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Kollar evaluates D-line personnel

Maddict5

Maddict5

Hall of Fame
another nice piece by Paul Kuharsky. small bit fluffy but some interesting tidbits about the NT competition and the likelihood (thank god) that smith will move inside on passing downs (first sign my hope of drafting maybin or brown @ 15, sidbury @ 46 might happen if they are there)... too bad the chron never thought we might be interested in stuff like this

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-80/Some-D-line-insight-from-Texans-new-assistant.html

"We've got quite a few on the inside especially at the nose we should end up having some good competition with Johnson, Cody, Okam and Robinson," he said.

But if one of the ends emerges as a good rusher opposite Williams or the Texans add that guy in the draft, it sure sounds like Smith could be the interior answer on passing downs.

"He's definitely a good inside rusher, I mean he's slippery inside, he uses his hands well," Kollar said. "He ended up playing a lot inside last year on first and second down. He just does a good job, he plays with great leverage, he was able to slip through gaps. He can give you some rush from the inside, that's for sure."
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Good find. I'm dying to see how the DL looks in TC with a new philosophy. I really think Bulman is gonna step up. That guy has a crazy motor that goes 200% every play. I'm also anxious to see hoe TJ and Okam react to Kollar's coaching style.
 
Nice find. Pretty interesting I think Kollar's opinions on guys kind of reflect general board sentiments. Mario is the man, Okoye is looking to improve and mature, Smith you quoted good pass rusher, Bulman the effort guy, Deljuan the "big stop guy" interesting...even more interesting referred to TJ as the nose tackle and a run first guy. Stanley McClover basically he said he's never heard of the guy.

I think this DL will have to take the step forward we've been hoping and drafting for to get into the playoffs.
 
This is really such a "rubber meets the road" kind of season for a lot of the thinking we fans have done for the last three or four years. Its a season where we really will learn (I think) exactly how much of a problem the coaching and scheme were. We're going to know fairly quickly I think if we have some players in there that we didn't know we had or couldn't see because of the stupid crap they were being asked to do.
 
I like our D-Line, I think there solid and with a bit of coaching we should be a force to reckon with. I'd like to see more defensive stunts as well and I want to see how Antonio Smith would do as a DT on some plays.

Can Someone Say :d:!?!?!
 
Hervoyel said:
This is really such a "rubber meets the road" kind of season for a lot of the thinking we fans have done for the last three or four years. Its a season where we really will learn (I think) exactly how much of a problem the coaching and scheme were. We're going to know fairly quickly I think if we have some players in there that we didn't know we had or couldn't see because of the stupid crap they were being asked to do.
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maybe we can have a defense where DL aren't asked to drop in coverage.

is that asking too much, herv?

all i know is this is the easiest schedule we have ever seen and its time for the team to take the next step. this is easily the most optimistic i have felt going into a season. i can't wait to see us kick the holy crap out of those damn new yorkers. lets end their season before it even begins.
 
Second Honeymoon said:
maybe we can have a defense where DL aren't asked to drop in coverage.

is that asking too much, herv?

all i know is this is the easiest schedule we have ever seen and its time for the team to take the next step. this is easily the most optimistic i have felt going into a season. i can't wait to see us kick the holy crap out of those damn new yorkers. lets end their season before it even begins.
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I sure hope not.
 
Holy smokes! This is killer insite into the early stages of Kollar's view from watching some tape and stuff. I agree that it mirrors what alot of us are seeing already. We don't have the insight into what Kollar wants to do exactly so to get to see what his first impressions are is critical. I am suprised that we didn't hear more about Del Juan. I thought he would have saw something in him that would suggest potential but he seemed to throw him in there as an afterthought and stuff. Then again, when I re-watched the games I didn't really see much from him either. I wish he would have demanded that they get Cochran back.

The most exciting to me was the thinking that Smith will slide inside on passing downs! It seems to be the most exciting news for our defense so far. He will surely help Okoye to be 1 on 1 with his guy and use his athleticism more and stuff.

