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Where is TJ when the season begins?

humbleone

Waterboy
As has been noted often, those of us who love the Texans find out more from the "wired in" members of the MB than the Chronicle's version of a sports section. So... where do you guys see TJ depth chart wise when the season opens? :spy:
 

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
I see him behind Payne when the season starts but given Payne's injury history I see him starting somewhere by midseason due to an injured Payne but it basically just speeds up the process of his eventual replacement of Payne. I also see that he looks like a first rounder with the help from the DEs.
 

TEXANRED

Texan-American
On the bench, again.

With the Texans trying to get Peak, Babin, playing time by moving Weaver to the inside, and Payne and Smith already starting ahead of TJ, could be another long unproductive year for our boy.
 

Runner

Hubcap Diamond
Staff member
Wired it on not, I'll answer:

I think he is fourth on the DT list. Depending on the rotations, schemes, injuries and his performance when given opportunities, he may not get a lot of playing time.
 

Honoring Earl 34

Something Witty !
:hunter: I think that the 16th pick in the first round better be fighting for a starters position . You think that TJ should be about to pass Payne ( who 's best at NT ) up .

Last year TJ was out of position , while at FSU another DT named Bunkley did'nt get any noteriety because of TJ . This year Bunkley was the 14th pick in the draft .

Bottom line is Travis Johnson is a good prospect . He's a quick DT with decent size and he scored a 26 on his wonderlich .
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
El Tejano said:
I see him behind Payne when the season starts but given Payne's injury history I see him starting somewhere by midseason due to an injured Payne but it basically just speeds up the process of his eventual replacement of Payne. I also see that he looks like a first rounder with the help from the DEs.
Payne has had one significant injury in the last 7 seasons and has played in 16 games out of 16 6 of the last 7 seasons. People are way too fast to slap injury tags on players.
 

Blake

MMQB
I think he will be 1 of 3 starters at DT. The rotation will be so quick, all thee will look like starters.
 

Honoring Earl 34

Something Witty !
The thing you can't do is count TJ out . He was going to be a 1st round draft choice in 2005 by someone and its not fair to pencil him in as another one of CC and company's screw ups . Give him a year under Smith and see .
 
Depth on the D Line is fantastic.

When the opposing team's offensive line is starting to wear down in the fourth quarter our D line will still be fresh and fast! Look out Peyton! Look out Leftwich! Talk about two quarterbacks that run in concrete shoes on mollasses (sp?).

This season is going to be so much fun to watch. I'm finally going to get my money's worth on my season tickets. I am absolutely dying to see a game.
 

HeartofHouston

Waterboy
Personally I think that Johnson is better for us than Payne.. Johnson is quicker and more intense than Payne.. Him and RoBear could be a comple NIGHTMARE on the inside.. and combine that with the fire that Peek brings and add the freakish ability of Mario Williams.

Johnson was completely out of place in our 3-4 defense. Give him a shot in the 4-3 where instead of 5 Olinemen vs 3 D-Linemen.. It's 5 vs 4. So Somebody is gonna get a double team and somebody is gonna be 1 on 1. And with those 4 I would love to see how O-Linemen are gonna handle it...
 

Hulk75

Veteran
I think Travis would not hurt at all if he could gain some weight, or just get bigger, he could put on 10 or 15 lbs, would not hurt. He looked like he was not strong enough at times or the olineman were just a little too fast for him last season and got into his pads first and could not get his leverage back.

Or maybe he was not sure where to be and was thinking too much.

I think he is good and will benifit a lot from the new 4-3 and the Super Freak:mario: next to him.
 

Hulk75

Veteran
HeartofHouston said:
Personally I think that Johnson is better for us than Payne.. Johnson is quicker and more intense than Payne.. Him and RoBear could be a comple NIGHTMARE on the inside.. and combine that with the fire that Peek brings and add the freakish ability of Mario Williams.

