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Texans defense will be better... and here's why.

the wonger need food

the wonger need food

All Pro
With all of this focus on offense, some people feel that the organization is overlooking the defense. I would disagree and believe that the defense will be in the top 10 this year and here is why...

Players are going back to their natural positions, where some have excelled in the past. Robaire Smith was a very good DT before coming to the Texans and should pay big dividends this season. Travis Johnson is also a natural 4-3 DT. Both of these players will be better now that they can be aggressive and not have to worry about holding up linemen for the LB's to make tackles. Same holds true for Peek and Babin who were dominant at the DE position in college. No more worrying about covering the flat or a RB out of the backfield... just get in the backfield and make a play. Greenwood is a natural 4-3 OLB who excelled in this position as a Dolphin. And if the schemes can get any kind of pressure on the QB it might make PBuc look respectable and bring Robinson back to a Pro Bowl level of play.

In addition, I believe that they will focus on getting good secondary players in the draft. CB is one of the highest paid positions in the NFL, so it makes sense to get some young guys vs. paying for high-dollar veterans.

There is definitely potential for a very good season (8-8 or better) if everyone stays healthy. Crazier things have happened in the NFL.
 
I agree. The D has not been ignored. Some savvy drafting could help patch up the weaker areas.

Picks #33, 65, 66, & 98 are there to use (in part) on the secondary.
 
The coaching is the big upgrade to offense and defense. The move to the 4-3 will help tremendously. It was cited as one of the main reasons we sucked last year (along with coaching and O-line).
 
Rubix Kube said:
:wow: I am :shocked
wonger has a optimistic look at the defense. Add to the fact the offense will be better, leaving the defense with better field position to work with.

:superman:
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Better field position and hopefully more time to rest after the offense takes the field.
 
Sportsfan said:
They'll be better b/c hopefully they won't be on the field as much. LOL
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I wouldn't discount this. If they have an average defense which isn't on the field as much that could very well improve their productivity.
 
Rubix Kube said:
What happened to the wonger need food? What have you done with him?:)
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It's amazing what a new coaching staff can do to one fan's outlook on life. I hated Capersball and knew that it was destined for failure from day one. It's just a shame that McNair didn't take care of business before last season, but what can ya do? Either way, the Texans should finally look like a real NFL team this year, which is exciting.
 
Here's a tired saying that really applies to this thread:
"The best defense is a good offense."

Score more points. Keep the defense off the field. When you have a lead you can take more chances and blitz the linebackers, corners, safeties, etc. causing more three and outs....
 
the wonger need food said:
Robaire Smith was a very good DT before coming to the Texans and should pay big dividends this season. Travis Johnson is also a natural 4-3 DT. Both of these players will be better now that they can be aggressive and not have to worry about holding up linemen for the LB's to make tackles. Same holds true for Peek and Babin who were dominant at the DE position in college.
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There's a reason why both Peek & Babin, though both downlineman in college, were drafted by the Texans to play OLBs in the 3-4 and not by another team to play DE in the 4-3.
But on the other hand, you're probably right about both Smith and Johnson
being more effective in the 4-3.
 
the wonger need food said:
With all of this focus on offense, some people feel that the organization is overlooking the defense. I would disagree and believe that the defense will be in the top 10 this year and here is why...

Players are going back to their natural positions, where some have excelled in the past. Robaire Smith was a very good DT before coming to the Texans and should pay big dividends this season. Travis Johnson is also a natural 4-3 DT. Both of these players will be better now that they can be aggressive and not have to worry about holding up linemen for the LB's to make tackles. Same holds true for Peek and Babin who were dominant at the DE position in college. No more worrying about covering the flat or a RB out of the backfield... just get in the backfield and make a play. Greenwood is a natural 4-3 OLB who excelled in this position as a Dolphin. And if the schemes can get any kind of pressure on the QB it might make PBuc look respectable and bring Robinson back to a Pro Bowl level of play.