It does seem to suggest that we may be looking for a situational pass rusher. And stuff.
 
so if Smith kicks inside, does Mario flip from RDE to LDE? then they bring in that situational pass rusher from the 1st/2nd rd? Also which tackle stays in & which one goes out? seems to me the Texans are thick @ tackle & thin on the edge unless its addressed via the draft :pirate:
 
"We've got quite a few on the inside especially at the nose we should end up having some good competition with Johnson, Cody, Okam and Robinson," he said.
"He's definitely a good inside rusher, I mean he's slippery inside, he uses his hands well," Kollar said. "He ended up playing a lot inside last year on first and second down. He just does a good job, he plays with great leverage, he was able to slip through gaps. He can give you some rush from the inside, that's for sure."
****************************
Those comments by the new DLine coach raise far more questions for me than they answer ?
First, when you consider that of Johnson, Cody, Okam and Robinson, there's only one real potential NT there while the other 3 guys are basically 1-gappers, gotta wonder what Kollars idea of a NT is ?
Then he talks of using FA Smith even more inside it clearly leaves the question why did they even get Smith when he was supposed to be the guy to play the other end of the D-line from Mario ? If you listen to Kollar, they still haven't found that guy ?
 
Hopefully a more aggressive d-line in camp will help lead to a more solid o-line. I wonder how much our o-line's growth was stunted going against the read & react system everyday.
 
Second Honeymoon said:
maybe we can have a defense where DL aren't asked to drop in coverage.

is that asking too much, herv?

all i know is this is the easiest schedule we have ever seen and its time for the team to take the next step. this is easily the most optimistic i have felt going into a season. i can't wait to see us kick the holy crap out of those damn new yorkers. lets end their season before it even begins.
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The zone blitz, when run properly, is one of the most effective defensive plays in terms of creating turnovers. It would be a huge mistake to drop zone blitzing from the defense. My suggestion is to simply do it better. It is a play that demands disguise and LBs that understand blitzing. Clearly that isn't something Smith's defense excelled at.
 
barrett said:
Holy smokes! This is killer insite into the early stages of Kollar's view from watching some tape and stuff. I agree that it mirrors what alot of us are seeing already. We don't have the insight into what Kollar wants to do exactly so to get to see what his first impressions are is critical. I am suprised that we didn't hear more about Del Juan. I thought he would have saw something in him that would suggest potential but he seemed to throw him in there as an afterthought and stuff. Then again, when I re-watched the games I didn't really see much from him either. I wish he would have demanded that they get Cochran back.

The most exciting to me was the thinking that Smith will slide inside on passing downs! It seems to be the most exciting news for our defense so far. He will surely help Okoye to be 1 on 1 with his guy and use his athleticism more and stuff.

It does seem to suggest that we may be looking for a situational pass rusher. And stuff.
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The tone of the article in regards to his impression of TJohnson, Okam, and Cody, along with his enthusiasm about moving A. Smith inside on passing downs certainly makes it more likely that we take a DE (speed rushing type) on the first day. I was left wondering if he saw Bulman as a guy that could be effective droping in at DT on passing downs.
 
Wow, PK sure is a good sports writer for ESPN. Im not used to seeing this indepth information regarding the Texans on national news outlets.

Sure sounds like Kollar has high praise for a guy like TJ, and seems to think his lack of production is mroe a result of his scheme.

He sounds pretty disappointed with Okoye, basically comparing him to a rookie. again
 
Second Honeymoon said:
maybe we can have a defense where DL aren't asked to drop in coverage.

is that asking too much, herv?

all i know is this is the easiest schedule we have ever seen and its time for the team to take the next step. this is easily the most optimistic i have felt going into a season. i can't wait to see us kick the holy crap out of those damn new yorkers. lets end their season before it even begins.
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Did someone hack your account and post this message? Very optimistic for you. I agree, this is put up or see ya for Kubiak and Co. Starting with the draft. If I see a DE in coverage again, I may riot. Nading "covering" McFadden was fun and all, but its time to attack.

dalemurphy said:
The zone blitz, when run properly, is one of the most effective defensive plays in terms of creating turnovers. It would be a huge mistake to drop zone blitzing from the defense. My suggestion is to simply do it better. It is a play that demands disguise and LBs that understand blitzing. Clearly that isn't something Smith's defense excelled at.
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There is a difference between a few strategic zone blitz's and dropping Weaver 3 or more times a game when no LB's even blitz.
 
