Does Rob Jackson make Orakpo expendable?

[2006Skins]

Kerrigan doesn't fit at DE in the 3-4 scheme. No where near big enough.

No but on obvious passing situations (3rd and 10+) you could put those 3 on the field and that would be big trouble for the offense

[REEGSKINS]

this dude is really showing up.

[shakinaiken]

Kerrigan doesn't fit at DE in the 3-4 scheme. No where near big enough.

haha this was my suggestion... I'll take your word for it, but I'm not convinced Kerrigan's an effective outside linebacker. Just not explosive

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

He's really stepped up...wow

[MrJL]

One of the reasons I don't think the Skins could switch back to a 4-3 is lack of linebackers. Jackson has adapted well to the position in my opinion, though. I could see him, Fletcher and Riley as 3 backers in a 4-3.

[abdcskins]

He just keeps making plays.

[KDawg]

haha this was my suggestion... I'll take your word for it, but I'm not convinced Kerrigan's an effective outside linebacker. Just not explosive

He is when he isn't the biggest threat on the field. With Orakpo, Kerrigan is a different player. His production isn't coming in the form of incredible sack numbers. It's coming in assignment oriented football, contain and batted passes. Those are more important than a sack number. With Rak, the sack numbers will go up.

Jackson should start getting a little more attention now and Kerrigan might start coming free more often. Today he was unblocked a few times.

[DC9]

Yep, and imagine how effective all of our pass rushers will be next year when they'll be able to rotate and keep fresh late in the game. RJ + Rak + Kerrigan + fresh = big time pressure

Yeah, absolutely. RJack is less of a pure rusher though... he sets the edge better than anyone on the team, and obviously has the best ball skills of all of the OLB... though Kerrigan has impressed with his two TDs. But having three of them isn't bad either.

[darrelgreenie]

Jackson has a natural feel for pass coverage that has resulted in some big plays in coverage. I wish his production i.e. pressures and sacks weren't being limited by the rotation that often takes him off the field on pass rushing downs, Jackson's best skill is his pass rushing and he's not getting as many chances as he should.

[JoeSkins]

haha this was my suggestion... I'll take your word for it, but I'm not convinced Kerrigan's an effective outside linebacker. Just not explosive

I actually think he's a better NFL 3-4 OLB than he would be as a pure 4-3 DE. He's surprisingly excellent in space to complement his pass rushing skills. Remember that he's not being asked to do the same things as all of the sack-master 3-4 OLBs, so he'll never be that 15-sack guy. Back to Jackson, he's playing himself into more snaps, and that is a good "problem" for Has to have.

[Bacon]

He deserves the game ball from my perspective. Everything changed the moment he got that pick.

[moondog]

He is when he isn't the biggest threat on the field. With Orakpo, Kerrigan is a different player. His production isn't coming in the form of incredible sack numbers. It's coming in assignment oriented football, contain and batted passes. Those are more important than a sack number. With Rak, the sack numbers will go up.

Jackson should start getting a little more attention now and Kerrigan might start coming free more often. Today he was unblocked a few times.

Exactly. Ever since Orakpo went down, Kerrigan has been getting 110% of the offense's attention. I've been waiting and hoping someone, anyone would take advantage of the one on one's they receive due to the attention Kerrigan gets. Other players are now getting those good looks due to Kerrigan, the same way that Ryan got them last year due to Orakpo. Jackson has truly benefitted from that and is finally starting to take advantage of it. I love what Jackson is doing and how he has performed but it's funny to me that many on here are likely to start reverting to the "Orakpo is expendable" idea.

Kerrigan is an outstanding player and I love having him on our defense. But he certainly benefitted in a major way last year due to Orakpo. Now Jackson is benefitting from the attention that Kerrigan draws. So for anyone to think that Jackson is a better player or makes Orakpo expendable when he is the number one player that opposing offenses gameplan for or guy that we set the rest of our defense up around is just asinine. If Orakpo comes back healthy next year, he and Kerrigan will again be one of the best pass rushing duo's in the league and now we have another weapon in Jackson to bring in on pass rushing situations. But he is no where near the player that Orakpo is.

And you're absolutely right - as Jackson starts to make more plays and get more respect/attention, Kerrigan should again have more opportunities for one-on-one situations. He was unblocked several times today and also had several QB pressures where he was inches from a sack. He may still get to double digits on the year if he has a big couple games against Philly and Dallas and I would love to see it.

[dnpmakkah]

No need to get rid of Orakpo plus he gets pressure on the edge even if he doesn't get the sack.

[Forehead]

Another excellent Vinny draft pick....wait....I mean, one of the only excellent Vinny draft picks!

[-JB-]

Rob Jackson just makes plays!