Andre Johnson's longevity

[badboy]

Originally Posted by JimBaker488

Yes, 30-31 is maybe aging for a receiver, but it's prime-time for a QB.

Injury recovery, new contract after this season and then age is my list of concerns with Matt.

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by powda

We should. Yet a cursory look of skill position players added by this team leaves a lot to be desired. Ben Tate 2nd round, Jacoby Jones 3. I'd even be willing to listen to the argument that Ahman Green was an attempt at getting a "big name" skill position player.

Shaub was more of a known commodity when we traded for him then a draft pick.
Kubiak inherited Andre Johnson.

Truth is, we dont take many chances early on skill position players. Kubiak's m.o. is to rely on scheme for offensive success.

To me that drafting pattern had a LOT to do with how used to play in this division and also where Kubiak's strengths lie.

We always were victims of Peyton and his team was ALWAYS the hump that we were trying to get over. Also I think Kubiak being a offensive minded head coach and his unfamiliarity with defense (we all saw the guys he picked as Dcoord, dude doesn't know crap about defense much less can spell defense) and his confidence/arrogance in his system has led to us mainly drafting defensive players while he did more with less on the offensive end... Arian - undrafted, Brisiel - 6th round (jets), Dreessen - 6th round (jets), Chris Myers - 6th round, and Kevin Walter - 7th round tender.

however due to the success on defense last season and the fact that we finally found a capable Coordinator in Wade, I think this might be our most offensive heavy draft under the Kubiak regime and the first time we aggressively address that side of the ball. Frankly we have to, because it doesn't take much drop off in talent to take a complete nose dive on one side of the ball. We sold out on defense last season and it paid off, while I expect a few key picks on defense (mainly just for depth) I also see us having that kind of draft on the offensive end and it's been long over due.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

To me that drafting pattern had a LOT to do with how used to play in this division and also where Kubiak's strengths lie.

We always were victims of Peyton and his team was ALWAYS the hump that we were trying to get over. Also I think Kubiak being a offensive minded head coach and his unfamiliarity with defense (we all saw the guys he picked as Dcoord, dude doesn't know crap about defense much less can spell defense) and his confidence/arrogance in his system has led to us mainly drafting defensive players while he did more with less on the offensive end... Arian - undrafted, Brisiel - 6th round (jets), Dreessen - 6th round (jets), Chris Myers - 6th round, and Kevin Walter - 7th round tender.

however due to the success on defense last season and the fact that we finally found a capable Coordinator in Wade, I think this might be our most offensive heavy draft under the Kubiak regime and the first time we aggressively address that side of the ball. Frankly we have to, because it doesn't take much drop off in talent to take a complete nose dive on one side of the ball. We sold out on defense last season and it paid off, while I expect a few key picks on defense (mainly just for depth) I also see us having that kind of draft on the offensive end and it's been long over due.

I hope you're right. Time to restock.

Except for last year, Smithiak have tried to add pieces in each draft; they just haven't all panned out.
2006 - Winston, O.D. were good picks. Wali Lundy (dud), David Anderson (one pick before Marques Colston UGH!!), Charles Spencer (injury)
2007 - Jacoby Jones (time to move on), Brandon Frye (dud), Kasey Studdard (injury prone)
2008 - Duane Brown (developed into an excellent LT), Steve Slaton (we got one good year from him), Alex Brink (wasted pick)
2009 - Caldwell (we'll see this year won't we), A. Hill (good blocker, no hands), J.Casey (underused IMHO, could be more of a weapon).
2010 - Ben Tate (good pick), Garrett Graham (we'll see this year), Shelley Smith (depth IMO), Trindon Holliday (totally wasted pick), Dorin Dickerson (flyer that didn't work)
2011 - T.J. Yates (still under development ), Derek Newton (depth)

So yeah, it's time to draft some impact guys on offense.

[powda]

Ah! Slaton. Knew i forgot somebody. You have to give them credit for molding offensive talent the way they have. It would be fun to see what they could mold if theyd start with more gifted players.

[Brisco_County]

This is the inevitable topic that I've been dreading.

Carr Bombed said almost everything I wanted to say in his first post, but overall there is one fact I can't help but dwell on: Andre's tendon possesses less integrity than it did pre-injury, and the probability for re-injury remains worrisome for the rest of his career. There is no abundance of case studies to find comfort in. All we have is physics-- Less intact tissue = less resistance to whatever force that caused the initial injury.

So at the very least, the FO needs to draft a project player to learn under Andre. I can see Streeter being that guy, especially since we have a propensity to draft from Miami. I would like to see them take more than one prospect for competition. But it's time to address our future WR1 right now.

It's bad enough worrying that Andre won't ever get the ring he deserves. It's worse thinking that the team would be out of the running for at least two years because our best weapon didn't have a remotely suitable replacement.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

This is the inevitable topic that I've been dreading.

Carr Bombed said almost everything I wanted to say in his first post, but overall there is one fact I can't help but dwell on: Andre's tendon possesses less integrity than it did pre-injury, and the probability for re-injury remains worrisome for the rest of his career. There is no abundance of case studies to find comfort in. All we have is physics-- Less intact tissue = less resistance to whatever force that caused the initial injury.

So at the very least, the FO needs to draft a project player to learn under Andre. I can see Streeter being that guy, especially since we have a propensity to draft from Miami. I would like to see them take more than one prospect for competition. But it's time to address our future WR1 right now.

It's bad enough worrying that Andre won't ever get the ring he deserves. It's worse thinking that the team would be out of the running for at least two years because our best weapon didn't have a remotely suitable replacement.

On my mock I chose Streeter as possible AJ replacement eventually. Do you agree there is none available now. If Fleener is game fast as his 40 speed indicates he could be a WR1.

[Brisco_County]

Originally Posted by badboy

On my mock I chose Streeter as possible AJ replacement eventually. Do you agree there is none available now. If Fleener is game fast as his 40 speed indicates he could be a WR1.

If you're asking if there's anyone good enough to be the future Texans WR1, then maybe, but WR success is so unpredictable. If you're asking if there's anyone good enough to be the next AJ, then no. The last time we saw that was Calvin Johnson, and he still doesn't have Andre's intangibles.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Brisco_County

If you're asking if there's anyone good enough to be the future Texans WR1, then maybe, but WR success is so unpredictable. If you're asking if there's anyone good enough to be the next AJ, then no. The last time we saw that was Calvin Johnson, and he still doesn't have Andre's intangibles.

Yeah, I agree on AJ being replaced but you just never know when a new guy just explodes and Foster is prime example. SMithiak thought he could be productive but did not know he'd be this good. I am hopeful that Fleener could be that guy. Nothing that screams YES! but nothing really that says no way. Fleener is bigger and faster than AJ now. Whether those skills translate to the field, we will see. When I compare Coby to other WRs and TEs he stands out. I am a huge Kendall Wright fan and predicted his climb up charts along with RG3 and Blake (in one mock prior to end of season I had all three on my board and got laughed at.) Wright is about the same speed depending on which measurement you take and much smaller. Kendall much more productive in a pass happy O with Heisman winner chunking it. Wonder what Fleener would have put up with 3 or Schaub this season?

Thanks for the discussion.