Evaluating our teams needs coming into 2009
by Riott on Dec 15, 2008 1:55 AM CST
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I love the Texans, very, very much.
What I love even more, is speculating about the Texans future! So lets begin...
I want to open this up as a discussion for everyone on BRB to try and hash through our needs as a team for the upcoming year. List what you think we need (in what order, preferably), and what you would like to see out of the draft and free agency.
First and foremost, I think we need something that resembles a quality safety. Harrison, Demps, and Ferguson all make me want to carry around a little airplane sickness bag whenever I see them play. Wilson has made plays and has done relatively well, and as long he doesn't pull a Demps/Bennett/Okoye massive regression, I think he will do fine in the upcoming season.
Tied with , or possibly right behind, safety is a competent pass rushing LDE. Watching a textbook pocket form around opposing quarterbacks because Mario is getting tripled teamed and held while the other chaps tapdance and get planted is only slightly fucking irritating. It needs to be corrected.
3rd along our line is NT. Hopefully, magically, Okam transforms into this diabolical space eating NT and manages to execute get TJ cut, but if not, we need to seriously consider looking at free agent/draftable NTs who don't constantly get driven back and single blocked. We need someone who demands double teams - let Okoye shoot his gaps and Mario eat some delectable quarterback flesh, instead of eating those extra blocks.
4th is corner. The fact that we play Faggins and Reeves money to do what they do is an affront to my senses. Reeves has made a few plays, but that does not redeem constantly shitty play. Faggins, on the other hand, makes the highlight reels constantly - for the other team. Dunta is quality and shaking off the rust and horrendous knee damage, Fred is... well, hopefully he watches the '07 film and sees that he needs to play at and above that level. Moulden is doing awesome on special teams, which in no way helps me evaluate his play at corner, which, according to rosters, is the position he is actually supposed to play. Get Faggins and Reeves out, bring new blood in. They cant be worse, can they?
5th is power back. Did you know Slaton not only walks on water, but actually creates the water he walks upon? Yeah, me too. We need a big body to change the pace, batter the defense, and take a share of the carries from our local ebony god, and I can only see good things happening.
6th is interior offensive line, specifically center. Chris Myers has played hard and played pretty well, but he just gets manhandled at times. Id like to look for quality interior line depth/people to coach up whenever we can.
A reasonable draft may look like
1st - DE Michael Johnson / SS William Moore
2nd - SS Patrcik Chung / DE Matt Shaughnessy
3rd - DT Vince Oghobaase / CB DeAngelo Smith
4th - CB Joe Burnett / DT Ron Brace
5th - RB Keiland Williams / OG Trevor Canfield
6th - OC Eric Wood / RB PJ Hill
Some big name free agents that will be available for bidding will be Nmandi Asomugha, Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, CB Mike Brown, Brian Dawkins, Dawan Landry (!), Haynesworth is of course availble, but if we sign a kitten devouring face stomper, I quit.
What do you guys think? Lets hear it for speculation!
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You had me at Michael Johnson.
Now that it looks like we’ll win too many games to get Taylor Mays, I like your mock-up. A LOT, actually.
Yay, sports.
Not too much to argue with here
I’m generally more positive towards Frenchy, but that’s about it, really.
Johnson is a hoss. But do you really think he’ll be around when the Texans draft? I could see him going very early in the draft.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 15, 2008 11:07 AM CST reply actions
People are talking...
about him slipping to the mid-first because he needs to gain about 15 lbs. He’s ranked by a number of talking heads as the third or fourth DE. Which is AWESOME for us.
Yay, sports.
Maybe he could get dietary advice from Steve Slaton
Slaton gained 15 pounds, and it didn’t seem to hurt him too much.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 15, 2008 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
DE
If by some miracle Orakpo managed to slip down to the 14-18 range that I think we will end up in he would be the ultimate compliment to Mario as he is another one of those physical freaks that is just too much for a single tackle to deal with.
I love Rak
but I wonder if he wouldn’t be a better fit on our team at SLB. Line him up OVER Mario that way and you basically shut down an entire side of the field for the running game.
Yay, sports.
