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WalterFootball.com 2009 Analysis of our Houston Texans

PapaL said:
Interesting...
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Andre Smith got all of the hype on that Bama offensive line. But don't get it twisted. Antoine Caldwell was the best offensive lineman at Alabama - not just this year, but over the past 3 seasons. He was the glue that held that line together. We really got a steal in Caldwell, and I believe that he'll be a Pro-Bowler in 4-5 years.
 
I know Caldwell very well. I thought I had read that Myers was entrenched as the starter and Caldwell would be groomed to eventually start - hence why I found that blurb interesting.
 
PapaL said:
I know Caldwell very well. I thought I had read that Myers was entrenched as the starter and Caldwell would be groomed to eventually start - hence why I found that blurb interesting.
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I don't think (barring an injury to Myers) that Caldwell will supplant Myers as the starter at C this season. But, looking forward, next season may be a different story. It all remains to be seen, but Caldwell is the future leader of the Texans o-line.
 
Overall, a pretty good write up but here are a few quibbles:

Of course, every elite offense needs a dynamic quarterback, and that would be Matt Schaub. Yet another underrated Texan, Schaub threw for 3,043 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 picks in just 11 games, maintaining a sterling 8.0 YPA in the process. If Houston wants to qualify for the playoffs for the first time, Schaub will need to stay healthy for a change. In two seasons with the Texans, he has missed 10 contests. This is especially important as ever because Sage Rosenchoker was traded to the Vikings, meaning Houston no longer has a capable backup quarterback, unless you want to count Rex Grossman or Dan Orlovsky.
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Why wouldn't you count Orlovsky as a capable backup? Especially compared to some of the backups in the league. Statistically, he wasn't that different than Schaub or Rosenfels when they first came to the Texans.

Despite these horrendous numbers, however, I'm confident that the Texans will be much better defensively in 2009.
.....

Meanwhile, the only hole up front is at nose tackle, occupied by Travis Johnson. The Texans will be better versus the rush with Smith at left end, but the lack of a solid nose tackle will keep Houston's run defense ranking in the teens.

If I'm right, and the Texans improve their pass rush and generate about 35 sacks, it'll make things easier for their mediocre secondary. Dunta Robinson, once considered one of the premier corners in the NFL, has missed 12 games in the past two seasons. He's fine now, but his injury history says he's unreliable. Jacques Reeves, the other starting corner, played pretty well for Houston after struggling mightily in Dallas. Houston is deep at corner with Fred Bennett, Antwaun Molden and Glover Quin all in the mix.

One thing I thought the Texans should have addressed in the 2009 NFL Draft is their lack of a playmaking safety. The injury-prone Eugene Wilson played well at free safety late in the year for Houston, while the coaching staff seems enamored with strong safety Dominique Barber, who has no career starts. However, neither Wilson nor Barber is even close to being a dominant safety like Indianapolis' Bob Sanders or Tennessee's Michael Griffin.
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So Antonio Smith is going to stop the run from the end position but the middle is still fudgy. And the entire secondary is mediocre. How can the author be confident that the Texans are going to be much better defensively?

Punting is Houston's only minor weakness on special teams, as Matt Turk maintained a mediocre 42.3 average, hitting 17 kicks inside the opposing 20.
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ST coach Marciano doesn't want long kicks. He wants hang time kicks that don't get returned.
 
My favorite part:

Houston will unexpectedly advance deep into the playoffs, prompting the clueless analysts on ESPN to exclaim, "No one saw this coming!" or "No one expect the Houston Texas to make the Doggone Playoff!"
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:)
 
Texans_Chick said:
Overall, a pretty good write up but here are a few quibbles:



Why wouldn't you count Orlovsky as a capable backup? Especially compared to some of the backups in the league. Statistically, he wasn't that different than Schaub or Rosenfels when they first came to the Texans.



So Antonio Smith is going to stop the run from the end position but the middle is still fudgy. And the entire secondary is mediocre. How can the author be confident that the Texans are going to be much better defensively?



ST coach Marciano doesn't want long kicks. He wants hang time kicks that don't get returned.
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Mostly agreed...but I think you can call us better defensively if We've upgraded the linebacker corp significantly, and nothing else has regressed.

antonio smith > Anthony Weaver?
 
