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David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
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Five years ago, Manitoba football coach Brian Dobie heard a quiet knock on the door of his office.
In walked 18-year-old David Onyemata, a 6-foot-4 giant of a teenager who weighed 330 pounds at the time and had never picked up a football in his life. "I never knew anything about it or the process, and I hadn't seen the game until I got to Canada," Onyemata said. Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun. "All I did was go to school and go back home," Onyemata said. "I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team." http://image.nola.com/home/nola-medi...48c10b2b3a.jpg Dobie said he'd give him a week's tryout. What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect. On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL. "David's a great story, he's a guy you would say is a self-made guy," Payton told the NFL Network on Saturday. "I love the kid's makeup. He's one of those guys that has had to accomplish a lot to be where he is now." "Up here in Canada, we're literally calling him Cinderella," Dobie said. read more |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Everybody has size and skills in the NFL. Brutal game and business. Saints reaching for a boom. I think Billings would have been a better pick. I hope I'm wrong.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Another wait and see.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
If nothing else it shows that the kid has the drive to succeed.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
I like the pick in theory. Obviously only time will tell what we've got in him but I'm certainly rooting for him. My gripe lies in the cost to make the pick. Just not a fan of constantly going into drafts with so few picks. Hope he's worth it.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
The cap space on the team was so bad they probably couldn't have afforded to have so many picks. It was most likely better to give two picks away so they only had to worry about one player. They had players on there draft board they wanted and they probably got most of them.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Camp beast at the very least!!! :razz:
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
I want to visit Nigeria.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Let's see what he can do against other NFL lineman. At worst he'll compete for a starting spot w/Richardson. His "rip" move is really nice & seems versatile. Looking at his videos, he is violent, potential beast like ability. BIG guy (a skittle over 300 lbs).
I think Ireland may have found a nice one. |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Watch his tape, he's like a man amongst boys!
He's bigger, stronger and faster than everyone he goes up against. The guy could be a very nice diamond in the rough. |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
I really do like this pick. Can't wait to see him in live action.I also wish we would have kept Rufus Johnson.
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Play call number 1...
Hey Oneyamata, see the guy with the ball? Get past his guards and destroy him. Play call number 2... See number 1. |
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
He is a solid roll of the dice upside pick without a doubt. He may not have been a top my list of upsiders and round 4 may have been a bit high for him but if it is a reach I can live with it.
The only issue I have is because of the Bell trade, this kid has a cost of a 3rd round pick in trade value. I fear Bell will be like Ingram and have to justify all the extra picks he cost to get him. Average play will never work. I hope this kid does not get caught up in that. All those picks rests Bell not this kid |
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Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Mark Ingram took two picks (that year's 2nd and the next year's 1st; and you could argue that if we had had our first the following year, we'd only lost that 1st round pick and not two 2nd round picks in the Bountygate Beatdown)
John Jenkins took two picks to acquire (two 4ths) Brandin Cooks took two picks to acquire (a 1st and a 3rd) Damian Swann took two picks to acquire (last year's 6th and this year's 6th) Vonn Bell took two picks to acquire (a 3rd and 4th) David Onyemata took two picks to acquire (a 5th and next year's 5th) That's twelve picks to acquire six players... Not to mention we swapped a third for a fifth to swap firsts with New England by a couple of spots and take a holdout turd who was pretty much a bust in Sedrick Ellis... Moving up seems pretty costly for the return... |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
If he can handle the NFL culture he may be special.
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Looks like we only gave up a couple high picks and acquired some really good players. It doesn't really look all that costly to me. Its not like we gave up 2 freaking picks for a Punter. |
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The two picks we gave up were worth a pro bowl player who puts up an average of 1400 all purpose yards per season. Once again, Brandin Cooks completely worth it because he is a pro bowl caliber player - 1200 yards and 9 TD's last season. |
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that 4th could have been used on David now add in the two fifths with Bell trade effecting David that two picks. that is the attachment of picks of the bell trade I was talking about. yes that is how I look at. You already know my view on the bell trade and its merits. Pass on Bell draft a safety in the third and then draft David in fourth. But thats water under the bridge. |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
In a way we seem to have accidentally drafted backups outside of the first two picks. Onyematta could hopefully be the answer if Fairley slacks off.
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Brandin Cooks pro bowl? the talent is there but as of yet he has not made the trip. he still has plenty of time to get there. |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
Onyemata will be used as a DE... Payton had an interview just after his pick and stated they see him on the other side of Jordan.
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Ingram, a first round selection that cost two picks, took his entire rookie contract to finally crack the starting lineup, hardly impressive... Cooks is a great speed talent and quality character; but he gets smothered when the field shortens in the end zone and there were quality receivers still there in the first and second that we could've stood pat and selected... Jenkins is in a contract year and has also been a disappointment... Moving up is too costly and by your own words in previous posts, we'd been better served moving back, or, as just as well had stood pat and kept the extra picks... |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
This dude is a beast |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
His situational awareness is off the chart. Look at know he is always on the ball no matter who has it.
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I think he might surprise some people, a guy like that has fought to get the NFL when he started from nothing, why would he give any less than 110% now. |
Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years
He's gonna be starting? Yikes NFL speed is coming his way.
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