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It's March 18, 2009--Who Do You Want Your Houston Texans To Take At No. 15?

The second installment of our newest pre-draft running feature is upon us. The maiden voyage saw Clay Matthews, Jr. emerge as the people's choice, though it was with only 34% of the vote. We're still more than a month away from the draft, so it's not too surprising to see this sort of lack unanimity.

Same rules as last week: (1) Only seemingly realistic options are in the poll; (2) Assume no trade offer to move down from No. 15 materializes; and (3) Vote for Mark Sanchez at your own risk. This week, you'll notice a new choice or three, based upon how a few different mock drafts have shaken out. Vote, and tell us why you voted the way you did in the Comments.

Poll
Who Do You Want Your Houston Texans To Take Fifteenth Overall In The 2009 NFL Draft?
Clay Matthews, Jr.
111 votes
Brian Cushing
40 votes
Peria Jerry
21 votes
Michael Oher
23 votes
Beanie Wells
19 votes
Knowshon Moreno
30 votes
Michael Johnson
9 votes
Malcolm Jenkins
113 votes
Vontae Davis
33 votes
Robert Ayers
9 votes
Mark Sanchez
17 votes
Other
17 votes

442 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 37 comments |

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Not gonna lie...

I would probably stab anyone who said Peria Jerry.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Mar 18, 2009 10:17 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Death to those

who want us to take another sub-300lb UT.

by Riott on Mar 19, 2009 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Again I must qualify my answer

Don’t think Jenkins will be there, but even if he was – I’d still go Matthews.

DEFINITELY don’t think Oher would be there, and I’d probably still take Matthews over him though I’m not over the moon about him – but that would be difficult. The thought of that whole Oher situation as I have discussed elsewhere – is very um… exciting.

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 18, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Seriously?

I mean, I get why people like Matthews, but I don’t even think he’s the most NFL-ready SLB in the draft. Oher is the prototype for LTs (i.e. I think his slightly shorter stature is a plus, as it lets him get inside the Marios of the world). I’m fine with going Clay if he’s the best option at 15 (and I want him over Cushing), but I wouldn’t pass up a guy who should be top 10 for him.

I realize that D is the primary need, but I don’t think you can pass up Oher/Crabtree if they fell. OR…you use the fact that they fell to fleece the shit out of someone. But you don’t pass on Oher and take Matthews and let someone else profit from Oher’s slide.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Mar 18, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well... obviously the real life answer is...

We’d get a SWEET trade down offer if Oher fell into our laps, and that would be what I want the most.

Like I said, I’m not crazynuts about Matthews, and it would be a tough decision.

The determining factor (right now) is that our defense is SO MUCH worse than our offense – but you could definitely make the argument that the upgrade to the O-line + Oher would be more significant than the upgrade to the LB corps + Matthews, especially since Clay is not a LOCK to be an SLB.

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 18, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As if there weren't enough choices already

you throw Crabtree’s name out there. As much as we need D, Crabtree would be impossible to pass on, but no way is he there at 15. Same for Jenkins & Oher I think??? Either would be hard to pass on in favor of Matthews, but the decision is not a slam dunk for any of the three IMO. Everyone knows we need defense, defense, defense out of the draft. To draft an offensive player with our 1st pick, he would have to be rated miles higher than any of the D talent available. It could happen, but not probable. I want to trade down, but am OK with Matthews if we can’t. I have the feeling he will be a very solid player for a long, long time.

by oiler-texan diehard on Mar 18, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really, really think

that Michael Oher will be available at 15. I also think we either have to take him or rob someone blind with him, like Detroit as we sweet talk them with the fact that he almost certainly wont be there at 20. Or even Pittsburgh – I bet we could get a ridiculous amount from them, as they desperately need OL help.

by Riott on Mar 19, 2009 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oher, really?

I can’t imagine.

But if he did – we suddenly might be looking at an additional 2nd-rounder for a trade down instead of just a 3rd. How sweet would that be?

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 19, 2009 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why?

If you have the time to post about it, I’d love to read something from you opining why you believe Oher will be there at 15. Perhaps that post would take the form of a mock with explanations why each pick went where they did?

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sanchez!

Apparently McShay’s non-palsy hand reads BRB!

by HoustonDiehards on Mar 18, 2009 10:35 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

(Shaking Fist At God)

MCSHAAAAAYYYYYY!!!

