Back in 2006 when Gary Kubiak arrived on the scene, one of his first decisions was to convert the Texans defense from the 3-4 to the 4-3. And in so doing he signed Anthony Weaver in FA because the Texans existing roster didn't have a legitimate SS DE for the 4-3.
Fast forward to 2009 and Kubiak repeated the exercise again by signing FA Antonio Smith. But one thing is different in 2009: Kubiak already has one of the best SS DE prospect to come out of college in the last 10 years who has also played successfully, off and on, as the Texans SS DE in his first 3 years in the NFL. Why Mario has not been moved to the strong-side and officially designated as the starter there is something that locals have let Kubiak slide on ? It's just so much easier to find a crack edge rusher for the weak-side as compared to the strongside where a larger, stronger player like Mario is needed for defending against the more demanding rushing-offense.
Why was this position change not made ? I dunno but don't think it was ever fully explained by the Texans for whatever reason ? We should be focusing on the Orakpos, the Everett Browns, and other top DEs in the first round as our top priority of this years NFL Draft to finally establish a lineup capable of generating a real pass-rush. We can't however possible justify that much additional money/cap on another DE even though the one we've paid so much for in FA this year will play on the inside at DT in passing situations.
Fast forward to 2009 and Kubiak repeated the exercise again by signing FA Antonio Smith. But one thing is different in 2009: Kubiak already has one of the best SS DE prospect to come out of college in the last 10 years who has also played successfully, off and on, as the Texans SS DE in his first 3 years in the NFL. Why Mario has not been moved to the strong-side and officially designated as the starter there is something that locals have let Kubiak slide on ? It's just so much easier to find a crack edge rusher for the weak-side as compared to the strongside where a larger, stronger player like Mario is needed for defending against the more demanding rushing-offense.
Why was this position change not made ? I dunno but don't think it was ever fully explained by the Texans for whatever reason ? We should be focusing on the Orakpos, the Everett Browns, and other top DEs in the first round as our top priority of this years NFL Draft to finally establish a lineup capable of generating a real pass-rush. We can't however possible justify that much additional money/cap on another DE even though the one we've paid so much for in FA this year will play on the inside at DT in passing situations.