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Richard Smith likes our personnel for 4-3

G

geofb

Waterboy
"Defensive coordinator Richard Smith is overseeing the Texans' switch to the 4-3
defense, which he thinks fits the team's personnel perfectly. "

The above quote comes from the email newsletter from the Texans. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read it. So for 4 years now (up until a month ago) we have been doing our very best to assemble the best possible personnel for a 3-4 defense including switching out linebackers faster than some people change their socks. Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead. Isn't that special.
 
TexanBacker93

TexanBacker93

Veteran
geofb said:
"Defensive coordinator Richard Smith is overseeing the Texans' switch to the 4-3
defense, which he thinks fits the team's personnel perfectly. "

The above quote comes from the email newsletter from the Texans. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read it. So for 4 years now (up until a month ago) we have been doing our very best to assemble the best possible personnel for a 3-4 defense including switching out linebackers faster than some people change their socks. Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead. Isn't that special.
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Outside of needing a MLB, DEs, and a 2nd corner that can cover he's right. Of course, those are the hardest parts to fill with good players.
 
tulexan

tulexan

Hall of Fame
I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.
 
wags

wags

Veteran
tulexan said:
I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.
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Hopefully. You never know though, especially after the last few years.
 
Coach C.

Coach C.

Veteran
Now all he is hoping for is something 6'7" 285 will fall into his lap after a trade down so he can have the 43 defense that will scare people. Come on Smith go to bat for Mario Williams.
 
El Tejano

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
I am not crazy about this player but Morlon Greenwood has had alot of success in the 4-3 defense before.
 
K

keyfro

Veteran
he didn't have success last year because he was way out of position...another example of capers inability to access talent and position...as a weak side backer he should show promise...as for the mario williams bit...if we trade down he is the player i would target the most...second would be ferguson...only because there are so many tackles in this draft that could be quality starters...you figure that colledge would also be a great fit to kubiak's scheme...but mario is just a beast
 
HJam72

HJam72

Hall of Fame
geofb said:
Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead.
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We had Casserly and Capers. It makes perfect sense to me. :)
 
TexanBacker93

TexanBacker93

Veteran
tulexan said:
I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.
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I wasn't disputing what he was saying. I agree that we have a lot of players that would fit better in a 4-3. We don't have 2 4-3 DEs, we don't have a true MLB, and we still lack a 2nd corner (that's regardless of the defense). I think Smith and Johnson will be much better in the middle of the 4-3 than playing ends in the 3-4. I think Peek could have success as a strongside OLB. Greenwood has played the weakside OLB in Miami and could fit back in there. I just don't know who out of the current linebackers is fit to play MLB.
 
cap1

cap1

Rookie
Coach C. said:
Now all he is hoping for is something 6'7" 285 will fall into his lap after a trade down so he can have the 43 defense that will scare people. Come on Smith go to bat for Mario Williams.
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I hope we go for Mario William. I feel that Kubiak could work more with the offense to see what we have, than we can on Defense. Also, we could still get a good Olineman in the 2nd.
 
TexanBacker93

TexanBacker93

Veteran
I just wonder, if the team can't get a decent offer to trade down, if they would consider taking someone like Williams or Ferguson. I know the cap costs of the 1st pick is much higher, but I just want to know that the FO would be willing to take the best player for their team regardless of who else is available. If that's the guy you want/need, take him. Williams would be a tremendous asset to this defense and will make Peek, Babin, TJ, Smith, Greenwood, Wong, D-Rob, P-Buc, Petey, Earl, and Brown better.
 
N

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
TexanBacker93 said:
I just don't know who out of the current linebackers is fit to play MLB.
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OK you LB experts, explain to me why a guy who is effective as an ILB in the
3-4 isn't also suited to be a MLB in the 4-3 ?
And on the subject of Peek being a candidate for OLB in the 4-3, I'm not sold
on what the new LB coach says about Peek, because I can only see him as a
thrid down/edge rushing specialist at DE in the 4-3.
 
