Bucs Sign Defensive Tackle Amobi Okoye
April 7th, 2012
Uncertain whether Gerald McCoy can play a full season, whether Brian Price can recover from a painful, awful hip procedure, and if Roy Miller can ever become an solid player, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik apparently believed defensive tackle is a weakness on the team.
Thus, Dominik has signed Bears defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, so reports NFL analyst Adam Caplan.
@caplannfl: The #Buccaneers and DT Amobi Okoye agreed to a one-year, two mill deal, his agents Darin Morgan and Ian Greengross confirmed. … $700k of Okoye’s deal is guaranteed. He’ll give them an inside pass rusher in nickel situations. … If all are healthy (big if), the #Buccaneers could wind up having the best DT rotation in the NFL this season.
Yes, if all four defensive tackles are healthy — a major if — depth should be of no concern at tackle.
It also may be why Dominik hasn’t fallen over himself to get an inside linebacker.
Entering his sixth NFL season, Okoye turns just 25 in June and was a former first round pick of the Texans. Last season, he started one game for the Bears, played in every game for Chicago, and recorded four sacks. Per NationalFootballPost.com, Okoye was second on the Bears in playing time for interior linemen and was on the field for 55 percent of defensive snaps.
What a great signing for the good guys. Joe has to wonder if Dominik found a way to get a positive assessment of Okoye from Rod Marinelli, the iconic former Bucs coach now the Bears defensive coordinator.
Okoye is no Pro Bowler, but the Bucs were desperate for quality depth along the interior D-line. Price and McCoy have been hurt more than they’ve been healthy, and Miller and Frank Okam have a lot to prove.
Joe will sleep a little easier tonight, though Joe’s recurring linebacker nightmare is likely to surface.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
HUGE SIGNING. Everyone talks about nicks, jackson, and wright but this will end up being one of the biggest signing by the bucs. If mccoy stays healthy and having this YOUNG veteran rotating on interior line will make a huge difference. Damn im happy to see this signing. Go Bucs! Cant wait for this draft.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
2Mil?! That is cheap man, solid move! I’m very surprised Dominic maneuvered this one, I hope we hit a homerun in the draft at LB though. And safety.
But hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is great news
April 7th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
GREAT signing !! way to go DOMINIK !
April 7th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Little weird its only a one year deal though.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Great job Dominick. Glad he saw this one through to the end. It will pay off.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I agree this is a HUGE SIGNING as well… Great depth on the D-Line!!! I am super excited about this!!!
April 7th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Good signing, especially for the $$$. This is why Erin Henderson (OLB) could have been had for same $$$, 1 yr, 2 mill. But Dom didn’t want to look bad, on lrage, newer Quincy Black signing, absolutely. This was a wise move here w/ Okoye.
Now trade down on draft day w/Dolphins to #8 (Tannehill for them), require Karlos Dansby (6’4, 250, MLB, age 30) and maybe 4th rounder thrown in from Fins too. MLB solved.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Great signing, another rock solid move by Dom!! What a deal only $2 mill, that’s a steal.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Yay!
April 7th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
LOVE IT! EXCELLENT MOVE, SMART, BEAUTIFUL!
Man, this off-season has been wild. Last year, a year ago, not so much.
Buccaneer fans be happy, nice DL rotation and if healthy it could be dominant!
Good work Mark Dominik! Credit where it is due!
April 7th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@bucbelevr
That would be awesome. I just don’t seem them separating from Dansby.
April 7th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
GO RAYS!!!! WELCOME TO TAMPA LUKE SCOTT!!!! GREAT GAME DAVID PRICE!!!! GET OUT OF TOWN JOSH LUEKE YOU SCUMBAG!!!! GO RAYS AND GET THE SWEEP!!!!
April 7th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
AND HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!
April 7th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@941Bucs…
It sure would be awesome, gettin Dansby. Never know, Fins want Tannehill baddd, just aren’t puttin it out there. And Bills at 10, maybe even Seahawks, would entertain jumping to #7 with Jax, if Tanny were still alive, especially Bills.
Sure would solve our MLB issue! And no rookie.
J 2.0 sippin on somethin good, seems like 🙂
April 7th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Great signing, MD! Glad to see that he’s not done exploring options. I’d love to see a London Fletcher 2 year deal happen still…
April 7th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Okoye was supposed to be the second comming of Sapp well he’s comming here lets see what he does I like the signing great pick up total upgrade from last years collection of stiffs
April 7th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
The only thing I don’t like about this signing is that it isn’t for at least two years. The guy is on the verge of a breakout year at age 25 (in june).
Not only is it a good signing…but adds true competition to the defensive tackles.
And more and more it looks like a CB and two LBs is the plan for the draft. I said it before, and I’ll say it again:
CB
LB
LB
S
RB
QB
In that order in the draft.
April 8th, 2012 at 12:06 am
I like that they are focusing on the Lines(both sides of the ball). Having both lines becoming dominant. Everything behind them will seem tons better.
