Pretty disappointing draft

[badboy]

Ok , I get it that Smithiak prefers CBs that can run forward and bang someone but aren't our linebackers suppose to do most of that? FS has been identified for years as a weak position and we pull a trick like last draft with RB and don't draft one? Jackson is not a cover guy but a Dunta clone just a tad faster. Only Texans had him rated higher than Wilson or McCourty. Will he start? Yeah probably. Was he best choice? Well, we will never know. We trade down and get an extra 3rd then have to punt it away to move back into second round to get Tate? Wow, that is a good trade. Oh, right we did get another 4th (was it spent wisely?) and a 5th to replace what we gave away but wait; we moved up 8 spots for drum roll please Cb Sherrick McManus! Uh, who? Most of you know that I do a lot of research and RMartin65, Beerlover and I did countless hours of research in putting together mocks for this draft and when Texans drafted him was first time I ever heard his name. Draft day picks as rounds develop:

1.Texans: Kareem Jackson 5'10 196 4.40 great within 20 yards and better not guess wrong or he will never catch up.
Badboy: Kyle Wilson 5'10" 194 4.43 bump & run and cover guy that can close with a burst.

2. Texans: Ben Tate 5'11"220 4.4 ok a strong,fast guy & we get an extra 3rd not knowing we'd give it away immediately. Boy, did that look stupid. Still, 3rd best back on my board.
Badboy: Toby Gerhart 6' 231 4.5s He is sitting right there! Dennison said both were rated even and if we could have gotten Tate and kept the 3rd, brilliant. But we didn't. So much for TG versus Jonathan Dwyer.

3.Texans: Earl Mitchell 6'3" 296 &fast. Guess we will see if he can get through the middle. This isn't Barwin speeding in from the outside. If it works, great move! If it doesn't, someone should be taken to the woodshed. Pretty risky for a 3rd.
Badboy: We had Mike Johnson, Rennie Curran (OLB) and Tony Moeaki there.
I really considered the OLB but thought TE bigger need as I don't have medical info on how our vets are doing. My Pick:Moeaki6'3" 245 great receiver, needs to work on blocking. An OD clone if you will.

4.A Sharpton5'11"236 ILB to convert to Will. I really like this guy but not a need position nor BPA.
Badboy: #118 Owusu-Ansah 6'207 4.41 CB/FS/KR This was my FS and back up corner. BTW, Ed Campo of Dallas is saying he is the FS.http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/24/2140336/dallas-cowboys-draft-pick-from.html
Ansah also averaged 30 yards as a senior on kick returns.
4b. Garrett Graham similar to OD but in my draft we have better TE with Moeaki. I have no 4th as I did not trade.

5. Texans:McManus, I covered above.
Badboy: Rashad Jones 6'1"214 4.51 I was stunned he was here and he had a 3-4 th round range. Can play SS to back Pollard or FS. Fast, hard hitter.

6a Texans: Shelley Smith a throw away pick that will not beat out any of current OGs.
Badboy: David Gettis WR 6'3" 217 pro day 40 4.39 and does not have to convert from TE. 52 receptions 3 TDs. Big guy in Red Zone who could make one of current WRs obsolete. Had him on one of my earliest mocks. *Note Jonathan Dwyer was still available and I almost went with him as I wanted one more back in TC.
6b Trindon Holliday: I almost fell out of my chair, RMartin65 pick this guy from way back when and we put him on our final mock.
Badboy:To be honest due to his small size I really looked hard for another player but this kid should be great. I hope he keeps his Blue Cross/Blue SHield premium paid up.

7.DD ok but you know who I mean. I am ok with this pick but with Gettis who is better, we could go with my guy.
Badboy: Jeff Owen DT 6'1" 304 4.94 40. 65 and Beerlover researched the heck out of this guy and he is super strong and Pepto's (stops) the runs. We had him as high as 4th and would have been a steal. I'll put him against Mitchell especially comparing where each was selected.

I was expecting to come out today bragging on how the Texans had shut up all the critics with an outstanding draft. That did not happen.

Rating- C that I meritoriously moved up to C+ for Smith accepting RMartin65's telephone call and going with his itty bitty missile, Holliday.

 

[GP]

I think our Round 1 and Round 2 picks will be consistent performers.

Round 3 is where there might be trouble. Our history of drafting DTs is awful.

After Round 3, I think it's a crap shoot no matter who is taken, or why he was taken. I think some players succeed, where others might fail, because of how well they match up for the offense or defense system they're plugged into.

If Smithiak selected players less on "project" and more on "gameday readiness" then I'm good with who we took. I actually like this draft better than last year's, with the exception of the Cushing pick which will never be matched. It was an Andre Johnson type of pick, IMO. Should have been so obvious, but 14 teams before us were blinded somehow.

Thanks for the analysis. You obviously put a lot of work into it, as did some others you mentioned. Next year, it would be cool to have you guys writing weekly discussion "Question & Answer" columns for this board (to discuss potential draft picks with the rest of us).

 

[eriadoc]

The team has had the same three weaknesses forever: poor secondary (specifically as it relates to the big play and lack of creating a big play), no interior pass rush (those smaller, quick, agile DTs are really working out, huh?), and no running game when it counts. The running game has had moments, but I don't think adding Tate, a 6th round G, and 7 TEs is going to help get the short yardage. We'll see. I'm cautiously more optimistic about the running game being fixed than I am the other two areas.

So if this draft yields a bunch of good players, I still don't see those 3 key areas being resolved. It's like having 25 stud pitchers on your major league roster. That's great, but who hits?

 

[Second Honeymoon]

Who dare speak ill of Rick and Gary?
Not surprised that it came from someone who understands the draft and how valuable each pick is and how important it is to have a coherent vision that addresses areas of critical need. Worrying about special teams in the draft when there are areas of still critical need on this roster.

