With the delayed F/A period, do the Texans have to be more aggressive in the draft?

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

The problem as I see it is that even if the poor scouting skills with the accompanying consequences we have endured over the years is corrected, we are still left with another variable with just as much of a concern.........one of evaluation of skills and realistic potential of those already on the team. If the latter problem........establishing true NEED...... can't be corrected, how do you end up with the proper players in the draft OR FA that will actually help you?

So far the Texans have had difficulties (especially on the D) in all THREE facets necessary to build a successful team.............1) evaluation of existing players and, therefore, team needs; 2) evaluation of the skills and field readiness and potential of draft candidates and FAs; and 3) effective development of all aforementioned players. ALL will have to change SIMULTANEOUSLY for this next season not to turn into much of the SOS.

Short answer, you cant fix what's wrong with the Texans without a regime change. Even if you could fix all of the problems that you mentioned above. There would still be the in game management problems that seem to stump Good Ole Gary.

BTW, I agree with Gary on OLB and CB being the 2 biggest needs on the defense. Followed by S and NT, hopefully Phillips has the most say so in the war room and the Texans draft differently than they usually do. (Take BPA) Instead of reaching for need, The Texans defense has holes at all levels of defense. (The same could be said of upper management on the football operations side)

They need to start drafting the best football players and stop the 3 stooges routine that BoB described is going on in the war room. Maybe Phillips can bring that sense of order to the war room. I have my doubts. But time will tell.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by beerlover

yeah I get it since Texans have such poor talent record in evaluation skills department, they need to trade up so they don't miss an impact player.

Yes...

[Rey]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

So far, Kubiak seems to be set on the notion that one of the players on the current roster might be suited for the nose.

"If you look at our football (team) now, we have Earl Mitchell, who's a young guy who played well for us last year," Kubiak said. "And Shaun Cody - we think they both give us an excellent chance to play well at the nose position. We'll be a little small there as we get started."
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So with the first draft selection likely to be used to improve the Texans defense, you might think nose tackle would be important enough to address with the pick. Or perhaps the need at the nose tackle position will be the most emphasized during free agency. Nope. Kubiak says otherwise.

"We know where our holes are as we get started with our defensive football team," Kubiak said. "It starts with our corner and our outside linebacker. We've got to fix those things." http://blogs.chron.com/fanzone/2011/...ds_at_olb.html
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For people who are almost always very reticent, this is really a surprising statement by Kubiak in terms of how specific he is in stating the Texans needs/top priorities with the transition to their new 3-4 under Wade.

I guess it really just depends on what you think of the players you'd be trading up for.

Everyone knows where the holes are.

I think Von Miller is an elite talent and a very good pass rusher. I think he'd do more for our defense than any other OLB + collection of other players drafted... JMO.

[IDEXAN]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

The problem as I see it is that even if the poor scouting skills with the accompanying consequences we have endured over the years is corrected, we are still left with another variable with just as much of a concern.........one of evaluation of skills and realistic potential of those already on the team. If the latter problem........establishing true NEED...... can't be corrected, how do you end up with the proper players in the draft OR FA that will actually help you?

So far the Texans have had difficulties (especially on the D) in all THREE facets necessary to build a successful team.............1) evaluation of existing players and, therefore, team needs; 2) evaluation of the skills and field readiness and potential of draft candidates and FAs; and 3) effective development of all aforementioned players. ALL will have to change SIMULTANEOUSLY for this next season not to turn into much of the SOS.

But doesn't Wade Phillips bring us a fresh start in this area and therefor there's the opportunity for us to draft better defensively than in the past ?
And I realize that Phillips of course is not a talent evaluator/scout per se, he's a coach but it would seem with his very extensive background and experience our ability to identitfy the players we need for our defense to succeed is better than in the past ?

[Doppelganger]

Trade down.

1. Drafting is an inexact science. If you trade up and give up a lot of picks for a bust you have failed exponentially more than if you stayed put and took players.

2. Since drafting is an inexact science, more shots means more opportunities to get a player.

3. The Texans have massive holes all over the Defense. While it would be nice to draft a potential shut down corner, the team would be better off filling three holes with average players than filling one hole with a superstar.