April 8th, 2012 at 12:50 am
Great signing. This is a (still) young player with upside who we can put on a trial run. If McCoy/Price get injured again and Okoye excels we can sign him long-term and not have to worry about whiffing on an injury bust player.
April 8th, 2012 at 1:34 am
THANK YOU MARK DOMINICK!!! this is the best signing of the offseason by far.. we could not stop the run.. finally we have someone who can! This offseason is like xmas!
April 8th, 2012 at 1:39 am
Should have signed him for 3 years though!!
April 8th, 2012 at 1:46 am
Wow! Great signing, great player, great price!
Hope we keep him longer than 1 year.
This will help McCoy, take pressure off Price, give us a really talented rotation.
It’s all good!
Good job- Mark Dominick!
April 8th, 2012 at 2:05 am
awesome
April 8th, 2012 at 2:15 am
its the best pick up for our squad. Price and mccoy have had a hard time staying healthy and playing a full season but hopfully the third time is the charm. Ive honestly been going crazy for this just as much as nicks and jackson wright is a bonus and orlovsky is not that bad. High hopes from all the bucs but with this signing we ok i know all buucs fans are upset no mlb but we still have a couple of options . My personnal favorite is gary brackett or london fletcher true veterans true leaders and true good all around men most important of all anyman would find it easy to follow any 1 of these guys i know i would. Only downfall about okoye signing 1 year deal . Dom u messed up thier should have gave him a 5 year deal . He is going to have a monster year for the bucs and its going to cost us to resign him . Go bucs baby the south and league will remember to respect the pewter.!!!!!
April 8th, 2012 at 3:04 am
Mark Dom, you rock man. These awesome signings is the reason why my family and I are going to purchase season tickets this tuesday. GO BUCS!!!!!!!!GO BUCS!!!!!!!GO BUCS!!!!!!!!
April 8th, 2012 at 4:34 am
“Now trade down on draft day w/Dolphins to #8 (Tannehill for them), require Karlos Dansby (6’4, 250, MLB, age 30) and maybe 4th rounder thrown in from Fins too. MLB solved.”
Please name a trade in NFL history that involved a 30 year-old player for a top 5 draft pick.
I’ll wait…
April 8th, 2012 at 5:01 am
Did I just read trade the #5 pick for a 30 yr old LB? Nooooo, I couldn’t have…are some of these people on JBF stupid or what…damn. Oh, and Cosell of NFL films views Denoris Jenkins as the best cover corner in the draft! and he may be right on. It would be funny if the Buc’s took the second best cover corner with the 5th pick…
April 8th, 2012 at 7:20 am
As you read it first a couple of weeks ago.
I said Roy Millers days were numbered here. Hopefully they can trade him and get something for him as opposed to releasing him outright.
Maybe the broncos or the chiefs or the bears would be interested.
He will not be on the roster on opening day.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:38 am
I bet Roy Miller is not the odd man out….much to some fan’s dismay. He had the best overall stats of all Bucs D-lineman last year and is a workaholic which coaches love.
Every team needs a “lunch pail” guy in thier rotation……You can’t have 4 Warren Sapp’s on your D-line.
For anyone who thinks Roy Miller can’t play, just watch the Dallas game from last season-dude was ballin’
He (in addition to many other players) was also battling the injury bug all season….his back and knee.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Also, Okoye is clearly a 3 technique….. Roy Miller is clearly a nose tackle, you can’t have a D-line rotation full of undersized pass rushers.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Sweet! Now get London Fletcher and sit back and entertain all deals for #5 spot.
April 8th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Sign Fletcher to a 2 ye deal and this is one of the best FA periods in the Bucs history… Okoye signing is up there with the Wright deal in terms of playing time for the defense.
As happy as I am with this offseason so far they still need a LB or 2 pretty badly
Oh well Rockstar probably has a plan
April 8th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Marques Says: April 8th, 2012 at 7:20 am
As you read it first a couple of weeks ago.
I said Roy Millers days were numbered here.
——-
Possible but I doubt it. More likely Frank Okam, who has drastically under performed, is out…or maybe they keep them all. Given the injury issues on the line it could happen.
April 8th, 2012 at 8:11 am
Great signing (keeping fingers crossed), glad MD saw this all the way thru and didn’t just tease us saying Bucs were interested. Keep #5 pick unless TR3 or Claiborne is not there. #5 pick is a premium pick that will add to these FA signings, this draft is at least 3 rounds deep with Bucs needs at CB, RB, and LB, I didn’t forget about safety and RT, but if guys like Grimm, Jackson and even D. Holland return healthy, we have good players, team still building through draft. Go Bucs
April 8th, 2012 at 8:15 am
I also think this is a quality hackup plan if GMC gets injured again.
Btw…Miller is not that bad when it comes to depth. Backups are not starters for a reason. And Miller flashes starting potential occasionally. Who knows? Under a real scheme the all might do well.
April 8th, 2012 at 8:36 am
No, Miller is awful. I have never seen a DT get pancaked so much. Hovan in his last year stayed on his feet more than Miller.