We are good at DT. Maybe we take one late, perhaps in the sixth or seventh round. Adding a solid DE would be nice, but with the addition of Smith, it is unlikely to be on the first day.
 
dalemurphy said:
The tone of the article in regards to his impression of TJohnson, Okam, and Cody, along with his enthusiasm about moving A. Smith inside on passing downs certainly makes it more likely that we take a DE (speed rushing type) on the first day. I was left wondering if he saw Bulman as a guy that could be effective droping in at DT on passing downs.
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Other than Robert Ayers, I don't see another DE worth taking as a pass rusher. Unless we look at one of the tweeners.

Believe it or not, Ayers has climbed so high up the boards Mayock now has him listed as his #3 top rated player.

We might see him go as early as Buffalo

BigBull17 said:
There is a difference between a few strategic zone blitz's and dropping Weaver 3 or more times a game when no LB's even blitz.
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I never really cared when they dropped Weaver in a zone coverage because he was nonexistent in the pass rush anyways. It was the times I saw MW drop that completely blew my mind.

Dick Smith: "Hey Mario, we are going to trick the QB this time. Since you are one of the best pass rushers in the league they'll never expect you to drop in coverage"

MW: "Ummkay Coach? Who's going to put presser on the QB?"

Dick Smith: "It doesn't matter. The QB will be laughing so hard at how stupid I am that he'll be unable to throw an accurate pass"

MW: "Gee, good idea Coach. *speaking under his breath* "What a dumbass! How the f--k hs that guy lasted this long as a DC?!?!

:gun:
 
New DC Bush obviously was the primary decision maker in the pickup of FA
Smith, and the DC clearly said Smiths primary role was to be the "other" starting DE from you-know-who. Nothing vague about that, its really very explicit. Now we got new DLine coach (and assistant HC) Kollar saying Smith
flashed playing inside on first and second downs. And we already know Smith will be sliding to the inside on thirds downs. More and more, Smiths primary role sounds like to be less and less of the "other" DE ?
Are Bush and Kollar in agreement here ? I dunno but I'm puttin DE/edge-rusher back in the mix as a very high priority on the Texans Draft Board. How high, I dunno but I'd guess way up there towards the top ?
 
HOU-TEX said:
I never really cared when they dropped Weaver in a zone coverage because he was nonexistent in the pass rush anyways. It was the times I saw MW drop that completely blew my mind.

Dick Smith: "Hey Mario, we are going to trick the QB this time. Since you are one of the best pass rushers in the league they'll never expect you to drop in coverage"

MW: "Ummkay Coach? Who's going to put presser on the QB?"

Dick Smith: "It doesn't matter. The QB will be laughing so hard at how stupid I am that he'll be unable to throw an accurate pass"

MW: "Gee, good idea Coach. *speaking under his breath* "What a dumbass! How the f--k hs that guy lasted this long as a DC?!?!

:gun:
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Sadly, our rush is so bad Mario dropped and still got the sack vs. Gerrard.
 
So after the money we spent on A. smith we're going to turn him into a DT/De Tweener? Wonderful.....Freaking wonderful.

Honestly if we spend another first rounder on the DL and we don't see elite production.I'm going to be sick. Four first round draft picks on the line(potentially) and the only one producing is #1 pick Mario Williams.
 
Hmm, who do you think is telling the truth? Was Smith led to believe something that won't be true? :stirpot:

(on the defense’s style of play in Houston compared to the Arizona defense) “Basically, the only difference will be that I will be a left end now, solely a left end. They basically play almost the same style as far as when you talk technique, speed up the field but still using your hands; not necessarily a reading defense and not necessarily an up-the-field defense.”
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http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5169
 
HOU-TEX said:
Hmm, who do you think is telling the truth? Was Smith led to believe something that won't be true? :stirpot:



http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5169
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I noticed in the playoffs, Arizona had Smith all over the line.

I would watch a play, not find him at one of the DE spots, then rewind it and scan the interior of the line and find him. And the guy was, as Kollar said, "slippery" and getting through to the QB even when positioned on the interior of the line. If Smith doesn't want to be out all along the line, then he really screwed up by doing such a great job of breaking through the OL no matter where he was put. Alas, that's one of the reasons we probably wanted him in the first place.

And, "Yes," it does sound like Smith might have been lured here with the expectation that he will be solely at DE...hey, if that's what he wanted to hear in his contract talks with us, then so be it. I wouldn't blame the Texans coaches and FO for letting him think that.

