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Okoye gets fresh start w/ Bears
By Kyle Garmes, on August 2nd, 2011
The Bears let a No. 91 go after last season, and now they’re hoping a new No. 91 can fill his spot in 2011.
New Bears defensive tackle Amobi Okoye is entering his fifth season but is still just 24 years old. The Daily Journal/Scott Anderson
Former Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who donned No. 91 for seven years with the team, is no longer around. Vying to fill his role — and already taking his number — is Amobi Okoye, the 10th pick of the Houston Texans in the 2007 draft at age 19.
Okoye, who played at Louisville, is entering his fifth season, but at 24, he’s still a youngster. He was the youngest player ever taken in the first round, and he’s by no means been a bust. But even though Okoye, who was released late last month and signed to a one-year deal by the Bears, led the Texans’ defensive line with 44 tackles last season, there’s still untapped potential that head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will try to unleash.
“I really feel at home, because there’s a lot of people I know already here,” Okoye said Monday after the first training camp practice in pads at Olivet Nazarene. “I always wanted to work with Coach Rod, and he wanted to work with me, too. So it was an exciting opportunity for me.”
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Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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Of all the FA's we signed to me Okoye is the best and most exciting. When sox posted that he'd been released we both screamed for JA to sign him ASAP. Here's another guy who, like Gholston, was struggling fitting into his role in Houston. He's not really a 3-4 NT or a 3-4 DE yet those were his only choices with the Texans. He's far more a 3t type penetrator who can get to the QB and I think that's where we play him in Chicago.
As the article says, he was not exactly a bust in Houston like Gholston was in NY. He's just a young guy drafted by the wrong team playing in the wrong scheme. I've got a real good feeling about this one just like I did with the Paea pick. If these two guys pan out as expected we've done what we can to keep pace with Detroit as far as our Dline goes. Paea and Okoye may not get the press that Suh and Fairley do but for us they may be every bit as effective.
I'm stoked about having him along with Paea and Melton as pass rushing DT's.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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So... making the Assumption Gholston turns his game around AND Okoye...
Peppers.
Okoye
Adams
Gholston.
if they all play up to there potential... detroit may not have the crown of most intimidating D-line just yet....
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Originally Posted by
GrizzlyBear91 
So... making the Assumption Gholston turns his game around AND Okoye...
Peppers.
Okoye
Adams
Gholston.
if they all play up to there potential... detroit may not have the crown of most intimidating D-line just yet....
and we would have one of the deepest!!
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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Originally Posted by
GrizzlyBear91 So... making the Assumption Gholston turns his game around AND Okoye...
Peppers.
Okoye
Adams
Gholston.
if they all play up to there potential... detroit may not have the crown of most intimidating D-line just yet....
If that happens I'd put it right up there with a threesome with Jennifer Aniston and Kathryn Heigl. Well maybe not quite that high but close, LOL.
If both come around and Gholston even can play at Izzy's level he was worth it. If you look at the young potential talent we have backing up the vets and the strength of the rotation if these guys can all get after the QB and Lovie must be drooling into his Farina every morning.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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It's certainly not impossible that Gholston can make a turnaround, but I'm not getting my hopes up until I see something on the field. I really think Okoye can be a solid contributor, if not a force. Watch Texans games and you'll see him as a pretty disruptive player on most days.
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Originally Posted by
short faced bear and we would have one of the deepest!!
No Doubt!
DT's:
Anthony Adams
Stephen Paea
Amobi Okoye
Matt Toeaina
(M.Harrison will be cut)
DE's:
Julius Peppers
Israel Idonije
Vernon Gholston
Corey Wootten
Henry Melton (can be either DE/DT)
We might just keep 10 of them, given the new rules (not banking on it, just saying it's possible)
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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I guess that's one thing we CAN agree on....
D-line is in pretty good shape. LOL.
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Originally Posted by
GrizzlyBear91 I guess that's one thing we CAN agree on....
D-line is in pretty good shape. LOL.
As long as the HC/GM team we have is paired the Dline will always be in pretty good shape. Now if we can get a second pair with as much concern for the Oline we may finally complete the team.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Junior Member
I think we will see Gholston on 3rd and longs as a speed rusher on the opposite side of Peppers. I like Idonije but his size makes him a better run stopper than pass rusher despite the impressive sack numbers from him last season.
Okoye will probably fill a similar role as Gholsten since the team resigned DT "Spice" Adams, drafted DT Paea, and DT Matt Toeina showing promise last season.
Expect a variety of D-line packages this season from the Bears D-line This will keep everyone rested while the opposing O-line tires out. Reminds me of the NY Giants mentality.
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