PapaL said:
I know Caldwell very well. I thought I had read that Myers was entrenched as the starter and Caldwell would be groomed to eventually start - hence why I found that blurb interesting.
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Eventually isn't a real precise measurement of time though. Eventually could mean in 3 years or tomorrow.

The defense does LOOK better to me too. Cushing is a big upgrade, if Adibi continues his play he was a large part of the surge the D tried to put on. If young guys like Okoye and Bennett step it up this year that's a huge, huge plus in two weak sections. Antonio Smith>Weaver. The real big question is STILL safety. Wilson was nice last year but keep it up (up to what, medium good?) and Barber is their guy so I guess I'll take a big ol' swig of juice for him. If the CBs can evolve into their capabilities maybe S doesn't stand out quite so glaringly but otherwise, 2ndary is still the biggest issue personnel wise on the team.
 
Texan JBZ said:
I don't think (barring an injury to Myers) that Caldwell will supplant Myers as the starter at C this season. But, looking forward, next season may be a different story. It all remains to be seen, but Caldwell is the future leader of the Texans o-line.
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I do. In fact, I pretty much agree with the article. I think the staff may put Myers out there as the starter for Game One, but Caldwell will force their hand. He won't be denied.
 
walterfootball is a fine FREE resource to monitor, they have passion for the game & provide a useful catch-all site to do research on everything/anything NFL related-

when it comes to the Texans this board right here is where you need to tune in to get real time insight, great posters like Texans_Chick, AJ or LZ just to name a few will remain my source of reference along with pay services-

Meyers is still young & just now coming into his own playing in Gibbs system is taylor-made, expect to see him be the starting Center here for a while unless some unfortunate injury. Caldwell is versatile & can play both guard positions, to me with his reach & footwork he looks like a natural LG-

:)
 
Good article.

Point I agreed on though was problems at RG and C. Most of the board and the staff seems to be ok with Brisiel at RG, which I'm fine with granted Myers gets suplanted at C, which I think he will sooner then later.

I'm glad we made the trade for Myers and I think he an upgrade over what we've pretended to have at center the past few years. He's an adequate starter who could get better if he gets in the weight room and gets stronger at the point of attack. He's ok between the 20's but when the defense is backed up on the goal line he struggles. I think he's going to get pushed all TC by Caldwell, who reminds of me our last player we selected from Alabma. Talented enough to play 3 positions but will end up in the middle.

From what I remember BL Caldwell was getting snaps at Center in OTAs and I expect that's where the staff wants him.
 
Texans_Chick said:
So Antonio Smith is going to stop the run from the end position but the middle is still fudgy. And the entire secondary is mediocre. How can the author be confident that the Texans are going to be much better defensively?
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Well having a fudgy middle and a medicore secondary as the biggest problems on D represents a huge upgrade. Think about it.

Besides, doesn't everyone have a fudgy middle? :user:
 
The guy didn't watch enough Texans' games!
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They seem really down on Brisiel, as do many of the posters on this MB. But, I don't recall Brisiel getting more penalties than anyone else on the OL. :thinking:

Right Guard: The oft-penalized Mike Brisiel needs to be upgraded. Drafted Antoine Caldwell; signed Adrian Jones

Does anyone have the stats on the OL penalties to prove this?
 
Insideop said:
They seem really down on Brisiel, as do many of the posters on this MB. But, I don't recall Brisiel getting more penalties than anyone else on the OL. :thinking:

Right Guard: The oft-penalized Mike Brisiel needs to be upgraded. Drafted Antoine Caldwell; signed Adrian Jones

Does anyone have the stats on the OL penalties to prove this?
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I saw someone mention Pro Football Weekly - Season Preview 2009 (the publication, not the web site) that said:

"RG Mike Brisiel is a hardworking player who makes the most of his ability, but he must cut down on his mistakes (3 false starts, 3 holding penalties)"

That is all I could come up with for you.
 
Insideop said:
They seem really down on Brisiel, as do many of the posters on this MB. But, I don't recall Brisiel getting more penalties than anyone else on the OL. :thinking:

Right Guard: The oft-penalized Mike Brisiel needs to be upgraded. Drafted Antoine Caldwell; signed Adrian Jones

Does anyone have the stats on the OL penalties to prove this?
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Personally, I thought Brisiel got off to a mediocre start last season, but finished the 2nd half of the season quite nicely. I'd like to see him continue to improve and become really dominant at his position.

