Texans Linbacker shuffle...

[Porky]

The LB situation is starting to come into focus. The Houston Comical had a pretty good article for a change that actually talked about football, even though they still had to go all warm and fuzzy.

It was mainly focused on the LB crew, and the battle for the Solb between Orr and Charlie Anderson. It's focused on their friendship, and discusses the LB situation as whole.

It blew away some assumptions I had made.

They say that Anderson and Orr will be battling it out at Solb. I assumed Danny Clark and Shawn Barber were going to be battling it out at Solb, with the loser backing up at both strong and weakside spots, or perhaps all three spots depending on the situation.

They say Clark will be backing up Ryans in the middle. I had assumed it would be Abbate in the lead there, and if he didn't make it, we would maybe keep Troy Evans, with Clark in a pinch if needed.

At Will, they say Barber will come in on nickel situations for Greenwood. I assumed he was in the lead for Solb.

To sum up, if this is the case, I am not at all comfortable at Solb. The competition is between a 6th rd choice and an udfa who doesn't fit a 4/3. In fact, both are probably better suited for a 3/4. I am disapointed that these are the two best canditates for this position, and feel Barber would be a better stop gap choice than either Anderson or Orr. Someone please try to convince me that Barber isn't better than Orr and Anderson.

*Edits for correction of names and positions. Please reread*.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Porky

They say Barber will be backing up Ryans in the middle. I had assumed it would be Abbate in the lead there, and if he didn't make it, we would maybe keep Troy Evans, with Barber in a pinch if needed.

At Will, they say Danny Clark will come in on nickel situations for Greenwood. That's the only one that I think I was close on, as I sort of assumed he might back up all 3 positions maybe, and be a jack of all trades type.

I think you need to re-read the article Porkster (cutnpaste below)...besides, take anything Manful writes with a grain...this is the same Megan Manful that compared Dom Davis to Earl Campbell about this time last year (or the year before...it's all running together).

Originally Posted by megan manful from chron.com

The battle between Orr and Anderson is the most competitive among the linebackers. Danny Clark backs up DeMeco Ryans, while Shawn Barber lines up in nickel packages and plays behind Morlon Greenwood at weakside linebacker.

[ArlingtonTexan]

At SLB my feeling is that the staff wants to see if Anderson or Orr can do the job to at least a satisfactory level. If either or these guys can do the job then long term there is not an issue at the position. With Barber and Clark, the team knows that they have a veteran that can do the job w/o embarrassment, but neither is the longer term answer at the position.

[infantrycak]

Troy Evans is over with Billy Miller in New Orleans.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I think you need to re-read the article Porkster (cutnpaste below)...besides, take anything Manful writes with a grain...this is the same Megan Manful that compared Dom Davis to Earl Campbell about this time last year (or the year before...it's all running together).

Ya, I corrected it before I even saw your post. Sorry guys, I was writing it in between actually working (How dare they interrupt my posting), and had some names/postions screwed up.

Note to self - Read twice before posting.

I like Anderson over Orr...I think Anderson is more of a playmaker...

And welll....most pretty much know my thoughts on Greenwood....

I thought that atleast one of the FA's we brought in would start....

I never really expected Abbate to make the active roster, though I was pulling for him...

[Porky]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Troy Evans is over with Billy Miller in New Orleans.

Oh that's right. I had totally forgotten that. Ok, Clark and Abbate battle it out in that case I assume.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Porky

The LB situation is starting to come into focus. The Houston Comical had a pretty good article for a change that actually talked about football, even though they still had to go all warm and fuzzy.

It was mainly focused on the LB crew, and the battle for the Solb between Orr and Charlie Anderson. It's focused on their friendship, and discusses the LB situation as whole.

It blew away some assumptions I had made.

They say that Anderson and Orr will be battling it out at Solb. I assumed Danny Clark and Shawn Barber were going to be battling it out at Solb, with the loser backing up at both strong and weakside spots, or perhaps all three spots depending on the situation.

They say Clark will be backing up Ryans in the middle. I had assumed it would be Abbate in the lead there, and if he didn't make it, we would maybe keep Troy Evans, with Clark in a pinch if needed.

At Will, they say Barber will come in on nickel situations for Greenwood. I assumed he was in the lead for Solb.

