Inexplicable: Brian Orakpo dropped into coverage on 14 of Matt Moore's 29 passes

[SkinsTillIDie]

Brian Orakpo, dropping into coverage on passing plays (by my count):

12:14 in 1st, 3rd and 8 (1st down converted)
11:30 in 1st, 1st and 10
10:02 in 1st, 3rd and 2 (1st down converted)
9:19 in 1st, 1st and goal at 5
4:01 in 1st, 2nd and 27
:09 in 1st, 2nd and 7
13:45 in 2nd, 1st and 10
13:40 in 2nd, 2nd and 10 (1st down converted)
14:18 in 3rd, 2nd and 7
7:46 in 3rd, 2nd and 9
6:56 in 3rd, 3rd and 4 (1st down completed)
2:36 in 3rd, 2nd and 5
10:48, 2nd and 12
7:29, 2nd and 8 (1st down completed)

On numerous other run plays, Orakpo seemed set to drop into coverage until a run was evident.

It is inexcusable to not have our best pass rusher do what we pay him to do on at least 85-90% of passes. Far too often against Miami, we ended up rushing 4, with Kerrigan, Cofield, Bowen and Carriker. Quite simply, both Orakpo and Kerrigan need to be rushing the passer on every pass, with the occasional switch to give the QB different looks. Whether that means we play more often with a 4-man front or we rush 5 on more occasions, Jim Haslett needs to do a much better job maximizing the talent at his disposal. 50% is inexcusable, and a waste.

(It should also be noted that on the interception, Orakpo rushes up the middle, is occupied by the center and guard which allows Cofield to get in Moore's face to disrupt the pass)

When Haslett took over, he made a note that Orakpo only rushed the passer 400 times under Blatche and that he wanted to get him after the QB 800 times. It would be nice to actually see that transpire.

[STBonecrusher21]

I get where your coming from, but Rak was going up against Jake Long all day long. I think even Reggie White would have trouble getting by that dude.

[Hitman21ST]

That's the joy of having two very good/elite pass rushers. You get to mix it up. I agree that that is a little high, but it's not a necessity that they both rush 85-90% of the time. You try to confuse the O. If the O is keying on Orakpo, you might drop him a little more often and rush from the other side. If they're keying Kerrigan, then you rush Orakpo. You can't just pin the ears back on both of them every play.

[steve09ru]

I get where your coming from, but Rak was going up against Jake Long all day long. I think even Reggie White would have trouble getting by that dude.

Agreed and I think that's why we saw Riley, along with others, blitzing through the right side (opposite) of Jake.

I thought they drew up some nice blitzes and Riley looked pretty good and quick at getting through and disguising that.

Also, they tried switching Orakpo over to same side as Kerrigan and Miami had to call a time-out. Not sure why we didn't attempt that a couple more times but they were planning the scheme away from Jake Long

[Sticksboi05]

I get where your coming from, but Rak was going up against Jake Long all day long. I think even Reggie White would have trouble getting by that dude.

Didn't know he was Willie Roaf already...but he's very good, indeed. Sucks for us.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

What's he going to do? Get a sack on Jake Long?

Of course not.

[SkinsTillIDie]

I get where your coming from, but Rak was going up against Jake Long all day long. I think even Reggie White would have trouble getting by that dude.

So we just shouldn't rush anyone to Jake Long's side? I don't understand your point.

*I should also add that Orakpo had a number of really good rushes against Long. He didn't get to the QB, but he pushed the pocket at times, and at other times he wouldn't let Moore drop back any further. On a few more plays, he was just another second of half-second from hitting the QB. I wonder what his numbers would've looked like if he rushed 24 times instead of 14

That's the joy of having two very good/elite pass rushers. You get to mix it up. I agree that that is a little high, but it's not a necessity that they both rush 85-90% of the time. You try to confuse the O. If the O is keying on Orakpo, you might drop him a little more often and rush from the other side. If they're keying Kerrigan, then you rush Orakpo. You can't just pin the ears back on both of them every play.

I look at it like this: by far the greatest strength of our defense is that we have two burgeoning elite pass rushers. When they don't rush the passer, we're letting offenses off the hook; we're inherently weakening ourselves. I believe in the 3-4 defense, its versatility and what it allows us to do creatively -- in terms of blitzes and in terms of coverages -- but it doesn't make sense for the Ravens to drop Suggs into coverage 50% of the time, or the Cowboys to drop Ware into coverage 50% of the time, and I can't see the benefit of dropping Orakpo into coverage 50% of the time. Or even 30%.

If we were still running a 4-3, I'm pretty certain that Orakpo and Kerrigan would both be rushing the passer on just about every single passing down... That's not to say we should move back to the 4-3, but we need to put our best players in the best opportunity for them to make plays.

[sportjunkie07]

id have to admit that i didnt really notice, but that's probably cuz i was in an apethetic haze by halftime. i dont think this has been happening all year, correct?

i guess haslett is attempting to adjust his scheme by creating versatily and confusing the offense. i dont think he should. orakpo looks foolish most of the time in coverage and i think he should be rushing the QB nearly every down. it's really a waste if he doesn't. im sure schemes can be focused on that allow other players the pass coverage duty while rak rushes.

[C26 Run]

I totally agree with the overall sentiment. Pass coverage seems to be a huge problem for many of our LBs. Both Kerrigan and Orakpo are at their best when rushing the QB. Now I know both need to be able to cover but they both struggle so terribly that it's hard to watch. Once again coaching rears its ugly head. Orakpo should be averaging multiple sacks per game in his young career. He should be rushing from all sides and at various times.

[The Rook]

It seems that this is a good year for Brian to get some experience in coverage.

Maybe we can use him as Long Snapper also.







The Rook

[STBonecrusher21]

So we just shouldn't rush anyone to Jake Long's side? I don't understand your point.

I'm saying that they should try to pick and choose their spots in which they decide to let Rak rush, which is what it seemed they tried to do. I'm sure Long had the mindset of going against Rak all day since he's our best edge rusher. So with Long keying on Rak, you can drop him into coverage and try to sneak a blitz to the inside. Just keeping them guessing.

[moondog]

I agree and I also like when Orakpo lines up next to Kerrigan. I've seen them do it a couple times this year - not sure it's produced a sack but have definitely put some serious pressure on the other team's QB's about every time they've done it that I've seen.

[Renegade7]

Not having a FS is hurting this team in terms of being able to send both Rak and Kerrigan right now. I noticed him in coverage a lot, too, and I felt he did fine for all the haters out there. : )

[authentic]

14 out of 29 is alot, but i'm sure this won't happen too many times in the future. I wouldn't be too alarmed.

[NLC1054]

Rak did fine in coverage on all but one play; the play over the middle, where he rotated to the middle linebacker spot and Matt Moore floated the ball over his head to Brandon Marshall. As someone said, you have to do a good job of keeping offenses guessing. I think you'll find that the Ravens actually DO have Suggs drop back into coverage regularly. Not more than he rushes, but he does do it. That's how he got his pick in the Ravens game. And anyone else remember Suggs covering Santana frakking Moss like it was nothing in preseason?

It's not his strong suit, and I don't like the idea of putting him out there in space too often, but you can't just have him rush all the time. Eventually teams are just going to out formation you on offense and go with something like a two tight end, I-formation package that would pretty much destroy his rushing ability.