Monday Redskins Links – 2/23
Posted by on February 23, 2009 – 4:19 pm
- You know, I’m not sure I understand the quotations that start off each of Michael Lombardi’s Diner Morning News columns at National Football Post, but that’s my only knock on what’s become a very solid news-n-rumors spot. Today, he asserts that the Redskins are working to trade Shawn Springs. This is the time of year to do it, I guess, as they do have at least a little history of using the combine to successfully move cornerbacks who wear #24.
- Meanwhile, ProFootballWeekly is running a series of free agent scouting reports, and today is DeAngelo Hall‘s turn. If the Springs rumor and a Hall departure via free agency both come to fruition, that leaves Carlos Rogers as the undisputed number one corner going into 2009, which is somewhat ironic given that the offseason started with rumors that Rogers wanted out.
- Many thanks to Sugar at Hogs Haven, who manages not only to watch the Combine, but to offer some recapping and analysis as well. It’s a much-needed service, at least for me, since I can only watch a few minutes of the endless coverage before my mind starts wandering and it all devolves into a blurry sort of Under Armour commercial. Mark Newgent at the Washington Redskins Examiner offers a similar service for the free agent defensive tackles as well.
- And Chris Chase at Shutdown Corner finds an eerie similarity between Marcus Washington and the annoying FOX NFL robot. It’ll make sense once you see the videos.
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Monday, February 23: A Potential Downside To Brian Orakpo
Posted by on February 23, 2009 – 1:10 pm
Brian Orakpo — DE/LB out of Texas — has been rumored as a potential Redskins draft pick pretty much since the projections started coming out this season. Yesterday, those rumors stepped up to the level of “reports,” according to the Washington Times.
Hours after they released former Pro Bowl linebacker Marcus Washington, the Redskins’ search for his replacement began when they told Texas standout Brian Orakpo they envision him as the strongside linebacker in their 4-3 defense.The top pass rusher in the draft, Orakpo is out to prove he’s versatile enough to play defensive end and linebacker regardless of the scheme.
“The Redskins said I could be a ‘Sam’ backer in their 4-3 and, when it’s time to rush the passer, get down to it,” he said Saturday at the NFL scouting combine.
The move to linebacker would make sense, especially given the Yahoo Sports report that Jason Taylor is indeed expecting (and expected) to return to the Redskins to finish out his contract. And, in fact, the more I’ve researched Orakpo, the more I’ve found to like about the guy — and the less I’ve found to criticize him for.
But if I had to find a negative side to Orakpo (aside from the fact that he could very well be off the board by the time the team picks at 13), it would be Vernon Gholston.
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