http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...in-orakpo/
Dan Quinn, who was Seattle's defensive coordinator after Gus Bradley left, is now the Falcons' head coach.
This article asserts the Falcons might have an interest in Orakpo.
Presumably the Falcons and Jaguars will run a similar scheme, and presumably both need a pass rusher/LEO type.
By extension, might Orakpo be a guy the Jaguars pursue?
His production endears me to him. His injuries frighten me away.
Brian Orakpo spent his entire career in Washington, so there is no Seattle connection to talk about.
Remember we got players to fit our scheme by picking up guys who were cut by Seattle. If Dan Quinn wants to build his defense the same way, he will be calling the Seahawks too.
Quote:Brian Orakpo spent his entire career in Washington, so there is no Seattle connection to talk about.
Remember we got players to fit our scheme by picking up guys who were cut by Seattle. If Dan Quinn wants to build his defense the same way, he will be calling the Seahawks too.
You completely missed the point.
You don't have to have played in Seattle to be a fit for the scheme. Neither Senderrick Marks nor Roy Miller played in Seattle, but Bradley and Caldwell signed them both, too.
If Quinn, who coached a similar scheme in Seattle, thinks Orakpo fits the scheme despite not ever playing in Seattle, then maybe Bradley and Caldwell may think Orakpo fits the scheme too.
Quote:His production endears me to him. His injuries frighten me away.
I feel the same way.
I think if he can stay healthy, he could provide a good pass rush.
But can he stay healthy?
He'd be a perfect OTTO.
The injury he had last year may drive his price down somewhat. Maybe we take a swing at a guy like him. If he can be signed to a front-loaded deal, I'd do it.
He'll be 29 in July. I'm not sure how many years are we expecting to get out of him, especially considering the injury history.
Quote:He'll be 29 in July. I'm not sure how many years are we expecting to get out of him, especially considering the injury history.
Well, Clemons was 33 (?) last year and still gave us quality snaps.
I'm also not certain of his injury history. IIRC, he hasn't had any injuries like an ACL or an achilles that would take away his burst/explosiveness. I think all of his injuries were upper body, but I haven't researched them.
Admittedly, Atlanta has more of a need at pass rusher than we do, and their draft position may force their hand here somewhat with Orakpo.
I think if the Jags are going after one OLB in particular it will be Jerry Hughes. He's a playmaker and would be a great fit for our defense.
Orakpo is just too injury prone, but I'd love to get him here on an incentive type deal if Hughes is gone.
Quote:Well, Clemons was 33 (?) last year and still gave us quality snaps.
I'm also not certain of his injury history. IIRC, he hasn't had any injuries like an ACL or an achilles that would take away his burst/explosiveness. I think all of his injuries were upper body, but I haven't researched them.
Admittedly, Atlanta has more of a need at pass rusher than we do, and their draft position may force their hand here somewhat with Orakpo.
Clemons was a stop gap and we're already looking for his eventual replacement in this upcoming draft. I think it would be a bit redundant to sign another stop gap in Orakpo if we end up drafting the future at the position.
Now if we decide to go a different route in the draft instead and are looking to upgrade the LEO position then IMO Jerry Hughes should be the target. He's only 26, doesn't have the injury baggage, just entering the prime of his career and will most likely finish his contract while in his prime.
<p style="background-color:transparent;">Per rotoworld
<p style="background-color:transparent;">
<p style="background-color:transparent;">The Jaguars are "very interested" in free agent Brian Orakpo.
The Jaguars have already been linked to top free agents Devin McCourty and DeMarco Murray, so add another one to the list. Jacksonville has the cap space to take on several big contracts, and if that means anything, they're going to land at least one top flight free agent. Orakpo could be that player, though the Jags won't be alone in their pursuit. The Falcons have expressed interest in Orakpo while the Redskins haven't given up on re-signing the three-time Pro Bowler.
They will be linked to every free agent over the next several days
Quote:They will be linked to every free agent over the next several days
To me, that is a nice change from being reflexively dismissed as a potential destination for players who could upgrade the team.
If the Jags break the bank for Murray, I will not be happy.
Quote:Clemons was a stop gap and we're already looking for his eventual replacement in this upcoming draft. I think it would be a bit redundant to sign another stop gap in Orakpo if we end up drafting the future at the position.
Now if we decide to go a different route in the draft instead and are looking to upgrade the LEO position then IMO Jerry Hughes should be the target. He's only 26, doesn't have the injury baggage, just entering the prime of his career and will most likely finish his contract while in his prime.
Now about a week or so ago, I posed a question to Stigma that I think applies here.
There is an argument that Hughes was a guy who benefited greatly from the surrounding talent in Buffalo, and that in the absence of the surrounding talent like Mario Williams, K. Williams, Marcel Dareus, etc., Hughes would not thrive being "the guy."
Now the Jaguars were one of the leading defenses in terms of sacking the QB last year.
If Hughes productivity is dependent, in part, on surrounding talent, is there enough surrounding talent for him to thrive here?
Quote:If the Jags break the bank for Murray, I will not be happy.
same here. would rather draft Tevin Coleman or Abdullah in the 3rd than pay Murray what he wants
Quote:You completely missed the point.
For the 3,678,095,334,127,001st time.
Quote:If the Jags break the bank for Murray, I will not be happy.
What do you define as "breaking the bank"? No one is going to break the bank on Demarco, he'll probably demand a contract in the $13-$15M guaranteed arena, that's not bad for a true bell-cow back.
Dallas doesn't care about letting Murray test the market because they know how good their line is, and will make a RB at the quarter of the cost of Murray still look good.