Amobi Okoye

[maddogmrb]

I just went over to Texan Chick's blog and watched the video of Amobi in the Senior Bowl.

I'm sorry guys & gals but I just wasn't overly impressed. Yes, he beat a slow guard one on one on obvious passing downs a couple of times but, the rest of the time he appeared to be handled fairly easily.

Whoever was "marking" the video was exagerrating his value to the defense. In one instance, he marked the screen saying that Amobi "held his position and secured his side of the line" ........ actually the play went to the other side of the line and he was a non-factor. A couple of times the "marker" said he "commanded" a double team and I believe he was double teamed because the play was coming at him and he was a total non-factor each time as the double team easily took him out of the play.

He's fast but, he looked small. He looked much more like a DE than a DT to me. He certainly didn't dominate his peers to the point of being worthy of the 10th pick in the draft.

He's the youngest player ever taken in the 1st round and he's only had ONE good year at the college level???? Even the commentators at the Sr. Bowl said he went from being an average player to being a good one in one year.

I'm concerned that we reached for him at #10 and he won't be a factor for at least a couple of years, if ever, and I have doubts that he will ever be an effective DT. NFL guards aren't as easy to beat as those in the Sr. Bowl (unless they're in Texans uniforms, of course).

Go watch the video and tell me if I'm smoking the wacky stuff or what!

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by maddogmrb

Go watch the video and tell me if I'm smoking the wacky stuff or what!

I share some of your concerns but I hope that they are short term problems (not that he has proven to have any problems yet). I think he is going to get pushed around quite a bit his rookie year and really struggle when run directly at....he will be more effective when the play is going the other way and in pursuit and in passing situations. Anyone looking for immediate returns may be disappointed.

[Second Honeymoon]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I share some of your concerns but I hope that they are short term problems (not that he has proven to have any problems yet). I think he is going to get pushed around quite a bit his rookie year and really struggle when run directly at....he will be more effective when the play is going the other way and in pursuit and in passing situations. Anyone looking for immediate returns may be disappointed.

yup with the back to back selections of Mario and Amobi, the Texans are going with the 'slow pay' method of building a team. The good thing is that if everything works out, we should be set at DL for the near future.

its kinda like buying an IPO stock. it may not pay off instantly with dividends but it shows signs that it could grow.

similar to my America Movil stock which has grown over 3000% in the past 3 years *pats self on back* bought it at 5dollars now teetering in the mid 60s. America Movil basically paid for my season tickets this year thanks Slim

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by maddogmrb

Go watch the video and tell me if I'm smoking the wacky stuff or what!

There was a link to videos of the Senior Bowl practices around, but I can't find it. In those clips, Okoye dominated all week. That does not mean he will dominate the NFL, but Amobi was definitely a cut above the players he went against that week.

As far as the Mel Kiper line of "going from an average player to being a good one in one year", Okoye was ages 16-18 his first 3 seasons at Louisville. A lot of football players make a big jump from age 18 to 19. Usually, it's in high school playing other teenagers. I can't blame the Texans for taking Okoye's potential into consideration. Frankly, it's a gutsy move by Smith & Kubiak that may benefit the Texans more in '09 than it does in '07. I hope they're around to see that.

[V3rm0nt3r]

i like this

with the debt we've amassed we might be able to hold this against him and with Jeff Zgonina being mainly a run stopper at this point we can swap them out on obvious passing and running downs.

[Porky]

While Vinny is probably right that he won't be consistently dominant his rookie year which is no surprise, I will disagree with the thread starter. I think we will see flashes of what he can become, while also seeing how far he has to go. No surprise there.

I watched NFL network before the draft, and they had some ISO's on him both from his Jr and Senior seasons as well as Senior Bowl practice and the game. One thing that was evident was that he made tremendous progress from his Jr year to his Sr year, and continued that progress right on through the Sr bowl, where he was more than holding his own against older players.

