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Prioritizing our off season needs

Tailgate

Fall of Hame
Schaub and Kubiak are not going anywhere. They will lead the charge in 2013. End of story. That being said, what are our top 5 realistic offseason needs moving forward, ranking from most to least and what to expect this offseason.

1). Linebackers - Cushing comes back, but will he be the same player as before? We must improve depth at the ILB position. Adding Cush and another playmaker next to him would have a big time impact on the D in 2013. The fastest way to getting this D back to 2012 level imo is with this unit. We also will need to obtain a legit pass rushing OLB after we are at risk at losing Barwin. Solution - draft draft draft. I do not see us being able to sign anyone above the level of player we already have behind Cush, Reed, and Mercilus.

Free agents: Connor Barwin, Tim Dobbins, Kayaron Fox, Bradie James, Jesse Nading, Barrett Ruud.

2). Offensive line - Specifically the right side. We invested 3rd and 4th round picks here in 2012 to help with the losses of Breisel and Winston. How can we improve? Looks like we will have to stick with status quo at Guard, and hopefully Brooks or Jones emerge as the man at RG, thus leaving RT to be desired. We may do nothing and hope we continue to improve, but would not doubt if we go after a RT in the draft. We need a dominant running game again in the worst way to open up everything else again circa 2011 season. Big key in 2012 is how this unit evolves.

Free agents: ir-Rashad Butler, Antoine Caldwell, Ryan Harris.

3a). Secondary - This team is somewhere between the Bengals and the Pats in the AFC hierarchy. When facing the elite teams we were absolutely shredded in the passing game. Getting the ILB back in line will help tremendously in coverage and in blitz packages, but we definitely need help in our nickle and dime packages to get over that hump, and force more turnovers. Relying on Harris (while he is still a work in progress), Ball, and McCain does not bode well in 2013 imo. Was McCain really coming on enough for us to be fine in 13? Imo, we must upgrade our 3rd CB option. FA may be the quickest solution here. Will it be that expensive to upgrade talent here? We have too many needs now imo to try and upgrade the safety position, so expect Quin to return and go with current safety crop.

Free agents: Alan Ball, Roc Carmichael, Quintin Demps, Glover Quin, Brice McCain, Stanford Routt.

3b). Wide Reciever - We have needed to find a true #2 WR for years now. Now the #1 WR is something we will have to start thinking about as AJ is not getting any younger. Now with Posey a huge question mark, we will have to find a FA #2 for immediate impact (most drafted WRs take time to become an impact in this league) and use another top 3 pick on WR.

Free agents: None. Side note: POSEY on IR.

5). Nose Tackle - DE will have to be addressed next offseason with the aging Smith in the fold. But for this year, Cody is most likely gone. The Texans loved Hunter at NT before he went down with injury. We need to find a NT to spell Mitchell who will be moving into starter/full time role. We will hope to land a sleeper later in draft, unless Phillips sees a cant miss prospect avail in the early rounds.

Free agent: Shaun Cody.


Honorable Mention:

-TE - We found out this year how important Dreesseen was to this team and why depth here is so important. Dont be surprised if we draft another TE or two this year. :kitten:

-FB - Casey is a free agent and maybe its time we committed to a true FB to lead the way for Foster again in 2013. Again, this team needs a dominant running game in the worst way. A bulldozer talent first, with a pass catching ability not a priority.

-QB - If a cant miss prospect falls to us, we take him. We all know why.


Thoughts? What would you prioritize as our needs this offseason.
 
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WolverineFan

Hall of Fame
Safety is a huge need. That much became obvious in the 3 games against NE & GB. We need a playmaking Safety in the back end. We always have.

I wouldn't reach for one. But if we're on the clock and round 1 and the BPA is a Safety, you take him.
 

Tailgate

Fall of Hame
Safety is a huge need. That much became obvious in the 3 games against NE & GB. We need a playmaking Safety in the back end. We always have.