To sum up, if this is the case, I am not at all comfortable at Solb. The competition is between a 6th rd choice and an udfa who doesn't fit a 4/3. In fact, both are probably better suited for a 3/4. I am disapointed that these are the two best canditates for this position, and feel Barber would be a better stop gap choice than either Anderson or Orr. Someone please try to convince me that Barber isn't better than Orr and Anderson.

*Edits for correction of names and positions. Please reread*.

You thought Abbatte an undrafted free agent would back up Demeco? Wow.

[Hagar]

Not that I'd like to see it, but I wonder if there was any discussion about moving Ryans to the outside and starting Clark in the Mike LB?

[Porky]

Originally Posted by badboy

You thought Abbatte an undrafted free agent would back up Demeco? Wow.

Sure? Why not. He would take Troy Evans place as a ST demon, and wouldn't see the field in any other situation very much anyway.

[Texans_Chick]

I played golf with Charlie Anderson once in a tournament. Really really nice guy.

I hope he ends up being the best guy for the job.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by Porky

Sure? Why not. He would take Troy Evans place as a ST demon, and wouldn't see the field in any other situation very much anyway.

WHy not? Uh maybe the injury bug that hit so many players in 06 visits Ryans this year. Unless you are saying someone else would start and you are just penciling Abbatte in? I hope this guy makes the team and I actually hope he plays well enough to be the back up MLB. I just want to see him play a bit in the NFL. He is not Cinderfella until after he goes to the dance.

[Shaft75]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

I played golf with Charlie Anderson once in a tournament. Really really nice guy.

I hope he ends up being the best guy for the job.

He gets us hyped up in the other endzone(opposite Bullpen) for the kick-offs. I am on the front row and he always runs over and does some type of airplane looking deal. He really gets the crown pumped.

Originally Posted by badboy

WHy not? Uh maybe the injury bug that hit so many players in 06 visits Ryans this year. Unless you are saying someone else would start and you are just penciling Abbatte in? I hope this guy makes the team and I actually hope he plays well enough to be the back up MLB. I just want to see him play a bit in the NFL. He is not Cinderfella until after he goes to the dance.

Lawd have mercy....Please tell me you knocked on wood....

[Porky]

Originally Posted by badboy

WHy not? Uh maybe the injury bug that hit so many players in 06 visits Ryans this year. Unless you are saying someone else would start and you are just penciling Abbatte in? I hope this guy makes the team and I actually hope he plays well enough to be the back up MLB. I just want to see him play a bit in the NFL. He is not Cinderfella until after he goes to the dance.

I'm not penciling anyone in. It will all work itself out in camp and games. I am simply saying that the backup LB's generally play ST, and that ST play may be as or more important than the onfield play for a backup to Demeco, who is a 3 down LB. He will only come off the field due to injury or to get a breather. I would rather have a ST leader there, then someone only average at ST, but slightly better at MLB.

[TK_Gamer]

we got alot of training camp and pre-season ahead of us, I wouldnt pencil anyone but Ryans in at linebacker. as far as abate, I think he will consider himself lucky to grab one of the practice squad spots. Barber and Clark are Depth/specialist/vetran leadership and I think, will only start in an injury situation. I know its rough guys, but be patient, we got quite a ways to go before the season starts. Go Texans!

[powerfuldragon]

Originally Posted by xtruroyaltyx

Lawd have mercy....Please tell me you knocked on wood....

for real. i was stunned when i read that.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by xtruroyaltyx

Lawd have mercy....Please tell me you knocked on wood....

Yes I did and my head is still aching from where I hit it.

[ccdude730]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

I played golf with Charlie Anderson once in a tournament. Really really nice guy.

I hope he ends up being the best guy for the job.

that is what im hoping as well.

and he is really really nice - he got injured during a game and i was outside waiting for the players when he came out. i asked if he was doing ok and next thing i know the guy is giving me a hug and happy that someone was looking out for him.

[quicksilver]

Originally Posted by ccdude730

that is what im hoping as well.

and he is really really nice - he got injured during a game and i was outside waiting for the players when he came out. i asked if he was doing ok and next thing i know the guy is giving me a hug and happy that someone was looking out for him.

I just have to say that's cool.