I bet Kollar and Bush are going to put the dlinemen wherever they think they should be, depending on the situation. And Antonio Smith isn't Reggie White yet...so he can take a chill pill IF he's going to be uneasy about not being exclusively at DE. I think he will primarily be at DE, but will slide down...just not as much as he did in Arizona.

Then again, Bush is a 'Zona product and he might just deploy the linemen in almost similar fashion. Either way, it's exciting to see that we have someone overseeing the defense who might actually have a better plan than "When the ball is snapped, wait and see what the offense is going to do!"

Once again, Kuharsky shows RJ how you can use a blog for things other than ego-tripping. I started reading Kuharsky's blog when it first came out, and I constantly go to it every week. He keeps tabs on all the AFC South teams.
 
Doesn't sound like he was mislead to me.


Steve Slaton is solely a RB, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to be split out wide occasionally.

Not only that, but the writer of the article is the one that speculates about him moving. All Kollar did was note how well he played when on the interior.
 
Hervoyel said:
This is really such a "rubber meets the road" kind of season for a lot of the thinking we fans have done for the last three or four years. Its a season where we really will learn (I think) exactly how much of a problem the coaching and scheme were. We're going to know fairly quickly I think if we have some players in there that we didn't know we had or couldn't see because of the stupid crap they were being asked to do.
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Exactly. I'm taking a "wait and see" approach and I don't think we'll know what we've got until week 3. I expect the preseason will be pretty vanilla so it'll be honest-to-God game scenarios that'll tell the tale. I'm optimistic that with a new DL coach, a new DC, and a new scheme that we might see better production out of the DL. There might not be a team in the league with more untapped potential on it than ours.

Goldensilence said:
So after the money we spent on A. smith we're going to turn him into a DT/De Tweener? Wonderful.....Freaking wonderful.

Honestly if we spend another first rounder on the DL and we don't see elite production.I'm going to be sick. Four first round draft picks on the line(potentially) and the only one producing is #1 pick Mario Williams.
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Again, let's wait and see what they can do under the new regime. Prayerfully they'll all ramp their game up several notches.

And it wouldn't bother me if they put Smith inside on passing downs. If we can get our best pass rushers on the field in an obvious passing down, why not go for it? Maybe we'll actually get some pressure!

Also, if I remember correctly, the Giants during their SB run were putting all DE's on the line during obvious passing downs. Strahan, Kiwanuka, Tuck, and Umeniyora. No DT's in there. ****pots of pressure. So if the pick up a DE in the draft and occasionally move Smith in there it could be a great thing on 3rd and long. :d:
 
Polo said:
Doesn't sound like he was mislead to me.


Steve Slaton is solely a RB, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to be split out wide occasionally.

Not only that, but the writer of the article is the one that speculates about him moving. All Kollar did was note how well he played when on the interior.
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Is it speculating to analyze our dlinemen and see that they didn't get much of a push on opposing QBs? I mean, outside of a late-season effort by Bulman and Robinson...who else not-named-Mario really scared the crap out of opposing QBs on passing plays? In that regard, that's why Kuharsky is "speculating" that Antonio Smith will see more action on the interior of the line than what Smith was anticipating, via his quotes from the story.

I think there's "speculation," and then there's "simple math." To me, simple math is when you have Bush (from Arizona) acquiring Smith (from Arizona) when you have a few interior dlinemen (Okoye, TJ, and Okam) who simply haven't posed any sort of pass rushing threat whatsoever. Speculation would be "how much" is Smith going to move along the line? I would speculate that he won't be scattered as often as he was in Arizona. And if he really thought that he was going to be a DE Only? Oops. Smith used the phrase "Solely at DE," not any of us here on the board.

I also disagree that it's similar to sending Slaton out as a WR. The work, for a dlineman, is much easier when you're at DE because you use speed instead of brute strength. You take less of a beating off the snap, you're not getting crumpled upon by the other guys who are piling up around you during the play, etc. You have "space" to move in, whereas an interior guy is literally in the trenches play after play. I'm sure Slaton doesn't mind splitting out wide every now and then, where he has some space and doesn't get pounded by some mammoth dlineman, or multiple dlinemen. Same concept as what a DE encounters when compared to working inside the middle of the line, IMO.
 