I wouldn't reach for one. But if we're on the clock and round 1 and the BPA is a Safety, you take him.
I can agree with that actually. How nice would it be to land a Harrison Smith in the draft? However, its seems to me that drafting a safety is one big crap shoot (which could be said for any position I guess) and there are usually more reaches than not, and I am in the if you improve the front 7... the secondary will ultimately fall in line thinking. So when comparing needs and being realistic as far as solutions to be avail and the likeliness of improving the safety position... I feel and Manning and Quin can suffice for now and will have to after we invest more in Quin. But a great point none the less, especially with our emphasis on man coverage.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
I like it, but would swap the priority of OL and Secondary.

I agree with this mainly because of how players from the secondary will be FA's that were contributors.

Safety is a huge need. That much became obvious in the 3 games against NE & GB. We need a playmaking Safety in the back end. We always have.

I wouldn't reach for one. But if we're on the clock and round 1 and the BPA is a Safety, you take him.
I think the LBers were exposed Vs those teams .... and the personel packages they went with in some situations. Asking Ruud to cover a fly pattern in man coverage against a RB is asking for trouble.

Quin and Manning were pretty solid for the most part , the real issues were LBers in coverage of any kind. That was a problem this season and in past seasons be it covering RB's or TE's.
 

WolverineFan

Hall of Fame
I think the LBers were exposed Vs those teams .... and the personel packages they went with in some situations. Asking Ruud to cover a fly pattern in man coverage against a RB is asking for trouble.

Quin and Manning were pretty solid for the most part , the real issues were LBers in coverage of any kind. That was a problem this season and in past seasons be it covering RB's or TE's.
A lot of that had to do with Cushing being out and the injuries we accumulated at LB. I think we need to upgrade at the other ILB spot but DB's were a big problem. I do agree that LB's playing man is an issue but that is a schematic issue.

Our starting 4 is pretty good and you saw that early in the season. But when we starting accumulating injuries (Joseph, McCain) and playing high octane offenses (GB, DET, NE(x2), IND) you saw us have problems. We need more depth at DB especially since our depth players get on the field in Wade's Nickel & Dime packages.

If you recall, Demps was awful in just about all of those games and he saw a lot of snaps because Wade favors the 3 Safety packages. Harris was mostly bad when replacing McCain in the nickel.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
A lot of that had to do with Cushing being out and the injuries we accumulated at LB. I think we need to upgrade at the other ILB spot but DB's were a big problem. I do agree that LB's playing man is an issue but that is a schematic issue.

Our starting 4 is pretty good and you saw that early in the season. But when we starting accumulating injuries (Joseph, McCain) and playing high octane offenses (GB, DET, NE(x2), IND) you saw us have problems. We need more depth at DB especially since our depth players get on the field in Wade's Nickel & Dime packages.

If you recall, Demps was awful in just about all of those games and he saw a lot of snaps because Wade favors the 3 Safety packages. Harris was mostly bad when replacing McCain in the nickel.
I dont really disagree accept with the fact that even with Cushing in the lineup they still had trouble defending TE's (and to some extent RB's) - He didnt often cover.

That 3rd safety spot is really important in the attacking / man coverage defense Wade employed.

I have secondary as a significantly higher need than ILB .... but would like to see an upgrade next to Cushing. Maybe a hybrid SS/ILB type there. Dont ask me to name one ..... just a thought that crossed my mind as the league is more and more pass oriented.


An observation related to the lack of cover ability from the ILB's - As the season went on , we saw Barwin in coverage quite a bit on both RB's and TE's.
 

AJ-80

Waterboy
Wide Receiver should be the number one priority. You guys always complain, as I do, about the passing offense being dormant for half the year. Shaub cannot and will not be able to make plays with Kevin Walter as the #2 in 2013
 

WolverineFan

Hall of Fame
I dont really disagree accept with the fact that even with Cushing in the lineup they still had trouble defending TE's (and to some extent RB's) - He didnt often cover.

That 3rd safety spot is really important in the attacking / man coverage defense Wade employed.

I have secondary as a significantly higher need than ILB .... but would like to see an upgrade next to Cushing. Maybe a hybrid SS/ILB type there. Dont ask me to name one ..... just a thought that crossed my mind as the league is more and more pass oriented.


