A ray of hope for the Redskins future
By: Turner Sports Desk
The Redskins have done a few things right despite all of the
negativity surrounding them. The two young defensive ends, Brian Orakpo and Jeremy Jarmon appear
to be franchise book ends that will harass QBs for the next 10 years.
Brian Orakpo evokes memories of Dexter Manley with uncanny speed off the edge
along with the ability to knock lineman in the dirt when he
wants to mix it up. Orakpo had an extensive resume coming out of the University of Texas
and he will be the guy giving offensive coordinators
around the league sleepless nights. Orakpo is humble, ultra talented and always working to
perfect his craft which will eventually make him one of the best in the NFL.
The fact that he is playing out of position now will only make him better as he
transitions to a hand down pass rusher.
Jeremy Jarmon is a smart kid that while not as NFL ready physically as Orakpo
appears to have an upside that is off the charts. One thing that catches your
eye as you watch him on film is At 6’3, 277 is the efficiency in which he
works. Jarmon is a fire and forget player meaning you show him once and you
don’t have to worry about it again. Jarmon’s intelligence and maturity
separates him from his peers. Most rookies enter the NFL and their minds have
to catch up to their sculpted bodies. Jarmon is the rare instance where his
body has to catch up with his extremely sharp mind. Greg Blache who neither
likes nor trusts rookies paid Jarmon a high compliment by saying he does not
play, think or act like a rookie.
I can see Orakpo being the guy that gets a ton of sacks and scares
the crap out of coordinators for years to come but Jeremy Jarmon is the guy
that makes the critical plays at the most critical moments. Jarmon might not be as flashy as Orakpo
but he will be a difference maker all the same. Although he is learning from
vets now Jarmon’s maturity and his smarts will eventually make him a leader in
that locker room. The Redskins have a lot of negatives we can pick apart
at length but they made smart choices with their future at the defensive end
position.