Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
49ers DL Okoye makes smashing return to pads
Share This Post
Comments
Sunday, July 27, 2014 - 1:15pm
Follow @maioccocsn

Programming note: For comprehensive 49ers coverage from Santa Clara, tune in to SportsNet Central tonight at 6, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

SANTA CLARA – Lawrence Okoye has made such a significant improvement in one year, he would rather not turn the clock back to last year’s training camp.

“It’s crazy, really,” Okoye said on Sunday. “I can’t watch last year’s tape. It’s just too hard to watch. I cringe too much. Now, I feel like a football player and it’s time to just keep progressing.”

The film was impressive Saturday on the first day the 49ers put on pads for a practice. In a one-on-one pass-rush drill early in practice, Okoye bull-rushed tackle Jonathan Martin, sending the third-year player flailing backward as if he were on roller skates.

There was never any question Okoye, the former rugby player and British Olympic discus finalist, had the physical attributes to succeed in football. And, now, his technique looks a lot better after a year of work under defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

“He’s really playing with a lot better pad level, playing lower and the bull rush right now is a real strength for him,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “And he’ll learn counters to that, but he’s a very strong man with very long arms. He also had another collision with Joe Staley and gave Joe everything he could handle. It’s good to see that kind of competition.”

[REWIND: Harbaugh doesn't see Okoye as specialist, other teams might]

Okoye spent his rookie season on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury in the 49ers’ final exhibition game. He remained in the Bay Area for most of the offseason to train and study all aspects of the sport.

Saturday was significant for Okoye to put on the pads again and take his development to another level.

“It’s been a long, long journey for me,” he said. “I haven’t been in pads since August 2013. So it was a big occasion to get back in pads again. There’s nothing better than going against Joe Staley and Mike Iupati every day. That’s probably the best left side in the whole league. So I’m feeling great about everything.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Peavy details how he needs get in rhythm with Posey
Bochy reaffirms his confidence in Peavy's performance
Maiocco: 49ers expect James to be ready for season opener
Sogard credits All-Star break for rejuvenating his approach at plate

Giants

Rewind: Peavy's intensity can't overcome Giant mistakes
Instant Replay: Peavy loses debut as Dodgers sweep Giants
Giants notes: Injury updates for Cain, Belt and Pagan
Sacramento men reach plea deals in fight near AT&T Park
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: No Crisp, but A's claim another series
Instant Replay: A's offense blasts past Rangers 9-3
La Russa, Thomas headline star-studded Hall of Fame class
A's notes: Crisp flying to Bay Area to get neck examined
Read More

Sharks

Mueller motivated by Sharks’ ‘tomorrow team’ talk
Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
Couture hopes ‘devastating loss’ can motivate Sharks
Sharks making several appearances on NBC this season
Read More

49ers

Practice 4: Light workload for 49ers starting CBs
49ers Quick Hits: Okoye's bull rush impresses Harbaugh
49ers' James injures elbow in blitz pick-up drill
Peterson’s days on offense and special teams are done
Read More

Raiders

Raiders Quick Hits: QBs crisp on first day in pads
Practice 3: On Raiders first day in pads, Schaub steals show
Raiders' Reece trims down to increase quickness
Smith: 'Schaubby's getting his mojo back'
Read More

Warriors

LeBron will return to No. 23 with Cavaliers
Report: Lakers, Scott agree on four-year deal
Kevin Love withdraws from Team USA
Report: Lakers offer coaching job to Byron Scott
Read More

NCAA

Ex-Cal AD Barbour takes over at Penn State
NFL reduces number of players entering the draft
NCAA recommends limited contact during football practices
Barbour steps down, Cal names former wrestler interim AD
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Peavy's intensity can't overcome Giant mistakes
(4)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Instant Replay: Peavy loses debut as Dodgers sweep Giants
(51)
Giants notes: Injury updates for Cain, Belt and Pagan
(15)
See more >

