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Is Amobi a bust?
- Thread starter blitz90
- Start date
False Start
On # 69
I'll give him one more chance this season. If he doesn't step it up this year he will be on the verge of bust.
TexanBacker93
Veteran
I think it is still too early. It was one of the problems with taking such a young player. I'd like to see more out of him, but I hesitate to call him a bust. I thought he had some flashes in his first season so the talent is there.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The signs are concerning. But I'll wait to see how things settle out with a more stable supporting cast and more time to develop and season the "new attitude" and proposed "new D scheme."
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
GP
Go Texans!
After reading this board for the past few months, and seeing him play in the preseason games thus far, I voted that he IS a bust.
And now we see why teams passed on him (such as Miami).
He's just not going to play "up" to an NFL level for a DT.
We need to hire a specialist who can help us with drafting defensive tackles in the first round. We're about to be 0-2.
And now we see why teams passed on him (such as Miami).
He's just not going to play "up" to an NFL level for a DT.
We need to hire a specialist who can help us with drafting defensive tackles in the first round. We're about to be 0-2.
b0ng
Bad Hombre
Showed too much flash out of the gate for me to call him a bust.
Also, if he turns a corner and breaks out during his career nobody is going to call him a bust. Haynesworth didn't show his talent until it was a contract year, but once he did nobody (media, forums, or otherwise) has uttered the word "bust" when speaking of him.
I have a feelin Okoye will be here at least until his contract expires, like TJ.
Also, if he turns a corner and breaks out during his career nobody is going to call him a bust. Haynesworth didn't show his talent until it was a contract year, but once he did nobody (media, forums, or otherwise) has uttered the word "bust" when speaking of him.
I have a feelin Okoye will be here at least until his contract expires, like TJ.
Vinny
shiny happy fan
I'm very critical of his play but I'd say it's too early in lieu of his age. It's not his fault the Texans made him a 10th overall pick. He gets a pretty nice apprentice wage though...must be nice. Now, I'm very concerned with his inability to anchor and sustain his gap integrity. That's a huge problem with a DT. It's like saying our QB is coming along but the only problem he has is he can't throw. I thought he shot gaps better as a rookie but I think the NFL Guards have figured out that he can't bull rush so it makes him too one-dimensional as a DT. Frankly, if I have a one dimensional DT, I'd rather him be a run stopper than a gap shooter.
Not to totally dog on Ak0ye so I'll say something positive about his play....His one consistent strength is that he is an asset when the play is away from him because he has the foot speed to be an above average player laterally. That's a big part of having lighter, quicker linemen. If you can seal off all your cut back lanes then your linebackers can tee off more recklessly and be more decisive about the direction they are headed when they know the DT's are right on their heels cleaning up the cut backs.
Not to totally dog on Ak0ye so I'll say something positive about his play....His one consistent strength is that he is an asset when the play is away from him because he has the foot speed to be an above average player laterally. That's a big part of having lighter, quicker linemen. If you can seal off all your cut back lanes then your linebackers can tee off more recklessly and be more decisive about the direction they are headed when they know the DT's are right on their heels cleaning up the cut backs.
Third year - time to see what Amobi can do when he puts his mind to it. Give him this year before we start screaming for heads to roll. I'm willing to be patient - you never know when the light will go off in his young brain. If that light is going to shine, it should be this year.
rollinstone18
let it bleed
Okoye was great for the first half of his rookie year so it's not like he doesn't have the talent or ability. But considering we could have drafted Willis or Revis (guy I wanted) instead of Okoye, I'd say the Texans FO are more to blame. I'm pulling for Okoye, but this year he has no choice but produce. Next year's DT draft class is going to be sick.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
I've got to see what he does this year.
This year, the scheme is supposed to be geared toward his strengths.
This year, the scheme is supposed to be geared toward his strengths.
GP
Go Texans!
So our first rounder is a role player. Not an impact player.
That's how Amobi strikes me: A guy who can contribute, but he's never going to get his name in the papers on Monday.
A one dimensional DT can be effective, if he's exceptional in that dimension. John Randle was an exceptional 3 technique DT, because he had exceptional quickness. I thought the Texans were getting that type of DT in 0-koye. Other than a handful of games at the beginning of his career, I haven't seen a glimpse of that Randle type ability.
