Orakpo=This Year's Gholston?
-
He rose fast and hard as the offseason progressed.
This is something I've never understood. With all of the scouting and combines....these guys who "rise fast" as the draft approaches scare me. If you weren't good enough to be at a certain draft position after the combine....why does the week before the draft change things?
This is something I've never understood. With all of the scouting and combines....these guys who "rise fast" as the draft approaches scare me. If you weren't good enough to be at a certain draft position after the combine....why does the week before the draft change things?
/agree the fast risers never seem to translate on the field at the pro-level we have a fast riser in rubin a guy i thought would rock it out from day 1 but he gets rocked out of his socks instead when he was rotated with rogers last year...the kid seems bad against the run and was unable to move anyone or even hold his ground...
-
Orakpo=This Year's Gholston?
Only time will tell.
I think that Gholston will rebound and Orakpo is a physical beast he will be hard to pass up on if he is there when we pick.
Orakpo=This Year's Gholston?
Only time will tell.
I think that Gholston will rebound and Orakpo is a physical beast he will be hard to pass up on if he is there when we pick.
I believe Gholston just got picked into the wrong system for him. He might have ended up as a beast as a 4-3 WSDE, but we may never know. Pluto's article today in the PD was eye opening. A. Thomas was a bust when Balt first tried to make him a OLB. He had to be sent back to DE. The next year he caught on and the rest is history. Vrable is another example who didn't catchon to the 3-4 OLB position for 3 years.
Orakpo may be a beast as a DE, but can he transition to a 3-4 OLB nd be dominate in his first year? If there's a question, I'd rather pass and find a few guys later in the draft, far cheaper and work them in. There isn't too many guys who stepped right in and were a success at a 3-4 OLB position. Ware and Merriman, but not many others.
So, if you want to pick Orakpo, you better be sure because he is going to make a hell of a lot of money.
If I'm picking at #5 I want a guy that will come in and be an impact player, right now. I don't care what position, if he can make an immediate impact he makes the team better.
-
Orakpo=This Year's Gholston?
Only time will tell.
I think that Gholston will rebound and Orakpo is a physical beast he will be hard to pass up on if he is there when we pick.
I believe Gholston just got picked into the wrong system for him. He might have ended up as a beast as a 4-3 WSDE, but we may never know. Pluto's article today in the PD was eye opening. A. Thomas was a bust when Balt first tried to make him a OLB. He had to be sent back to DE. The next year he caught on and the rest is history. Vrable is another example who didn't catchon to the 3-4 OLB position for 3 years.
Orakpo may be a beast as a DE, but can he transition to a 3-4 OLB nd be dominate in his first year? If there's a question, I'd rather pass and find a few guys later in the draft, far cheaper and work them in. There isn't too many guys who stepped right in and were a success at a 3-4 OLB position. Ware and Merriman, but not many others.
So, if you want to pick Orakpo, you better be sure because he is going to make a hell of a lot of money.
If I'm picking at #5 I want a guy that will come in and be an impact player, right now. I don't care what position, if he can make an immediate impact he makes the team better.
If I'm picking at #5 I want a guy that will come in and be an impact player, right now. I don't care what position, if he can make an immediate impact he makes the team better.
I think you've hit on a very important point. With the money at the top of the draft being what it is....you really cannot afford to miss. First off, they need to start impacting your team (that pretty much means they're a starter) from day one. Second, if they DO bust you're not only going to be looking to fill that same void but you'll be tying up even MORE money in the same position. At that point, it takes away money from other positions and pushes you up against the cap.
Some good examples that come to mind include all of the WRs that Detroit kept taking and not getting their money's worth and also Alex Smith in SF. They paid him top dollar and here they are still looking for a QB.
-
Although I'm not a huge fan of drafting a guy extremely high that is going to switch from DE to LB, at the same time I think it always depends on the player. His history and athleticism.
