Doppelganger
None
There is a lot to like with the offense. There is a lot to not like with the Defense. I think a switch to a 3-4 would be one way to address the major concerns on this team. In FA, we 3-4 DE Shaun Ellis. The Jets have too many players to sign and we could get him.
We have a ton of holes on D, so instead of trying to address all, I decided to look at one part and make it as good as possible. I have the Texans picking around 15 each level.
1. Von Miller: Texas A&M, 3-4 OLB, our Elvis Dumervill, would play opposite Barwin/Cush and provide relentless pass rushing and good enough coverage.
2. Jerrell Powe, NT, Ole Miss, new NT. He is a classic occupy multiple blockers NT who could free up our DE and OLB to make plays.
3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado. A big, tall, fast CB who could play man. He is tall so tall receivers would not easily be able to outjump him and he has enough speed to keep up.
4. Jeron Johnson, SS, Boise State. Pollard is a hit machine. We need someone who can cover, hit, and tackle. JJ is far better to Pollard in 2 of those 3 areas and thats what we need.
5. Mario Harvey. The other Mario. If we slide to a 3-4, who will play beside Meco? Mario can. He can be the Takeo Spikes to Meco's Patrick Willis.
6. Anthony Gray, NT, Southern Miss, another NT. He can backup Powe or even come in on double NT D sets. I have seen the Ravens or even the Steelers use double NT sets on some plays. Another NT would give the DE's a rest and give offenses another wrinkle to think about
7. Derrell Smith, DE/OLB, Syracuse, another rusher to come in and put pressure on the opposing QB. In the NFL, there are very few successful teams who can play pass defense without constant pressure. Bring in another OLB and now you have at least 4 OLB (along with Ellis and Mario at DE) who can bring some pressure.
This is what the team would look like.
........Williams............Powe..............Ellis
...Von Miller/Smith.....Harvey.....Ryans.......Barwin/Cush
........Jackson.......Johnson.......Nolan......Smith
In this lineup you can bring Cush up next to Williams or Ellis in some packages and have him rush or drop into coverage ala Elephant style.
We have a ton of holes on D, so instead of trying to address all, I decided to look at one part and make it as good as possible. I have the Texans picking around 15 each level.
1. Von Miller: Texas A&M, 3-4 OLB, our Elvis Dumervill, would play opposite Barwin/Cush and provide relentless pass rushing and good enough coverage.
2. Jerrell Powe, NT, Ole Miss, new NT. He is a classic occupy multiple blockers NT who could free up our DE and OLB to make plays.
3. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado. A big, tall, fast CB who could play man. He is tall so tall receivers would not easily be able to outjump him and he has enough speed to keep up.
4. Jeron Johnson, SS, Boise State. Pollard is a hit machine. We need someone who can cover, hit, and tackle. JJ is far better to Pollard in 2 of those 3 areas and thats what we need.
5. Mario Harvey. The other Mario. If we slide to a 3-4, who will play beside Meco? Mario can. He can be the Takeo Spikes to Meco's Patrick Willis.
6. Anthony Gray, NT, Southern Miss, another NT. He can backup Powe or even come in on double NT D sets. I have seen the Ravens or even the Steelers use double NT sets on some plays. Another NT would give the DE's a rest and give offenses another wrinkle to think about
7. Derrell Smith, DE/OLB, Syracuse, another rusher to come in and put pressure on the opposing QB. In the NFL, there are very few successful teams who can play pass defense without constant pressure. Bring in another OLB and now you have at least 4 OLB (along with Ellis and Mario at DE) who can bring some pressure.
This is what the team would look like.
........Williams............Powe..............Ellis
...Von Miller/Smith.....Harvey.....Ryans.......Barwin/Cush
........Jackson.......Johnson.......Nolan......Smith
In this lineup you can bring Cush up next to Williams or Ellis in some packages and have him rush or drop into coverage ala Elephant style.