OLB shuffle? Gary Walker gets me thinking.

[Blake]

With all the help we need with pash rush, and the importance of some good OLB, why do the Texans keep letting go OLB like Posey, and Foley?

Was it just that the Texans didnt offer them more than another team?

Or was it that the Texans really didnt try to get them to stay?

To be honest, I dont know much on this subject, which is why Im asking.

[Texan Gal 312]

Originally Posted by DC_ROCK

With all the help we need with pash rush, and the importance of some good OLB, why do the Texans keep letting go OLB like Posey, and Foley?

Was it just that the Texans didnt offer them more than another team?

Or was it that the Texans really didnt try to get them to stay?

To be honest, I dont know much on this subject, which is why Im asking.

I knoqw the Bills swoop in and signed Posey on the first day of free agency. I don't think Posey even gave them a chance to make him an offer in response.

I think Foley just blossomed this year or found a good fit or a combination thereof. It wasn't like he was a big name free agent that SD signed I don't think many on this board even made a minor fuss over the Texans losing Foley. Until recently, of course. Hindsight is always much better

[Mistril48]

Originally Posted by DC_ROCK

With all the help we need with pash rush ... why do the Texans keep letting go OLB like ... Foley?...

I see a caution flag on Foley. I know he had a good year, but remember, he wasn't drafted by the Texans. The question is "why did the Bengals let him go ..." and then the Texans had a look see (didn't cost them anything) and let him move on. ???

[Vinny]

We picked Foley off Waivers from the Bengals. I guess he was just a late bloomer, or was just a better fit in the Wade Phillips scheme. On Posey, Texan Gal is right, he bolted as an unrestricted FA. He signed with the Bills shortly after Midnight as soon as he was eligible if my memory serves me correctly.

[texasguy346]

Originally Posted by Vinny

On Posey, Texan Gal is right, he bolted as an unrestricted FA. He signed with the Bills shortly after Midnight as soon as he was eligible if my memory serves me correctly.

Thats how I remember it too, and I think the Texans believed they'd be able to purpose a counter offer before Posey would sign any contract but that turned out not to be the case. Either the Texans management was misled by either Posey or his agent, or the Texans management made an assumption that proved out to be wrong. I find it a little hard to believe that the Texans management made the assumption that they'd have a chance to match any offer to an UFA without having been led to believe they would from either Posey or his agent.

[Vinny]

John Abraham is not a 3-4 end. He would be a linebacker here. Also, Babin is the starter at strong side linebacker. Not much question about that.

[texan279]

I think this could be our D for next year:
FS: Marcus Coleman SS:Glenn Earl
CB: Dunta Robinson CB: Aaron Glenn OR we could go after Charles Woodson?
MLB: Jamie Sharper, Kailee Wong
OLB: Cheatwood, Antwan Peek, Babin(?)
END: Gary Walker, John Abraham
Nose: Robaire Smith

NO WAY. Woodson is overrated and overpaid. The fans in Oakland don't even want him there anymore.

[playoffsin2005]

He could be there at #13. If not, can we trade up? I think Adalius Thomas is an UFA. He could be the answer to our passs rush woes opposite Babin. Wong can be moved back inside.

[F-minus67]

I don't think it was mentioned, but when does the free agency period start?

[playoffsin2005]

I would imagine it would have to be after the season ends. Nevertheless, we need a pass rush. I think Pollack could give us the kind of game the Ravens get from Suggs on the outside.

[Grid]

yah babin is staying.. and rightfully so. He may not have been flashy but he looked very good for a rookie. Im betting hes gonna be alot better next season.

I think its going to be Wong/Peek on the weak side again.. They will split carries with peek getting about half. I dont see either of them getting benched.

As for cheatwood.. unless he comes in and really impresses.. I see him being a situational pass rusher... sorta like peek was at the beggining of this season. Depending on how far Babin comes along.. we may be seeing Peek and Cheatwood on the outside during pass rush situations.

other than that.. I dont see much change.. Maybe Polk instead of Foreman at middle LB.

There will probably be some changes on the Dline but I doubt they will happen in free agency, im betting we are gonna have a couple rookies getting playing time though.

