gary
Hall of Fame
Interesting piece on Amobi's dedicaton to football and the Texans.
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0610/741850.html
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0610/741850.html
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Maybe so. I hope you liked the read.Hey Gar, maybe he's feeling the heat of that big third-round rook breathing down his neck ?
Ditto.Amobi Okoye Says His Dedication Has Dipped Down Since His Rookie Season
Gee Amobi, ya think so? Welcome to 2008 buddy.
LINK7/26/2007: Signed a six-year, $15.4 million contract. The deal contains $12.785 million guaranteed. Another $2.3 million is available through incentives, including a fifth-year escalator of $2.2 million. 2009: $630,000, 2010: $765,000, 2011: $850,000, 2012: $665,000 (Voidable Year), 2013: Free Agent
As you read this propaganda-like piece (on the part of Okoye and Kubiak), keep the following in mind:
LINK
Interesting piece on Amobi's dedicaton to football and the Texans.
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0610/741850.html
Wow, talk about saying things out of context. Good thing I didnt fly off half cocked and didnt read the article. Gary, you should write for ESPN with headlines like that.
"At the start of last year I got back into who I am and the way I like to play," he said. "I lost the love a little bit my (second) year, I wouldn't even lie, but all that is back
In fairness to Gary this was discussed on 1560 a week or so ago and Amobi did admit to his dedication dipping. Kubiak also admitted that he didn't know this until Amobi admitted it. He was confronted with it. He did say
its disturbing Gary had no idea
now that he is confronted, what's he going to do about it
That's an awfully cheap starting DT.
Indeed I did ! Thanks for making it available to us.I hope you liked the read.
Travis Johnson v.2
I remember seeing the same kind of offseason articles about him too.
I think some of y'all are being a little too harsh. Maybe Okoye is finally growing up. I know people don't like hearing it, but he was a kid when we drafted him.....maybe he's finally maturing. (mentally) This season is going to be his last chance here, so I'm going to give him that chance and restrain from bashing the guy until I see how he plays this season. He did play better last season under Kollar, let's see how he does in year 2 under Kollar.
I love the classic excuse. "He was 19 when we drafted him."
That means he'll be the same age as every other rookie that comes out of college by the time his contract's up.
It doesn't wash. The past 3 years, he's been getting paid to dominate O-Linemen, sack QB's, and plug holes at the LOS. And it hasn't been happening. I just hope that Kubiak and Smith have learned from this never to draft another teenager again.
I'm at the point now where I don't care how good his season is this year. I'm sure he will step it up this year so he can get another fat contract next year.
Let Am0bi Ok0ye walk and steal money from another team next season. It's obvious that he'd rather save Nigeria than play football.
Hopefully he'll run for office over there and then we'll be talking about him in the NSZ from now on.
It's not just a "classic excuse".....it's the truth and it's the reason why I was against drafting Okoye in the first place. Physical development aside....the mental maturity level of a 19 or so year old and someone who is 22 is completely different. It's hard enough to make it in this league as it is, which is why the deck was stacked against Okoye from day 1 when he came in as a 19 year old. Also this is the classic case why the NFL could never be like the NBA where players used to come straight out of high school on a regular basis.
It is a very nice day here in Houston the sun is out. It is hot but that is fine. Maybe it is raining in Round Rock or you are going through you are going through hardchips in your personal life. Anyway, if that is indeed true then I feel for you but that belongs in the No Sports Talk Allowed forum not here. I am very sorry my thread title does not work for you but there is not any need to call me out over something so small. I understand maybe you went to make you something to eat and you were out of whatever you wanted but that does not mean it is my fault. I would love to work for ESPN and you know you would too but the local Chron has already offered me a job and I start next week. If you feel the need to have the title changed then PM every Mod on this board untill you get that done because I want you to sleep well tonight. I am sorry I am not as perfect as you'd like me to be but I'll be sure and work on that.Wow, talk about saying things out of context. Good thing I didnt fly off half cocked and didnt read the article. Gary, you should write for ESPN with headlines like that.
I think some of y'all are being a little too harsh. Maybe Okoye is finally growing up. I know people don't like hearing it, but he was a kid when we drafted him.....maybe he's finally maturing. (mentally) This season is going to be his last chance here, so I'm going to give him that chance and restrain from bashing the guy until I see how he plays this season. He did play better last season under Kollar, let's see how he does in year 2 under Kollar.
P.S.
I can't ever call someone who managed to graduate from college by the age of 19 a "lazy ass". The difference from Johnson and Okoye is Travis came off as just a disinterested lazy slug on and off the field....Okoye looked like a kid who was beat down and discouraged by his early struggles on the field, but has never been "lazy" off of it. He actually does alot outside of football.[/QUOTE]
And that for a player who has not learned to excel on the NFL football field first is a problem.
I think Amobi might have too much of a life outside of football.
Not saying that's bad or anything. It is what it is, though.
And that for a player who has not learned to excel on the NFL football field first is a problem.
Another nice guy that's been a bust on the field. That's nothing new around here.
If we were on a philanthropy message board, then he's an All-Pro.
I think fans are reaching for reasons for Okoye underachieving. When it may just be a case of his talent be overvalued as it relates to the NFL.Never understand why people try to hold what he does for his native land against him..... It's great what he does for Nigeria and I applaud him for it.
