ABCDE SPORTS friday, october 8, 2010 BY RICKMAESE With two sacks, Redskins linebacker
Brian Orakpo is not among the NFL’s sack leaders, entering Sunday’s game against Green Bay in a 25-way tie for No. 27 in the league. At the top of the list are names like the Packers’ Clay Mat- thews, who has seven sacks, and San Diego’s Shaun Phillips, who has six. But Orakpo has them both beat in
another category.Matthews has had just one offensive lineman flagged for hold- ing him. Phillips has had two. Though Orakpo’s sack numbers aren’t as impres- sive as he’d like, there’s a reason: Orakpo has drawn five holding penalties in the first four games of the season. “I‘m not able to have these big type of
games that I want to,” Orakpo said. “I’m still able to produce pressure and do what I can. But it’s still frustrating at times.” Orakpo notes that after four games
last season, he also had two sacks—and he finished the year with 11 and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Orakpo has 17 quarterback hurries this season, 11 more than any other teammate, according to a count compiled by Redskins coaches based on game film. So even on plays that he isn’t held, he’s been just a second or two away from the quarterback. “He’s doing an outstanding job,” line-
backers coach Lou Spanos said. “He’s pressuring the quarterback, he can go outside,hecangoinside.He’s justdoinga great job rushing the quarterback, and everybody’s aware of what he can do to a game.” TheNFLdoesn’t track individual play-
ers who are held, so it’s not clear whether Orakpo leads the league. But according to
FootballOutsiders.com’s research, the Redskins’ opponents have been penal- ized for a league-high 15 holding penal- ties through the first quarter of the NFL schedule. For pass rushers, holding penalties
“are just like sacks,” defensive end Adam Carriker said. It moves the other team’s
redskins continued onD3 Redskins vs. Packers TONI L. SANDYS/THE WASHINGTON POST Alex Ovechkin, above, and the Caps start their season Friday night. On last year’s early playoff exit, Ovechkin said, “I have to forget about it and move forward.”
Ready for a serious run F
For the Capitals, only one prize matters Moments after
Alex Ovechkin and his crestfallen team had been inexplicably knocked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round this past April, a counterintuitive thought came to mind: Really, why did Ovie and the
MIKE WISE
Washington Capitals have to finish with the most regular season wins in the NationalHockey League? What did that dumb Presidents’
Trophy (given to the NHL team with the best regular season record) genuinely do for Coach Bruce
Melted byMay. Serving notice of
their dominance with
14 straight wins in January and February? Nope. The Caps’ litany of goal scorers became nullified by one hot goalie and a muck-up-the-middle Montreal club. After speaking to Brooks Laich on
Thursday afternoon, the day before wise continued onD8
MEETTHETEAM: Player bios, three keys for the Capitals and schedule. D6 BY KATIE CARRERA
Boudreau and his players, other than create expectations they weren’t ready to deliver? Home ice? Uh-uh.
or the first time in his five-year career, Alex Ovechkin opens the season Friday in Atlanta as Washington’s captain. ¶ Attaching a letter to his jersey this past
January was only a formal confirmation of what has long been true: The Capitals, for better or worse, are Alex Ovechkin’s team, and regardless ofhowmanyindividual awards he earns or scoring milestones he captures, his lasting reputation will be tethered to the group’s success. ¶ “If the team fails, the perception is he fails,” TSN analyst and former NHL all-star Ray Ferraro said. “He can score 75 goals this year and if the team loses in the first round, it will be tied to him; it doesn’t matter if the reason they lose has
ovechkin continued onD8 HOWHEDOESIT:Afull-page graphic breaking down Ovechkin’s shots. D7 BASEBALL
Yankees and Rangers take command in AL series New York extends its postseason spell over Minnesota; Texas shuts out Tampa Bay. D4
HIGHSCHOOLS
Game before the game DeMatha vs. Good Counsel is a heated rivalry both on football field and in recruiting. D10
GOLF
Kite weathers well at Avenel Tom Kite takes the lead in tough conditions at the Senior Players Championship. D12
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. Where: FedEx Field. TV: WTTG-5, WBFF-45.
INSIDE D EZ SU
Orakpo’s sack total is being held back
Redskins’ best pash rusher draws penalties on the way to the quarterback
team jersey: 30% off grill: 20% off camera: 30% off
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