Who are Todd Wade and Robaire Smith?

[gtexan02]

I have been looking at a lot of projected lineups for next season, and I don't see any mention of either of these guys. Smith was a great DT in Tennessee before he came here, and I see no reason why he wouldn't start immediately in the middle of our line. Him and TJ would be a big tandem to avoid when rushing up the middle.

As for the OL, why are people writing Todd Wade out? He had a solid few years in Miami blocking for Ricky Williams, and with some good coaching, whose to say he won't quickly jump back to his old self? He has the perfect size and build for a RT, and if paired with Pitts at LT, all we need to do is solidify the middle of our line.

PS: I know this may be a stupid question, but why couldn't Smith play strong side DE? ISn't that where he's been the last few years basically?

[Doom Capers]

I hope they keep Smith in the starting line-up. He has great work ethic. After the ball is snapped you always see him chasing the ball carrier, no matter how far down the field he is. Smith could teach a thing or two to our young (hopefully) line.

[infantrycak]

Why is it Robaire Smith gets a free ride on personal fouls and Peek gets excoriated? They each had 4-5 personal fouls last year but I don't recall Smith being consistantly criticized for bone-headed penalties. Just an observation.

Smith will almost certainly be a starting DT next year. The DC already mentioned he was being misused by Fangio so he is clearly on the radar screen and has impressed the DC. Wade's role remains to be seen. He never looked as bad in Miami as he did last year so I wonder if he isn't another victim of coaching down. In the past he has been noted for his aggression--have to see what the new staff can make of it.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Why is it Robaire Smith gets a free ride on personal fouls and Peek gets excoriated? They each had 4-5 personal fouls last year but I don't recall Smith being consistantly criticized for bone-headed penalties. Just an observation.

Smith doesn't chase you down out of bounds and body slam you into the gatoraid table. Then run up into the stands kick your kid and slap your mama.

I think Peek might have some anger managment issues.

[powerfuldragon]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

Smith doesn't chase you down out of bounds and body slam you into the gatoraid table. Then run up into the stands kick your kid and slap your mama.

I think Peek might have some anger managment issues.

i'm just angry at management. (Charlie Casserly)

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

Smith doesn't chase you down out of bounds and body slam you into the gatoraid table.

I know you are kind of kidding, but IMO that was a horrible call when Peek got flagged for hitting a QB with both feet inbounds. Later Carr got hit in exactly the same fashion--no flag. After yelling at Peek during the game, Capers even came back and defended him on that call later.

[Joe Texan]

Dom was only mad at Antwan because he did not execute the player

[TexanFanInCC]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Why is it Robaire Smith gets a free ride on personal fouls and Peek gets excoriated? They each had 4-5 personal fouls last year but I don't recall Smith being consistantly criticized for bone-headed penalties. Just an observation.

Smith will almost certainly be a starting DT next year. The DC already mentioned he was being misused by Fangio so he is clearly on the radar screen and has impressed the DC. Wade's role remains to be seen. He never looked as bad in Miami as he did last year so I wonder if he isn't another victim of coaching down. In the past he has been noted for his aggression--have to see what the new staff can make of it.

i think almost half of the defensive personnel was misued. babin and peek were DE's in college, not LBs. robaire was a DT in tennessee's 4-3. walker was not used to the 3-4 b4 coming to houston.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by TexanFanInCC

i think almost half of the defensive personnel was misued. babin and peek were DE's in college, not LBs. robaire was a DT in tennessee's 4-3. walker was not used to the 3-4 b4 coming to houston.

Every NFL 3-4 D is built out of people who come from 4-3 D's. Every college but a couple run 4-3's so all the DT's have to learn to play in a 3-4. Almost all the 3-4 OLB's in the NFL were DE's in college. That's just the way building an NFL 3-4 goes. Now they absolutely were misused in the sense that Fangio's version of the 3-4 sucked.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Every NFL 3-4 D is built out of people who come from 4-3 D's. Every college but a couple run 4-3's so all the DT's have to learn to play in a 3-4.

Up until last year I believe it was only Virginia and Maryland who were running the 3-4 in college.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Every NFL 3-4 D is built out of people who come from 4-3 D's. Every college but a couple run 4-3's so all the DT's have to learn to play in a 3-4. Almost all the 3-4 OLB's in the NFL were DE's in college. That's just the way building an NFL 3-4 goes. Now they absolutely were misused in the sense that Fangio's version of the 3-4 sucked.

There's your problem. Apparently, it was made for some other species that thinks faster than humans ever will.

[gtexan02]

My question remains, why can't Smith or Walker play SSDE?

[AustinJB]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

My question remains, why can't Smith or Walker play SSDE?

IMO, they are both too slow to play strong-side DE. I think Walker could have done it earlier in his career, but not now. You need someone that can support the run, but also w/ enough outright speed to rush the passer around the edge when needed....neither Smith or Walker have that IMO.

I DO think that both could still be very good as DTs in the 4-3. They do penetrate the line, make plays behind the line of scrimmage, and collapse the pocket. THAT is where both of them can/will be successful. The only problem is that we have FOUR starting DTs and only Babin/Peek that could realistically play DE (and both of them seem to be better suited for weakside DE.)

[aj.]

Originally Posted by TexanFanInCC

walker was not used to the 3-4 b4 coming to houston.

Walker played in Capers' 3-4 at Jax. It was the Pittsburgh style 3-4 which lets the linemen fire in one gap harmony and doesn't require the touchy feely Fangio version of the 3-4 which should be declared extinct.

[run-david-run]

So, the question remains, who will pair Robaire Smith in the middle? I would love for TJ to stand out enough to be worthy of a starting spot, but I also think that right now G-Funk is our best lineman. I think that it will be a rotation of some sort, which could work very well, but this is gonna depend a lot on Richard Smith...he will have a lot to do with how well we do next year.

[aj.]

Four guys who shouldn't be here next year without re-do's on their contracts are Walker, Wade, McKinney, and Coleman.

[Mr Shush]

Shouldn't and won't.

There's nothing wrong with a four-man rotation at DT: Darby, Terrill, Bernard and Tubbs worked out pretty well for Seattle last season, to take just one example. Saves them getting worn down, makes coping with injuries easier.

Obviously we need to add some DEs - it's not even clear at this point whether Peek will be playing DE, OLB or some combination of both à la Redskins #57 next season. Free agent options may include Darren Howard, Aaron Kampman, Ndukwe Kalu, Carlos Hall and Raheem Brock, as well as a lot of lesser known players. No-one worth breaking the bank for (nor would I be in favour of trading for Abraham), but picking up one or two starters and a couple of serviceable back-ups seems well within the bounds of possibility.