We still need a center.
Center. Free safety. Guard. Tight End. Oh wait, we're set for life on TEs.

 

[Carr Bombed]

Who dare speak ill of Rick and Gary?
Not surprised that it came from someone who understands the draft and how valuable each pick is and how important it is to have a coherent vision that addresses areas of critical need. Worrying about special teams in the draft when there are areas of still critical need on this roster.

We still need a center.
Center. Free safety. Guard. Tight End. Oh wait, we're set for life on TEs.

If you're talking about Trindon Holliday.....well STs is 1 third of the game and having a explosive returner who can take one to the house on any given return can single handedly win you games. Every time we've given Joe Marciano a explosive returner our STs have been tops in the league. I love the Holliday pick...Andre Davis NEEDED to be replaced, so that was a CRITICAL need. You give this offense a short field and they're going to do some serious damage.

Also people need to get over the TEs......we picked one TE and a TE who was one of the most complete TEs in the draft and a guy who gets compared to Owen Daniels. I hate to tell people this, but I think this will be Owen Daniels last year as a Texan, if the team is already looking towards the future how can anybody be down on them for addressing the need this year?

 

[Dutchrudder]

If you're talking about Trindon Holliday.....well STs is 1 third of the game and having a explosive returner who can take one to the house on any given return can single handedly win you games. Every time we've given Joe Marciano a explosive returner our STs have been tops in the league. I love the Holliday pick...Andre Davis NEEDED to be replaced, so that was a CRITICAL need. You give this offense a short field and they're going to do some serious damage.

Also people need to get over the TEs......we picked one TE and a TE who was one of the most complete TEs in the draft and a guy who gets compared to Owen Daniels. I hate to tell people this, but I think this will be Owen Daniels last year as a Texan, if the team is already looking towards the future how can anybody be down on them for addressing the need this year?

I think he's referring the ILB pick in the 4th who has already been deemed a special teams player and back up LB. He will compete for a LB job, but likely won't be the starter in 2010. I have to agree on that one if that's what he's referring to. I don't like the pick either, and I think he could have been picked later in the 4th or 5th. We needed a big 2-gap DT in the 3rd and pass rushing DT in the 4th to help fix the line. DT is still a weakness for this team, just like it has been since 2002.

If he's complaining about Holliday, the late 6th pick, well then I guess he's just being nitpicky. I like that pick myself, but I also see how he can be an impact player for this team and possibly replace the aging Andre Davis. To me that was a good value considering the draft position.

 

[Goldensilence]

Ok , I get it that Smithiak prefers CBs that can run forward and bang someone but aren't our linebackers suppose to do most of that? FS has been identified for years as a weak position and we pull a trick like last draft with RB and don't draft one? Jackson is not a cover guy but a Dunta clone just a tad faster. Only Texans had him rated higher than Wilson or McCourty. Will he start? Yeah probably. Was he best choice? Well, we will never know. We trade down and get an extra 3rd then have to punt it away to move back into second round to get Tate? Wow, that is a good trade. Oh, right we did get another 4th (was it spent wisely?) and a 5th to replace what we gave away but wait; we moved up 8 spots for drum roll please Cb Sherrick McManus! Uh, who? Most of you know that I do a lot of research and RMartin65, Beerlover and I did countless hours of research in putting together mocks for this draft and when Texans drafted him was first time I ever heard his name. Draft day picks as rounds develop:

1.Texans: Kareem Jackson 5'10 196 4.40 great within 20 yards and better not guess wrong or he will never catch up.
Badboy: Kyle Wilson 5'10" 194 4.43 bump & run and cover guy that can close with a burst.

I'm not huge on the pick, but at least pleased they put a premium on improving the back end of the defense. Only problem I have with your analysis is you have Jackson running a 4.40 saying he won't catch up to people, and Kyle Wilson as 4.43. Seems to contradict a little.

I'm not a big fan of Nick Saban the person, but his defensive guys usually come to the NFL ready to play.

2. Texans: Ben Tate 5'11"220 4.4 ok a strong,fast guy & we get an extra 3rd not knowing we'd give it away immediately. Boy, did that look stupid. Still, 3rd best back on my board.
Badboy: Toby Gerhart 6' 231 4.5s He is sitting right there! Dennison said both were rated even and if we could have gotten Tate and kept the 3rd, brilliant. But we didn't. So much for TG versus Jonathan Dwyer.

I think Tate is a much better fit for what the Texans offense does. Gerhart doesn't have a good history of being a target out of the backfield. Not saying he was asked to at Standford or that he can't be one. Just right out of the box I think Tate's skill set fits better.

In the end I think it's going to be hard to make the comparison because Gerhart will do good in Minnesota where they aren't going to ask him to be the guy, he's not going to be called on to be a weapon out of the backfield, and he's going to have an OL in front of him that is capable of opening big holes in the running game.

3.Texans: Earl Mitchell 6'3" 296 &fast. Guess we will see if he can get through the middle. This isn't Barwin speeding in from the outside. If it works, great move! If it doesn't, someone should be taken to the woodshed. Pretty risky for a 3rd.
Badboy: We had Mike Johnson, Rennie Curran (OLB) and Tony Moeaki there.
I really considered the OLB but thought TE bigger need as I don't have medical info on how our vets are doing. My Pick:Moeaki6'3" 245 great receiver, needs to work on blocking. An OD clone if you will.

TE isn't a need and I'm not sure Moeaki is the BPA at this point. Agree on the risk of taking Mitchell here. Looks like is sticking to smaller DL and hoping to get they shoot gaps as opposed getting a push up the middle.So far the resutls haven't been spectacular.However, you know Gary and Rick can't help but gamble on draft day because they don't make big moves in FA.

My choice would've been Johnson.