In addition, I believe that they will focus on getting good secondary players in the draft. CB is one of the highest paid positions in the NFL, so it makes sense to get some young guys vs. paying for high-dollar veterans.

There is definitely potential for a very good season (8-8 or better) if everyone stays healthy. Crazier things have happened in the NFL.
Click to expand...

the defense will also be better because the offense should be good enough to keep them off the field longer. the run defense will also be better with the additions of cowart and weaver.
 
more so, i think the players will rally around kubiak more than capers. i had the idea that the players lacked effort bc they simply didnt want to play for capers. kubiak is more of a player's coach and so i think the players will play harder for him.
 
the wonger need food said:
Yes there is... it's called incompetence.
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I dunno.....but in all fairness to former coach Capers and his people, the
Kubiak group apparently also sees some potential in Peek for their 4-3
defense, because they made a first round tender to him as a RFA this year
and that included more than a nominal incremental economic investment
as I understand it.
IMO, Peek would struggle to be an every down DE, but as we know he can be a bona fide playmaker as a third down edge pass rusher. Maybe they
only want to use his as a specialist.
 
I really don't buy into the idea that the players wouldn't play for Capers. Everything I've seen indicates they really liked him. However, I think they came to the conclusion about mid 04 season that most of the coaches were a bunch of duffasses and that Capers wouldn't do anything about them. At that point, they pretty much hung up their cleats.
 
The main problem with the defense is the secondary. Our DL and LBs won't scare anyone, but they're at least adequate. Other than Dunta, our DBs are atrocious.
 
Well considering their 1st and most significant FA signing (at least financially) was DEFENSE (Anthony Weaver), and then adding veterans Cowart & Kalu I don't see how we've ignored defense this offseason. I think all of these signings were very clever.

You bring in veteran guys at key positions (MLB & DE) to help mentor our younger guys (Babin, Peek, TJ, Orr, Polk etc.). I think our DL will be fine, we are stocked full of LBs so should be fine there.

Our only glaring weakness is our secondary. And the main reason it's a weakness is primarily due to inexperience. After letting Coleman go we have no more veterans there. However I think Dunta will emerge as the leader, and we will most likely address this area in the draft.

I wouldn't go as far as to say top 10 defense, but I'm sure we will be much improved. And with the potential juggernaut offense Kubiak is building (AJ, Moulds, Putzier, DD, Bush, Mathis, Carr) we SHOULD put up some huge points which will also help take pressure off the defense and get chalk up some wins!!! :redtowel:
 
the wonger need food said:
Yes there is... it's called incompetence.
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I can see why they drafted Peek as an outside linebacker, he was very slim in college. But Babin played at 280 pounds at WM and even lined up at DT. I hope to see Babin start at RE and play at 270+ where he played his best football.

Some looks at Babin in college:

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2003/Preview/AA_DefensiveLinemen.htm
Jason Babin, Sr. Western Michigan
One of the premier pass rushers in America, Babin is a big, lightning quick player finishing with 94 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 15 sacks last season. No big deal, he played in the MAC. Yeah, but he was also able to produce against Virginia Tech, Michigan and Purdue. Able to line up at tackle if needed, the coaching staff is going to have to get creative with him since offenses are going to double and triple team him all season.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/jason_babin

Outstanding pass rusher and two-time All-American who is one of the fastest down linemen in the game of football … The former high school state wrestling champion also excels on special teams, using his excellent leaping ability to block three punts during his career … The Defensive Hard Hat Award winner also saw time on offense the last two years, blocking in the Power-I formation … Started 25 of 47 games for the Broncos, recording 299 tackles (202 solos) with 38 sacks for minus-188 yards, 75 stops for losses of 283 yards, 43 quarterback pressures, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two pass deflections and three receptions for 35 yards
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I don't know why Fangio wanted to take him out of his element. If the Texans let him attack the ball every play he could blow up this season.

As for Peek, if he can ever get himself under control we could have a very effective DE rotation. His quickness off the ball made Tarik Glenn look like a rookie with multiple false starts.

