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Brian Orakpo
Redskins No. 1 draft pick Brian Orakpo is learning a |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
ASHBURN
--The reason Brian Orakpo was considered one of the best prospects in April's NFL draft was obvious during the Washington Redskins' organized team activity yesterday.Just ask Jeremy Bridges.
The Redskins were practicing 2-minute-drill situations when Orakpo lined up at right defensive end, steadied himself in a three-point stance by placing his hand in the dirt and burst around Bridges, the left tackle, as soon as the quarterback took the snap.
Bridges had to clothesline Orakpo from behind to prevent the rookie from blowing up the play, a tactic that surely would have drawn a penalty in a game situation.
It was further evidence that Orakpo's explosive pass-rushing ability is what enticed the Redskins to select him 13th overall. Yet Washington is depending on him to be much more than a pass rusher, even though that will at times prevent him from doing what he does best.
With the offseason departure of former Pro Bowl linebacker Marcus Washington, Orakpo will play strong-side linebacker in non-pass-rushing situations in addition to his defensive end duties on third down. It's a hybrid role that requires some significant mental gymnastics for a rookie adapting to life on one of the NFL's top-ranked defenses.
"There are different mentalities when you line up at different positions," Orakpo said yesterday. "When they have me at defensive end, my primary goal is to put pressure on the quarterback. Then say, for instance, they get the first down. Now my whole mind-set switches over to linebacker. I have to worry about coverages and different run-stop situations. But I'm adjusting and getting acclimated to it."
Mastering one position is difficult enough for a rookie. Washington needs Orakpo to master two. As the Redskins began their final round of OTAs yesterday, it's a process that's just under way.
For now, Orakpo is still a bit outside his comfort zone. He occasionally played linebacker at Texas, but he focused so much on pass rushing because the Big 12 Conference is so pass-heavy. In college he practiced each day with the defensive linemen, but the Redskins have him working exclusively with the linebackers.
While Washington's defensive linemen worked on pass rushing techniques yesterday, Orakpo was on another field practicing intercepting passes and dropping back into pass coverage.
"We have to work him more at what he's uncomfortable with to make the uncomfortable become the comfortable," head coach Jim Zorn said.
Redskins linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti doesn't foresee problems with Orakpo's straddling both positions.
Orakpo's athleticism is a big reason for that. Though he is the tallest Redskin linebacker at 6-4, he still moves well and showed off his hands during yesterday's interceptions drill.
"It's all football technique," Olivadotti said. "When a linebacker blitzes, once it's a pass, it's very similar to a pass rush. The difference for him is what he's looking at. When you're a defensive lineman, your scope is a little bit narrower because you've got contact within half a step. Whereas at linebacker, sometimes you do and sometimes you don't."
Neither Orakpo nor his teammates are concerned that he's not practicing with the defensive ends.
Veteran Andre Carter said he and other ends are giving Orakpo tips when he lines up with them. Orakpo's collegiate experience at end helps, too.
"I'm sure his head is swimming," Carter said, "but when his hand is in the dirt, that's his M.O."
Like all rookies, Orakpo's main focus before the start of training camp on July 30 is mastering the playbook. Zorn believes that's the area in which Orakpo can make the biggest strides to ensure he's productive once the regular season starts.
Of course, he has twice the amount of studying to do.
"I don't want to be the weak link in the linebacking corps," Orakpo said, "so I'm trying to blossom as much as I can on the fly."
Notes:
Left tackle Mike Williams left yesterday's practice early after jamming his knee into the ground during a pileup. The injury is not considered serious.
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed practice to attend a hearing in Tennessee involving the two misdemeanor reckless driving charges he faces. They stem from a December crash that seriously injured a man. The case was continued to July 21, and Haynesworth is expected to practice today, Zorn said.
Rookie linebacker Cody Glenn missed practice because his flight back to Washington on Sunday was canceled. Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery's absence was excused, Zorn said.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
