Peppers signs with the Bears (updated - again)

[MTK]

Is Orakpo at LB really a bad idea? I thought he made a pretty good transition and should only be better in year 2, and he's definitely a better fit for LB in the 3-4.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Is Orakpo at LB really a bad idea? I thought he made a pretty good transition and should only be better in year 2, and he's definitely a better fit for LB in the 3-4.

Orakpo is much better with his hand in the dirt than in a 2 point. When you're getting beat by Witten it's one thing, Jeff King is another. He will be better as a 3-4 OLB than in a 4-3 (easier to expose him in coverage in a 4-3), but he's most effective as a true RDE.

Don't get me wrong, Orakpo will do well at LB or DE, I'm just for maximizing the potential of each player.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Orakpo is much better with his hand in the dirt than in a 2 point. When you're getting beat by Witten it's one thing, Jeff King is another. He will be better as a 3-4 OLB than in a 4-3 (easier to expose him in coverage in a 4-3), but he's most effective as a true RDE.

Don't get me wrong, Orakpo will do well at LB or DE, I'm just for maximizing the potential of each player.

I agree that he is better on the end. But what if that means you have to take Andre Carter off a lot to do it and HB Blades is covering the tight ends?

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

I agree that he is better on the end. But what if that means you have to take Andre Carter off a lot to do it and HB Blades is covering the tight ends?

In a 4-3, AC & Jarmon can rotate at LDE. We still need LB help in a 4-3 or 3-4, just in a 3-4, you need more LB help. If we go to a 3-4 base we're going to need to retool the DL, why do this when we need to retool the OL, QB & RB? Change for the sake of change is usually not a good thing.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

In a 4-3, AC & Jarmon can rotate at LDE. We still need LB help in a 4-3 or 3-4, just in a 3-4, you need more LB help. If we go to a 3-4 base we're going to need to retool the DL, why do this when we need to retool the OL, QB & RB? Change for the sake of change is usually not a good thing.

Well put. I couldn't agree more. However, reality seems to be different. I think we (at least I) need to learn to live with the transition, whether we agree with it or not.

[MTK]

I'm still trying to figure out why Haynesworth at NT is a bad idea. It's not like he would be locked in at NT full time either, I'm sure he would work in at DE as well.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I'm still trying to figure out why Haynesworth at NT is a bad idea. It's not like he would be locked in at NT full time either, I'm sure he would work in at DE as well.

I guess the thought is that he will be unhappy with it. The guy is getting $32 million over 14 months. He should be willing to play some nose tackle...

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

I guess the thought is that he will be unhappy with it. The guy is getting $32 million over 14 months. He should be willing to play some nose tackle...

Since he hasn't come out and said anything about it yet, I'm going to assume it's not a big issue.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Since he hasn't come out and said anything about it yet, I'm going to assume it's not a big issue.

Haynesworth has never been afraid to voice his opinion. I am sure he would answer that question if asked.

I think Haynesworth's criticism of Blache had more to do with the losing than him just being a bad apple. I don't think he would have said anything if they had been winning. I understand a player being upset if a player feels they are being misused and could make more of an impact if used differently.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Pocket$ $traight

I guess the thought is that he will be unhappy with it. The guy is getting $32 million over 14 months. He should be willing to play some nose tackle...

That was my feeling as well. He's certainly the best player on our roster to play NT, but I don't see him really giving it his all. the potential for having two older "100 million dollar players" in our front 7 not giving their all cant bode well for us. And to be honest, for the money we're paying him, i'd rather him do more than just eat up blockers. right or wrong, i think we'd get more production out of Hanesworth at DE.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

That was my feeling as well. He's certainly the best player on our roster to play NT, but I don't see him really giving it his all. the potential for having two older "100 million dollar players" in our front 7 not giving their all cant bode well for us. And to be honest, for the money we're paying him, i'd rather him do more than just eat up blockers. right or wrong, i think we'd get more production out of Hanesworth at DE.

I completely agree.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I'm still trying to figure out why Haynesworth at NT is a bad idea. It's not like he would be locked in at NT full time either, I'm sure he would work in at DE as well.

He's not built as a 3-4 NT. He doesn't have that low center of gravity like a Wilfork, Hampton, Jamal Williams, etc. It will be easier for opposing Gs to get into his hips and thighs. AH is a 1 tech DT, yes he gets doubled, but he knows where it's coming from. A 3-4 NT has to play basically a 2 gap technique and just swallow up blockers for the LBs. AH will not be happy (motivated) or effective in that role. As a 3-4 DE he'll know where the double is coming from and he'll have more of a chance to make plays on his own.

Orakpo at RDE and AH at the 1 is as good as it gets in the NFL for a right side of the DL. It ain't broke, why fix it. I keep hearing about how successful the 3-4 has been, the Eagles and Giants have done some pretty good things over the last few years with their attacking 4-3. Looking at the top D rankings over the last 3 years, there's a mix of teams running 3-4 vs. 4-3.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Orakpo at RDE and AH at the 1 is as good as it gets in the NFL for a right side of the DL. It ain't broke, why fix it. I keep hearing about how successful the 3-4 has been, the Eagles and Giants have done some pretty good things over the last few years with their attacking 4-3. Looking at the top D rankings over the last 3 years, there's a mix of teams running 3-4 vs. 4-3.

Orakpo as an 3-4 OLB will basically be a 4-3 RDE 80-90% of the time. DeMarcus Ware is listed as an OLB but he usually rushes the QB.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SirClintonPortis

Orakpo as an 3-4 OLB will basically be a 4-3 RDE 80-90% of the time. DeMarcus Ware is listed as an OLB but he usually rushes the QB.

All I'm saying with Orakpo is that he's better at his true position, RDE. Make no mistake though, Ware and Orakpo are very different. Ware is quicker and faster. Orakpo is stronger. In a 3-4, the opposing O can scheme to put Orakpo in coverage in certain situations, he's more of a liability in space than Ware would be. As a 4-3 RDE, he won't be in that situation. By the same token, I don't want a 250 lb. Ware with his hand on the ground trying to stop the run against 300+ lb Tackles.

But as Lotus mentioned, we need to get used to the 3-4 cause it certainly appears to be coming whether we like it or not and Orakpo will be at OLB.

[johno]

Report: Redskins want Peppers | ProFootballTalk.com

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