Are the 2012 Texans better than the 2011 Texans?

[Rey]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Maybe we're not as bad off on the O-Line as we think we are?

You know, the more I've seen from newt the more I like him. He has a lit of things he needs to clean up technique wise but his physical ability is top notch. The guy is strong, big, good feet and at athletic.

I expect him to have some WTF moments out there no doubt. But I also expect him to have his fair share of moments where he looks great.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

I'm still baffled by his release. Frankly, I still can't figure out why he was not in competition for the starting RG position.

Because he wasn't as consistent as Caldwell even going against back ups.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

I'm still baffled by his release. Frankly, I still can't figure out why he was not in competition for the starting RG position.

It came down to numbers , keeping 3 QB's and 6 WR's .... you arent able to keep 9-10 OL.

I was really hoping he would pass waivers and go back to the PS so he could replace Wade Smith next season.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Rey

You know, the more I've seen from newt the more I like him. He has a lit of things he needs to clean up technique wise but his physical ability is top notch. The guy is strong, big, good feet and at athletic.

I expect him to have some WTF moments out there no doubt. But I also expect him to have his fair share of moments where he looks great.

I've been kind of a Newt fan for a while. Even his holding penalty where he took the guy and flipped him heels over head and slammed him into the ground... I'm not totally sure that was a hold.

He hasn't been as consistent as I'd like but I'm expecting kinda great things from him this season. Maybe even better than Winston.

I think our RG spot will eventually be better than Brisiel (although maybe not until the end of the season) as Brooks OR Jones develops -- I've actually got high hopes for Jones, too.

If you take that with the fact that I think that our WR corps has improved, not just a little bit but a WHOLE lot... I think we could be a better team overall than we were last year. I really do.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

I've been kind of a Newt fan for a while. Even his holding penalty where he took the guy and flipped him heels over head and slammed him into the ground... I'm not totally sure that was a hold.

He hasn't been as consistent as I'd like but I'm expecting kinda great things from him this season. Maybe even better than Winston.

I think our RG spot will eventually be better than Brisiel (although maybe not until the end of the season) as Brooks OR Jones develops -- I've actually got high hopes for Jones, too.

If you take that with the fact that I think that our WR corps has improved, not just a little bit but a WHOLE lot... I think we could be a better team overall than we were last year. I really do.

At least he didnt let him get anywhere near his QB. If you are gonna hold .... dont get your QB hit in the process .... and if you are gonna get beat , hold and keep your QB's uniform clean.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Corrosion

It came down to numbers , keeping 3 QB's and 6 WR's .... you arent able to keep 9-10 OL.

I was really hoping he would pass waivers and go back to the PS so he could replace Wade Smith next season.

To sign Harris, they could've dumped Gardner... While that would leave them with only 3 tackles, a number of their guards could play tackle in an emergency (at least as well as Gardner)... including S.Smith.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

To sign Harris, they could've dumped Gardner... While that would leave them with only 3 tackles, a number of their guards could play tackle in an emergency (at least as well as Gardner)... including S.Smith.

I really dont expect Gardner to stay around now that they signed Harris .... First time they need a roster spot , he'll be the one to go , and might go sooner than that once Harris is up to speed in the offense / scheme which shouldnt take long since he's been in a zone scheme , he'll just be learning terminology.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Corrosion

I really dont expect Gardner to stay around now that they signed Harris .... First time they need a roster spot , he'll be the one to go , and might go sooner than that once Harris is up to speed in the offense / scheme which shouldnt take long since he's been in a zone scheme , he'll just be learning terminology.

He was drafted by Shanahan and had Dennison as his OC at one point. I don't think it's going to take Harris long to get up to speed.

If he can still "do it", he brings a lot of talent and experience to this line. He could supplant Newton although I think Newton's going to get it together as the season goes along.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

The team playing against the 'Phins a week from today IS NOT as talented as the team that started the 2011 season against the Colts.

^^^^
But if Schaub and AJ stay healthy all yr, then YES they will be more talented by the end of the yr. That's when it all comes together and the Texans win the Lombardi. YES!!!!!! finally

[281]

This team is a lot more promising at WR, but the departures at OL and LB are a bit unnerving. Also, I'm a little uncomfortable with the likes of Keo and Ball seeing the field on defense. Like Vinny said, this will be a good team, but we'll see what happens.

