Niners Nation Scouting Report: Brian Orakpo, OLB Texas
by David Fucillo on Apr 18, 2009 9:00 AM PDT
in NFL Draft
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As we've rolled through this offseason, much draft discussion has centered on the need for a legit pass rushing outside linebacker. In the 3-4 defense, you want your OLBs bringing the heat of pass rush.
At the present time, Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson are the two starters outside. Haralson is developing into a very solid pass rusher and was rewarded accordingly with a contract extension. Manny Lawson has not developed as a pass rusher, but rather more of a coverage and run support type of guy. He's seen his development stunted by injuries, so we're not quite sure what we've got with him. He says he's bulked up a bit this offseason in hopes of developing his pass rushing game. Whether that proves effective remains to be seen.
Although Haralson has been extended, many folks still see an outside linebacker as a distinct possibility with the #10 pick. At this point I don't know what to expect, but depending on who is available at 10, I could see numerous positions being filled. Brian Orakpo could be just one of those guys and the discussion about him has certainly been detailed.
Orakpo is intriguing option at #10. It seems unlikely he'll be there, but crazy things could go down with the first nine picks. Barrows did a mock draft with some other writers and Orakpo landed in his lap. Also, Todd McShay's latest mock draft has Orakpo going to the 49ers. They're just mocks, but they are still certainly possibilities.
Physical Strength
As many report, the man is just a chiseled monster. As the video after the jump shows, he can lift a bunch of chains (clearly an important trait in football!). The key thing is that he brings some serious strength to the position. However, in reading over the ESPN scouting report, I noticed something a bit alarming:
Stronger in the upper body than he is in the lower body. Explosive upper-body power. Can bench press 500-plus pounds and notched 31 reps (standard 225lbs) at the combine. Lacks ideal lower-body strength, though. Struggles to anchor at times versus bigger OL that can get into his body.
If the 49ers are able to develop a legit defensive end to go alongside Justin Smith, will that make up the difference for a guy like Orakpo? In the 3-4, you're hoping for your defensive ends to occupy the offensive linemen. If the 49ers can develop that, then maybe that weakness can be countered? Any other thoughts on that?
Along with that are some questions about his durability. He's recovered well but he's dealt with various nagging injuries (strains in both knees during college career and hamstring strain at Combine). If he's going to be an every down linebacker (which one would expect from a first round pick), it'd be nice if he could stay healthy.
However, given the 49ers current outside linebacker situation, it's entirely possible they could work around that. If they drafted Brian Orakpo (and this could be applied to someone like Everette Brown as well), they wouldn't be looking at an every down linebacker initially. Rather, they would have a 3-person rotation depending on the situation. It's a lot of money to spend on a platoon, but maybe it's worth considering.
I think it comes down to how people think the OLB situation would play out, whether the draft pick is Orakpo, Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown. How do you get playing time for the draft choice along side Lawson and Haralson?
Sportscenter coverage of Orakpo
Various highlights of Orakpo
Resources
ESPN Scouting Report
WalterFootball.com
FFToolBox.com
Rivals.com
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Monsters Upon Monsters
We can never ever have enough great pass rushers, and we’ve been lacking a great one for a long long time. The Giants have waves of them when their defense is healthy. So I think 10 should be spent on THE BEST pas rusher still available, regardless of how Lawson (who has had a lot of injuries since we drafted him, as has Harrelson) plays out. Next issue we need to deal with is a great safety. I thought we could have handled that nicely in free agency but other teams pulled the trigger and we didn’t. But again, you need more than just two guys back there with the inevitable amount of injuries in the league.
In my view, we have an okay O-line right now. And if Scotty Mac thought we needed more help there, then trading 10 straight up for Peters would have made a lot of sense. And I think Clayton plus a later round RB can help out Gore. If we pick a RB too high in the draft the competition might become too edgy - competitor for top dog - rather than someone who knows he’s there to spell Frank x times a game.
