Who will have the most sacks on the Texans in 2012?

[Rey]

I'm not a merci fan, but i think he will get about 5 sacks.

I think barwin is going to be a terror if he stays healthy.

If he goes down I don't really like reed or merciless to bring consistent heat off the edge though I'm expecting reed to be better this year.

[ckhouston]

We will have two, and possibly three players with double digit sacks come year end. Barwin, Reed, Mercilus, and Watt all have a chance to shine.

I am taking Reed as my darkhorse, because Barwin will get lots of attention and Reed will play more snaps than "he who shows no mercy".

Reed with 18
Barwin with 15
Watt or Mercy-Less with 10

[TimeKiller]

My initial thought is Barwin but when I start thinking about it....I start thinking about all the crazy pass rush combos one could design. Here's one:

DBs play man or cover 2
Cushing roams the middle of the field, dropping, spying or blitzing based on what he sees.
Your line....Mercilus, Barwin, Crick, Smith, Watt, Reed, pack the line tight and let loose the dogs of war.

One thing is for sure, you play like that you are either going to swallow offenses whole or get burned. I seriously can't wait to see them send the house at Gabbert heheheeeeee!!!!

[Thorn]

The defense is gonna be awsome this year. It's going to be a lot of fun watching them tear up offensive lines. My guess is Watt or Barwin have the most sacks this year.

[Allstar]

Originally Posted by Quick II Draw

Reed or Mercilus, whoever wins the starting WOLB spot

Barwin plays the Will. Reed is the Sam.

[Corrosion]

Barwin ....

[GP]

JJ Watt.

And the rest is NFL history.

He becomes a mega-star in 2012 and every sports merchandise marketing department in the world wants him endorsing their stuff after the season is over. He's got it all: Hard worker, loves to inspire others to dream and work hard, clean cut guy, natural in front of the cameras, on and on and on....

[eriadoc]

I can see Watt being a terror on the DL much like Sapp was during hi sprime years. Like Sapp, however, he just doesn't play the position to be able to put up 18 sacks or something like that. Barwin and Reed/Mercilus do.

I think Watt will be one of the biggest reasons Barwin leads the team, and maybe the AFC, in sacks.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Texecutioner

When I see that Mercilus had 16 sacks and 9 FF's though, I just cringe at the kinds of plays I'm expecting out of this guy. I just don't see how any other team will have a better pass rush than what the Texans will have.

I agree that Mercilus is going to flourish in Wade's system, and Barwin might even get more sacks. But J.J. Watt is the one that's got me excited. He was just a BEAST during the playoff games, and even though he might not get as many sacks as the linebackers, his disruption of the OL will allow some of those sacks to take place.

After going so many years of watching this team not having an effective pass rush, to finally see them have one just makes all the difference In the world.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I can see Watt being a terror on the DL much like Sapp was during hi sprime years. Like Sapp, however, he just doesn't play the position to be able to put up 18 sacks or something like that. Barwin and Reed/Mercilus do.

I think Watt will be one of the biggest reasons Barwin leads the team, and maybe the AFC, in sacks.

This.

Exactly, this.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Quick II Draw

Reed or Mercilus, whoever wins the starting ... spot

Somebody above mentioned Mercilus being a 1st round pick and the Texans will want to start him. Bunk. I don't think there will even be a competition. You can call it 1st v. 2nd round but he and Reed were only 16 picks apart and Reed has a very successful year under his belt. It's Reed's job and Mercilus will be rotating and providing formation flexibility as a rookie.

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I can see Watt being a terror on the DL much like Sapp was during hi sprime years. Like Sapp, however, he just doesn't play the position to be able to put up 18 sacks or something like that. Barwin and Reed/Mercilus do.

I think Watt will be one of the biggest reasons Barwin leads the team, and maybe the AFC, in sacks.

Yup.

[SteveSlaton20]

Barwin

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Barwin. He was never fit to be a 4-3 DE. He's really going to blossom into an elite OLB i think this coming year.