4.A Sharpton5'11"236 ILB to convert to Will. I really like this guy but not a need position nor BPA.
Badboy: #118 Owusu-Ansah 6'207 4.41 CB/FS/KR This was my FS and back up corner. BTW, Ed Campo of Dallas is saying he is the FS.http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/24/2140336/dallas-cowboys-draft-pick-from.html
Ansah also averaged 30 yards as a senior on kick returns.
4b. Garrett Graham similar to OD but in my draft we have better TE with Moeaki. I have no 4th as I did not trade.

4aAt the moment I am in full agreement on he's not BPA or at a strong need position. Guy I would've picked is Bruce Campbell. Worst case scenario the guy becomes the 4th tackle on the team and if Brown doesn't work out next year we have a nice prospect in the fold.

4b. Guess the FO is really concerned about the state of our TEs. From reports I've heard OD is on schedule. Looks like last year's pick of Casey hasn't worked out well as the FO thought it might. Didn't like it anyway. I would've looked at Al Woods here.


5. Texans:McManus, I covered above.
Badboy: Rashad Jones 6'1"214 4.51 I was stunned he was here and he had a 3-4 th round range. Can play SS to back Pollard or FS. Fast, hard hitter.

Would be fine with Johnson here, Also would've like Petrus from Ark or Matt Tennant C from BC.

Not sure McManus is BPA and we're going to have a hard time wedding out CBs at this point.

6a Texans: Shelley Smith a throw away pick that will not beat out any of current OGs.
Badboy: David Gettis WR 6'3" 217 pro day 40 4.39 and does not have to convert from TE. 52 receptions 3 TDs. Big guy in Red Zone who could make one of current WRs obsolete. Had him on one of my earliest mocks. *Note Jonathan Dwyer was still available and I almost went with him as I wanted one more back in TC.
6b Trindon Holliday: I almost fell out of my chair, RMartin65 pick this guy from way back when and we put him on our final mock.
Badboy:To be honest due to his small size I really looked hard for another player but this kid should be great. I hope he keeps his Blue Cross/Blue SHield premium paid up.

6aI have a shallow bit of hope Smith can compete with one of the OG and upgrade the spot even a little. Not going to hold my breath though.

I actually thought Tony Pike would've been a good pickup here seeing as we don't have a 3rd that I know of. Pike's got a chance to develop here.

6b. Ecstatic with this pick. The guy has speed to burn and will add a spark to the team. I think he'll be a huge weapon in the return game and as TC rolls on I just feel like the staff is going to have to try and find ways to get this guy the ball. Yeah he's small, but he's tough, has survived in SEC and will be killer on screen plays and can turn dump off passes into big gains.

Easily my favorite pick of this draft.

7.DD ok but you know who I mean. I am ok with this pick but with Gettis who is better, we could go with my guy.
Badboy: Jeff Owen DT 6'1" 304 4.94 40. 65 and Beerlover researched the heck out of this guy and he is super strong and Pepto's (stops) the runs. We had him as high as 4th and would have been a steal. I'll put him against Mitchell especially comparing where each was selected.

Really at this point no problem with the pick. Perhaps Dickerson can compete for a roster spot. Seems to have good speed and size.

I was expecting to come out today bragging on how the Texans had shut up all the critics with an outstanding draft. That did not happen.

Rating- C that I meritoriously moved up to C+ for Smith accepting RMartin65's telephone call and going with his itty bitty missile, Holliday.

Really I too was hoping the FO would come out and nail this draft seeing as how several of the teams we're slated to play next year have gotten better this offseason.

I'm left knowing we got BETTER, I'm just wondering how much and if it'll be enough.

 

[Dutchrudder]

Really I too was hoping the FO would come out and nail this draft seeing as how several of the teams we're slated to play next year have gotten better this offseason.

I'm left knowing we got BETTER, I'm just wondering how much and if it'll be enough.

Well, the only silver lining of this draft to me is that it seems we had a better draft than the rest of our division. If nothing else, we can pull away from the Jags and Titans to contest with the Colts for the division title this year. They play nearly the same opponents as we do, so hopefully they will have just as much trouble as us with the NFC East.

 

[Blake]

Thanks badboy for the draft thoughts. Rep.

You are either going to look brilliant, or lose a little draft cred in 2-3 years. Either way your words have been marked!

 

[disaacks3]

Only Texans had him rated higher than Wilson or McCourty.

Hey, I wasn't stupefyingly thrilled with all the Texans selections, but where do you get the idea that only the Texans had Jackson rated highest at the time? Good lord, even Kiper had him rated as the highest CB available at the time and his choices aren't exactly secret.

If we got a legitimate #1 CB in the first round, we've improved (Dunta was nobody's #1 but us)

 

[Goldensilence]

Well, the only silver lining of this draft to me is that it seems we had a better draft than the rest of our division. If nothing else, we can pull away from the Jags and Titans to contest with the Colts for the division title this year. They play nearly the same opponents as we do, so hopefully they will have just as much trouble as us with the NFC East.

I do think we drafted better than The Jags and Titans. If we can sweep those two I think we have a shot at a decent record next year. Problem with the Colts drafts are at the outset they don't look impressive necessarily, but they do well to identify players that fits their needs and fit well with what they want to do. Oh yeah, and they still have Manning under center and two young WRs to go along with Wayne and Dallas Clark.

Do hope the NFC East helps beat up the rest of the division for us.

 

[TexCanada]

To the original post:
Ok I mean this as a totally honest question: have you looked back on previous drafts and looked at players you thought were good late round picks? Have they had any success?

I don't mean to sound like I'm taking one side or the other here, just wondering how successful you have been in the past at the scouting game.

 

[badboy]

I think our Round 1 and Round 2 picks will be consistent performers.

Round 3 is where there might be trouble. Our history of drafting DTs is awful.

After Round 3, I think it's a crap shoot no matter who is taken, or why he was taken. I think some players succeed, where others might fail, because of how well they match up for the offense or defense system they're plugged into.

