Audible_Red40 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Some Trent Murphy love..... https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/06/25/secret-superstars-washington-redskins/ Full story on link above. Few teams need a Secret Superstar more than Washington. Only two fared worse than the Redskins on Pro Football Focus’s Top 101 players list, where Ryan Kerrigan made the cut. With Brian Orakpo now on Tennessee’s roster, and the drama that surrounds the offensive side of their game, Washington’s fans are looking for some hope. Trent Murphy may have the skills and drive to fill that role. Standout Student While injury prevented Murphy from significant play time in his first two years at Stanford, he hit the ground running in his junior year, putting up noteworthy numbers: 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, and 25 solo tackles. The impressive stats continued on into his senior year, where he did not miss one game. He had 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 38 solo tackles, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He was named to the All-Pac-12 first team and the AP All-American third team. He returned for a second senior year, in which he recorded even more eye-popping numbers (15 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 37 solo tackles) and once again earned accolades. He also received the Jack Huston Award for exceptional performance and unheralded efforts in both of his senior years. As expected by most scouts at the time, Murphy went in the second round of the NFL draft, with the 47th overall pick. Scouts saw him to have good instincts and toughness, but also thought he’d take a few years to develop. Play Until the Whistle Murphy’s relentlessness in finishing plays is demonstrated numerous times throughout the season. He rarely quits on a play, even if he is far removed from the ball. This tenaciousness is best demonstrated in that Week 8 game against the Cowboys. At 2:23 of the first, Murphy rushes the quarterback while the ball is handed off. Finding himself 5 yards behind the play when he turns to start pursuit, he doesn’t stop and ends up in perfect position to recover the fumble after the safety strips the ball. With that type of doggedness, he will find himself in many fortuitous situations. Looking to 2015 There is much to be excited about in Trent Murphy’s game. He posted the sixth-highest grade in run defense for all 3-4 OLBs and showed well as a tackler, recording only two misses while posting the 15th-best highest Tackle Efficiency at the position. Where his game could use a step forward is in pass rush. It’s worth noting, however, that half of Murphy’s negatively-graded pass rush games came after he tore his PCL in Week 11. With the right tutelage from Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, who was a linebacker himself, and Murphy’s fortitude, he could be a powerhouse OLB to match Ryan Kerrigan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Murphy wasn't anywhere near the "meh" player last season some fans here insist he was. If you actually read up on a lot of articles analyzing Murphy's play, you can't help but come away optimistic about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildbunny Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Meh? You're being kind. Sometimes it read like he should have been cut, tarred and feathered while ran out of town already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortisBetts Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I am excited about Murph. I thought he showed a lot of promise last year. Always around the ball and teamed up so well with Kerrigan to create a lot of team sacks. I am looking forward to him playing full time this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyJ Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Meh? You're being kind. Sometimes it read like he should have been cut, tarred and feathered while ran out of town already. That was mostly because he was the unfortunate soul that replaced Rob Jackson. Nobody could do that and escape unscathed by the Jackson's cult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I don't understand why these discussions can't end up somewhere in the middle of 'meh' and a 'powerhouse next to Kerrigan'. That's where I'm at with Murphy. Does he play hard? Yes. Is he smart? Yes. Did he look like his feet were stuck in mud at times, making some people wonder if he had a good enough first step to become a good pass rusher? Yes. It is promising to hear Gruden single him out for praise early on. It would be awesome if he balls out, and I'm certainly hoping that he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I don't understand why these discussions can't end up somewhere in the middle of 'meh' and a 'powerhouse next to Kerrigan'. That's where I'm at with Murphy. Does he play hard? Yes. Is he smart? Yes. Did he look like his feet were stuck in mud at times, making some people wonder if he had a good enough first step to become a good pass rusher? Yes. It is promising to hear Gruden single him out for praise early on. It would be awesome if he balls out, and I'm certainly hoping that he does. I think we're selling him short by simply regarding Murphy as playing hard and smart. I linked awhile ago to some site that did film breakdown of examples why the author was optimistic about Murphy's future, and it was pretty damn impressive. He showed both video and stills, explaining everything in detail. Lots of stuff people either missed or just didn't understand...one play had Murphy helping in clearing out three different blockers to allow Kerrigan an almost clean path to the QB for the sack, and it was by design. I'm positive, though, that most here chalked that play up to Kerrigan being a "beast" and viewed Murphy as being clunky in an attempt to get to the QB, not thinking that on that specific play it wasn't his goal to do so. On another play, they showed Murphy just wiping out two lead blockers on a run play--I mean, tossing them aside like they were nothing--and stopping the RB (Gore, I think?) for no gain like on the 49ers' 10 yard line. They also showed the areas where he needed to improve...but you could definitely see his 2nd round potential in a lot of the plays outlined on that site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I stand firm by my convictions. Any rookie defensive player that can't generate at least one sack per series or one interception per play ought to be cut. By my calculations, Murphy fell 128 sacks away from being an average player for us! He sucks! Pass defense wise he's even worse. He should have at least 1,920 interceptions last year if he was any good at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemocystem Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Murphy was as "meh" as Orakpo's career last year....but that was just his rookie year. I expect better from him because i know he has talent, a great work ethic, & was smart enough to play at Stanford. It remains to be seen how much better he can get....but i am hardly down on Murphy after last year. Even when he's not making plays, he sets the edge very well & hardly ever gets pushed off his lane/assignment. The stuff coming out of camp is encouraging...also like what I'm hearing about Long. If he can start, & play well....we'll be headed in the right direction in the trenches for sure. Now... Orakpo....i didn't have a problem