I viewed a guy like Gholston more like John Abraham. I still think Gholston should be playing DE. He didn't start playing football until 10th grade and Cass tried to put him at LB then and it didn't work well.
I view someone like Demarcus Ware as a more athletic type that could make the transition more easily.
Mike Mayock, who I think is one of the best, recently brought up the same issues that I brought up a long time ago in a thread on this forum....Orakpo seems to disappear at times....It seems the effort isn't always there. We saw it in the Bowl game this year where Alex Boone actually shut him down for most of the game.
Mayock said he'd be shocked if Orakpo didn't go in the top ten but at #5 he said "I'm just not an Orakpo guy at that level".
I am completely lost as to what I'd do with #5.....Well, I'd try like hell to trade it!!
-
I dont' remember Ghoulston dominating top opponents.
Orakpo dominated two blue chip LT's, one from Oklahoma, and had great games.
His teammates say he's unstoppable, and he's fast, and power and smart and has good character.
He is, imho, the Browns' pick. He will strike fear into div offenses. For a change.
-
Orakpo=This Year's Gholston?
Only time will tell.
I think that Gholston will rebound and Orakpo is a physical beast he will be hard to pass up on if he is there when we pick.
I believe Gholston just got picked into the wrong system for him. He might have ended up as a beast as a 4-3 WSDE, but we may never know. Pluto's article today in the PD was eye opening. A. Thomas was a bust when Balt first tried to make him a OLB. He had to be sent back to DE. The next year he caught on and the rest is history. Vrable is another example who didn't catchon to the 3-4 OLB position for 3 years.
Orakpo may be a beast as a DE, but can he transition to a 3-4 OLB nd be dominate in his first year? If there's a question, I'd rather pass and find a few guys later in the draft, far cheaper and work them in. There isn't too many guys who stepped right in and were a success at a 3-4 OLB position. Ware and Merriman, but not many others.
So, if you want to pick Orakpo, you better be sure because he is going to make a hell of a lot of money.
If I'm picking at #5 I want a guy that will come in and be an impact player, right now. I don't care what position, if he can make an immediate impact he makes the team better.
I believe Gholston just got picked into the wrong system for him. He might have ended up as a beast as a 4-3 WSDE, but we may never know. Pluto's article today in the PD was eye opening. A. Thomas was a bust when Balt first tried to make him a OLB. He had to be sent back to DE. The next year he caught on and the rest is history. Vrable is another example who didn't catchon to the 3-4 OLB position for 3 years.
Orakpo may be a beast as a DE, but can he transition to a 3-4 OLB nd be dominate in his first year? If there's a question, I'd rather pass and find a few guys later in the draft, far cheaper and work them in. There isn't too many guys who stepped right in and were a success at a 3-4 OLB position. Ware and Merriman, but not many others.
So, if you want to pick Orakpo, you better be sure because he is going to make a hell of a lot of money.
If I'm picking at #5 I want a guy that will come in and be an impact player, right now. I don't care what position, if he can make an immediate impact he makes the team better.
Absolutely you must get a STARTER with the #5 pick. Thats a lot of $$ for developing.
-
I dont' remember Ghoulston dominating top opponents.
Orakpo dominated two blue chip LT's, one from Oklahoma, and had great games.
His teammates say he's unstoppable, and he's fast, and power and smart and has good character.
He is, imho, the Browns' pick. He will strike fear into div offenses. For a change.
I dont' remember Ghoulston dominating top opponents.
Orakpo dominated two blue chip LT's, one from Oklahoma, and had great games.
.
You didn't see the Michigan game where Gholston beat Jake long twice? It was the first sack Long gave up that year.
The season previous, he not only ran over Long on one play, he ran over the next blocker and still got to the Henne.
We are talking Jake Long here....Phil Loadholt isn't even close. Who is the other blue chipper that Orakpo had a great game against?
His sophomore year.
This is his junior year. At the 2:32 point is where he completely runs past Jake Long.