If Smithiak selected players less on "project" and more on "gameday readiness" then I'm good with who we took. I actually like this draft better than last year's, with the exception of the Cushing pick which will never be matched. It was an Andre Johnson type of pick, IMO. Should have been so obvious, but 14 teams before us were blinded somehow.

Thanks for the analysis. You obviously put a lot of work into it, as did some others you mentioned. Next year, it would be cool to have you guys writing weekly discussion "Question & Answer" columns for this board (to discuss potential draft picks with the rest of us).

Awesome suggestion and thanks for the compliment. Not sure RMartin65 and Beerlover want to go through that again but I just love it. Of course I did not learn from my first divorce either. Maybe you could drop me a pm after this season ends to remind me. I understand also about the "get them on the field NOW" mentality but then again, maybe we should not be in that position? I have for the most part defended Kubiak and Rick Smith but they really need to turn it up and I am not sure this draft will do that. I still love our over all roster but...

 

[badboy]

The team has had the same three weaknesses forever: poor secondary (specifically as it relates to the big play and lack of creating a big play), no interior pass rush (those smaller, quick, agile DTs are really working out, huh?), and no running game when it counts. The running game has had moments, but I don't think adding Tate, a 6th round G, and 7 TEs is going to help get the short yardage. We'll see. I'm cautiously more optimistic about the running game being fixed than I am the other two areas.

So if this draft yields a bunch of good players, I still don't see those 3 key areas being resolved. It's like having 25 stud pitchers on your major league roster. That's great, but who hits?

Very well put. I have advocated a big DT to stop the run and push the center back into the QB to disrupt. Sacks are great from the middle but take what we can get. Then, the new D coaches were able to stop the run so to be fair, I had to shut up. If we could get our DEs to get the sacks, I'd be ok with smaller DTs. Just not sure how a fast, smaller DT gets past the mashed tater eaters on the other side.

Free safety? Once we knew Earl Thomas was gone, I thought we would draft for FS 4-5th rounds. I was focused on Robert Johnson Utah who went about where I projected him and was stunned on Rashad Jones. He is going to be a player if he does not hurt himself crashing into opponents. I think he want to be a bulldozer after football is over.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

To the original post:
Ok I mean this as a totally honest question: have you looked back on previous drafts and looked at players you thought were good late round picks? Have they had any success?

I don't mean to sound like I'm taking one side or the other here, just wondering how successful you have been in the past at the scouting game.

I think what we do ... me included ... is watch some games , youtube videos , and read from some guys who may not know much , and get names . When these names start falling and we pick a guy that Joe Blow ranked lower ... we panic . Then we pick a position that we feel is not a need and all hell breaks lose .

Right now you can't get to up or to down about the draft because nobody knows what's going to happen with these players . So I'll just wait and see and hopefully we get 4-5 guys who contribute alot this year .

 

[Brandon420tx]

Maybe we're still really high on Troy Nolan

 

[Goldensilence]

Maybe we're still really high on Troy Nolan

Can't see how you can be high on a guy that was injured his entire rookie year. IMO this is Brandon Harrison 2.0.

IMO they're banking a LOT on Wilson being healthy this year and I think that's a mistake.

 

[badboy]

Who dare speak ill of Rick and Gary?
Not surprised that it came from someone who understands the draft and how valuable each pick is and how important it is to have a coherent vision that addresses areas of critical need. Worrying about special teams in the draft when there are areas of still critical need on this roster.
We still need a center.
Center. Free safety. Guard. Tight End. Oh wait, we're set for life on TEs.

Two guys I had focused on for center JD Walton and Eric Olsen were selected by Denver. Imagine that. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1114124?tag=pageRow;pageContainer

Your statement in bold is on target. I alomst wished we drafted someone who was extremely good but not projected to play on ST.

 

[badboy]

If you're talking about Trindon Holliday.....well STs is 1 third of the game and having a explosive returner who can take one to the house on any given return can single handedly win you games. Every time we've given Joe Marciano a explosive returner our STs have been tops in the league. I love the Holliday pick...Andre Davis NEEDED to be replaced, so that was a CRITICAL need. You give this offense a short field and they're going to do some serious damage.

Also people need to get over the TEs......we picked one TE and a TE who was one of the most complete TEs in the draft and a guy who gets compared to Owen Daniels. I hate to tell people this, but I think this will be Owen Daniels last year as a Texan, if the team is already looking towards the future how can anybody be down on them for addressing the need this year?

Not to speak for Sh but I thought his comments were directed at every player we look at has to be able to play special teams. Not necessarily a bad thing but go get great players. If they can play ST ok. Holliday is exceptional at what he does. 65 and Beerlover and I think he will make a positive impact every game. How many Texans do that?

 

[badboy]

I think he's referring the ILB pick in the 4th who has already been deemed a special teams player and back up LB. He will compete for a LB job, but likely won't be the starter in 2010. I have to agree on that one if that's what he's referring to. I don't like the pick either, and I think he could have been picked later in the 4th or 5th. We needed a big 2-gap DT in the 3rd and pass rushing DT in the 4th to help fix the line. DT is still a weakness for this team, just like it has been since 2002.

If he's complaining about Holliday, the late 6th pick, well then I guess he's just being nitpicky. I like that pick myself, but I also see how he can be an impact player for this team and possibly replace the aging Andre Davis. To me that was a good value considering the draft position.

Most of the good big DTs were gone by our original 2nd round pick and many fans are ok with a RB, but I do feel your pain.

 

[badboy]

Really I too was hoping the FO would come out and nail this draft seeing as how several of the teams we're slated to play next year have gotten better this offseason.

I'm left knowing we got BETTER, I'm just wondering how much and if it'll be enough.

Gs, I'm running out of time at work so will address your ? on 40 speeds. They do seem to contradict but in watching the two guys play, Wilson gets back into a play much quicker. Personally, I think it is his instincts. He seems to subconciously know when he is getting beat and his body kicks into "CATCH UP!" mode really fast. If you watched NFL Total Access they replayed Wilson being beat and then he bursts back into right corner of field and perfectly positioned his body to interupr the ball. It bounced off his shoulder. Perfect example of what I look for in a player.

