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April 09, 2008
A big day for Pitt's Otah
It's a big day for University of Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah, who's holding an individual workout for NFL teams -- including representatives from Carolina -- today on campus.
Otah (6-6, 322 pounds) hasn't been able to show scouts much during the offseason because of a lingering left ankle injury. He didn't play in the Senior Bowl and his workout at the NFL combine included a slow 40-yard dash time of 5.55 seconds. He didn't work out at Pitt's regular pro day last month because he wanted to give his ankle a chance to fully recover.
Otah needs a good workout to secure his standing as one of the top 20 players in the draft and one of four offensive tackles expected to go in the top 20.
He is believed to be a strong option for the (Carolina) Panthers, who have the 13th pick.
Otah played left tackle the past two seasons at Pitt, but might be better suited to start out his pro career at right tackle. Pitt coac h Dave Wannstedt called Otah the "best blocker I've ever coached."
He's a raw talent with lots of upside. A native of Nigeria, Otah didn't play football until his senior year of high school.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on April 9, 2008 at 01:41 PM | Permalink
Comments
It's good to see such a positive comment by a former pro head coach.
Barring a trade up or down, he is probably the odds on favorite to get drafted by the Panthers. There are plenty of other options, although.
Posted by: Slambo | Apr 9, 2008 2:07:37 PM
Otah is an intriguing prospect. Will the injury scare some teams off? None of the other tackles have the upside he has and if he starts to slip it might be wise of the Panthers to take a page from last year's draft and trade down and pick up an extra second rounder and get Otah late in the first. I would be more than happy with Gross at LT for a year and let Otah come to his own. What is really interesting is the approach Fox takes. I still think his job his pretty secure, but will he draft for guaranteed prospect like Williams or Clady, or will he draft for the long haul with more raw talent like Otah? I think he has to set the team up for more success in the long haul but it's interesting to think about.
Posted by: mountaineerdynAsty | Apr 9, 2008 2:14:03 PM
5.55?? I'd hate to make too much out of combine stats, but Otah was my fav before I read that. The only thing that would change that is how well he does today. I do like they way he moves for a guy his size though. But if he isn't quick/fast enough or truly can't excel on the left side in the NFL, I would take a pass on drafting him at 13.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Apr 9, 2008 2:17:16 PM
BTW, his ankle was still recovering when he registered that 40 time, so hopefully he gives it another shot today to improve on his time. We'll see.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Apr 9, 2008 2:19:01 PM
Why would an offensive lineman's 40 time change your mind about him? Who cares what his 40 times is?
Posted by: LeeL | Apr 9, 2008 3:08:26 PM
I agree with LeeL, I wouldh't think a 40 time is that important for a OT. But from those that know better, is this thinking incorrect?
Posted by: Ryan H | Apr 9, 2008 3:16:47 PM
40 time is somewhat irrelevant. Lateral quickness is key.
Posted by: mcap | Apr 9, 2008 3:30:23 PM
I would think the mirror and agility drills matter more than 40yd dash.
What I'd like to know, is just how much does Otah really weigh right now? I've seen him listed at 322, 332, 340, and 345 on different sites.
Posted by: monstercat | Apr 9, 2008 3:32:18 PM
This workout is the most important of his life to date...Although for some reason i have this feeling were gonna try and get that Brandon Albert from Virgina. He's a physical specimen to say the least and is rising everyday on draft boards...Mike Mayock has him going to the Pats but if they dont take him he may slide to us...All i know is that they beter sure up that possitionbecause if they dont its gonna be a troublesome year against speed rushers...Plus i gota say that at this point i still think that FS is much more of a need than RB, Toefield is plenty good for this season, grab a good safety now and then our CB's will impress knowing they have someone who's got there back. But, i wouldnt be surprised to see us trade down to get a pick and Harvey than trade back up to get Gosder Cherilus.
Posted by: randy | Apr 9, 2008 3:58:00 PM
Wasn't it Dwight Freeney who posted something like a 4.95 40-time, causing all sorts of clubs to pass on him?
When the Panthers install a play that involves the tackle running 40 yards down the field, I'll start worrying.
Posted by: BullCityDog | Apr 9, 2008 4:50:08 PM
I like this guy too. You see a lot of raw athletes from other countries do well in America, because they develop stronger work ethic when they are young and still in their home countries. A lot of American athletes tend to get lazy and complacent due to our society catering to them from an early age if they are a true player, but I would be willing to bet Otah continues to work hard and develop. I do think we could trade down and still get him (unless his pro-day today is phenomenal) but other than that I would be ok with this pick.
Posted by: Steve | Apr 9, 2008 5:22:30 PM
BCD - Freeney posted an excellent time and went at 11 to Indianapolis, which was much higher than expected. The Bears had been expecting him to be a possibility late first that draft. You might be thinking of Terrell Suggs, who fell a few slots due to a bad 40. Maybe Darren Howard, who went from 1st-2nd based on a bad 40.
