badboy
Hall of Fame
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5813259.htmlGreat article on DT Frank Okam's adjustments to NFL. He has dropped weight from 347 and wants to lose another 5 to 295. Read Kube's comments as to how soon Okam will help.
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Oh man! Okam!
- Thread starter badboy
- Start date
SOLIS
United We Stand
Apparently dude said he mishandled his creatine intake heading into the combine which caused him to balloon to near 350. Apparently he's been busting his ass to get in better shape.
The good thing about Frank is that he has a naturally big frame. He will always have a wide body, no matter if he's playing at or below 330. I'd like to see him drill at both weights (330 vs 350) and see how different he looks coming out of his stance.
The good thing about Frank is that he has a naturally big frame. He will always have a wide body, no matter if he's playing at or below 330. I'd like to see him drill at both weights (330 vs 350) and see how different he looks coming out of his stance.
DiehardChris
You betcha!
Yeah, I'm sure the guy who's "too smart to play NFL football" didn't know how to read the label on his creatine. The guy was fat and out of shape - it happens to all of us, pro athletes or not. LOL
This guy's gonna be the steal of the draft, I tell ya. Travis Johnson better get his injury issues worked out, or he's gonna be watching from the bench.
This guy's gonna be the steal of the draft, I tell ya. Travis Johnson better get his injury issues worked out, or he's gonna be watching from the bench.
SOLIS
United We Stand
Whadup Chris?
Yeah - I think he let his weight get away from him. I know I have to hit the gym hard after a season of Texans football... especially when the beers start pouring at noon on Sunday. Of course I usually end up at the neighbors at 3 to root for who ever the Cowpokes are playing. It makes for a looong day... but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Man I miss football season.
DiehardChris
You betcha!
Yeah, man. The darkest days are behind us now! We've turned the corner on June, and it won't be long before TC starts.... or something. Still, too far away for my taste.
The apparent re-dedication* of Frank Okam is one of those stories that can keep me from bashing my head into the wall. He's saying all the right things, and he sounds like a very humble kid in the way that he's talking about how he's not able to do the things he got away with at UT. He sounds as smart as advertised, and looks like he has a great work ethic.
*I really have no idea if Okam was ever really going to skip a football career for law school... to me, that sounds like a media-created 'story'.
The apparent re-dedication* of Frank Okam is one of those stories that can keep me from bashing my head into the wall. He's saying all the right things, and he sounds like a very humble kid in the way that he's talking about how he's not able to do the things he got away with at UT. He sounds as smart as advertised, and looks like he has a great work ethic.
*I really have no idea if Okam was ever really going to skip a football career for law school... to me, that sounds like a media-created 'story'.
False Start
On # 69
I really hope he turns out to be a steal . He wears # 79 , and thats not a bad number for a lineman ...............
SOLIS
United We Stand
Naw... not the media. They'd never do that. LoL.
No, but for real, I think you're right on target with that one.
He may. They already said that they want more athletic guys. Jethroe Franklin said they dont want space eaters. If he can play at 330 and quick, then game on.
Don't look like much of a run stopper anymore...
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
Don't look like much of a run stopper anymore...
Being 6'5" kind of hides the weight. I've never really considered him to be a traditional "run-stopper". Hopefully he can help in both the run and pass rather than just being the fatty clogging in the middle.
adam
Guero
That's good to hear. The weight loss just shows that he is working hard and is committed to giving it his all. I look forward to seeing him on the field. That said, one of the things I found interesting about him was his sheer size, someone that would eat up blocks and make things easier for the rest of the line. Only time will tell how his play is affected by his weight loss.
P
Polo
Guest
I wouldn't lose too much sleep over 10-15 lbs...
Being 6'5" kind of hides the weight. I've never really considered him to be a traditional "run-stopper". Hopefully he can help in both the run and pass rather than just being the fatty clogging in the middle.
I'm not happy at all with him losing the weight. He "looked" like the run stopper we need, when we drafted him.
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
He's still a big guy... Albert Haynesworth plays at 6'6 and 320 and is a great run stopper.
