Shaun Cody...next great 3-4 DE?

The possibilty of a trade down, and the woeful lack of talent at DT, had me thinking about alternate picks for the draft. Assuming the Texans are able to trade down, I think that Shaun Cody could be a viable option.

Shaun has the frame to play DE, he may need to add a little more weight (but only if it does not inhibit his speed). He's got the natural pass rushing skills (maybe even a more natural pass rusher than Peek and Babin), and is beter then average against the run, how succesful was OU at running up the gut? Yes, JJ Arington gave at of the USC defense some fits, but then again the USC D-line didn't have the linebacker core we have backing them up. There are zero character issues, he is a proven winner and seems to have all the intangables that one would want in a player.

The thought of Shaun Cody and Babin lining up on the strong side and Smith and Peek on the weak side sounds very tempting to me. The fact that he is more of a DT/DE tweener will help the Texans if they decdie to trade down and target him.

Just curious if I'm dillusional (again?) are if anybody agrees with me.

I agree. I don't know how fast Shaun could learn the 34 DE position. But he could provide immediate help spelling Walker or Smith on passing downs. Here's a new draft prospect criteria I have bouncing around in my head. Could you see Shaun Cody playing for the Patriots? I think the answer is yes. So why couldn't he play for the Texans?

I like Cody; but IMO he is a close second to Marcus Spears. The knock on Cody is just not his weight, but he doesn't have the big lower body of an interior lineman and gets pushed around by bigger OLmen. This problem will be compounded at the next level. Spears has the ideal physique, has room to add ten or fifteen more pounds and is very strong against the run. He is a much better fit for DE in a 34 defense. If he can develope one more move, he can improve his pass rush.

nah...shaun cody i think is the better pick than marcus spears...and here's why no one plays with more intensity than cody...the dude just plays fast...he looked like a men against boys this whole year including the bowl championship...spears is a good DE and i wouldn't cry if we got him in the draft either...but cody...there's a difference maker if you ask me

THE_HONKEY_TONK_KID said:

I like the idea of "tweeners", I mean thats what Robiarre Smith was. He was a "twenner" and look how he did with us playing the DE. He played DT in Tennesse. Cody is the same way. He played some DE in college, I think if I remember right what USC did was let him play DT but on 3rd downs put him on the outside and let him rush the QB with his great speed. [/FONT]

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Tweeners refers to guys that would be light even as 4-3 DE's and thus need to be incredibly talented pass rushers such as Jason Taylor, Jevon Kearse or will need to convert to 3-4 OLB's--see Kaillee Wong, Jason Babin, Antwan Peek. All of the DLmen in a 3-4 are commonly filled by classic 4-3 DT's--see Gary Walker, DT in Jax, DE here and Smith DT in TN and DE here.

Shaun has been a good pass rusher his entire career at USC. and he reminds me a lot of Aaron Smith from the Steelers. He could be great, but he has never played in a 3-4 defense.

I dont think the Texans would want to move down far enough for him to be a fair value. I think the Texans will stay put and take BPA. I wouldnt mind if they droped down about 5, picked up a second, and got 3 very good players.