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Amobi Okoye Criticism Is Getting Old


Recently Texans starting defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has come under a great deal of scrutiny from sportswriters.  Some are moderate in their criticism of Okoye, some have defended him using his atypical youth as the reason, and others have almost written him off as a bust.  No matter what camp you belong to, it is obvious that Okoye is a pivotal player in the Texans' goal of improving the defense, especially because of the lack of talent at the defensive tackle position.

As stated, Okoye’s youth is unusual, to say the least ,for the NFL; he was drafted at 19 and is entering this season (his third) at 21.  It has also turned into a divisive issue.  Some claim that more slack should be given the young Nigerian while his body and mind continue to develop, while others feel that if his age was going to be a hindrance that he shouldn’t have been drafted 10th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft and paid the kind of money that comes along with such a high selection.

When it comes to assigning rationale/excuses/apologies to Okoye, why is age always the focus?  I personally don’t even think that there is a problem that requires an excuse, and a bust label is simply absurd.  Not because of his lack of years on this earth, but because of his years in the league.

The Texans drafted Okoye for the purpose of providing a pass rush.  With his smaller frame for the position, he was viewed as a penetrating under-tackle who could collapse the pocket, not a run-stuffing specialist.  As with many defensive positions, stats don’t always equate to production but the closest statistical barometer for success of an under-tackle are sacks. 

Either defensive tackle specialty doesn’t come easy for the young; youthful not in age, but rather in experience.  People always stipulate that it will take quarterbacks and wide receivers two to three years to acclimate to the NFL, but defensive tackles are expected to immediately contribute.  This rarely happens.

Take the best defensive tackles in the game today, regardless of their specialty.  Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Jamal Williams, Casey Hampton, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Tommie Harris, Darnell Dockett, Richard Seymour, Kris Jenkins, John Henderson, Shaun Rogers and La’Roi Glover (no longer active) are the defensive tackles who have been selected to the Pro Bowl in the last three years.  While the Pro Bowl is sometimes a measure of popularity as much as skill, defensive tackle isn’t exactly a position that the casual fan rushes to vote for and the list above is a who’s who of the group (if you see any glaring omissions, feel free to tell me).

Out of those 13 elite players, only four (Jenkins, Seymour, Henderson and Kevin Williams) were more productive as pass rushers in their first two seasons than Okoye was.  Okoye’s 6.5 combined sacks from 2007 and 2008 are better or equal to 70% of the recent Pro Bowlers mentioned.

Another common argument used to criticize Okoye is that first round selections need to contribute immediately, no matter how old they are.  Out of the 14 defensive tackles taken in the first round in the last five years, only Luis Castillo has more sacks (10.5).  I know that the three taken last year haven’t had two full seasons yet, but none of them had nearly as good a rookie season as Okoye.

So why is everyone so down on Amobi?  One reason is that he had a major setback last year.  After tallying 5.5 sacks his rookie season, he only managed one last year and it wasn’t until Week 16 against the Raiders.  Another reason is this preseason, in which he hasn’t managed a sack yet.  Neither has Antonio Smith, our expensive free agent acquisition, but no one is calling for his head yet.  I don’t have the exact number, but I’d be willing to say that Okoye and the rest of the first team defense haven’t played more than 6 series thus far.

I’m not saying that Amobi is a surefire future Hall of Famer, or that he will even make a Pro Bowl in his career.  I do think, however, that it is ludicrous to call him anything close to a bust given what he has shown thus far.  Last year was a disappointment, and I will not give the reasons why I think it happened because it would be contradictory to the beginning of this post, but it is last season plus plays this preseason that would add up to about a half of a football game worth writing him off?

Defensive tackle is an extremely difficult position to draft.  Even when you draft an effective one, he doesn’t usually start producing until a few years into his career.  Okoye is the youngest player ever drafted, so advocates and critics both focus on that trait as the central point of the argument.  Despite that extraordinary quality though, it could be the very typical reason of lack of experience as to why he hasn’t become great.  Regardless of whether you like Okoye or not, he is too young in his career to make a final determination yet.

