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Draft or Bust

srrono

All Pro
Texans don’t need starters, but they’ll look for some finishers
by John McClain

INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since he became the Texans’ coach in 2006, Gary Kubiak did not come to the scouting combine looking for a starter in the NFL draft.

The Texans are coming off their best season — a 10-6 record, an AFC South title and a first-round playoff victory — and for the first time, they’re not desperate for a starter in the first round of the draft.

Aside from defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (2007), every first-round pick since Kubiak became coach started last season. The Texans have the 26th pick — tied for the lowest they’ve ever selected. General manager Rick Smith traded down two times in 2008 before he selected offensive tackle Duane Brown.

Even if the Texans lose outside linebacker Mario Williams in free agency, they won’t have to draft a starter to replace him because they have Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed.

That’s quite a contrast to last year, when the Texans were desperate to repair a defense that ranked 30th, including 32nd against the pass. They used their top five picks on defensive players, and the first two — defensive end J.J. Watt and Reed — started for a defense that improved to second in Wade Phillips’ first season as coordinator.

“Nothing we’ve done is going to change the way we approach the combine,” Kubiak said Wednesday. “I’m always going to approach the combine and the draft like we hope our first-round pick is good enough to start.

“Now, if he doesn’t end up starting, it shows how much better we’ve gotten as a team.”

Kubiak and Smith have brought a large contingent of Texans personnel, including scouts, executives, coaches, doctors and trainers. They’ll be able to interview 60 players for 15 minutes each. They’ll watch the workouts and prepare for the next part of the scouting process — pro days on college campuses.

Unlike last year, when Smith and vice president of football administration Chris Olsen found enough cap space to sign cornerback Johnathan Joseph and free safety Danieal Manning as free agents, the Texans won’t be active in free agency. Their plan is to re-sign their free agents — beginning with Williams — and to get others to sign extensions.

Not pursuing free agents on other teams places more emphasis on the draft. The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly, but they need a wide receiver. If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds. They’ll look for an interior offensive lineman.

And Kubiak’s philosophy is that a team can never have enough cornerbacks.

“Our philosophy hasn’t changed,” Kubiak said. “The draft is very important. We drafted very well last year and expect to again. This (combine) is an exciting part of the process.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/02/texans-don’t-need-starters-but-they’ll-look-for-some-finishers/

I hate putting all our eggs in one basket.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
1 playoff series win and now the texans are kings of the hill forever. Kinda funny if you ask me. The combine isn't where you look for a starter,but drafting in the 1st 2 rds is the place they should look. A nt or wr should be ale to compete for a starting spot given what they have at those spots. Poe,jefferey,alameeda, are just a few to name who can put pressure on the starters.
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
Not pursuing free agents on other teams places more emphasis on the draft. The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly, but they need a wide receiver. If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds. They’ll look for an interior offensive lineman.

And Kubiak’s philosophy is that a team can never have enough cornerbacks.
I hate how McLain throws crap like this out as if he has some inside information.
 

Wolf

100% Texan
1 playoff series win and now the texans are kings of the hill forever. Kinda funny if you ask me. The combine isn't where you look for a starter,but drafting in the 1st 2 rds is the place they should look. A nt or wr should be ale to compete for a starting spot given what they have at those spots. Poe,jefferey,alameeda, are just a few to name who can put pressure on the starters.
yep, I don't like the way the article was phrased about that. I don't know why but I feel this draft is hugely important because there are a lot of guys that are going to get raises within a quick period of time within the next 2 years. (if memory serves me right with our FA coming up)

also to fix the article
article said:
And Kubiak’s philosophy is that a team can never have enough tight ends.
.

:joker:
 

Big Lou

Hall of Fame
If McClain keeps writing that we aren't going to do much in Free Agency because of the cap I think we will go after a very solid FA WR and have plenty of money available.