An observation related to the lack of cover ability from the ILB's - As the season went on , we saw Barwin in coverage quite a bit on both RB's and TE's.
If, to start the draft, we went...

1 - Matt Elam - S, Florida
2 - DeAndre Hopkins - WR, Clemson
3 - Gerald Hodges - ILB, Penn State
3a - Kyle Long - OT, Oregon

I'd be a happy man.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
If, to start the draft, we went...

1 - Matt Elam - S, Florida
2 - DeAndre Hopkins - WR, Clemson
3 - Gerald Hodges - ILB, Penn State
3a - Kyle Long - OT, Oregon

I'd be a happy man.
You and me both .... that would be a hell of a haul for the first three rounds.

I just have to wonder if Hopkins is taken at the tail end of round 1. He's by far my favorite WR in this draft class.


Long .... Could go as early as the mid second , might fall all the way to the 4th .... he's got so much potential but not a whole lot of experience. Many see him as a RT in the NFL while he played G in college. Its painfully obvious to me that RT needs an upgrade.
 

Tailgate

Fall of Hame
In 2011... Cushing had 4 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 23 QB hurries and a 3.6 rating in coverage according to PFF

In 2012... our entire ILB unit (minus Cushings 5 games) had 1 sack, 10 QB hits, and 14 QB hurries and an average of .5 rating in coverage according to PFF.

We MUST get a playmaker along side Cush in 2013. Not only in case one or the other goes down, but it would have even more of an impact to the entire D if both were to be on the field at the same time for the season. Biggest impact position we can address this offseason imo. OLB will need to be addressed as well as Barwin very likely will be gone. We may just have to hope Whitney turns out to be worth the #1 pick and make a big jump in year 2. All the reasons as to why I put this unit as need at #1 above all else.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
-TE - We found out this year how important Dreesseen was to this team and why depth here is so important. Dont be surprised if we draft another TE or two this year. :kitten:
Not that ProFootballFocus ranked Dreessen as the top rated pass blocking TE in 2012, by a significant margin.
 

WolverineFan

Hall of Fame
You and me both .... that would be a hell of a haul for the first three rounds.

I just have to wonder if Hopkins is taken at the tail end of round 1. He's by far my favorite WR in this draft class.


Long .... Could go as early as the mid second , might fall all the way to the 4th .... he's got so much potential but not a whole lot of experience. Many see him as a RT in the NFL while he played G in college. Its painfully obvious to me that RT needs an upgrade.
I wouldn't be surprised if Hopkins was gone. Robert Woods would be my replacement pick in the 2nd round. Long could easily be gone way before the end of the 3rd round. He has the bloodlines and the measureables. Depends on how he shows out for scouts.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Qb
wr
ot
s
lb
cb
nt

I would try to tade into the 2nd rd

1.Bray
2. Long
2. Hopkins I would be very happy if these guys were available

Then get S, LB's with the supplemental picks. This is a deep draft for S/LB so there should be good talent available late in the draft.
 

Tailgate

Fall of Hame
Not that ProFootballFocus ranked Dreessen as the top rated pass blocking TE in 2012, by a significant margin.

Owen Daniels was HORRIBLE in both pass and run blocking as we would expect to see. And Daniels was rated FAR down the list as a pass catching TE. Overall, a CRAP year from "Open Daniels". Graham was at least positive in the run blocking department. Interesting to see what we do with this unit in the off season.
 

AJ-80

Waterboy
Pointless talk about taking a quarterback in the 2-3 rounds. Shaub is under contract for 4 more years. Plus we have so many other needs.

Robert Woods, USC, WR.

Nico Johnson, Bama, ILB

DJ Swearinger, South Carolina, S
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Qb
wr
ot
s
lb
cb
nt

I would try to tade into the 2nd rd

1.Bray
2. Long
2. Hopkins I would be very happy if these guys were available

Then get S, LB's with the supplemental picks. This is a deep draft for S/LB so there should be good talent available late in the draft.
I would love to see an upgrade at QB .... but I just dont see it happening , maybe next offseason but not this one , at least not in the draft.

(Someone tell me you would take Schaub over Alex Smith now - Thought I was crazy when I mentioned Smith before , he's basically Schaub pre-lisfranc)


There might be a couple QB's available .... Michael Vick ?! Alex Smith ?!
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Pointless talk about taking a quarterback in the 2-3 rounds. Shaub is under contract for 4 more years. Plus we have so many other needs.
Schaub's contract wouldnt be too tough a pill to swallow after next offseason should the team decide to part ways.

I think we are stuck with him for at least one more year tho.
 

Kaiser Toro

Native Mod
New GM, new HC. We need a new strategy. Giving these guys another turn at finding assets for both sides of the ball will hurt us more than help us.

However, McNair is going to expect another big year out of the Marketing department. :toropalm:
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
New GM, new HC. We need a new strategy. Giving these guys another turn at finding assets for both sides of the ball will hurt us more than help us.

However, McNair is going to expect another big year out of the Marketing department. :toropalm:
I disagree whole heartedly.


Smith has done a pretty solid job in both FA and the draft.

Kubiak has made Matt Schaub into a multi Pro Bowler. We're talking about a guy I could out run and my little sister (We're both on the wrong side of 40) could out throw making multiple Pro Bowls.


You take a look at one of the "uncharacteristic throws" Gary asked Schaub to make Vs the Pats resulting in an INT .... and I think you understand.
Give the guy a real talent at the position .... and let him go to work.

After HWWNBM was vanquished .... The noodle armed statue was the best available option (Really , what else was out there) and prior to the lisfranc he was more than capable of leading this team to a Superbowl. Post lisfranc .... I dont believe that to be the case.


Timing in sports plays a big part in success .... Jesus look no farther than the Dolts falling into Luck for confirmation.

If I had one complaint , it would be that Smith extended him prematurely. The saving grace is that the contract isnt so horrible that they cant un-hitch the cart at the half way point - which is after next season.

Hopefully Schaub's health will improve over the offseason and we get the same guy we saw prior to that injury. If not , he'll be out the door after next season.
 

Kaiser Toro

Native Mod
I disagree whole heartedly.


Smith has done a pretty solid job in both FA and the draft.

Kubiak has made Matt Schaub into a multi Pro Bowler. We're talking about a guy I could out run and my little sister (We're both on the wrong side of 40) could out throw making multiple Pro Bowls.


You take a look at one of the "uncharacteristic throws" Gary asked Schaub to make Vs the Pats resulting in an INT .... and I think you understand.
Give the guy a real talent at the position .... and let him go to work.

After HWWNBM was vanquished .... The noodle armed statue was the best available option (Really , what else was out there) and prior to the lisfranc he was more than capable of leading this team to a Superbowl. Post lisfranc .... I dont believe that to be the case.


Timing in sports plays a big part in success .... Jesus look no farther than the Dolts falling into Luck for confirmation.

If I had one complaint , it would be that Smith extended him prematurely. The saving grace is that the contract isnt so horrible that they cant un-hitch the cart at the half way point - which is after next season.

Hopefully Schaub's health will improve over the offseason and we get the same guy we saw prior to that injury. If not , he'll be out the door after next season.
Schaub has been with Kubiak for six years. He or the offense is not getting better.

Does this front office and HC give you hope after seven years? Hoping is not gotten this organization anywhere, and I feel that is what is duct taping this feel good organization together.

Hit the KPIs and everyone is safe!
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Schaub has been with Kubiak for six years. He or the offense is not getting better.

Does this front office and HC give you hope after seven years? Hoping is not gotten this organization anywhere, and I feel that is what is duct taping this feel good organization together.

Hit the KPIs and everyone is safe!
The question was asked in another thread " do you think Schaub and Gary can lead us to a superbowl"

I answer with this - Prior to the lisfranc , I think they could as a pair. After the lisfranc , I dont believe Schaub can fulfill his end of the deal. I do however believe Gary can ....

I would much prefer to replace Schaub and see what Gary can do with a player of equal or greater talent at the position.

Its hard to dismiss what he's done with Schaub dispite his limitations.