Johnson was completely out of place in our 3-4 defense. Give him a shot in the 4-3 where instead of 5 Olinemen vs 3 D-Linemen.. It's 5 vs 4. So Somebody is gonna get a double team and somebody is gonna be 1 on 1. And with those 4 I would love to see how O-Linemen are gonna handle it...
Now yes, before Payne hurt his knee NO way.

Payne was one of the best in the NFL at run stuffing before he hurt his knee, I used to watch him blow up centers and get in the back field and change the rbs direction many times. He may not have gotten the tackle but he had plenty RBs change the hole they were going to.

AND I always wanted to say that Gary Walker when he wanted to play and blow somebody up, nobody could block this guy.
 

kiwitexansfan

Hall of Fame
Way ahead of Babin giving that Babin is an End.

I think TJ will start. Payne is a solid defender but doesn't have the burst that TJ. Payne is better suited to a 3-4 nose tackle I think, or a running downs defender. Our O-Line has got to generate pressure for our defense to work and I think that TJ and Smith are the best at doing that....
 

UberDork

Waterboy
I wonder how tired those big guys get running on and off the field. That seems like a good bit of running if we are going to have a really frequent rotation, and it seems like that would lessen the advantage. I wonder what the happy medium is? Is it stupid to think running over 25 yards every 4 or 5 plays would be in itself fatiguing?
 
UberDork said:
I wonder how tired those big guys get running on and off the field. That seems like a good bit of running if we are going to have a really frequent rotation, and it seems like that would lessen the advantage. I wonder what the happy medium is? Is it stupid to think running over 25 yards every 4 or 5 plays would be in itself fatiguing?
I could see your concern for the situation but your forgetting the rest they will get as our new offense with AJ, E-Mo, DD, Putz, and Carr moving the rock down the field killing clock, gaining yards, and putting up points.
 

keyfro

Veteran
well let's look at the talent level we have at DT and be happy...we have changed defensive schemes and still have no real holes along the d-line...we have three 1st round picks along the d-line with babin, tj, and mario...one of which will start(not exactly good numbers for us) however the other two plan to be apart of a heavy rotation...a rotation which i believe will be good for us...we will have have a tired d-line...since we basically have starters coming off the bench...peyton and byron should be scared...peek and mario should be starting consistantly along with weaver and robaire...payne will be on the field a lot of the times when we are facing a run based offense...i think our depth allows us to throw a different starting line-up given our oponent each week...for example

if we face a run first offense like carolina we probably would have this d-line starting

williams smith payne weaver

for a heavy pass offense this d-line starting

peek smith weaver williams with TJ and babin coming in frequently

so i wouldn't worry too much about whose on the field for how long...it's all about this offense being productive and competitive which is something we have not been for years
 

MorKnolle

All Pro
I see him behind Payne, Robaire, and Weaver at DT (Weaver will likely be part-time DT), so barring injuries I don't see him playing a whole lot other than on goalline situations.
 

TwinSisters

Veteran
well our goal line and our third and short should look pretty damn good, when you can throw a 1st round pick in from the bench that is.
 

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
infantrycak said:
Payne has had one significant injury in the last 7 seasons and has played in 16 games out of 16 6 of the last 7 seasons. People are way too fast to slap injury tags on players.
Payne was hurt the season before last and got hurt again at the end of last season. I'm not slapping injury tags on anybody, but I too think he is on his way out. I just think he will get injured again at some point in the season and Johnson will replace him sooner than later.
 

jerek

Pro Hobbyist
TEXANRED said:
On the bench, again.

With the Texans trying to get Peak, Babin, playing time by moving Weaver to the inside, and Payne and Smith already starting ahead of TJ, could be another long unproductive year for our boy.
On the bench. Where he belongs. The guy is still a "project" insofar as he is a relatively lazy athlete and practice work ethic. Hopefully our new staff will succeed in an attitude transformation. But for now, we simply have better players who will be fighting for his spot.
 

