Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

For those hoping Maualuga's a possibility

nero THE zero

nero THE zero

All Pro
Don't get your hopes up. After hearing a brief comment this morning on the radio, I posed this question to LZ:
You kind of snuck in a comment at the end of your show today (3/3) about hearing from "a source" that Ryans is too slow to move outside. You sounded pretty definitive about it, too.

Is this so? And does it preclude the Texans from drafting Maualuga if he happens to fall?
Click to expand...

He answered:
I checked into Ryans being moved outside and was told "he doesn't run well enough to move the WILL". This didn't come from Rick Smith so take it with a grain of salt, but lack of speed at the OLB spot was one of the reasons he was initially bumped inside to middle.
Click to expand...

I don't know how much this changes my perception of our upcoming draft. I think Maualuga was the only potential MLB draftee for us. But, I think LB is a very probably route and I think there's a good chance Maualuga is there at 15. So, you might want to scratch him.
 
nero THE zero said:
Don't get your hopes up. After hearing a brief comment this morning on the radio, I posed this question to LZ:


He answered:


I don't know how much this changes my perception of our upcoming draft. I think Maualuga was the only potential MLB draftee for us. But, I think LB is a very probably route and I think there's a good chance Maualuga is there at 15. So, you might want to scratch him.
Click to expand...

Fine with me, Demeco is way to valuable to move outside anyway. He's one of the smartest defenders in the league and to have him as our MLB is a huge advantage.

I would rather go OLB anyway. I'm pretty sure Adibi will turn into a very good LB for us, but I'm not sure about Diles. On any account we need depth.
 
I never expected Demeco to move outside.

I still think we could draft Rey, but I doubt we will...If he is on the board when we pick I expect to either pass on him or a trade down.
 
Youre looking at the wrong MLB. James Laurinaitis is the only one that has a chance of getting drafted by us. He is the only one that is versital enough to actually play OLB.
 
I liked the idea of drafting ReyRey, and moving him to SAM.

Moving Demeco outside was never part of the equation... for me.
 
nero THE zero said:
Don't get your hopes up. After hearing a brief comment this morning on the radio, I posed this question to LZ:

You kind of snuck in a comment at the end of your show today (3/3) about hearing from "a source" that Ryans is too slow to move outside. You sounded pretty definitive about it, too.

Is this so? And does it preclude the Texans from drafting Maualuga if he happens to fall?

He answered:

I checked into Ryans being moved outside and was told "he doesn't run well enough to move the WILL". This didn't come from Rick Smith so take it with a grain of salt, but lack of speed at the OLB spot was one of the reasons he was initially bumped inside to middle.
Click to expand...

I dont buy this. What has changed about DeMeco that "he doesn't run well enough to move the WILL"?

Here are some quotes from Ryans, post senior bowl.

In what is certainly not a coincidence, DeMeco was isolated once again today on wide receivers and running backs in pass routes. And like the times before he provided tight coverage, jumping a few routes and defending passes. As one NFL scout with the N.Y. Giants said, "He's not the fastest but he sure is around the football all the time. In our business sometimes we focus on how they got there and not the fact that they got there. When it comes down to it, being there is what its all about. And it sure seems like Ryans is always there." Comments like those should erase any doubts NFL scouts and coaches have on DeMeco's ability to cover NFL backs and receivers

Working out at his usual outside linebacker spot, Demeco answered any questions concerning his ability to cover backs in pass routes as he had two pass break ups against Memphis running back Deangelo Williams. Demeco was also isolated several times on UCLA receiver Marcedes Lewis. Giving up four inches to the Bruin proved no big deal for Demeco as he provided excellent man-to-man coverage, holding Lewis to only one reception of 4 yards.

Im not saying they would or should move him just that I dont believe they wont move him because they think he cant do it. In fact here is a quote by Kubiak saying they wont move him.

"As far as DeMeco, we never want to move him, said Kubiak." "[He's] been a great player inside for us, but at the same time we’re not going to eliminate looking at various linebackers because he is a middle linebacker."


Anyway this talk about moving Ryans can end now.
 
I have been very openly hostile to the idea of moving Demeco outside, but I am calling BS on the idea he doesn't run well enough. I have simply seen too many plays where Demeco is making a tackle on the sideline with the OLB assigned to that side trailing him to the scene. Sorry, LZ but you should have been arguing with that source rather than citing him.
 
DeMeco got crushed in the middle last season. For all his strengths, shedding blocks certainly isn't one of them. There either needs to be a new MLB like Maulauga that can take on blockers or the Texans need to get a true run-stopper at DT.
 
It all comes down to what makes us better imo. Rey Rey terrorizing inside coupled with Demeco on the outside. Or sticking with Demeco inside and pairing him up with a Cushing, Matthews,etc. The best fit and most potential pairing will determine who we pick imo... not hinged upon where to keep Demeco.
 
mussop said:
I dont buy this. What has changed about DeMeco that "he doesn't run well enough to move the WILL"?

Here are some quotes from Ryans, post senior bowl.


[Im not saying they would or should move him just that I dont believe they wont move him because they think he cant do it. In fact here is a quote by Kubiak saying they wont move him.

"As far as DeMeco, we never want to move him, said Kubiak." "[He's] been a great player inside for us, but at the same time we’re not going to eliminate looking at various linebackers because he is a middle linebacker."


Anyway this talk about moving Ryans can end now.
Click to expand...