Maddict5

Maddict5

Hall of Fame
TexanBacker93 said:
Outside of needing a MLB, DEs, and a 2nd corner that can cover he's right. Of course, those are the hardest parts to fill with good players.
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a safety or 2 wouldnt go amiss either- but what hes supposed to say: 'this D is horrible-outside of 2 or 3 players this isnt a nfl quality D at all- they overachieved last year in finishing 32nd in total D. 4-3 or 3-4 it doesnt matter-they will suck either way'
 
cap1

cap1

Rookie
nunusguy said:
OK you LB experts, explain to me why a guy who is effective as an ILB in the
3-4 isn't also suited to be a MLB in the 4-3 ?
And on the subject of Peek being a candidate for OLB in the 4-3, I'm not sold
on what the new LB coach says about Peek, because I can only see him as a
thrid down/edge rushing specialist at DE in the 4-3.
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I agree, what is the difference between an ILB in a 3-4 and a MLB in the 4-3
 
B

Bubbajwp

All Flopper
Maddict5 said:
a safety or 2 wouldnt go amiss either- but what hes supposed to say: 'this D is horrible-outside of 2 or 3 players this isnt a nfl quality D at all- they overachieved last year in finishing 32nd in total D. 4-3 or 3-4 it doesnt matter-they will suck either way'
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Well ya.:jk:
 
F-minus67

F-minus67

Veteran
There isn't much of a difference between a 3-4 and 4-3 ILB, except for the fact that a 4-3 allows the ILB to be more active since there is another d lineman to take up blockers. So the ILB can move around easier. Look at Zach Thomas, he is a beast in the 4-3 and is only like 5'10" and 240lbs.
 
Hervoyel

Hervoyel

BUENO!
wags said:
Hopefully. You never know though, especially after the last few years.
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Well we could probably talk Fangio into coming back and putting the 3-4 we've all been watching for the last four years back out on the field. Anyone dig that idea?

Didn't think so.
 
TexansTrueFan

TexansTrueFan

All Pro
Hervoyel said:
Well we could probably talk Fangio into coming back and putting the 3-4 we've all been watching for the last four years back out on the field. Anyone dig that idea?

Didn't think so.
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shoulda never let aaron gleen go he was a key element to our D. look how much lower our ints were from 2004
 
TexanFanInCC

TexanFanInCC

Veteran
TexanBacker93 said:
Outside of needing a MLB, DEs, and a 2nd corner that can cover he's right. Of course, those are the hardest parts to fill with good players.
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i do recall richard smith saying that he liked peek and babin as potential DE's. they could really thrive using the crouch stance at the LOS as opposed to upright. i say we draft down, get aj hawk, and have a LB crew of wong, hawk, and greenwood. :redtowel:
 
bigTEXan8

bigTEXan8

Rookie
See...I think that Peek would be a good DE, since he could play with that reckless abandonment, and not have to cover anyone. It's just whether or not he has the body for it. Babin will be good at DE, I have faith.
 
LikeABoss

LikeABoss

Rookie
Smith said in that video on the Texans homepage that he like's Peek alot, and would like him to gain weight to be better suited for the defensive end position. He said Peek and Babin are going back to being rush ends, and he said their adjustments will not be hard because they've played rush ends all throughout their college careers. I tend to agree with him.
 
bigTEXan8

bigTEXan8

Rookie
What I find funny is that during the Capers' Regime, they spent big time money and picks on people to play the 3-4. Meanwhile, Smith says that these same current players, drafted by Capers & Co, are fitting in nicely to the 4-3. Now, I have a question. These players who have been questioned (Peek, Babin, Greenwood, etc.), are they going to blow up in this 4-3 scheme that is being brought into Houston?
 
HJam72

HJam72

Hall of Fame
Babin very well might, but I don't know about those other 2. Peak, in particular, is not looking good for that.
 
LikeABoss

LikeABoss

Rookie
bigTEXan8 said:
These players who have been questioned (Peek, Babin, Greenwood, etc.), are they going to blow up in this 4-3 scheme that is being brought into Houston?
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These players have played in a 4-3 since their college careers. It will not be a hard adjustment for them to switch back to positions they have orignally played in college. But the only one who has experience with some sort of success in the 4-3 at the NFL level is Greenwood because he played OLB/MLB in Miami. Peek and Babin came into Houston having to learn how to play a totally new position where they would have to drop into coverage to cover tight ends and running backs, but also play in a different stance than they were normally used to playing in. That will not be a problem anymore when they move back into their previous positions in the 4-3.
 