Jackson seems to hesitate just barely as if mentally talking to himself that he just got beat and then starts to go after the guy. Hopefully, he can be coached out of that. We all have heard that an elite corner has ability to erase that mental chalk board after giving up a play. Wilson seems to do that.

 

[Grid]

lets try not to lose sight of the fact that we had an awesome offense last year DESPITE the lack of a running game. And we have addressed our running game a bit so if it is even a marginal improvement over last season, our offense is going to be even better.

On defense we struggled but we HAVE picked up a ready to play rookie CB and possibly a pass rushing DT.

We lost how many games by less than a touchdown last season?

I feel like we showed last season that we can compete with anyone in the league.. and I dont think any other team this offseason has made such incredible strides that they would now be "out of our league". We have improved some.. and we were already good.

The real "next step" that this team needs to make isnt by improving its personel.. we need to go out and play 4 quarters and win those close games. So... dont get too upset. We are still a good team... and dont read too much into our schedule either. Every year people get "difficult schedules"... and every year.. alot of those teams that thought they had a difficult schedule turns out to have had an easy or medium difficulty schedules.

 

[badboy]

Really I too was hoping the FO would come out and nail this draft seeing as how several of the teams we're slated to play next year have gotten better this offseason.

I'm left knowing we got BETTER, I'm just wondering how much and if it'll be enough.

RB, I am ok with your evaluation of the two backs but disagree on what we need. Tate like Mathews are fast with better skills catching out of the backfield than Gerhart. We already have backs than can do that. Our need was not a slightly better than good runner that catches well but rather a power back that moves the ball and gets the tough two yrads for a 1st or TD. A power back that can catch a pass or tweo a game but is a pile driver. That is hands down TG.

 

[Corrosion]

Gs, I'm running out of time at work so will address your ? on 40 speeds. They do seem to contradict but in watching the two guys play, Wilson gets back into a play much quicker. Personally, I think it is his instincts. He seems to subconciously know when he is getting beat and his body kicks into "CATCH UP!" mode really fast. If you watched NFL Total Access they replayed Wilson being beat and then he bursts back into right corner of field and perfectly positioned his body to interupr the ball. It bounced off his shoulder. Perfect example of what I look for in a player.

Jackson seems to hesitate just barely as if mentally talking to himself that he just got beat and then starts to go after the guy. Hopefully, he can be coached out of that. We all have heard that an elite corner has ability to erase that mental chalk board after giving up a play. Wilson seems to do that.

I had Wilson rated as the best available corner and Jackson right behind him on draft day .... They werent seperated by much imo.

But the more I think about it the more I can see why the Texans chose Jackson .... Nick Saban coached DB - He's NFL ready from that standpoint.

As for recovery speed - You have to take into account the level of competition. The SEC is a few steps above the Big Ten in terms of overall talent.

The fact that the Texans had their choice of every CB not named Haden and they took Jackson tells me they got their guy - not just leftovers. I'll give them the benifit of the doubt.

 

[badboy]

Really I too was hoping the FO would come out and nail this draft seeing as how several of the teams we're slated to play next year have gotten better this offseason.

I'm left knowing we got BETTER, I'm just wondering how much and if it'll be enough.

GS on round 5, Robert Johnson Utah Fs was gone by our original pick. He went to Titans pick 150 one spot before us.Petrus LG was available in 4th but I think Wade Smith locks up the Oline and it looks like Texans are looking at Center Faneca.

 

[badboy]

Thanks badboy for the draft thoughts. Rep.

You are either going to look brilliant, or lose a little draft cred in 2-3 years. Either way your words have been marked!

Thanks, I think? At least Gary has a contract, but I will be here. I have eaten crow on line before. Walter was not my guy when he came on board and I am not really a big fan of TEs but OD had me looking for gravy to make the bird go down easier. Who knows if you guys run me from this MB maybe Charley Casserly can get me on ESPN. If I left my hair grow out a bit I will look about the same as a former Dallas coach and Mel Kiper!

 

[badboy]

Hey, I wasn't stupefyingly thrilled with all the Texans selections, but where do you get the idea that only the Texans had Jackson rated highest at the time? Good lord, even Kiper had him rated as the highest CB available at the time and his choices aren't exactly secret.

If we got a legitimate #1 CB in the first round, we've improved (Dunta was nobody's #1 but us)

I don't use Kiper as a source and listen to him only the week of the draft because he is at the table. I am not a Jackson hater and he will be a starter. I just disagree on the type of CB we need. If we had an Earl Thomas or Nate Allen behind him, I'd like him more.

I think Dunta is now the Atlanta Falcons # 1 CB.

 

[buddyboy]

Thanks, I think? At least Gary has a contract, but I will be here. I have eaten crow on line before. Walter was not my guy when he came on board and I am not really a big fan of TEs but OD had me looking for gravy to make the bird go down easier. Who knows if you guys run me from this MB maybe Charley Casserly can get me on ESPN. If I left my hair grow out a bit I will look about the same as a former Dallas coach and Mel Kiper!

You say that you realize you've been wrong on multiple occasions, yet you keep making blanket statements that have no proof or foundation like:

"Jackson is not a cover guy"
"Only Texans had him [Jackson] rated higher than Wilson or McCourty"
"Shelley Smith a throw away pick that will not beat out any of current OGs"
"[Gettis] in Red Zone who could make one of current WRs obsolete"

You seem to have the ability to read the future if you KNOW that Smith isn't going to beat out any of the other guards, and that this Gettis guy would have for sure beaten out Kevin Walter or JJ (We got the TE/WR, who you also claimed "isn't as good" with 100% certainty).

