Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo is expected to be the defensive leader. But if you’re looking at the stat sheet, you’d never guess it. He finished the season opening loss to the Houston Texans with four tackles. Orakpo isn’t worried about that. He cares only about what his coaches think.
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“That’s the public perception, but everyone around this league knows what I’m about,” said the Redskins linebacker, via ESPN.com. “I’m just such an unselfish player, I don’t care what the public perception perceives me to be. Whatever they need me to do, whatever is called. I’m not going to complain or bitch. I’ll go out there and do the best I can.”
Orakpo’s logic is sound. He had only 10 opportunities to rush the passer. For much of the game, however, he was in coverage. A great day in coverage means a light day on the stat sheet. It’s just like a clean sheet in soccer.
But even when Orakpo got the green light to pin his ears back and rush the passer, he encountered three screen plays — designed to evade the rush. The Texans were one step ahead of the Skins defense.
“Very, very frustrating,” Orakpo said. “It’s hard. You’re not getting many opportunities, it’s hard – you have to get a feel on the fly. Your opportunities are very limited. Nothing to complain about. We still did what we need to do. We’re looking forward to this week … hopefully having a scheme where we can really take advantage of our outside guys.”