I am predicting a 16 sack season.

huh? lol, even in the 3-4, barwin still has his hands down like he'd be in the 4-3, just only on nickel and dime. really doesn't make any sense. oh, and he played in a 4-3 defense in college, so that tells you he can play in both systems.

[HJam72]

Arian Foster. Someone will discover that he is a sack machine and have him play on D too. Every time someone tries to block him, he will just "cut-back" and run into the QB.

[VTexan]

Originally Posted by GP

JJ Watt.

And the rest is NFL history.

He becomes a mega-star in 2012 and every sports merchandise marketing department in the world wants him endorsing their stuff after the season is over. He's got it all: Hard worker, loves to inspire others to dream and work hard, clean cut guy, natural in front of the cameras, on and on and on....

bottoms up, mate!

[dinkatoid]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

I can see Watt being a terror on the DL much like Sapp was during hi sprime years. Like Sapp, however, he just doesn't play the position to be able to put up 18 sacks or something like that. Barwin and Reed/Mercilus do.

I think Watt will be one of the biggest reasons Barwin leads the team, and maybe the AFC, in sacks.

As several others have pointed out, Watt is a monster, but his position isn't set up to be a sack machine. He gets them when plays break down, but mostly he helps us clock up running lanes, eats up blockers, and pushes the pocket. Basically, the more of a beast Watt becomes, the better Barwin becomes. I think it will definitely be an OLB that leads the team in sacks.

While we will be rotating OLBs, I figure Barwin sees the most playing time, with the majority of the rotating between Reed and Merciless. However, I do not expect him to have a 16 sack season or anything, due to rotation and the way we rush. I expect it to be a team effort, where Barwin has like 10-12 sacks, Merciless and Reed have like 6-8 each, and then Watt/Smith each have like 4-6. I expect them all to be pretty close together, and then a few guys to get 1-2 each on broken plays.

[Dutchrudder]

I'm gonna go with Connor Barwin, because I think Reed and Merc will be rotating together. I know Watt will have a great year and all, but when was the last time a 3-4 DE got a 15 sacks in a year? I think Watt will be a lot like Haloti Ngata, causing disruption and putting pressure on the QB, but not getting a lot of sacks. Ngata's best year for sacks was 5.5, which is what Watt had last year. I see Watt as more of a 5-8 sack guy, who causes a lot of disruption and frees up the OLBs to make the plays on the QB.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I agree that Mercilus is going to flourish in Wade's system, and Barwin might even get more sacks. But J.J. Watt is the one that's got me excited. He was just a BEAST during the playoff games, and even though he might not get as many sacks as the linebackers, his disruption of the OL will allow some of those sacks to take place.

After going so many years of watching this team not having an effective pass rush, to finally see them have one just makes all the difference In the world.

I know man, it's crazy to think that we're going into the season knowing without a doubt that we'll have a top 3 pass rush in the league. I'm thinking #1 for sure at this point honestly. It's just a matter of how great these guys will be and how many sacks at the end of the year. We had so many years with such a complete lack luster pass rush even with Mario on this team, and now we've got a group of Barbarians foaming at the mouth to hit the QB. I love it!!!!

The question in the title of this thread is really a pretty tough one, because it could be one of several guys.

[GP]

One day when Watt is President Of Football, because of his 21-sack season in 2012, he and I will remember this slight you have made here.

I, as his Director of Punishment, will search this thread and mete out the proper discipline. And there will be no appeals process.

[VTexan]

Originally Posted by GP

One day when Watt is President Of Football, because of his 21-sack season in 2012, he and I will remember this slight you have made here.

I, as his Director of Punishment, will search this thread and mete out the proper discipline. And there will be no appeals process.

it appears we are injecting it straight into his system!

[2slik4u]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Barwin. He was never fit to be a 4-3 DE. He's really going to blossom into an elite OLB i think this coming year.

I am predicting a 16 sack season.

And then we will let him walk and draft his replacement...