Looks like the typical spin from McClain the Minister of Propoganda.
 

srrono

All Pro
If McClain keeps writing that we aren't going to do much in Free Agency because of the cap I think we will go after a very solid FA WR and have plenty of money available.

Looks like the typical spin from McClain the Minister of Propoganda.

hope your right.
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
Two things I'm sick of hearing.





1.) We are going to draft a wide receiver in the first round.

Really? This is what the majority of the fans and the media thinks. Yet I haven't seen a single quote or heard a single sound bite from someone inside the organization say this. Walter is a coaches favorite and JJ just signed a new contract last year. I don't think Smithiack views WR as big a need as everyone else.

2.) If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

Why? Why in the first two rounds? We have our starters.
 

GP

Go Texans!
If McClain keeps writing that we aren't going to do much in Free Agency because of the cap I think we will go after a very solid FA WR and have plenty of money available.

Looks like the typical spin from McClain the Minister of Propoganda.
I think he just speculates like we do. But he has a badge and we don't.

Watch the Texans dump Mario and go grab a free agent WR and another free agent CB to pair with Joseph. LOL. If that happened, John McClain should call it a career and find more horse racing movies to be in.

Random John McClain pic for the fun of it (made this back during preseason games):

 

beerlover

Hall of Fame
Joined board in 2004 because I loved the Texans & wanted to know more about future players, aka via the draft, because we all knew even back then very few would still be with this team today.

The Draft is everything. It's where College & Pro games merge, its exciting & its hard not to root for these young men to become successful as Texans. I don't think McClain said anything wrong here & I agree with this -
The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly, but they need a wide receiver. If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.
http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89957

First Round: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU, 6-4 208

Second Round: Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy, 6-3 250

First Round: TY Hilton, WR/KR, Florida International, 5-10 184
 
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steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Is Gary going to the combine this yr?

Or has he scheduled another elective surgery?

I would love to see the Texansign Brandon Carr and Meachem.

If they cant afford Meachem, a low cost alternative deep threat could be Chaz Schillens.
 

Maddict5

Hall of Fame
General manager Rick Smith traded down two times in 2008 before he selected offensive tackle Duane Brown.
just random wrong stuff like that which he always throws into articles annoys me... we traded down....once.... with the ravens. most texans fans could tell you that. if he forgot it takes 2 seconds to check google if youve forgotten. just shows he (or his editors) cant be arsed to check anything
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
just random wrong stuff like that which he always throws into articles annoys me... we traded down....once.... with the ravens. most texans fans could tell you that. if he forgot it takes 2 seconds to check google if youve forgotten. just shows he (or his editors) cant be arsed to check anything
Yep,pretty much. Mcclain said they won't be active? To me, they're never active,but they pick and choose their spots. They won't be in the 1st wave of free agency, but there will be quality players after the big money guys. Those 4m per yr guys under 27 are very good value.
 

welsh texan

You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
I hate how McLain throws crap like this out as if he has some inside information.
Its worth remembering that the written press hails from a time before internet forums and 24/7 tv coverage in which people get to know every minute detail of the team before anything gets the chance to make it to print.

Therefore they tend to report all the information and not leave out the 'obvious'.

Don't forget that there will still be many Texans fans out there who aren't members of TT, don't watch round the clock NFL coverage, and use the Chronicle as their source for Texans news.

Therefore, giving these guys a hard time for 'stating the obvious' is really unfair, as the target audience isn't really people who devote their entire life to following every little snippet of information and discussing it on a message board, but rather people who have a passing interest in what the Texans are getting up to in the offseason.
 

Marcus

Windmill cancer survivor
Contributor's Club
Its worth remembering that the written press hails from a time before internet forums and 24/7 tv coverage in which people get to know every minute detail of the team before anything gets the chance to make it to print.

Therefore they tend to report all the information and not leave out the 'obvious'.

Don't forget that there will still be many Texans fans out there who aren't members of TT, don't watch round the clock NFL coverage, and use the Chronicle as their source for Texans news.