All of this has very signifcant implications for DeMeco because if Kollars advocacy of the "amazing shrinking DLine" is implemented, its obviously done for speed and quickness with a focus on gap penetrators which in turn means DeMeco gets less help in fighting off Olineman coming across the los. I dunno but maybe the option of moving DeMeco out to WIL and bringing in a bigger, stronger MLB is back on the table ?
 
Maddict5 said:
another nice piece by Paul Kuharsky. small bit fluffy but some interesting tidbits about the NT competition and the likelihood (thank god) that smith will move inside on passing downs (first sign my hope of drafting maybin or brown @ 15, sidbury @ 46 might happen if they are there)... too bad the chron never thought we might be interested in stuff like this

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-80/Some-D-line-insight-from-Texans-new-assistant.html
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Sounds like Smith in this scenario more a replacement for Okoye if he does not come on strong.
 
TimeKiller said:
Nice find. Pretty interesting I think Kollar's opinions on guys kind of reflect general board sentiments. Mario is the man, Okoye is looking to improve and mature, Smith you quoted good pass rusher, Bulman the effort guy, Deljuan the "big stop guy" interesting...even more interesting referred to TJ as the nose tackle and a run first guy. Stanley McClover basically he said he's never heard of the guy.

I think this DL will have to take the step forward we've been hoping and drafting for to get into the playoffs.
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Okam & TJ have to come strong or be non-factors. DelJuan and Bulman should both take another leap forward. We might not be able to stop the run, but should be able to disrupt the QB more.
 
badboy said:
Sounds like Smith in this scenario more a replacement for Okoye if he does not come on strong.
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I don't think this is the case because anyway we can slice it Smith is probably somewhere on the line for a majority of the snaps. Since Mario's a constant there are really only 2 spots to go around between Okoye, TJ, Bulman, Robinson, Cody, Okam and anyone drafted. If we're going for pass rush Okoye has to be in unless he has completely hit rock bottom, Bulman next then maybe Robinson. I think TJ/Cody/Okam are considered NTs/run down guys on this team so I wouldn't look their way for sacks and pressures any time soon. Smith likely replaces the run-stopping DT to give extra pressure next to Okoye and Mario and whoever ends up outside on passing downs. Bulman, McClover? We'll probably see a DE drafted as well or one of the many tweeners this draft seems to have.

As long as TJ or Okam are making run stopping tackles I think they'll have a place on this team. TJ is playing for a contract too, so that could be a factor.

Run downs:
Smith TJ Okoye Mario
backups
Bulman Okam Robinson McClover

Pass downs:
Matthews ;) Smith Okoye Mario
Bulman Cody Robinson McClover
 
beerlover said:
Smith replaced Weaver :shades:
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Not if he is playing DT. Maybe our new DE we get from the draft will replace Weaver. Makes me think I may be on target with my trade down board of getting Ayers later in first and picking up extra selections.
 
TimeKiller said:
I don't think this is the case because anyway we can slice it Smith is probably somewhere on the line for a majority of the snaps. Since Mario's a constant there are really only 2 spots to go around between Okoye, TJ, Bulman, Robinson, Cody, Okam and anyone drafted. If we're going for pass rush Okoye has to be in unless he has completely hit rock bottom, Bulman next then maybe Robinson. I think TJ/Cody/Okam are considered NTs/run down guys on this team so I wouldn't look their way for sacks and pressures any time soon. Smith likely replaces the run-stopping DT to give extra pressure next to Okoye and Mario and whoever ends up outside on passing downs. Bulman, McClover? We'll probably see a DE drafted as well or one of the many tweeners this draft seems to have.

As long as TJ or Okam are making run stopping tackles I think they'll have a place on this team. TJ is playing for a contract too, so that could be a factor.

Run downs:
Smith TJ Okoye Mario
backups
Bulman Okam Robinson McClover

Pass downs:
Matthews ;) Smith Okoye Mario
Bulman Cody Robinson McClover
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How about Robert Ayers DE, Smith DT as Kollar said he can get to QB from inside and therefor replaces Okoye and TJ whom every one just said is well liked by Kubes for "doing what he's told". I'm saying here that Okoye better come cranked. I'm hopeful his health was issue last season. 22 or not it is his 3rd year.
 
But really, in the entire NFL, there are only maybe a handful of guys on D-lines that others are scared to face.
 