-
Looks stiffer than Orakpo. You don't see him "bend the edge" much. And when he does, it's against RT's or inferior competition. Contrast that with Orakpo, who gave Loadholt and Russell Okung fits.
There's some risk with any 3-4 front seven projection; Orakpo's no exception. But his upside is incredibly enticing.
I'd take Osackpo over anyone in this draft not named Aaron Curry.
-
Looks stiffer than Orakpo. You don't see him "bend the edge" much. And when he does, it's against RT's or inferior competition. Contrast that with Orakpo, who gave Loadholt and Russell Okung fits.
There's some risk with any 3-4 front seven projection; Orakpo's no exception. But his upside is incredibly enticing.
I'd take Osackpo over anyone in this draft not named Aaron Curry.
Aloysius said:
Looks stiffer than Orakpo. You don't seeing him "bend the edge" much. And when he does, it's against RT's or inferior competition. Contrast that with Orakpo, who gave Loadholt and Russell Okung fits.There's some risk with any 3-4 front seven projection; Orakpo's no exception. But his upside is incredibly enticing.
I'd take Osackpo over anyone in this draft not named Aaron Curry.
Actually his stiffness wasn't the point of the post......It was a response to another post that said he didn't dominate against big time talent. I think Long is Bigger than the two mentioned in your post.
I'm not even sure how much Orakpo lined up against Okung on the right side.
I'll go with Mayock's analysis......"His effort isn't consistant. He seems to disappear at times. I'd be shocked if he weren't a top ten pick but at #5 I'm just not an Orakpo guy at that level".
-
Aloysius said:
Looks stiffer than Orakpo. You don't seeing him "bend the edge" much. And when he does, it's against RT's or inferior competition. Contrast that with Orakpo, who gave Loadholt and Russell Okung fits.There's some risk with any 3-4 front seven projection; Orakpo's no exception. But his upside is incredibly enticing.
I'd take Osackpo over anyone in this draft not named Aaron Curry.
Actually his stiffness wasn't the point of the post......It was a response to another post that said he didn't dominate against big time talent. I think Long is Bigger than the two mentioned in your post.
I'm not even sure how much Orakpo lined up against Okung on the right side.
I'll go with Mayock's analysis......"His effort isn't consistant. He seems to disappear at times. I'd be shocked if he weren't a top ten pick but at #5 I'm just not an Orakpo guy at that level".
Actually his stiffness wasn't the point of the post....It was that he did dominate against big time opponents. Bigger than the two mentioned in your post.
Oh, I don't contest that Gholston was a dominant college player. I'm focusing more on the skills that project to NFL success, particularly as a 3-4 linebacker.
The stiffness affects Gholston's ability to play in space. When I watched the prospects run through LB drills at the Combine last year, I though Chris Long looked more like a guy capable of transitioning to linebacker. In reality, both players are probably better off playing 4-3 end.
Also, I think one of Gholston's problems is that he was able to physically overwhelm guys at the collegiate level, whereas he'll need to refine his hand usage and rush moves to have consistent success as a rusher in the NFL. Orakpo needs some work in this area too, but he's got the quickness to beat guys with speed. Plus, he's shown the commitment to improving his game, spending the '08 offseason studying martial arts in order to improve his hand play. I've heard that some question Gholston's desire to be great; I don't think that's much of a concern with Osackpo.
I'll go with Mayhock's analysis......"His effort isn't consistant. He seems to disappear at times. I'd be shocked if he weren't a top ten pick but at #5 I'm just not an Orakpo guy at that level".
Don't know what's up with Mayock. A couple months ago, he was saying that Orakpo reminded him of DeMarcus Ware and Aaron Curry could play anywhere in any scheme. Now, he's a hell of a lot more skeptical about Orakpo and is "more comfortable" projecting Curry to a 4-3 front. And then there's the whole Robert Ayers thing...
