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The Texans and the rest of the AFC South.

TEXANRED

TEXANRED

Texan-American
Looking over what we did in the draft and then looking at our division I have the opinion that we may not have pulled even with Jacksonville, but we did pass up the Titans and that means a possible playoff push this season. Heres why:

First, lets look at who the Texans lost and gained during our FA period.

Lost: Hutchins (CB), Flannagen(C), McKinney(C), Anderson(OLB), Clark(OLB), Dayne(RB)
Added: Reeves(CB), Myers(C), Chris Brown(RB), Bentley(OLB), Thomas(OLB)(I think thats his name)

Players still on the mend: Chris White(C), DRob(CB), Spencer(OL), Weary(OL)

Forgive me if there are names that I missed.

Going into the draft we needed, OL, RB, OLB, CB, DL, S,

So the Texans went out and got:
Brown(LT): A project player they believe Gibbs can coach up. If he is as athletic as the Texans report him to be and if Gibbs is half the coach the league says he is, not only will he be our LT for years to come, but a future HOF'er. But there are a lot of IF's between here and Canton. But, not all is lost b/c Salaam is more than capable of keeping the seat warm without getting Schaub killed so it affords Brown time to learn in the system.

Molden: I am very excited about this pick for a few reasons, one he's tall, big at 6-2 196lbs and fast running a 4.33 40. He may be a little rough but again, Reeves and Bennett should start out opening day and once DRob comes back either this year or next, Molden is going to fit nicely as our #3 DB and match up with whoever the Colts throw at us.

Slaton: Its starting to get crowded as Slaton comes aboard. A little small for what I was hoping for at 5'10 197, but he is fast with a 4.44 40. Slaton will give us that potential play maker that has been missing from our RB core, plus he gives us another option in our passing game with above average hands. DD with speed keeps dancing in my head, but we shall see.

Adibi: Don't really know much about him except he was the second best OLB in the draft, and he was taken with our magical 4th round pick, so he has to be a stud. If nothing else he joins a very crowded LB'ing core with Diles, Greenwood, Bently, Thomas, and now Adibi.

Okam: This is my favorite pick in this draft. This is the guy who I thought we needed and was praying we would get but dared not voice it otherwise it would not have come true. Sometimes, you just need a strong fat turd to run no further than 2 feet per game and just take up space. Okam completely changes the dynamics of our DL. He is going to allow Amobi to get free, Mario or who ever is playing DE to get free, he is going to be able to keep lineman off our LB'ers and allow them to do there job. If Okam is the right man for the job our Defense just got a hole helleva lot stronger and allow our "stars" to shine brightly and reach there full potential.

From here they kinda lost me.

Barber: Hope he has heart like his brother, if he does, oh boy we stole another one, if not, well, he was a 6th round pick.

Brink: Who? and more importantly, Why? So we drafted a QB for our scout team?

Today, our OL got stronger, our RB's got stronger, our secondary got stronger, our front seven got very strong and very deep.

So lets visit the rest of the AFC Souths draft.

Indy, for some reason found it necessary to draft 3 centers, and out of 9 draft picks (no first round) 4 were 6th rounders. They also drafted a few undersized LB'ers. Wheeler who plays inside is 6'1 but runs a 4.759 40. OL run faster than he does, Howard runs 4.45 and is 6.0. He's quick but small, yet another TE (are the Titans and Colts trying to corner the market?)

I can't point to anything that Indy did this weekend that made them a better football team.

Jags: Drafted a pair of undersized DE's. Harvey 64 271 with a 4.84 40 was there first big reach that cost them some draft picks, and with there second pick they get Groves, a situational pass rusher that is 6'3 259 with a 4.5 forty. They are no Mario Williams. They also drafted an OLB that you have to time his forty with a calender, Thomas Williams, 6'0 238, 4.879 40. His scouting report says he plays with a mean streak so I guess he will be yelling out obscenities from behind the person he's chasing. They also drafted Tae Williams who will turn into a fine nickle back for them and a running back that can't stay academically eligible.

Titians: I don't even want to get into it, but it was a bad draft. This will make two in a row for bad drafts. Stuff like that has a habit of catching up with you. Just ask the 2005 Texans.

I believe we drafted better than any of our divisional counter parts and are closer to evening the playing field.

The Colts did not improve, the Jags did not improve, and the Titans continue to take more steps backward.

Don't look now but here comes the Texans.
 
The loss of Stroud may be a bigger deal than some would let on, but I think they did good picking Harvey and Groves. They may be easier to run against now, but their pass rush will be improved.

Off-season grades so far:

Colts: Improve slightly
Texans: Improve a good bit
Jags: Improve slightly
Titans: Did not improve
 
TEXANRED said:
Thomas Williams, 6'0 238, 4.879 40. His scouting report says he plays with a mean streak so I guess he will be yelling out obscenities from behind the person he's chasing.
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LOL....perhaps Indy drafted Hart because they found someone on the Jags roster slower than he is.
 
It doesnot matter rookies and there first year really never play nor effect the season much IMO
 
Indy's draft scares me none, but they are pretty damn good at what they do, so Ill wait till later to judge them. The Jags and Titans had me say huh like 5 times each. They gave up way too much for Harvey. I just dont feel either team had a draft that made alot of sense. For Gods sak, the picture on the scouting report of their DE was a stick figue playing football... They didnt know who he was or where he went to school.
 
I thought the Jags really screwed themselves. Harvey was reached for IMO, and Groves doesn't even fit their scheme. Groves as a traditional DE? Teams will run to his side until he leaves the field. That's how I see that. Trae Williams is a decent pick, but I think he was a product of playing next to Mike Jenkins. But I guess at the same time, you have to make plays. Chauncey Washington was a funny pick. The Jags had the worst draft in the AFC South IMO.

Indy drafted both of my top 2 centers (Justice and Pollack). So they kind of scares me considering they already have a good offensive line. Sounds like that will be the case for even longer. They also got ALOT more athletic at OLB taking Marcus Howard from Georgia and Phillip Wheeler from GTech. Wheeler is a playmaker, he will make an impact pretty quickly. They both fit the Tamp 2 very well also. They also got Mike Hart. I think the Colts probably had the best draft of the AFC South.

I liked our draft. We got a guy who we think can play LT for us and be dominating, while also being a leader. We grabbed an athletic corner, and an athletic OLB. Xavier Adibi is going to be a beast for us, I absolutely love this pick. Steve Slaton is a great pick for what lil Shanny said about him. Kevin Faulk type of skills, he can catch alot of balls and turn alot of them into first downs. I am def down for a back like that, especially Steve Slaton.

Tennessee was confusing. Chris Johnson could be a great pick but he could be a bust as well. I think he will be as productive as Slaton is for us, so IMO it will be a reach, but not a bust. I liked Jason Jones during the Senior Bowl and combine, I didn't think he was going to go in the 2nd round though. I think he could actually turn out to be a damn good player. The rest of their picks are question marks except for Hawkins, who I have no idea if he will pan out or not.

So ranking them:

1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Jaguars

This is relative to the picks they had, not the players acquired.
 
TEXANRED said:
They also drafted an OLB that you have to time his forty with a calender, Thomas Williams, 6'0 238, 4.879 40. His scouting report says he plays with a mean streak so I guess he will be yelling out obscenities from behind the person he's chasing.
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LMAO!!!!

Hilarious stuff...
 
Norg said:
It doesnot matter rookies and there first year really never play nor effect the season much IMO
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Adrian Peterson, DeMeco Ryans, and Patrick Willis would like to take you outside and beat you with a crowbar or three.
 
Norg said:
It doesnot matter rookies and there first year really never play nor effect the season much IMO
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Yeah, it didn't matter to us when Demeco was a rookie. He barely got up off the bench. And last year, that Peterson kid in Minnesota, did he get any playing time a all?

:sarcasm:

Seriously, rookies play on most teams and just the fact that they're out there impacts the season.
 
How John Czarnecki of Fox Sports rated the AFC South

Jacksonville
There is no question that coach Jack Del Rio believes his team is right on the verge of beating the Colts and Patriots in the AFC, and that's why he boldly traded into the top of the round for Florida DE Derrick Harvey, who is a natural pass rusher and was rated at a top 10 player by the majority of teams. Quentin Groves had 26 sacks during his Auburn career and gives the Jaguars more speed to go after Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, especially with John Henderson anchoring the middle. South Florida CB Trae Williams had great value in the fifth round.
Grade: B


Indianapolis
The Colts didn't have a first-round pick, but still landed Arizona State's Mike Pollack, an athletic offensive lineman who may replace center Jeff Saturday one day. He could help at guard this season. Georgia OLB Marcus Howard has speed off the edge and played very well against the best opponents - he fits Tony Dungy's system. Ditto for Georgia Tech OLB Philip Wheeler, who had 16 sacks. Kentucky TE Jacob Tamme was excellent value in the fourth round and Bill Polian is hoping he's found another Dallas Clark.
Grade: C

Houston
Virginia Tech's Duane Brown was considered a second rounder, considering he's an offensive tackle who was a tight end two years ago. Brown did play both right and left tackle in college, which gives him a chance of being a good pro. The Texans kept trading down once they missed out on Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. West Virginia's Steve Slaton will help immensely on special teams, but he remains a project at wide receiver. Both CB Antwaun Molden and LB Xavier Adibi should help the defense immediately because both were productive players in college. Fifth-rounder Frank Okam of Texas has a chance to be a starter unless he gets accepted to medical school.
Grade: C

Tennessee
Eastern Carolina running back Chris Johnson ran 4.24 seconds in the 40 at the NFL Combine, and many scouts believe he has the escapability of a Reggie Bush. He should complement the inside bruising running style of LenDale White. Jason Jones of Eastern Michigan will be given every shot to replace Antwan Odom at RDE. Cal receiver Lavelle Hawkins plays faster than he runs and has a chance to be productive as a rookie. They took another Golden Bear in TE Craig Stevens, who is a much better blocker than a receiver. The Titans didn't land a lot of quality after Johnson.
Grade: D
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The colts draft centers and either keep at center or move them to guard. From what I am understand that is what they are going to do with Pollack.

