Kollar says we're drafting a DE early

by texanphil on Apr 16, 2009 11:00 PM CDT

Well, not really. But that's what I get from this interview.

For me, what stood out were his extreme lack of anything good to say about TJ. He says he "tries hard." But the rest is just excuses for his lack of production.

Big Frank gets some love, and could have Kollar's eye for TJ's replacement, hopefully. Sounds like Smith will replace TJ on passing downs, which begs the early draft DE.

This is a perfect situation for us to take Ayers or Johnson at 15. He won't have to play on running downs, and he should draw few linemen with Smith coming up the middle and Mario drawing the double team on the right.

I just hope Kollar has some stunts workin', or something other than four dudes running straight ahead hoping for a sack.

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If Kollar Realizes That Travis Johnson Shouldn't Be Starting...

He’s already miles ahead of every other defensive line coach the Texans have had since 2005.

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

by Tim on Apr 17, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Werd

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

by Shake on Apr 17, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Why draft a DE to replace a DT?

Leave Smith alone and take a DT, especially since there is a slim chance we could snag Raji, and a very good chance we could land Peria Jerry. Those two seem to be more of elite talents then any of the DE’s that might be on the board at that time.

Currently Listening to: VAST - Touched

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Apr 17, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions

you make a good point

but it sounds like Kollar wants to move Smith inside on passing downs, so we’d be in a position to take a chance on a DE.

Regardless, we need a D lineman. Smith’s flexibility should help our draft situation.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 17, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I am convinced that is the plan, the only piece missing is the player to plug in on 3rd and long

so Antonio can move inside. Smith’s strength is not in his superior edge rushing ability. We signed him because he combines the size to not be a liability on rushing downs combined with some ability to pressure the QB. Should we add a sueprior edge rusher like Everette Brown, Robert Ayers, Michael Johnson, Aaron Maybin or Connor Barwin this would upgrade our ability to get to the QB. This draft is deep at the position and given that this is a situational player, waiting until #46 would be the way to go. One or more of that group may be there at 46. If not, there are more from which to choose: Jarron Gilbert, Lawrence Sidbury, Paul Kruger, Larry English & Clint Sintim. This frees us up to either go BPA at #15 while still looking to move down which IMO is Smith’s preferred strategy.

How good would it be to see the Texans be able to get a consistent pass rush? Been waiting 7 years. Sack totals from 2002 forward have been 35, 19, 24, 37, 28, 31 and 25 (last year). Room for improvement? You bet. Long overdue? Ditto. It’s not rocket science. Pressure the QB and good things will follow: hurried throws, tipped passes, incompletions, interceptions, QB knockdowns and WINS. Our secondary looks a whole lot better when the QB doesn’t have time to make it to his 3rd read. It’s good enough already if we add a piece or 2 more to the front 7. If we can go SLB and pass rushing DE/Hybrid with our 1st 2 picks our defense will have what it takes to get us to the nexrt level.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 17, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not a fan of changing player's positions

Rookies are one thing but I think it is definately when we are talking about a veteran who has been in the league a while, the Texans have had enoughtrouble with <ahref=“http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3632/career;_ylt=AoPBQ.jzePgxAuR73aUxaNH.uLYF” >that .

Smith was a productive DE last year, keep him at DE, don’t screw with the mojo.

Currently Listening to: VAST - Touched

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Apr 17, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

lets try that again

<a href=“”http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/2753" >with" >that.

Currently Listening to: VAST - Touched

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Apr 17, 2009 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I fail at links

that

Currently Listening to: VAST - Touched

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Apr 17, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I may be wrong here, and am confident that someone will ever so politely point that out if I am, but....

I think the Cardinals used Antonio in exactly this same fashion last year.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 18, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Haha

Alright… you win, my bad links and your correct point will get me to concede this round, but I still hope we don’t draft a DE.

Currently Listening to: VAST - Touched

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on Apr 18, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Never a contest with me, I just enjoy exchanging ideas with fellow Texan supporters

I still like the idea of going DE with one of our top 2 picks because I think an 8 man rotation is a must for the D Line to keep the players fresh in the 4th quarter. We are lacking quality edge rushers, other than Super Mario of course.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 18, 2009 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

yes

options, youth, and depth on the most important part of the field, DL, are huge.

Defense wins championships.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 19, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe Amobi

struggled last year because they left TJ alone along with the read/react edict placed on him by whomever was our DC last year.

Both of those fixed by moving ASmith inside on passing downs!? Maybe Amobi has his breakout season.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Apr 19, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Because Kollar coaches a penetrating style, I think that will help Amobi

because that fits his style of play. TJ is in a contract year, which theoretically means we will see his A game. Will be interesting to see if he can improve. If not he is gone, and will never get another big contract. That would open the door for DelJuan, Okam and possibly a draft pick. They may look to draft a DT instead of a DE or maybe both. Next Saturday will be interesting.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 19, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

It's Funny

I re-watched part of the SuperBowl over the weekend because my neighbor is a huge Steelers fan and they were re-airing it on NFL Network. I watched for Smith the entire game just because he obviously wasn’t on my radar as far as a perspective Texan and I wanted to see how he did.

The Cardinals played Smith all over the place. He played the majority of snaps at RDE, which he obviously won’t here because we have someone already for that position, youu may have heard of him. But they also kicked Smith inside on passing downs where he was pretty effective at getting penetration. Take that with a grain of salt because he was playing next to Darnell Docket who had a great game, but if Amobi can progress I think Smith would be great in that capacity on passing downs.

It’s all about getting the right DE also though. I personally don’t want one in the first round but if Smithiak decided that was the best route, who am I to judge? I like Ayers because of his versatility, but I still really like Lawrence Sidbury, who could be had in the 2-3 round range.

Let's get the Texans a better fight song.

by Jake on Apr 20, 2009 6:27 AM CDT reply actions

Word - we need to add a DE with pass rushing skills as the complementary piece so we can

realize the full value of signing Antonio, his versatility. He is a good DE on rushing downs, and can collapse the pocket from DT on passong downs. I am not against taking Ayers at 15 or Johnson with the 1st pick if we trade down.

by oiler-texan diehard on Apr 21, 2009 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions