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Safeties

drewmar74

drewmar74

disgruntled
So, Barber tweaked his hammy and may not be able to go next weekend.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6043664.html

Demps might be able to go, but its still up in the air.

We'd start the game with what - Harrison, Demps (maybe), and Ferguson? Is there another safety on the roster or PS?

Also, can anyone comment on the play of our safeties (in general or as individuals) during Sunday's game? When you're watching on TV, it becomes very difficult to catch nuances like that because you only get to see so little of the field. I'm curious to see if the loss of Brown caused an improvement, decline, or no change in our safety play.
 
STEEL BLUE TEXANS said:
Eugene Wilson got playing time against the Colts.
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Ah yes.

I remember seeing him in on some plays.

I guess where I'm going with this is that even without both of our starting safeties, safety play in general didn't appear any different. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.
 
All of our safeties are SS/FS tweeners, anyway, because Richard Smith likes it that way; so, I don't really worry much which ones are going to play.
 
first Dunta can't come back any too soon. I hope, that Kubiak/Smith realize Dunta can become a playmaking FS. They have worked really hard this off season to address cornerback position & even without Robinson I like what I've seen from this group as a whole. This is a complex issue exacerbated not only with Dunta Robinsons severe injury but also his contract year. So there are risks on both sides but good faith/sense will prevail. We should all know more in about three/four weeks :)

Until then Nick Ferguson should remain the starting FS. Demps has lost a step, serviceable until Barber (who is banged up) can beat him out I'm hoping by next training camp. Brandon Harrison plays smart but is not aggressive, also has been nicked up so his play has been soft compared to elite safeties, while he does flash potential I'm not convinced he is the long term answear? Eugene Wilson is quality depth.

By inserting Dunta @ FS the Texans add a playmaker to the secondary. In next years draft a 1st or 2nd rd. pick would be appropriate :twocents:
 
I don't know if Dunta will be back week 7. He'll be healthy enough - but part of being on the PUP is that you're not allowed to practice with the team - so I assume he's going to have to get a lot of good practices in before he'll be activated.

But um.... maybe Dunta without practice is still better than what we have, lol.
 
DiehardChris said:
I don't know if Dunta will be back week 7. He'll be healthy enough - but part of being on the PUP is that you're not allowed to practice with the team - so I assume he's going to have to get a lot of good practices in before he'll be activated.

But um.... maybe Dunta without practice is still better than what we have, lol.
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As long as his neck will turn his head we'll be ok. LOL

Reeves would probably be one of the better CB's in the league if he'd just turn his damn head to find the ball. A majority of the time he doesn't even try to locate the ball.

Hell, maybe he's trying to freak the WR's out by giving them the evil eye or something. :thinking:
 
HOU-TEX said:
As long as his neck will turn his head we'll be ok. LOL

Reeves would probably be one of the better CB's in the league if he'd just turn his damn head to find the ball. A majority of the time he doesn't even try to locate the ball.

Hell, maybe he's trying to freak the WR's out by giving them the evil eye or something. :thinking:
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Poor instincts and poor ball skills...Also not very physical...Actually I'd describe him as timid...
 
beerlover said:
first Dunta can't come back any too soon. I hope, that Kubiak/Smith realize Dunta can become a playmaking FS. They have worked really hard this off season to address cornerback position & even without Robinson I like what I've seen from this group as a whole. This is a complex issue exacerbated not only with Dunta Robinsons severe injury but also his contract year. So there are risks on both sides but good faith/sense will prevail. We should all know more in about three/four weeks :)

Until then Nick Ferguson should remain the starting FS. Demps has lost a step, serviceable until Barber (who is banged up) can beat him out I'm hoping by next training camp. Brandon Harrison plays smart but is not aggressive, also has been nicked up so his play has been soft compared to elite safeties, while he does flash potential I'm not convinced he is the long term answear? Eugene Wilson is quality depth.

By inserting Dunta @ FS the Texans add a playmaker to the secondary. In next years draft a 1st or 2nd rd. pick would be appropriate :twocents:
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Demps hasnt really lost a step, he didnt have it. He is more of a SS anyway. Best case is Wilson at FS, Demps FS, with Fergie and Harrison spelling them. I felt our saftey play was the best it has been in a while. I dont know if thats good or bad...
 
HOU-TEX said:
As long as his neck will turn his head we'll be ok. LOL

Reeves would probably be one of the better CB's in the league if he'd just turn his damn head to find the ball. A majority of the time he doesn't even try to locate the ball.

Hell, maybe he's trying to freak the WR's out by giving them the evil eye or something. :thinking:
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I've been thinking the exact same thing. I've actually been really really impressed with Reeves' coverage skills. He blankets the receiver and is always doing good with coverage. But time after time the WR makes the tough catch. As you said the thing Reeves needs to improve on is locating the ball- right now he doesn't even attempt to locate it. If he could just get a hand up when the WR is looking, he'd havemore success. I really really hope this can be taught to him throughout the year because if he can learn that, he'll be great.

on to safety... gawd do I want a ball hawk. I like our CB's. If we could just get a pass rusher, a playmaking OLB, and a Safety that can cover: we would be a really really really good defense. I know we can't solve everything in one offseason but we've been working on this Def. for a while. I think we're so close to having a great defense.
 