Therefore, giving these guys a hard time for 'stating the obvious' is really unfair, as the target audience isn't really people who devote their entire life to following every little snippet of information and discussing it on a message board, but rather people who have a passing interest in what the Texans are getting up to in the offseason.
Signed,

The Houston Chronicle

:rolleyes:
 

Rey

Guest
Its worth remembering that the written press hails from a time before internet forums and 24/7 tv coverage in which people get to know every minute detail of the team before anything gets the chance to make it to print.

Therefore they tend to report all the information and not leave out the 'obvious'.

Don't forget that there will still be many Texans fans out there who aren't members of TT, don't watch round the clock NFL coverage, and use the Chronicle as their source for Texans news.

Therefore, giving these guys a hard time for 'stating the obvious' is really unfair, as the target audience isn't really people who devote their entire life to following every little snippet of information and discussing it on a message board, but rather people who have a passing interest in what the Texans are getting up to in the offseason.

Repped.

I was thinking the exact same thing.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Its worth remembering that the written press hails from a time before internet forums and 24/7 tv coverage in which people get to know every minute detail of the team before anything gets the chance to make it to print.

Therefore they tend to report all the information and not leave out the 'obvious'.

Don't forget that there will still be many Texans fans out there who aren't members of TT, don't watch round the clock NFL coverage, and use the Chronicle as their source for Texans news.

Therefore, giving these guys a hard time for 'stating the obvious' is really unfair, as the target audience isn't really people who devote their entire life to following every little snippet of information and discussing it on a message board, but rather people who have a passing interest in what the Texans are getting up to in the offseason.
Except Doughnuts spends less time doing research for his articles than many people on this MB are doing for the TT mock draft. He's really bad at doing his job and lives off his reputation.

McClain lost his draft insider the day Joel Buschbaum died. He was an example of how a dedication to the draft should be with all media members. It's only Doughnuts job to keep up with all things draft related. Joel heloed make the combine what it is today for the the fans.

RIP Joel, you were the best.
 

GP

Go Texans!
Its worth remembering that the written press hails from a time before internet forums and 24/7 tv coverage in which people get to know every minute detail of the team before anything gets the chance to make it to print.

Therefore they tend to report all the information and not leave out the 'obvious'.

Don't forget that there will still be many Texans fans out there who aren't members of TT, don't watch round the clock NFL coverage, and use the Chronicle as their source for Texans news.

Therefore, giving these guys a hard time for 'stating the obvious' is really unfair, as the target audience isn't really people who devote their entire life to following every little snippet of information and discussing it on a message board, but rather people who have a passing interest in what the Texans are getting up to in the offseason.
???

Seriously?

Old ladies are using iPhones and have Facebook accounts now. And love it.

But the excuse for Mustache McClain is that he's writing for the 0.235% of the population who ONLY get their Texans news from the newspaper? Then why does he have a blog/Internet-based column, a Twitter account, etc?

Might as well pay him peanuts to write a printed article and let someone else do the heavy lifting on all things digital. I mean, it was nice of you to offer an alibi for him, but still.....there are less prominent people around here who do more in-depth coverage and analysis than John McClain does.

And McClain is routinely wrong about his speculation, opening the door in his face all the time on various predictions that almost always don't end up the way he says it will. I actually have begun to feel sorry for him, as if he's the guy in Office Space who wants his stapler back.
 

Rey

Guest
???

Seriously?

Old ladies are using iPhones and have Facebook accounts now. And love it.

But the excuse for Mustache McClain is that he's writing for the 0.235% of the population who ONLY get their Texans news from the newspaper? Then why does he have a blog/Internet-based column, a Twitter account, etc?

Might as well pay him peanuts to write a printed article and let someone else do the heavy lifting on all things digital. I mean, it was nice of you to offer an alibi for him, but still.....there are less prominent people around here who do more in-depth coverage and analysis than John McClain does.