They arent joined at the hip .... we can be rid of one and retain the other.
 

Mr teX

Hall of Fame
The question was asked in another thread " do you think Schaub and Gary can lead us to a superbowl"

I answer with this - Prior to the lisfranc , I think they could as a pair. After the lisfranc , I dont believe Schaub can fulfill his end of the deal. I do however believe Gary can ....

I would much prefer to replace Schaub and see what Gary can do with a player of equal or greater talent at the position.

Its hard to dismiss what he's done with Schaub dispite his limitations.


They arent joined at the hip .... we can be rid of one and retain the other.[/QUOTE]

If Gary's dismissed from here, The new coach is going to want "his" guy and depending on what happened with team the year prior and the incoming coaches feelings towards schaub to begin with i'd think it'd be highly unlikely that Schaub is here for more than a year after.

This is why my vitriol towards this team is directed at Kubiak and not Schaub.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
If Gary's dismissed from here, The new coach is going to want "his" guy and depending on what happened with team the year prior and the incoming coaches feelings towards schaub to begin with i'd think it'd be highly unlikely that Schaub is here for more than a year after.

This is why my vitriol towards this team is directed at Kubiak and not Schaub.
This post makes no sense .....

So you are saying that .... Schaub would be gone under a new regime, if thats the case then its obvious who the problems lie with ..... how can you direct your vitrol at Kubiak , a guy who has done more with less.


Cut bait with Schaub .... Give Gary a quality prospect at QB to work with.


Did you not watch the Pats run screens and draws on 2nd / 3rd and long on Sunday ... Sure , blame the play calling.



Nucking futs
 
1. need to fire joe marciano.

2. need to start scouting and planning for franchise level qb.

3. need to find kicker.

4. need to find a punter.

5. need to find future #1 wr. dre aint getting any younger.
 

mussop

Hall of Fame
If we don't draft or sign another quality WR this offense will never grow.
Really? Who is going to throw him the ball? Not to mention this offense already has Foster, OD and Johnson as primary targets. Thats three solid recieving options for Schaub at any point in the game.

It is not a huge priority for us to get a #2 wideout right now. I HATE that argument. This is a run first team and will be as long as Foster and Kubiak are here.
 

buddyboy

Rookie
Schaub has been with Kubiak for six years. He or the offense is not getting better.

Does this front office and HC give you hope after seven years? Hoping is not gotten this organization anywhere, and I feel that is what is duct taping this feel good organization together.

Hit the KPIs and everyone is safe!
In those 6 years, though, there have been some borderline GREAT offenses. The problem has been we've never been able to pair a great offense with a great defense, one side has always been lacking (except for the end of this season, where both were lacking).

I agree the offense has been around that we've seen all it has to offer. But 3-4 years ago, it was pretty darn good.
 

ReliantTexan

Waterboy
Really? Who is going to throw him the ball? Not to mention this offense already has Foster, OD and Johnson as primary targets. Thats three solid recieving options for Schaub at any point in the game.

It is not a huge priority for us to get a #2 wideout right now. I HATE that argument. This is a run first team and will be as long as Foster and Kubiak are here.
This passing game has one playmaker,(#80) everyone else is basically a possession receiver. My feeling is, if your QB isn't a playmaker then you better have alot of playmakers around him.
 

ReliantTexan

Waterboy
Yes! So they can waste their careers playing with someone who cant get them the ball ...
With that logic we should have traded Andre long ago, because with Schaub at QB he's been irrelevant to the offense. Right? I really don't care about their "careers", if they make our offense better sign em up.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Schaub's contract wouldnt be too tough a pill to swallow after next offseason should the team decide to part ways.

I think we are stuck with him for at least one more year tho.
If Schaub let go after 2013 his prorated bonus is moved up to our 2014 cap and is $3.5 m X 3 remaining contract years= $10.5m. His base for 2014 $10 m + $3.5 m for cap. There is another millon or so in game roster bonus also.
 

michaelm

vox nihili
Looks like nobody who posted will agree with my assessment.

