NFL.com - Dialing up the Pressure (Orakpo in Group C)

[Champskins]

Vets still rank as top pass rushers but young faces closing gap

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com

Group A

Group B

Group C

Elvis Dumervil (http://www.nfl.com/players/elvisdumervil/profile?id=DUM179959), 4-3 DE, Broncos (>): Even though he missed 2010 with an injury, he was not forgotten. From 2007-09, he had 34.5 sacks with some coming as an end in a 4-3 and the rest as an OLB in the 3-4. He should get back to double-digit sacks in 2011.
Clay Matthews (http://www.nfl.com/players/claymatthews/profile?id=MAT538690), 3-4 OLB, Packers (^): What can you say about a player who walked on in college, didn't start until his senior year and has 23.5 sacks in just two NFL seasons. He has a great dip and rip move, can be schemed up in many ways in Dom Capers' defense and could be on track for DeMarcus Ware-type numbers.
Robert Mathis (http://www.nfl.com/players/robertmathis/profile?id=MAT227229), 4-3 DE, Colts (>): The "other" pass rusher in Indy might be undersized, but he has 32 sacks since 2008.
Brian Orakpo (http://www.nfl.com/players/brianorakpo/profile?id=ORA355963), 3-4 OLB, Redskins (^): Like Matthews, Orakpo only has two years under his belt. However, Orakpo has already been in two different defensive schemes and keeps producing (19.5 sacks).
Osi Umenyiora (http://www.nfl.com/players/osiumenyiora/profile?id=UME444955), 4-3 DE, Giants (>): A bit underrated and has a low profile. He does his talking on the field with 31.5 sacks over the past three seasons. He had a league-leading 10 forced fumbles in 2010.


Group D

Group E


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82052b9f/article/vets-still-rank-as-top-pass-rushers-but-young-faces-closing-gap?module=HP_cp2

He, and Kerrigan will be in Group A eventually with more time together and seasons under their belt!

[jflow78]

I would've probably switched Julius Peppers (group A) and Trent Cole (group B) (since Cole was a LOT more consistent last season and Peppers had 3 sacks against one team, Miami, and couldn't get more than 1 against anyone else) and I definitely would have put Matthews in group A.

I really don't care what people think about our guys at this point, I just want Orakpo and Kerrigan to terrify OCs and QBs.

[Audible_Red40]

I would've probably switched Julius Peppers (group A) and Trent Cole (group B) (since Cole was a LOT more consistent last season and Peppers had 3 sacks against one team, Miami, and couldn't get more than 1 against anyone else) and I definitely would have put Matthews in group A.

I really don't care what people think about our guys at this point, I just want Orakpo and Kerrigan to terrify OCs and QBs.

I think Cole deserves group "b", because he is NOT consistant. My buddy who is a huge fan of his and the Iggles, states this all the time. 1 sack in his last 6 games including playoffs. ZERO sacks against divisional opponents. Cole is good, not great.

[Laxpunk2006]

Peppers gets less help than Cole. Philly has some pretty good DT's. Chicago has..... Peppers.

[jflow78]

I can see both your points, but I still say Peppers is second tier. It's not as if the Bears have NO other pass rushers, and he still didn't perform very well last season.

What about Matthews?

[SkinsTribeVA]

I don't know about Julius Peppers being Group A, and I think Clay and Suh should both be bumped up a level. Clay is an absolute terror in every aspect of his game, and his performance this past season was central to the Packers' SB run. Suh just had easily one of the best rookie DT performances in league history.

[The Full Monty]

Orakpo will join the elite ranks soon - but I'm curious - has he sacked a divisional QB yet? I remember that thread heading into last year and I don't think his sacks this year were against divisional QBs but I'm not sure.

[jflow78]

Orakpo will join the elite ranks soon - but I'm curious - has he sacked a divisional QB yet? I remember that thread heading into last year and I don't think his sacks this year were against divisional QBs but I'm not sure.

That's a good point. In his two years, he's had 0.5 sacks against the Eagles, that's it for divisional opponents. Maybe part of the reason pass rushers seem to have a harder time against divisional opponents is because they prepare for them twice a season and know who needs to be dealt with and how. I don't know, but that's an interesting stat.

Even Peppers, in all his games last season (playoffs included) had only 2 divisional sacks and they came in his two games against the Lions, one sack per game.

[RandyHolt]

He is in high company and he is the best we have. But I wonder if Rack likes the move to LB. Sure in public he will say he loves moving postions, loves the 3-4 scheme, and changing DC's but I wonder. He presumably had to slim down (like Kerrigan is), yet was never in pass coverage. Hand in the dirt often in our 4-3 looks (since our 3-4 looks sucked horribly), he was lighter than he had ever been hand in the dirt, and I didnt really see much positive there.

I think he could stand to gain from a little more imagination in our rush looks. We still rarely stunt. We showed a new "exotic" blitz look in maybe game 11, but then never went back to it. I would also like to see him slashing at the QB to try and force fumbles.