And McClain is routinely wrong about his speculation, opening the door in his face all the time on various predictions that almost always don't end up the way he says it will. I actually have begun to feel sorry for him, as if he's the guy in Office Space who wants his stapler back.

Not pursuing free agents on other teams places more emphasis on the draft
This is the line where the rhetoric about McClain came from that Welsh responded to.

The comment is not that bad.

Yes, McClain should get his facts right, but I don't see why he should be lambasted for that comment.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
Kubes was just talking about more playmakers on offense and a the wr position. Aaron glenn was talking about this earlier on sirius. He said the guy doesn't have to be a burner, but make plays to take pressure of andre.
 

welsh texan

You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
???

Seriously?

Old ladies are using iPhones and have Facebook accounts now. And love it.

But the excuse for Mustache McClain is that he's writing for the 0.235% of the population who ONLY get their Texans news from the newspaper? Then why does he have a blog/Internet-based column, a Twitter account, etc?

Might as well pay him peanuts to write a printed article and let someone else do the heavy lifting on all things digital. I mean, it was nice of you to offer an alibi for him, but still.....there are less prominent people around here who do more in-depth coverage and analysis than John McClain does.

And McClain is routinely wrong about his speculation, opening the door in his face all the time on various predictions that almost always don't end up the way he says it will. I actually have begun to feel sorry for him, as if he's the guy in Office Space who wants his stapler back.
Rey is right, have a go at him all you want for getting facts wrong, thats poor journalism, but him 'stating the obvious' in a media outlet where the obvious hasn't already been stated is fair enough.
 
2.) If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

Why? Why in the first two rounds? We have our starters.
I would assume because of the same reasoning as last year.

They had Williams and Barwin, but still targeted on OLB early. Brahmin is nice as a backup, but I wouldn't want him going into the season as your only depth.
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
A couple of thoughts:

1) teams are always looking for starters. They are just talking PC so nobody gets their widdle feelings hurtz.

2) McClain's opinion pieces are not as good as one may think as he has been around football for so long...but not everyone has a good eye for what they are looking at. JM is one of them. He's at his best when relaying information from his contacts and from his direct contact with the movers and shakers in the league. I don't really pay much attention to his opinion pieces simply because historically unless he states the obvious he hasn't been all that astute.

3) I already miss football season. I like the game itself much more than the drama and speculation of the off-season.
 

Rey

Guest
I would assume because of the same reasoning as last year.

They had Williams and Barwin, but still targeted on OLB early. Brahmin is nice as a backup, but I wouldn't want him going into the season as your only depth.
Last year they didn't really talk about MW going to OLB until after the draft if I recall correctly...
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
This is the line where the rhetoric about McClain came from that Welsh responded to.


"Not pursuing free agents on other teams places more emphasis on the draft"

The comment is not that bad.

Yes, McClain should get his facts right, but I don't see why he should be lambasted for that comment.
No its not. This is what he was responding to.

I hate how McLain throws crap like this out as if he has some inside information.
When McLain said

"The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly"
Makes it sound like they won't say it publicly but they told me.


"but they need a wide receiver."
Again making it sound as if he was told this is poor journalism. Most any common football fan has heard this from everywhere except from who it really matters the most. This is the kind of statement that usually bites him in the ars.

"If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds."

Again pure speculation but he comes off as if its inside information by throwing it out there after a statement like, "The Texans wont disclose anything publicly".

He does this ALOT!
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
I would assume because of the same reasoning as last year.They had Williams and Barwin, but still targeted on OLB early.
They weren't even considering Williams at OLB until they drafted Watt.

Brahmin is nice as a backup, but I wouldn't want him going into the season as your only depth.
So we HAVE to use our first or second round pick ON DEPTH? Not saying we shouldn't if the right guy is there in the right situation. But what if in both rounds there is a player that has a real chance at starting at another position?

