TJ a possible DE?

[YoungTexanFan]

Does anyone knowledgeble think we might move tj outside to DE when we rotate him in. i personally dont think he will be able to anchor our line but i have my hopes up. the draft next year for dt's looks really deep.

[texasguy346]

The most likely scenario would have TJ rotating in to give either Walker or Smith a breather at DE, but it's not out of the question that TJ would be able to give Payne a breather by coming in to play inside. He spent much of his college career playing directly over the center so he should be comfortable there. However, with his quickness and pass rushing ability I feel he is more suited for playing DE. The Texans will also bring him in when we go to nickle or dime pacakges where we have Walker and TJ inside as DTs, and use Peek/Babin/Wong as DEs. I have a feeling that as the season progresses we will see more and more of TJ.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

Does anyone knowledgeble think we might move tj outside to DE when we rotate him in. i personally dont think he will be able to anchor our line but i have my hopes up. the draft next year for dt's looks really deep.

I think TJ will play both NT & DE early on. He'll be a DT when the Texans go into their 4 man nickel front on passing downs. Eventually, I see him as the starting LDE and one of the best 34 linemen in the league.

[TheOgre]

I think we took TJ instead of Spears because of his versatility. He can rotate into any position on the line. Also, if we ever go to a 4-3 (which might happen if Capers doesn't get the job done), then TJ will make a good DT. Doubt that was a big consideration for CC when he drafted him, but it is something to keep in mind.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by TheOgre

I think we took TJ instead of Spears because of his versatility. He can rotate into any position on the line. Also, if we ever go to a 4-3 (which might happen if Capers doesn't get the job done), then TJ will make a good DT. Doubt that was a big consideration for CC when he drafted him, but it is something to keep in mind.

I remember seeing various pieces of info in mocks and other sources about TJ
those months leading up to the Draft, but I would usually see more things about Spears when it came to the topic of Defensive tackles. Certainly if the
paper or other publication was local or regional, it would tend to feature covererge about Spearts over other Dlineman because of him being an LSU
guy, which of course is nearby. Also, its coming out that TJ was strong last
year, but his career in general was not as impressive as other Dlineman.
But I'd have to disagree about versatility because I've read that besides being
suited to play in the 3-4, Spears could play End in the 4-3 while I've never
read that TJ has good potential to play End in that formation. So when you realize that the 34 downlineman are basically all tackles (even thought they
call them DEs, you know he's basically a tackle. But since he's more of a pure tackle than Spears, he could also play Nose. So given its very, very unlikely we convert the D, I think we have the best guy for our system. Of course all bets are off if the incumbant coaching regime changes.

[Grid]

TJ will play DE.. he will most likely move to a DT as a situational rusher.. like when we move Babin and Peek to DE.

[El Tejano]

Has TJ had any history of injuries or anything?

[Grid]

hes had a couple of injuries but nothing worth worrying over.

[TheOgre]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

So when you realize that the 34 downlineman are basically all tackles (even thought they
call them DEs, you know he's basically a tackle. But since he's more of a pure tackle than Spears, he could also play Nose. So given its very, very unlikely we convert the D, I think we have the best guy for our system. Of course all bets are off if the incumbant coaching regime changes.

Most 3-4 defensive linemen project to 4-3 DT's. That is not always the case though. Spears projects as a pure DE in the 3-4 and can play DE or DT in the 4-3. TJ is just the opposite. He projects as someone that can play NT or DE in a 3-4 but is basically a DT in the 4-3.

[El Tejano]

I really don't care about what that other guy does, just as long as we can put the QB in the dirt this year.

[G-Man]

on the roster it has tj listed as a DE

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by TheOgre

Most 3-4 defensive linemen project to 4-3 DT's. That is not always the case though. Spears projects as a pure DE in the 3-4 and can play DE or DT in the 4-3. TJ is just the opposite. He projects as someone that can play NT or DE in a 3-4 but is basically a DT in the 4-3.

been out for a while still trying to digest the Texans draft & specificly the 1st round pick of TJ. but of all the statements made the one above by Ogre reflects just why they went TJ instead of Spears most succinctly. also this was a case of need over bpa or bpa for need. for now TJ will be in 3rd & 4th down situations, also in back-up for the Big Three should one go down. as he gets stronger and use to the NFL, the Texans scheme and its players he could very well see limited NT time depending on match-ups. long term as Ogre states he will be a cornerstone DE in the Texans 3-4

[jacquescas]

he is gary walkers replacement plain and simple.

[YoungTexanFan]

the reason i asked this question was because next year i feel is the year we really fix the d line. everyone is concerned about the o line. tj seems like more of a huge rusher. the 3-4 NT isn't supposed to rush the passer very much from what i know, he is just supposed to tie up two gaps for the lb's. next year we can get the NT out of oregon that we all wanted before he decided to stay in school. there are soo many NT's that we could use next year if tj is our end of the future.

[beerlover]

Haloti, Ngata, 6-5, 345, Oregon may very well be available when the Texans pick & solidify long term the defensive line-

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/pla...lotingata.html

http://www.houstonprofootball.com/dr...ts/ngatah.html

but here is the more likely prospect out of Oregon to be selected high in the first round, Tim Day or TD. He is massive for a TE at 6-4 268 and is a converted Guard so he not only loves to block he knows how to block. As the Texans needs go it will depend on Bennie Joppru's recovery, I'm hoping BJ has a sucessful 1st season with the Texans and we can go with a NT like Ngata. but if not don't be surprised if the Texans select a TE next year named TD

http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/di.../415d8381d7789

[F-minus67]

Ngata has had some serious knee injuries hasn't he?

[LikeABoss]

Originally Posted by jacquescas

he is gary walkers replacement plain and simple.

I pretty muched figured that out when the Texans drafted him.

Some people are living in denial though. *shrugs his shoulders*

[El Tejano]

TJ sounds as if he is going to bring a nastiness to this team and we could possibly see that soon.

[royce1054]

Originally Posted by LikeABoss

I pretty muched figured that out when the Texans drafted him.

Some people are living in denial though. *shrugs his shoulders*

I thought Walker was one of the players on the cut list about 2-3 months ago but people shot that down. I still think if he doesnt do what the Texans want him to do this season he is gone. As of right now i wouldnt put anything past Casserly with Sharper, Foreman, and now Glenn being released. So if i was Walker this means he needs to have a really good season.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by royce1054

I thought Walker was one of the players on the cut list about 2-3 months ago but people shot that down. I still think if he doesnt do what the Texans want him to do this season he is gone. As of right now i wouldnt put anything past Casserly with Sharper, Foreman, and now Glenn being released. So if i was Walker this means he needs to have a really good season.

The difference between the Sharper, Foreman and Glenn situations vs. Walker's situation is all in the cap effect. With Sharper, Foreman and Glenn the Texans saved money on the cap this year in each instance. With Walker, they would actually take up more money by releasing him than keeping him--$4.04 mil for him to play this season, $9.19 to release him. Basically what you would be doing is paying $5 mil of cap space in order to free a roster spot. In 2006 he will still be cheaper to pay than release cap wise--in 2007 he will be in Glenn's situation--some savings, but not a whole lot.