Brian Orakpo’s eyes got him in trouble again Sunday. The good thing is — at least for the coaches — is that he knew where they were. And, more importantly, where they should have been. Considering his importance in this defense — now and in the future — that’s a good sign.
His eyes got him in trouble earlier in the season and it landed him in a bad spot vs. Carolina as well. This time, it resulted in a touchdown pass to tight end Jeff King.
What Orakpo did: As King came off the line, the Redskins rookie was in man coverage and stayed with him as he ran downfield. Right before King broke to the outside, Orakpo snuck a peak back to the quarterback.
“I was looking for the ball,” he said.
What he should have done: In man coverage, his eyes should have remained on King until he made his break. Then he can sneak a peak at the quarterback to find the ball. Because he did not do this, King was wide open.
“Just keep your eyes on your man,” Orakpo said.
“There’s a point where you have to play the ball or else the flag is coming out,” Redskins linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti said. “There has to be an understanding of what that point is and when it isn’t. He does a very good job with that. But it was a lapse and if you lapse in this league you get scored on. But he knew exactly what he did right when he did it.”
Olivadotti said Orakpo’s eyes are helping him in other ways. Like taking on blockers. He’s becoming more noticeable on run downs because he’s recognizing plays faster. Though he appeared to struggle getting off blocks at times earlier, some of it stemmed from hesitation about where the play was headed.
“His eyes are better,” Olivadotti said.
As for the rest of his game, Orakpo is starting to be used in various spots when the Redskins use a three-man line. Last week, for example, he rushed from the left side running a stunt with Albert Haynesworth, who had been moved to left end.
The Redskins are giving him more responsibility as he progresses.
“I feel it’s coming,” he said. “I’m still trying to make everything come naturally. It’s gonna come. I’m learning everything on the fly right now.”
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