I'm all for drafting OL, DL and pass rushers early and often. Can't have enough good ones. But to make blanket statements like that is silly and unrealistic.
 

drs23

Veteran
A couple of thoughts:

1) teams are always looking for starters. They are just talking PC so nobody gets their widdle feelings hurtz.

2) McClain's opinion pieces are not as good as one may think as he has been around football for so long...but not everyone has a good eye for what they are looking at. JM is one of them. He's at his best when relaying information from his contacts and from his direct contact with the movers and shakers in the league. I don't really pay much attention to his opinion pieces simply because historically unless he states the obvious he hasn't been all that astute.

3) I already miss football season. I like the game itself much more than the drama and speculation of the off-season.
Damn, Vinny, I thought I was the only one. Cm'on, at least OTAs. :)
 

welsh texan

You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Mussop, I'm having a little trouble getting my head around the multi-quote function so I'll have to do this a slightly different way.

In the post I quoted in my original post, you had quoted this section from the article;

Not pursuing free agents on other teams places more emphasis on the draft. The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly, but they need a wide receiver. If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds. They’ll look for an interior offensive lineman.
Now, I can see where this has gone a little awry, because the bolded section was a copy and paste job from the OP, and you were replying to the quote as a whole, but I took it to mean that you were referring to the bold section of the quote alone.

But, even with that said, my point stands, just because its obvious information to you or I does not mean that a journalist should not include it in their discourse on the subject of the draft.

As for your last point where you state that the Texans weren't even considering Williams at OLB until they drafted Watt, I don't think we should assume that with any level of certainty, while it may be the case that they hadn't even considered JJ Watt until they were on the clock, I doubt it.

I think the more likely way that events unfolded was that the Texans played their cards close to their chest in the run up to the draft, told everyone MW would continue to play DE, and stop anyone from trading up ahead of them to take their guy. I'd bet they knew exactly what they were going to do with Mario.
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
Mussop, I'm having a little trouble getting my head around the multi-quote function so I'll have to do this a slightly different way.

In the post I quoted in my original post, you had quoted this section from the article;



Now, I can see where this has gone a little awry, because the bolded section was a copy and paste job from the OP, and you were replying to the quote as a whole, but I took it to mean that you were referring to the bold section of the quote alone.

But, even with that said, my point stands, just because its obvious information to you or I does not mean that a journalist should not include it in their discourse on the subject of the draft.

As for your last point where you state that the Texans weren't even considering Williams at OLB until they drafted Watt, I don't think we should assume that with any level of certainty, while it may be the case that they hadn't even considered JJ Watt until they were on the clock, I doubt it.

I think the more likely way that events unfolded was that the Texans played their cards close to their chest in the run up to the draft, told everyone MW would continue to play DE, and stop anyone from trading up ahead of them to take their guy. I'd bet they knew exactly what they were going to do with Mario.
My bad on the first part. Now, as far as the rest of the debate goes, it's not obvious information, it's speculation preluded by deception. You say we shouldn't assume with any level certainty about a subject yet you are ok with allowing a professional journalist to do it with the added touch of deception to make it look factual?
 

b0ng

Bad Hombre
This is the line where the rhetoric about McClain came from that Welsh responded to.

The comment is not that bad.

Yes, McClain should get his facts right, but I don't see why he should be lambasted for that comment.
The big problem I have with that one particular line is the way it is written. Is he implying that the Texans aren't going to pursue anybody of worth in FA this year? If so, why not just say that rather than trying to get the readers to jump through mental hoops so that he can have plausible deniability when the Texans inevitably do the opposite of whatever McClain said.

If he isn't trying to imply anything about the immediate future of the Texans, then it becomes one of the bigger "No ****"s I've seen coming from a paid columnist in awhile. No kidding teams that don't pursue starters in FA have to do it in the draft if they need starters. It's either a useless line for filler, or some kind of obfuscated prediction about the future.

