Packers watching orakpo closely

[texaspackerbacker]

So....what are the chances that Brian Orakpo will be available when the Packers pick?

Probably better than a lot of people think, as Orakpo isn't as good as a lot of people seem to think.

Hopefully, Thompson isn't even tempted to go in that direction--not for Orakpo, not even for the position he plays.

[Lurker64]

I think, quite probably, Thompson has Maybin higher on his board than Orakpo.

[Joemailman]

The fact that Maybin was below 230 in January before beefing up makes me a little nervous. Can he keep the weight on? Does he have the frame to support the extra weight? We don't need another Jamal (Too Small) Reynolds. I'd feel better with Everette Brown or Orakpo, or hope to get Sintim in round 2.

[bobblehead]

The fact that Maybin was below 230 in January before beefing up makes me a little nervous. Can he keep the weight on? Does he have the frame to support the extra weight? We don't need another Jamal (Too Small) Reynolds. I'd feel better with Everette Brown or Orakpo, or hope to get Sintim in round 2.

Depends...did he use Anavar or Nandrolone?? Guys that use anavar tend to keep the gains much better.

[Lurker64]

The fact that Maybin was below 230 in January before beefing up makes me a little nervous. Can he keep the weight on? Does he have the frame to support the extra weight? We don't need another Jamal (Too Small) Reynolds. I'd feel better with Everette Brown or Orakpo, or hope to get Sintim in round 2.

I think the fact that when Maybin gained a bunch of weight, he actually got faster and improved both his vert and his broad point to the fact the probably just didn't have a very good training regimen or diet beforehand. With some professional advice and a full time training regimen, he's bigger, faster, and stronger. Maybin is in every way a better prospect than Brown immediately, and almost certainly better than Orakpo longterm.

There were never any concerns about his frame, since one of his biggest assets was that he had an amazing frame (tall, great wingspan) etc. The concern was that whether he would retain his speed and quickness when he grows into that frame, and the fact that he gained weight and got faster at the same time points to the fact that he can, in fact, do so.

[Partial]

How is he better than Orakpo? Orakpo was way more productive, and is strong as an ox. No weight concerns with Orakpo. Maybin... maybe.

Top 10 is too high. He's a good athlete so 25-30 I'd consider taking him. I haven't seen him play a lot, but I'm just not feelin' it.

[Waldo]

How is he better than Orakpo? Orakpo was way more productive, and is strong as an ox. No weight concerns with Orakpo. Maybin... maybe.

Top 10 is too high. He's a good athlete so 25-30 I'd consider taking him. I haven't seen him play a lot, but I'm just not feelin' it.

Do you think before you write?

2008:
Maybin - 49 tackles, 30 solo, 12 Sacks, 20 TFL's, 3FF's, 3 PD's
Orakpo - 40 tackles, 32 solo, 12 Sacks, 17.5 TFL's, 4 FF's, 2 PD's

Way more productive.

Orakpo is just as injury prone as Harrell. Heck he even got hurt running at the combine.

[Bretsky]

So....what are the chances that Brian Orakpo will be available when the Packers pick?

\

I'd say 50-50 at best; and I'd be glad to have him if he was there

[Partial]

How is he better than Orakpo? Orakpo was way more productive, and is strong as an ox. No weight concerns with Orakpo. Maybin... maybe.

Top 10 is too high. He's a good athlete so 25-30 I'd consider taking him. I haven't seen him play a lot, but I'm just not feelin' it.

Do you think before you write?

2008:
Maybin - 49 tackles, 30 solo, 12 Sacks, 20 TFL's, 3FF's, 3 PD's
Orakpo - 40 tackles, 32 solo, 12 Sacks, 17.5 TFL's, 4 FF's, 2 PD's

Way more productive.

Orakpo is just as injury prone as Harrell. Heck he even got hurt running at the combine.

I didn't know of the injury history, but Maybin is a one year starter, correct? It's my understanding that Orakpo has had 4 years with significant playing time and great success, including DFOY.

TT really loved Hawk. Orakpo is the same type of 4 year player, workout warrior, etc.

[Joemailman]

Orakpo missed 4 games in 2007 due to a right knee injury. He missed 1.5 games in 2008 due to a knee sprain. Not sure if it was the same knee.

[Lurker64]

I didn't know of the injury history, but Maybin is a one year starter, correct? It's my understanding that Orakpo has had 4 years with significant playing time and great success, including DFOY.

TT really loved Hawk. Orakpo is the same type of 4 year player, workout warrior, etc.

Honestly, given your love of ridiculous athletes (c.f. Vince Young), I'm surprised you're not higher on Maybin. The kid has some sick athleticism and is just coming into his physical prime (he'll be 21 in April). Assuming he's clean of the juice (which is plausible, considering how young he is, and considering that what he recently just bulked up to is about the high range of his playing weight this season.) His ceiling is a mile high, he could easily be Terrell Suggs or better.

As per Orakpo's injury history, he missed playing time in 2008 due to a knee injury, he missed four games in 2007 due to a knee injury, and he missed 1/3 of his senior season in high school due to... you guessed it, a knee injury! He also got hurt at the combine. You worry about how much he'll actually see the field. He's a team leader, high effort, high character guy with all the physical tools in the world... but so was Harrell.

I've had enough high character, high effort, team leader guys with all the physical tools in the world but with a troubling injury history. It would be nice to get a guy who's a sick athlete with a mile high ceiling, even though he might not be quite as safe of a pick.

[Partial]

I really don't see where Maybin is the better athlete than Orakpo. I would like you to show me some evidence of this, as I have not done the research. I could get behind that, ala Bill Shattner.

[Bretsky]

I have a sick feeling we're getting the OT with character/work ethic concerns anyways.

[Lurker64]

I really don't see where Maybin is the better athlete than Orakpo. I would like you to show me some evidence of this, as I have not done the research. I could get behind that, ala Bill Shattner.

Full Comparison of their measurables:

40 yard dash.
Orakpo: 4.70
Mayin: 4.59

10 yard split:
Orakpo: 1.58"
Maybin 1.55"

Vert:
Orakpo: 39.5"
Maybin: 40.5"

Broad:
Orakpo: 10'-10"
Maybin: 10'-10"

Arm Length:
Maybin: 35 3/4"
Orakpo: 35"

Short Shuttle:
Orakpo: 4.45
Maybin: 4.38

3-Cone
Orakpo: 7.26
Maybin: 7.52

Bench:
Orakpo: 31
Maybin: 22

Height:
Orakpo: 6'3"
Maybin: 6'4"

Weight:
Orakpo: 263
Maybin: 252

Now take into account that Orakpo is 22, and Maybin is 20. Orakpo is close to maxed out, Maybin is far, far from it. Either would be reasonable picks, but Maybin has a higher ceiling and no troubling injury history. Maybin also has a much better first step.

[Partial]

Maybin ran a 4.9ish at the combine I thought.

Otherwise, they look about even, but it does look to me that Orakpo is better laterally judging from the 3 cone drill, which will help him in coverage.