(AP Images)
Last year Redskins Nation had to watch one half of the dynamic linebacker duo of Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo, known more affectionately as Kerrakpo in our Nation’s Capital, sit out the majority of the season with an upper-body injury.
The twosome had the opportunity to brew something as the bookends of a talent laden linebacking unit. In the debut season of Kerrakpo the pair totaled 122 tackles, 16.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, and seven forced fumbles.
With a fully healthy Orakpo on the horizon and a Pro Bowl year under Kerrigan’s belt, Kerrakpo 2.0 could be even deadlier than the first version.
Lookout NFC East.
As OTA’s swung into full gear yesterday a delighted Kerrigan looked on as his pal is fully healed and ready to add a third Pro Bowl appearance to his already extensive NFL resume.
“He looked like the Rak we all know and love,” Kerrigan said. “That’s a good sign for this defense and this team.”
No. 91 was the Redskins lead sack man in 2012 with 8.5. As he continues to build on his team-high 16 over the past two seasons, Kerrigan knows that having Orakpo on the other side could free up a lot of room for the entire front seven.
“He just does a lot for our defense not just in terms of rushing the passer, but playing the run and playing the run and playing in coverage as well,” Kerrigan said of Orakpo’s impact to the Burgundy and Gold. “That’s something you can’t replace.”
As for Kerrigan’s thoughts for the 2012 NFC East champs as a whole, the former Purdue Boilermaker thinks the best is yet to come.
“We’re building something really good here in Washington and you could see us taking some steps last year towards getting better,” Kerrigan said. “We haven’t reached our potential yet and that’s an exciting thing.”
I think we are all excited, Ryan.
Hail to the Redskins!