Maybe he's been miscast as an everydown player. Has Amobi bulked up too much to rush the passer, but still not enough to anchor versus the run? I don't have the answer. I just know that what's been tried thus far isn't working.
One of the biggest problems when building almost strictly through the draft is that you have little room for error in your draft selections. Kubiak & Smith spent a very valuable resource on 0-koye. I don't think they can afford to see him bust.
barrett
All Pro
I think he's looked very good shooting gaps in preseason. He wasn't asked to do that last year. He's getting good penetration and doing it quickly. But it's in passing situations only.
http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1235180&postcount=9
And BTW, purposely butchering a player's name in order to make some kind of statement is lame, classless, and disrespectful, in my opinion.
And BTW, purposely butchering a player's name in order to make some kind of statement is lame, classless, and disrespectful, in my opinion.
m5kwatts
Veteran
http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1235180&postcount=9
And BTW, purposely butchering a player's name in order to make some kind of statement is lame, classless, and disrespectful, in my opinion.
I'm not even sure I get the pun....0-koye?
eriadoc
Texan-American
I believe it was supposed to be Ok0ye - zero in the middle. And meh ... it happens to every player that fans talk about. I guess the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.
eriadoc
Texan-American
I don't disagree with anything you posted, and I usually feel kind of bad for players who are put in that position (Babin, anyone?), but the thing is, if Okoye had been a 7th round poick, no one would be using the bust word at all in conversations about him. If he was a 3rd round pick, people would be saying it's about time he showed something, anything, but still not bust.
The word "bust" is kind of wrapped up in the expenditure. You don't usually hear of late-round guys as busts. So like it or not, I think he's a bust after this season if he doesn't prove he can be an every-down player. He may go on to do something later on, especially given his age, but it will be like when Mandarich went on to have a few productive years after he was labeled. JMO.
m5kwatts
Veteran
Thats not clever at all why not Immobile Okoye lol jk
Texan JBZ
Da Sip's Finest
These were my feelings on Amobi after last year's Saints preseason game:
Sounds familiar, eh? Amobi has had plenty of time too at least flash some potential. I don't see anything positive coming from him right now, and haven't seen anything for a long time. He's a bust in my book.
Sounds familiar, eh? Amobi has had plenty of time too at least flash some potential. I don't see anything positive coming from him right now, and haven't seen anything for a long time. He's a bust in my book.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
Amobi is not a bust in my opinion. He is dangerously close to being a bust however and to be honest the only thing that prevents him from being a bust at this point (Because Travis Johnson sure as hell had hit bust status by this time) is his age.
Keep in mind something though. Even if he suddenly becomes what the Texans imagined he would be this year or next year he's still a bad pick. When you're as bad as the Texans have been you have no damned business taking wild shots at guys who are entering the NFL at 19 and who won't be able to help you until they grow up in 3-4 years. What kind of dumbass GM spends a first round draft pick on a guy who can't help you until he's one step from being written off entirely?
Smith has gotten lots of kudos for the good things he's done but seriously, this wasn't a good move for this team, at that time, and with those needs. I don't think anybody can truly refute that.
Keep in mind something though. Even if he suddenly becomes what the Texans imagined he would be this year or next year he's still a bad pick. When you're as bad as the Texans have been you have no damned business taking wild shots at guys who are entering the NFL at 19 and who won't be able to help you until they grow up in 3-4 years. What kind of dumbass GM spends a first round draft pick on a guy who can't help you until he's one step from being written off entirely?
Smith has gotten lots of kudos for the good things he's done but seriously, this wasn't a good move for this team, at that time, and with those needs. I don't think anybody can truly refute that.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
For a split second, I thought the title read "Is Amobi a robot?".
A robot would have made some noise by now or, if he proved incapable of doing so he'd have upgraded himself to get the job done.
Amobi has done neither of these things so far and therefore I conclude he is not a robot or even a cyborg sent from the future to sack Peyton Manning into oblivion. He's just a very physically gifted young man who was taken far too soon in the draft.