[TheMatrix31]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

I've been kind of a Newt fan for a while.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

To sign Harris, they could've dumped Gardner... While that would leave them with only 3 tackles, a number of their guards could play tackle in an emergency (at least as well as Gardner)... including S.Smith.

It's time to get over Shelley, dale. How about Derek Newton? Starters need love, too.

Originally Posted by Marcus

That's kind of a mindblower right there. We're going into the season with a suspect O line, yet we waive 4 O linemen and they are all picked up.

A lot of fringe backups, but not a lot of starting material. Sort of like the Rockets the past few years. Young guys like Newton, Jones, and Brooks need to grow up quickly.

[thunderkyss]

We're doomed!!!!


Doomed I tell ya!!

[TheRealJoker]

The entire defense had an offseason learning Wade's system. Most of our key players on D are young. That alone makes this team better than 2011.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Lucky

A lot of fringe backups, but not a lot of starting material. Sort of like the Rockets the past few years. Young guys like Newton, Jones, and Brooks need to grow up quickly.

Yeah, but still it's a little strange. I mean, unless I'm mistaking the rules, anyone who gets picked up on waivers, makes that team's 53 man roster.

With all the jabbering going on about how 'suspect' our own O line is, you wouldn't figure that 4 O linemen that got released would end up making 4 other team's final rosters. Something is little off there. I mean, one of them got picked up by the Patriots, for crying out loud.

[DocBar]

All in all, I'll take this years roster over last years.

This years team is fielding a bunch of serious go-getters that never quit on D and the WR corps would have to actively try to be worse than last seasons group, minus AJ.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Marcus

With all the jabbering going on about how 'suspect' our own O line is, you wouldn't figure that 4 O linemen that got released would end up making 4 other team's final rosters. Something is little off there. I mean, one of them got picked up by the Patriots, for crying out loud.

You are correct that a player claimed off waivers becomes part of the 53 man roster. But the guys picked up (Smith, Menkin, Austin, and Wallace) were never in contention for a starting position, here. Nor are they vying for 1st team with their new clubs, who have struggling lines of their own.

The issue with the Texans o-line, now, is experience on the right side. Newton is a 1st year starter, and Caldwell has never stepped up and grabbed the starting spot. I believe the Texans thought Brooks would claim the job, but he was farther away than anticipated. If they had it to do over again, I think they would have worked Ben Jones at RG sooner. I think the Texans o-line will improve over the course of the season, but there will be bumps in the road.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Marcus

With all the jabbering going on about how 'suspect' our own O line is, you wouldn't figure that 4 O linemen that got released would end up making 4 other team's final rosters. Something is little off there. I mean, one of them got picked up by the Patriots, for crying out loud.

First, it's not like those teams are known for their excellent OLs, they've had issues as well & may see it as a strength of our team. You know, you get LBs from Baltimore, WRs from Green Bay, etc...

Second. maybe if professional scouts have identified our OL cast-offs as potential players, maybe we're overly sensitive to our OL issues. I know it's a weird idea, but maybe Smith, Kubiak, Dennison, Benton, & Ryan know what they're doing.

Maybe.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

First, it's not like those teams are known for their excellent OLs, they've had issues as well & may see it as a strength of our team. You know, you get LBs from Baltimore, WRs from Green Bay, etc...

Second. maybe if professional scouts have identified our OL cast-offs as potential players, maybe we're overly sensitive to our OL issues. I know it's a weird idea, but maybe Smith, Kubiak, Dennison, Benton, & Ryan know what they're doing.

Maybe.

Dude.

Listen to what you're saying.

Who in the universe could possibly know more about the OL than... well... us?

[HOU-TEX]

Even if we did have a better team this season, it's unlikely to show it in the W/L column. Our schedule is much more difficult this season than last. How many great QBS did we play against last season other than Brees? Yup.

This season we'll be facing darn near the entire QB "elite" class. My hope for this season is winning the division to give us a shot in the playoffs. I'm not expecting the 11, 12, 13 win season like most are predicting