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Rec'd

Couldn’t have said it better than anybody.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Unsuprisingly

I completely agree with this post.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Aug 27, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you

Ok, well not all of it, just parts. The Texans obviously needed help in the pass rush area. But, if you draft a DT with the 10th overall pick, the assumption is that he will be able to hold up against the run and be able to play more than on third and long. So, yeah you’re right, it’s only year 3, he was injured last year, supposedly, so let’s wait and see on Okoye. But he needs to be showing some sign that he will be able to penetrate or at least hold the point of attack on run plays. I haven’t really heard anyone call him a bust. Linking to Justice doesn’t count.

by ~Buck on Aug 27, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Good Points

I was going to include a seperate line of thinking about stopping the run/holding the point of attack which he has not shown a great skill for but I wanted to get this published today. I know that might seem intellectually dishonest, but 1) I felt that I was as unbiased as I could be considering I really like Okoye and 2) I really think that the Texans drafted him to be a penetrating DT first and foremost, now whether that is a flaw in their system is a seperate argument.

As for the Justice point, well played Sir.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Aug 27, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think

Okoye’s biggest problem isn’t his pass rush, which I think will improve. I think it’s his run defense. The Texans D-Line is comprised, except for Frank Okam, with less talented versions of Okoye, and that’s the problem. I don’t know why our brain trust seems to believe that signing even MORE Okoye clones (Hi Shaun Cody!) is the answer.

Hopefully he puts those fears to rest in the regular season. He’s got a lot of potential, and I think this year will look more like his rookie year.

by JimboTexan on Aug 27, 2009 1:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I forgot who said it.

and im too lazy to look for it in the comments section, I think it was TGC.
Talented DT’s dont grow on trees. We really didn’t have that much choice as far as bolstering our
defensive line this past offseason. And I dont think we’ll spend a high draft pick on the defensive line on next years draft unless Amobi and Antonio Smith fails miserably this season. We’re gonna keep picking up FA from the trash pile and put in the time, effort and money to develop them into serviceable defensive linemen.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amobi Okoye <—— TOO MANY VOWELS!

Lets see you defend him NOW!

I agree with your “stats” on the pro bowlers, but how many of those guys ALSO had a 60/40 Vowel to Consonant Ratio?!!?!

Now lets see you make an argument with your precious logic and alleged statistics!

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

by TexansForever on Aug 27, 2009 1:49 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Too many
Amobi Okoye <—— TOO MANY VOWELS!

There are no vowels in his name when pronounced in his native toung, just 2 Clicks and a growl

by Texans-Brocos on Aug 27, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions   2 recs

no arguing with you on that one.

I guess every DT in the NFL is inferior in terms of vowels in their name compared to Okoye.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rec'd

for making me laugh out loud out work behind my bosses back as he was walking out of my office lol

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

:u

that’s a mocospace emote which means thumbs up! lol

by chrisd21 on Aug 27, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

This is a great topic to keep alive

I think there are more Texans fans that are now aware of everyone’s concerns about Okoye. Because of that, I will spend more time keying into the D-line play next “Monday Night!!!” But, that is a good thing. There is another stat that I have not seen mentioned that is a KEY stat in assessing the effectiveness of a defensive player and it relates to their rush-defense abilitie and that is TFL, Tackles For a Loss. I could be wrong, but I haven’t seen it mentioned. Sacks are one way to measure their pass-defense, but in my opinion, TFL by premier tackles can be a telling stat as to how they are able to affect a game. That being said, and still tapping away on my BB, I have to claim ignorance on how Okoye weighs in on this stat. I will say, if he truly is a good “penetrating” tackle, then his TFL stat should be respecable.

