Does Rob Jackson make Orakpo expendable?

[glongest]

I cannot say that is not been around, but I have watched the games and I have not seen him on sidelines. In terms of him being on IR, unless there is some NFL rule that prohibits it, to me as a leader on defense being on IR is not an excuse for not being there to support your team. Yes he might not be going to get as much camera attention as Ray Lewis, but I have to think if he is 5 yards out on the field cheering the defense coming off the field after a big 3rd down stop late in the game, the camera is going to find him. It may not be the way it is, but to the fans what you are left to believe is the attitude is I am hurt, I am taking a early vacation, see you next year. And as far as the comment about not seeing Roy Helu. Helu is far from being recognized as the leader that Rak is so there is no comparison between the two.

[gibbsfan2018]

I have seen Rak at a lot of the games. Not sure were you are going.

[CTskins]

http://prod.static.redskins.clubs.nf...son_Rob_TD.jpg


I know some may kill me for this, others (the minority) may agree. But thats besides the point... But, since last season, up until Sunday's game, I've been wrestling with the thought that if Jackson continues to play like he did this past week vs Cincy, does it make Orakpo expendable. Thus a candidate for a possible trade in the offseason..

From what i understand Orakpo is due to be a FA after the 2013 season. And even after a padestrian 2011 and a short, injury plagued 2012 season, he may still look for top dollar for his position... Look i love Orakpo (Hence the sig ), but IMO he has been a bit overrated as one 2 best players on defense. Actually, he's our 3rd best LB with obviously Fletch, being #1 and Kerrigan quickly shooting up to #2. After Rak's rookie season, which he had 11 sacks, most of us thought that he was on his way to being a star pass rusher, in the mode of Demarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs. Unfortunately, it appears that he has regressed since then, mostly due to having a small repertoire of moves, which he has claimed to have finally worked on this past offseason. But to be fair to him, who knows how his offseason work would have manifested on the field over the course of this season.

Nevertheless, my overall point is, if Rob Jackson (who has a small sample size of PT during the Reg Season) continues to play as he did as he did on Sunday or at other point in his career. Does it make a Orakpo expendable (i.e. explore trade options in the off season)? do we pay him top dollar after next season? Is it a big drop off in production between Rak and RJax?... what do you think?

Still no for me.

[Born In 93]

Could rob jackson move to Inside backer?

I mean he seems to be decent at getting off blocks and hes show good coverage skills. Why couldn't he just play inside backer when Orakpo comes back?

[Pick6]

I cannot say that is not been around, but I have watched the games and I have not seen him on sidelines. In terms of him being on IR, unless there is some NFL rule that prohibits it, to me as a leader on defense being on IR is not an excuse for not being there to support your team. Yes he might not be going to get as much camera attention as Ray Lewis, but I have to think if he is 5 yards out on the field cheering the defense coming off the field after a big 3rd down stop late in the game, the camera is going to find him. It may not be the way it is, but to the fans what you are left to believe is the attitude is I am hurt, I am taking a early vacation, see you next year. And as far as the comment about not seeing Roy Helu. Helu is far from being recognized as the leader that Rak is so there is no comparison between the two.

I have seen Orakpo on the sidelines. I don't think he travels with the team, but a lot of teams don't let IR guys travel. I wouldn't put his leadership into question, because a tv crew doesn't feature him.

[NIKKI8]

Orakpo is a very, very important piece to this defense and he is just what this team needs right now, a consistent pass rusher. I hope that he is 100% healthy next year and it is great to have Jackson as depth. I also want to add that it feels so great not to have to become an amature NFL draft expert this years like in years past. Usually by this time of the year most Redskins fans know all of the top draft prospects and have opinions on who the team should be looking at to draft. It feels great to be able to focus on winning football games now and worrying about the draft and free agency later.

[Alcoholic Zebra]

I don't like Rak at DE unless you're talking about it from a "PSYCHO" package look. I don't like him in a 4 tech at all. Three point stance out of a four is a lot different. Outside 5 tech to the open side is a different ballgame.

It could work if you have him stunt every play.

[mojo]

If Jackson continues on his current tear, a smart team is going to offer him a nice contract. Not crazy money, but more than we would be willing to pay a back up, especially due to our cap bind. I doubt he's on the team next year unfortunately.

[Rocky52Mc]

I cannot say that is not been around, but I have watched the games and I have not seen him on sidelines. In terms of him being on IR, unless there is some NFL rule that prohibits it, to me as a leader on defense being on IR is not an excuse for not being there to support your team. Yes he might not be going to get as much camera attention as Ray Lewis, but I have to think if he is 5 yards out on the field cheering the defense coming off the field after a big 3rd down stop late in the game, the camera is going to find him. It may not be the way it is, but to the fans what you are left to believe is the attitude is I am hurt, I am taking a early vacation, see you next year. And as far as the comment about not seeing Roy Helu. Helu is far from being recognized as the leader that Rak is so there is no comparison between the two.

Orakpo celebrates with RG3 practically after every TD dude lol

[SkinsFanMania]

Is there a way that we could use both Jackson and orakpo next season together?

[illone]

I think when Orakpo comes back the team will be able to use both guys on the field at the same time. Riley, Fletch, Jackson, Orakpo, and Kerrigan is a nice deep core of LBers that can rotate and gives you flexibility on 3rd down to bring in more pass rushers. Kind of like the nascar package that the Gmen like to run.

Who knows, though, definitely depends on the health of Orakpo and his ability to return from this injury. He definitely came back too soon last time, hoping this wont change him forever.

[SkinsFanMania]

NO WAY...Not a chance. A healthy Orakpo (and Carriker), and this defense would elevate to be a force...

They had a healthy Carriker and Orakpo last season and the defense was awful the final 8 games.

---------- Post added December-18th-2012 at 06:04 PM ----------

I think when Orakpo comes back the team will be able to use both guys on the field at the same time. Riley, Fletch, Jackson, Orakpo, and Kerrigan is a nice deep core of LBers that can rotate and gives you flexibility on 3rd down to bring in more pass rushers. Kind of like the nascar package that the Gmen like to run.

Who knows, though, definitely depends on the health of Orakpo and his ability to return from this injury. He definitely came back too soon last time, hoping this wont change him forever.

What exactly is the NASCAR package. Explain this using the giants as an example. Thanks.

[darrelgreenie]

Is there a way that we could use both Jackson and orakpo next season together?

Absolutely.
Getting them on the field together in known pass rushing situations is easy.
Finding how to get them on the field together in base personnel is question. But, its the type of question a DC should love to answer.

[Bang]

What are the options of playing Jackson inside? He seems to be decent at coverage and could blitz occasionally. It does create another stopgap, but I'm wondering if Jackson can become our first man off the bench at all 4 LB spots, kinda like we use Lorenzo, except limited to LBs? Or maybe he could replace Fletcher at that other starting spot.

I was thinking the same thing.. i don't know why it has to be an either/or prospect.
Fletcher is long in the tooth,, if Jackson can slide inside, it may be very fortuitous.

~Bang

[darrelgreenie]

What are the options of playing Jackson inside? He seems to be decent at coverage and could blitz occasionally. It does create another stopgap, but I'm wondering if Jackson can become our first man off the bench at all 4 LB spots, kinda like we use Lorenzo, except limited to LBs? Or maybe he could replace Fletcher at that other starting spot.

I think Jackson could play ILB on known pass rush situations but he wouldn't be actually playing ILB as much as he would be a roving rusher.

I think Jackson's skillset is more suited to pass rushing then to ILB and I would be surprised if he could make the transition to every down ILB.