ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -A day late and a year older, first-round draft pick Brian Orakpo went to work for the Washington Redskins.
The No. 13 overall selection from Texas was on the field for practice Friday morning after signing a five-year, $20 million contract that includes $12.1 million guaranteed. The deal ended a one-day holdout – Orakpo was the only player absent when training camp opened Thursday – and put the 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker on the field in time for his 23rd birthday.
“Got the deal done. My pocket’s a little bigger. On your birthday, it’s always a good thing,” Orakpo said.
Orakpo took part in only a few drills during the morning practice, but was expected to be a full participant in the afternoon session.
shing situations.
First-round picks have been slow in signing across the NFL this year. Even so, Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache was not happy when Orakpo was a no-show for the two practices on the first day – especially considering the rookie will be learning a new position.
“He’s not getting better,” Blache said Thursday. “We are not getting better as a team. When a guy holds out – doesn’t help him, doesn’t help the football team. The only person it benefits is the agent, so he can recruit people next year.”
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