This is why I question the stuff that Kubiak says to the media. Okoye underachieves for 2 1/2 seasons, and we get:.. this was discussed on 1560 a week or so ago and Amobi did admit to his dedication dipping. Kubiak also admitted that he didn't know this until Amobi admitted it.
This is during the same OTAs where he rips a 5'5" 6th rounder for not knowing "what the hell is going on out there". That still bothers me. For one, I usually root for the underdog. The guy that shows guts. And a 5'5" 160 lb guy trying to make it in the NFL has to be all guts. So why rip this guy while your coddling your project 1st round pick from 4 drafts ago? It makes no sense, and it sends a bad message to the team."You can be a great player and have two sacks, so you shouldn't measure yourself just on sacks," Kubiak said. "Obviously when you have a lot, you get a lot of attention from the league. He's always been able to rush the passer and I think we as coaches can help him. He's doing everything he can to get better and that's all we can ask."
I think fans are reaching for reasons for Okoye underachieving. When it may just be a case of his talent be overvalued as it relates to the NFL.
This is why I question the stuff that Kubiak says to the media. Okoye underachieves for 2 1/2 seasons, and we get:
This is during the same OTAs where he rips a 5'5" 6th rounder for not knowing "what the hell is going on out there". That still bothers me. For one, I usually root for the underdog. The guy that shows guts. And a 5'5" 160 lb guy trying to make it in the NFL has to be all guts. So why rip this guy while your coddling your project 1st round pick from 4 drafts ago? It makes no sense, and it sends a bad message to the team.
Another nice guy that's been a bust on the field. That's nothing new around here.
If we were on a philanthropy message board, then he's an All-Pro.
I don't think anything Amobi does off the field has anything to do with what he's able to do on the field.
This is where a GOOD journalist would have asked Kubiak the following question: "Gary, you mentioned the 6th round draft pick not knowing what to do and needing to figure it out very quickly during his first set of organized practices here. But a 4th year, Top 20 draft pick continues to be penciled in as a starter on defense after he admits he lacked motivation in his second year. Is there a different measuring system for 6th rounders and first rounders? Especially after Travis Johnson's perpetual situation that left fans wondering how he could remain for so long while showing so little for the opportunity he had. Is the criticism of your 6th rounder warranted in what is only his first practice as a pro? Is there a double-standard?"
that's what a journalist would do. A real one, at least. But those guys are scared. They know they'll get ostracized by Smithiak.
It is a very nice day here in Houston the sun is out. It is hot but that is fine. Maybe it is raining in Round Rock or you are going through you are going through hardchips in your personal life. Anyway, if that is indeed true then I feel for you but that belongs in the No Sports Talk Allowed forum not here. I am very sorry my thread title does not work for you but there is not any need to call me out over something so small. I understand maybe you went to make you something to eat and you were out of whatever you wanted but that does not mean it is my fault. I would love to work for ESPN and you know you would too but the local Chron has already offered me a job and I start next week. If you feel the need to have the title changed then PM every Mod on this board untill you get that done because I want you to sleep well tonight. I am sorry I am not as perfect as you'd like me to be but I'll be sure and work on that.
Bro, I was just ribbing you a bit. Take it easy!!! Great article but lighten up a bit. Just a joke, just a joke.
I sure hope he can get his speed from College back at 290. If not, he's going to be thrown around more than normal. IMO, Bush's defense is set up for Okoye. He just hasn't had the speed that gave him so much success in College.
I like Okoye and want him to succeed, but how long are we going to wait for him to mature and grow into the player he was drafted? Watching QB's consistently step up in the pocket with ease when Mario and Barwin come flying around the edge is aggravating.
You think its possible that the moves of Antonio Smith and drafting Barwin were to brace ourselves if Okoye fails this year? I mean, if we end up cutting/trading/getting rid of him, is it too far fetched to bump Smith inside full time and put Barwin at the end full time?
Or possibly run a mix of Mitchell/Smith/Barwin like a committee....
By that time, Barwin will be in his third year so hopefully his run defending will mature.......just spit ballin here.....
I also think most of us agree that okoye did look to be playing better towards the end of season. I am willing to give him fresh start but he sure needs to come out playing strongly.This is just my opinion, but I don't think Okoye's going anywhere anytime soon. The Texans, and most other teams, wouldn't be likely to give up on a player that young with that much potential at a decent pay.
I like Smith and Barwin where they are right now. Barwin hasn't proven he can be a 3 down DE yet. I'm also not so sure Smith would hold up 16 games as a full time DT. IMO, our biggest issue among the front 7 is the DT position and it appears it will be again this season. Unless, of course, we think the rookie's the answer? Or we actually believe what Okoye's trying to sell us?
I also think most of us agree that okoye did look to be playing better towards the end of season. I am willing to give him fresh start but he sure needs to come out playing strongly.
It doesn't wash. The past 3 years, he's been getting paid to dominate O-Linemen, sack QB's, and plug holes at the LOS. And it hasn't been happening.
Hey, just lay this to rest I did not know because HoustonFrog and JB were defending me. It is always hard to tell via the MB consider it water under the bridge bro.Bro, I was just ribbing you a bit. Take it easy!!! Great article but lighten up a bit. Just a joke, just a joke.
Just look at my Signature if you need to know why Okoye's dedication needs to improve.