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July 24, 2011 @ 7:13 am
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PR Predicts: DT Frank Okam

Written by Charlie
Campbell
Charlie Campbell

Charlie
Campbell

Editor-In-Chief E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Does Pewter Report think DT Frank Okam will be back in Tampa Bay? Why could he leave? Will Okam have a lot of interest in free agency? Find out the answers and the prediction of Okam’s future with the Bucs.
PewterReport.com continues this series of articles that predicts whether a Bucs veteran free agent will be back with the team in 2011.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE FRANK OKAM
The 6-foot-5, 350-pound Okam is not signed for the 2011 season. Okam, 25, could be a restricted free agent or unrestricted free agent depending on the rules of the new collective bargaining agreement.

2010 SEASON
Last year Okam totaled 15 tackles with two tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. Okam started three games after Gerald McCoy went on injured reserve. Okam had seven tackles in the Bucs 38-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. He recovered the fumble against New Orleans in Week 17.

CAREER UP TO THIS POINT
Okam had a rough start to his career with the Houston Texans after a draft day slide in 2008 that lasted until the fifth round. Okam never had an impact with the Texans and played in only 13 games in 2008-2010. After being cut by Houston, Okam signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He was inactive during his time in Seattle before being cut. Tampa Bay signed Okam to the active roster in November.

WHY HE COULD RE-SIGN
The Buccaneers really liked what Okam did during his limited time with the team. Okam was recommended to the team by his former Texas teammates Roy Miller and Tim Crowder. Okam fit in well in the locker room and was said to be rejuvenated in his time with the Bucs.

Tampa Bay likes the different dimension that Okam offers. After McCoy went done, Okam played well as a power three technique that overpowers guards with his massive size and strength. Okam offers a bigger presence as an interior run defender over the Bucs other defensive tackles. Okam also has the ability to play nose tackle.

Okam could serve as a stout short-yardage and goal line defender for Tampa Bay. The Bucs would like to have Okam back after he played well late in the season.

WHY HE COULD DEPART
Tampa Bay has a lot of young defensive tackles signed for 2011 that they like. McCoy, Miller, Brian Price and Al Woods are all coming back. Like Okam, Woods played well after being signed by the Bucs during the 2010 season. 

Okam would like the opportunity to get playing time. However, it will be hard for him to do so with McCoy and Miller secure in their starting positions. The Bucs can’t wait to get a healthy Price on the field, and liked Woods run-stuffing ability. 

While Okam wants to go to a good situation, as a restricted or unrestricted free agency he probably will get more interest from Tampa Bay than any other team. There probably won’t be a big market for him.

PREDICTION
Pewter Report’s prediction is that Okam will be re-signed by Tampa Bay in free agency.

PREVIOUS PR PREDICTS
LB Niko Koutouvides

LB Quincy Black

LB Adam Hayward

G Davin Joseph

DE Stylez White

DE Tim Crowder

WR Maurice Stovall

LB Barrett Ruud

TE John Gilmore

RT Jeremy Trueblood

RB Cadillac Williams
Last modified on Sunday, 24 July 2011 11:43
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COMMENTS

  • avatar


    buctebow
    July 25, 2011
    1:50 pm
    Definitely keep all of the DT's we have now. The grass is not always greener and all of them still have a good potential upside. They fit perfectly into the Bucs strategy, I expect no change, other than a FA addition, due to Price's injury situation. If the medical assessment shows he needs a whole year to recover, they will not have him on the PUP list, but on injured reserve and then they will be forced to add a FA DT.
  • avatar

    dcrum35
    July 25, 2011
    10:39 am
    Based on his performance and the fact that Price is probably starting on the PUP, he will be signed. Heck, with as hectic as the next 2 weeks will be with FA signings.... I prdict that the vast majority of players across the league return to their teams. Just no alot of time to get into a new system and most teams will be looking for stability as well.
  • avatar

    buc16-0
    July 25, 2011
    9:18 am
    Not so sure price will ever be healthy, we need okam.
  • avatar


    mjmoody
    July 25, 2011
    8:52 am
    Okam is a keeper based on his performance last year. He might even be able to use that smarts to learn the nose position in the 34. I believe bucdiezel90 about Price on the PUP but I disagree about getting rid of Woods. Woods played solid goal line for the Bucs' last season. I strongly agree with the multiple DT substitutions in the Florida heat stated by buclover1988. When the Cowboys come to town & their O-line outweighs the Bucs' D-line by a lot, Okam only helps. Keeping 5 DT's is a little rich, but this guy is quality depth that great teams have.
  • avatar

    buclover1988
    July 25, 2011
    6:38 am
    With Price likely starting the season on the PUP, i really like the idea of having okam back again...he was an absolute animal towards the end of the year and looks to be rejuvenated sincehe joined us. Also, the more quality DT's we have the better, especially with the tampa heat. we need to keep guys like mccoy and miller fresh so that when the fourth quarter comes, they are still playing like its the first quarter.
  • avatar


    owlykat
    July 24, 2011
    4:14 pm
    We run a 3-4 defense at times as well as the base 4-3. We need to make signing Okam a top priority; then if any team starts getting a running game going, insert Okam and make them one dimensional. I hope your prediction is right on.
  • avatar


    FLBoyInDallas
    July 24, 2011
    3:19 pm
    Miller's job is definitely secure at the moment because from all reports it seems very possible Price will not even play this year. Not only that, but most DT's begin to hit their potential in their 3rd and 4th seasons so it's obvious we haven't even seen Miller's peak yet, but only flashes of the DT he will mature into. He's still got lots of potential and I like his game and the promise I see in it. People are absolute idiots who want to write off a DT after two seasons. Folks like that have a low football IQ.
  • avatar


    bucdiezel90
    July 24, 2011
    3:07 pm
    I like Okam. I think he played awesome when he took over for McCoy. Drop kick Woods and put Price on the PUP list. We can use him at the end of games to wear down centers and guards besides being good depth.
  • avatar


    astonaker
    July 24, 2011
    2:12 pm
    If you read the background on Frank Okam, analysts all say he is truly a superior athlelete with quickness, speed. very fast feet and ability to dominate with his size and strength. He is also very intelligent and could have gone on to med or law school. Maybe this is the main reason they say his one drawback is "a lack of passion for the game of football" It is not the priority it needs to be. He takes time off during the games and relies too much on his natural ability. Let's hope the new assistant coaches can get him to acquire that passion.....whilch is between his ears..... that's when this defensive line will improve dramatically,particularly if we are looking at Price being out a good while.
  • avatar


    dbucfan
    July 24, 2011
    12:16 pm
    if miller's job was secure Price would not have been picked. just a thought - I like okam - he brings a needed size to the dline
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