Doesn't it take atleast 2 years to Successfully Transition to the 3-4 ?

[IDEXAN]

And further complicating this transition for the Texans is that they have no players on their current roster who have experience at the 2 positions that most distinguish the 3-4 from the 4-3, NT and OLB. Right now Earl Mitchell is thought to be the most likely to be the Texans starting NT, and he's only played in the 4-3. And the most often mentioned OLB starter is a former basketball player/TE who's only played a couple years as a defensive player and none in the 3-4. And he's still rehabbing from last years season-ending
injury, so who knows when and if he ever recovers fully his former athletic prowess ? And maybe the biggest complication is knowing when and if we can
find players to help the transition without knowing when we can sign FAs
because of the Lockout/absense of a new CBA ?
So why would anybody really expect the Texans to have a winning-season and make the playoffs (and save Kubiaks job) in 2011 if it's unlikely that we can complete the transition to the 3-4 in one year ?

[Texan_Bill]

What's the difference? They didn't have the personnel to play the 4-3 either. FML!

*ducks punches*

[powda]

As long as we draft some tight ends we'll be ok.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

And further complicating this transition for the Texans is that they have no players on their current roster who have experience at the 2 positions that most distinguish the 3-4 from the 4-3, NT and OLB. Right now Earl Mitchell is thought to be the most likely to be the Texans starting NT, and he's only played in the 4-3. And the most often mentioned OLB starter is a former basketball player/TE who's only played a couple years as a defensive player and none in the 3-4. And he's still rehabbing from last years season-ending
injury, so who knows when and if he ever recovers fully his former athletic prowess ? And maybe the biggest complication is knowing when and if we can
find players to help the transition without knowing when we can sign FAs
because of the Lockout/absense of a new CBA ?
So why would anybody really expect the Texans to have a winning-season and make the playoffs (and save Kubiaks job) in 2011 if it's unlikely that we can complete the transition to the 3-4 in one year ?

Because even with a partial change to the 3-4, our defense will be so much better coached than it was in the 4-3 that it will improve. After being one of the worst defenses in history... it almost HAS to improve.

Also, Wade Phillips' defense doesn't need the same sorts of players that a lot of 3-4s need and can make use of 4-3 DTs in the NT spot when most 3-4s need a bigger body in the middle.

[b0ng]

What would our defense be ranked if we don't successfully transition to the 3-4? 33rd ranked DEF?

Everybody says the same thing about every team transitioning defenses during the offseasons. They don't have X (D-linemen, OLB's, NT, name the position), they have to get rid of all their players etc etc. Mike Nolan and Dom Capers both proved that a great coordinator can make a defensive alignment transition much less painful than most pundits think it will be.

[TexCanada]

We don't even need a successful D to make the playoffs, all we need is a D that doesn't completely fail on a regular basis.

[76Texan]

Wade said the Texans have the talent to win now (I assume he means contending fot a playoff spot).

Sure, if you want a very good defense, you can always use an upgrade.
Otherwise, it looks like Wade think (and I see it when I compare how the front 7 on both teams played) that they have the guys in place to be decent as long as the core players remain healthy somewhat.
Wade's scheme is quite similar to what the Texans use last year up front.

To be truly successful, well, you can always use a guy (meaning many) who is both stronger and quicker and faster than the guy you have now.

[powda]

everyone is preoccupied with a nose tackle and some Demarcus Ware type rush linebacker ,but i dont know that our front 7 is the problem. It wasnt the big issue last year.

until our secondary gets fixed all this 3-4 personel dosent even matter. A portion of the time we're going to be running a 4-3 anyway.

[HJam72]

Yes, but this is the Texans. It will take 10 years and 4 DCs.

[badboy]

If utilized correctly, Mario Williams will do well in 3-4 & I think Conner Barwin if healthy will excell @ OLB. Keep in mind the main goal of the NT is to tie up 2 blockers so DE and LBs can get to QB & stop the run. I think Cody will get some reps. On my mock board I have Phil Taylor from Baylor falling to us # 10 in second. CB is a more pressing priority than OLB or DT for me.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by badboy

If utilized correctly, Mario Williams will do well in 3-4 & I think Conner Barwin if healthy will excell @ OLB. Keep in mind the main goal of the NT is to tie up 2 blockers so DE and LBs can get to QB & stop the run. I think Cody will get some reps. On my mock board I have Phil Taylor from Baylor falling to us # 10 in second. CB is a more pressing priority than OLB or DT for me.

Cheerleader tryouts for NT!!!

[BigBull17]

Well, it takes 6 years to make a winning team, right?

[Hervoyel]

"Doesn't it take atleast 2 years to Successfully Transition to the 3-4 ?"

So with the Texans that's going to work out more like 5 years right?

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Wade said the Texans have the talent to win now (I assume he means contending fot a playoff spot).

Yeah but saying that was just a condition of employment. He probably doesn't think for a minute that the Texans really will need to win now. He's probably thinking that we got 2-3 years before his defense has to show results. By then Gary's gone and Wade's the HC in Houston. Dream job is a lock for him.

[IDEXAN]

Originally Posted by badboy

If utilized correctly, Mario Williams will do well in 3-4 & I think Conner Barwin if healthy will excell @ OLB.

Mario has played as a down lineman his entire career, so going from a 4-3 DE
to a 3-4 DE should be a minor adjustment, especially since Wades 3-4 has the gap responsibility as what Mario is used to playing in the 4-3. I'm not worried about him or Antonio Smith on the other end of the DLine.
It's entirely different for Barwin, who's never played standing upright to any degree at all. It will be a major adjustment for him to make, and in a year when he's still recovering from a very severe injury. And then we have to find another player coming out of college who can "project" favorably to playing the other OLB position.

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

And further complicating this transition for the Texans is that they have no players on their current roster who have experience at the 2 positions that most distinguish the 3-4 from the 4-3, NT and OLB. Right now Earl Mitchell is thought to be the most likely to be the Texans starting NT, and he's only played in the 4-3. And the most often mentioned OLB starter is a former basketball player/TE who's only played a couple years as a defensive player and none in the 3-4. And he's still rehabbing from last years season-ending
injury, so who knows when and if he ever recovers fully his former athletic prowess ? And maybe the biggest complication is knowing when and if we can
find players to help the transition without knowing when we can sign FAs
because of the Lockout/absense of a new CBA ?
So why would anybody really expect the Texans to have a winning-season and make the playoffs (and save Kubiaks job) in 2011 if it's unlikely that we can complete the transition to the 3-4 in one year ?

What's the worst that can happen? Finish 32nd instead of 31st?

Besides, the next time you see the Texans play will be in 2012 so there is the 2 years.

[powda]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

It's entirely different for Barwin, who's never played standing upright to any degree at all. It will be a major adjustment for him to make...

Thankfully for us, this is where Gary's masterplan comes into play. Barwin is used to playing in space...he just did it as a tightend. The transition will be seamless. Why did we ever doubt his genuis?

[rush2112mn]

I, pernsonally, think it could take some time. I hope the lockout ends soon so we could get the OTA's and training camp in. If not, they will have to learn on the run if lockout ends in Aug or Sep....and that not be advantageous for this team.....

[Señor Stan]

Pffft.

Wade Phillips can fix any defense in one off season.

Sincerely,

Gary Kubiak can fix any QB

[Brisco_County]

Phillips has an especially difficult job right now, considering the unknowable variables like Connor Barwin's recovery status in the fall, and whether there is going to be any preseason practice available to implement and coach the new system. This transition may be more rough than his previous jobs.