Posted by: Tony | Apr 9, 2008 5:24:54 PM
I'm starting to think DT might be more important then OT after our free agent signings. Its pretty close though. We NEED starting quality DT and OT. Then we need FS. Then it would be just nice to get DE or RB.
Posted by: Frozenham.com | Apr 9, 2008 5:29:21 PM
yea u need check that,... dwight freeny ran a 4.4 forty at his combine
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=reese_floyd&id=3251338
Posted by: john | Apr 9, 2008 5:39:24 PM
I think the 40 times for an OT isn't very important. Just an indicator of athleticism really. Some of the other cone drills are more important for OT as it shows lateral speed like you guys mention. Right now at pick 13 I think the Panthers will be choosing between Chris Williams and Otah to anchor down the LT position.
I really wish Otah would have played in the Senior Bowl because Williams really helped his stock playing in that game. All you guys talk about Chris Williams "short" arms but you fail to realize those "short" arms kept Jay Cutler off his back in Williams JR year in the SEC. Chris Williams just does not give up sacks. He didn't in the SEC, he didn't against top flight competition in the Senior Bowl, and he won't in the NFL. The kid is smart and anchored the O-line for a vaunted Vandy offense. At this point, I like Chris Williams the best. I'm sure the Broncos will take him to protect his former QB Cutler before we pick. With that being said I hope Otah looks good today.
Posted by: wolfpackjj78 | Apr 9, 2008 5:42:37 PM
Otah would be a great pick at 13 and remember the Panthers arent to interested in Williams because he is more of a pure pass blocker not a outstanding run blocker
Fox and Co. would much rather have a big mauling OT like Clady, Albert, or Otah and im sure at least one of them will be there if not im sure we will be looking at Harvey, and Phillips
Posted by: Matt Anderson | Apr 9, 2008 6:22:52 PM
I like Otah a lot but I don't think we need an Ot with our first pick. I think we should go with Harvey in the first. I watched his workout and he looked good.
Posted by: Nick | Apr 9, 2008 8:28:17 PM
I think Otah will be a better run blocker than the others and would be my first choice at 13, unless he bombs at Pro day. 40 speed means nothing. If there are doubts about Charles Johnson, then Harvey is a good alternative.
others I like down in the draft:
S--Dajuan Morgan, Thomas Decoud, Dominque Barber
RB--Tashard Choice, Corey Boyd, Benjarvis Green Ellis
DT--Trevor Laws, Frank Okam, Andre Fluellen, Letroy Guion
DE--Chris Harrington, JOhnny Dingle
Posted by: magicman | Apr 9, 2008 9:17:49 PM
I know John Dingle. His mother married my brother. Her name is Mary Dingle Berry.
Posted by: Frank Berry | Apr 9, 2008 9:56:59 PM
LOL! Good to know, Frank. OK, OK... you got me. 40 times are not a deal breaker for offensive lineman, but if you are DRAFTING ONE AT 13, then he should be athletic enough to do it all... pull, set up a good screen-block and be able to get to the second level as needed. In all fairness guys, that is why I stated that (drafting Otah at 13) earlier. Barring that, if they do trade down to get another pick and still manage to somehow pick him up that would be excellent! But wouldn't that be too much of a risk? I mean, what if they don't get a top notch LT, or any other player in a positon of need for that matter, if they trade down too far?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Apr 10, 2008 3:12:09 AM
Nick, that great workout you saw Derrick Harvey have is about the only great thing he's done since his junior year.
I'm not sure why everyone is harping on Otah's 40 time. First of all, 40's times really don't mean much for O-lineman. I want to see the play in the Panther's playbook that is going to require Otah to run 40 yards down field. Second, he ran that on a high ankle sprain and still finished with the same time as a healthy Sam Baker!! I would like to see any of you in here run 40 yards on a high ankle sprain. Ever had one of those? Even if you finished, it wouldn't be in 5.55.
Posted by: Shooter | Apr 10, 2008 7:32:20 AM
Sounds like he had a better 40 time 5.3, a little faster
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_561549.html
Also it sounds like the steelers might try to grab him with the 23rd pick so if we trade down we have to think he will be gone by 23 at the latest, maybe pittsburg will want to trade up with us?
Posted by: Aaron | Apr 10, 2008 9:44:59 AM
I read that Houston at 19 really likes him, which makes sense, since their pass protection has been some of the league's worst over the last couple of years....so, if he is "our guy", I don't know if we would want to trade down more than 5 spots.
Posted by: rhackney | Apr 10, 2008 11:34:56 AM
Yep, it was Suggs. Sorry, all.
Posted by: BullCityDog | Apr 10, 2008 12:46:26 PM
Let's bring in Mendenhall in the 1st. He
would make Barnie Fife look good at O-line!
The guy is a stud RB with good character!
Posted by: juliusP | Apr 11, 2008 6:52:07 PM
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