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 18, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

OK...for real...

who the hell picked Sanchez? Is this something you can track down, Tim? Because I need to know which person needs to receive a turd via UPS.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Mar 18, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As a side note

I hate basically all of the “draft pundits” McShaey, Kiper and some of the guys on NFLN that I occasionally see. Tons of them have us taking Moreno, Wells, Maclin…… Sanchez……

by Riott on Mar 19, 2009 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ya

The only one I have respect for is Mayock. I find myself agreeing with him a lot, which I’m not sure is a good or bad thing at this point. Kiper and McShay should enter a celebrity boxing match and kick the crap out of each other. My money is on Kiper because of the hair.

Let's get the Texans a better fight song.

by Jake on Mar 19, 2009 6:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not Sure If I Can Track It Down

I will check.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I voted Mark Sanchez

Because Todd McShay told me to.

"I'm just looking forward to something great happening in the city of Houston" - Tracy McGrady

Still waiting...

"I always keep a ball in the car. You never know." - The Dream #34

by DreKeem on Mar 19, 2009 1:19 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If you voted for Jerry...

I hope you’re not Rick Smith. Gah.

Anyways, I’m being more and more swayed towards Jenkins. He probably won’t be there, but I’m not concerned about those combine numbers at all. Worse comes to worse, it’s not like we don’t have gaping holes at safety anyways. And if he can play CB (and for the record, the guy can play, no matter what his 40 time is), it’s nice insurance in case we can’t work things out with Dunta. Not to mention, CB contracts are ridiculous right now. You could sign a serviceable free agent SLB for much cheaper than a starting-caliber CB.

I won’t complain if we get Matthews though. I think Pittsburgh has taught us all a lesson in how important LB is (although I guess it’s a bit different in the 3-4). And until we find a decent NT, we need all the run-stopping help we can get at the LB position.

by Nashmeister on Mar 19, 2009 1:43 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Crabtree, Oher, Jenkins,

Someone mentioned Crabtree, so I’ll just say, eve though receivers are a strength—AJ, Crabtree, Walter, Daniels! That’s a major upgrade and almost indefensible.

Oher—D. Brown is a serviceable left tackle but doesn’t/won’t excel there. Might at right. Winston down to Guard, make Briesel and White fight out center so we only have one serious weakness on the line and at least there’s a competition. The dominoes would just fall and take this from a line that was, again serviceable, even good toone that is dominant, at least potentially.

Jenkins. This is the guy I really want. I am one of those that has been SCREAMING for a safety and I’d rather have that than a backer, not to mention he’s the higher prospect. Can’t believe I picked Oher over him. Still, this is more likely and would make my April.

If none of the above, trade down! If you lose out on Matthews, take Sintim and make good on your extra pick.

And oh yeah, I’d trade the pick with Oher and lose up to ten spots available for a second rounder only.

by JMay on Mar 19, 2009 2:59 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Welcome to the Site, JMay

Thanks for commenting; look forward to reading more from you. Frankly, I’m of much the same mind as you, but I think the jury’s still out on D. Brown as to whether he can be great or simply competent.

If by some chance Crabtree falls to No. 15, you either take him or extort a team for the rights to draft him.

I’d probably take Oher over Jenkins, purely because I think Oher is the more sure thing and the OL has not reached a point where it cannot be improved (though it’s certainly not the weakness it was years ago).

And with all of this, the permanent caveat: I’d rather trade down if the opportunity presented itself.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

here u go

if Crabtree is still there u HAVE TO TAKE HIM! He is being compared to AJ (tho i disagree) he will be a top 10 WR in a few years…him and Aj wth walter and daniels would be insane…

if gone (likely) and oher is still there, u gotta take him…we can move the O-Line around to fit him in there…

if gone (who knows) and jenkins still there gotta take him, he is the S we need

if gone (possible) i like matthews…

if gone (maybe) trade down

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Mar 19, 2009 7:22 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Beanie Wells?!!

The latest Mock draft on nfl.com has us taking Wells…or maybe it was on SI.com…but are you kidding me!?! Why would we take a RB in the first round when we took slaton last year in what the third round? and now he is really good…I don’t think these experts really look into anything other then putting names in a hat and drawing out of it

by schillingb on Mar 19, 2009 7:31 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Re: Beanie

There is truly no rational scemarop that could justify taking Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno at No. 15 that doesn’t involve Steve Slaton being imprisoned and/or incapacitated.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Defense

Shouldn’t we pick a player in the first round who can come in and contribute on D?
Last I checked our Offense was good and our defense was not good.

Just saying…..