Still have a ton of respect for the guy's opinion. Just wish I could get a clearer explanation for why his views are evolving. Watched the Alabama-Tennessee game because he mentioned that Ayers dominated Andre Smith, and I saw a guy reducing inside to use his good but not great quickness to beat Bama's LG. Watched the Texas-Oklahoma State game because he mentioned how Pettigrew handled Orakpo, and I see Orakpo overwhelm a future 1st round left tackle.
Just don't get why Ayers is suddenly a better prospect than Orakpo and Curry.
-
I agree.....I said in a previous post that I see Gholston as much more of a John Abraham type. He should be playing DE where he can use that first step quickness and brute strength.
I never saw him as a Linebacker.
-
Sorry, VT, I don't remember that game... must have been busy.
But even though they are similar in build, their mental make up seems to be very, very different.
Ghouston was a loner, and quiet. Competitive on the field
But Orakpo is extremely competitive, and outgoing, and funny, and -into the game-.
The big different, imho, is the personality and drive of Orakpo. That will make him a big success in the NFL.
*****************************
Texas' opponents experiencing Orakpo phobia
01:29 AM CDT on Thursday, October 30, 2008
AUSTIN – Brian Orakpo, a fan of author John Steinbeck, penned a concise description of his playing
style for the Texas football Web site: "Too fast for your eyes."
The problem was that Orakpo was more visible than he wanted to be in 2007, slowed by a knee injury.
The senior defensive end whom coach Mack Brown called maybe the best pass rusher of his time in
Texas managed just 5 ½ sacks after suffering a chop block against Arkansas State.
Now, the Orakpo everybody expected has emerged. He's in the face of offensive linemen, the heads of
quarterbacks and on a mission, he says, to make up for time lost.
The next challenge of Orakpo and his defensive teammates will be getting past Texas Tech's ample, accomplished
offensive line and invading Graham Harrell's personal space.
"They've only given up three sacks all season," said Orakpo (6-4, 260). "We understand their philosophy. We
understand that the sacks aren't going to be a huge numbers.
"But from what we've saying from Day 1 is putting the pressure, making them somewhat uncomfortable and not letting
them sit back there for days."
Containing Orakpo has bedeviled even the biggest and best offensive linemen. Somehow, Orakpo found a route around
Oklahoma's mammoth Phil Loadholt (6-8, 337) in an eye-opening performance earlier this year.
"It means a lot to our defense because you know somehow the quarterback will be affected," Texas defensive tackle
Roy Miller said. "Rak has a mismatch on everybody he plays."
In big-time college football, just about everybody is strong.
Or fast.
Or gifted.
-
Sorry, VT, I don't remember that game... must have been busy.
But even though they are similar in build, their mental make up seems to be very, very different.
Ghouston was a loner, and quiet. Competitive on the field
But Orakpo is extremely competitive, and outgoing, and funny, and -into the game-.
The big different, imho, is the personality and drive of Orakpo. That will make him a big success in the NFL.
*****************************
Texas' opponents experiencing Orakpo phobia
01:29 AM CDT on Thursday, October 30, 2008
AUSTIN – Brian Orakpo, a fan of author John Steinbeck, penned a concise description of his playing
style for the Texas football Web site: "Too fast for your eyes."
The problem was that Orakpo was more visible than he wanted to be in 2007, slowed by a knee injury.
The senior defensive end whom coach Mack Brown called maybe the best pass rusher of his time in
Texas managed just 5 ½ sacks after suffering a chop block against Arkansas State.
Now, the Orakpo everybody expected has emerged. He's in the face of offensive linemen, the heads of
quarterbacks and on a mission, he says, to make up for time lost.
The next challenge of Orakpo and his defensive teammates will be getting past Texas Tech's ample, accomplished
offensive line and invading Graham Harrell's personal space.
"They've only given up three sacks all season," said Orakpo (6-4, 260). "We understand their philosophy. We
understand that the sacks aren't going to be a huge numbers.