Anyways, I am patiently waiting for the breakout game when Okoye and Oakam both dominate a Texans game and the headline for the follow-up story reads: “Shootout at the OK Corral!” …keep reading…I’m full of them…still waiting for the big game when Steve Slaton and fill-in-the-blank go for a combined over 200 yards and the headline reads, “Wonder and Awe Thrill the Texans Faithful!”, that’s all for now…

It will happen

by Rip Jersey on Aug 27, 2009 2:20 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Okoye Stats

 Tackles Interceptions
Year Team G Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng
2008 Houston Texans 14 24 15 9 1.0 — 2 - - - 0.0 -

2007 Houston Texans 16 32 23 9 5.5 — 0 - - - 0.0 -

TOTAL 30 56 38 18 6.5 0 2 0 0 0 — 0

Copy and paste didn’t work too well, but you can see that amobi’s tackle total went down by eight. same number of assisted tackles, solo tackles went down by eight and sack numbers went down from 5.5 in 07 to 1.0 in 08. From what i’ve heard he was injured last year and he did miss two games. I couldn’t find the TFL stat coz im too lazy but im sure somebody will cough it up later. Can’t really compare him to Mario because they play two different positions but since we’re measuring Okoye’s progress by his sack numbers it should do.

                                                                            Tackles Interceptions
Year Team G Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng
2008 Houston Texans 16 53 44 9 12.0 — 0 - - - 0.0 -

2007 Houston Texans 16 59 43 16 14.0 0 1 - - - 0.0 -

2006 Houston Texans 16 47 35 12 4.5 — 3 - - - 0.0 -

TOTAL 48 159 122 37 30.5 0 4 0 0 0 — 0

I promise I tried to align that to the best of my ability.(not really) Mario played hurt in his rookie season and notched 4.5 sacks. Yet he played all sixteen games. Criticisms started coming from every spectrum that he was the wrong pick, he’s not gonna be a good DE blah, blah, blah. He came out firing his second season with 14 sacks and notched 12 more tackles than his rookie season. As im typing this im forgetting the point that im trying to make because people at work keep bothering me so im just gonna hammer it down now. The best thing we can do is wait. His progress isn’t going as fast as we’d hope for him to but he’ll eventually get there(or not). Give it this season and then all criticism about Okoye wont be for naught because we’ll have two horrible seasons to back those criticisms with.

oh. I remember the point im trying to make.

Stats for Pat Williams.

                                                Tackles Interceptions
Year Team G Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs Yds Avg Lng
2008 Minnesota Vikings 14 44 31 13 1.0 - 3 - - - 0.0 —

2007 Minnesota Vikings 16 62 43 19 2.0 - 3 0 0 0 0.0 -

2006 Minnesota Vikings 16 44 37 7 1.0 - 2 - - - 0.0 —

2005 Minnesota Vikings 16 66 41 25 1.5 — 1 - - - 0.0 -

The Viqueens bolstered one of the best defensive line in the NFL last season. They were very effective in stopping the run, getting to and rushing the quarterback. If you look at Pat Williams stats, they dont like that different from Okoye’s stats. Sack numbers are the same and Tackles differential is 20 but when okoye wasn’t injured he registed 32 tackles in his rookie year. What im saying is that Okoye isn’t the one we should be criticizing because of his lack of production. It’s the players that he’s surrounded with. Grant it we have mario on the right or the left end but that was about it. He had to play in between a dead corpse and a “run stopping(not really)” DT. If we find another DT that compliments Okoye’s skill set, his production should increase.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Pat Williams

I’m not sure that’s a fair comparison for Amobi. P. Williams is a classic, stuff-the-run DT. Amobi is not, and likely never will be; he’s more of a penetrating, get-after-the-QB DT.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Aug 27, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Travis Johnson

was supposed to be that penetrating DT for our defense. That’s how he was described during his collegiate career and he turned out to be a run stopping DT.

What about Fat Albert? In his first three years with the BE-SF’s 30+ tackles and 1.5 sacks per season. They didn’t really get production from Fat Albert until his sixth season as a pro with his 4th season besting his 3rd and his fifth season plummeting to below average numbers. He had a monster season in his 6th and seven year. I expect Amobi to be succesful by then. If not, with seven years of experience, we can label him a bust.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Come back to us...

