HOUSTON (AP) -Texans rookie Frank Okam loves to cook.
It has been a hobby of his since he was a child. So when it’s his turn to take the defensive line to dinner this season, he’s hoping to pinch some pennies by cooking for his teammates instead of shelling out $1,000 or more at a fancy restaurant.
“Definitely save a lot of money,” he said. “They usually make the rookies pay.”
For now it appears he has been the one eating most of his own cooking. At 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds he’s the heaviest player on Houston’s roster. Right behind him is left tackle and fellow rookie Duane Brown at 329 pounds.
Though the Texans want Brown to drop a few pounds, they’re just fine with Okam’s weight.
ned for as big of a person he is.”
Though Okam talks about his cooking skills to anyone who will listen, one player questioned whether he’s actually that talented in the kitchen.
“He can’t cook. I cook. I can barbecue, cook – maybe he can do some bakery type stuff, make a pie or something,” joked guard Kasey Studdard, who played with Okam at Texas.
The Texans aren’t too concerned about Okam’s cooking skills. They just hope he’s able to contribute this season. He was one of the top tackles in the country coming out of high school, but was inconsistent at Texas.
His draft stock took another hit because some believed he wanted to go to law school instead of the NFL and because he weighed 347 pounds at the combine.
Okam does want to go to law school, but that can wait until after his football career is over. As for the weight, though the Texans are fine with his current size, he said he might try and shed five pounds so he can get a bit quicker.
Concerning his commitment to the game, Okam seems fully invested in not only playing, but succeeding in Houston. He’s already set a goal of starting.
“If you don’t want that, if you don’t think you have that then you’re in the wrong business because they’ll run you out of here,” he said. “The game is too hard. That’s definitely my goal and definitely my mind-set and I think I have the ability to do it.”
He joins a defensive line that features 2006 top pick Mario Williams at end and last year’s first-round pick Amobi Okoye at tackle. To start he’ll probably have to unseat 2005 first-round pick Travis Johnson. Johnson has struggled with injuries and hasn’t made much of an impact in three seasons, but had a career-high 41 tackles last year.
Though Okam didn’t live up to the lofty expectations he had when he signed with Texas, he was still a solid player. He started 39 games and had 160 tackles, 10 sacks and recovered five fumbles in his career.
“He shows flashes of doing some really good things,” Kubiak said. “He’s pretty good, don’t get me wrong there, but there’s another level for Frank. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
His size could be particularly useful in Houston’s goal to improve its run defense. The Texans ranked 19th in the NFL last season, allowing about 114 yards rushing a game.
“My main goal that I want to take pride in is helping the team stop the run,” he said. “I think if we can slow teams down in the run game it can definitely help us in the long run.”
Notes: RB Chris Brown missed his third day of practice Wednesday after receiving an injection to relieve pain in his back. Kubiak said he is likely to be out a few more days.
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