Frank Okam dropping a few lbs, isn't going to make him weaker, he's still going to be just as strong, but he's also going to be quicker and he'll have much more stamina that will allow him to make plays late in football games. I see no problem with him getting in better shape, it'll only help his game.
I'm with you, CB. More stamina should translate into big plays in the fourth quarter.
badboy
Hall of Fame
If at 6'5" and 330, Okam can not shed the block and tackle a smaller RB, I'll fall down giggling. He is still a lot of hombre. I am focusing on our 7th round picks. If Diles can start this year then Brink should start by 2010 or bring us a couple of first rounders. Way to go Smith! Greedy aren't I?
As I had mentioned in some earlier posts, Okam's weight didn't really hurt his stamina. He played with plenty of energy in the fourth quarter of all the 3 games I reviewed. (Granted, Mack Brown likes to rotate his DT.)
And especially for a guy who gets double team often, it's a good idea to give him a breather.
I also made a comment that I feel Okam's plays can be better if he can lose about 10-12 lbs. With a little more quickness, he'll be that much closer to the play (in the opponent's backfield, whether after the RB or QB.)
Manning doesn't appreciate a big guy up in his face.
Okam did not seem to rely mainly on power to shred the double team. It's also with the angle and his positioning.
Also, this confirm my obervation that Okam can be dirven off his base from the side, especially from an olineman in the ZBS.
Losing a few pounds (aside from learning more techniques) will help his agility such that he can keep his balance better, IMO.
And especially for a guy who gets double team often, it's a good idea to give him a breather.
I also made a comment that I feel Okam's plays can be better if he can lose about 10-12 lbs. With a little more quickness, he'll be that much closer to the play (in the opponent's backfield, whether after the RB or QB.)
Manning doesn't appreciate a big guy up in his face.
Okam did not seem to rely mainly on power to shred the double team. It's also with the angle and his positioning.
Also, this confirm my obervation that Okam can be dirven off his base from the side, especially from an olineman in the ZBS.
Losing a few pounds (aside from learning more techniques) will help his agility such that he can keep his balance better, IMO.
Nice input and i agree but did you also see where okam commented that he is missing the running backs that are running outside on him . That he has to adjust to the much faster nfl backs and linemen that his size 6'6 and weight along with his technique had to be adjusted for him to be effective . Much of that probably deals with the angle and positioning observation you made . This could be also an observation that we are having some real good backs but only time will tell .
TEXANRED
Texan-American
This is the most excited that I have ever been about a draft pick. If he can put together his size and speed as one package he could single handedly take over a game at the DT spot. Great defenses are built stopping the run and making the offense change there game plan.
I can't freakin wait for pre-season.
I can't freakin wait for pre-season.
Texans_Chick
Utopian Dreamer
To be honest, Okam is the player of the 2008 Texans draft class that I think is the most NFL game ready.
Brown - needs to work on technique
Molden - needs to work on technique
Slaton - situational guy, wonder if game translates to NFL
Adibi - not ideal size, no natural position on the team
Barber - yet another strong safety
Brink - if the Texans see much from him this year, they are in trouble
That's not to say I don't like these guys, and I will acknowledge that Okam needs to work on technique and conditioning but....
He suits a bigtime need for the team.
He has played against top competition and has done well. He has NFL body size and background, has played through pain, and has been a leader on the field and locker room.
The player already on the team that Okam reminds me of is Eric Winston. Productive college career for a big time program, unexpectedly dropped in the draft. Some people thought that he didn't interview well--I think Winston might have been a bit misunderstood like Okam was.
The Texans have picked a lot of projected, developmental upside guys in the past, but some of their best picks have been smart players from big programs who were productive in college.
Brown - needs to work on technique
Molden - needs to work on technique
Slaton - situational guy, wonder if game translates to NFL
Adibi - not ideal size, no natural position on the team
Barber - yet another strong safety
Brink - if the Texans see much from him this year, they are in trouble
That's not to say I don't like these guys, and I will acknowledge that Okam needs to work on technique and conditioning but....
He suits a bigtime need for the team.
He has played against top competition and has done well. He has NFL body size and background, has played through pain, and has been a leader on the field and locker room.