You’re straying, Jordann.
A 300 lb. no-talent doucher does NOT equal a 335 lb. behemoth. There is no reason to EVER compare TJ to Albert.
Also, someone mentioned above what TJ was drafted to be. The correct answer…. Anyone?
A 3-4 DE, because that’s the defense we ran when he was drafted. Now, he plays a completely out of character/size/talent NT in a 4-3. We’ve fucked him almost as much as he’s fucked us, IMO.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 27, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Almost as much.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 27, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

not as much..

as he fucked Trent “I block low so a 300 lb monster can nail me in the head” Green.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Im back.

I guess that’s what you get when you’re trying to work and prove a point at the same time.

For the record. I dont know remember the point that im trying to prove anymore.
All I know is that it’s 45 minutes till closing time and im ready to punish my liver with some shiner!

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Attaboy...

forgiven. forgotten.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 27, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

about the age thing

Are there any kinesiology experts or anything here? I think I read that the reason many offensive and defensive line players struggle initially in the NFL is that people typically reach their peak strength at 24 or 25 or something like that. Is that true? And could that explain Amobi’s struggles?

by cubic on Aug 27, 2009 3:17 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

peak strength...

I thought it was around 32 for a man. Dunno.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 27, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

25

if you’re a football fan that celebrates game day sundays by drinking gallons of beer and ingesting 20 lbs of barbecue.

by Jordann on Aug 27, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

It’s considered from 22-25, depending on the person. When you add in sports experience, the peak age for contribution is about 27. Very much generalities, of course.

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 27, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We're on the air?

You’re rolling right now?
I don’t believe you. (lights cigarette)

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 27, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

worried

I am more worried about Smith producing on the D-Line than Okoye. Smith is older & makes more money. If he doesn’t produce then we wasted a lot of money on him when we could have given it to Ryans or someone else.

by DR. DOOM on Aug 27, 2009 4:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The Texans should just pay ME $750,000 this year and I WILL take over at DT.

Hell, I can give up 270 yards a game and not sack the qb for $750,000…which is a GREAT deal compared to Okoye.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Aug 27, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

All I'll say

Okoye has not yet lived up to expectations. I expect some shred of contribution in Year 3, or it’s time to start talking bust in earnest, I don’t care what his age is.

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 27, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

bfd

Did you even read all those words at the top of the page?

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Aug 27, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

what words?

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 27, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Nice Post

agree with everything…

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 27, 2009 5:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

In related news, Shaun Cody is practicing with the 1st team!
Cody lined up with the first team defensive unit during Thursday’s practice, the Texans’ official site reports.

A starting job is up for grabs at one of the defensive tackle spots, and Cody is just the latest flavor after DelJuan Robinson and Frank Okam got their turns during the first two preseason games. “I think he’s pushing for a starting job,” Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. “That’s how well he’s played. So (it’s a) big two weeks for him. We’ll see how he comes along and see what happens, but he’s doing a good job.” Cody has three tackles (one for a loss) in two games, and he worked a nice stunt with Connor Barwin, who registered Houston’s only sack last week.

It will happen

by Rip Jersey on Aug 27, 2009 10:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Slightly Unrelated

But how did Barwin have the only sack? I definitely remember Mario getting Brees on that one play that Kubiak challenged.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Aug 28, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Called incomplete pass....

Those fuckers and their tuck rule.
(if i’m not mistaken, of course)

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 28, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

btw...

Is THAT the play everyone’s so up in arms about Kubiak challenging??? It fucking better not be, because that was a super close call.
Ah, what do I care? I hate most everyone anyway, so it really wouldn’t change anything.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 28, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

Ya

That’s the one. I think in a preseason game, why not take a flyer on something like that?

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Aug 28, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Double Rec'd

for truthiness on both comments

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Aug 28, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh yeah...

Back to back comments from Jake and Shake?
I truly am The Man With The Golden Cock!

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 28, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ask bfd...

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 28, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you hate every body...

even me?!?! What about all those nights we spend down the pristine shores of Galveston Beach?!

by Jordann on Aug 29, 2009 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I paid you for that...

Don’t bring it up again.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Aug 30, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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