Remember when 100 percent was good enough? Those days are long past for Washington Redskins defensive end Brian Orakpo.
Orakpo, who was a pass-rushing monster during his first three NFL seasons, played in just two games in 2012 before tearing a pectoral muscle that put him on season-ending injured reserve. Now, 10 months later, Orakpo says he’s even better than 100 percent healthy. He’s 300 percent healthy.
“I’m 100, 200, 300 [percent] — whatever that number may be,” he said. “In OTAs or minicamp, I didn’t miss a day, I didn’t miss a practice. I was ready to go. In training camp, I’m going to be full go.”
Orakpo, 26, is entering an all-important contract year and he’s committed to making 2013 the best year of his career. He’s even set himself some awful lofty goals to achieve.
“I’m going to rip it up this year. I have high expectations,” Orakpo said. “I want to win, be in contention for Defensive Player of the Year, get Comeback Player of the Year.”
Orakpo absolutely has the ability to win either, or both, of those awards, and now that he’s back to full health there’s an even better chance of him achieving those goals.
Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.
Photo via Facebook/Brian Orakpo