Rodriguez reportedly looking to NFL, Hoke

[Wolf]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...D=200880110078

New U-M coach Rich Rodriguez is interested in possibly hiring Houston Texans defensive backs coach Jon Hoke as Michigan's defensive coordinator, according to CSTV.

Hoke replaced Bob Stoops as Florida's defensive coordinator in 1999. He held the position for three years.

A defensive coordinator hire would complete Rodriguez's new staff at Michigan.

[Second Honeymoon]

Originally Posted by Wolf

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...D=200880110078

thats a nice gig, if he can get it. i don't know much that the Texans could do to stop him from taking that if he really wants it. I hope we don't lose the guy because he had a pretty snakebit 2007 with all the injuries. It would be nice for him to be around when they turn this defense around.

[kiwitexansfan]

People seem to have a high opinion of Hoke, yet we complain about a terrible secondary... what is with that??

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

People seem to have a high opinion of Hoke, yet we complain about a terrible secondary... what is with that??

Minus Dunta, the Texans may have the poorest level of pure DB talent in the NFL.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Minus Dunta, the Texans may have the poorest level of pure DB talent in the NFL.

Shhhh! You're messing with our argument.


Sincerely,

Richard Smith Haters

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

People seem to have a high opinion of Hoke, yet we complain about a terrible secondary... what is with that??

I think he's done a good job with the players we've had. Dunta is great but everyone else, except for Fred Bennett, is nothing more than a bench player. Hell, Petey Faggins wasn't terrible in 2006. He wasn't good, but he wasn't as bad as he was this season (IMO anyway). I don't know if that was Hoke who was responsible for that or someone else.

[mexican_texan]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Minus Dunta, the Texans may have the poorest level of pure DB talent in the NFL.

Minus Dunta, Demps, and Fred.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by aj.

Shhhh! You're messing with our argument.


Sincerely,

Richard Smith Haters

You can add the turnover situation as something that did the Texans defense no favors either.

That being said, what makes you feel confident that he can make this defense look better. What in the play over the last two years or in his history makes you think he is the right guy to give the keys to the defense to?

I'm still traumatized from his really bad start as a DC, and looking so bad against the Jags backups.

[LonerATO]

let Rod take him so he can have a poor performance and will make Rod look like a tool for firing ron english

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by mexican_texan

Minus Dunta, Demps, and Fred.

No, actually with Demps and Bennett, the Texans are pretty poor in just raw skill. Bennett played well, but on most teams he should be a 2nd corner or developing 3rd corner. Demps is pretty average, but average is an upgrade over the performance we have gotten from FS.

[austintexanite]

Well I can't really say I wont be upset if he leaves. Injuries did hurt us, but we looked lost back there.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

That being said, what makes you feel confident that he can make this defense look better. What in the play over the last two years or in his history makes you think he is the right guy to give the keys to the defense to?

.

What made anyone feel confident that the OL would only give up 22 sacks in '07? Turns out it wasn't all the OL or coaching. Same may be true for the defense. Maybe one unit (or most of one and part of another) are keeping them from being all they can be. Smith's soft cover two zone is a cover for weakness - his version of the '05 staple two-yard hitch from 8 to 80.

Add another pass rusher to the mix along with a shut down corner, a FS with some range and a playmaking OLB and who knows, Smith could be a genius. The point is, maybe there's multiple layers to the problem and the solution may not be the one that appears most obvious.

Dungy was a 'mastermind' at Tampa but when he arrived at Indy I recall his defenses struggling for a while -- until they drafted guys like Mathis, Morris, Freeney, Sanders, Jackson, Hayden and continue to fill in every year with guys like Keiho, Bethea, Jennings et al. The Colts have 9 DBs on their roster that are their own draft picks. For the guys who want to go crazy on a pass rusing DE early, the Colts got Robert Mathis in the 5th round.

I'm aware of Smith's aggressive nature (borderline craziness) when he was here under Glanville.

And I have brought up the turnover situation in the past.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by aj.

What made anyone feel confident that the OL would only give up 22 sacks in '07? Turns out it wasn't all the OL or coaching. Same may be true for the defense. Maybe one unit (or most of one and part of another) are keeping them from being all they can be. Smith's soft cover two zone is a cover for weakness - his version of the '05 staple two-yard hitch from 8 to 80.

Add another pass rusher to the mix along with a shut down corner, a FS with some range and a playmaking OLB and I bet Smith would be a genius. Maybe the solution isn't the one that appears most obvious.

I'm aware of Smith's aggressive nature (borderline craziness) when he was here under Glanville.

And I have brought up the turnover situation in the past.