And personally I'm gonna hate on John McClain every time he writes a boring and drab article and gets a paycheck. I'd rather just read opinion pieces done on BRB than anything the Chron has put out in terms of opinions, and x's and o's.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
McLame was relevant at one time and really did have some "good inside sources" but that was maybe 20 years ago. McLame is just that, "lame". Not to pile on WelshTexan, but seriously bro, the guy is a shell of his former self and, that shell is crumbling.
 

drs23

Veteran
McLame was relevant at one time and really did have some "good inside sources" but that was maybe 20 years ago. McLame is just that, "lame". Not to pile on WelshTexan, but seriously bro, the guy is a shell of his former self and, that shell is crumbling.
Does that mean that triple chin will go away as well? :kitten:
 

redwhiteblue

Waterboy
I think the more likely way that events unfolded was that the Texans played their cards close to their chest in the run up to the draft, told everyone MW would continue to play DE, and stop anyone from trading up ahead of them to take their guy. I'd bet they knew exactly what they were going to do with Mario.
If you go back and read what Phillips said to the media after the first round of the draft last year, I believe that if Aldon Smith was there at #11, he was the Texans pick, would be our OLB, and Mario would have stayed at DE.
 

b0ng

Bad Hombre
If you go back and read what Phillips said to the media after the first round of the draft last year, I believe that if Aldon Smith was there at #11, he was the Texans pick, would be our OLB, and Mario would have stayed at DE.
And I'll be damned if Aldon Smith wasn't a beast last year, even though he wasn't a starter. I was sure that guy wasn't going to pan out.
 

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
Two things I'm sick of hearing.





1.) We are going to draft a wide receiver in the first round.

Really? This is what the majority of the fans and the media thinks. Yet I haven't seen a single quote or heard a single sound bite from someone inside the organization say this. Walter is a coaches favorite and JJ just signed a new contract last year. I don't think Smithiack views WR as big a need as everyone else.

2.) If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

Why? Why in the first two rounds? We have our starters.
When do teams/front offices ever openly discuss who or what positions they're targeting high in the draft, before the draft?
 
They weren't even considering Williams at OLB until they drafted Watt.
Unlikely. If they weren't considering Williams at OLB, they wouldn't have drafted Watt.

I mean really. How does that conversation go?

"OH HELL! We just drafted Watt! What are we going to do with Mario?"
"I have no idea. I guess we might be able to try him at OLB... hmm."


So we HAVE to use our first or second round pick ON DEPTH? Not saying we shouldn't if the right guy is there in the right situation. But what if in both rounds there is a player that has a real chance at starting at another position?

I'm all for drafting OL, DL and pass rushers early and often. Can't have enough good ones. But to make blanket statements like that is silly and unrealistic.

We don't have to, but I'd bet it's pretty likely. If Mario's gone, it'll be a shocker if they don't draft an OLB in the first 3 rounds.
 
John McClain writes for the uninformed fan.

I don't know why after however long we're all still ripping him apart. Those who seek knowledge have never turned to John McClain. They visit message boards and websites religiously. Can't believe this even got posted, it's nothing that every single one of us doesn't know already.

Let Capt. Obvious write his cheeseburgalar articles in piece. 3 piece. With gravy and fries.....
 

Rey

Guest
No its not. This is what he was responding to.



When McLain said

"The Texans won’t disclose anything publicly"
Makes it sound like they won't say it publicly but they told me.


"but they need a wide receiver."
Again making it sound as if he was told this is poor journalism. Most any common football fan has heard this from everywhere except from who it really matters the most. This is the kind of statement that usually bites him in the ars.

"If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds."

Again pure speculation but he comes off as if its inside information by throwing it out there after a statement like, "The Texans wont disclose anything publicly".

He does this ALOT!
I see what you are saying, but still disagree with your premise.
 

Rey

Guest
The big problem I have with that one particular line is the way it is written. Is he implying that the Texans aren't going to pursue anybody of worth in FA this year? If so, why not just say that rather than trying to get the readers to jump through mental hoops so that he can have plausible deniability when the Texans inevitably do the opposite of whatever McClain said.
I agree with what Vinny said. McClain has contacts that sometimes provides him with insightful information.