with him per se....but that franchise tag tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TysonM Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Murphy and Moses were 'developmental upside' players where we were supposed to temper our expectations for their rookie year. I'm liking what I'm seeing of Murphy's trajectory... now what we need to see is how Moses is doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasRoane Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Murphy was THE BEST defender at setting the edge vs the run on the team last year. I'd really like to see him stay on the strong side but Kerrigan's hearing issue might preclude that. A PCL injury slowed his pass rush so I expect him to be miles better. Also, he studies and the game will slow down. The people who knock him for being a little slow off the ball never played football. There's a lot more to consider at the NFL level. You can't just pin your ears back and go. You have to watch draws, screens, QB scrambles, traps, etc. You'll see him playing at a much faster speed this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clskinsfan Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Really the only place I saw Murphy struggle last year was when they put him inside to pass rush. He was swallowed up pretty easily inside the tackles. I am going to assume that Preston Smith will have that roll on obvious passing downs from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MassSkinsFan Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 smart enough to play at Stanford. LOL!!! I played in the Ivies and can tell you that being a football player at a school like Stanford doesn't necessarily mean you're as smart as the rest of the student body. That said, I do think TM is a smart player with a big upside. I'm hoping the DL upgrade and an extra year in the pros help unlock more of that potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illone Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Kid was a key cog in that Stanford defense that stopped Oregon two years in a row. He may have been their best player. 2¢ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 LOL!!! I played in the Ivies and can tell you that being a football player at a school like Stanford doesn't necessarily mean you're as smart as the rest of the student body. Certainly not but based on player test scores, special admit rates, the average student body profile and grad rates we can say with surety that players at the best academic programs are generally better than their counterparts at less selective institutions even though they dont compare to the elite student body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportjunkie07 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I thought Trent murphy performed well his rookie year. I also support not signing orakpo, thus giving murphy a starting gig. However I am not as bullish as others on his potential. I don't think he'll get much better barring the defensive line getting much stronger. I can live with a slight improvement in his play though, which is what I expect to see from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyandSam Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Fans and media get too hung up on sacks and ignore hurries and QB hits. And they completely ignore excellent run defense. Murphy did an excellent job against the run on his side. Like Kerrigan, he has a constant motor and never gives up on a play. I never could understand all the hate spewed at Murphy all year. Most rookies do not get a lot of sacks. In college, sacks often come against inferior O linemen who never make an NFL team. All of a sudden rookies are playing against far better pass protectors than they typically see in the NFL. AND, Murphy had a knee injury for 1/3 of the season. I expect Murphy to improve as a pass rusher this season and play much faster after learning the position last season. Too often, fans want rookies to be superstars immediately. They simply do not understand the adjustments and learning that needs to be done becoming an NFL player. Not to mention, Redskins fans are way too impatient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Blaster Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I thought Trent murphy performed well his rookie year. I also support not signing orakpo, thus giving murphy a starting gig. However I am not as bullish as others on his potential. I don't think he'll get much better barring the defensive line getting much stronger. I can live with a slight improvement in his play though, which is what I expect to see from him. You have to wholly ignore the fact that he was a rookie and still showed better than Orakpo, who has made Pro Bowls and had however many years in the league (6?). I see Murphy as a young Kerrigan right now. With his work ethic he may become just like Ryan, but even if he adds 8-10 sacks/year and Ryan stays up around 13-15, that's a pretty dominant OLB tandem. Add in Preston Smith and we got some good young talent at OLB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 I wish the rest of the fans who expected too much would read SonnyandSam's post. Excellent and spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss_Hogg Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Murphy wasn't anywhere near the "meh" player last season some fans here insist he was. If you actually read up on a lot of articles analyzing Murphy's play, you can't help but come away optimistic about him. Not only that but Murph has really beefed up this offseason. I thought Bruce and Co. were smart to draft him last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 And.... More unrealistic expectations Your Washington Redskins ladies and gents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I'd be shocked if he turns into a legit pass rush threat. I don't think he is or will be the qb hurry threat orakpo was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
righteousbowi Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Reading this reminds me when players and coaches were as complimentary for Keenan Robinson. That said...Its safe to say Trent's stock Is moving up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsGuy Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 And.... More unrealistic expectations Your Washington Redskins ladies and gents How so? I see no one here calling him the next Lawrence Taylor. Just about the potential he has of becoming a really good football player. How is that "unrealistic"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvernon Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Murphy does not need replacing. I still maintain Preston Smith is a lineman, and therefore I fully anticipate Murphy will establish himself. But, whether it be Smith or Murphy, I have faith that the solution is on the roster and coming soon. Unfortunately, Brian Orakpo was a disappointment. The RDE is the position where you look for your star pass rusher. There's no backside pressure, like B gap pressure. Preston Smith is potentially that player with some healthy weight gain - If you do it right, it will take 2-3 years...just in time for Hatcher to be gone. Otherwise, you should be looking a stud in the draft to fill that spot. A good OLB is one that can do a bit of everything well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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