I'm making OL my top priority. It is abundantly clear that Matt Schaub is incapable of making plays when he's "off schedule".
He is not a guy who can create plays, or throw receivers open. He has shown, however, that he can be an above average quarterback, so my priority is to set him up for success as much as possible.
Considering his new contract, Schaub will be the starting QB for the next two years, I'd say. We are stuck with him, regardless of how many people want Kubiak to show him the door.
I say fix the running game, and fix Matt Schaub by making RT priority #1, and then looking for upgrades at other OL spots on a BPA basis.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Looks like nobody who posted will agree with my assessment.

I'm making OL my top priority. It is abundantly clear that Matt Schaub is incapable of making plays when he's "off schedule".
He is not a guy who can create plays, or throw receivers open. He has shown, however, that he can be an above average quarterback, so my priority is to set him up for success as much as possible.
Considering his new contract, Schaub will be the starting QB for the next two years, I'd say. We are stuck with him, regardless of how many people want Kubiak to show him the door.
I say fix the running game, and fix Matt Schaub by making RT priority #1, and then looking for upgrades at other OL spots on a BPA basis.
I wouldn't mind us taking a RT in the first, but I also wouldn't mind if we go BPA taking into account some other positions as well.

It doensn't have to be in any order; for example, if there's an excellent playmaker at the receiver position, we can grab him first.

What's your suggestion at RT?
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Looks like nobody who posted will agree with my assessment.

I'm making OL my top priority. It is abundantly clear that Matt Schaub is incapable of making plays when he's "off schedule".
He is not a guy who can create plays, or throw receivers open. He has shown, however, that he can be an above average quarterback, so my priority is to set him up for success as much as possible.
Considering his new contract, Schaub will be the starting QB for the next two years, I'd say. We are stuck with him, regardless of how many people want Kubiak to show him the door.
I say fix the running game, and fix Matt Schaub by making RT priority #1, and then looking for upgrades at other OL spots on a BPA basis.
I have a high priority on fixing the OL as well .... in my last mock I had the Texans taking an OT with their second pick.
 

corytx8

Rookie
Ya know, I have this feeling that the OL will must more improved next season. I do not feel comfortable sticking another rookie on that line again at this.point. Look, it took D Brown and Myers who was a late round I remind a bit to get going. I remember folks calling D Brown a bust and Myers a joke. I think the right side will be better with a season under their belt.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
 

Kthx

Rookie
What is the point of drafting another receiver when Schaub can't even hit the aging one we have in stride.

My thoughts would be to start TJ Yates and let him play the entire season, draft a hard hitting full back late in the draft because foster looked better behind Leach/Vickers than he does now with our fake-ass FB/TE. Maybe start looking at TE's because lord knows that GG was a huge step down from Dreeson who we let slide to Denver unfortunately. As for the draft I dunno.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
I have a high priority on fixing the OL as well .... in my last mock I had the Texans taking an OT with their second pick.
I was reading about the East-West practice and everybody seems to be impressed with this kid from Arkansas Pine Bluff named Terron Armstead.

I watched some cutups of his game and he was simply dominating at the lower level. Guys were falling all over the place for him it's not even funny.

Athletic, quick feet, strong... Wonder if be makes it to the combine.
 

Norg

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
i think our needs are on offensive thats the nature of this leauge now IMO

is posey going to come back wk 1 rdy to go 100 % thats the question if thats the case then in the FO minds is we wont draft a WR high

i think the highest piroity on O is Guard and RT

when need to upgrade Newton with a beast RT and drop him down has depth

im worried a guard this season might get hurt alla Wade smith and thus having a good guard depth has backup would be nice but right now our guard corp is fine so

i think we need a True FB

and we are still looking for that true #2 but thats at the bottom of the list IMO

TBO i think our ST depth players is a higher piritoy we need a Sick ass Punter and good blockers
 

michaelm

vox nihili
I wouldn't mind us taking a RT in the first, but I also wouldn't mind if we go BPA taking into account some other positions as well.

It doensn't have to be in any order; for example, if there's an excellent playmaker at the receiver position, we can grab him first.

What's your suggestion at RT?
I don't keep up with the college game much, so i will have to defer to the draftniks for specific players to target.
 