I'm even willing to give Myers the nod to start the season at C. I'd have him on a very short leash though. How short of a leash will depend on Caldwell's development during TC.
 
I think we all believe that the Texans will put the player that gives them the best chance at success on the field 100% of the time. To me it isn't a question of if Caldwell is better than Myers because we all know he is, or if he will eventually supplant Myers as the starter because he will. I believe that as soon as he matches or surpasses what Myers brings to the table from the neck up he will be starting. The most important thing is that last year we had all linemen play in all 16 games and looking at our depth that is exactly what we needed, but if one of our interior linemen went down this year I would be more comfortable with either Caldwell or Myers(whichever one losses the camp battle) coming off the bench.
 
Playoff bound said:
I think we all believe that the Texans will put the player that gives them the best chance at success on the field 100% of the time. To me it isn't a question of if Caldwell is better than Myers because we all know he is, or if he will eventually supplant Myers as the starter because he will. I believe that as soon as he matches or surpasses what Myers brings to the table from the neck up he will be starting. The most important thing is that last year we had all linemen play in all 16 games and looking at our depth that is exactly what we needed, but if one of our interior linemen went down this year I would be more comfortable with either Caldwell or Myers(whichever one losses the camp battle) coming off the bench.
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The thing is, if/when Caldwell wins the C job, Myers could be an upgrade at RG.
 
Playoff bound said:
I think we all believe that the Texans will put the player that gives them the best chance at success on the field 100% of the time. To me it isn't a question of if Caldwell is better than Myers because we all know he is, or if he will eventually supplant Myers as the starter because he will. I believe that as soon as he matches or surpasses what Myers brings to the table from the neck up he will be starting. The most important thing is that last year we had all linemen play in all 16 games and looking at our depth that is exactly what we needed, but if one of our interior linemen went down this year I would be more comfortable with either Caldwell or Myers(whichever one losses the camp battle) coming off the bench.
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I have no idea what you're talking about, sorry!
 
HOU-TEX said:
Personally, I thought Brisiel got off to a mediocre start last season, but finished the 2nd half of the season quite nicely. I'd like to see him continue to improve and become really dominant at his position.
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FWIW, I believe Lance Zierlein suggested in his blog that Brisiel outperformed Pitts last year. Pitts is paid much more than Brisiel, and much higher than Caldwell will be paid. With Pitts coming into a contract year, it may be that Caldwell is intended to replace Pitts next season.
 
kozanack said:
FWIW, I believe Lance Zierlein suggested in his blog that Brisiel outperformed Pitts last year. Pitts is paid much more than Brisiel, and much higher than Caldwell will be paid. With Pitts coming into a contract year, it may be that Caldwell is intended to replace Pitts next season.
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I'm sure they see Caldwell as the future at C. That being said, we needed better depth on the interior line. As far as roster spots, Caldwell is intended to replace Studdard or C. White.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
The thing is, if/when Caldwell wins the C job, Myers could be an upgrade at RG.
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I know we haven't seen Myers take any snaps at G, but from what I've seen from him at C, I just can't see him making a successful transition to the G position. IMO, there no way Meyers can beat out Brisiel at RG. It'd take an injury or a huge setback in Brisiel's performance for that to happen.
 
HOU-TEX said:
I know we haven't seen Myers take any snaps at G, but from what I've seen from him at C, I just can't see him making a successful transition to the G position. IMO, there no way Meyers can beat out Brisiel at RG. It'd take an injury or a huge setback in Brisiel's performance for that to happen.
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He played all three positions at Miami. Then in Denver, he was a G (and broke the starting lineup at G) and they had to move him to C because of injuries.

He may be better at guard than center. And he might be better than Brisiel. Might be.
 
Texans_Chick said:
Overall, a pretty good write up but here are a few quibbles:



Why wouldn't you count Orlovsky as a capable backup? Especially compared to some of the backups in the league. Statistically, he wasn't that different than Schaub or Rosenfels when they first came to the Texans.



So Antonio Smith is going to stop the run from the end position but the middle is still fudgy. And the entire secondary is mediocre. How can the author be confident that the Texans are going to be much better defensively?



ST coach Marciano doesn't want long kicks. He wants hang time kicks that don't get returned.
Click to expand...
I am not sure if Kubes would like the adjective "fudgy" for our DTs even if it is true.
 
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