Sorry Herv, I can refute it. To say this wasn't a good move for the team in hindsight two years after the draft is a no brainer. But I was here, and so were you on that draft day, and #10 on the board was not considered a reach by anyone.
If all the GMs had crystal balls in their pockets that day, Amobi wouldn't have been drafted in the 3rd round, much less than the first.
But no one did have a crystal ball that day. All they had to go on was potential. That's why first round picks are crap shoots. But to say that Smith didn't make a good move for this team, at that time . . . yup, I gotta refute that.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Too young, too immature, too high, too soon, too little.......too late?
forcefollow
Noob
In a word...... Yes.
Im refuting youre rufute. There where just as many people (fans and pros) that thought it was a bad move. Most here (including myself) wanted Willis. Go back and reread the draft threads about him and you will find many who thought his age was a concern. Remember the guy on ESPN licking his hand and saying OL are going to be licking there chops when they line up across from a 19 year old. At the time and still to this day this team needs high draft picks to contribute quickly. Its not like we have the luxury of abundance quality depth where we can draft guys and wait for them to grow into roles.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
I don't see how. I mean, sure it is no doubt hindsight to say it was a bad move but at the moment he was picked I was sitting in a room full of Texans fans including Vinny and there was a definite "WTF?" moment there. Nobody freaked out over it or leaped directly into denial but the "I hope the Texans know what they're doing" vibe was very much present that afternoon. Vinny was there and I know he recalls the 15-20 minutes of light hearted joking about taking Okoye. There was lots of joking about what his nickname would be but there was clear concern about picking a guy that young that high.
You didn't need a crystal ball to know that grabbing a 19 year old with the 10th pick was a bit of a leap of faith. We had just taken Mario Williams in 2006, Travis "The Slug" Johnson in 2005, and the unforgettable force that was Jason Babin in 2004. Three first round picks on the DL in three years and Smith opts to make it four in a row with Okoye? We didn't need linebackers? Patrick Willis went right after Okoye. We didn't need cornerbacks? Darrell Revis went four picks after that. Our running backs were set? We didn't need Marshawn Lynch who went at the 12th spot?
I knew all of those guys names on draft day in 2007. I'm sure you did too. It was a big reach and arguably less of a need than any of those other positions I just named. Lack of a credible running back, secondary, or linebacker beyond DeMeco Ryans are all perfectly valid needs that could have been addressed with safer choices than a 19 year old "Phenom" like Amobi who built his legend at Louisville in the Big East.
Once the team has picked it's not like they can throw him back in and pick again. Once the team has picked we all get on board and hope for the best. Hindsight is 20/20. The first round is full of gambles. Knowing when the Texans should gamble and when they should play it safe and make the obvious selection has been a problem from day one here through two GM's and a pair of coaches. This was another case of that happening. It made no sense for a number of reasons.
Water under the bridge though. He's here now and I sure hope this is the year we see the Amobi Okoye that we hoped to see.
They DID NOT draft Amobi Akoye with the 10th pick to wait for him to grow into a role. Where are you guys getting this stuff? How do you know they didn't draft him thinking he could be an impact player immediately?
Just because you wanted Willis means didley squat. Hell, even I wanted Willis at the time. And no, I don't need to go back and read those threads. YOU do if you think it that most people thought it was a bad move. Revisionist history once again.
Reading this kinda makes me think of Detroit picking WR in the 1st for 2 or 3 yrs. in a row, and we haven't done much better. We got MW, they got CJ. A couple of busts for both teams, but as inept as the Lions are, they managed to somehow dupe Dallas into a 1st rounder for Roy Williams.We laways seem to let our guys just cash their checks and walk. The draft day adage of judging a draft in 3 years is applicable in this situation, so I'm not going to call AO a bust just yet. He DOES need to put it together quickly, though. I was all for picking him, but hindsight is showing me that I was looking through Battle Red colored glasses. It seems obvious now that he would be a bit of a project and that maybe he's just too damned smart to be a good interior defensive lineman. He's graduated everything with honors and in much less time than your normal player. Seriously, you have to be a bit off to play the line on either side of the ball. The stuff that goes on in the trenches will make a sane person weak in the knees. Maybe all those smarts makes him think too much instead of playing with instinct. All in all, I hope TJ goes all Haynesworth on the NFL in his contract year and Okoye brings what we thought he could bring when we drafted him.