It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!

by USMC_Texas on Mar 19, 2009 9:52 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Fair Point

I liken it to 2007, when the Texans had absolutely no interest in drafting another defensive lineman. Amobi fell into their lap and was the top-rated defensive prospect on their board, so Smithiak pulled the trigger, even though they weren’t targeting that position. If Crabtree or Oher is there at 15 and is/are ranked markedly higher than the defensive players the Texans have on their board, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the team take the top talent and figure they can address the needs on defense in the second, third, and fourth rounds.

I have no doubt that the first choice is to take an impact defensive player. As you noted, that side of the ball needs MUCH more help the the offense. But can you pass on a guy you’ve got ranked as one of the best players in the draft if he falls to you, simply because he doesn’t fulfill a “need?” I don’t think the Texans have that luxury. I wrote a post on the same angle last year, and I think it still applies.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Likewise

But our O-line was awesome last year, and they are young. Our recievers were awesome last year and are also young. Our Defense needs help almost at every position.

In my opinion we use our first 5 picks on best player available in positions of need. We NEED defense bad.

Besides Slatons backup, what position on O do you see that needs to be addressed in the first 4 rounds let alone the first two? Maybe a swing tackle or a C/G.

I feel like they will go D with the first two picks, but I also thought we were going to draft Reggie and wanted Vince!

It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!

by USMC_Texas on Mar 19, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Likewise

WR and QB certainly aren’t needs. We do need a big back to spell Slaton; I figure that won’t happen until Round Three at the earliest and more likely not until Round Four or Five. I also think we could get better on the OL and/or simply add talent for depth purposes in the middle to late rounds of the draft.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Likewise

But our O-line was awesome last year, and they are young. Our recievers were awesome last year and are also young. Our Defense needs help almost at every position.

In my opinion we use our first 5 picks on best player available in positions of need. We NEED defense bad.

Besides Slatons backup, what position on O do you see that needs to be addressed in the first 4 rounds let alone the first two? Maybe a swing tackle or a C/G.

I feel like they will go D with the first two picks, but I also thought we were going to draft Reggie and wanted Vince!

It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!

by USMC_Texas on Mar 19, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I voted yesterday

but couldn’t comment from the Crackberry. I think given the requirements, ie no trade down, etc, you have to go Oher. He’s by far the best value at that pick. Not only from a calibre of player standpoint but also a positional one. It’s too much money to spend on a safety, and too soon to pick one of the LB’s. I like Matthews and would be fine with him later in the first, although white linebackers still scare me for some reason. As Tim said, Slaton makes a 1st round RB selection a non-starter.

Having said all that, I would prefer they trade down.

by ~Buck on Mar 19, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Please, please, please, please, please . . .

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

The Titans continue to look at veteran cornerbacks to add for depth. A day after Donald Strickland of the 49ers was in Nashville, the Titans are hosting DeMarcus Faggins of the Texans, Jonathan Hutton reports.

While the Texans have great regard for Faggins, one of three players on the 2008 team that was an original member of the franchise in 2002, Houston is not attempting to re-sign him.

And in a year where coverage was an issue at times, a player affectionately known as “Petey” tended to be more of the problem than the solution. In his seventh season, he appeared in all 16 games, starting five.

Tennessee continues to consider players to help their depth, as beyond their starters and nickelback, they have no corners with experience.

by JMay on Mar 19, 2009 11:48 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Echoed

Petey becoming a Titan would go a long way toward righting the cosmic inbalance that resulted from Bud stealing the Oilers from Houston.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 19, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol

It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!

by USMC_Texas on Mar 19, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really like Matthews because...

I am a veteran of the Love Ya Blue era, so I have been thru the emotional wars over the years w/the Houston sports teams. Matthews, I believe is evolving. I believe he will continue to improve and his longevity will exceed 12 years. Daddy and Uncle put around 35 years between them in the NFL, and at an extremely high level of play. I believe Jr. is a late bloomer, and looking at his kin, it only serves to prove my point. I think Cushing won’t last in the NFL. I think he is going to be an injury list regular. Just my two cents.

meaningful football games in '08

by do on Mar 19, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ditto

It takes a big man to walk away, but a bigger man to break his freaking jaw!

by USMC_Texas on Mar 19, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pretty Surprised

That Oher’s not getting more love in the poll. I know OLB, DE, DT, and secondary are in worse shape than OL, but man…it’s Michael Oher!

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 21, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I voted Oher.

I feel so alone.

Then again, Cushing has 25 votes, so absurdity abounds in the poll.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Mar 21, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I Too Voted For Oher

Just don’t see how you could pass him up at No. 15 if he was there.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Mar 21, 2009 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ditto

Given the crappy rules of your pole (no trades), I had to vote for Oher. You just can’t pass on him in such a situation.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStros!

by Shake on Mar 21, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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