So in my mind, our priority needs are 1) PR, 2) safety (Goldson again, lots of injuries, too many to rely in him, and Reggie is a complete unknown as a safety) 3) RB or another OL if someone alluring is there 4) Steven McGee as our QB of the future or maybe Dean Butler of Penn if he’s there. . . .I also thought that inside DL might also be a need pick, but Franklin came on after Singletary became HC, and we have to give Balmer a chance to be what we hoped he would be. . . .
So that’s my take. . . . bottom line, yes, go for the best monster pass rusher available. We might even find one trading down to later in the 1st round if we can, like Matthews. Or Cody Brown. But draft us a MONSTER first so we can go after the opposing QB in waves. That will take the pressure off of the safeties and CBs and FINALLY give us a chance at stopping somebody on 3rd down. Of all the frustrations I have felt as a 49er fan these last many years, that’s the one that gets me the most, by far. If it’s 3rd and 10 we have to get the pressure on more consistently, and do it in a way that doesn’t expose so many other areas of the field.
Comments?
Are we really okay at O-line?
I really like your thinking with regards to the pass rush. We need one and we simply haven’t had one. Not even close, really. I think it makes sense to use at least one pick in the first two rounds addressing this need. You can’t have too many guys who can effectively rush the passer. It helps the secondary and the whole defense, just like you said.
Where I differ with your conclusions is the O-Line. It seems like we’re a Marvel Smith injury away from being right back in the same bad situation we were last year. Smith has an injury history. Simms isn’t a particularly good backup at OT. Snyder’s not really an OT, either.
By drafting an OT prospect you can get value b/c if they don’t work out or if there are other better options on the roster (i.e. Staley and Smith at OT, new guy is third wheel at first) you can put the guy in at OG. This is why I think the Niners need to spend a first or second round pick on an OT. I think Andre Smith would be a guy who could play any position on the line other than C and be effective. When Smith’s deal is up in 2 years he could simply move to OT, whichever side makes more sense. Whatever direction we and the draft go I think you simply have to add depth at OT.
I don’t really understand the whole “right tackles can’t be picked in the first part of the first round” argument, not that you said it. Others have, though. Why? This is a contrived “rule” that makes little to no sense, IMO. You draft according to how you can make your team better. That’s the whole point, right?
RE: Are we really okay at O-line?
For the most part, yes. For that other least part, it’s nothing one or two mid to late round picks can’t fix.
I don’t really understand the whole "right tackles can’t be picked in the first part of the first round" argument, not that you said it. Others have, though. Why?
I’ll explain it to you and I’ll try to do it slowly so you can follow along. A…lot…more…collegiate…offensive…tackles…have…the…ability…to…play…RT…while…few…of…them…have…the..ability…to…play…LT…in…the…NFL. Do you understand now? Failed LT prospects play RT and a quality RT can be drafted well outside of the first round. Those are reasons why some people, including myself, do not believe that a future RT should be drafted at #10.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Orakpo is a good prospect at 10, but I'd rather have Maybin (or Brown) at 17
The only reason I say this is because Mike Lombardi thinks it’s going to happen (check nationalfootballpost.com for Lombardi’s Mock Draft).
I’m not a fan of the ‘motor questions’ since people had the same questions about Vernon Gholston, and I’m worried about the injury thing. If you watch his footage from the Combine, he also looks a bit stiff in the linebacker drills. I’d much rather have ManLaw in coverage than this guy, despite the obvious pass-rush skills he brings to the table.
Given that the Niners started this past season with Haralson and Roderick Green as their DEs in their Nickel and Dime packages, this is certainly a need area. In fact, regardless of who they draft at OLB/DE, I think that’s where will end up at least initially.
Maybin would fit into that role immediately because of his elite burst off the line. I think he can be coached into possessing the coverage skills that Lawson displays. Likewise, Brown has that outstanding spin move and impressive pass-rush skills overall, and, like I say, since Nickel/Dime DE is where these guys will all start initially, I think the team would be better trading back and looking at one of those guys. Both McShay and Kiper think Maybin has better potential than this guy—McShay even said he wouldn’t hesitate to take him at #10.
As for the Sportcenter Profile of Orakpo listed above, it makes me crack up every time I watch it—I mean seriously…
What would’ve made more sense would’ve been for the video editors to replace the sledge and the chains with footage of him working a blocking sled and of him getting tackles on 3rd down, preventing the chains from moving.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
also
I’m a bit worried about what would happen if the team drafted Orakpo, and he and Vernon Davis ran into one another. With that much testosterone packed into such a small space, I think the world might implode.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
question
Can a team have TWO workout warriors at once? The NBA has a Larry Bird Exception to their salary cap, maybe the NFL can have the Vernon exception (coincidence that Vernon Davis and Vernon Gholston are both Vernons? I think not).
by David Fucillo on Apr 18, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
so you're sayin'...
Our #1 for Vernon Gholston? Do you think it would take that much? Maybe the Niners should be taken over by a Megalomaniacal billionaire who would draft Orakpo with the Niners #1, trade their #2 for Gholston and hold the world hostage simply by sending out pictures of those 3 lined up opposite one another. Mwah-ha-ha-etc.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
That's funny
but both Vernon’s now have a Buddy Ryan connected HC (Rex in NY & MS in SF).
It’ll be a liitle different (and better) for those guys now that they have real HC’s.
Nobody cares about Buddy Ryan.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Olb or OL
I agree that a OLB is needed but I disagree that the OL is ok. Sims was replace during the season and the backups are not worthy. One was sign from the jets Practice squad and the other one was undrafted. If MS want to smash the ball, then it has to start with the frt. line. The OL is the hardest to group to understand each other.,when to pull or switching DLM. As for Lawson, he may prove to be a better player under Singletary, so I’m not writting him off just yet. As long as they pick a OLB or OL with 1st 2 picks, I’ll be Happy.
Leave the pass rusher for round 4.
The team has other needs and a pass rusher is not likely to make much of a contribution his first year – see Vernon Gholston and others. Manny is going to be given a chance to be a 3-down guy, so even if a pass rusher could come in and contribute, it would be as a specialist. Not a good proposition, imho. What I expect out of a top 1st round pick is that he be able to contribute significantly this year(except for QBs, WRs, and PRs). A NT like Raji could make an impact this year by giving the team a true 2-gap NT who can free up Willis to get into the backfield instead of wrestling with the G or C Franklin sheds when he 1-gaps.
And it’s not just about pass rushing, either. A weakside OLB like Manny must be able to cover the RB in space or the offense will simply send him out again and again to burn the OLB. I just don’t think a guy like Orakpo can do coverage because he’s not nimble enough. So, like you say, why spend a #10 on a guy who is a 3rd down specialist who can’t cover a RB in the flat? Why not wait until the 4th when they can draft a guy like Cody Brown, who has both enough strength to rip past OTs and enough agility to play cover on the weakside?
Me? I’d take OTs M. Oher or A. Smith in a heartbeat. This would solidify the OL for the next 6-7 years and Marvel Smith can do backup duty on both ends until he can be replaced. Or Raji, who would give us a true 2-gap NT at last. Or Malcolm Jenkins, who is perfect for covering guys like Fitzgerald, Boldin, or Crabtree(to the Seahawks).
MaybinMAybinMAYbin
IF maybin plays DE or if he’s the primary 4th rusher in the 3-4 defense as OLB, he’ll be a better player then Maybin. Orakpo doesn’t provide a consistent pass rush, but he’s probably better then maybin in coverage just because Maybin’s tactics seem to be reckless.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Typo.. he'll be a better player then ^Orakpo^
I still want Andre Smith though at 10.
If not Smith, then Maybin.
If not either one of them, then trade down
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Maybin's recklessness
Yeah, there’s a bit of Dwight-Freeney “must-get-to-quarterback-draw-be-damned”-ness to his game. But I think that was as much coaching as anything. Maybin just looks way more fluid to me than Orakpo does. I’m with you on the three-point draft strategy you’ve outlined.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
Yes Sir
I like both of these players as the 1st round selection.
Raji is the 3rd that I would want at the 10th pick.
If none of those players are around-trade down and stock picks.
pass on Orakpo...
we’ve already got one workout warrior in Vernon Davis and I’m not sure there is any correlation between working out and being an impactful football player. Vernon seems to have everything except the ability to catch the ball, and the otehr workout warrior pass-rusher in the league was Vernon Gholston and what a flop he is (though he still could turn it around).
I just finished reading “The Blind Side” book and more and more I think we need to take Michael Oher. Did anyone realize that he and Patrick Willis are very good friends? Taking him or another OL would give us a solid OL rotation.
Pass on Oher
Being profiled in that book was the best thing to happen to his pro stock. His inconsistency is worrisome.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
What?
we’ve already got one workout warrior in Vernon Davis and I’m not sure there is any correlation between working out and being an impactful football player.
So then why would it deter you from drafting another “workout warrior”? Is there a correlation between being a workout warrior and not being an impact football player? Maybe you’re right, maybe the Niners should look to draft lazy guys, who are workout nancys and who show up to training camp out of shape and overweight, because I’m sure those guys are much for prone to being an impact football player than the ones who bust their asses off.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Please No Orakpo
Yes, I do think he is Vernon Gholston’s twin brother. He has injury issues and think his sack totals have been boasted by the pass happy (ok, super pass happy) Big 12 … let me also mention Mack Brown’s propsects have a bad NFL track record.
Unless Orakpo can Reggie White toss an NFL OT I just see a bigger, slower pass rusher. We already have a run stopper at OLB in Lawson.
With all that said Orakpo has great measurables, especially in the size categories so Scott McCloughan makes that pick in a heartbeat.
WTF?
Have any of you ever watched Brian Orapko? He dominated Oklahoma’s line and everyone else in the big 12. To compare him to Vernon Gholston is retarded. Vernon Gholston was a one year wonder. Brain Orakpo has been doing it for 4 years. I think he would be a great fit with the 49ers. Haralson, Spikes, Willis, Orakpo/Lawson. Nice! If you actually watch the player play instead of listening to every idiot with an opinion you might see that he one hell of a football player. In a pass happy big 12 you need to have a great offensive line so the arguement that he plays in a pass happy league should be a plus not a minus and don’t compare Texas to the rest of the big 12 they had a defense.
Orakpo is injury prone
and he got bullied by OSU’s LT.
Maybin over took the position of a projected 1st rounder after the 2007 season in Maurice Evans. Evans 2 years ago as a soph led the Big Ten in sacks with 12 but then during the offseason made some stupid decisions which resulted in him being suspended 3 or 4 games. Probably would of been rated over Robert Ayers as a DE if that had not of happened. In comes Maybin, Maybin’s personality is a rowdy guy, players feed off his energy. By mid-year he was already a vocal leader on the PSU defense. The PSU coaching staff usually takes year class into consideration(A.k.a Seniority rules) when it comes to putting starters on the field. (See: Pat Devlin QB and Stefon Green RB) PSU tried to have them share time when Evans came back.. but gradually Maybin took more and more time away from Evans. Now Evans is a projected 7th round pick.
The 49ers lack a leader on Defense. Willis leads by showing what he can do, the defense needs someone who will lead by exciting the team into stepping up.
Aaron Maybin can be the player to do so, if the 9ers select him.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Despite being from texas (shows broken upside down horns)
I like Orakpo. It just looks to me like the guy never stops. A lot of fight. …..despite the whole texas thing. Dang orange wearing pieces ……………………….
