Okoye Pegged As Nickel Pass Rusher
May 7th, 2012_t607.jpg)
It was Adam Caplan, a credible source who works for the Philadelphia Eagles and multiple radio outlets, who first broke the story that free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye signed with the Bucs.
And speaking this morning to Bobby Fenton on WDAE-AM 620, Caplan said the Bucs targeted Okoye from the opening bell of free agency and they pegged him as “a nickel pass rusher.”
That was interesting to Joe. Do the Bucs see Brian Price as more of a two-down lineman?
Then there’s the angle that new DT Gary Gibson is known as a first- and second-down guy only. Perhaps Okoye and Gibson are the complete backup plan if Price isn’t healthy.
Perhaps Joe’s just paranoid about Price’s health. But without any new information, it still feels like a longshot that Price can get back to 100 percent.
May 7th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
The sad reality is that we have no choice but to approach the season as if we’ll have both Price and McCoy for 4-5 games max. Whether it’s one guy or a committee that can do the job makes no matter, but DT depth is paramount from the get-go.
May 7th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I think Price will be fine. Don’t forget, this was always supposed to be a two year recovery, that he was able to play last year was a bonus. But you need three really good DT in this league, so maybe they think with McCoy, Price, Okoye/Gibson, they have their three.
May 7th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
These signings are mainly for depth. Anyone with a clue could see we didn’t have any last year. Price will be the best player on our D line.
May 7th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
I want to see and hear of Price playing pain free before I can count on him. I love his heart though, love it.
May 7th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
I would take Price at 80%. He was clearly a long ways from that last yr.
Price & GMC are the key questions on D in 2012.
May 7th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Brad is right. These signing are for quality depth, of which we had absolutely none last year with the likes of McCargo, Haynesworth, Okam, etc. The difference is that these guys (Okoye and Gibson) are talented enough to be rotated in on a regular basis, giving Price & McCoy less wear & tear. I view these two guys as something that will make this d-line a lot more respectable.
May 7th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
I don’t think Price will ever be 100 percent. Plus, he never was able to lose the weight he put on when injured. His lateral movement is nonexistent, hence the reason why he is becoming a 2 down DT. It was almost sad watching him try to chase down quarterbacks last year, half-limping, half running.
The guy has great burst. Great penetration skills. But zero pursuit and lateral functionality.
May 7th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Anybody that knew anything knows Brian Price would never get beyond 70% last season … This year will tell us alot .. I think he will be one our consistent Players on D!!
May 7th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Joe,
Price has played the Nose, like Gibson. Okoye has played the 3 Technique, like McCoy. Further, the pass rush position in a 4-3 is the 3 technique, not the nose. That is why the 3 technique lines up in the guard tackle gap, instead of head up.
Why are you assuming the Okoye would be used as a pass rush specialist out of position at nose for Price and not in place of McCoy?
Look to the experts analysis of McCoy, even Steve White, a supporter of McCoy’s has criticized McCoy’s pass rush game. With the combination of the 3 factors:
1)Okoye plays the same position as McCoy not Price; 2)McCoy has struggled to develop a solid NFL pass rush game; 3) McCoy’s fragility and unreliability –
Okoye was brought in as a competition, a complement and insurance for McCoy.
Gibson’s job will be to compete with and provide the same for Price.
Make no mistake about it, right now Okoye is a better pass rusher than McCoy. So is Price, who many will say is a more natural 3 technique than nose.
May 7th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
great read joe! i have nothing to back this up, but i got a good feeling about okoye. my only concern is if we decide to resign him will it break the bank? i guess that’s a good problem to have. also, you mention bobby fenton ~ just want to say hope this guy get’s the 6-9 monday thru friday slot. it’s nice to hear someone passionately talk about the buccaneers. very genuine as well. go bucs!
May 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
If it lights a fire under McCoy and Price, I am all for it. Competition is important no matter what business you are in. I hope McCoy and Price come back and have long careers, but the evidence shows otherwise. Tearing both hamstings and both biceps sounds tough to come back from.
May 7th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
I agree with Tom on Bobby Fenton. I would hope either he or Todd Wright get the gig.
Both are knowledgeable and easy to listen to. Time for clear channel to decide!
May 7th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Joe here,
@Thomas 2.2 – Okoye has played his share of nose. …Not taking the bait for another Mr. Softy debate.
May 7th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I wouldn’t count on Price. McCoy had two genetic related injuries. Not worried about him. Price had an extreme injury that many do not come back from. A hip injury is not something most people ever comeback from “100%”. Especially athletes. The hip is where all the weight transfer happens. If that is hurting or weak it affects the movement and strength of the rest of the body. I was completely surprised to see Price play so much last year, but you could see he was in severe pain and shouldn’t have been relied on so heavily.
May 7th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I like Rock Riley for the morning gig, he’s very likable and a shameless homer. His personality really shines through. I don’t know why he doesn’t get more respect. He’s got a young mouth to feed and he got screwed at his TV gig.
He used to stand outside of the Buc’s locker room post game trying to snag an interview and the Buc’s “stars” would ignore him like herpes. It was almost funny. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say a negative thing on air.
May 7th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Joe,
Thanks for not taking the “bait”.
Gerald is soft until he plays otherwise.
May 7th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I still cant figure out why Price was even playing last year!!
He should have rested the first half of the season. Really stupid move by the Medical Staff.
If he doesnt come back healthy this year its because we forced him to come back too soon last year.
I hope he is better though. He could be great.
May 7th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I’ve come to believe Stevek and Thomas are one and the same person. It’s bad enough just having one of them….
May 7th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Joe,
According to the Texans and Bears – articles on Okoye’s time there shows he was not a nose but was an under tackle – sorry for your luck.
Okoye was brought in for McCoy, Gibson for Price. Any other supposition is baseless and the product of hope and not facts.
May 7th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Sure Joe, it makes a ton of sense to have 4 players competing for playing time at Nose under your erroneous theory (Okoye, price, Gibson and miller) and no one competing with the prior regimes baby Gerald at the UT.
That makes even more sense when you consider how unreliable he is since he has been a pro.
McCoy has suffered 4 injuries that have caused him to miss games ( not 2).
He had the 2010 bicep. In 2011 he had a shoulder, high ankle sprain and the other bicep.
This guys has been tissue-paper since he has been in the league.
May 7th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Bobby,
I believe you have, “GMC 4 LYFE” Tattooed on your foehead.
It is what it is.
Is it crime to just be honest with the assessment of GMC’s play (or lack their of) so far?
I am a Bucs fan through and through, get over yourself, please.
May 7th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Bottom line, the HEALTHY/ productive DT’s will be the ones that play.
I hope our early draft picks on the D-Line Interior will be healthy, and if they are not then I am STOKED we don’t have to sign a “Haynesworth” bc of a lack of depth.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
No Thom…er….Stevek. It’s not a crime. It’s just tiring hearing both of your personalities turn any thread into an opportunity to bash McCoy. It makes you look like a friggin’ moron but no…it’s not a crime.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
I guess my definition of ‘fan’ differs from yours. Most ‘fans’ don’t take every opportunity to berate their team like you and Thomas do. But call yourself what you want. I’ll continue to call you whatever name comes to mind to describe your most recent lame post.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Teacher- Why do you keep floating this theory that playing Price last year hurt his chances for a full recovery? It was said by his Doctors that it wouldn’t. They actually said that if he could play through the pain that it would no effect and that it was a good sign and would help his future mobility to stay active. I am a big Price fan and want the best for him during and after his career. So every time I read you say this it bothers me and makes me wonder why you believe this. I do like your post otherwise.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Bobby,
I didn’t bash GMC once in this thread.
I thanked Joe for not taking the “bait”.
I just said, “Until McCoy plays otherwise, he is soft”. Where is there a “bash” on that.
As I recall Bobb-o, you reffered to McCoy as the “Best D Player”. McCoy is paid like the “Best D” player, that is for sure!
Dennis Green does not appreciate you “crowning his A$$” before he earns/plays up to it.
Clayborn was our most productive player on D last year.
May 7th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Bobby,
Now that we are officially name calling, I would like to take a moment and question your reference of “Friggin Morons” to myself and Mr. 2.2.
Here is the “Friggin Moron” outlook:
#3 overall pick
4 career sacks
4 times injured and missing games
GMC accounts for 10+% of this year’s salary cap
Bobby, please remove the blinders, smell the roses, and come back to REALITY.
GMC is in a “must prove” situation, and I hope he comes back 100% healthy.
May 7th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
It is not negative or not being a fan to correct misrepresentations and argue:
Okoye a member of this team was a great signing and is the best pass rusher that we have at UT. If McCoy turns it around this year, great!
But Joe wants to “crown” McCoy for the third year in a row as if McCoy has earned anything in this league – he hasn’t. He was handed a huge contract and a starting position before proving that he was deserving – the results have stunk so far.
I personally believe babying Gerald the way this org, Joe and most fans have has hurt, not helped Gerald. Having to fight for your roster spot and position toughens a player – something Gerald needs.
Joe is furthering this pampering by acting as if Okoye is here unrelated to Gerald – that is a complete farse. Okoye plays Gerald’s position and is clearly primarily here as competition / insurance for Gerald.
May 7th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
I might as well chime in too. I don’t have a problem with people (like SteveK) wanting GMC to prove it. He makes a lot of money, and he needs to stay healthy and prove that he’s worth it. Even Dominik has pretty much said the same thing. I would bet you even GMC himself would agree.