"But from what we've saying from Day 1 is putting the pressure, making them somewhat uncomfortable and not letting
them sit back there for days."
Containing Orakpo has bedeviled even the biggest and best offensive linemen. Somehow, Orakpo found a route around
Oklahoma's mammoth Phil Loadholt (6-8, 337) in an eye-opening performance earlier this year.
"It means a lot to our defense because you know somehow the quarterback will be affected," Texas defensive tackle
Roy Miller said. "Rak has a mismatch on everybody he plays."
In big-time college football, just about everybody is strong.
Or fast.
Or gifted.
Containing Orakpo has bedeviled even the biggest and best offensive linemen. Somehow, Orakpo found a route around
Oklahoma's mammoth Phil Loadholt (6-8, 337) in an eye-opening performance earlier this year.
And late round selection or undrafted FA Alex Boone shut him down. Orakpo had one early sack and two tackles in the Fiesta bowl. After the 1st period he completely disappeared.
I think this is why Mayock as cooled on him. Could he be great? You bet.... But Mayock sees a guy that isn't consistent.
Mayock acts now as if he doesn't even think he's worthy a top ten pick.
-
Containing Orakpo has bedeviled even the biggest and best offensive linemen. Somehow, Orakpo found a route around
Oklahoma's mammoth Phil Loadholt (6-8, 337) in an eye-opening performance earlier this year.
And late round selection or undrafted FA Alex Boone shut him down. Orakpo had one early sack and two tackles in the Fiesta bowl. After the 1st period he completely disappeared.
I think this is why Mayock as cooled on him. Could he be great? You bet.... But Mayock sees a guy that isn't consistent.
Mayock acts now as if he doesn't even think he's worthy a top ten pick.
And late round selection or undrafted FA Alex Boone shut him down.
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.
You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
-
And late round selection or undrafted FA Alex Boone shut him down.
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.
You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
Aloysius said:
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
Ok, then Bryant Browning shut him down....Even worse!!! A guard who had been moved to Tackle out of need.
Either way, his presence was not felt often in that game.
Where was he when Boeckman played? Didn't have to worry about Pryor rolling on those plays. He never came close to Boeckman.
Todd was 5-12 for 110 yards and a TD. During those plays Texas knew they Buckeyes were going to throw. The perfect time for Orakpo to put his head down and go. Where was he?
-
And late round selection or undrafted FA Alex Boone shut him down.
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.
You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
Aloysius said:
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
Don't need to rewatch it cuz that's how I remember it. He definitely did not get "shut down".
-
Aloysius said:
That's not true. It wasn't Orakpo's best game, but Boone didn't "shut him down". In fact, Orakpo lined up a lot at LE because they wanted to stop Pryor from simply rolling to the right whenever Orakpo beat Boone, which happened a few times early in the game.You can re-watch the game on Hulu. There's been a lot of unfair criticism of his play in that game. And because it's the only Texas game a lot of OSU/Browns fans saw, it's leading to some being a lot lower on Orakpo than they should be.
Don't need to rewatch it cuz that's how I remember it. He definitely did not get "shut down".
Don't need to rewatch it cuz that's how I remember it. He definitely did not get "shut down".
I sack and two tackles is not shut down?
Ok!!
As I said in the prvious post....Can't say Orakpo was spying Pryor when Boeckman threw the ball 12 times for 110 yards and a TD.
I guess Orakpo was being shut down at LE by.....Bryant Browning!!
-
Just watched the first quarter. After one quarter Orakpo played LE on one play.
He had 0 tackles. He had one QB hurry and caused one holding penalty when he had beat Boone.
To his credit almost everything the Buckeyes ran was to their right side.
-
First half is over.
1 tackle. I Qb hurry and he played LE on only one play.
.jpg.a1a2b9a0c33008fdaf4097d8fe2cfd64.jpg "Riffer X"){kind=avatar}
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login