Glenn will start for another year, maybe as our 2nd CB though, with Dunta being 1st. I soon expect to see Faggins get his job though, with a rookie CB learning the ropes as our nickle guy.

Coleman at FS is also a lock.. and Earl is our man at SS. SO.. yah.. I really dont see a whole lot changing next season, except our line. Robaire is the only guy who is a lock on our Dline.

[LB Love]

Originally Posted by Texan Gal 312

I think Foley just blossomed this year or found a good fit or a combination thereof.

Yea, there was a blurb in ESPN the mag that pretty much said that.

"When he signed with Houston as a free agent in 2003, Foley thought he'd thrive in the Texans' 3-4. But Dom Capers' emphasis on the zone blitz meant Foley was stuck in coverage as often as he rushed the passer."

Still not sure how I feel about Capers and Fangio's complicated defensive schemes...

[Cincinnatikid]

do people not realize this team needs inside lbs and not outside. Babin played well this season, Peek should start next season. THen they have Wong who should play inside but can back up outside as well, and they have the new guy from CFL. Why would they sign anyone else? All this talk of the pass rush being bad. I think that if peek and babin are in together and stop getting double teamed cuz the the line picks it up, then the sacks will be coming next season. Besides they had so many pressures and qb hits between the two of them, you know all they need is another split second and the sacks would be there.

[Texan Gal 312]

Why is everyone so high on Cheatwood. We signed him from the CFL. It would be a plus if he makes the team and most likely he would play only special teams. I would say Charlie Anderson and Shantee Orr will be ahead of him on the depth chart.

Keep an eye on Anderson - He is a converted college defensive, drafted in the sixth round in 2004. The lowest of the 2004 draft picks to make the team. I would say making the team at OLB and getting enough playing time to be noticed in your rookie year while making the conversion from DE is way ahead on the development curve.

[hou059]

Nothing changes in the front seven. Peek probably will get more playing time and possobly a rookie DT getting some reps, deepening our d-line rotation. But all this talk of Cheatwood starting at OLB or seeing significant playing time for us is crazy. It's eveident we have plenty of depth at the LB position. The Texans probably won't go after any big name FA, especially not Woodson and Abraham. Did yall forget that WOng knows the ILB position and that if there were a change in that group, that would be it. Moving Wong inside in place of Foreman makes sense and playing Peek and Babin on the outside. Why are people so eager to give our "D" a make over?

[playoffsin2005]

There has got to be some changes made in the front seven. They get no pressure which allows time for opposing QB's to see the field. We gave up alot of passing yards last year and we were terrible getting teams off on third down. I would get Pollack if he there at #13. He tore it up at Georgia and would be a fit opposite Babin. Wong to inside. D-line plays to 2 gap to pick up as much as O-line as possible. All of those other LB's we have bring good depth but they remind me of all those Rockets we have now outside McGrady/Yao. Good but not starters.

[Blake]

The only changes I see are on the front 3. Smith/Payne/Walker

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by hou059

Why are people so eager to give our "D" a make over?

Maybe because the Texans were dead last in QB sacks. And next to last in TD passes allowed & completion %.

[MojoX]

Hey, will somebody tell me how many other 3-4 teams use the zone blitz scheme? Maybe the Texans could benefit from simplifying things just a tad and letting the OLB do more rushing and less pass covering? What are the advantages of using the zone scheme?

[bruenice]

I think that the part of the defense that needs to change is some of the scheme. I think that the quote above from ESPN says a lot. In an aggressive blitizing defense, Foley's sack numbers skyrocketed. When we have 3 lineman rushing and maybe one backer coming and everybody else dropping back in coverage, how is anybody going to get any pressure? You could get all the athletes in the world, but if you don't let them do what they are best at, or have 7-8 guys in coverage the number of sacks will continue to stay low. When both Peek and Babin were coming off the edge late in the season you saw the pressure on the quarterback increase. I say keep that up and get more aggressive on the pass rush. Send Dunta more. The few times he was sent on a corner blitz he got right in there. If you send more people at the qb you will see results. There is little to no need to go out and sign a ton of olbs, there is already enough on the current roster. Let the dogs loose and you will see results.