V Man

Pumpkinhead
I feel he is the player who will benefit the most in the change of defensive schemes. He won't start but will see plenty of PT. And from the DT position, he will be able to make more plays that we expect from a 1st rounder.
 
R

real

Guest
what about this line.... Peek Williams Weaver Babin
as a pass rushing line
 
R

real

Guest
BigBull17 said:
I think TJ is a better pass rusher than Weaver so,
Peek-Williams-TJ-Babin
That was my first inclination, but I went with weaver because T.J is just unproven at this point
 

red bull

Practice Squad
El Tejano said:
Payne was hurt the season before last and got hurt again at the end of last season. I'm not slapping injury tags on anybody, but I too think he is on his way out. I just think he will get injured again at some point in the season and Johnson will replace him sooner than later.
You're off by a year. He was hurt in the last game of 2004. He was healthy all last year.
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
xtruroyaltyx said:
That was my first inclination, but I went with weaver because T.J is just unproven at this point
Fair enough. Buut he would be given a chance if Weaver was an innefectual pass rusher.
 
R

real

Guest
BigBull17 said:
Fair enough. Buut he would be given a chance if Weaver was an innefectual pass rusher.
I don't know about that either...It just depends on how highly Kubes think's of him.... I could easily see kubiak thinking...hmmm....this guy could be a dominant force inside for us....BUT at the same time i can c him thinking....This guy is unproven, and i have Vet's on the bench....i think i'll stick him @ 3 on the depth chart....just depends on how he is evaluted

{* The "He" in this post refer to Travis Johnson}
 

fastpitchwoof

Practice Squad
I heard things about Mario, Babin/Peek, Smith, Payne, and Weaver. I haven't seen or heard anything about TJ. What is going on with him. I was thinking that he would do well in the 4-3 but I haven't heard anything about how he is doing.

:shoot:
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
Rookie Mario Williams is playing opposite Peek and Babin on the left side. Free-agent signee Anthony Weaver is taking the majority of his repetitions at right tackle, leaving Seth Payne and Robaire Smith to alternate at the other tackle position.
From today's Chronicle article on Babin. Notably absent?--TJ. Guess he is backing up Weaver.

JMO, but folks are selling Payne short in this thread once again.
 
S

SESupergenius

Guest
Kubiak is totally gutting this team and really isn't considering where the draft picks were taken, each man has to practice and perform to HIS standards, no matter what their previous position and stature was. TJ wasn't a great pick to begin with and may find it hard to compete with Robaire and Payne.
 

Exascor

Veteran
infantrycak said:
From today's Chronicle article on Babin. Notably absent?--TJ. Guess he is backing up Weaver.

JMO, but folks are selling Payne short in this thread once again.
I was suprised to see no mention of TJ in that article. Just seems like last year's #1 pick would be given a shot unless he's done something that the staff doesn't like.
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
xtruroyaltyx said:
I don't know about that either...It just depends on how highly Kubes think's of him.... I could easily see kubiak thinking...hmmm....this guy could be a dominant force inside for us....BUT at the same time i can c him thinking....This guy is unproven, and i have Vet's on the bench....i think i'll stick him @ 3 on the depth chart....just depends on how he is evaluted

{* The "He" in this post refer to Travis Johnson}
I think you misunderstood me, if Weaver cant get to the QB on passing downs than TJ will get a chance to come in and prove his worth. If Weaver is making a push and getting heat on the QB, than Kubiak isnt going to fix what isnt broken draft position be damned.:whip:
 
R

real

Guest
BigBull17 said:
I think you misunderstood me, if Weaver cant get to the QB on passing downs than TJ will get a chance to come in and prove his worth. If Weaver is making a push and getting heat on the QB, than Kubiak isnt going to fix what isnt broken draft position be damned.:whip:
agreed... I just hope that T.J gets a fair shot...and performs well
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
BigBull17 said:
I think you misunderstood me, if Weaver cant get to the QB on passing downs than TJ will get a chance to come in and prove his worth. If Weaver is making a push and getting heat on the QB, than Kubiak isnt going to fix what isnt broken draft position be damned.:whip:
Given that Weaver was origionally acquired to be our strong side DE in the
4-3, you'd have to think he is more explosive and quicker than Johnson whether on the edge or inside. But if he does end up being a DT to make
romm for Mario, at 280 he would have to be one of the smaller DTs in the NFL
I'd think ?
 

humbleone

Waterboy
infantrycak said:
From today's Chronicle article on Babin. Notably absent?--TJ. Guess he is backing up Weaver.

