Lawrence Okoye Thread of Epic Awesomeness

Originally posted by Rsrkshn:

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:

Originally posted by Rsrkshn:
Which rule?

That a player has to clear waivers before he can be signed to the practice squad?

Or something else?

I presume you know how waivers work? You couldn't mean that a player can refuse to go to the team that claims him off waivers? Although it does seem like you may be meaning that.

I'm sorry, can you explain the point of rule that you are discussing? If we do not put Okoye on our roster when we go to 53 at end of preseason, do other teams have an opportunity to offer him a contract? Or is he exposed only if he goes from our 45 to practice squad? In other words we put him on the roster first.

If there is a link could you provide? Thx.

I'm not sure . . . but I think Valrod may know. I believe that he may be suggesting that because Okoye was signed as an undrafted free agent rather than as a drafted player, he may be treated differently when it comes to waiver rules. I don't think so in Okoye's case, he gets the same treatment that Tolzien (also an UDFA) received.

Waiver rules are n/a in the case of certain "vested" veterans.

Not sure. But I don't care enough to look it up.

He would have to clear waivers. He can not deny a waiver claim. Only after clearing waivers would he be eligible for the practice squad and once placed on the practice squad can deny a claim from another team is he prefers to.

http://sulia.com/mattbarrows/f/dc6f1a57-5493-420b-b6d4-c1b1269484c5/?source=twitter&guid=dc6f1a57-5493-420b-b6d4-c1b1269484c5

Here's why local reporters are hoping rookie Lawrence Okoye makes the #49ers roster in some form this season ...

Asked where things stand in his development, the 49ers defensive end said, "The first step was to get to a position where I can be looked upon as a really bad football player. And I think we're getting to that stage. I can say I'm a bad football player now. That's a good step for me. … I'm pretty happy where I am at the moment." The 49ers were drawn to Okoye, who had never worn a football helmet until May, not only because of his 6-5, 305-pound frame but because he has proven to be a quick learner in the past. Okoye took up the discus at age 18. By age 20 he was representing Britain in the Olympics. Was he also a bad discus thrower when he began that sport? "I was terrible. I was awful," Okoye said. "I wouldn't even call myself a discus thrower. I was a ... I don't know. I was really bad."

Originally posted by leon49:
http://sulia.com/mattbarrows/f/dc6f1a57-5493-420b-b6d4-c1b1269484c5/?source=twitter&guid=dc6f1a57-5493-420b-b6d4-c1b1269484c5

Here's why local reporters are hoping rookie Lawrence Okoye makes the #49ers roster in some form this season ...

Asked where things stand in his development, the 49ers defensive end said, "The first step was to get to a position where I can be looked upon as a really bad football player. And I think we're getting to that stage. I can say I'm a bad football player now. That's a good step for me. … I'm pretty happy where I am at the moment." The 49ers were drawn to Okoye, who had never worn a football helmet until May, not only because of his 6-5, 305-pound frame but because he has proven to be a quick learner in the past. Okoye took up the discus at age 18. By age 20 he was representing Britain in the Olympics. Was he also a bad discus thrower when he began that sport? "I was terrible. I was awful," Okoye said. "I wouldn't even call myself a discus thrower. I was a ... I don't know. I was really bad."

He gets it. Baby steps.

Originally posted by Eli_23:

We should put him on our 53 also. I mean look at his muscles. He can obviously play pro football.

Originally posted by Garcia:
If we put Okoye on the PS, he has to clear waivers, the rule is whoever picks him up on waivers has to have him on the 53 man roster, like we did with Tolzien from San Diego.

I seriously doubt anyone would claim Okoye because he wont be ready for even a special teams role.

Picking him up for the 53 man roster is just the type of move the Seahawks would make. It both destabilizes what the Niners are trying to achieve with a freakish physical talent and gets under the Niners skin. It's the kind of pyschological game that Pete Caroll likes to play. (Both teams do it to each other to be honest). If Okoye shows promise, and he arguably already has, the Niners may well have to stash him on their 53man roster (as one of the inactives on game day) to keep him.

Not everyone on the 53 man roster has to be a contributor. Recall all the TEs that NE picked up and stashed (Ballard was even coming off an injury and could not have contributed anyway) when they had their all-pro starters young and healthy a couple of years ago.

Depending upon the injury situation, the Niners may be having to make some tough choices come time to cut down to 53.

Tomorrow, assuming that he actually plays, will be a historic day for Lawrence Okoye.

