Orakpo defends DeMarco Murray: Eagles had 'garbage' O-line
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray has new teammate Brian Orakpo on his side.
Murray, who was traded to the Titans by the Philadelphia Eagles just one year into a four-year, $25-million deal, was a big disappointment last season. After leading the NFL in rushing in 2014, Murray's production fell off a cliff. He finished with just 702 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 193 carries.
If you ask Orakpo, it wasn't Murray's fault.
"There's a lot of factors that may play into it," Orakpo told Jason Wolf of the Tennessean. "Wrong style, not getting along with the coaching staff, offensive line being garbage. I mean, it's a lot of things that can be attributed to the way he performed or the way he didn't perform as well as everybody wanted him to. But I really feel like the Titans is the team for him, and like I said, he's been great so far."
Orakpo later seemed to hint on Twitter that he was misquoted:
Somebody please play the audio of when I said this hahaha smh https://t.co/VJ7yCFkOOx
— Brian Orakpo (@rak98) June 6, 2016
Regardless of what Orakpo said, it's clear the Titans are banking on Murray returning to his 2014 form, or near it, but they also hedged their bets by drafting reigning Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in the second round.
With Murray and Henry running behind what the Titans hope will be a much-improved - and decidedly un-garbage - offensive line, the Titans could have a unique "thunder and thunder" rushing attack.