Senior Bowl Weigh ins :p

[HoosierCat]

I don't think Shaun will fetch a bundle and as a RFA the Bengals have the right to beat any offer sheet.

Maybe...but remember what happened with Walter last year. If the Bengals just give him the baby tender, he doesn't need someone to give him a big-money deal, just one that's front loaded, to screw up the Bengals planning. If, of course, they plan on keeping him.

I agree with the pick-a-strategy comments. Personally, I tend toward the big DT theory, but really, I just would like to see them take a good DT, fat, skinny, whatever. I think their whole defensive line strategy can be summed up as "too clever by half." They keep tinkering on a game-by-game basis, looking for the perfect line versus each opponent. How about just building a good line and turning it loose?

[Kazkal]

I'd pefer stick with big boys at DT seemed to help some this year...let Peko be the light starting DT on our team hehe.

[HairOnFire]

I agree with the pick-a-strategy comments. Personally, I tend toward the big DT theory, but really, I just would like to see them take a good DT, fat, skinny, whatever. I think their whole defensive line strategy can be summed up as "too clever by half." They keep tinkering on a game-by-game basis, looking for the perfect line versus each opponent. How about just building a good line and turning it loose?

In theory I tend to lean towards a line manned with bigger DE's and smaller DT's. I simply have no love for smallish ends that can't defend against the run or massive interior lineman who lack mobility and pass rush skills. As a result I tend to favor larger DE's like Adam Carriker and Charles Johnson more than most. In short, I'd prefer a defensive line that featured balanced players who can stuff the run and provide a respectable pass rush from every position rather than an unbalanced line featuring a bunch of very talented one-trick ponies.

Getting back to the point addressed in the thread title, when watching the Senior Bowl practices I've been very impressed with Okoye. I get the point that 287 isn't considered an ideal weight for an interior defensive lineman, but Okoye is cut and lean and as a 19 years old prospect I'm betting he isn't done growing. And even if he stays at his current weight I think he's still powerful enough to assume the role that John Thornton currently fills.

Okoye already plays lower than most lineman ever learn to do, and he manages that trick without losing strength or balance. That's pretty rare stuff, and if a coach was confident in his own ability to develope Okoye it might be hard to pass him by in favor of a larger interior lineman who might be more ready to play today but has a lower ceiling.

[schweinhart]

Okoye already plays lower than most lineman ever learn to do, and he manages that trick without losing strength or balance. That's pretty rare stuff, and if a coach was confident in his own ability to develope Okoye it might be hard to pass him by in favor of a larger interior lineman who might be more ready to play today but has a lower ceiling.

And he knows how to use his hands and will only get better. The practices are one thing, though, where he's got the extra room to better showcase the skills he has and games are different, which is why I'm interested to see how Okoye fares any time he's matched againt Ryan Kalil. I've noticed with Okoye during the course of the season that the same quickness that makes him look great also takes him out of plays and often does end up off his feet with loss of balance as much as leverage. The U of L games vs. West Virginia, Rutgers and Wake Forest all showed both. He had the WVU center Dan Mozes at the Senior Bowl and made him look foolish in iso but it wasn't the same way when there was more trash for Okoye to sort through at the LOS. Against Wake, Okoye had no chance when he lined up over their center Steve Justice and was handled for the most part by their guards when he lined up gap, especially vs. the run. But even then he got into the backfield some.

Still, with Glenn Dorsey opting to stay his senior year, Quinn Pitcock looking far less impressive than Okoye though a good bit thicker, taller and quick in his own right and Tank Tyler rolling his rolls into Mobile way overweight, hard to think now Okoye isn't the 2nd DT in the draft. Probably would be a mistake for the Bengals to draft him as a starter unless the staff wants to change their mind again about what kind of D-line they want, but after watching him show up like he did I'm wondering if he wouldn't be worth a 1st round pick even if he was just a pass rushing DT for 6 years. Pass rush pressure up the middle would be a great sight to see for the Bengals.

[Kazkal]

Mybe he can pull a brob and play DE then kickinside on passing downs

[HairOnFire]

Probably would be a mistake for the Bengals to draft him as a starter unless the staff wants to change their mind again about what kind of D-line they want, but after watching him show up like he did I'm wondering if he wouldn't be worth a 1st round pick even if he was just a pass rushing DT for 6 years. Pass rush pressure up the middle would be a great sight to see for the Bengals.

Yup. When I consider Okoye I walk away without being 100% sold on the guy, but it's pretty easy to look at him as a 19 year old prospect who is already capable of far more than holding his own against older more experienced players. Very quickly I begin to wonder if he couldn't be developed in the exact same manner as Robert Geathers. In short, give him a year to contribute as a valuable wave player while he learns technique and tricks-o-the-trade from coaches and veterans, and then see if he's ready to be a starter the following season.

[DuffMan]

I wonder if the bengals are looking at adam carriker at all, if justin walks he seems like a fitting addition at 6'5 nearly 300lbs to play LE or DT. Also if we lose smith that money can be put to use for snagging a FA CB or LB...maybe both.

[HoosierCat]

I'd be very happy with an Okoye selection. After all, I've been nagging them to take a first round DT for years, and at 19 Amobi has the opportunity to be an anchor on our line for more than a decade.

That said, right now it's looking like he'll float out of the Bengals' reach.

[Kazkal]

Bengals did talk with carriker .

[Nobull]

I'd be very happy with an Okoye selection. After all, I've been nagging them to take a first round DT for years, and at 19 Amobi has the opportunity to be an anchor on our line for more than a decade.

That said, right now it's looking like he'll float out of the Bengals' reach.

One thing about drafting Okoye, part of your selection would be long term potential as he isn't physically done yet. He may be a dominating player 4 years from now and struggle some in years 1-2.