I wish him the best of luck.

don't underestimate okoye's ability to learn quickly; he also has a powerful brain.

The practice squad was invented for guys like Okyoe. Excited to see him tomorrow.

Originally posted by BrianGO:

Originally posted by Eli_23:

We should put him on our 53 also. I mean look at his muscles. He can obviously play pro football.

I believe that's Bob Sapp, who actually WAS an NFL player in the late 90's.

Originally posted by AmpLee:
That's exactly it. Okoye also is not going to fly under the radar. Teams are well aware who he is because of his freakish athletic ability, and will track his progress throughout the offseason. He's already generating a lot of coverage from our beat writers. If he shows anything giving us the impression he has what it takes to succeed in this league, and possibly be great one day, we aren't going to waste the early development and time we've achieved with the young man and risk losing him to another team. We have to remember that it's his potential that is his current value. If we see that potential turning into greatness, we are putting him on the 53 even if he's not going to contribute for a few months while he learns the craft.

what's tough is who's roster spot would he take? Tukuafu, Dobbs, ... or would we only keep 5 WRs? I understand your point, but our 53 man roster is pretty tough to crack right now...

PS games will be telling. If he can generate good pressure, after only a handful of practices, I think we have to keep him, so he can develop, because a team like Jax, Phi, or Buf will have room on their depleted rosters.

Originally posted by AmpLee:

Originally posted by Rsrkshn:

Originally posted by Garcia:
If we put Okoye on the PS, he has to clear waivers, the rule is whoever picks him up on waivers has to have him on the 53 man roster, like we did with Tolzien from San Diego.

I seriously doubt anyone would claim Okoye because he wont be ready for even a special teams role.

Picking him up for the 53 man roster is just the type of move the Seahawks would make. It both destabilizes what the Niners are trying to achieve with a freakish physical talent and gets under the Niners skin. It's the kind of pyschological game that Pete Caroll likes to play. (Both teams do it to each other to be honest). If Okoye shows promise, and he arguably already has, the Niners may well have to stash him on their 53man roster (as one of the inactives on game day) to keep him.

Not everyone on the 53 man roster has to be a contributor. Recall all the TEs that NE picked up and stashed (Ballard was even coming off an injury and could not have contributed anyway) when they had their all-pro starters young and healthy a couple of years ago.

Depending upon the injury situation, the Niners may be having to make some tough choices come time to cut down to 53.

That's exactly it. Okoye also is not going to fly under the radar. Teams are well aware who he is because of his freakish athletic ability, and will track his progress throughout the offseason. He's already generating a lot of coverage from our beat writers. If he shows anything giving us the impression he has what it takes to succeed in this league, and possibly be great one day, we aren't going to waste the early development and time we've achieved with the young man and risk losing him to another team. We have to remember that it's his potential that is his current value. If we see that potential turning into greatness, we are putting him on the 53 even if he's not going to contribute for a few months while he learns the craft.

Any team dumb enough to put this guy on a 53-man roster, wasting a spot recklessly, can have him. They will only be doing a disservice to their team. Let him go if thats the case.


I'd rather give the last spot to a guy like BJ Daniels, where reports he has many suitors if he hits waivers.

It will be interesting to see if Okoye gets some kind of "injury" and has to go on IR or PUP for this season. I wouldn't call a team "dumb" to put him on their 53. He's got freakish size, strength and quickness. If he really is a quick learner, we may be looking at a real story here.

Originally posted by GNielsen:
It will be interesting to see if Okoye gets some kind of "injury" and has to go on IR or PUP for this season.

doubt it, he wont be able to practice, defeats the purpose.

Originally posted by Garcia:
doubt it, he wont be able to practice, defeats the purpose.

That's true, but he would be able to work with specialists one-on-one and learn the mental aspects of the game. He's had very little exposure to the complexity of the game - to spend the year watching the players do what they do and studying strategy might be just what he needs because physically, he seems to be there. My only concern was if he could take being hit NFL style which is on its own plane. He seems to be able to take the contact without falling down and crying so I think they probably see some massive potential there.

Originally posted by AmpLee:
How do you know it would be dumb for a team to put him on their 53? We haven't even seen what he can do yet. Why don't we wait to see how the preseason unfolds before we start questioning the intelligence of his potential suitors. Garce gonna Garce.

Dude is probably the worst player in the NFL right now. And miles from the 2nd worst player who has probably played this game his whole life.

He won't make the 53 and any team that wastes a spot on him aren't doing there jobs.