Jeff Okudah

Seems like he is a pretty smart and savvy guy with a lot of experience and great character. Really hope he can revitalize his career here. We certainly need to get an unexpected find in the defensive backfield.

Could be a new hybrid type player for Flo to wreak havoc with…!

Odds are long but if it pays off, holy crap, game changer.

Couple podcast Viking inside dudes mention some statistics that JO around the line of scrimmage had super high rating for tackles, impact plays and so on. But in man coverage had a terrible rating. Wondering if JO will be like Mettelas? Either way it will be exciting to see how all these pieces shake out.

Still Hurtn wrote:
Couple podcast Viking inside dudes mention some statistics that JO around the line of scrimmage had super high rating for tackles, impact plays and so on. But in man coverage had a terrible rating. Wondering if JO will be like Mettelas? Either way it will be exciting to see how all these pieces shake out.

Okudah is on his 4th team and I have to believe that those teams tried moving him around too, so I think it's unlikely we get much from him. 

That said, he's never played in a Flores defense before. I've always believed that Josh Metellus wouldn't even be a starter on any other defense. He is who he is only because of Flores. Okudah could resurrect his career in a similar role. Probably more than any other position, DBs rise and fall in different schemes.

https://youtube.com/shorts/t2mztjDO3iQ?si=Dj-xe-7HUlhO2ILK

Found the clip. Interesting take

MaroonBells wrote:

Okudah is on his 4th team and I have to believe that those teams tried moving him around too, so I think it's unlikely we get much from him. 

That said, he's never played in a Flores defense before. I've always believed that Josh Metellus wouldn't even be a starter on any other defense. He is who he is only because of Flores. Okudah could resurrect his career in a similar role. Probably more than any other position, DBs rise and fall in different schemes.

Do you think he could eventually replace Smith or is he limited to the Star, Joker, Wolverine (whatever BFlo calls it) role?

MaroonBells wrote:

Okudah is on his 4th team and I have to believe that those teams tried moving him around too, so I think it's unlikely we get much from him. 

That said, he's never played in a Flores defense before. I've always believed that Josh Metellus wouldn't even be a starter on any other defense. He is who he is only because of Flores. Okudah could resurrect his career in a similar role. Probably more than any other position, DBs rise and fall in different schemes.

Well Flores believes in him so I will be wait and see, whereas generally, I never go for the Viking fan thing where every scrap heap guy that other teams gave up on is somehow going to morph from crud to gold because he puts on a purple uni. Rarely if ever happens. I'll wish Okudah the best but have zero expectations about him regardless.

JustInTime wrote:

Do you think he could eventually replace Smith or is he limited to the Star, Joker, Wolverine (whatever BFlo calls it) role?

No idea, but there have been a handful of corners who've saved their careers (or prolonged them) by moving to safety. I think his best shot is as our new Metellus.

MaroonBells wrote:

No idea, but there have been a handful of corners who've saved their careers (or prolonged them) by moving to safety. I think his best shot is as our new Metellus.

I phrased that poorly. Do you think Mettelus could replace Smith.

JustInTime wrote:

Do you think he could eventually replace Smith or is he limited to the Star, Joker, Wolverine (whatever BFlo calls it) role?

Good question. He played some free and strong safety a bit last year, but I think it's pretty obvious he's better closer to the LOS. I don't think you'd want him deep very much. But then I don't think you'd want Harry deep much anymore either. I think Theo Jackson is going to play a much bigger role this year. It's also time for Jay Ward to show that he belongs.

MaroonBells wrote:

Good question. He played some free and strong safety a bit last year, but I think it's pretty obvious he's better closer to the LOS. I don't think you'd want him deep very much. But then I don't think you'd want Harry deep much anymore either. I think Theo Jackson is going to play a much bigger role this year. It's also time for Jay Ward to show that he belongs.

Mettelus has beefed up and was more of a hybrid LB/Safety last year.  So yeah, not sure if he is rangy enough to be the deep safety anymore (if he ever was.)