I'm with you big guy on this. missing peices all that remains. you addressed everything that will be addressed, DE, CB, FS OLB. one more transitional year with Gibbs flying into town on the offensive side but the defense should be far more effective as the one & two year star players continue development. I feel there is not going to be a first rd, corner who is ready to fill Dunta Robinsons shoes, so in a surprise move the Texans should sign a big time free agent corner, they have to. FS will be addressed if they can resign Demps, if not & Kenny Phillips somehow slips to #18 they take him. It would be gravy to get Terrell Suggs in free agency thats like a top 10 pick & he's just coming into his prime, Mario & Terrell on the corners would certainly solve the pass rush issue once and for all. OLB I was thinking about moving Michael Boulware there, Charlie Andersons game seemed to really pick up end of season looking like a 3-4 OLB playmaker.

In short we need to give Smith the benefit of the doubt, 2 or 3 more key players & he can unleash his aggession defensively

[aj.]

Originally Posted by beerlover

... you addressed everything that will be addressed, DE, CB, FS OLB. :

On the defense, yes. But there's also that little matter of OT, RB and C/G ...

They need a corner before a speed rusher. I think OLB is needy but a lower priority than most if not all of the combined list of need positions.

Certainly too much need for just the draft. This debate will probably be made simpler during the first week of March.

[Thorn]

It’s fairly obvious our defense is still a work in progress, and I don’t think the blame falls on any one player or coach. I agree with ArlingtonTexan that even average players are an upgrade at this point.

With the abundance of safeties and corners in the free agent market, I would bet good money we snag one or two before the draft and then draft some more of them.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by kiwitexansfan

People seem to have a high opinion of Hoke, yet we complain about a terrible secondary... what is with that??

Just me they call that there thingy talent.

It'd be a great move for Hoke and his family. I'd hate to lose him. They throw a pile of money at him, he's got to do what is best for his family.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I'm with you big guy on this. missing peices all that remains. you addressed everything that will be addressed, DE, CB, FS OLB. one more transitional year with Gibbs flying into town on the offensive side but the defense should be far more effective as the one & two year star players continue development. I feel there is not going to be a first rd, corner who is ready to fill Dunta Robinsons shoes, so in a surprise move the Texans should sign a big time free agent corner, they have to. FS will be addressed if they can resign Demps, if not & Kenny Phillips somehow slips to #18 they take him. It would be gravy to get Terrell Suggs in free agency thats like a top 10 pick & he's just coming into his prime, Mario & Terrell on the corners would certainly solve the pass rush issue once and for all. OLB I was thinking about moving Michael Boulware there, Charlie Andersons game seemed to really pick up end of season looking like a 3-4 OLB playmaker.

In short we need to give Smith the benefit of the doubt, 2 or 3 more key players & he can unleash his aggession defensively

Well said. We're to the piont now, we are after the missing pieces. They won't be able to hide all of the tallent on the PS after the draft. If three of the six or seven drafted make the squad, we'd of done very well. There are enough ZBS prospects now they could gamble with a move down hit a CB or RB and then come back for an o-lineman if they can get someone to fall in love with one of the young QBs or RBs to part with a pick.

More ammo..... they can move up or down easier and cherry pick their guy(s). Several FS/CB guys will be on the board. As will several RB and ZBS o-lineman at the bottom of the first/ top of the third. We'll hit one starter with the first round pick.
two contributors with the other four or five.

If they sign the Big FA DB, makes them more versital. With all of the talented Jrs. on the board now, we're going to get well in hurry if we paly our cards correctly . Means I'll have to shut up when you post those 10-6' s next August.

[aj.]

Originally Posted by threetoedpete

It'd be a great move for Hoke and his family. .

Money is one thing but the reason Hoke turned down Spurrier a couple of years ago is because he didn't want to disrupt his family. I think he has 4 kids in school here in Ft. Bend. He's been here 6 years and the roots start to take hold after a while. Sometimes that means more than money when you're already being paid well and especially when you don't have to leave. Of course if he's making 250k and they throw a million a year for 3 years at him, then you have to listen.

[sakebomb]

Dungy was a 'mastermind' at Tampa but when he arrived at Indy I recall his defenses struggling for a while -- until they drafted guys like Mathis, Morris, Freeney, Sanders, Jackson, Hayden and continue to fill in every year with guys like Keiho, Bethea, Jennings et al.

I thought it had something to do with us hiring Vic Fangio.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

You can add the turnover situation as something that did the Texans defense no favors either.

That being said, what makes you feel confident that he can make this defense look better. What in the play over the last two years or in his history makes you think he is the right guy to give the keys to the defense to?

I'm still traumatized from his really bad start as a DC, and looking so bad against the Jags backups.

He use to work for a crazy man. He's seen every way to bring the heat you can think of. Give him the talent , he will bring the heat.