I don't read McClain until it is posted on this website, so I don't understand the constant vitrol spewed at the man. :shrug:

He's JAG....
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
I agree with what Vinny said. McClain has contacts that sometimes provides him with insightful information.

I don't read McClain until it is posted on this website, so I don't understand the constant vitrol spewed at the man. :shrug:

He's JAG....
McLain has NFL contacts. When the Texans started he wasn't the Texans reporter he was the NFL reporter for the Chronicle. It seemed Casserly was one of those guys who would talk to him. Then he got assigned to the Texans instead of the NFL at large. That really seemed to piss him off as he couldn't fly to any game any time he wanted. Then Kubiak and Smith came in and they do not appear to be on his contact list. Since then there has been a notable absence of "a source with the Texans" attributions in his articles. He has never been an x's and o's kind of guy. I don't dislike him at all but I think he has jack insight to the current Texans organization and at this point his opinion is little if any more meaningful than many fan's.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
I agree with what Vinny said. McClain has contacts that sometimes provides him with insightful information.

I don't read McClain until it is posted on this website, so I don't understand the constant vitrol spewed at the man. :shrug:

He's JAG....
I think the biggest probelm for Houston football fans is that JAG is the centerpiece of the teams coverage. While the Cowboys' coverage up here is sickening, there are two newspapers with multiple guys who are better than McCalin.

Does help that McClain is a bit arrogant about the little more he knows that the rank and file fan.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
The Texans should draft BPA in every single round of the draft, regardless of position. Anything different is sheer stupidity.
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
The Texans should draft BPA in every single round of the draft, regardless of position. Anything different is sheer stupidity.
Rick Smith agrees with you...
link
(on if he will draft with the best-player-available approach) “We always do. We stay true to our board and that’s not a philosophy that we’re going to alter because I think it gives you the best chance to have success. If you assess value and you follow the value of your board and don’t stretch for need, because I think that’s where people make mistakes. We’ve not done that before and I would suspect that we stay true to that philosophy and not do that in the future.”
...although he was a bit more P.C.
:D
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Okoye/KJ were BPA? LOL

As I said in another thread in a different way. Rick Smith is a terrible liar. Who is BOB's yes man.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
Why do we have this exact discussion every year?

All GMs say some version of "we follow our board" or "we always take the best player available." This isn't rick smith speak per se...it is NFL GM speak.

Reality is that it is never blind BPA versus blind need for any team. It is mix.

Obviously, if you have paid attention to draft of the Texans, especially in the 1st 3 rounds or so, they weigh need heavily. Later in the draft, we will see the TJ Yates obvious BPA stuff.
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
Why do we have this exact discussion every year?

All GMs say some version of "we follow our board" or "we always take the best player available." This isn't rick smith speak per se...it is NFL GM speak.

Reality is that it is never blind BPA versus blind need for any team. It is mix.
Pissing in the wind.
 

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
Two things I'm sick of hearing.





1.) We are going to draft a wide receiver in the first round.

Really? This is what the majority of the fans and the media thinks. Yet I haven't seen a single quote or heard a single sound bite from someone inside the organization say this. Walter is a coaches favorite and JJ just signed a new contract last year. I don't think Smithiack views WR as big a need as everyone else.

2.) If Williams leaves, they’ll need an outside linebacker in the first two rounds.

Why? Why in the first two rounds? We have our starters.
Does this count...

Randle could be a fit for Texans at 26



By Paul Kuharsky

INDIANAPOLIS -- While still backing Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, Texans coach Gary Kubiak conceded this week the Texans are looking for a wide receiver.



wide receiver Rueben Randle could be of interest to the Texans at No. 26.
One draft prospect who looks like a nice fit to play with, and eventually succeed, Andre Johnson is LSU’s Rueben Randle.

