And the first pick by the Chiefs of the 2009 Draft is.....

[greg3564]

Brian Orakpo. He's a beast and is just the thing the Chiefs need to get that defense where it needs to be.

From wikipedia-

Brian Orakpo (born July 31, 1986 in Houston, Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas)) is an American football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football) defensive end (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end) for the Texas Longhorns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Longhorns_football). He is considered one of the best prospects available for the 2009 NFL Draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft).[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-0)

Early years

Orakpo played high school football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_football) at Lamar High School (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_High_School_%28Houston,_Texas%29) in Houston, Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas). He played defensive end (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end) and tight end (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end) and was a two-time first-team all-district selection. He also played basketball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball) from his freshman to junior years.

College career

Orakpo plays college football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football) at University of Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Longhorns_football). He was redshirted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28college_sports%29) as a freshman in 2004, but in 2005 he played in all 13 games starting one. He made an immmediate impact for the Longhorns helping them finish 10th in the nation at defense, recording 27 Tackles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_%28football_move%29), a half sack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_sack), a forced fumble (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble) and recovered fumble. His play earned him Defensive Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sporting_News).

As a sophomore in 2006 he played all 13 games recording 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks and was named one of the Lowe's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowe%27s) Most Improved Defensive Players. As a junior in 2007 he played in nine games and missed four due to right knee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee) injury suffered against Arkansas State (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas_State). He was the Defensive MVP of the 2007 Holiday Bowl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Holiday_Bowl) after recording six tackles and two sacks during the game. He finished the season with 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks.


As a senior in 2008 he was the AP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press) Big 12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_12) Defensive Player of the Year.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-1) He also was the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronko_Nagurski_Trophy), given to the best defensive player, [3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-2) the Ted Hendricks Award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Hendricks_Award), given to the top defensive end,[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-3) and the Lombardi Award (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombardi_Award), given to the best lineman or linebacker.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-4) He became the first former Houston high school player to capture the Lombardi.[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Orakpo#cite_note-5)

YouTube - Sports Center profiles Texas Longhorns DE Brian Orakpohttp://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Orakpo.jpg

[jap1]

I am not saying I dont like him or that he wont be great, but odds are that it will take any D-lineman 2-3 years to become productive. I dont see him making a huge impact next year. And with our DL being our biggest liability, I would rather fill this spot with a free agent, although I have doubts we can get someone big in here.

[TRB05]

Homer much?

[greg3564]

I am not saying I dont like him or that he wont be great, but odds are that it will take any D-lineman 2-3 years to become productive. I dont see him making a huge impact next year. And with our DL being our biggest liability, I would rather fill this spot with a free agent, although I have doubts we can get someone big in here.

You can forget that Free Agent stuff. Management has made it pretty clear that youth and the draft is where it's going. Otherwise we wouldn't have departed ways with Jared Allen. Most scouting websites have Orakpo as the number 1 DE for the next draft. Chances are pretty good he'll be available when we pick. The offense is mediocre, but the defense is worse and needs serious help.

[jap1]

You can forget that Free Agent stuff. Management has made it pretty clear that youth and the draft is where it's going. Otherwise we wouldn't have departed ways with Jared Allen. Most scouting websites have Orakpo as the number 1 DE for the next draft. Chances are pretty good he'll be available when we pick. The offense is mediocre, but the defense is worse and needs serious help.

Dont get me wrong, I have complete faith in our management being incompetent as long as Carl is at the realm.

[okikcfan]

Dont get me wrong, I have complete faith in our management being incompetent as long as Carl is at the realm.


Carl AND Herm

[jmlamerson]

You can forget that Free Agent stuff. Management has made it pretty clear that youth and the draft is where it's going. Otherwise we wouldn't have departed ways with Jared Allen. Most scouting websites have Orakpo as the number 1 DE for the next draft. Chances are pretty good he'll be available when we pick. The offense is mediocre, but the defense is worse and needs serious help.

Orakpo may be OK, but he needs to put on muscle before I see him as a top DE prospect. The combine will tell.

The fact that management is only using the draft to full the 10 positions for which we need starters says something about the overall crappiness of management. Our management philosophy is idiotic, and we'll never have a good team as long as we follow it.

I don't think our defense will be better next year (or even in 2010) with Orakpo. I think the only defensive player who can have an immediately great impact for us is Rey Maualuga. If we aren't trading down and drafting him, my opinion is that we fix our offense and let Herm sink or swim with the defense he drafted in 2009.

[tornadospotter]

I like him. But what do I know.

[leoness8]

Yes...I also like Rey Maualuga. He is a game changer and is always around the ball. He looks like Troy Polamalu and reminds me of him...I havent been able to watch alot of Rey...but from the couple games ive seen I always heard his name called. The Chiefs should trade down and grab Rey. DE is more preferable but they can always grab a DE in the 2nd round.

[tornadospotter]

Yes...I also like Rey Maualuga. He is a game changer and is always around the ball. He looks like Troy Polamalu and reminds me of him...I havent been able to watch alot of Rey...but from the couple games ive seen I always heard his name called. The Chiefs should trade down and grab Rey. DE is more preferable but they can always grab a DE in the 2nd round.
I like them both, would be nice to be able to get both.
:character0009: :character00181:

[ChiefsWillWinTheSuperBowl]

Brian Orakpo

i agree. this guys a stud. as long as they go lineman and not pick f'n bradford or any qb first round.

[Hayvern]

1. Offensive Lineman
2. Linebacker
3. Defensive Lineman

That is what we need, in that order. I think we need to give Hali and Dorsey a chance to grow into their positions. We drafted them high, we need to hang with them.

[leaves]

I would like to see OL or Rey. Orakpo's great college player, but he tackles with his hands a lot, and it may not translate into pro as well. I think Maualuga will make an impact faster, and he's just so effin fast at MLB.

[jmlamerson]

I would like to see OL or Rey. Orakpo's great college player, but he tackles with his hands a lot, and it may not translate into pro as well. I think Maualuga will make an impact faster, and he's just so effin fast at MLB.

I agree entirely. It would be great if we could trade down to the seven or eight spot and grab Maualuga and pick up a couple picks as well. Depends on our next GM I guess.

[Big Daddy Tek]

Defensive ends and defensive tackles are two different progreesions. A defensive end can come into the league and make an impact right away. defensive tackle is another world. Someone with Orakpo's speed and strength makes your line good from day one. Thats my pick easy.

[theaxeeffect4311]

1. Offensive Lineman
2. Linebacker
3. Defensive Lineman

That is what we need, in that order. I think we need to give Hali and Dorsey a chance to grow into their positions. We drafted them high, we need to hang with them.

I agree with this order. If we can improve the O-line, then the offense can get back on track. The defense can be improved through the free agency. Terrell Suggs will be a free agent at the end of the season and is likely to not be re-signed. The Ravens applied the franchise tag to him this season and drafted a replacement last season. Suggs was a DE in college so the move for him would not be crazy. Not to mention he'll only be 26 years old at the start of next season.

As far as linebackers, I want Jonathan Vilma. Vilma is fast, good in coverage, and productive. He will be a free agent at the end of the season, since the Saints will have to give up a first round if they re-sign him. If Herm is the coach, then he should feel comfortable with a former player of his.

Linemen are hard to say that this point from free agency, since teams see the importance of having a good O-line.

[jtandcrew]

Stafford from Georgia!

[Drunker Hillbilly]

Stafford from Georgia!
Matt Stafford is who the ESPN charts have the Chiefs picking at #3.

[jap1]

Stafford from Georgia!

Only if we upgrade everything else we need in free agency before the draft (LB, DL, OL). He will only end up being broken into pieces unless we get a good o-line. If we dont upgrade the front 7, we will always be in a shoot out and our D will lose the game for us in the last few minutes.

[ChiefsFanFromNY]

I like Orakpo and Johnson even, but not in the top 5 where we most likely will end up. If we can't trade down and draft Rey or a DE then I say we grab one of the OT's. Oher or Smith, even Monroe if Oher and Smith are taken. They all can anchor the left side of our line for many years. Move Albert to RT and maybe draft the Cal center in the next round, or a LB. We can also address the DE and LB issue in FA with the amount of cap space available.

But I won't be bothered no matter what direction management decides to go towards since we have so many needs. Only thing I would be upset about is if we draft a QB with the first pick. Thigpen is the guy.

[theaxeeffect4311]

I like Orakpo and Johnson even, but not in the top 5 where we most likely will end up. If we can't trade down and draft Rey or a DE then I say we grab one of the OT's. Oher or Smith, even Monroe if Oher and Smith are taken. They all can anchor the left side of our line for many years. Move Albert to RT and maybe draft the Cal center in the next round, or a LB. We can also address the DE and LB issue in FA with the amount of cap space available.

But I won't be bothered no matter what direction management decides to go towards since we have so many needs. Only thing I would be upset about is if we draft a QB with the first pick. Thigpen is the guy.

I agree completely. I'll be a Chiefs fan no matter what direction they decide to go. I don't want a quarterback, but the new GM may want to draft a QB so he can call him "his" guy. But if we can't solidify the O-line, we'll end up with the next David Carr. When Carr was drafted, they said he was a can't-miss prospect. We should learn from other team's mistakes. I hope we get Oher. He looks incredible with good footwork, prototypical size, balance, and leverage.

[jtandcrew]

I really like Stafford although with the amount of holes we have to fill im not opposed to any direction we go. About Carr being a cant miss prospect? Its always hard to judge talent it seems. Ryan Leaf at 1 point was a cant miss prospect also. How many 1st round busts have there been throughout the NFL over the years. How many have the Chiefs drafted. Either way the team goes in the draft we will still, most likely, 2nd guess some decision at some point.

[theaxeeffect4311]

I really like Stafford although with the amount of holes we have to fill im not opposed to any direction we go. About Carr being a cant miss prospect? Its always hard to judge talent it seems. Ryan Leaf at 1 point was a cant miss prospect also. How many 1st round busts have there been throughout the NFL over the years. How many have the Chiefs drafted. Either way the team goes in the draft we will still, most likely, 2nd guess some decision at some point.

I bet if I watched Stafford, I may feel the same way. Instead, I've been watching linemen (I know that sounds odd), so that is probably why I want to draft a lineman. I just think that lineman is a safer choice with the number one pick. So if you can choose an OT with the same potential as a quarterback, I would feel more comfortable taking the lineman. We can always come back to quarterback next year. I say give Thigpen at least one season starting.

[Coach]

I like them both, would be nice to be able to get both.
:character0009: :character00181:

Orapko looks like a solid DE, although I have not seen him play at all. What kind of speed does he have? If he has good speed with that kind of strength, he could light up LT's all day long. I still lean towards the USC LB, Rey though with our first pick.



But I won't be bothered no matter what direction management decides to go towards since we have so many needs. Only thing I would be upset about is if we draft a QB with the first pick. Thigpen is the guy.
I'm starting to feel this way as well. Thigpen is playing well. You can get a QB in the later rounds. We need more help on the defensive side of the ball. Since Thigpen has came in, the Chiefs have been averaging over 20 pts/game. They're just giving up way to many points.

[theaxeeffect4311]

Orapko looks like a solid DE, although I have not seen him play at all. What kind of speed does he have? If he has good speed with that kind of strength, he could light up LT's all day long. I still lean towards the USC LB, Rey though with our first pick.


I'm starting to feel this way as well. Thigpen is playing well. You can get a QB in the later rounds. We need more help on the defensive side of the ball. Since Thigpen has came in, the Chiefs have been averaging over 20 pts/game. They're just giving up way to many points.

Exactly. The defense does well for half the game, but then doesn't make any half time adjustments. Then the other team exposes our flaws, and we come out losing the game in the end.