April 8th, 2012 at 8:39 am
I can’t believe Marinelli and Chicago allowed him to get away. This was too easy, almost too good to be true!
April 8th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Seems to be a good pickup. He’s always involved with all of the extra curricular NFL events and charities.
April 8th, 2012 at 8:45 am
One of the best things about signing Amobi is that he played for Rod Marinelli last year. I’m sure he learned many things in Chicago to help improve his game, and he he may pass them along to the other Knuckleheads on the Bucs D line. 6 year vet at 25 is pretty crazy.
April 8th, 2012 at 9:03 am
This move makes us infinitely better!!!
Now we don’t have to bring in the “fattest, laziest, and biggest waste of talent in the NFL.
That’s right, Hayneswurf, you’re a waste space, perfectly good air, and the biggest DoucheBag in the NFL.
Go put a bounty on the $1 menu!
April 8th, 2012 at 10:03 am
@ bucthis Says: Learn to read before you call people stupid. The man said
For the #8 pick. A 4th rounder and a good LB which we desperately need.
I would want a second rounder. But it wasn’t his statement that was ignorant it was yours.
April 8th, 2012 at 10:09 am
Happy Easter!
But really, a top ten pick for a 30 year old LB and a 4th rounder, even a second round pick?
No way, bad idea and would never happen for obvious reasons. Why? come on, IF the Bucs trade down, they’ll get a heck of a lot more than that. Whew.
April 8th, 2012 at 10:45 am
I like this signing and that improves the overall depth of the position. Next should be LB and or Safety. Maybe not necessarily a starter but a proven player in this league would help tremendously.
April 8th, 2012 at 10:54 am
@Garv I think we can get a Good blue chip player with the number 8 overall. But you are right about what the shoul give us in return. If they want Tannehill bad enough we might get next years first rounder and this years number 8 overall too.
April 8th, 2012 at 11:33 am
THAT I would do!
April 8th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@TopDoggie….
A big ups to TopDoggie. The problem with “free speech” in this great nation, is that all have “free speech”.
And I was merely taking a stab at the additional draft pick compensation, could be anything as far as I care.
If Dom was willing to throw 33 million at a 2 down LB in Lofton at 26, why not add 15 lbs, 2 inches to his height, and 3 years to his experience, for roughly the same price. Except…..DANSBY is a 3 DOWN LB. And, yeah, for the fools, beckoning London Fletcher at MLB, for a 2 year patchwork, let’s ridicule the guy who found the NOVEL IDEA of a MLB who can actually call plays in OUR defense for 5-6 more years, at same price as Lofton.
Eagles didn’t trade for a MLB cause they didn’t know what they were doing, right???.. IDIOTS of noise… @bucthis, @FIREDGREGOLSON. Read my proposition, in the SUM OF THE PARTS…..small, stooges.
Big ups, to TopDoggie…
April 8th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
More than likely Amobi’s agent preferred a 1 yr deal at 2 mil oppose to a multi-year deal averaging 2 mil per year. This will allow his client to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason hopefully with the opportunity to garner a long term deal at a greater value. Of course he has to perform at a good level this season in order for that to happen.
April 8th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
love this signing!!! if he proves his worth he will be rewarded with an extention mid season after sum cuts to the roster. im all for the Fletcher signing but are the Bucs pursuing him? i dont think the can afford him AND sign all our picks. and yes ill throw out my #5 selection, T-Rich. probably wont be there and if he is gone i say Blackmon, plenty of good CB in the 2nd round. BUC IT IM OUT!!!!!!!
April 8th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
just think of that WR corp, V-Jax, MW 19, Blackmon, & Benn! talk about a nightmere for opposing DEF!!! with Freemans ability to scramble and Blounts size we would have mismatches all over the field!! but its probably gonna be Claibourne, dont care about his wonderlik score as long as the boy can ball. this is the most exciting offseason i can remember as a Bucs fan. thanks to ALL the people involved and i feel most of you bloggers for gettin on the Glazers for not spending. sit back and enjoy!!! BUC IT IM OUT!!!!
April 8th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Great signing!
Sign Fletcher to a one year deal and we’ll be set for the draft.
April 8th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
has anybody heard if they are pursuing Flech???
April 8th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
I don’t think Dom will spend anymore $ on FA until after the draft and cuts during and after training camp. I believe he and Schiano want to see what they have in LB and who gets cut for depth at RB and Safety.
April 8th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
If we could just make that ONE signing, we would be set. We could go CB in the 1st and RB in the 2nd. Sorry, we can’t count on a 3rd round rookie LB (again) to help our historically bad LB corps next year.
Or even if we go LB in the 2nd, we’ll still need a RB in the 3rd (a lot will be gone).
Anyway….sign Fletcher. I’m sure he’s not that expensive. Sign him for a year and watch how Foster and the new rookie LB develop.
April 9th, 2012 at 8:06 am
Great news! Liked this guy when he was signed by Texans. We are getting lots of players to compete @ each position. I hope we take claiborne or if we can trade down, and get MLB. If we get claiborne @5 would be awesome if we get lb from NC brown