I'm not sure how you can say all these things without having seen these players on the field for the Texans.

 

[HOU-TEX]

I think some of us are overrating our evaluation and scouting skills, no? It's a disappointing draft because the Texans didn't take players y'all had rated higher?

Why don't we give the professional scouts, coaches and GM the benefit of the doubt with this group until proven otherwise? Or not, I guess

 

[texasguy346]

Jackson is not a cover guy but a Dunta clone just a tad faster. Only Texans had him rated higher than Wilson or McCourty.

You do realize that both Jackson and McCourty went before Wilson don't you? The Patriots took McCourty with the 27th pick and the Jets took Wilson at 29th overall. So at a minimum at least two teams had Wilson ranked lower on their boards.

 

[Thorn]

Until we see Jackson and Tate play in a couple of games, it's all speculation anyway. Until they prove otherwise, I like the selections.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

I think some of us are overrating our evaluation and scouting skills, no? It's a disappointing draft because the Texans didn't take players y'all had rated higher?

Why don't we give the professional scouts, coaches and GM the benefit of the doubt with this group until proven otherwise? Or not, I guess

Speak for yourself cause I put my talent evaluation skills right up there with a former GM . Who cares if it's Charley Casserly , he was a former GM you know .

I think it fairly easy's to get the positions right ( in the ballpark ) early . After the 2nd round , it becomes a crap shoot as to where players go , because of different evaluations .

 

[buddyboy]

Speak for yourself cause I put my talent evaluation skills right up there with a former GM . Who cares if it's Charley Casserly , he was a former GM you know .

I think it fairly easy's to get the positions right ( in the ballpark ) early . After the 2nd round , it becomes a crap shoot as to where players go , because of different evaluations .

Exactly. We as fans need to stop thinking that the FO is reaching in round 5 for a player with 6-7th round talent. At that point in the draft, everyone is pretty much on equal footing.

 

[wagonhed]

My problems with this draft are similar to some other's problems.


First of all, sure, anything past the 3rd round is a crap shoot. That doesn't mean you just go out and draft a ton of specialty players or depth players. You still aim to get people that can compete for a starting job unless you desperately need depth at a certain spot (S, LB).

I'm most frustrated with our lack of safety picks. 6 picks after the 3rd and we couldn't find one safety to bring into camp. Lame. BPA is a good general strategy but eventually you have to get players at positions of need. When the BPA just keeps ending up being at TE, you've got a problem.

My second problem is with DTs, not just our drafting but our strategy. I reject the distinction between "huge run-stopping DTs" and "small, quick pass-rushing DTs". The difference is in how many gaps they can man and how many blockers they require. A huge DT IS a pass-rushing DT because they require a double team and free up the rest of our line. 4 quick linemen is a failed pass-rushing strategy. Getting just a wee bit faster at DT isn't going to help that. For this reason I don't like the Mitchell pick.

Finally, I'm annoyed that we aren't addressing C. I'm sure it's because Kubiak loves Myers. Whatever. I want a real center, but I'm not surprised that the coaches don't feel the same way.

 

[michaelm]

2. Texans: Ben Tate 5'11"220 4.4 ok a strong,fast guy & we get an extra 3rd not knowing we'd give it away immediately. Boy, did that look stupid. Still, 3rd best back on my board.
Badboy: Toby Gerhart 6' 231 4.5s He is sitting right there! Dennison said both were rated even and if we could have gotten Tate and kept the 3rd, brilliant. But we didn't. So much for TG versus Jonathan Dwyer.

The net result of the three trades: The Texans ended up with Tate, an extra fourth-round pick (102nd overall) and a fifth-round pick (144th) that was six spots higher than their original selection at 150.

Many people believe that Tate is better in our system than Gerhart would've been. I'd say a majority of people probably believe that Tate is the better back in our system.
I don't know how anyone could even remotely think the Texans "looked stupid" by way of the trades they made.

Tate + extra 4th + improving 5th round position by 6 spots > Gerhart all day, every day.
Except for someone who is bitter because the team didn't make the pick that they wanted, which is kinda how you're coming across, IMO.

Personnaly, I would have taken Tate over Gerhart straight up, but the extra 4th, and moving up in the 5th make it an absolute no-brainer in my book.

 

[Corrosion]

My problems with this draft are similar to some other's problems.


First of all, sure, anything past the 3rd round is a crap shoot. That doesn't mean you just go out and draft a ton of specialty players or depth players. You still aim to get people that can compete for a starting job unless you desperately need depth at a certain spot (S, LB).

I'm most frustrated with our lack of safety picks. 6 picks after the 3rd and we couldn't find one safety to bring into camp. Lame. BPA is a good general strategy but eventually you have to get players at positions of need. When the BPA just keeps ending up being at TE, you've got a problem.

My second problem is with DTs, not just our drafting but our strategy. I reject the distinction between "huge run-stopping DTs" and "small, quick pass-rushing DTs". The difference is in how many gaps they can man and how many blockers they require. A huge DT IS a pass-rushing DT because they require a double team and free up the rest of our line. 4 quick linemen is a failed pass-rushing strategy. Getting just a wee bit faster at DT isn't going to help that. For this reason I don't like the Mitchell pick.

Finally, I'm annoyed that we aren't addressing C. I'm sure it's because Kubiak loves Myers. Whatever. I want a real center, but I'm not surprised that the coaches don't feel the same way.

Tell that to the Giants who won the Superbowl.

Im bitchin about FS and C as well as a swing tackle ..... The roster is far from set at this point. There is still the June cuts and a few FA's left on the market.
You are spot on about Myers ..... Ive had that conversation with people in the know.
There are things he does very well like getting to the second level but when he is faced with a much bigger DT he struggles .... then again so do most centers around the league.

