Question on S Octavien at OLB

[Woods]

I was under the impression that in Wade's defensive scheme that the OLB is typically fairly large (weight-wise).

Just looking at his profile on dallascowboys.com, that have him weighting about 238 lbs. (And according to Wade's PC, Octavien has always played OLB for the Cowboys - not ILB.)

Is the intension to use Octavien more as a pass-rushing OLB? I can't imagine him playing the run at his size on a consistent basis.

One other interesting factoid on the dallascowboys.com website on Octavien. In high school, as a junior he won the discus event for the state and came in 2nd as a senior. And amazingly, he also was on the 400meter relay team that won the championship as a senior as well.

You don't see that too often . . . . must be an amazing athlete.

 

[21Savage]

I think the main criteria Wade has for his OLBs is pass rush ability rather than size. Wade has proven over time to be versatile enough to use smaller defenders, as long as they can do the job. He doesn't possess the Parcells functional fixedness.

I read somewhere that Octavien is 244 lbs. Ware said at the end of last year, he was in the 240s also. James Harrison is listed as 242 lbs and if he were a cowboy he'd be starting opposite Ware. Wade, in his saturday PC said Octavien has especailly strong legs (so he's stout against the run) and is one of those high energy, quick twitch athletes (like the track record would suggest).

If I'm Octavien, I'm modelling my game after James Harrison. Particularly his very effective tuck under move on the outside speed rush where he gets real close to the tackle, acts like he's gonna do an inside rush before the bull is snapped, then goes around him with a dip that works well due to the height (dis)advantage.

 

[Woods]

I think the main criteria Wade has for his OLBs is pass rush ability rather than size. Wade has proven over time to be versatile enough to use smaller defenders, as long as they can do the job. He doesn't possess the Parcells functional fixedness.

I read somewhere that Octavien is 244 lbs. Ware said at the end of last year, he was in the 240s also. James Harrison is listed as 242 lbs and if he were a cowboy he'd be starting opposite Ware. Wade, in his saturday PC said Octavien has especailly strong legs (so he's stout against the run) and is one of those high energy, quick twitch athletes (like the track record would suggest).

If I'm Octavien, I'm modelling my game after James Harrison. Particularly his very effective tuck under move on the outside speed rush where he gets real close to the tackle, acts like he's gonna do an inside rush before the bull is snapped, then goes around him with a dip that works well due to the height (dis)advantage.

Good info, thanks.

 

[AdamJT13]

Octavien weighed 238 at the Combine last year (2008). If he's been in the weight room at all, he should be in the 240s by now.

 

[Woods]

Octavien weighed 238 at the Combine last year (2008). If he's been in the weight room at all, he should be in the 240s by now.

Adam, would you happen to know his Combine results?

Thanks.

 

[VACowboy]

Octavien looks to have star potential, to me. He's all over the field, all the time, and spends a lot of time in the opponent's backfield.

 

[AdamJT13]

Adam, would you happen to know his Combine results?

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=61386&draftyear=2008&genpos=OLB

Height: 5115
Weight: 238
40 Yrd Dash: 4.67 (eighth-fastest among linebackers)
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 26
Vertical Jump: 29 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: No shuttles/foot
3-Cone Drill: No shuttles/foot

 

[Woods]

Octavien looks to have star potential, to me. He's all over the field, all the time, and spends a lot of time in the opponent's backfield.

I hope he turns into a star - esp as we took him off the Commanders PS!

 

[Woods]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=61386&draftyear=2008&genpos=OLB

Height: 5115
Weight: 238
40 Yrd Dash: 4.67 (eighth-fastest among linebackers)
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 26
Vertical Jump: 29 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: No shuttles/foot
3-Cone Drill: No shuttles/foot

Thanks, Adam.

If I'm not mistaken, his 10-yard dash time is very, very quick for a LB as well.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Here's more on him from NFL.com:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2008/profiles/steve-octavien?id=2690

BTW, that state championship in the disc (and 2nd the following year) wasn't in Vermont or North Dakota, it was in Florida. Pretty impressive.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Octavian was drafted last year?? I thought he was a vet for some reason.

 

[dmq]

He seems to have an extensive injury history. I hope that is behind him.

 

[TD-33]

If I'm Octavien, I'm modelling my game after James Harrison. Particularly his very effective tuck under move on the outside speed rush where he gets real close to the tackle, acts like he's gonna do an inside rush before the bull is snapped, then goes around him with a dip that works well due to the height (dis)advantage.

Another shorter guy that comes to mind is Dwight Freeny.
Freeny is a terror out there.

 

[AsthmaField]

Octavian was drafted last year?? I thought he was a vet for some reason.

He has been in the league for 1 season. He was on Washington's practice squad when we signed him off of it last season.

His straight line speed is good, but nothing special. It is his change of direction skills that set him apart, IMO. With his height, he can change directions on a dime.

The guy plays like a maniac from whistle to whistle and I think he's going to turn into a good player for Wade.

What makes it even better is that the Commanders need LB help in a bad way and they had this guy until we stole him. Now if he can just become a star, we can rub it in their faces for the next decade or so. :laugh2:

 

[AsthmaField]

Another shorter guy that comes to mind is Dwight Freeny.
Freeny is a terror out there.

Yep, and again it is change of direction that is a huge part of his game. A short guy can change directions just a whole lot faster than a taller guy. It's physics.

Also, short guys tend to have leverage on taller guys, so run defense typically isn't an issue with them. When a taller guy pushes on a shorter guy, it's like he's pushing him down into the turf, so it is easy for short guys to hold their ground.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

He has been in the league for 1 season. He was on Washington's practice squad when we signed him off of it last season.

His straight line speed is good, but nothing special. It is his change of direction skills that set him apart, IMO. With his height, he can change directions on a dime.

The guy plays like a maniac from whistle to whistle and I think he's going to turn into a good player for Wade.

What makes it even better is that the Commanders need LB help in a bad way and they had this guy until we stole him. Now if he can just become a star, we can rub it in their faces for the next decade or so. :laugh2:

Ya I love how he plays. I kept seeing this little fireball out there just making plays. Found out it was Octavian.