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Houston Texans: Week 2: Three Titans pass rushers that will cause trouble

By Brian K. Patterson

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during the game in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during the game in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to throw as he is defended by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to throw as he is defended by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Player #2: Brian Orakpo

If you think the Houston Texans shouldn’t be giving any attention to Brian Orakpo, think again.  He’s another pass rusher that’s going to likely be at the very top of the stat sheet in terms of performance against the Texans.  I’m not just saying that to hear myself talk but it’s all about results for Orakpo and he’s still doing what he’s asked to do.

The party seems to still be getting started for Orakpo, going into his 4th season with the Titans after spending the previous six with the Washington Redskins.  The man has gathered 24.5 sacks over the past three seasons along with 143 tackles — 37 assisted — to boot.

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He was slowed by a shoulder injury back early in training camp this past off season but he’s ready to do work on his side of the football once again.  Unless O’Brien decides to do some shifting around, Martinas Rankin and Senio Kelemete will be tasked to protecting Watson from that side of the offensive line.  This is going to allow Orakpo to emanate a warm “welcome” for Rankin into the league with some veteran moves of his own.

Hopefully it’s not too much for the rookie as I really want Rankin to excel.  With the season-ending ankle injury to Seantrel Henderson, Rankin will play more snaps than he ever envisioned for 2018 and he’ll certainly be learning on the fly.

But sadly, I feel that it will be Orakpo that will be at the front of the class, with his superior pass-rush capabilities as the chalkboard, taking him to school.

Will it happen?  Of course I hope not but it might be a long day for that left side of the offensive line.  We’ll have to see.

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