Do you really beleive they drafted a 19 year old and thought he would come in and be an impact player immediately?
Have another one!And most people didnt outright cry "bad move" but there was definatly an air of uncertainty about taking a player that young at a position that wasnt considered as big a priority as several other positions of extreme weakness. You can word it anyway you want but MOST people were SURPRISED by the pick at the very least.
The worst kind of bust. The one that you let go of and he gets a real S&C coach and gains 30 lbs of muscle at 23 years old and you look like a fool.
That is why I believe in getting dev. guys in the 4th rd. or later.
THink we could have had Darrell Revis.
I hope AO has a good work ethic.
I believe Smithiak's job depends on it.
If the DT's cant stop the run it's going to be a long season. IMO
I hate that the CC regime left Smithiak so little room for error that missing on AO could cost them their jobs.
Oh well I guess that's just the way it is.
That is why I believe in getting dev. guys in the 4th rd. or later.
THink we could have had Darrell Revis.
I hope AO has a good work ethic.
I believe Smithiak's job depends on it.
If the DT's cant stop the run it's going to be a long season. IMO
I hate that the CC regime left Smithiak so little room for error that missing on AO could cost them their jobs.
Oh well I guess that's just the way it is.
SteveSlaton20
Rookie
he's young guys, younger than most rookies right now, chillax.
i wouldnt be surprise if he have another disappointing season this year, and if he does, i still wouldnt call him a bust. give him another year or two and he'll shine.
i wouldnt be surprise if he have another disappointing season this year, and if he does, i still wouldnt call him a bust. give him another year or two and he'll shine.
Good ?
This is my point on why Smithiak shouldn't have drafted AO.
Especially when they passed on pro-bowl talent to draft AO.
There is still a problem here with the hindsight prospective. At that time . . at that time . . at that time, without the benefit of hindsight, there was, there is, and there never will be, a "safe and obvious 1st rounder".
If that were the case, no team would ever, EVER bust out on a first round pick.
barrett
All Pro
great point. Some players are better evaluated by some teams than others though. I wouldn't have touched Andre Smith with a 10 ft twinkie. But Cincy has never learned. Crabtree.... same deal. And both those guys are superbly talented but they are high risks. Then you have a machine like NE who drafts a QB who never played a down in college and were able to start him for a year and go 11-5. Some teams are smarter than others. I think we're somewhere in the middle and hopefully on the way up.
I have nothing to add to this thread. Just playing with my WAcom tablet
This is pretty cool.
This is pretty cool.
brakos82
Yaters Gonna Yate.
That thing's awesome.
What problem? We're fans. What we say and when we say it has no bearing. What Kubiak and Smith do, and the results they get, is the only thing that counts. If Ok0ye (I prefer eriadoc's wordplay) busts, that's on Kubiak & Smith. Not the fans. No matter what their 2007 prognostication's were.
You want Kubiak and Smith fired, Lucky. We all get that. Unlike you, I'm not out looking to conjure up a some reason to play some kind of blame game.
Specnatz
Hall of Fame
You are right it is on the Coach and the GM because they are the one getting paid and us fans are not. Fans get to have it both ways, love the pick the day it happens and expound upon how right it is. The a few years later we get to say how stupid the pick was and why it was stupid at the time. In other words we get to have our cake and it to.
I want the Texans to win, Marcus. Unlike the Sunshine Club, I couldn't care less who the head coach and GM are that makes that happen.
Vinny
shiny happy fan
I remember and can confirm this story. Keith from houstonprofootball.com/inthebullseye.com was in that same "fan war room' (it was more like a loft with a big screen, but hey we were comfy - nice house btw), and we were all talking about how this was a risky move. Most of us agreed that there is a very real chance that Ok0ye would not live up to his first contract and how this was a risky move for a team that could have used a player who was ready to step in immediately, like Darrelle Revis. I don't remember who Keith was hoping for but I was disappointed we didn't take Darrelle Revis. I guess I still am.
GuerillaBlack
Hall of Fame
I think the Vikings should have taken Okoye. That way, we would have had a better chance at AP. 