Texans should probably focus on the lines first

[Sportsfan]

I, like many, have been a huge proponent of the Texans making QB and RB top priorities, and i still do.
However, going back to the basics of football, games are won in the trenches. You look at almost every winning team and they all have one thing in common, they all have solid O and D-lines.
I'd like to see them continue to build the O-line and D-line as a priority. When the O-line was healthy earlier in the year, they actually looked pretty good, but still could be much better.

So with that said, what O and D-lineman would you guys look at in the draft or free agency that the Texans could realisticly acquire?

Also, if they somewhat go that route, how do you think they should address the QB/RB situation?

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

I, like many, have been a huge proponent of the Texans making QB and RB top priorities, and i still do.
However, going back to the basics of football, games are won in the trenches. You look at almost every winning team and they all have one thing in common, they all have solid O and D-lines.
I'd like to see them continue to build the O-line and D-line as a priority. When the O-line was healthy earlier in the year, they actually looked pretty good, but still could be much better.

So with that said, what O and D-lineman would you guys look at in the draft or free agency that the Texans could realisticly acquire?

Also, if they somewhat go that route, how do you think they should address the QB/RB situation?

I think after this coming free agency and draft we will really see how this staff feels about rebuilding. Last years free agency continued through today they have brought in so many new players. look at last years draft. Mario/Demeco, and spencer/winston. There is our o-line and defensive front seven. if we see them draft a rb/ol/dt/lb with the first 3 of 4 picks i think that will be a great indication that they are trying hard to pick the best guys available to start through the trenches.

heres to hoping we have a draft like last years.

 

[Texas_Thrill]

i am personally am of the belief that our work is not done at the least on the O-line. We need still need a "playmaker" on the O-line if there is such a thing.
I really wish we'd made an attempt at the center from ohio state last year.

As far as defense we do still need a deeper rotation that what we have at DT especially considering its looking more and more like T. Johnson is LOST.

 

[beerlover]

Joe Thomas & Alan Branch would both make excellent "Football Decisions."

Most everyone is in agreement that Joe Thomas will not be available when the Texans select so DT Branch would be the more probable (if he declares). What transpires in the Rose Bowl is going to be interesting. Therefore my final opinion of him is reserved till after that game. I can't see the Texans passing on Adrian Peterson if available but if he is gone best OT/DT (big uglys) not such a bad thing. Branch remindes me alot of Henderson of the Jaguars, very physically gifted, powerfull & huge in the middle. I don't like the pick of Mario Williams if the Texans don't provide him support and basicly a body guard because everygame Mario is getting mugged, beaten & therefore unable to be as effective as he can be. remember North Carolina State had a great defensive line besides Mario, DE Manny Lawson (drafted by san fran #22) & DT John McCargo (drafted #26 Bills). maybe a reason for some of his (Mario Williams) success, or lack there of here

 

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Yeah lines are our weak positions for sure. I would very much like to see us drafting front 7 for D first. First rd DT Alan Branch type guy and picking up OLB 2nd. rd.or sign OLB from FA and also sign one of DB from FA. if possible. (But, signing FA may be too expensive for us) From 3rd rd and on T and C and perhaps we can find RB in the later rd. I would also like us to look at P & K in the later rds. The above is just from my wishing list.

GO TEXANS!!

 

[painekiller]

I believe the team needs to start in trenches and I have an open wish list. On defense, I see Branch as the 1st option, but would not rule out some of these guys later Quinn Pitcock, Frank Okam, Justin Harrell, Amobi Okoye, or Brandon Mebane.

On offense this list get bigger because we have the guards and tackles and the anchor, center. Here we go: Joe Thomas, Sam Baker, Ryan Harris, Ryan Kalil, Manuel Ramirez, Doug Datish, Ben Grubbs, Joe Staley, Samson Satele, Andrew Carnahan, Tim Duckworth, Tony Ugoh and Stephon Heyer.

The OL list will get shorter after the combine when the short shuttle times comes out, a good indication of quickness.

I am not sure how fixed the team thinks the OL is when the guys get healthy, so as of now I am wanting Branch next to Mario on the DL, but a trade down to secure more picks would be nice.

 

[Meloy]

Yeah lines are our weak positions for sure. I would very much like to see us drafting front 7 for D first. First rd DT Alan Branch type guy and picking up OLB 2nd. rd.or sign OLB from FA and also sign one of DB from FA. if possible. (But, signing FA may be too expensive for us) From 3rd rd and on T and C and perhaps we can find RB in the later rd. I would also like us to look at P & K in the later rds. The above is just from my wishing list.

GO TEXANS!!

Buy some more oxygen masks for your defense cause they are going to be on the field for a long long time, if we don't figure out how to make long drives on offense.

 

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Buy some more oxygen masks for your defense cause they are going to be on the field for a long long time, if we don't figure out how to make long drives on offense.

Yes I understand what you are saying but we have to start building a solid foundation from somewhere. Our D is a few more players away to become a decent D in the NFL IMO. Meloy do you have better Idea?

 

[Bubbajwp]

T Sands and Alan Branch would definetly take double teams off of MW and it would also set D Ryans free to rome the field.

 

[Corrosion]

I, like many, have been a huge proponent of the Texans making QB and RB top priorities, and i still do.
However, going back to the basics of football, games are won in the trenches.

Some of us around this board have been saying this exact same thing for the last 4+ years ...... In the last draft I think they did a pretty good job of getting talent in the O-line . Injuries have made put the top FA and draftee out of commision .... the performance of the OL since those players have gone down shows the lack of quality depth on this roster .

 

[Sarg01]

I'm slowly coming around to the thought of grabbing Gaines Adams if we somehow ended up with a Top 5 pick.

Who do they double? Mario or Gaines?

And the run game - well, the only way to run away from BOTH ends is to go right up the middle ... which is incidentally right at DeMeco. Ouch.

 

[Battle Red Flash]

I, like many, have been a huge proponent of the Texans making QB and RB top priorities, and i still do.
However, going back to the basics of football, games are won in the trenches. You look at almost every winning team and they all have one thing in common, they all have solid O and D-lines.

Yes! Trade back. Take O-linemen, and D-linemen. Build your foundation.

 

[painekiller]

T Sands and Alan Branch would definetly take double teams off of MW and it would also set D Ryans free to rome the field.

This is close to my thinking. Those two guys plus Travis Johnson and Alfred Malone/Thomas Johnson (which ever looks better in camp)makes a real strong DT group. Heck cut Travis Johnson and go with the cheep guys backing up the high dollar guys, and you have something.

Image an offense looking at the line of Williams 6'7", Branch 6'6", Sands 6'7", Weaver 6'3". You can stay at the line and knock down most QBs throws, or you can send the beef at the QB. You will get a push up the middle with this group. Mario should become a double digit guy. Also most teams will have a hard time running on this, especially with Ryans another year smarter.

 

[texansguyinpa]

i would really like the texans to get leon hall out of michigan, i think he'll be a great corner in the nfl and imagine Dunta Robinson, Leon Hall, then Demarcus Faggins, that would be really nice to have but so would a dominant D-Line. I would also really like troy smith to go to the texans too.

 

[painekiller]

imagine Dunta Robinson, Leon Hall, then Demarcus Faggins, that would be really nice to have but so would a dominant D-Line. I would also really like troy smith to go to the texans too.

That would be nice, but as I write this we just beat the Colts for the first time. Peyton picked us apart when he had time. You have to force him into early decisions, you cannot cover that team long enough.

Which is why I am thinking, "Where's the Beef". In Houston's draft future.