I admit I am not an expert, I can only go by what I see. I liked him much more than Mario based on the pre-draft film I saw. I saw unreal quickness at times, and a real pass rush presence in the middle. I was much more excited about it when we drafted him, then the Mario draft. He reminded me of a really young Warren Sapp. I feel that over time that is the type of player he will become.

There is never a guarantee with any player, but Mike Mayock and the other NFL network folks were raving about him. I guess the proof is in the pudding as professional football scouts thought enough of his game to draft him in the top 10, and many thought that was low for a player of his calibur.

[the wonger need food]

Defensive Lineman generally have the toughest transition from College to the Pros so I wouldn't expect him to make the Pro Bowl this year.

Without knowing exactly what his responsibities were for each particular play it's nearly impossible to critique his performance. From what I saw he dominated Ben Grubbs (the first Guard taken in this year's draft) on numerous occasions.

He didn't dominate his peers in an All-Star game (which in reality he did on several occasions) so he's not worthy of a top 10 draft pick? Whatever...

[Texans_Chick]

Here's various links with stuff that might be of interest re: Okoye:

Megan Manfull writes for SportingNews.com along with the Chronic. In her latest Texans review, she said:

Rookie DT Amobi Okoye's biggest issue in training camp could simply be dealing with the heat. He just turned 20 years old, but his age is hardly holding him back. He fit instantly in with the team and is grasping the system and the coaching quickly. The heat bothered him a little during OTAs, and it wasn't nearly as hot and humid then as it will be in August. ...

A few other odds and ends are in that link.

This is my discussion of my expectations for Okoye. I think he is the sort of player that the Texans covet (football smart, good character), but physically, I worry some about him with the run. DTs usually get better as they age:

What are Your Expectations for Okoye?

The run defense is a key to the Texans D, because if the Texans can't stop the run consistently, they are not going to get teams in obvious passing downs.

Here's the link that has the Okoye video link in it, and a few other things:

Amobi Okoye and the 2007 Texans Draft Class

[TexansLucky13]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Anyone looking for immediate returns may be disappointed.

And this is how we separate the real and the not-so-real Texans fans.

[BattleRedToro]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Here's various links with stuff that might be of interest re: Okoye:

Megan Manfull writes for SportingNews.com along with the Chronic. In her latest Texans review, she said:



A few other odds and ends are in that link.

This is my discussion of my expectations for Okoye. I think he is the sort of player that the Texans covet (football smart, good character), but physically, I worry some about him with the run. DTs usually get better as they age:

What are Your Expectations for Okoye?

The run defense is a key to the Texans D, because if the Texans can't stop the run consistently, they are not going to get teams in obvious passing downs.

Here's the link that has the Okoye video link in it, and a few other things:

Amobi Okoye and the 2007 Texans Draft Class

And that is why I have been stressing the need for this team to acquire a true NT, but that doesn't seem to be important to the Texans.

[Goldensilence]

I think it's rather important to keep in mind he won't start playing full-time this season. I really epxect him to be eased into the situation. We have nice depth at DT this year and that willl help his development i think.

With the first two picks the last year we've gone two of the hardest transition positions in the NFL and the ones who don't so often see real quick production. I'm not saying it doesn't happen because guys like Mark Anderson took off last year. Though he did have the benefit of a great bears defense around him. These two rookies the past two years haven't had that luxury and Mario had to be thrown to the fire with a foot injury none the less. I'll remind this Bruce Smith and Reggie White didn't have stellar starts to their careers but their busts are in Canton.

[maddogmrb]

[quote=Goldensilence;691391]I think it's rather important to keep in mind he won't start playing full-time this season. I really epxect him to be eased into the situation. We have nice depth at DT this year and that willl help his development i think.
QUOTE]


But, if we already have nice depth at DT, wouldn't it have made better sense to shore up one of the other dozen holes we have on the team such as OLB or CB or S with our #10 pick?