LikeMike

Veteran
For me the most important offseason need is O-Line. We saw in the playoffs, that our running game can be shut down, especially when we run to the middle or the right side. We lost two major players last offseason and it really hurt us. I don`t know how big we are on our 2 young Gs - but we at least need a very good RT out there.

After that I think we could almost go best player available - there is enough talent at any position right now...

I think we could upgrade NT - but Mitchell seems alright and on passing downs we don`t have a NT on the field anyways.

LBs? There are two question marks: 1. Will Cushing come back strong? 2. What happens to Barwin? If we have trust in Cushing (and I wouldn`t bet against him), then I like our starters (even with Barwin out). So all we need might be backups - if we count on Cushing and Barwin, I don`t think we need major upgrades here. Otherwise a middle rounder should be sufficient.

Secondary? Nope... Jojo, KJ and whoever is left (McCain, Harris, Carmichael) should be enough at CB, of course you can always take a flyer on a late rounder. At S Manning and Quinn are a great duo - you might want to add depth here, but that`s not necessarily needed.

On offense? I would take a chance on a QB if one falls to us - but no way I would reach to get one. TE might be our biggest need (after O-Line), because we all know hown devestating 2 TE looks may be. WR? If one falls to us, sure, otherwise with AJ, Posey and the other guys, I think we have enough talent here. HB or FB? Sure, if we see one we like. We might trade Tate and a real lead blocker at FB might help.

So, here are our top needs in my opinion:

1. O-Line (RT or RG or both) - draft one high or sign a good FA if we have the cap space
2. NT - draft one
3. TE - draft one
4. LB - ILB if we are unsure about Cushing (early round) or OLB if Barwin leaves (middle to late round)
5. QB - if one drops to us, grab him, no matter the round
6. S - try to get a good backup in the late rounds
7. WR/CB/HB/FB - whenever a player that we really like drops, grab him - but no real need here
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
The question was asked in another thread " do you think Schaub and Gary can lead us to a superbowl"

I answer with this - Prior to the lisfranc , I think they could as a pair. After the lisfranc , I dont believe Schaub can fulfill his end of the deal. I do however believe Gary can ....

I would much prefer to replace Schaub and see what Gary can do with a player of equal or greater talent at the position.

Its hard to dismiss what he's done with Schaub dispite his limitations.


They arent joined at the hip .... we can be rid of one and retain the other.
If Gary's dismissed from here, The new coach is going to want "his" guy and depending on what happened with team the year prior and the incoming coaches feelings towards schaub to begin with i'd think it'd be highly unlikely that Schaub is here for more than a year after.

This is why my vitriol towards this team is directed at Kubiak and not Schaub.
If the first part of that sentence is right - and I doubt it is - then we're either stuck with a rookie or and expensive F/A (think Matt Flynn salary area).

If the second part of that sentence is correct, then we're where we are right now, stuck with Schaub for two, three more years. What have you gained??

I'm with Corrosion. Schaub is the guy with the ball in his hand. He decides whether to go deep or check down. There are deep routes on nearly every passing play we run, if Schaub doesn't see the deep guy is open, or worse, sees him and knows he can't make the throw (either on time or accurately - both are bad news) then we need a new trigger man not a new play-caller.
 

ObsiWan

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Looks like nobody who posted will agree with my assessment.

I'm making OL my top priority. It is abundantly clear that Matt Schaub is incapable of making plays when he's "off schedule".
He is not a guy who can create plays, or throw receivers open. He has shown, however, that he can be an above average quarterback, so my priority is to set him up for success as much as possible.
Considering his new contract, Schaub will be the starting QB for the next two years, I'd say. We are stuck with him, regardless of how many people want Kubiak to show him the door.
I say fix the running game, and fix Matt Schaub by making RT priority #1, and then looking for upgrades at other OL spots on a BPA basis.
I could buy into this strategy. Not only will it help Schaub but it will help whoever succeeds him. Goodness knows it a better O-line would help the running attack.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

What good does it do to draft a WR with 4.4 speed if Schaub is on his back before he can get downfield??
 
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