Hero’s for Haiti – The Oben Family!

Roman Oben is no stranger to the battle, no rookie when it comes to lending a helping hand when times are tough. He’s been to Africa to aid the people of Cameroon in the land where Roman is from. He’s also made a difference in his home State of New Jersey, the founder of the Roman Oben Foundation in 2003, he works to promote the positive development of youth and families through football, literacy and other community outreach projects. Working with children and charities from all over, Roman and his wife Linda are there to make a difference. How Roman and Linda fit it all in to their busy lives is a miracle as well. Blessed with a beautiful family and a few different jobs, the Oben’s are always on the go but somehow find time to help others and make a difference in people’s lives.

Since the Earthquake that came and devastated the Country of Haiti, the Oben family knew it had to act. It had to join the fight and once again throw in a helping hand when times seem their most dire. Linda Claude-Oben has deep ties to the country being a first generation Haitian-American. Her and and husband recently founded CORE (Claude Oben Recovery Effort) which has organized to once again head to Haiti and help. Roman was kind enough to email this press release that gives us some more insight into Linda’s trip.

July 28, 2010 – NEW YORK, NY – Linda Claude-Oben, wife of Super Bowl XXXVII champion and retired NFL lineman Roman Oben, leaves this Friday, July 30, on her second mission trip to Haiti, her first as co-founder of the Claude-Oben Recovery Effort (CORE). Read more

Roman’s Soldiers!!

Skinnypost.com recently caught up with Roman Oben, former NFL Left Tackle and Superbowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Roman was kind enough to share with us his Top Offensive and Defensive Lineman heading into this weeks NFL Draft. Without further ado…here are his tops, his sleepers and a couple of guys he thinks might not make a splash at all!

Defensive Line -

#1. Ndamukong Suh – Just having a Cameroonian name gives him the advantage over McCoy Suh possesses every skill except the ability to cure cancer, which he might do by his third year in the NFL. Can play in any scheme & will make an impact as a rookie.

#2. Gerald McCoy – While Suh will be the type of player who grades 90% every week, McCoy is a true 3 technique in a 4-3 scheme. Maybe the closest thing to Warren Sapp we’ve seen in ten years coming out of the draft.

#3. Jason Pierre-Paul – Raw one year starter and pure pass rusher who has the ability to work his way into being a complete DE. He would benefit immensely from spending time with people like Chuck Smith & Michael Strahan in the off-season

#4. Derrick Morgan – Along with Texas’ Sergio Kindle, he’s on my “All-Hybrid” team. Could he be the next Dwight Freeney, Shawne Merriman, James Harrison? Morgan is the type of player that a team must put him in a position that highlights his strengths. Very good football instincts.

**** SLEEPER*****
#5. Jared Odrick - He’s tabbed as a run stuffer & blue collar guy, but he’s a very coachable, “yes sir, no sir” high motor football player who practices and plays in 5th gear. He will have a 10+ year career as an interior lineman

*** NOT CONVINCED***
Terrence Cody – The weight-problem guys always scare me. Will he eat himself out of the league before he’s 30 yrs old? The fact that Cody is a projected two down player coming out of college doesn’t give me confidence in his maturation as an NFL football player.

Offensive Line

#1. Russell Okung – he’s got all the tools: great combination of size, feet, quickness, athletic ability. I always favor these type of O-Linemen in that 6’4 to 6’5″ 310-315 range. All that ability with 47 college starts makes him the reason that he’ll be the highest draft pick from Oklahoma State since Barry Sanders

#2. Bryan Buluga – besides everything that has been said about him, he can come in and start at right tackle tomorrow for any NFL franchise. Most of all, he’ll make us forget about Robert Gallery.

#3. Trent Williams – Another “my type” of OT who can make an immediate impact at right tackle. It impresses me that someone who came from a passing program is know for his run blocking. This would be a great pick for the Washington Redskins.

# 4. Anthony Davis – I liked him in college, but was prone to getting beat inside by Big East pass rushers . Only thing he did in the top ten at the combines was his vertical jump. Maybe an eventual move to left guard could make him the next Reuben Brown.

****SLEEPER****
#5 Mike Iupati -This guy will be a Pro Bowler in three years, Period!

**** I’M NOT CONVINCED****
Bruce Campbell - To be a good NFL O-lineman, you have to play with injuries. Two years from now, we’ll forget about his combines performance & wonder why he isn’t a starter.