Orakpo Wants To Play For The Texans

[HPF Bob]

Imbedded in a story in USA Today Sports Weekly about Texas DE Brian Orakpo is that he says he'd prefer to be drafted by the Texans. The Houston product (Lamar HS) is expected to be a high-to-mid first-rounder in the 2009 draft. He would definitely fill the need for a speed rusher on the D-line to, once again, take double-teams off Mario.

(But, Bob, aren't you the guy who always rags on the Texans for using their first-rounders on the D-line while ignoring other pressing needs?

Yep. And when it comes to needs, we sure do got 'em. But if they are going to do it anyway, he seems to fit the mold of what they claim to need.)

Similarities to our other first-round D-linemen:

1) Extremely quick, creating mismatches with less-nimble blockers.
2) Has lots of vowels in his name.
3) Comes from a school with a big basketball program (although it will always take a back seat to the football program except in March).

Not similar:

1) Doesn't come from an ACC or Big East school.
2) Doesn't come from Virginia or the Carolinas.

So, you can see Orakpo sorta fits the profile which is precisely why we won't take him. We never take the guy that's the obvious choice.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Imbedded in a story in USA Today Sports Weekly about Texas DE Brian Orakpo is that he says he'd prefer to be drafted by the Texans. The Houston product (Lamar HS) is expected to be a high-to-mid first-rounder in the 2009 draft. He would definitely fill the need for a speed rusher on the D-line to, once again, take double-teams off Mario.

(But, Bob, aren't you the guy who always rags on the Texans for using their first-rounders on the D-line while ignoring other pressing needs?

Yep. And when it comes to needs, we sure do got 'em. But if they are going to do it anyway, he seems to fit the mold of what they claim to need.)

Similarities to our other first-round D-linemen:

1) Extremely quick, creating mismatches with less-nimble blockers.
2) Has lots of vowels in his name.
3) Comes from a school with a big basketball program (although it will always take a back seat to the football program except in March).

Not similar:

1) Doesn't come from an ACC or Big East school.
2) Doesn't come from Virginia or the Carolinas.

So, you can see Orakpo sorta fits the profile which is precisely why we won't take him. We never take the guy that's the obvious choice.

Sign him up!! Youre right though Bob we probably will draft Sen'Derrick Marks with Orakpo still on board.

[painekiller]

Right now I have Orakpo or Osakpo as they call him and B.J. Raji DT from Boston College as my two highest on the want list.

MY concern for Orakpo is he is an undersized for an every down DE. But he can bring it.

[nero THE zero]

If we're going DL I'd rather have Cody or Raji. I'd also rather take a CB or a LB than a DE. I think with a change of scheme and a big body NT in the middle Cochran/Bulman would more than suffice opposite Mario.

We have much more dire needs on the interior line, LB, and secondary.

[jppaul]

I personally am a fan of Michael Johnson

[NBT]

Heck, if Orakpo wants to play for the Texans, I say reward him. Only thing is we have bigger fish to fry with our first round draft pick IMO. But then again, maybe not! If he can grow up to be the next Dwight Freeney, I would say take him in a New York minute. A Houston kid with a Texas pedigree, what's not to like.

I am coming around more to the DT, MLB, FS way of thinking in the draft now, with a OG/C in there somewhere. I also wonder if Kubiak is going to look for another QB to coach up.