Barwin moves to SLB-Mercilus moves to WLB

[srrono]

Pro Football Weekly ‏@ProFootballWkly
RT @NickScurfield: Rookie Whitney Mercilus starts at Will LB while Brooks Reed is out. Connor Barwin moves over to Sam #Texans

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein
The SAM LB spot is a much better fit for Barwin who is a natural at that position. Mercilus gives Texans better edge speed at WLB now.

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein
The loss of Brooks Reed may end up changing the future of the Texans OLB rotation and starting spots for years to come. We'll see.

Nick Scurfield ‏@NickScurfield
Kubiak said 2nd-year OLB Bryan Braman will be part of the rotation w/ Connor Barwin & Whitney Mercilus #Texans

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli
"We went from suiting 9 linebackers up ... to now if we played a game today there'd be 7 available players," Kubiak #Texans

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli
"Braman's been an exceptional special teams player for us. ... He's very talented. He can rush the passer. He can run." Kubiak said.

Nick Scurfield ‏@NickScurfield
Kubiak said ILB Tim Dobbins (shoulder) should "definitely be available" this week #Texans
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[Rey]

I hope Braman gets plenty snaps. I'm more excited to see him than any other LB we have.

[thunderkyss]

I've been really surprised at how far back & how quick Barwin has been able to drop & maintain good coverage. If our ILBs can consistently bring what Ruud showed, our pass defense can get even scarier. scary good.

[NastyNate]

If Braman brings it like he does on special teams then there is much hope.

[TimeKiller]

This is good, Barwin moves back to what I believe is his natural position. Strongside he is quick and agile, able to handle rushes and coverage, disguise the defense and play the run more often. I believe he sets the edge well and this should put him back on the radar. Weakside guy is supposed to be the stud, star rusher and he's not that. His strength is versatility. Mercilus and Braman should be rotating weakside and getting after the QB, they are both faster off the line and play with a little more instinct as pass rushers.

Sucks to lose Reed but he was under-performing anyway. I believe he is still a viable option anywhere in the LB core and should use the time off to study the plays from all angles.

[76Texan]

Perhaps the move is for the better then, let's hope.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Perhaps the move is for the better then, let's hope.

Yep, I hope so 76 as we are moving into very important part of regular season(Home field advantage and all) and getting close to post season.

Go Texans!!!

[amazing80]

I thought Barwin played SLB last year??? If true, whyd they change him and maybe this is why hes been ineffective???

Also, I thought Braman would be better inside, but at least he is getting play time

[PapaL]

I hope Braman doesn't get any late hit flags. I don't know why I see him and think that.

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by PapaL

I hope Braman doesn't get any late hit flags. I don't know why I see him and think that.

Da Caveman plays! LOL

I hope he gets in a few good plays. I've always liked the guy and hope he's able to show some stuff this weekend.

[ThaJokaa]

Let him loose!!

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by PapaL

I hope Braman doesn't get any late hit flags. I don't know why I see him and think that.

Way to be a ray of sunshine!

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by amazing80

I thought Barwin played SLB last year??? If true, whyd they change him and maybe this is why hes been ineffective???

Also, I thought Braman would be better inside, but at least he is getting play time

No, under Wade, Barwin always play a vast majority of snaps at WOLB.

The thought was that if the Texans resign Mario, only then would Barwin play at SOLB so that Mario never need to worry about the TE and just rush the QB almost all the time from the WOLB position.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

No, under Wade, Barwin always play a vast majority of snaps at WOLB.

The thought was that if the Texans resign Mario, only then would Barwin play at SOLB so that Mario never need to worry about the TE and just rush the QB almost all the time from the WOLB position.

Except for that was never a thought.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by amazing80

I thought Barwin played SLB last year??? If true, whyd they change him and maybe this is why hes been ineffective???

Also, I thought Braman would be better inside, but at least he is getting play time

Barwin played SOLB before Mario got hurt. After he got hurt, they swapped Barwin, don't know why. You'd think the weakside would be easier for the rookie Brooks Reed to play. All he has to do is go after the QB. He's playing against the LT, but it would cut down on his "responsibilities" & reads a lot.

Anyway, Barwin got hot there for a little while, then it continued into the play-offs, so I imagine they were going to give him an opportunity to earn that pass-rusher money.

Don't get me wrong, I think Brooks is more a SAM, just like Barwin, or possibly a MO. But Barwin was already doing a really good job at SAM that it didn't make sense to me to move him.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

Way to be a ray of sunshine!

Just call them as I see them.

Remember Antwan Peek? I think he's better...and crazier hahaha. Can't wait to yell Braaaaaaaaaaaaman! Or maybe Manzier; ref Seinfeld.

[htownfan32]

I don't know much about defensive formations... would Mercilus be lining up aside Watt or Smith? Or would it switch off as the situation required?

[Allstar]

Bring on Babin, IMO

[Rey]

Originally Posted by htownfan32

I don't know much about defensive formations... would Mercilus be lining up aside Watt or Smith? Or would it switch off as the situation required?

Watt lines up in different spots, so it'd just depend...

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by htownfan32

I don't know much about defensive formations... would Mercilus be lining up aside Watt or Smith? Or would it switch off as the situation required?

First post from the picture, he'd be in the "WLB" position, lining up next to smith for about 70% of the snaps, they move Watt around though so no guarantee.