More Stories

Sacramento men reach plea deals in fight near AT&T Park
Giants lineup: Blanco replaces Pence in leadoff spot
(8)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Peavy details how he needs get in rhythm with Posey
Peavy details how he needs get in rhythm with Posey
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Peavy's intensity can't overcome Giant mistakes
  • Instant Replay: Peavy loses debut as Dodgers sweep Giants
  • Giants notes: Injury updates for Cain, Belt and Pagan
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: No Crisp, but A's claim another series
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

Instant Replay: A's offense blasts past Rangers 9-3
La Russa, Thomas headline star-studded Hall of Fame class
See more >

More Stories

A's notes: Crisp flying to Bay Area to get neck examined
(1)
A's lineup: Gentry in CF, Lowrie back in
See more >

A's VIDEO

Sogard credits All-Star break for rejuvenating his approach at plate
Sogard credits All-Star break for rejuvenating his approach at plate
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Mueller motivated by Sharks’ ‘tomorrow team’ talk
ProHockeyTalk

More Stories

Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
(4)
Couture hopes ‘devastating loss’ can motivate Sharks
(8)
See more >

More Stories

Sharks making several appearances on NBC this season
(10)
Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
  • Sharks making several appearances on NBC this season
  • Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

LeBron will return to No. 23 with Cavaliers
Associated Press

More Stories

Report: Lakers, Scott agree on four-year deal
Kevin Love withdraws from Team USA
(4)
See more >

more stories

Report: Lakers offer coaching job to Byron Scott
Clippers' Griffin withdraws from US national team
(2)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Why are the Warriors so reluctant in dealing Thompson for Love?
YSTL: Why are the Warriors so reluctant in dealing Thompson for Love?
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
  • At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
  • Report: Brandon Rush returns to Warriors
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
(1)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Suns guard Thomas: 'I felt very disrespected' by Kings
(1)
Former Kings G Thomas: 'I wanted to feel wanted'
See more >

More Stories

McCallum ignites Kings to Summer League title
(2)
Kings rout Wizards, advance to Summer League title game
(3)
See more >

Kings Video

Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
See more >

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Practice 4: Light workload for 49ers starting CBs
(10)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

49ers Quick Hits: Okoye's bull rush impresses Harbaugh
49ers' James injures elbow in blitz pick-up drill
(40)
See more >

More stories

Peterson’s days on offense and special teams are done
49ers DL Okoye makes smashing return to pads
(14)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: 49ers expect James to be ready for season opener
Maiocco: 49ers expect James to be ready for season opener
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders Quick Hits: QBs crisp on first day in pads
Scott Bair

More Stories

Practice 3: On Raiders first day in pads, Schaub steals show
(5)
Raiders' Reece trims down to increase quickness
(1)
See more >

More Stories

Smith: 'Schaubby's getting his mojo back'
(3)
Raiders Quick Hits: Schaub's restored confidence
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders Quick Hits: QBs crisp on first day in pads
Raiders Quick Hits: QBs crisp on first day in pads
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes fall to Atletico Madrid in Candlestick finale
Associated Press

More Stories

San Jose Earthquakes ease past Chicago Fire 5-1
(4)
Last-place Quakes welcome old coach Yallop, Fire
(2)
See more >

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Rewind: Peavy's intensity can't overcome Giant mistakes
(4)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
(1)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Practice 4: Light workload for 49ers starting CBs
(10)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders Quick Hits: QBs crisp on first day in pads
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks Mailbag: What to do with Niemi?
(4)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: No Crisp, but A's claim another series
See more >

RAY RATTO

The Dan Uggla Era is off to an ominous start

TOP STORIES

  • Friday Five: Kings reign supreme; best, worst deals
  • Suns guard Thomas: 'I felt very disrespected' by Kings
  • Former Kings G Thomas: 'I wanted to feel wanted'

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

CALL KUIP'S SHOT

Call Kuip's Shot
Submit your entry now for a chance to meet Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper. 

Post your Instagram video using #CallKuipsShot!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Barbour steps down, Cal names former wrestler interim AD
Report: Barbour stepping down as Cal AD

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Peavy details how he needs get in rhythm with Posey
Peavy details how he needs get in rhythm with Posey
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California