Our run defense should be vastly improved with Weaver, Payne, Smith and Babin starting on the line and Cowart backing them up. Unfortunatly, I am very worried about our OLB positions. Greenwood was playing out of position last year, but where you line up shouldn't determine your ability to tackle. I can't remeber where I read it, but Greenwood failed to make a stop on almost 50% of all plays he was in on. :confused:

How can a linbacker fail to make a tackle nearly half the time? Coleman was mocked for being dragged by James, but atleast he didn't let go and eventually made the stop. I'm not sure about Orr either. He looked good as a speed rusher, but is easily pushed around. I've watched TEs drive him 5 yards downfield before the RB even gets the ball.

I would like to see Ko Simpson or another FS drafted in the second, and somebody like Spencer Havner in the third. He can play Inside and outside linebacker, has great size, and quickness with good speed.

ILB Spencer Havner UCLA
6033 242lbs
4.69 40, 2.75 20, 1.65 10
39" vertical, 9'8" broad
4.09 shuttle, 6.82 cone

Some second day guys I like:

CB Will Blackmon Boston College
6002 198lbs
4.47 40, 2.60 20, 1.56 10
41 vertical, 11'1" broad
4.24 shuttle, 6.69 cone

OLB James Anderson Virginia Tech
6026 229lbs 4.59 40, 2.68 20, 1.57 10
41 vertical, 10'1" broad
4.14 shuttle, 6.90 cone.

I think we can be a top 20 defense if everything pans out right. With our D-line we could even be top 10 vs the run. I see alot of reasons for optimism this season and can't wait to see these guys in action! :redtowel:
 
Caesar said:
The main problem with the defense is the secondary. Our DL and LBs won't scare anyone, but they're at least adequate. Other than Dunta, our DBs are atrocious.
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Main problem with the D is the serious lack of a pass rush. Has been since day 1. Hopefully with the conversion to a 4-3 and the additions of Weaver and Cowart the opposing QB will be given less time to make the first read, make another read, scramble, scramble some more, take a smoke break, and then find an open reciever.
 
Honch Delgado said:
Main problem with the D is the serious lack of a pass rush. Has been since day 1. Hopefully with the conversion to a 4-3 and the additions of Weaver and Cowart the opposing QB will be given less time to make the first read, make another read, scramble, scramble some more, take a smoke break, and then find an open reciever.
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I agree. A secondary cannot cover for more than 4-5 seconds. If the opposing recievers/QB have even taht long, there is nothing that even the best defenses can really do.
 
TexansFanatic said:
Here's a tired saying that really applies to this thread:
"The best defense is a good offense."

Score more points. Keep the defense off the field. When you have a lead you can take more chances and blitz the linebackers, corners, safeties, etc. causing more three and outs....
Click to expand...
The best defense is a good offense yeah thats good and dandy but good defenses win Superbowls Ask Peyton Manning
 
abbest said:
The best defense is a good offense yeah thats good and dandy but good defenses win Superbowls Ask Peyton Manning
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Manning has a good offense, so he has the best defense and having the best defense didn't help him win a SB. :) I think the problem is that the Colts need to just trade Manning to Houston for a 7th round pick. Yeah, that'll put Indy right where they need to be. :ok:

edit: I suppose we could bite the bullet and give them Carr for him.
 
Rubix Kube said:
:wow: I am :shocked
wonger has a optimistic look at the defense. Add to the fact the offense will be better, leaving the defense with better field position to work with.

:superman:
Click to expand...

and hopefully with the defence being on the field less. What was the TOP split last year. On average we had the ball 4 minutes less per game than the opposition
 
We absolutely, positively, without a doubt, need another CB. Last year opposing QBs took the snap and looked directly at Buchanan. Our Defense has improved but we HAVE to address this glaring weakness.
 
I really like this "back to basics" approach that Kubiak has brought to this team. It seems like everything is getting much more simple on both sides of the ball.

It's definitely the quick way of getting back to winning. Now going to Super Bowl might be a different matter, but let's win first shall we?
 
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