Yes, Im from Texas, how could you tell LOL? I live in NC now but I still rep Texas. I just watched the Fiesta bowl 2 days ago. Orakpo never got bullied. Tryell Prior wasjust fast enough that by the time he got any pressure on him he ran away from him and got a few yards on the scramble. Supraman, I think you need to watch the game again. I can see you are a big 10 fan maybe your just taking up for OSU.
No I do not..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IM72KIlvQo&feature=related
He got dominated. Not only did he not provide a pass rush from the RE position.. OSU also ran very successfully to his side.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Injury Prone?
Frank Gore was injury prone, even Pat Willis was rumored last year to have injury problems. Most of the players in the NFL were injury prone when they came out. Yes Orakpo had some injuries but they were not serious, a pulled hamstring and some knee straines. If you call that injury prone than everyone that plays sports are injury prone. I suggest you stop listening to these so called EXPERTS that don’t have a clue what they are talking about and let the coaches do there job.
That is injury prone.
Fred Taylor.. Great player .. Yes and he was also injury prone.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Fred Taylor actually wasn't injury prone
Although that is a common misception promoted by people who don’t have a clue.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions
49ers need a leader on Defense?
The 49ers already have a leader on Defense, AKA Patrick Willis. Supraman have you ever played football before? The whole leading by excitment is over rated. I played for Baylor University for 2 years, Though I never started I got to see it for myself. The players know what there job is, just because there is a player on the team that is more vocal on the football field doesn’t mean that the rest of the players play harder. It might work for a play or two during a game but it is over rated. Also I got to see Brian Orakpo in person in 2005 when he was a backup( we got beat 62-0) and again the following year. He is the real deal. I also got to play with Zeigler . The man has great hands. For all of you 49er fans that don’t like him or think he should be cut that would be a big mistake. He is a good guy and a great teamate.
Yes only junior year in high school.
Ray Lewis..(Vocal Leader)
Doesn’t matter if it’s Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper or if it’s Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs Ravens D will always be a force because his teammates feed off his energy.
Tom Brady – Moss is willing to stretch his arms a little further on a pass over the middle from Brady because he knows he’ll never hear the end of it if he doesn’t. It may not seem as if Brady’s a vocal leader because of his calm deemer, but I’ve seen him chew out offensive linemen for going offsides while up by 40.
Patrick Willis is the leader of the 49ers in tackles.. not a vocal leader that pumps up a team.
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
Ray Lewis
Yes Ray Lewis does but like I said its not as big as you think. In the locker room and on the sidelines are different but on the field the players are more worried about there gaps than what another teamate has to say before a play.
Leadership
Here’s a leader on defense. Mike Singletary. Not only did he know more about the X’s and O’s than any player on the field, but it’s things like this:
In Super Bowl XX Mike Singletary recovered two fumbles. After one fumble recovery, he got up off the turf, not happy, but glaring at one of his teammates (I believe it was DB Shaun Gayle).
Why? Cause Gayle was out-of position on the play, according the Singletary.
Here’s Singletary, after recovering a fumble in the biggest game of his life, expressing not joy but anger, all because one of his teammates had made a mental mistake on the play.
That’s leadership.
Thankyou
You just made my point. Mike Singletary Lead by example not by yelling and screaming and trying to get everyone “crunk”. I think Patrick Willis has the same style of leading the defense. When you see a fellow teamate make a good play, you want to do the same on the next play. Not because some guy on your team is getting crunk, you want to make a play for the rest of your teamates.
Well
Just to be clear.
MS could yell and get in guys faces too (mostly to criticize them when they were wrong, like in the aboce example, as opposed to trying to fire them up).
People (to me) misunderstand ‘yelling.’ My favorite example of this concerns Vince Lombardi & Tom Landy. Both were assistant coaches with the NY Giants at the same time, and then both, of course, went on to greatness in the NFL.