[beerlover]

Why have some teams flourished more in drafts more than others? It's not just their ability to project & evaluate talent better its also about out maneuvering other teams to put yourself in best position to fill team needs by staying fluid come draft day. Look at teams in much worse shape than the Texans just a couple years ago but have shown a better aptitude for rebuilding their roster quickly by using assets to improve draft position. KC for example used a bottom up approach while Green Bay simply made a defensive scheme change, like the Texans (with our old ball coach Capers) & with a little luck in the draft (year they changed, happened to have a top 5 NT B.J. Raji & OLB Clay Matthews late in 1st).

If the Texans can trade down & still get a player they target, having an extra pick gives them some flexibility to move back up if another player they covet drops to a slot where value dictates a move up. Focus on addressing two primary needs with starters. The focus has been too much emphasis on just the first pick, its really the first TWO or possibly THREE picks, while the Texans have done alright with the first pick, on average, they've lacked that one two punch. Pretty simple rule if you follow it year after year. So think of combinations which suit Texans needs like CB/OLB ~ OLB/CB ~ OLB/NT ~ CB/FS & how you can maximize talent/value to meet need.

trade down to have ability to trade back up options otherwise risk giving up picks like the Babin deal or address need with another quality player 3 for 2 (OLB, CB, NT). Now we just have to figure who we would not be willing to pass on with the 11th pick if they're there? starting with Von Miller & ending with Robert Quinn/Aldon Smith.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

But doesn't Wade Phillips bring us a fresh start in this area and therefor there's the opportunity for us to draft better defensively than in the past ?
And I realize that Phillips of course is not a talent evaluator/scout per se, he's a coach but it would seem with his very extensive background and experience our ability to identitfy the players we need for our defense to succeed is better than in the past ?

Then you've also REALLY got to BELIEVE that BOB will tell Smith to for the most part "zip it" and hand Phillips unfettered reign.

[Rey]

Texans see LB Miller as Perfect Fit

INDIANAPOLIS — The Texans need a pass-rushing outside linebacker for their new 3-4 defense, and the best prospect is Texas A&M's Von Miller.

No matter how much coach Gary Kubiak wishes he could acquire one of the greatest defensive players in Aggies history, there's one problem: Miller won't be around when the Texans make the 11th pick in the first round. Miller, who was 6-2½ and 246 pounds at the scouting combine, is one of the few elite prospects in this draft, and he is not expected to last beyond the fifth pick.

"It would be great to play for the Houston Texans, an hour away from Aggieland," Miller said with a smile during his interview session with the media.

Like Kubiak, who played at Texas A&M, Miller is an Aggie through and through.

"I know a lot about the Texans," Miller said. "Coach Kubiak is a great Aggie. They have coach (new linebackers coach Reggie) Herring. They have Wade Phillips with the 3-4 defense.

"I think it would be great to play for the Aggies and the Houston Texans for years to come."

But it's not going to happen unless the Texans were to trade up in the first round, and even if they were willing, it would be difficult for another team to pass up Miller.

In his last two years with the Aggies, Miller had 27½ sacks and 39 tackles for loss. He was highly rated when he went to Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl. When he left, he had created a buzz because his stock was skyrocketing.

"Not only is Von a great player, but he's a great person, too, a captain and a team leader," Aggies coach Mike Sherman said. "He's got so much talent. You don't see many as explosive as he is."

Until Miller arrived in Indianapolis, some scouts thought he was too light at 237 pounds. He said he began last season at 243, finished at 237 and wants to play in the 240s.

"I've been eating like crazy, but it's all been good weight," Miller said. "I've been working out real hard with all those guys in Orange County (California) like (quarterback) Jake Locker and (defensive end) Ryan Kerrigan.

"Honestly, I didn't even know I put on that weight. I was just working hard trying to maximize days, finish all my reps, and eating all my food.

"I was just trying to work out at the best of my ability. I stepped on the scale, and it said, '246.' I was like, 'Whoa.' I just want to be the best player I can be. I just want to get bigger, stronger, faster."