GP said:
Is it speculating to analyze our dlinemen and see that they didn't get much of a push on opposing QBs? I mean, outside of a late-season effort by Bulman and Robinson...who else not-named-Mario really scared the crap out of opposing QBs on passing plays? In that regard, that's why Kuharsky is "speculating" that Antonio Smith will see more action on the interior of the line than what Smith was anticipating, via his quotes from the story.

I think there's "speculation," and then there's "simple math." To me, simple math is when you have Bush (from Arizona) acquiring Smith (from Arizona) when you have a few interior dlinemen (Okoye, TJ, and Okam) who simply haven't posed any sort of pass rushing threat whatsoever. Speculation would be "how much" is Smith going to move along the line? I would speculate that he won't be scattered as often as he was in Arizona. And if he really thought that he was going to be a DE Only? Oops. Smith used the phrase "Solely at DE," not any of us here on the board.

I also disagree that it's similar to sending Slaton out as a WR. The work, for a dlineman, is much easier when you're at DE because you use speed instead of brute strength. You take less of a beating off the snap, you're not getting crumpled upon by the other guys who are piling up around you during the play, etc. You have "space" to move in, whereas an interior guy is literally in the trenches play after play. I'm sure Slaton doesn't mind splitting out wide every now and then, where he has some space and doesn't get pounded by some mammoth dlineman, or multiple dlinemen. Same concept as what a DE encounters when compared to working inside the middle of the line, IMO.
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First of all, Antonio Smith is being paid to play football... He's not a lawyer. So, I'd be very careful when breaking down his words to try and understand exactly what he meant. He's a 27 year old football player. Unless he was answering the question, "have they promised you that you will never line up anywhere on the line other than on the outside shoulder of an OT?".. then, we really aren't going to know much.

If you watch the way he was used in Arizona, I think it's clear that he may have simply been expressing relief that he's not going to bounce across the line at every possible spot and be asked to do all kinds of things, including trying to occupy blockers from the NT position. In Arizona, he was the primary utility Defensive lineman. Here, he's probably relieved to know that he is the primary Left Defensive End.

I can't imagine a football conversation with a guy with his skill set where he would actually come away feeling assured that he would never line up next to an OG, under any game conditions or circumstances. After all, Mario lined up at both DEs, DT, and MLB last year. I doubt Mario will be complaining that he isn't a LB.

I'm just thankful that these players are getting a fresh evaluation. Apparently, (unlike our previous DLine Coach and DC) this DL Coach and DC believe game planning and personnel evaluation should stretch beyond asking Mario to write down his 5 favorite plays. Thank God those id*ots are gone!
 
I remember some LB who once said "I'm glad we change to the 4-3. It will be good for me."

And then a year or two later, with another team, he would say "I love the 3-4. It's so much better for me."

Duh!
 
76Texan said:
But really, in the entire NFL, there are only maybe a handful of guys on D-lines that others are scared to face.
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One-on-one, I would say "Yes."

But I think the thing that made KVB so good is that he had Haynesworth on the inside. When the middle of the line is crumbling, I personally think the primary beneficiaries are the DEs and LBs. If the interior dlinemen cannot disrupt the middle of the oline, which is what Haynesworth was great at doing, then the oline can handle the DEs and LBs.

Maybe it was Richard Smith's read-n-react approach. But what if TJ and Okoye are really just not that good at pushing through the line and yet still maintaining discipline in case it's a run play? I don't want it to be true, but "what if" we're really THAT bad at everywhere on the line but wherever Mario Williams lines up?

I don't think the whole line has to be scary freaky good. But I hope our dline can adopt the new mentality and not revert back to bad habits that were taught for the past few years.

We won't know until halfway through preseason, and the opening game vs. Jets will be an even better clue.
 
I came away from that conversation thinking the Texans feel Smith is flexible enough that he can go inside if they find a good edge guy for pass rush situations or can stay outside if they find a good interior guy in the draft.

I look for the Texans to come away with the best defensive linemen they are able to find along the way this weekend, whether he's a tackle or an end.

