Linebacker is the first Redskins rookie to earn trip since 1978
Early in training camp, Redskins tackle Chris Samuels, a veteran Pro Bowler, offered a strong assessment of Brian Orakpo’s game. He compared him to one of the most dominant linebackers in the game: Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware.
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It might have been hyperbole, mixed with the summer heat. But Samuels’ point about Orakpo’s potential was validated Tuesday when the rookie linebacker earned a spot on the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster, alongside Ware.
Orakpo is the only Redskin to be voted to the Jan. 31 game, which will be played in Miami. He’s the second Redskins rookie to earn a berth; kick returner Tony Green made it in 1978.
“I was very surprised,” Orakpo said. “I didn’t know what to expect. Obviously we didn’t have a great season. I was trying to make as many plays as I can. … This is very special. When you look at your career, you want to make the Pro Bowl. It puts you in that elite class. That’s what I wanted to do. I’m not an individual type person. But at the end of the day, my game is up to par with the elite guys I’ve been watching throughout my life.”
Orakpo is tied with Ware and Redskins teammate Andre Carter for seventh in the NFL with 11 sacks, four of which occurred vs. Oakland on Dec. 13. He and Ware lead all NFC outside linebackers with 11 sacks.
But that’s why Washington drafted him 13th overall. The Redskins moved Orakpo to linebacker, but use him as an end in passing situations. At linebacker, he often blitzes. He’s still adjusting to playing the run, but he was brought here to make big plays. With his combination of speed and strength, he’s done just that.
“He is a great athlete, who came in and performed well as a young player while learning and playing dual positions,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said in a statement. “He has demonstrated to be durable and explosive. His work ethic and practice habits have not only helped him individually, but made our team better.”
Said Orakpo, “Making that transition, I wasn’t too excited about it. I didn’t want to let my teammates down and I didn’t want to let the fans down. I didn’t know what to expect by moving. They really let me loose out there to be very active on the field and make a lot of plays for them.”
Orakpo, though, also singled out two teammates: Carter and linebacker London Fletcher. The latter has never earned a Pro Bowl berth in his 12 seasons. The Pro Bowl ends are Minnesota’s Jared Allen (13 1/2 sacks) Carolina’s Julius Peppers (10 1/2 sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles) and Philadelphia’s Trent Cole (12 1/2 sacks).
Fletcher is tied for second in the NFL with 134 tackles and captains the NFL’s 11th-ranked defense. But Patrick Willis was named the starter for a third straight year with New Orleans’ Jonathan Vilma his backup. Vilma has 24 fewer tackles than Fletcher, but has three interceptions and plays for a team with a 13-2 record. At 4-11, the Redskins knew it would be a thin year for postseason honors.
“I still feel great about it, but when you look at it, Fletcher has done so much for me,” Orakpo said. “He deserves it as much as me if not more. … I pay tribute to guys like Andre Carter and London Fletcher. If I could give my spot up to those guys I would do it in a heartbeat. They’ve done so much for me. Fletcher was out there correcting me in the middle of plays. He’s done a great job of getting me well-prepared throughout the season.”