Orakpo
Very, very interesting prospect. My only concern about him is that he may be best suited for a 3-4 scheme in the NFL. I’d love to see what he could do, however, opposite Mario and/or over Mario.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
Another interesting one...
is Curry out of Wake Forest. Dude is a natural SLB and seems to be slipping to mid-first in most mocks. He’d be a god alongside DeMeco and Adibi.
Yay, sports.
Oh, and re: Rak
With a good MLB beside him and limited coverage responsibilities, I feel like he could play SLB in a 4-3. Actually, I think he’s a better fit there than at DE in a 4-3. But, then again, I could be way off.
Yay, sports.
Don't Get Me Wrong
I’ll be getting “I Heart Sackpo” tattooed on my forehead once Day One of the 2009 NFL Draft ends if he becomes a Texan, regardless of where he plays.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
In terms of our needs
I think we can do fine with Diles at SLB. I’d rather use a high pick on a DE who can brutalize the qb. I don’t even care if he can stop the run. I just want somebody who can destroy quarterbacks.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 15, 2008 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
That's my big concern
and the reason I am pushing for a SLB.
Also, Diles isn’t exactly big enough to play SLB. If we get a real DC that has WLB/SLB in defined roles, Diles’ size could be an issue.
Yay, sports.
I still want Bart Scott
I love his play, and I LOVE his nasty “fuck the world” attitude. Far as I know he’s not a guy with character problems, and he would bring some filthy nastiness to our defense, which I really think we still need.
It might be a tired, old take – but I really still want some more attitude on our defense. That might have more to do with the coordinator than the players – but Bart Scott would bring Ray Lewis-type intensity to an already young, up-and-coming defense.
www.HoustonDiehards.com
by HoustonDiehards on Dec 15, 2008 1:45 PM CST reply actions
I'm with you.
I’d LOVE to have Bart Scott. He’s probably my second-highest FA on the wish list after Asomugah.
(Yes, I know we have corners, but you can’t tell me the D wouldn’t be better with Nnamdi/Dunta as CBs and Fred moved to FS)
Yay, sports.
Yeah. It's probably not realistic at all...
.. as Scott will come at a huge premium.
And you’re right about our CB situation – but Asomugah? Sheeeeit – he’s probably the ONE FA I would be okay with us grossly overpaying for. I love Scott, but I wouldn’t break the bank for him (which is what it would take and the reason I know it’s a pipe dream).
But Asomugah? I think he’d be worth every penny. He’s only what – 25, 26?
I don’t know if he’s got a Haynesworth clause in his contract – but if he doesn’t I’m sure it’s a lock that he’ll get franchised again this off-season.
www.HoustonDiehards.com
by HoustonDiehards on Dec 15, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
Scott, Ryans, Adibi
would be amazing in my opinion. FootballOutsiders confirms that Asomugah is the best corner in the NFL – he is just brutal against #1 receivers. If we only had to invest the GDP of a small country, instead of a medium sized country, in Asomugah, and only use half of the auto industry bailout on Bart Scott, it would give us the ability to focus solely on defensive line, safety, and depth needs (RB, OL). Also, if we can find a cheap young punt returner in the 7th round of the draft – take him. Jacoby makes my heart hurt. Michael Johnson is big and fast, and the NFL workout and a good chemical diet could easily put him up to 280. If you see his pictures, hes got the frame to put on the weight.
If Johnson and Orakpo are both gone out of the first round, then I love Matt Shaughnessy out of Wisconsin. Not only does he have decent measurables (6’6" 250 4.61) but he is a high character guy and a team leader. He is super coachable and team mates and coachs LOVE having him on their team. A pure positive addition, with intangibles – mainly integrity and coachability.
Another question I pose for everyone – if somehow Orakpo, Johnson, Mays and William Moore are all gone when we pick, is George Selvie, Greg Hardy, or Everett Brown the DE we need? Or do we look elsewhere, perhaps at OLB Clint Stintim from Virginia, DT Terrance Cody from Bama – 6’5" 365lb… I just did research on Cody, and if we took him, I would not be disappointed in the least. He was 6’5" 400lbs and able to dunk a basketball in highschool – thats ridiculous. He cut alllll the way down to 365 to improve his speed and agility. He is also incredibly strong to go along with his size. Cody in the first round, Shaughnessy or Brandon Graham from Michigan in the second, and I would be happy indeed. Clint Stintim is more of a 3-4 OLB, at 6-3 257, but hes fast and brings the pain on quaterbacks. Stintim at SLB would be fun, but I would prefer Cody, Johnson, or Orakpo hands down. The only teams who are really dying for a monstrous DT are Green Bay and Falcons (Bengals, Lions, Rams, Chiefs all have more important things to worry about), and I think if our men at DE are gone, Cody would be an excellent choice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUE3Ys-qf6M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dFsYOyCnuA&feature=related
The first link is Cody crushing 3 offensive lineman simultaneously. The second is him pursuing all the way across field – you never see Sean Rodgers going sideline to sideline.
