NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
Dallas adds to their defensive line depth in an unforeseen yet logical manner.
According to the Star-Telegram's Charean WIlliams, the Cowboys have signed former Texans and Bears defensive tackle Amobi Okoye.
Okoye was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round (#10) of the 2007 NFL draft. He is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round and, in the Texans first game of the 2007 season, became the youngest person to start an NFL game since 1967. Because Okoye was only 19 at the time he is still a relatively young 26 (he'll be 27 in June) even though he has been around the league for quite some time now. The deal is for two years, so if this venture pans out, Dallas will get an experienced veteran's prime years.
After playing in 46 of the Texans possible 48 games (starting 42 of them), Okoye was released after four seasons in Houston and immediately picked up by the Bears, where he served as a valuable member of the team's D-line rotation, playing all 16 games in 2011. The following campaign, he bounced around between Chicago and Tampa Bay and then didn't play at all in 2013, for as-yet undisclosed medical reasons. He has amassed 177 tackles and 16 sacks in his six-year NFL career.
The Cowboys likely have a clear idea what they are getting in Okoye: he played for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli in Chicago alongside Dallas' recent free agent signing, DT Henry Melton. As has been oft documented, the plan on the defensive line is to attack in waves of fresh bodies, with the idea that they will wear down opposing offensive lines. Okoye gives the team yet another option in this regard, as a veteran defensive tackle capable of coming in and playing 25 snaps with his hair on fire.
More Cowboys Coverage
- Picking Pet Cats At Blogging The Boys!
- The Cowboys Corners Need To Up Their Game In 2014
- News: Season's First Minicamp Starts Today!
- What Has Garrett Done For The Cowboys?
- Beyond Church: What Do The Cowboys Have At Safety?
--------------------------------------
Continue reading...