Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

Babin Being Babin

CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Looking at Babin's history with the Texans, it's hard to argue the fact that he was screwed around in past years.........used to the 4-3 in college, drafted as a OLB in a 3-4........used as an end in the 3-4............finally, returned to his natural position, the end in a 4-3. Seems like this last change would be an easy transition, but those familiar with such a situation understand that this RE-transition can be frustrating, like starting all over again.........getting reacclimated to the position, angle of pursuit, technique and "mindset" in general. Evidently, good coaching now and a "home" position and renewed hope is getting Babin back to his "hammer" reputation. Read the article:

Hammer
 
I like Megan's story except that she left out one very important factor
in Babin's scenario for playing time with the Texans this year. He's got a
much more formidible player than Antwaan Peek to compete with for playing time at weakside DE in the form of #1 team-project Mario Williams.
Same thing at strong-side with Anthony Weaver though to a lesser degree, though that may end up being Babins home but only in passing situations ?
 
I think Babin is going to continue to be better at rushing the passer than Williams, from that one position on the weak side--partly because Babin is just more geared toward pass rush than run-stopping (when on the line) and partly because Babin is just getting to be that age. I think part of what we're seeing here is that players like Babin and TJ are finally getting it. It takes time to become a good player in the NFL (for most), and then there's those transitions they've had to make. I suspect that Williams will be a HUGE threat to the run game this year, and get more sacks; but, I don't see him exactly setting any records for sack totals for at least a few more years. Babin is our sack specialist, and we will need him at WDE in passing situations.

As much talent as there is there, I don't see Okoye making any huge waves for a few years either.
 
HJam72 said:
I think part of what we're seeing here is that players like Babin and TJ are finally getting it. It takes time to become a good player in the NFL (for most), and then there's those transitions they've had to make.
Click to expand...

Exactly true. People seemed to expect a kid from Directional Michigan to come in and be Lawrence Taylor (as a converted DE no less) from week 1.
 
If Babin plays the strong side in obvious passing situations, the play may be changed at the line from "obvious" to run. One of the LBs or DBs will still need to be assigned to "hawk" that side for the run, or we could be burned more than you would think.
 
I feel that Babin will have a good year, if heathy.

With the defense sporting Williams, Ryans, and Okoye as a threat at any time, it should allow for other players to get some significant plays.

This should be an exciting season.
 
I liked the article, and like most here, would like to see Babin excel with our team. He, like most of our picks in past drafts, represents 'failure' to those outside the organization.

Being almost exclusively 'all' defensive picks, the drafts of the past should represent one thing...a 'nitty-gritty, blue collar, bust-you-in-the-face mask' team. With the right mix of coaching and leadership within the team (Ryans and Schaub) this Texans team should start to make the rest of the league take notice.

Then of course, I'm a :homer: , and being that :homer:, I tend to see things in a more favorable light. Hard for me to be critical of those I support.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
If Babin plays the strong side in obvious passing situations, the play may be changed at the line from "obvious" to run. One of the LBs or DBs will still need to be assigned to "hawk" that side for the run, or we could be burned more than you would think.
Click to expand...

If teams want to run at Babin on 3rd and 10, let them. I'm pretty sure we'll win that battle more often than not.
 
Matt said:
If teams want to run at Babin on 3rd and 10, let them. I'm pretty sure we'll win that battle more often than not.
Click to expand...

Exactly...

If it were that easy people would never pass against the Colts...
 
The reason Freeney can rush up field constantly is that the Indy linebackers do an outstanding job of covering the gap he leaves.
 
I really want to like Babin, but I've always got the feeling that he's in between positions. Smaller than most ends, but bigger than most 4-3 linebackers. I'm just not convinced that he's going to be a long term answer on this team, but obviously time will tell and I hope he does work out for us.

Thankfully, he doesn't seem to have the pressure of being associated with a first round pick. He's been given a lot of excuses/reasons, so at least the fans aren't screaming for his head on a platter at the moment.
 
Double Barrel said:
I really want to like Babin, but I've always got the feeling that he's in between positions. Smaller than most ends, but bigger than most 4-3 linebackers. I'm just not convinced that he's going to be a long term answer on this team, but obviously time will tell and I hope he does work out for us.
Click to expand...

thats why he is called a 'tweener'. :splits: I thought he was easily the most impressive linemen last week.
 