 

[Goldensilence]

RB, I am ok with your evaluation of the two backs but disagree on what we need. Tate like Mathews are fast with better skills catching out of the backfield than Gerhart. We already have backs than can do that. Our need was not a slightly better than good runner that catches well but rather a power back that moves the ball and gets the tough two yrads for a 1st or TD. A power back that can catch a pass or tweo a game but is a pile driver. That is hands down TG.

Quickly. Good evaluation/explanation on your take between Wilson and Jackson. Prior to the draft I was more high on Wilson as well, but I can live with Jackson.

On a side note as history has proven itself we don't NEED a big load at RB to punch the ball in the goal line or get the tough yards. NFL is ripe wwith smaller guys who had a nose for the endzone like Emmitt Smith, Ladanian Tomlinson. Marcus Allen, Warrick Dunn, etc.

Some people seemed obsessed or locked onto the idea there needs to be symmetry with your backs ie one smaller burner and one big load guy. I don't think this NEEDS to be the case. We just need two productive backs regardless of size. NFL is also ripe with big body running backs who can't move a pile like Dayne, Wells, Etc.

GS on round 5, Robert Johnson Utah Fs was gone by our original pick. He went to Titans pick 150 one spot before us.Petrus LG was available in 4th but I think Wade Smith locks up the Oline and it looks like Texans are looking at Center Faneca.

Fo must really be banking on Smith coming in and making a difference. I have hopes he does as well, just not totally sold on the idea. Petrus would've made an excellent fit here IMO. Faneca has played his entire career at guard far as I know. If we do get Faneca I have hopes we move Smith to RG and Try Caldwell back at Center.

I could live with a line that looks like Brown- Faneca- Caldwell- Smith- Winston.

As for Robert Johnson he would've been available with our 5th rounder instead we took McMannis.

 

[Speedy]

Many people believe that Tate is better in our system than Gerhart would've been.

Exactly! And since the Texans passed on Gerhart when he was sitting in their lap, I guess they'd be one of those people. And fortunately, they're the people that count.

 

[Runner]

I think some of us are overrating our evaluation and scouting skills, no? It's a disappointing draft because the Texans didn't take players y'all had rated higher?

Why don't we give the professional scouts, coaches and GM the benefit of the doubt with this group until proven otherwise? Or not, I guess

Every pick by every team in the draft was done by a team of professionals; I don't think that means every pick was therefore beyond criticism, right until proven otherwise, and/or off limits to thoughtful discussion.

Sure, I see a lot of less than insighful posts, but this board would be boring if drafts/free agent signings/play calls/starting line-ups/etc discussions were limited to "Smithiak did it, they are pros, I'm an ignorant amateur, A+".

I've found some interesting discussions here. Please carry on...

 

[Runner]

I think it fairly easy's to get the positions right ( in the ballpark ) early . After the 2nd round , it becomes a crap shoot as to where players go , because of different evaluations .

Agreed.

I found the "why did they take position A over position B in round X" discussion more interesting than the player 1 vs player 2 discussions.

 

[Corrosion]

Agreed.

I found the "why did they take position A over position B in round X" discussion more interesting than the player 1 vs player 2 discussions.

I think most of us had the positions of need right ....

I think the running game and specifically the interior OL has to be evaluated on what a high draft choice in Tate does behind it rather than what Chris Brown and Co did behind them last season (I dont think Slaton was right physically from the get go) before we can really evaluate them.
Many(Most) of us believe that Myers needs to be upgraded along with at least one of the OG spots. By waiting until the 6th round to address the interior OL they give me the idea they were happy with those players performance at least to the extent that they couldnt upgrade them from round 4 on with players who would make an impact or had a chance to take someone's job.
The lack of attention to FS just boggles my mind tho with only Barber , Nolan , Wilson and Pollard on the roster.

 

[phantom17]

lets try not to lose sight of the fact that we had an awesome offense last year DESPITE the lack of a running game. And we have addressed our running game a bit so if it is even a marginal improvement over last season, our offense is going to be even better.

On defense we struggled but we HAVE picked up a ready to play rookie CB and possibly a pass rushing DT.

We lost how many games by less than a touchdown last season?

I feel like we showed last season that we can compete with anyone in the league.. and I dont think any other team this offseason has made such incredible strides that they would now be "out of our league". We have improved some.. and we were already good.

The real "next step" that this team needs to make isnt by improving its personel.. we need to go out and play 4 quarters and win those close games. So... dont get too upset. We are still a good team... and dont read too much into our schedule either. Every year people get "difficult schedules"... and every year.. alot of those teams that thought they had a difficult schedule turns out to have had an easy or medium difficulty schedules.

I agree! This team needs to be MENTALLY TOUGH!

 

[Fox]

Until we see Jackson and Tate play in a couple of games, it's all speculation anyway. Until they prove otherwise, I like the selections.

This is the basic sentiment I've adopted over the years. Unless I've been following a specific player closely for a couple of years and know they're a dud, I'm not going to bash the selection until I see them play for our team. I prefer to be optimistic and figure our F.O. has a better idea of what they need than I do. That doesn't mean there shouldn't be discussion, if you've been watching Sherrick McManis get burned up in Evanston then by all means do share.

It's just very difficult, IMO, to call out some of these mid to later round guys as being poor selections based on highlight videos, stat lines, and combine measurables. For example, just looking at the last couple years, I was pretty disappointed when I saw we'd selected Glover Quin last year. I'd never heard his name before and he was smallish, had average speed, and wasn't exactly coming from a football power house. Then he hits the field for us and impresses from mini camps forward. On the other hand you have a guy like Xavier Adibi, a name I'd seen, with impressive numbers, production, and pedigree from Va. Tech. I was a fan of the pick for the above reasons, but he hasn't worked out thus far.

Some of you have obviously done a lot more homework on these guys than I have, but where I'm sitting I prefer to get excited about this draft and about seeing what they're going to do on the field.

 

[rmartin65]

Great work badboy. I wish I could rep you for it.