Well nice research and all....but you can't have Manaluga unless you move Demeeco. Just like I can't Orakpo unless they move Mario. A lot of people have seen the monster hits on u-tube and they are sold. Rey is an inside backer in either set 3-4, or 4-3. Some people just can't let that go. What I remember about Rey is a first day TE prospect pancaking the guy on one on one pass blocking drills at the senior bowl practices. Just saying.

Been how many years since that write up ? I don't think demeeco is a sleek as he once was. What's his official weight on the roster ?

Ay shucks coach speak from kubes once again. They'll move Demeeco the day Kubes is dead and buried or Ryans retires. what ever comes first. We're keeping Ryans where he is...BUT you never know....
we just might draft one anyway. Ok what did he just tell us....nothing.
 
Last edited:
I've been reading a lot of scouts' reports saying Matthews will be the best USC backer in the draft. I like the guy, but I don't see how he's moved up so much in mock drafts, it's not like he set the combine on fire.
 
mussop said:
Youre looking at the wrong MLB. James Laurinaitis is the only one that has a chance of getting drafted by us. He is the only one that is versital enough to actually play OLB.
Click to expand...

so you are posting.....when everyone of the draft gurus is moving this guy inside....that Laurinaitis can play the Sam ? In our fourty three.....in a division which features Chriss Johnson.....MJD.....Dallas Clark.....Antonio Gonzales ?

OK.
 
Trade Demeco to a team needing LBer 10-15 and draft Maualuga then Matthews. Adibi, Maualuga, Matthews? Nah, trade D-Rob for another top 20 pick and get Cushing too for the total reload.
 
Demeco was too small, now too slow and probably too banged up to be a NFL starter. He is a football player, specifically a LB. Roll him out there and he performs. Maualuga is the same. If he is at 15 and we do not grab him I will be fuming for not accepting the gift as he changes the attitude of the defense immediately.
 
A thing to consider here, assuming LZ's quote is verbatim, is that his "source" said DeMeco is too slow to move to WILL.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is the WILL's responsibility not to generally run with RBs? Is it not the position that you generally put your smaller, lighter, quicker LBs (see: Adibi)? Is the SAM not generally the position that blitzes (something DeMeco is very adept at) and covers TEs (not requiring nearly the speed running with RBs would)?

If these are the case, Zierlein's source's quote isn't necessarily mutually exclusive to drafting a MLB and moving DeMeco to SAM.
 
I like Demeco in the middle because he is really quick to diagnos a play. Demeco isn't blazing fast, but his ability to quickly read the play and his reaction time help make up for that.

I think that his rookie year he was a lot quicker, but he has put on some lbs and he did have the ankle issue...

And folks are dreaming if the think Mauluga can't play on the outside. Zach Diles can do it, but Mauluga can't...riiiight...
 
threetoedpete said:
Well nice research and all....but you can't have Manaluga unless you move Demeeco. Just like I can't Orakpo unless they move Mario. A lot of people have seen the monster hits on u-tube and they are sold. Rey is an inside backer in either set 3-4, or 4-3. Some people just can't let that go. What I remember about Rey is a first day TE prospect pancaking the guy on one on one pass blocking drills at the senior bowl practices. Just saying.

Been how many years since that write up ? I don't think demeeco is a sleek as he once was. What's his official weight on the roster ?

Ay shucks coach speak from kubes once again. They'll move Demeeco the day Kubes is dead and buried or Ryans retires. what ever comes first. We're keeping Ryans where he is...BUT you never know....
we just might draft one anyway. Ok what did he just tell us....nothing.
Click to expand...

yeah & while you're watching practice, he's lighting guys up in the actual senior bowl game...The guy is just a football player.
 
Polo said:
I like Demeco in the middle because he is really quick to diagnos a play. Demeco isn't blazing fast, but his ability to quickly read the play and his reaction time help make up for that.
I think that his rookie year he was a lot quicker, but he has put on some lbs and he did have the ankle issue...

And folks are dreaming if the think Mauluga can't play on the outside. Zach Diles can do it, but Mauluga can't...riiiight...
Click to expand...

Funny b/c that's nearly the same thing they say about Mauluga here.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/rey-maualuga?id=79852#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-analysis
 
threetoedpete said:
so you are posting.....when everyone of the draft gurus is moving this guy inside....that Laurinaitis can play the Sam ? In our fourty three.....in a division which features Chriss Johnson.....MJD.....Dallas Clark.....Antonio Gonzales ?

OK.
Click to expand...

Yes I am. He is athletic enough and has good ball skills. His lack of speed is offset by his ability to read and react quickly. Im not suggetsing we should draft him for the spot but I think he would be a better option for us than Maluaga if we really dont want to move Demeco and we were to draft a MLB.

By the way THIS is waht the scouts say.

... Rare instincts and underrated athleticism for coverage. ... Gets good depth on his drops and has good straight-line speed and lateral agility. ... Baits the quarterback and can break on the ball. ... Soft hands for the interception.

So if you think different, OK! You have a right to youre own opinion too. Even if it is wrong.



j/k!
 
Last edited:
Mr teX said:
yeah & while you're watching practice, he's lighting guys up in the actual senior bowl game...The guy is just a football player.
Click to expand...

When you ignore the holes in a guys game....that's when you get into cap hell. I rank you guys right up there with the St. Vincent guys of '06.

Man Love part II.

The point is moot any way. The Texans aren't going to move Demeeco. I've come to grips with they aren't going to move Mario and let go of Orakpo. I suggest you do the same and let go of Rey. Save yourselves some heart ache.

Ray can't cover your mother's backside. And that is death in this division. Had my say. I'm done.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top