JMO, but folks are selling Payne short in this thread once again.
That was my conclusion...he is behind Weaver currently. And I like a base 4-3 early down package of Williams-Payne-Smith-Weaver/Peek as a run stopper.

:ok:
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
nunusguy said:
Given that Weaver was origionally acquired to be our strong side DE in the
4-3, you'd have to think he is more explosive and quicker than Johnson whether on the edge or inside. But if he does end up being a DT to make
romm for Mario, at 280 he would have to be one of the smaller DTs in the NFL
I'd think ?
Well he was brought in as a run stuffer. He also played as a 3-4 DE, which is just a gloryfied DT. He isnt the guy who gets you 10+ sacks he controls the LOS. And 280 isnt that small if you have the strength to go with it. Playing on the line, be it OL or DL, is all about attitude and if he has the right attitude he will do fine.:twocents: :soldier: :dance: :piano:
 

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
BigBull17 said:
Well he was brought in as a run stuffer. He also played as a 3-4 DE, which is just a gloryfied DT. He isnt the guy who gets you 10+ sacks he controls the LOS. And 280 isnt that small if you have the strength to go with it. Playing on the line, be it OL or DL, is all about attitude and if he has the right attitude he will do fine.:twocents: :soldier: :dance: :piano:
You're right of course about 3-4 downlineman beting 4-3 DTs and not DEs.
And that turns out to be a good thing, Weaver being that versatile and all
since our #1 is the prototype strongside 4-3 DE and that's where Mario should be. We can use Weaver on the inside, and he'd be a backup for Mario so the FA pickup is not a waste.
 
infantrycak said:
Payne has had one significant injury in the last 7 seasons and has played in 16 games out of 16 6 of the last 7 seasons. People are way too fast to slap injury tags on players.

They also talk about Payne willing to work out with weights while dragging an IV in his arm right after surgery.

This guy is a winner... and the first time I saw him interviewed after a loss he was PISSED. My money says this guy sees an opportunity to play with winners... and if his soul hasn't been destroyed with a 2 win season -TJ is going to be on the bench for a long time.:) And if that is not the case, the Texans will be a better team because TJ earned a slot and didn't get it handed to him.
 

Texian

Hall of Fame
The depth chart as I envision it come August.

LE - Williams/Babin/Weaver

NT - Payne/Smith/Johnson

UT - Weaver/Johnson/Williams

RE - Peek/Babin/Williams

I love the depth, not many teams have this caliber of depth and rotation...edited to include a good point made by bckey.
 

bckey

All Pro
Texian said:
The depth chart as I envision it come August.

LE - Williams/Babin

NT - Payne/Smith/Johnson

UT - Weaver/Johnson/Williams

RE - Peek/Babin
I think Weaver will play end once in a while.
 

TexanFan881

All Pro
Brandon420tx said:
Was Kalu cut, or do we still have him and Malone...?
We still have Kalu. If we still have Malone, I'd be suprised if he's still on the team when the season starts. TJ will backup at DT and by the time the season is about midway through and there are some injuries he will get a good amount of playing time.
 

TexansSeminole

Hall of Fame
Plus, he went from Bobby Bowden and their amazing D Coordinator Mickey Andrews, to Capers and Vic Fangio....i wouldnt be suprised if a player going from Hall of Fame coach to a Hall of Shame coach wouldnt play or act to his potential. Expect change.
 
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