*Prospect Day* O-Sack-PO

[digitaldean]

If we pick Jenkins, I will be having one less TV at home because I'll throw a brick through it. I still see visions of Jenkins getting beat vs. USC, no thanks!

Orakpo sure has a wide range of supporters and detractors. From the "can't miss" to "looks like Tarzan/plays like Jane" analogies.

I'd rather see Oher if it was between Oher and Orakpo at #9.

[wist43]

Jenkins looks way to stiff in his hips, is a little long legged, his backpedal doesn't appear to be very smooth, and his speed is marginal; add all that up, and you're looking at a safety.

I think Jenkins has a good chance of busting... don't even want him in the 2nd round.

Our primary "need" (TT's protestations notwithstanding) is OLB... Kampman is not an OLB, neither is Thompson. Poppinga has proven he's not a player, and if you have MM spouting off at the combine saying he thinks Bishop can rush the passer from the outside - well, you just have to wonder if they're hitting the bong a bit too much up there at 1265.

The Packer defense simply could not bring pressure last year, bottom line. I don't care how good your secondary is, they can't cover forever... the Packers have to acquire a player that can bring it hard off the edge, and provide a physical identity in the front seven. To me, the player that best fits that description is Orakpo.

[RashanGary]

Orakpo is the classic Jane.

Vernand Gholston II

[wist43]

Orakpo is the classic Jane.

Vernand Gholston II

Okay, check that link out from above, and break down why Orakpo isn't a player???

I didn't like Gholston coming out, thought Hawk would be average... don't see that with Orakpo. If Orakpo busts, it will b/c of health issues, not talent.

[RashanGary]

Orakpo tests well with his jumps and his 40 yard dash, but you see him one on one against college OT's and he cannot threaten the edge. Tackles immediately get their hands on him (even in his highlight reel). Upon getting their hands on him, he fights, sometimes getting to the QB eventually (again, in his highlight reel).

NFL OT's are going to stone him cold, knock him on his ass and remind him where he's playing from day 1. That guy cannot beat an NFL OT (neither in the run nor the pass) and that is what his primary duty is going to be.

Just say no to Jane Orakpo.

[RashanGary]

I never saw those plays. About a month or two ago I watched the highlights on youtube of these guys and never saw that one.

He did a good job, several times getting to the edge, as well as working inside.



I'll backtrack here. He looked good in those plays. I saw some crappy highlight reels when I looked, where OT's were getting their hands all over him and he had a hard time fighting through. Speed isn't everything, but if you're not a superstar with functional leverage and power (Orakpo isn't), you better be explosive up field so your opponent is constantly off balance. I didn't see that before. I saw it in that video so I'll backtrack. He might be for real. He looked strong and explosive in that video. If can handle the easy coverage responsiblities of 3-4 OLB's, he could be a hell of a player.

[PlantPage55]

Do you guys have any realistic reason to hope Orakpo--or Curry or Brown or Maybin or any of the rest of them--would have substantially better odds of being a large improvement? I doubt it.

Honestly, if you're thinking this way about our pass rushing LBs, then you obviously don't want us to draft ANY position.

If you think that we can't improve much on Jeremy Thompson, of all players, with a top 10 pick in the draft, then you obviously don't want us to draft anyone. Our entire team must have the talent you're looking for, because OLB is certainly one of our needs. (OLB, DE, OT)

Yes, Jeremy Thompson could develop into something great, but as it stands the position is a weak one.

[texaspackerbacker]

Do you guys have any realistic reason to hope Orakpo--or Curry or Brown or Maybin or any of the rest of them--would have substantially better odds of being a large improvement? I doubt it.

Honestly, if you're thinking this way about our pass rushing LBs, then you obviously don't want us to draft ANY position.

If you think that we can't improve much on Jeremy Thompson, of all players, with a top 10 pick in the draft, then you obviously don't want us to draft anyone. Our entire team must have the talent you're looking for, because OLB is certainly one of our needs. (OLB, DE, OT)

Yes, Jeremy Thompson could develop into something great, but as it stands the position is a weak one.

All I'm saying is that those 3-4 OLBs mentioned are just as likely, probably more, to be like Jamal Reynolds as to be like Lawrence Taylor. You can pretty much say the same for Thompson or Hunter. I'd give Kampman better odds. Do you really want to dispute that?

I also said that there is a much better percentage of success for high drafted OTs and Corners than for pass rushers. Do you really want to dispute that?

The other thing I said is that we have a more immediate need for an OT than for an OLB. That is slightly more open to dispute by people who don't have much respect for the 3-4 OLBs that we have. Just the same, I'd go with an OT.

[SnakeLH2006]

Rapture is a-coming baby.

This may violate PackerRats TOS , but as I never thought anyone (even Snake) could agree with JH and Partial in the same post...but here it is.

Orry might turn out well..but tweeners normally don't do so well in the NFL. He may be a beast, but hey..why take a chance..get the OT or DT we need?

Either way, Partial is on the Bishop bandwagon...although as Wist said if TT thinks he can pass rush with his 4.82 speed..TT must be hitting some bongs, but hey, that kid WILL be a run-stuffing beast-type player at ILB, and this year.

Quote it. I support both their takes.