The player already on the team that Okam reminds me of is Eric Winston. Productive college career for a big time program, unexpectedly dropped in the draft. Some people thought that he didn't interview well--I think Winston might have been a bit misunderstood like Okam was.
The Texans have picked a lot of projected, developmental upside guys in the past, but some of their best picks have been smart players from big programs who were productive in college.
Vinny
shiny happy fan
6'5" and 330 doesn't look like a run stopper? good grief
Don't look like much of a run stopper anymore...
awtysst
Draft Guru
Maybe he would prefer to see us utilize Fiamalu Penitani as our DT run stopper. He is 6'3.5 and 520 lbs. Now THATS a run stopper.
Vinny
shiny happy fan
for one play. not directed to you, but being fat isn't the definitive quality for run stoppage.
hookinreds
Veteran
Okam is a rookie. The guys you posted didn't enter the league with such a full figure. They worked at it over the years.
Overalls
All Pro
awtysst
Draft Guru
Oh I know Vinny. The reason I suggested Fiamalu Penitani is because as a Sumo champion(Yokozuna) he needed to be able to be agile on his feet and be able to absorb the power from another sumo. Part of my response was being a little ridiculous the other was to point out how some very large athletes are more agile than some of our players.
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Pat Williams (the guy your pimping, weighs 317 pounds.......much lighter than Frank Okam)
and Keith Traylor was so great he only played for 7 different teams through out his career.
As far as Shaun Rodgers, the Lions thought so much of him they decided to let him go........big fat guys are a dime a dozen, big DTs that can stop the run, but are also athletic enough to be a factor against the pass......not so much.
Frank Okam has too much potential than just being situational fat a**, the guy has the ability to be a great player and a probowler. Again 6'5 330 is not too light to stop the run.....after all your hero Pat Williams plays at 13 pounds under that weight and the other guys you listed only weigh 10 pounds more..........do you really think 10 pounds on a 6'5 frame makes a damn bit of difference?
Pat Williams weighed 317 lbs several hundred pizzas ago.
False Start
On # 69
Let us not forget the great , Gilbert Brown ............
Real big fat guys never seem to last long . There are exceptions . Shedding some pounds is a good thing IMO .
Real big fat guys never seem to last long . There are exceptions . Shedding some pounds is a good thing IMO .
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Y'all don't forget about me.
Signed,
6'1" 325lbs
too bad we no longer play a 3-4 defense. Casey Hampton is the best NT in the league.
TEXANRED
Texan-American
To stop the runs, I recommend Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol or Immodium.
I hear the cheerleaders are working on the Pepto dance when the Defense is on the field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e_qicYkBpQ
Listed weights aren't necessarily actual weights. That was probably the weight Williams came in as a rookie. Take a good look at Pat. Does he really look like a 317 lber?
Just like running backs, it's not just weight. It's weight, height, and build. Wide bodies.. go look back through the thread that was started when we found out we got Okam.... A big wide body, that is athletic.. that's what we wanted, and that's what we had.
If he loses any more weight, at 6'5, we might as well move him to defensive end.
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Listed weights aren't necessarily actual weights. That was probably the weight Williams came in as a rookie. Take a good look at Pat. Does he really look like a 317 lber?
NFL.com does a decent job at adding weight to players since their rookie years, both Westbrook and Portis have been credited at adding weight on that site, so that's not his rookie weight. (hell, look at the job they've already done on Okam, he's listed at 320, while he officially weighed in at 347 during the combine a couple of months ago......the site does a great job at updating it's info.)
Pat is a short guy and while he probably weighs a little over 317, it's not by much.....he looks about 20 pounds heavier than Amobi Okoye who's listed at 302
Carr Bombed
Hall of Fame
Yeah, because there's a run on 325 pound DEs aroung the league.
Frank Okam is still a big dude and always will be.There's nothing wrong with Okam getting in shape......I'd rather him be at a playing weight that will allow him to be a playmaker than just being a fat a** who is nothing but a situational player. The Houston Texans have experts on staff that know all about "playing weight" and yet they are encouraging Okam to LOSE WEIGHT.......that should tell you all you need to know about what weight he should be at.