HJam72

HJam72

Hall of Fame
Greenwood just doesn't impress me. It's not a 3-4 vs. 4-3 thing with him. I just don't see him being too successfull here.
 
P

phan1

Rookie
Honestly, I think coach Smith is just trying to generate some positive energy. Because our defensive personnel STINKS! Sorry, but when Shaun Alexder and Larry Johnson ran all over us like we were a highschool team (during primetime no less), that's not a coaching problem, it's a personel problem.

Our defense really needs to get some players ASAP, cause besides DRob, there aren't very many players to rave about. Hopefully I'm wrong, but the fact is, our defense was terrible last year, and at least 70% of it was the players. Hopefully, Babin can finally start playing the way he always wanted to, and maybe last year's 1st round pick can get the opportunity to play like a 1st round pick. But I got to say that it's not looking too good right now.
 
texan279

texan279

Hall of Fame
phan1 said:
Honestly, I think coach Smith is just trying to generate some positive energy. Because our defensive personnel STINKS! Sorry, but when Shaun Alexder and Larry Johnson ran all over us like we were a highschool team (during primetime no less), that's not a coaching problem, it's a personel problem.

Our defense really needs to get some players ASAP, cause besides DRob, there aren't very many players to rave about. Hopefully I'm wrong, but the fact is, our defense was terrible last year, and at least 70% of it was the players. Hopefully, Babin can finally start playing the way he always wanted to, and maybe last year's 1st round pick can get the opportunity to play like a 1st round pick. But I got to say that it's not looking too good right now.
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Shaun Alexander was the leading rusher in the NFL last season and Larry Johnson rushed for 1750 yards in 9 games started, it's not like these guys are mediocre backs. And I don't know how you can say "it's not looking too good right now" as far as Johnson is concerned, he had limited playing time in his first season and I don't think we have seen enough of him yet to say he was not worth the 1st round pick. And no, I am not saying the players are not to blame at all, but when our new defensive coordinator comes in and says we have the perfect personnel for a 4-3 defense after the old regime was trying to build a 3-4 defense for the last 4 seasons, I have to think the coaching/front office is more to blame for the defense's failure. If you think about it, Babin, Peek, Travis Johnson, Robaire Smith, Kailee Wong, and if I am not mistaken, Morlon Greenwood, Gary Walker, and Seth Payne all played in a 4-3 defense before signing with the Texans.
 
rittenhouserobz

rittenhouserobz

Veteran
Smith has to have a starting point. The Texans can't fire the entire team overnight and begin anew. This is a process. If Babin or Peek do not perform, then it will be fixed. I am going to patient and watch the changes to the defense mold the spirit of the "new" team.
 
N

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
phan1 said:
Honestly, I think coach Smith is just trying to generate some positive energy. Because our defensive personnel STINKS! Sorry, but when Shaun Alexder and Larry Johnson ran all over us like we were a highschool team (during primetime no less), that's not a coaching problem, it's a personel problem.
Click to expand...
I dunno.....I keep thinking it was a long, long plane ride up there, 2 hours difference in the time, weather was different, night game on Sunday Night
TV, in other words the whole thing was just an aberration. But then the same
thing happened against the Chiefs "HERE AT HOME". So that's definitely not
reassuring.
But I'm of the opinion that the range of talent between the teams who draft
very high and those who draft very low is not great. In other words, the fortunes of teams can and do turn around very quickly. I'm gonna hold that
thought (dare I say hope), and remain optimistic all the way to September
and then see what happens.
 
bdiddy

bdiddy

Waterboy
I will have to look for link, but saw some old link giving a pre-draft evaluation of Jason Babin. Apparently, he played his senior season at 280lbs. but dropped down to the 260-265lbs. for the combine workouts because he was thought to be the best OLB prospect for the 3-4 scheme. Thus, it would seem very reasonable that with an offseason of prep work towards adding weight he could be in the 275-280 range. This would make him more than adequate to play DE.
 
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