Both of these men were great leaders: However, Lombardi yelled and scremed his head off; Landry never said two words to anybody.
And yet both were great leaders.
Personally, I don’t know how much of a leader Patrick Willis is for the 49ers.
But I agree with you: It’s not necessarily about ‘yelling and screaming.’ I’d rather have a quiet (but effective) Landry type leader, than a ‘ranting & raving’ knucklehead.
And I agree with you here: The sideline and locker room are one thing, and the field another.
Here’s my favorite Tom Landry story: Mike Ditka was a special teams coach (not coordinator) under Landry in Dallas. One time Ditka called a fake punt or something that backfired. Landry turned and stared daggers into Ditka on the sideline, and slowly walked over to him.
When he got to ‘Iron Mike’ he said , in a very calm, quiet voice: “Michael, you ever do that again and you’ll be looking for another job.”
Mike Singletary. Not only did he know more about the X’s and O’s than any player on the field
Prove it.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions
?
What does GeoMak have to prove to you?
If you don’t agree please at least make a case of why you don’t instead of just going..
“Prove it.”
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
supraman, the big man, telling me what to do
This X’s and O’s thing goes back a little bit. Geomack went on tirade trying to bash sfgfan on a statement he made about the perception that Singletary’s strength as a coach isn’t in schemeing or X’s and O’s. Geomack demanded that sfgfan cite where he had heard such blasphemy, it was Barrows or Maiacco, Geomack even went on to acknowledge that he had read the piece but continued to deny it’s validity saying that Barrows or Maiacco, whomever it was, didn’t know what they were talking about. Geomack was very firm in his demands for proof but failed to provide any of his own leaving us just to take his word because he is obviously the utmost authority on football in 1980’s, Jim McMahon, Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears, Buddy Ryan and Mike Singletary.
I’ll also continue to post in the manner that I deem acceptable as I’m not here to appease your ignoramus meddling mind.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I simply said
that people (Barrows, Maiacco, Paris Hilton, Jay Leno, God, or anyone else) that questions Singleatry’s ‘lack of X’s and O’s knowledge’ (which was the word for word statement I objected to) based mainly on the observation that MS was never a coordinator are ignorant. Period.
I wrote a long FanPost about this subject. I’m not going to repeat it.
Andy Reid was never a coordinator. I’ve never heard anyone question his ‘lack of X’s and O’s knowledge.’
Your basic problem is not with your criticism of me. Your basic problem is that you really don’t know what you’re talking about (at least compared to someone knowledgable like me).
That's an intelligent repsonse methodrampage.
I meant on his defense. I’m not saying he knew more than the other teams QB or other players. I was referring to the Bear defense. Maybe that’s what confuses you. Maybe not.
All I know (LOL) is that opposition players (such as Steve DeBerg & Darrin Nelson) are on tape referring to MS as being a ‘coach-on-the field’ and in calling the offense’s plays before the ball was snapped. They didn’t mention any other Bear defender. Just MS.
Since MS watched more film than anybody on the field, and since he took all the AFC’s from Buddy Ryan and then made any and all adjustments and audibles, I’m pretty confident with that statement of mine. Really.
Proof? Since it’s an ‘intangible’ there’s no direct proof available.
I like you. You’re consistent. You are consistently clueless. Really.
I would say the same to you
That you’re clueless. If you care to, we could let our peers decide.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 20, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybin
Don’t get me wrong Supraman I like Maybin, I just think he is a little under weight to play a 34 right now. I think Maybin fits a 43 better than a 34. Unless the 49ers use him as a nickel DE until he gains muscle he won’t go to the 49ers at 10. the ony OLB that has NFL size to play 3 downs is Orakpo. Brown and Maybin are a little under weight. Maybin reminds me of Lawson when it comes to size. Lawson just now was able to put on weight. I think the 49ers are better of to get a OLB in 2nd or 3rd round . If it was up to me I would take Oher, with 10.
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