I think being drafted with TJ takes the pressure off him. He is kind of the forgotten "other defensive lineman" drafted that same year who was supposed to make a huge impact. Guy never did, but he's showing more promise than a lot of players, and the team has found a use for him, so I'm all for it.
 
Vinny said:
thats why he is called a 'tweener'. :splits: I thought he was easily the most impressive linemen last week.
Click to expand...

I was made fun of when I said early on that in situational pass rush he could record 10 sacks.This maybe a little high but I thought on passing downs and the consentration of other players he could record it.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
If Babin plays the strong side in obvious passing situations, the play may be changed at the line from "obvious" to run. One of the LBs or DBs will still need to be assigned to "hawk" that side for the run, or we could be burned more than you would think.
Click to expand...

I don't know what they're planning, but I would never put Babin on the strong side. He's an undersized, more of a pass-rusher, even on the weak side. I'd put him on the weak side and move Mario wherever he's needed. If it's not in his best interest to play multiple positions, then we just stick the best pass rusher in at WDE in obvious pass situations, which is Babin until proven otherwise. Mario can move, or he can sit down. Whatever.
 
When new defensive line coach Jethro Franklin joined the Texans, he didn't sit down and talk with Jason Babin about the past. He didn't sit down and talk to him about moving forward, either.
Franklin walked in and simply went to work. The approach has helped Babin. The embattled defensive lineman is repaying his new coach by putting together arguably the best preseason of his career.
"Jethro's been instrumental," Babin said. "My style of play at left defensive end, it's kind of scrappy. It's not traditional. You have a guy that's 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, that's not me. He understands the way I play and what I can bring to the table. He's been able to coach me from that aspect."
Babin is entering a critical season with the Texans. Three years after being a first-round draft pick, he has struggled to find his fit. That appears to have changed.
In the first preseason game against Chicago last week, Babin was one of the players who impressed coach Gary Kubiak the most. The 27-year-old veteran has done the same thing in practice almost daily.
Click to expand...

more
 
Specnatz said:
I was made fun of when I said early on that in situational pass rush he could record 10 sacks.This maybe a little high but I thought on passing downs and the consentration of other players he could record it.
Click to expand...

I believe that this is entirely possible if Mario and Okoye demand the attention that we all hope they will.
 
Texans Horror said:
I think being drafted with TJ takes the pressure off him. He is kind of the forgotten "other defensive lineman" drafted that same year who was supposed to make a huge impact. Guy never did, but he's showing more promise than a lot of players, and the team has found a use for him, so I'm all for it.
Click to expand...

Babin was drafted with Dunta Robinson in 2004, not with Travis Johnson in 2005.
 
Had a brain fart. You're right - he was drafted with Dunta. The basic argument still stands, though. He's kind of the forgotten guy.
 
Vinny said:
thats why he is called a 'tweener'. :splits: I thought he was easily the most impressive linemen last week.
Click to expand...

yep. And while certainly true, I think it says a lot more about the weakness of our line than it props up Babin. I think he's a good kid, but should not be our best defensive lineman at this point, IMO.

BTW, any 'tweeners' that have ever been dominant? I'm just curious what kind of history we can hope for with a player like Babin.
 
Double Barrel said:
yep. And while certainly true, I think it says a lot more about the weakness of our line than it props up Babin. I think he's a good kid, but should not be our best defensive lineman at this point, IMO.

BTW, any 'tweeners' that have ever been dominant? I'm just curious what kind of history we can hope for with a player like Babin.
Click to expand...
Dwight Freeney, Shawn Merriman, DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter...I could go on and on.....tons of tweeners are in the pro bowl every year and even in the hall of fame. Babin will never get there of course...but being a tweener isn't a bad thing...it's just a thing.
 
Dwight Freeney, Shawn Merriman, DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter
Click to expand...

cool....seeing those names gives me a good direction to look at....I'm not saying Babin will be at those guys' levels, but it does help to understand where he could go and the impact he could provide.

After all, he might be our biggest threat on the line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top