Great Stuff, Riott
You seem to be all over the draft intel already. How much do you like Chung?
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
Patrick Chung is a man.
In terms of immediate impact and not projected potential, Patrick Chung is probably superior to Taylor Mays.
Chung, at 6’0" 210 is decent size. Running in the 4.50 area, hes quick. Playing in the rover in Oregon, hes had time playing corner, linebacker, and safety, and probably be the best fit at strong safety. He benched 300lbs as a junior, and led the team in tackles. Hes been a 4 year starter at Oregon, which is pretty impressive because he is 21 years old! That right, he was starting rover for the Oregon Ducks at 17 years of age.
Chung is versatile, sideline to sideline, and just mean. He doesn’t get in trouble but he likes to fuck folks up. Please examine evidence #1.
Note: Chung is #15 in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkWJHBzb30
Thats right. Our then 20 year old strong safety came downhill and pancaked 2 offensive lineman from the University of Michigan! Fucking get some. I’m pretty sure that’s what Chung goes to bed thinking every night.
He was a freshman all-American in 2005, and in 06 and 07 was an All-Pac 10 selection, and very likely an All-Pac 10 selection again this year. He can man cover well, and loves to hit people. Oh – he can also return kicks as well.
As a senior, hes had 82 total tackles, 52 solo, 30 assisted, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Hes had 1 interception – for a touchdown, 1 forced fumble, 1 qb hurry, and 6 pass breakups. He is also averaging 26 yards a kickoff return. Hes never had injury problems, and is the leader of an impressive, vicious secondary up in Eugene. Hes a badass. Id take him.
Texans Free Agent/Draft Christmas Checklist
Last years theme to our offseason was depth, this year the Texans need Attitude and Intensity..
Here is to hoping the texans will pickup a playmaking DE.. Because I for one, have grown stale of the lackadaisical play from our D Line (excluding Mario)..My two choices are Julius Peppers or Terrell Suggs.. If we were able to get either of the players named it instantly enhance our pass rushing respactability.. There would be a lot less double teaming and if they were to double team it opens up the lanes for our linebackers..
As for the draft,
1st Rnd, LB.. I would like to see us go after Brandon Spikes.. At 6’3" 250 lbs, 4.63 40 yd dash, he is a player with a mean streak who could fill our position at SLB. Not only does he make bonecrushing tackles but he also makes plays on the ball, (as evident bye his 2 interceptions for TDs). While I like Diles, Spikes would upgrade our LB in too many ways imaginable, plus it gives us depth with Adibi.. We could even put Spikes at MLB (IF Demco would allow it)..
2nd Rnd, FS..Though I would like to get a corner I think we might be able to skate bye next year (maybe), plus i would like to see what Anwuan Molden can do given the opportunity.. With that said i think it would be ideal to pick up a FS in the 2nd round.. To a secondary should consist of playmakers. We need someone who can make plays on the ball as well as make the open field tackle as our last line of defense.. I think Eugene Wilson has been more than Serviceable but he is not enough. We need someone alongside him to make the burden lighter.. There are usually some pretty good safetys in tha 2nd Rnd..
3rd Rnd, RB.. A bruiser to compliment Slaton.. It would make Slaton that much more better b/c he would be fresher while defenses are being worn out.. I still believe this RB should be able to make catches out of our backfield, esp. since we are a team that runs so many bootlegs..
4th Rnd, C.. Give me someone who is not being manhandled every play.. Its not Myers fault that he is being abused out there b/c he only ways 290 lbs.. This is around the time that you go after O Line anyways..