I really cannot find fault with anything you have going there. Moeki I would not take there, but we took a TE anyway, so there is not much of a difference there.

I am not a Jones fan. He is strictly a SS in my opinion, and would not contribute to the team. I dont think Jones would be anything more than Pollard's backup and a special teams player. Then again, maybe that would not be terrible.

You are one of the first people to dislike Smith. Admittedly, he was not the guy either of us had targeted, but from the little I watched and have read about him he sounds good. Athletic and mean, something the Texans could use. I would have liked to see the spot addressed earlier though.

Jeff Owens!! I was hoping for him so much there in the 7th. Strong, yet still quick. Oh well. Dickerson sounds pretty promising, I would be willing to give this one to the front office here.

Ha, Trindon Holliday. We nailed that pick on the 2nd mock draft. I hope he makes me proud this season, I have my reputation at stake now.

 

[JB]

I think most of us had the positions of need right ....

I think the running game and specifically the interior OL has to be evaluated on what a high draft choice in Tate does behind it rather than what Chris Brown and Co did behind them last season (I dont think Slaton was right physically from the get go) before we can really evaluate them.
Many(Most) of us believe that Myers needs to be upgraded along with at least one of the OG spots. By waiting until the 6th round to address the interior OL they give me the idea they were happy with those players performance at least to the extent that they couldnt upgrade them from round 4 on with players who would make an impact or had a chance to take someone's job.
The lack of attention to FS just boggles my mind tho with only Barber , Nolan , Wilson and Pollard on the roster.

That's what we had last year ( without Nolan). We will be replacing the depth and getting better. Busing, Ferguson & Russell will be out and Folk, Webster and ? maybe.. I don't know, but we are improving our depth with quality young guys hopefully. The entire roster is better and if we are concerned about who's going to be the backup that is a good thing. Wilson & Pollard are decent starters, a whole lot better than Busing & Barber as starters.

 

[Corrosion]

That's what we had last year ( without Nolan). We will be replacing the depth and getting better. Busing, Ferguson & Russell will be out and Folk, Webster and ? maybe.. I don't know, but we are improving our depth with quality young guys hopefully. The entire roster is better and if we are concerned about who's going to be the backup that is a good thing. Wilson & Pollard are decent starters, a whole lot better than Busing & Barber as starters.

I like both , Wilson was a difference maker on this team last year ... But the question that looms over Pollard is can he stay on the field ?
GTexans breakdownHere of the situation makes sense ....

3. The coaching staff has reason to be confident in development of Nolan, Barber, etc.

5. The safeties we wanted in each round were chosen before us.
I wanted Earl Thomas in the 1st. He went at 14
In the second, I wanted Taylor Mays. He went 2 spots before us.
I like Major Wright in the 3rd, and he went right before us.
I have no explanation for Reshad Jones, who I also liked. He was there for us in the 5th, and we passed on him. We chose McMannis instead, who I had never heard of. Jones was supposed to go earlier, so maybe there was an issue there we didn't know about

I just think they didnt see anyone who they thought would beat out the players currently on the roster

 

[PhilpW]

Historically Nolan Nawrocki has been less than flattering of the Texans drafts. Here is this years take:

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/04/25/ravens-patriots-stand-out-on-draft-weekend

Houston Texans
GM Rick Smith filled some pressing needs with the first three picks, landing two potential starters in Kareem Jackson and Ben Tate with his first two picks, both of whom fit the Texans' schemes perfectly. The team might have reached slightly in the next two rounds, but Earl Mitchell can have an impact as a nickel rusher and Darryl Sharpton value on special teams. Rounds 4-7 brought great upside, as TE Garrett Graham should benefit learning from fellow Wisconsin grad Owen Daniels. Sherrick McManis could provide versatility as a corner/safety. Shelley Smith fits the Texans' run game very well and has swing backup potential. Trindon Holliday could provide a spark in the return game, and Dorin Dickerson, drafted as a receiver, has upside to be groomed. Smith moved down the board several times, acquiring additional picks and landed nine rookies who could fend for roster spots, including three potential starters in the first three rounds. It may not appear flashy, but it was a productive draft, valuing intelligence and character, as he drafted very safely.
Grade: B-plus

 

[Goldensilence]

I like both , Wilson was a difference maker on this team last year ... But the question that looms over Pollard is can he stay on the field ?
GTexans breakdownHere of the situation makes sense ....





I just think they didnt see anyone who they thought would beat out the players currently on the roster

I think you got it backwards. Pollard was a difference maker on the team last year and Wilson has the question of staying on the field.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=4494

Past four years hasn't lasted an entire 16 game season.

I guess with some parts of the draft is that they might not have seen guys who might not have been able to compete with starters or guys on the depth chart. The problem I have with that is that Kubiak tends to lock onto certain players and keep them around longer then they should be because:

A. They work hard in practice and Gary likes to reward it.
B. Are good guys in the locker room
C. Gary has a soft spot for them
D. Contract status

I don't have a problem with one or two. What I do have a problem with is 3 when some of the guys he keeps around are physically and talent wise. maxed out and we pass on guys that have a higher ceiling. 4 is a problem too when you have guys like Anthony Weaver hanging around not producing like their contract should and still getting the starting nod or bulk of snaps.

I'm also surprised that I see some guys on the board selling themselves on Troy Nolan. He was injured last year and missed the entire season. He's an unknown and for all purposes is a rookie.

 

[leebigeztx]

There were alot of people who had jackson and tate over the 2 youre bitching about. Go back and check the draft grades from 06. Classic fan overreaction.

 

[Texans_Chick]

I think everyone should do draft grades using emoticons. Draft grades are silly so as long as you are being silly, you should use emoticons.

My TC blog take:
Houston Texans draft link dump + commentary + emoticon draft grades

Mostly stuff that diehards know, but a few fun facts mixed in. Hardest part of the post was figuring out the emoticons that best reflected fan feelings.