The tinheads have drafted a RB in the first or second round 3 years in a row, unless they move Johnson to wideout because of his speed.
 
Houston
Virginia Tech's Duane Brown was considered a second rounder, considering he's an offensive tackle who was a tight end two years ago. Brown did play both right and left tackle in college, which gives him a chance of being a good pro. The Texans kept trading down once they missed out on Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. West Virginia's Steve Slaton will help immensely on special teams, but he remains a project at wide receiver. Both CB Antwaun Molden and LB Xavier Adibi should help the defense immediately because both were productive players in college. Fifth-rounder Frank Okam of Texas has a chance to be a starter unless he gets accepted to medical school.
Grade: C

1. It was tight end 3 years ago.
2. Of course he's a 'project' at wide reciever. He plays running back :thinking:
3. Frank Okam is thinking about Law school. Not medical. After he signs a contract, it's a moot point.


God, I hate ignorant hacks.
 
Norg said:
i think the colts where only thinking How do we beat the Chargers ???!!!!! LOL
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LMFAO. I'd forgotten about this joke. Damn. Still

RE: Jags and Colts.

I don't think there's any LOL about that. They have their offense in place. Everyone needs to be thinking about how to beat perennial winners.

I do agree that they loaded up on pass rushers. :gun:
 
TEXANRED said:
Indy, for some reason found it necessary to draft 3 centers, and out of 9 draft picks (no first round) 4 were 6th rounders. They also drafted a few undersized LB'ers. Wheeler who plays inside is 6'1 but runs a 4.759 40. OL run faster than he does, Howard runs 4.45 and is 6.0. He's quick but small, yet another TE (are the Titans and Colts trying to corner the market?)

I can't point to anything that Indy did this weekend that made them a better football team.
Click to expand...

I think that the first two centers (Pollack and Justice) will both be solid long-term contributors (eventually starters) on their OL. Maybe they won't have much impact this year, but picks like that will help keep them from being in the "we must draft an OL" position that we have been in for the past few years. These were great long-term picks by the Colts. I think they got good value with their other picks, and some might see the field. Considering they had no 1st round pick, and how good their team already is, it's hard to imagine their draft picks having much immediate impact. But, overall I think they did a great job with what they had, including building for the longer term.

I really don't know what Tennessee was thinking. We'll see on Jacksonville - it could be great or horrible depending on how those two DEs do.
 
Just got back from the luncheon and figured I would share a few thoughts.

Kubiak seemed more intense this year. Last year he was more, I don't want to say smiley, but less rigid when he spoke. This year there was more of an edge in his voice. Also his motto of "We have got a long way to go and a lot of hard work to put in" was replaced by talking of turning the corner, taking that next step, winning 2-3 more games, and becoming a contender. He didn't come out and say it directly, but I got the feeling by the way he carried himself and spoke that he expects this team to turn the corner and make the playoffs.

The last few years when you heard Kubiak talk you could still see him being nothing more than an assistant coach. This is the first year I heard him speak as a Head Coach.

The other thing I found interesting was he said that he did not call Gibbs and Rhodes to come out of retirement, but they called him to ask for a job and that says a lot to what the Texans are doing and what they are accomplishing and the direction this football team is going in.
 
TEXANRED said:
Just got back from the luncheon and figured I would share a few thoughts.

Kubiak seemed more intense this year. Last year he was more, I don't want to say smiley, but less rigid when he spoke. This year there was more of an edge in his voice. Also his motto of "We have got a long way to go and a lot of hard work to put in" was replaced by talking of turning the corner, taking that next step, winning 2-3 more games, and becoming a contender. He didn't come out and say it directly, but I got the feeling by the way he carried himself and spoke that he expects this team to turn the corner and make the playoffs.

The last few years when you heard Kubiak talk you could still see him being nothing more than an assistant coach. This is the first year I heard him speak as a Head Coach.

The other thing I found interesting was he said that he did not call Gibbs and Rhodes to come out of retirement, but they called him to ask for a job and that says a lot to what the Texans are doing and what they are accomplishing and the direction this football team is going in.
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Wow! He actually said that? :fans:
 
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