That being said, I do have a problem with Thomas going out of his way to bash GMC at every opportunity. It’s constant, and gets really really old. His posts are predictable, and repetitive. There’s a big difference between saying it once, versus saying it over and over again, especially when most of the times it is completely off point. You would struggle to find any posts from Thomas that do not have a reference to GMC and/or Raheem in them. Even in his failed attempts to appear positive, he still manages to bring up their names. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear he was trying to hide some special feelings for them (but then again, I don’t know any better).
May 7th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Hawaiian,
Thanks for your input. Could not agree more.
Okoye is a great signing. Depth, talent, and desire. Something we lacked at DT last year.
Best offseason move was not opting to keep Hayneswurf. Hayneswurf is a W.O.F.T./ waste of friggin talent.
May 7th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I think Gary Gibson is nothing more than depth…and possibly not very good depth.
I think Okoye is depth, but the go-to in case of injury or to spell the starters. They took him because he can play both nose and 3-tech. You can bet, if both Price and McCoy go down again, we’ll see another DT signed.
Price played through his injury last year…that shows guts. McCoy had the type of injury that could not be played through. I suspect both are determined to prove they were worth drafting this year. I pray it goes well.
BTW…I know the off season roster was increased to 90 players…does anyone know if they increased the regular season roster at all? Or if there are talks of doing so?
May 7th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Hawaiian Buc
You’ll also see him take digs at me out of nowhere. Envy in more ways than one I imagine 😉
May 7th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
SteveK
Just curious…I agree that not resigning Haynesworth was a good idea…but I’m wondering what you saw wrong with his playing here while he did?
Considering he came into a defense with a makeshift scheme and a massive losing streak, I thought he performed as well as could be expected, given the circumstances.
I know he had to be let go…his age and value just are not there anymore. I’m just curious.
May 7th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Don’t answer them back and they will just be talking to…. well nobody. They won’t have anyone to fight with!!
May 7th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Miguel, I shamelessly like Rock Riley too, and you are right, the honest to God nice Guy comes out of him, when he is on the air.
He is easy to listen to, like the Commish.
May 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
This topic necessarily involved Gerald, even though Joe stuck his head in the sand so he didn’t have to entertain that fact.
No mention of RahRah hear, no yesterdays comments on my excitement for LJ. So you are wrong again.
May 7th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Apparently Thomas doesn’t understand what the words “and/or” mean. Do you need me to explain that to you in greater detail? I’m always willing to help. But you are right, there were no mentions of RahRah “hear”.
As for yesterday’s comments, I must apologize for not being more thorough in my explanation. So to correct my mistake, which I’m pretty sure everyone else on this board understood with the exception of you, is that every single post you write (even when positive) brings about negativity towards someone. Although it normally involves GMC and/or Raheem (I know, I know, you don’t really understand what that mean), you often broaden your hate towards the Glazers, Talib, Blount, etc. This is why nobody takes you serious on this board. Deny that fact all you want, but it’s the truth. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news.
May 7th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Also find it very interesting that when positive articles like the numerous ones about Legrand come out, you are mysteriously absent from the comments section. Not one comment. Just curious, do you just skip over them entirely, or do you just not care? Does it perhaps pain you to have positive thoughts and feelings?
May 7th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Pete Dutcher,
I live in a DC market, and I saw what he did to the Skins. He just quit.
He agreed to play hard/nice after his 1st year, and when Washington gave him the $40 million roster bonus, he quit again.
I don’t particularly care for the Skins, but I appreciate Dan Snyder winning Albert’s services in FA. It could’ve been us that signed him.
3 things about Hayneswurf get me fired up: the attempted head stomp of Andre Gurode, being a professional athlete not playin hard, and taking everything for granted.
Most anyone would give anything to have “professional” sports talent, and Hayneswurf not only wastes it, but he lies and brings his team down.
He is a waste of fine air. Anyone know where he is playing ?
I heard Hayneswurff is backing up Shamu at Sea World.
My biggest PROBLEM with signing him last year was bc we should have addressed the position with ANYBODY else.
We would have been better off yanking Sapp off the NFL network, 100% serious.
May 7th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
GMC at least plays hard, he gets roughed up, but plays hard nonetheless.
Rather have GMC over Hayneswurf every single day.
May 7th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
I don’t think there is much doubt the Haynesworth signing was an act of desperation. I think they thought they would take a chance on him due to him being so talented, but it obviously didn’t work out. I had no problem with the move in the time. It at least showed me that they were trying to win games (which has been in question at times). But I don’t disagree with anything that you said about him Stevek.
May 7th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I’m excited to see how we do this season.
I believe that our D-Line is young and has potential. We got the coaching to be really damn good again.
Redkins DB Coach for life!