on Bruce Gradkowski and three sacks on Jamarcus Russell and tied the Redskins' single-game sack record. He earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance. On December 30, 2009, it was announced that Orakpo was selected to play in the 2010 Pro Bowl and was the only rookie to be initially voted to the NFC roster. Orakpo became the first Redskins' rookie to make the Pro Bowl since RB/KR Tony Green in 1978. Orakpo finished his rookie year 50 combined tackles (37 solo), a career-high 11 sacks, and two pass deflections in 16 games and starts. 2010 season On January 4, 2010, the Redskins fired head coach Jim Zorn after they finished with a 4–12 record in 2009. The Washington Redskins hired Jim Haslett as their new defensive coordinator and installed a base 3-4 defense. Head coach Mike Shanahan named Orakpo and Andre Carter the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh. During Week 4, Orakpo recorded three combined tackles and a season-high a two sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a 16–13 win over the Green Bay Packers. In Week 10, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles and was credited with half a sack during a 59–28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Orakpo was sidelined for the Week 16 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars after sustaining a hamstring injury the previous week. Orakpo finished his second professional season with 56 combined tackles (36 solo), 8.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 15 games and starts. On January 23, 2011, it was announced that he would play in the 2011 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III who was appearing in Super Bowl XLV. On January 30, 2011, Orakpo recorded seven combined tackles as part of the NFC during their 55–41 victory against the AFC. 2011 season Head coach Mike Shanahan named Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan the starting outside linebackers to start the regular season, along with inside linebackers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh. During Week 4 against the St. Louis Rams, Orakpo recorded five combined tackles, a forced fumble, and had a season-high 2.5 sacks on Rams' quarterback Sam Bradford during a 17–10 road victory. His performance earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Three weeks later, he collected a season-high six combined tackles