Texans Down 'N Dirty: NFL Fans Are Masochists Edition

by Jake on Mar 30, 2011 7:55 AM CDT in News

It's a bad offseason for NFL fans. For a time of year that is usually fairly devoid of football related happenings, this year is especially bad due to the labor uncertainty. Different people prefer different ways of coping with the interruption of their cycle of free agency, draft, offseason workouts, training camp and then season. Some are paying even more attention to the draft. Some are following every bit of news about the CBA negotiation.

Another group of fans have chosen to protest the NFL for locking out the players, and therefore indirectly, the fans. As Mike Silver of Yahoo Sports points out, this is in fact not intelligent because it shows a high level of interest on the part of these fans. What the NFL fears is disinterest. Using Silver's column as a muse, Rivers McCown wondered aloud why we would put up with the nonsense that is going on in the NFL. Notice I say "we" because I'm just as guilty as I sit here writing this article.

The truth is, when the NFL is at its best which it has been lately, it is unsurpassed for its qualities as a sport. While I would never disparage a fan for losing interest, I can honestly say that I am nowhere near my breaking point. I almost feel weak for admitting that. For more news that actually pertains to the Houston Texans and the draft, follow the jump.

In one more bit regarding the labor negotiations, Stephanie Stradley tells us why the NFL is full of "garbage" for saying that they cannot negotiate with the players. Great article, although I don't see the need to subject everyone to "Sex And The City 2."

Nick Scurfield compiled his second iteration of his Mock Draft Machine, and his guest this week was the National Football Post's draft analyst Wes Bunting. Given the ten that were off the board, Bunting selected North Carolina DE/OLB Robert Quinn for the Texans.

Rivers reacted to the mock draft linked here yesterday of Doug Farrar and his selection of Aldon Smith to the Texans. Rivers justifies this pick since Robert Quinn, Julio Jones and Prince Amukamara are off the board, but I would rather have either Cameron Jordan or JJ Watt than Smith.

Patrick Starr followed Mike Kerns' lead and wrote up his draft board for the 11th overall pick. I like his top three of Julio Jones, Prince Amukamara and Robert Quinn, but I would just switch Quinn and Jones positions for mine.

A lot of Texans fans don't seem to like Amukamara, but I don't see why not and think he would be a great addition to the Texans. Fans of teams with a secondary this bad can't really afford to be picky, especially with a very good talent.

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Comments

Like I've said before

Prince has all the talent. I think he can succeed in the NFL…….. As a FS.

He played great against sub par competition, but in the games against the good teams, he had his worst games.

Most notable was against the sooners and cowboys. No shame in getting beat by Blackmon and broyles, but getting destroyed by Cameron kenney and james Hanna, who is a TE by the way, doesnt seem like a recipe for success on the next level.

I know those are only a few examples, but they stand out to me

by AllenOU on Mar 30, 2011 8:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I watched a lot of film on him including the OSu/Blackmon breakdown

I thought he did pretty well against him, sure he got tricked by a trick play and got out jumped by a big tall WR that is one of the best in the NCAA a couple times but overall I thought he had impressive man skills.

by theSpaceCityKid on Mar 30, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Watch the big 12 title game

And I think the colorado game

by AllenOU on Mar 30, 2011 9:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

well, we can keep glover a CB and

draft the best FS in Prince A.

Don't ask me! Ask Google, you dumb Yahoo!

by Andre4000 on Mar 30, 2011 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

The Aggie game is another example

Prince looked bad against Ryan Swope and Jeff Fuller and the other WR who’s name is too long and complicated.
Yes they did short passes and it was a close game, but he couldn’t get around around blocks to stop thr screen passes to Swope or even read the screen. And on outside runs he was manhandled by WRs blocking.
He’s got talent but he thinks it’s all he needs(from what I can tell) and when he gets beat bad one game I did not see improvement the next game. That tells me he’s happy with what he has. He’s a bust unless someone jumps his ass and motivates him.

Houston Texans:
1st Round: Brandon Harris (CB)
2nd Round: Stephen Paea (NT)
3rd Round: Quinton Carter (S)
4th Round: Shiloh Keo (S)
5th Round: Chris Carter (OLB)
6th Round: Alex Henery (P/K)
7th Round: Stephen Burton (WR)

by CCBach on Mar 30, 2011 6:15 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I am coming around on the idea of the Prince pick

But the concern isnt Princes talent level, its just the trauma we endured as a fanbase watching Kareem get thrown in the fire last year in hsi rookie season. With that still fresh in my mind its hard to swallow the options of starting him opposite of Kareem and if that wouldnt be the case then my problem is with us drafting a corner to play nickel at 11th overall no matter what the master plan might be. Although, reading on another mock draft someone had us selecting Prince and went on to explain that Amukamara/Jackson could develop into one of the best secondaries in the league. Id be down with that, especially with Quin at FS and a free agent SS.

by theSpaceCityKid on Mar 30, 2011 9:05 AM CDT reply actions

He will struggle in year one

And we need help now. IMO his ceiling as a CB is an average #2. Don’t think he is anymore talented than the guys projected at the end of round one. 11 is WAY too high

by AllenOU on Mar 30, 2011 9:40 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Im with you, trust me.

Im Julio Jones numero uno if he is available, and if we dont pick him then I hope to God we use him to trade back (although someone might trade in ahead of us to grab him) and if he is gone then I just have a feeling we go Quinn or Amukamara and I am trying to start looking at the positives of picking him. It COULD turn an area of weakness to at least depth if not strength.

by theSpaceCityKid on Mar 30, 2011 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I was skeptical about Robert Quinn, Prince, Cam Jordan AND Aldon Smith...

but through tape, the fact that a guy can sit out a year and remain a top 10 prospect, and the idea of Robert Quinn peeking over Mario Williams shoulder has brought me around on that choice. Then, thinking about CB becoming one of deeper positions and the possible 1st rd tandem of Jackson and Prince in the future sounds pretty nice and to be honest the hype the Cowshit fans are putting on him makes me want him a little maybe. The Cam jordan pick turns into a BPA and the positives include his overall versatility (something our FO loves) and to be honest I think he will be a beast, its just not a huge area of need unfortunately. Aldon Smith would be next for me, I havent yet come around on this one but its bc I would rather go in a different direction in the 1st rd and get Dontay Moch in the 2nd but the positives are that Ive seen people compare him to Terrell Suggs and a lot of people think hell be a beast OLB in the NFL, which might be the case Im just not completely sold.

by theSpaceCityKid on Mar 30, 2011 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

It'd be a slightly different situation, though.

In that Kareem was supposedly a lower-ceiling, NFL-ready player. With Amukamara, regardless of how he plays his rookie year, you’re getting a guy who has the potential to develop into a shut-down corner.

by Nashmeister on Mar 30, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions