Rookie, Orakpo on field for players-only camp
The theory goes something like this: Brian Orakpo will draw heavy attention from opposing blockers, creating one-on-one situations for rookie Ryan Kerrigan on the other side. Kerrigan will then take advantage leaving offenses with a tough question.
Who should they block?
It’s the reason Washington selected Kerrigan in the first round. It’s the reason Orakpo is excited for camp to begin.
“If we have two bulldogs going at it, it’s going to be hell,” Orakpo said after the latest players-only minicamp Tuesday. It runs through Thursday at an undisclosed location.
This could be the last time the players gather before training camp, but it was also the first chance for Orakpo and Kerrigan to share the field. Orakpo could not attend the last minicamp. Like Orakpo two years ago, Kerrigan must make the switch from college end to NFL outside linebacker.
“We’re not really doing anything,” Orakpo said. “We’re not going full speed, but you can see some athleticism in the kid. Everyone learns at a different rate and it’s very challenging on rookies. Very few rookies really shine their first year, especially when you’re moving to a new position. But he seems like a hard-working kid and we’ll see what he’s got.”
Orakpo is drilling one tip into Kerrigan: the need to stay low.
“That’s one adjustment that’s really hard for guys,” Kerrigan said. “When you’re on two feet, you’re more upright so bending your knees and coming out low is a big thing in this position.”
Orakpo starred as a rookie with 11 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance. But he also endured a lot of growing pains, learning how to play in a two-point stance and dropping into coverage. However, as a rookie he also had Andre Carter rushing from left end as well as Albert Haynesworth next to him.
Last season, however, Carter struggled to adapt to a 3-4 outside linebacker and Haynesworth was a reserve who only appeared in eight games. The pass rush suffered and Orakpo, drawing more attention from blockers, recorded 8 ? sacks.
“It was very bad last year,” Orakpo said. “[Opposing lines] were sliding my way a lot. That’s no excuse, I have to figure out a way to beat that but having another guy taking pressure off me is gonna help tremendously.”
“We’ll feed off each other,” said Kerrigan, who recorded 33 ? sacks at Purdue.
When there’s only one good pass rusher, teams can send a back to chip him before going out on a pass route, or they can slide the protection his way, allowing for extra help.
“I remember on the sideline last year, and we’d watch Rak and they were holding the crap out of him,” Redskins quarterback John Beck said. “Now what do you do? Now you have both ends, you’re in trouble. It should be exciting.”