When describing what kind of NFL player he wants to be, Miller mentioned Green Bay's Clay Matthews III, one of the best 3-4 pass rushers in the league.

"I like the way Clay Matthews plays," he said. "His fanatical effort to the ball and all of that stuff - I try to incorporate that into my game.

"I can never ever play like Clay Matthews, but the way he attacks the ball, his relentless effort to the football, I can do that, though."

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/articl...34-470028.html

[Double Barrel]

^ after reading that, I say make the deal to get Miller.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

^ after reading that, I say make the deal to get Miller.

Just curious, but what was it about that article that made you want him?

[CloakNNNdagger]

You could insert the name of more than 1/2 of the teams in place of "HOUSTON TEXANS" depending on what source is interviewing him.

[CloakNNNdagger]

BTW, when have you seen the Texans actively pursue and successfully obtain a "home boy"-like player?

[JB]

Typical McLame. Nowhere in that article does anyone on the Texans make a comment about Miller.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by JB

Typical McLame. Nowhere in that article does anyone on the Texans make a comment about Miller.

Yup. When Capers/Casserly were here he had a lot of "team sources say" type comments. Basically none under Kubiak/Smith.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by JB

Typical McLame. Nowhere in that article does anyone on the Texans make a comment about Miller.

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Yup. When Capers/Casserly were here he had a lot of "team sources say" type comments. Basically none under Kubiak/Smith.

Completely agree with what you guys are saying.

But...Isn't it highly plausible that he's guessing right this time...That the Texans would actually love to have him....

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Rey

Completely agree with what you guys are saying.

But...Isn't it highly plausible that he's guessing right this time...That the Texans would actually love to have him....

Sure. Even a blind McClame finds a truffle every once in a while.

Was really just commenting that McClain made his name as an insider not an analyst. For example I remember him citing team sources when he started talking about Dunta Robinson being drafted. Since Kubiak got here he has had to try to become an actual student of the game.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Rey

Just curious, but what was it about that article that made you want him?

I guess because he seems to want to be a Texan. I mean, who wants to be a Houston Texan??? So that attitude, along with being a badass LB that we need for our new D, is enough for me.

I'm just a fan, though, so it's quite easy to make these wishful demands.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I guess because he seems to want to be a Texan. I mean, who wants to be a Houston Texan??? So that attitude, along with being a badass LB that we need for our new D, is enough for me.

I'm just a fan, though, so it's quite easy to make these wishful demands.

Ok..Cool...

I was impressed that he knew about our coaches and what was going on with us...That made me really believe that he would not mind being a Texan..

I read today that he still ran a 4.46 at the combine even after the weight gain...That kind of explosiveness in our LB corps and rushing the passer from the edge would be a great change of pace around here...

Like you I'm just a fan, but I think this kid could be real special..

[HoustonFrog]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I guess because he seems to want to be a Texan. I mean, who wants to be a Houston Texan??? So that attitude, along with being a badass LB that we need for our new D, is enough for me.

I'm just a fan, though, so it's quite easy to make these wishful demands.

He also said..but it was left out..that he'd love to play in Dallas because Dallas isn't far away either. So overall both teams could have incentive to make a splash. Though I think he goes Top 5 and both won't make a move

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews....t-to-play.html

Though he may not last to pick No. 9 or No. 11, Texas A&M's Von Miller told the media at the NFL Combine that playing so close to his home in Dallas and to his new home in Aggieland -- whether it be with the Cowboys or Texans -- would be something he'd be very interested in.

"It would be great to play for the Houston Texans, an hour away from Aggieland," Miller said. "It's a strong Aggie following, all over the world but particularly in Houston. We've got a lot of fans out there. It's an hour away from College Station. Houston and Dallas, they both have a lot of Aggies there. I think it would be great to play for the Aggies and the Houston Texans for ... years to come."

[BigBull17]

Where is horribly scout players and blow picks on Jabroni's? Then refuse to upgrade positions because Rick Smith is a genius and obviously picked great players. I pick that option. Oh, and draft another tight end.