At just under 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he’s a nice combination of size, strength and speed. He’s a willing blocker which also makes him a potential fit for Houston, which drafts 26th in the first round.

“I try to model myself after Calvin Johnson, he’s a big body receiver," Randle said. “He makes a lot of plays deep down the field and also yards after the catch. I try to model myself in that kind of way.”

Johnson’s also been on Randle’s radar.

“You’ve got no choice but to look at him," Randle said. “He makes plays each and every Sunday whether it’s two guys on him, three he just goes and makes plays on the ball and the quarterback trusts him. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build with the quarterbacks I play with.

“…That’d be great (to play with him). I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a lot of attention, that would free me up a little bit so it wouldn’t be much of a struggle for me. It’d be great to play with a great receiver like Andre Johnson, I’d just look forward to that.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/54334/randle-could-be-a-fit-for-texans-at-26

As much as you're sick of hearing about the Texans taking a wide receiver in the first round... it doesn't change the fact that will be what they will most likely do.. It's the biggest need on this team and even if they don't spend a first round pick on a WR... you can be assured that their 2nd round pick will be spent on a WR. This is a very good WR draft and they're going to get one early.

As far as BPA goes... No G.M. really takes the BPA approach.. all G.M.s draft for team needs. I wish they'd just come out and say "they draft the BPA at their positions of need". So like Arlington said above... this isn't a Rick Smith or Gary issue, it's what every G.M. does and that's the reason why J.J. Watt is on this team. They had Aldon Smith rated higher, but when he was gone they took the next best available front 7 player. It really wasn't about getting just a OLBer, but a player who could dominate in the front 7. They then took the next best available OLBer with their 2nd round pick which rounded out their front 7 needs.
 
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DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Does this count...


http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/54334/randle-could-be-a-fit-for-texans-at-26

As much as you're sick of hearing about the Texans taking a wide receiver in the first round... it doesn't change the fact that will be what they most likely will do.. It's the biggest need on this team and even if they don't spend a first round pick on a WR... you can be assured that their 2nd round pick will be spent on a WR. This is a very good WR draft and they're going to get one early.

As far as BPA goes... No G.M. really takes the BPA approach.. all G.M.s draft for team needs. I wish they'd just come out and say "they draft the BPA at their positions of need". So like Arlington said above... this isn't a Rick Smith or Gary issue, it's what every G.M. does and that's the reason why J.J. Watt is on this team. They had Aldon Smith rated higher, but when he was gone they took the next best available front 7 player. It really wasn't about getting just a OLBer, but a player who could dominate in the front 7. They then took the next best available OLBer with their 2nd round pick which rounded out their front 7 needs.
This one of those homerun situations Smith was talking about. It wouldn't really be a stretch at all to take Randle at 26 and it would fill a big need. He could be BPA at his position and high on Smithiaks draft board. BTW, I'm not sick of the WR thing. I wouldn't get my feelings hurt if the Texans drafted an OLB at 26, either.
 

Carr Bombed

Hall of Fame
This one of those homerun situations Smith was talking about. It wouldn't really be a stretch at all to take Randle at 26 and it would fill a big need. He could be BPA at his position and high on Smithiaks draft board. BTW, I'm not sick of the WR thing. I wouldn't get my feelings hurt if the Texans drafted an OLB at 26, either.

I would definitely welcome Rueben Randle. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qTJkl-4s2k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXexXpY6Gb8


It's about time we add a real WR prospect to this team... One who played in a big conference, played in big games, and is not some small school project who's trying to play the position. We need to add a legit prospect who can learn the ropes under Andre while Dre still has some good years left and we need a prospect who can step into Andre's place as the #1 wideout when Andre starts to tail off into more of a #2 role. WR is a HUGE need for this team and this Randle kid looks legit. He has size, speed, and looks like he has good run after the catch (YAC) ability. I hope Paul Kuharsky is correct.
 
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