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Published on 07/30/2011 at Sat Jul 30 14:48.
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Houston DT Amobi Akoye Available, Denver Should Pounce

Posted Sat Jul 30th by

Jaguars Texans Football

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trent Edwards (5) is sacked by Houston Texans' Amobi Okoye (91) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Denver Broncos have refused to sign an overpaid, aging, past-his-prime defensive tackle in free agency this offseason, and passed up on Seattle’s young Brandon Mebane (who was relatively cheap).  As a result, the team has a gaping hole on the depth chart smack in the middle of Denver’s 4-3 defense.

The Houston Texans have just given Denver a chance to fill that hole, at a reasonable price.  Texans reporter John McClain tweeted at 2pm (MT) that Houston had released defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, due to cap reasons.  A 2007 first round draft pick, Okoye’s agent was not able to find a team willing to trade for him, forcing Houston to place him on waivers.

Okoye is a four year starter and just twenty-four years old.  Measuring up and weighing in at 6-2, 315 pounds, Okoye is projected as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.  A former Louisville Cardinal, Okoye played alongside Broncos current defensive end Elvis Dumervil during his collegiate career.

From 2009-2010, Okoye started in 32 games and totaled 82 tackles and 4.5 sacks.  His rookie season, 2007, the defensive lineman recorded 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles — both career highs.

Akoye would be a solid addition to Denver’s defense line.  My fingers are crossed.

Update (3:30 MT): The Broncos have made contact with representatives for free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, according to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post.

  • http://thingsatrexdoes.tumblr.com Mike Birtwistle

    yes

  • dbroncs24/7

    Add him, pass on warren (no more 30 yr old lineman, especially ones who can't pass a physical!), re-sign Marcus Thomas, sign Marion Barber (much needed power back), and Lawrence Vickers to block (cheaper alternative to the dream of vonta leach)

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    That sounds like a pretty resonable plan to me, not sure if Thomas will be willing to re-sign though.

  • dbroncs24/7

    I know it worries me that we haven't yet, if we land okoye than any other decent dt will do but for some reason I feel he hasn't realized his potential. Don't know why we haven't attempted to sign Barber, he's a beast who would complement Knowshon nicely and he knows how to PUT THE BALL IN THE F'ING ENDZONE!

  • Fan From Spain

    I'm all for signing Barber, thats one fun back to watch!

  • flbronc

    pull the trigger on this one. 

    bill williamson was saying earlier on espn.com that we are up against the cap.  i thought we were significantly under based on the posts from the last couple of days- even without moving orton we were in decent shape.

    anyone heard anything definite about where we are?

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    I've heard everything from way under to way over, wish I could ask Mr. Xanders himself.

  • Matt

    It doesn't seem like Xanders has a clue himself, but based on the lack of activity, I'd say Bill Williamson is probably onto something.

  • 12508

    I WISH I COULD ASK MR. XANDERS ALOT OF THINGS. Now we can really see the damage he has done in the last couple of years. We are stuck. Can't pull the trigger on anything. I really don't think we are too far away from making a run at this division. Yet we can't get the final pieces we need or get rid of some of the players that need to go. Seems like the rich just get richer this off season. It's obvious that the most important position on NFL teams is GM. You gotta be good in the draft and with the cap. MR XANDERS HAS BEEN THE WORST WITH BOTH. Eagles,Pats,Jets,Steelers,and a few others have it figured out. Look at the front office and head coaches on those teams. I hope ELWAY has a plan and this is just part of the process.

  • stav

    i heard that we really have no space at all

  • flbronc

    so a technical question here… the blog on the post says that houston 'waived' him.  was he cut or waived?  big difference for us.  if goes to waivers, he's essentially ours because we sucked last year.

  • flbronc

    mr xanders really didnt have any say in getting us to the cap situation we are in.  mr shannahan and mr mcdaniels are the culprets.  those two are also the culprets in the shaky draft history we've had recently.  i am not sure i would judge his worth on less than a week of free agency and one draft.

  • ad91968

    The challenge for the Broncos isn't front office ignorance.  It's putting together the right money to lure some of these FREE AGENTS to a team that isn't a contender this year.  Why are the big names going to the Eagles, Patriots, Bears…because they are contenders and these FREE AGENTS get to CHOOSE who they sign with.  It takes wins and potential to gain FREE AGENTS.  As a die-hard Bronco fan for 42 years, reality is hard to face…Denver has a ways to go before they will land huge names in FA.

  • flbronc

    so where did he go?  espn says chicago in one spot and the cardinals in another.  nfl.com reports chicago… so does this mean he hasnt officially signed anywhere?

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Waived, I should have clarified that better.  He signed with Chicago anyway so it doesn't matter now.

  • mountiandave

    ad91986 is right on the money. The Broncos have to prove a few things before  some of these guys come here at any price.  That may be part of several issues, the Orton trades included.  Still, I love to watch the game and as long as they Broncos are playing hard and the team is getting better, I can deal with it. This sure beats the heck out of the lock out!

  • flbronc

    so where did he go?  espn says chicago in one spot and the cardinals in another.  nfl.com reports chicago… so does this mean he hasnt officially signed anywhere?

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Waived, I should have clarified that better.  He signed with Chicago anyway so it doesn't matter now.

  • mountiandave

    ad91986 is right on the money. The Broncos have to prove a few things before  some of these guys come here at any price.  That may be part of several issues, the Orton trades included.  Still, I love to watch the game and as long as they Broncos are playing hard and the team is getting better, I can deal with it. This sure beats the heck out of the lock out!