5th Rnd, DT.. We need someone who can hold at the point of attack.. While i still think Okam will come around, its always best to have an insurance policy.. Only problem might be that there arent very many true 315+ lbs DTs in this draft.. This would truly benefit Okoye who could play the gap at the other DT position..
6th Rnd, QB.. Seeing how i think we have finally found our Starting QB its time to get a backup.. Rosenfels has worn out his welcom here. However i do believe we could could trade Sage for a 4th or 5th Rnd pick this upcoming draft ( but not much more).. Kubes loves to groom his QBs this gives him exactly wat he wants..
7th Rnd..CB/Retrun Man.. Jacoby is beginning to make us all weary.. The Dude is phenominal when he is on, but when he is off its downright scary..
If we go LB in the first round...
I would prefer Arron Curry or Clint Stintim. Clint Stintim specifically is a pass rushing machine, and would be able to dominate the line of scrimmage and beat folks on the edge, while having the size to fight the run. Spikes is a superior tackler on the inside, but I like Stintim as a rusher better.
If we are drafting SLB
I’m still screaming Orakpo until he’s off the board. But, failing that, I agree with the Curry/Stintim over Spikes approach. I’m higher on Curry than Stintim, but that’s from an overall playmaking ability.
Yay, sports.
Odds that Orakpo falls outside of the top 10 picks?
Better or worse than the odds that Pacakes skips the all-you-can eat buffet tomorrow?
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 16, 2008 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
Also, a fifth round DT..
will probably be unlikely. Guys who will probably be on the board weighing at or over 300lbs will be Roy Miller from UT, Nader Abdallah from Ohio State, Myron Pryor from Kentucky, and Antonio Dixon from Miami. Abdullah, Dixon, and Pryor are all coming off BAD knee and/or ankle injuries. Miller is bulky and strong, but at 6’2" 299, his frame may be about capped out. He could have a shot, but I doubt he will be able to really dominate two blockers like we would want.
As for a center in the 4th, give me Max Unger from Oregon. Hes athletic and smart, maybe not as strong as some like, but 6’5" 300 is a pretty big guy. He could probably be a good fit.
Quarterback late? Most of the stuff pooled at the bottom has done nothing and I would rather try OL again, but if Graham Harrell is down there, I would give him a shot.
Runningback in the third? Give me Shonn Greene, and I give you my first born.
I wish it was all off the top of my head..
Most of it is spurred by catching names off Sportscenter, researching, adding into the “Like” or “Dont like” pile, and repeat. Same with NCAA – “Why, who the hell is soandso who just jumped my route?” Look him up, see how he really compares so I don’t feel I was pick-6ed by a nobody. Or even, Texans need a DE, lets look at everyone projected in round 1 and 2 and see who’s technique I like the best on youtube. The majority of my draft order and rankings come from www.walterfootball.com and http://www.nfldraftdog.com/ – the 08 draft I was monitoring like 7 or 8 draft websites simultaneously, and they all sucked except these two. I don’t get to watch nearly as much college ball as I like, so I depend mostly on others evaluations – but I take my time to cross-reference at least a little. Thanks, but I can’t take all the credit
Hardy or Mays
nfldraftdog has em both falling to close to where we should be picking.
I guess is all depends on who’s best when we pick, but we need more help at DE than LB. The best part about our draft this year v. last year is our focus has narrowed. Last year we needed help virtually everywhere. This year the focus is clearly on defense, and clearly on the D-line and Safeties. Offense needs are light, and can be acquired late, so, again, I’m looking forward to the draft!
Good info, thanks!
Please draft some defensive stars for the next DC.
As much as we guess...
We don’t have the benefit of interviews, professional scouting reports, hours and hours of tape, Wonderlic tests, and actually watching these guys in practice. I wish, but nope. With the way the Texans have been evaluating talent in the draft the last couple of years, I have faith that they will choose people with the combination of talent, work ethic, and character. Hopefully, their evaluation of our current coaching staff leads to them cleaning house on the D. Coordinator as well. Lets let our NEW Defensive coordinator have a full off season, free agency, and draft to build and organize. Please.
Side Note: Michael Johnson is Duane Brown-esque in that he was recruited as a TE and converted to DE, and this is his first full season. Also, the kid has thick arms, but the legs and torso of a basketball player – he could easily get to 270-280
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