themurf Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 (photo by Brian Murphy) Ryan Kerrigan is the epitome of a blue-collar worker. Coming out of college, he was never considered the biggest, strongest or fastest at his position, but the Washington Redskins saw enough from the Purdue standout to select him with the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Of course, as we all know by now, the Redskins were rewarded for taking a chance on Kerrigan. Not only did the outside linebacker give opposing offenses someone other than Brian Orakpo to worry about when it came to rushing the passer, but the 23-year-old was the only Redskins player who never missed a play in ‘11. With 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a monumental defensive touchdown in his first-career NFL game, Kerrigan gave local fans a lot to love in his inaugural season. With that in mind, I caught up with the youngster recently to see what he’s got planned for year two and here’s what he had to say: How’s everything coming along during these OTAs? “You know, we’re learning a lot and we’re getting better every day,” Kerrigan said. “That’s the point of the OTAs. There’s not a lot of pressure, because you’re not preparing for a game, but at the same time, this is when you can hone in on specific skills and try to work on whatever weaknesses and enhance your strengths from last season. This has been good for us so far.” Okay, that’s fine. But I’m not worried about the Redskins as a whole right now. I’m asking about you, personally. This is your second season, which means you’re not a rookie anymore who is out here trying to keep your head from spinning. What’s your mindset these days — are you care free and just enjoying the game? “I wouldn’t say it’s care free, but it’s definitely a lot lighter mentally than it was last year,” he said. “I know what I need to do and that allows me to play a little faster and just play a little more open.” From where I’m standing, with Jarvis Jenkins back in the mix and everyone having another year in this defense, it appears you guys have the potential to boast a pretty nasty front seven. Would you agree? “Yeah, absolutely. We’ve got the pieces because the organization has invested a lot with guys like [Adam] Carriker, [stephen] Bowen and [barry] Cofield as well, so we’ve got a chance to be a great front seven. We’ve just got to go out and work every day and put it all together out there on the field.” How did you spend your offseason? I know you were in town when the franchise unveiled the throwback uniforms, but did you get to take a nice vacation or anything like that during your time away from the game? “Not really, I actually had some school work to finish up,” Kerrigan said. “So I was back at Purdue taking classes last winter and through the spring.* I’m glad to get that done, but I was able to train out there and now I’m back to training here.” *Of course he spent his offseason taking college classes rather than doing anything fun and exciting. The guy is a cyborg. Well, either that or the whole blue-collar mentality really is accurate. So how did you get roped into the ceremony to unveil the throwback jerseys? “Well, Mr. Snyder asked me to do it,” he said. “I figured if the owner asks you to do anything like that it’s obviously an honor, so I was glad to do it.” What you’re saying is you’re not going to be the guy who tells the owner no, huh? (Laughs.) “Absolutely not,” he added. For a while now, the defense has been the strength of the Washington Redskins. This offseason though, there’s a new guy on the other side of the ball who has gotten the locals pretty excited … “Who is that,” Kerrigan said with a laugh. What have you seen from that new quarterback so far? “He’s been very impressive,” he said of Robert Griffin III. “He’s as good as advertised in terms of his athleticism, but what I see is a quarterback. I see a guy who can throw the ball and make good decisions that the best guys can make. His 4.3 speed is just a little cherry on top of all his other quarterbacking skills.” Look, we all know he wants to be a pocket passer first and foremost, but how do you bring down a guy like that if it’s just you and him in the open field? “I mean, it’s definitely a task that I’m glad I don’t have to do in live action because he’s probably going to make a lot of guys look stupid,” Kerrigan said. “But he’s a good athlete and I’m glad he’s on our side.” You didn’t miss a single snap all last season. How do you follow that up and what goals do you have set for yourself this season? Click here for the full article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WellsHTTR Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Murf, that photo makes me incredibly happy Nicely done write-up on one of the many guys who is the future of this franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshow24 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 As unhappy as Eli is in that picture, there is another Kerrigan play that keeps him up nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Thanks, murf...great as usual! Can't wait for the season! HTTR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeefJerky Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Nice article Murf ( as usual). Kerrigan is a beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wholee Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Thanks Murf! I'm glad Kerrigan is on our side. I wonder what he's seen in practice to say that Griffin III will probably make a lot of guys look stupid in the open field? I've seen Griffin III on film like most of everyone but it seems like Kerrigan knows something from recent experience. I am ready for Redskins football! HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGoonie55 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Thanks Murf! I'm glad Kerrigan is on our side. I wonder what he's seen in practice to say that Griffin III will probably make a lot of guys look stupid in the open field? I've seen Griffin III on film like most of everyone but it seems like Kerrigan knows something from recent experience. I am ready for Redskins football! HTTR Excellent point. Has Griffin broken Ryan's ankles at practice? Would be a great photo!!! Thanks Muf! Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roanoker Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Good job Murf. I'm glad Kerrigan plays for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morneblade Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Kerrigan is one of the reasons there is hope again in Washington. Love the way he plays and how he approches the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uno Mas Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Nice write up. Ill never forget last years draft. I admit, when the commish called his name, I didnt have a clue who he was. However, it didnt take long for him to become one of my favorite skins. Great attitude, strong motor and always seems eager to want to improve. Team first guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always A Commander Never A Captain Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Ill never forget last years draft. I admit, when the commish called his name, I didnt have a clue who he was. I knew vaguely about him, but it just never occurred to me that we'd draft him. I was really happy when we traded down from #10, since I did not want Gabbert. But I had no clue we'd draft Kerrigan. I was thinking, "Alright...makes sense I guess, we do need someone opposite Orakpo." always seems eager to want to improve And this is the big thing. You can tell that he wants to work on his craft and improve by adding new things. I don't know if he'll make a big jump in production between this past season and the next one. But you do know he'll be a bit better, and should be a bit better after that one as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wholee Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Excellent point. Has Griffin broken Ryan's ankles at practice? Would be a great photo!!! Yep, that's exactly what I was wondering. It seems like in the past, we were seeing all sorts of Redskins footage and now they only show stretching and a few throws on Redskins Nation. I think that those in the "know", know something that we will all find out soon enough. HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Great job as usual Murf, enjoyed reading that he is indeed who we came to know last year. Nothing but big things ahead for this guy IMO. You want to get pumped up about this guy, watch this...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirClintonPortis Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Kerrigan might be blue-collar and white, but his athleticism, as measured at the Combine, was only slightly worse than Orakpo's. Slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Love Kerrigan. He fits my idea of a true Redskin. Don't look now but we're adding quite a few of those guys...RG3, Hankerson, Davis, TWilliams, Young, Riley, Jenkins, Helu. Work that draft, Shanny. And I like how he's getting his degree. The older I get, the more I like that kinda stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Kerrakpo :point2sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERRAKPO9198 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Kerrakpo :point2sky OK, I'll point to the sky... :point2sky :gap: And yes, I admit Kerrigan is a beast and I think will be one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL within a couple more years, he is strong as an ox and a very good athlete with the a motor that never stops. Hopefully he can turn into a Jared Allen type of dominant player. And Orakpo has all the tools to be the same, a very dominant linebacker, big strong, fast, athletic as heck, dare I say the next Lawrence Taylor. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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