ESPN might have riled up linebacker Brian Orakpo, leaving him off its list of the top-10 best pass rushers in the NFL. Heck, it left him off its seven-man honorable mention list as well.
But if Orakpo destroys the league next season — as he vowed on Twitter that he would do — then Redskins fans will have two unlikely people to thank: Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
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Orakpo is picking their brains on how best to turn those holding penalties he often drew into sacks. Orakpo has 191Ú2 sacks in his first two seasons, but was frustrated this past year for what he viewed as constant holding. Of course, holding calls still cost an offense 10 yards. But sacks could lead to turnovers — and also to being considered one of the best pass-rushers.
With the possibility of no organized coaching sessions this offseason, Orakpo’s best chance to improve could come from rival players.
“Osi is a good friend of mine and tells me stuff to work on,” Orakpo said. “DeMarcus is a good friend, and he gives me little things to help me achieve and to help me get off the hands. I’m trying to engage with other guys and see what’s on their mind.”
Orakpo said he often exchanges texts with Umenyiora and Ware.
“We plan on getting together and working in the offseason and working with each other, showing each other skills and getting better as we work together,” Orakpo said from Austin, Texas. “It’s funny to be good friends with rivals, but that’s what happens in the offseason. Everyone respects each other’s game. You always pick up stuff.”
It also would help Orakpo to have another pass-rusher on the other side: “It will take the pressure off me, and now you have two dominant guys.”
And then there’s the importance of having better play at nose tackle.
“You saw in the Super Bowl with the Packers and Steelers. There were two dominant nose tackles,” Orakpo said. “If you don’t have dominant guys [up front] then you’ll be an average defense. That’s something we need to look at and try to upgrade.”
