What is the verdict on Okam?

[NBT]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Where is this coming from? Is he quitting the team? Or is it just that he has not lived up to you expectations?

NBT you come out of left field on a lot of your statements, but when you make up something like this either link it or say you are making it up yourself. IN web talk that is covered by the line "IMO" "In My Opinion for the less informed.

I'm sorry you think some of my posts come out of left field PK, but maybe it just shows that we often have differing viewpoints on how some things happen. I don't have a link but it was pretty common knowledge right after last years draft, that Okam was pointedly asked if his mind was on law school, or playing pro ball. He emphaticaly stated that he really wanted to play pro ball. I just thought that since Kubiak thinks he is a long long way from being ready to play, that he was just putting up a smokescreen in order to get the money for law school. JMHO. Probably wrong, but it does bear thinking about.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by NBT

I'm sorry you think some of my posts come out of left field PK, but maybe it just shows that we often have differing viewpoints on how some things happen. I don't have a link but it was pretty common knowledge right after last years draft, that Okam was pointedly asked if his mind was on law school, or playing pro ball. He emphaticaly stated that he really wanted to play pro ball. I just thought that since Kubiak thinks he is a long long way from being ready to play, that he was just putting up a smokescreen in order to get the money for law school. JMHO. Probably wrong, but it does bear thinking about.

I'm with Painkiller on this one. Although your suspicions about may be correct, there isn't anywhere enough evidence to say they are. If he is lazy and undermotivated, we should know it by sometime next year. Till then, I'm going to cautiously give him the rookie benefit of the doubt.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

I'm sorry you think some of my posts come out of left field PK, but maybe it just shows that we often have differing viewpoints on how some things happen. I don't have a link but it was pretty common knowledge right after last years draft, that Okam was pointedly asked if his mind was on law school, or playing pro ball. He emphaticaly stated that he really wanted to play pro ball. I just thought that since Kubiak thinks he is a long long way from being ready to play, that he was just putting up a smokescreen in order to get the money for law school. JMHO. Probably wrong, but it does bear thinking about.

The reason we come here is for the different views. And I am not against that. But your surmise was stated a lot stronger then what it was. You maybe correct in your surmise about law school, but until we see a blurb about him quitting the team to go to law school....

Another couple of factors are what I see in play here. One might be the fact that DL have historically had a slow transition to the NFL. Vince Wilfork a 1st round can't miss player, now playing at a probowl level, took a few years to become the starter for the Pats. Lesson #1 you have to give DTs 3 years at least before calling them bust.

Another myth at play is the curse of Mack Brown. Many top athletes go to Austin and never seem develop from their freshman year. They seem to live a blessed life. No one criticizes them nor pushes them. Articles have been written about this subject, and their are exceptions, but guys like Mike Williams OT, and Cory Redding DT are poster boys. Okam maybe the latest chapter of this story. One of the problems with myth, is that you have to wait to see if the player will develop from NFL coaching which is much different from the warm soft cushy place that Mack has for them.

A common factor with these point of views is time. We need time to see which guys get it which guys do not. And Okam will have to show progress next summer to still be a part of this team.

[kravix]

I am not 100% on this, but I believe even given his percieved lazy attitude his production in college was very good. His stock was very high his junior year and he was projected as a 1st rounder. I couldnt find it, but I am almost positive that his production his senior year was on par with the previous year, but a change in def scheme hurt him somewhat.

Maybe he is just getting money for law school, and maybe Amobi is just getting money for Nigeria... Okam was drafted in the 5th, and no he isnt a starter, not uncommon for 5th round picks. I dont see how any conclusions can be made about him, especially when the "3 year rule" for DL is taken into consideration.

Given the investment teams make for high picks, and the pressure of having to play them for that much money, there is nothing to say that Okam could or could not produce at the same level as Amobi atm. It is all assumptions based on coach speak from Kubiak, and draft hype.

For a dude that is taking 2-3rd string snaps in practice he hasnt looked that bad in the few games he played in. And the difference between 1st and 2nd team snaps is huge.

Tim Bulman is in his 4th year and was an undrafted rookie, but most are very high on him. His first 3 years he barely played, and now he has 16 tackles, 4 sacks, has only been active 11 games, and has started none.

I dont think there is any way a player can make it all the way to the NFL without having a passion for the game. Some make it partially on pure ability, but that isnt enough. The dedication, even at the college level, to keep up is huge. The possibility of a 5th rounder not making it is alot bigger than that of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rounder.