot recievers or tight ends who might be in the flats or the hook to curl zones that cause the problem. There was a reason they were ends in college.

by buzz25 on Mar 10, 2009 6:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

being able to read the QB the WR to tell if it will be run pass short or long. they also need to beable to turn their hips quickly. As most of the time LBS cover the slots or TEs and more and more Offenses are having speedy slot WRs and TEs that are keys to offenses. So it becomes more then just a flat they have to become a CB in a way..

by bizzle4 on Mar 10, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs