Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan
Defense used to be what the Redskins made their mark on. They couldn’t always score, but they would make life very difficult for the opponent. That had lapsed in recent seasons, but it has returned with Jim Haslett and the emergence of two young stars: Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.
Orakpo was drafted in the first round in 2009. Between 2009 and 2011, the Redskins chose linemen in the first round, despite the voices clamoring for a star quarterback or wide receiver. Orakpo had a good rookie year, but really broke out last season as a sophomore, culminating with a trip to the Pro Bowl.
A running joke around Redskins Nation last year was “Let’s see how blatantly the other team can hold Brian Orakpo before it’s finally called.” The kid drew a lot of penalties, but the only way offensive linemen could keep him from their QB was to hold him, and it got pretty comical the extent to which it would go uncalled.
This year, Orakpo has a buddy. On the other side is now rookie Ryan Kerrigan, the Redskins’ first round pick from this year’s draft. Between the two of them, they have 28 combined tackles, 6 sacks out of a team total of 15 (2.5 for Kerrigan and 3.5 for Orakpo) and 3 forced fumbles through four games.
Kerrigan has a serious chance to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He has made himself visible in every game so far, and has even returned an interception for a touchdown. In his first NFL regular season game. To have the kind of impact he has on the defense at such a young age, having to learn a new system, AND with a lockout giving him less time to learn that system, is pretty impressive.
While the kids anchor the line, the defense is something it hasn’t been for a while: first in the league in a category. They are the best third down defense in the NFL, with opposing offenses only having a 26% success rating on converting. They rank 5th in the league in overall defense, and 3rd in points allowed per game at 15.8.
Partially because of the pressure being applied by Kerrigan and Orakpo, the team is on pace for 60 (!) sacks this season. Last season? 29. The pair has been honored with NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Orakpo, and a nomination for Rookie of the Week for Kerrigan.
Everyone has stepped up their game, and the result is that the Redskins are heading into their bye week with a 3-1 record, sitting pretty in first place in the NFC East.
If you saw that coming, you’re lying.