--Paul Kuharsky
 
i think the best addition to the defense will be an even better offense keeping D off the field longer and pushing the score even higher. A strong RB will be chosen and that should assist in both of these areas.
 
badboy said:
i think the best addition to the defense will be an even better offense keeping D off the field longer and pushing the score even higher. A strong RB will be chosen and that should assist in both of these areas.
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I think this is why we'll see an early back taken. Clearly the O is the calling card of this team and while I don't want to see them go Colts and have no D/all O this team is going by the phrase, "The best defense is a good offense" and boy, with another pounding RB this O will be good!

To the Ayers comment, I think he's a solid 2nd round choice who has had his draft surge at the exact right time to slip him up into the 1st. I'd love him 2nd round, hate him 1st round. Much rather pick a DB here or OLB guy.
 
pakuha said:
I came away from that conversation thinking the Texans feel Smith is flexible enough that he can go inside if they find a good edge guy for pass rush situations or can stay outside if they find a good interior guy in the draft.

I look for the Texans to come away with the best defensive linemen they are able to find along the way this weekend, whether he's a tackle or an end.

--Paul Kuharsky
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The real Kuharsky of ESPN's AFC South blogs?
 
drewmar74 said:
The real Kuharsky of ESPN's AFC South blogs?
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Has to be. Check out his user name, it's his first post, and he claims in his blog that he hangs out on AFC South message boards.

Welcome to the board, sir.

Do you think Antonio Smith felt he was coming to Houston to be a DE the vast majority of time, and how is he going to thrive if he gets pushed down inside the line by our coaches?

I'd rather us take another DT since we have Smith and Mario. It appears that TJ, Okam, and Cody are all run stuffers. Amobi is somewhere in-between and is a bit of a mystery at the moment, and we have good up-the-field linemen in Bulman, Robinson, Mario, and Smith.

The simple math, to me, has us taking a gap-shooting DT. Unless the available player(s) at pick no. 15 dictate otherwise.
 
GP said:
Has to be. Check out his user name, it's his first post, and he claims in his blog that he hangs out on AFC South message boards.

Welcome to the board, sir.

Do you think Antonio Smith felt he was coming to Houston to be a DE the vast majority of time, and how is he going to thrive if he gets pushed down inside the line by our coaches?

I'd rather us take another DT since we have Smith and Mario. It appears that TJ, Okam, and Cody are all run stuffers. Amobi is somewhere in-between and is a bit of a mystery at the moment, and we have good up-the-field linemen in Bulman, Robinson, Mario, and Smith.

The simple math, to me, has us taking a gap-shooting DT. Unless the available player(s) at pick no. 15 dictate otherwise.
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Wow! Sir?! Was that a loud smooch on the a** I hear all the way from Corpus?! :) Just kidding with you man.
 
Thanks for the hospitality. I don't know that I said I hang out on the boards, but I try to stop by from time to time. I wish I could be a more consistent visitor, because the good boards can help me monitor the pulse of die-hards.

I think if Kollar is putting Smith in the best positions for him to help the Texans, Smith won't have much reason to complain.
 
pakuha said:
Thanks for the hospitality. I don't know that I said I hang out on the boards, but I try to stop by from time to time. I wish I could be a more consistent visitor, because the good boards can help me monitor the pulse of die-hards.

I think if Kollar is putting Smith in the best positions for him to help the Texans, Smith won't have much reason to complain.
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Well, you've come to the right board for Texans die-hards. The pulse is always beating strongly here.

:fans:
 
pakuha said:
Thanks for the hospitality. I don't know that I said I hang out on the boards, but I try to stop by from time to time. I wish I could be a more consistent visitor, because the good boards can help me monitor the pulse of die-hards.

I think if Kollar is putting Smith in the best positions for him to help the Texans, Smith won't have much reason to complain.
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Thanks for the reply. I regularly check your blog because you actually put forth a very solid effort to cover the whole AFC South and not just a certain "pet team" like we see with other reporters.

Keep up the good work, and be sure to come back again.
 
I also thoroughly enjoy your blog. Thank you for your hard work. Your story on the D-Line was actually some of the most insight into the Texans I've seen from a national (divisional?) report since the teams inception. Thanks again.
 
PREDICTION:
Okoye is going to have a great season and become an elite pass rusher. He showed flashes of this his first year for the first part of the season until he started doing what the coaches told him to do. Instead of rushing the passer, he had to "read the offense" and got pushed around. I think he showed flashes of that elite first step in his first few games, but obviously, if you are "reading" the offense, that first step does you no good.
 
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