Ole Miss Texan said:
I've been thinking the exact same thing. I've actually been really really impressed with Reeves' coverage skills. He blankets the receiver and is always doing good with coverage. But time after time the WR makes the tough catch. As you said the thing Reeves needs to improve on is locating the ball- right now he doesn't even attempt to locate it. If he could just get a hand up when the WR is looking, he'd havemore success. I really really hope this can be taught to him throughout the year because if he can learn that, he'll be great.

on to safety... gawd do I want a ball hawk. I like our CB's. If we could just get a pass rusher, a playmaking OLB, and a Safety that can cover: we would be a really really really good defense. I know we can't solve everything in one offseason but we've been working on this Def. for a while. I think we're so close to having a great defense.
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Improved saftey play would go a long way to fixing our D. That and upgrades at OLB.
 
Did Diles and Greenwood switch sides of the field or something? Greenwood is suddenly getting no tackles, and Diles, who replaced whoever we had at SAM last year, is racking them up

I think my order of preference for draft day on defense is:
1. Safety - A truly great safety is a force against the run and the pass. And to top it all off, top prospect safeties always seem to pan out, and they are usually ready in year 1. There aren't nearly as many busts at Safety in the 1st round than there are on other positions (IMO)

2. OLB - I actually really like Diles and Ryans, and think one more LB would make the trio complete.

3. DL - Best available I guess. I think our luck with the DL speaks for itself. Other than MW, I don't think we've had much success. I hope they don't use their 1st on a DL this year
 
gtexan02 said:
Did Diles and Greenwood switch sides of the field or something? Greenwood is suddenly getting no tackles, and Diles, who replaced whoever we had at SAM last year, is racking them up

I think my order of preference for draft day on defense is:
1. Safety - A truly great safety is a force against the run and the pass. And to top it all off, top prospect safeties always seem to pan out, and they are usually ready in year 1. There aren't nearly as many busts at Safety in the 1st round than there are on other positions (IMO)

2. OLB - I actually really like Diles and Ryans, and think one more LB would make the trio complete.

3. DL - Best available I guess. I think our luck with the DL speaks for itself. Other than MW, I don't think we've had much success. I hope they don't use their 1st on a DL this year
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I really like your thinking. I could definitely go for the safety like (Moore, Mays, etc. ) in the 1st. An SEC linebacker in the second, and a edge rusher in the 3rd!
 
Heck, many times, if Reeves would just jump when the receiver is ovbiously looking at a pass coming in, the ball would hit him in the back and fall to the ground. It's like he thinks his job is just to be as close to the receiver as possible when he catches it.
 
gtexan02 said:
Did Diles and Greenwood switch sides of the field or something? Greenwood is suddenly getting no tackles, and Diles, who replaced whoever we had at SAM last year, is racking them up

I think my order of preference for draft day on defense is:
1. Safety - A truly great safety is a force against the run and the pass. And to top it all off, top prospect safeties always seem to pan out, and they are usually ready in year 1. There aren't nearly as many busts at Safety in the 1st round than there are on other positions (IMO)

2. OLB - I actually really like Diles and Ryans, and think one more LB would make the trio complete.

3. DL - Best available I guess. I think our luck with the DL speaks for itself. Other than MW, I don't think we've had much success. I hope they don't use their 1st on a DL this year
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Diles has not impressed me. Too many missed tackles and he is slow to get out to the flat.
 
gtexan02 said:
Did Diles and Greenwood switch sides of the field or something? Greenwood is suddenly getting no tackles, and Diles, who replaced whoever we had at SAM last year, is racking them up

I think my order of preference for draft day on defense is:
1. Safety - A truly great safety is a force against the run and the pass. And to top it all off, top prospect safeties always seem to pan out, and they are usually ready in year 1. There aren't nearly as many busts at Safety in the 1st round than there are on other positions (IMO)

2. OLB - I actually really like Diles and Ryans, and think one more LB would make the trio complete.

3. DL - Best available I guess. I think our luck with the DL speaks for itself. Other than MW, I don't think we've had much success. I hope they don't use their 1st on a DL this year
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I like the way you were thinking here. I was one of those "get a franchise OLT" people last year. We did that, and I have seen progress on offense. Now, I agree we need to do whatever it takes to make that defense a monster unit. While we are dreaming about OLB's I would like to have one with good size strength and speed. also on the DL we need a hog. Some huge guy who can stop the run and take a double team so our LB's can do their jobs effectively.
 
Our safeties were better in the Indy game than any other game I've seen since Marlon McCree left.

Harrison was in position in zone and had good coverage when manned up... Also, neither safety missed a tackle.

I'm excited about Harrison and so is Kubiak.
 
