Need to Know: Can Rak take it to the next level? Here is what you need to know on this Monday, June 10, 45 days before Redskins start training camp. Can Orakpo take home the big honor? Brian Orakpo told USA Today the following last week: "Defensive Player of the Year is a goal of mine. I worked extremely hard this offseason and Defensive Player of the Year is very obtainable." Assuming that he is healthy, and there is every reason to believe that he is, how “obtainable” is DPOY for Orakpo? Let’s take a look. Although Orakpo is becoming a well-rounded outside linebacker, if he has what would be considered to be a great year it will be because he puts pressure on the passer and racks up a lot of sacks. Of the last seven AP Defensive Players of the Years, four have been pass rushers: Year, Player, Sacks 2006, Jason Taylor, 13.5 2008, James Harrison, 16 2011, Terrell Suggs, 14 2012, J.J. Watt, 20.5 However, there is more to it than just piling up a lot of sacks. In 2011, four players had more sacks that Suggs did but he also picked off two passes, forced seven fumbles, and had 52 tackles. Three players compiled more sacks than Taylor in 2006 so he picked off two passes (as a defensive end) and returned them both for touchdowns and forced nine fumbles and recovered two. Watt did lead the league in sacks and he batted down 16 passes for good measure. It would not be surprising if Orakpo had a good year rushing the passer in 2013, especially if Robert Griffin III is back and the offense is putting up points. Orakpo is capable of putting up 14-16 sacks and getting into the DPOY conversation; however, can he put up other numbers that will get the attention of the voters? That would require a big leap from what Orakpo has been able to accomplish in the so far. In his NFL career (three seasons plus the two games he played last year before getting injured), Orakpo has yet to intercept a pass, has batted down 12, and has forced six fumbles and recovered one. That’s all respectable enough for a starting 3-4 outside linebacker. But it’s not the stuff of which award-winning defenders are made. Perhaps Orakpo can put it all together, pick off a few passes, and force a lot of fumbles, and, along with posting over a dozen or so sacks, put himself into contention to get enough DPOY votes. Unless he does, despite what he says, the award is not very obtainable.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:08:15 +0000
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