[DBCooper]

Originally Posted by maddogmrb

But, if we already have nice depth at DT, wouldn't it have made better sense to shore up one of the other dozen holes we have on the team such as OLB or CB or S with our #10 pick?

He was the best player available when we picked.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I share some of your concerns but I hope that they are short term problems (not that he has proven to have any problems yet). I think he is going to get pushed around quite a bit his rookie year and really struggle when run directly at....he will be more effective when the play is going the other way and in pursuit and in passing situations. Anyone looking for immediate returns may be disappointed.

Although you're more than likely correct. I believe he'll be just as good if not better than what we rotated through that Dline last year.

With his intelligence, game experience will probably teach him more than anything he learns in TC.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Rookie DT Amobi Okoye's biggest issue in training camp could simply be dealing with the heat. He just turned 20 years old, but his age is hardly holding him back. He fit instantly in with the team and is grasping the system and the coaching quickly. The heat bothered him a little during OTAs, and it wasn't nearly as hot and humid then as it will be in August. ...

Having lived here for 44 years , you don't adapt to the heat nearly as much as you prepare for the heat .

If Okoye , in OTAs was going all out and did'nt hydrate himself and keep on drinking , then yes he would have problems .

I think Okoye will do fine . He may not be all world at first but he will show flashes this year .

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Honoring Earl 34

Having lived here for 44 years , you don't adapt to the heat nearly as much as you prepare for the heat .

If Okoye , in OTAs was going all out and did'nt hydrate himself and keep on drinking , then yes he would have problems .

I think Okoye will do fine . He may not be all world at first but he will show flashes this year .

I think it has more to do with adapting to the humidity than just the heat. And yes it does need adapting to.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I share some of your concerns but I hope that they are short term problems (not that he has proven to have any problems yet). I think he is going to get pushed around quite a bit his rookie year and really struggle when run directly at....he will be more effective when the play is going the other way and in pursuit and in passing situations. Anyone looking for immediate returns may be disappointed.

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

Although you're more than likely correct. I believe he'll be just as good if not better than what we rotated through that Dline last year.

so you are saying he is going to be awful huh

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

I think it has more to do with adapting to the humidity than just the heat. And yes it does need adapting to.

I grew up in Houston and my wife grew up in San Angelo. I've spent most of the past 20 years in places like Southern California and Arizona where it's... uh... dry. And sometimes very hot. To this day, my wife will be drenched in sweat telling me how godawful humid it is when it feels perfectly comfy to me.

So... yeah... I think you do adapt to the humidity.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Vinny

so you are saying he is going to be awful huh

LOL. I wouldn't go that far, but the first few games might be a little rough for him. You never know though, he might turn out to be a prodigy at the NFL level as well. It's gunna be fun.

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

I grew up in Houston and my wife grew up in San Angelo. I've spent most of the past 20 years in places like Southern California and Arizona where it's... uh... dry. And sometimes very hot. To this day, my wife will be drenched in sweat telling me how godawful humid it is when it feels perfectly comfy to me.

So... yeah... I think you do adapt to the humidity.

I've lived here my whole life as well and it's still miserable every summer. I'll be danged if I'd trade it for anything else though.

Yesterday after I got home from work it was hotter than the hinges of Hades. I walked out to the garage to work on my street car and it starts pouring rain. Houston, where the weather changes every 5 minutes.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

LOL. I wouldn't go that far, but the first few games might be a little rough for him. You never know though, he might turn out to be a prodigy at the NFL level as well. It's gunna be fun.

Unlike some of our past team leaders Okoye seems to be more vocal and in the mold of DeMeco Ryans when it comes to demeanor, so I find that encouraging and something to be excited about. While it will be likely he has some adjustment period getting used to NFL caliber Guard play, he should flash some big plays here and there if he is as advertised....I'm still looking for Travis Johnson to flash something other than picking on TC scrubs.