I agree our safeties played better this week. Hopefully it's a trend and not an anomoly. Diles also had his best game of the year. I think he led the team in tackles and did a pretty decent job in coverage.
 
GNTLEWOLF said:
I like the way you were thinking here. I was one of those "get a franchise OLT" people last year. We did that, and I have seen progress on offense. Now, I agree we need to do whatever it takes to make that defense a monster unit. While we are dreaming about OLB's I would like to have one with good size strength and speed. also on the DL we need a hog. Some huge guy who can stop the run and take a double team so our LB's can do their jobs effectively.
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We may have that DT in Okam. He is only a rookie and needs time to progress. So unless they get a FA ( I doubt this highly) they are going to push Okam into that role, whick IMO is a very good thing. We are definantly hurting at OLB. Its our biggest weakness on the team not just Defense.

I think Diles is just a guy, granted he is also young but usually you can get a grasp on a players instinct, and I really dont see it. At this point I would rather just see Bently play a game or two. He wouldnt be any worse.

Greenwood is bad. We cannot afford to have him playing on this team next year. All I see out of that guy on the field is a major liability. He used to have some nice speed but doesnt even flash that anymore. It sucks that he is getting so much money because that has to be the reason why he is still playing.
 
bigbrewster2000 said:
We may have that DT in Okam. He is only a rookie and needs time to progress. So unless they get a FA ( I doubt this highly) they are going to push Okam into that role, whick IMO is a very good thing. We are definantly hurting at OLB. Its our biggest weakness on the team not just Defense.

I think Diles is just a guy, granted he is also young but usually you can get a grasp on a players instinct, and I really dont see it. At this point I would rather just see Bently play a game or two. He wouldnt be any worse.

Greenwood is bad. We cannot afford to have him playing on this team next year. All I see out of that guy on the field is a major liability. He used to have some nice speed but doesnt even flash that anymore. It sucks that he is getting so much money because that has to be the reason why he is still playing.
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Diles was our best linebacker last Sunday, and the best playmaker in the backfield so far in the season, and you want to cut him from the starting line-up? Gotta question your logic there.

I gotta agree with your statement about Greenwood though, he's definetly the weak link of the group. Adibi better be downing those proteins shakes, the sooner hes out there the better.
 
J-Russ said:
Diles was our best linebacker last Sunday, and the best playmaker in the backfield so far in the season, and you want to cut him from the starting line-up? Gotta question your logic there.

I gotta agree with your statement about Greenwood though, he's definetly the weak link of the group. Adibi better be downing those proteins shakes, the sooner hes out there the better.
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He did have a good game this past Sunday, but his previous 3 outings were less than desirable. I was baggin Dile pretty hard during that time span and if Sundays game was a "I get it now" type moment for Diles I'd be more than happy to chow down some crow.

Greenwood....Pfft! I remember him making one play in the backfield, other than that the guy's invisible.
 
GNTLEWOLF said:
Also on the DL we need a hog. Some huge guy who can stop the run and take a double team so our LB's can do their jobs effectively.
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This is our bigest problem. Demeco is getting worn down because he is a smallish MLB who has to fight off blockers because we have no space eaters. We get penitrators who dont penitrate, and dont like "hogs" in our scheme. Well, I guess we have a scheme.....
 
BigBull17 said:
Fixed it for ya. He is a good guy to back up and special teamer, but he cant be your starter if ou want to be good.
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I disagree, I think Diles is a pretty solid SLB. He's 2nd in tackling behind DeMeco, and if you think he makes those tackles 5 yards past the LOS then think again. He made a bunch of tackles at and behind the LOS, rewatch the Jags and Colts and you'll see what I'm talking about. He's also our best playmaker, or atleast 2nd best after DeMeco, in the defensive backfield. He has a FF and an Int, which is more TO then any of our defenders this season, and has shown he can make TO consistently dating back to the Dallas pre-season game. He also shown he can cover pretty decently from the Colts game. Right now the SLB position is not even close to being a need over SS,FS,DE,DT,WLB,CB.
 
BigBull17 said:
This is our bigest problem. Demeco is getting worn down because he is a smallish MLB who has to fight off blockers because we have no space eaters. We get penitrators who dont penitrate, and dont like "hogs" in our scheme. Well, I guess we have a scheme.....
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That space eater is Okam. You'll be seeing more and more of him as the he and the season progresses.
 
How accurate is the depth chart over at HT.com? Just checked it and it now has Will Demps as SS and Ferguson at FS along with Harrison. I'm guessing Demps and Ferguson is the pair will see come Sunday.
 
dalemurphy said:
Our safeties were better in the Indy game than any other game I've seen since Marlon McCree left.

Harrison was in position in zone and had good coverage when manned up... Also, neither safety missed a tackle.

I'm excited about Harrison and so is Kubiak.
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I thought Harrison was too soft at times for my taste. For instance, when Addai had that big run near the goal line after the Sage fumble he was far too much of a spectator than a difference maker. An aggressive player forces the action and blows up the inside of the blocker there....he was pretty passively blocked.
 
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