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[NFL.com]Defensive Power Rankings: Texans on Top

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Defensive Power Rankings: Texans, Niners elite

By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor

We thought about updating our revolutionary tiered Around the League Power Rankings this week, and then we realized it would look exactly like it did two weeks ago.

So let's try something a little different. We present our Preseason Defensive Power Rankings. The list was created by answering a simple question: What depth chart, defensive coach and scheme would we want as a general manager? Talent and 2012 potential matters more here than the final 2011 rankings.

Top shelf: Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Bulls on Parade in Houston have the best combination of young talent and scheme in the NFL, even without Mario Williams. San Francisco's front seven rivals Houston. Baltimore isn't nearly as old as you think, while Pittsburgh still has a surplus of linebacker talent and great continuity under Dick Lebeau.

Anything less than a top-10 ranking in points allowed would be a huge disappointment for these teams. Their defenses can win games on their own.
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good article I guess. But mentioning that horrid nickname is like pouring vinegar on strawberry shortcake, you've just ruined it.
 

Sunday, Sept. 9 Miami - Not Sold
Sunday, Sept. 16 at Jacksonville - Middle of the pack
Sunday, Sept. 23 at Denver - Not Sold
Sunday, Sept. 30 Tennessee - Not Sold
Monday, Oct. 8 At N.Y. Jets
Sunday, Oct. 14 Green Bay - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Oct. 21 Baltimore
Sunday, Oct. 28 Bye week
Sunday, Nov. 4 Buffalo - Middle of the pack
Sunday, Nov. 11 at Chicago - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Nov. 18 Jacksonville - Middle of the pack
Thrsdy, Nov. 22 at Detroit - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Dec. 2 at Tennessee - Not Sold
Monday, Dec. 10 at New England - Not Sold
Sunday, Dec. 16 Indianapolis - Sub-mediocre
Sunday, Dec. 23 Minnesota - Sub-mediocre
Sunday, Dec. 30 at Indianapolis. - Sub-mediocre


This should bode well for the offense. Only 2 teams in the top two tiers.
 
TejasTom said:

Sunday, Sept. 9 Miami - Not Sold
Sunday, Sept. 16 at Jacksonville - Middle of the pack
Sunday, Sept. 23 at Denver - Not Sold
Sunday, Sept. 30 Tennessee - Not Sold
Monday, Oct. 8 At N.Y. Jets
Sunday, Oct. 14 Green Bay - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Oct. 21 Baltimore
Sunday, Oct. 28 Bye week
Sunday, Nov. 4 Buffalo - Middle of the pack
Sunday, Nov. 11 at Chicago - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Nov. 18 Jacksonville - Middle of the pack
Thrsdy, Nov. 22 at Detroit - Knocking on the door
Sunday, Dec. 2 at Tennessee - Not Sold
Monday, Dec. 10 at New England - Not Sold
Sunday, Dec. 16 Indianapolis - Sub-mediocre
Sunday, Dec. 23 Minnesota - Sub-mediocre
Sunday, Dec. 30 at Indianapolis. - Sub-mediocre


This should bode well for the offense. Only 2 teams in the top two tiers.
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nice analysis. Hopefully the offense can take advantage of some of those teams.
 
I think the Ravens D will drop a few notches this year, losing both starting OLBs Jarret Johnson and Terrel Suggs will really hurt that team. In their place, they have rookie Courtney Upshaw and 4 year vet Paul Kruger, who has started exactly zero games in his career. They are going to get burned around the edges for a lot of yards.

I'd swap the Ravens and Giants in this analysis. The Giants have a stout defense, with an awesome pass rush. I can definitely see them in the top 5 this year.
 
Were the Jags that bad? I think their defense has some nice young pieces on it and they did retain their DC from last year. I think Seattle is a better candidate for being marked as over achieving.
 
b0ng said:
Were the Jags that bad? I think their defense has some nice young pieces on it and they did retain their DC from last year. I think Seattle is a better candidate for being marked as over achieving.
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Jags can't get to the quarterback. Other than that I think they're actually pretty solid, especially when they play us. Their secondary has a bit to prove as well after all the injuries last year.
 
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Thorn said:
Nope. I won't deal with it. I hate that stupid nick name. And I'll ***** about in here as much as I feel like.
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I'm with you. I despise that nickname and refuse to use it. It is a mockery compared to the greats like the Steel Curtain and Doomsday Defense.

What so our DL prances by and throws out beads and candy?
 
Thorn said:
Nope. I won't deal with it. I hate that stupid nick name. And I'll ***** about in here as much as I feel like.
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infantrycak said:
I'm with you. I despise that nickname and refuse to use it. It is a mockery compared to the greats like the Steel Curtain and Doomsday Defense.

What so our DL prances by and throws out beads and candy?
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Although I always like Rage's song, I'm thirding this.
 
Whomever created that moniker needs to be taken out back and shot. And anyone who uses it should be a social pariah.
 
DX-TEX said:
It was Conner Barwin wasnt it?
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If memory serves right, he Barwin was tweeting about "Bulls on Parade" last year...

So basically Barwin gave the defense a horrific nickname and most likely will walk for more money after the season to leave the rest of the Texans defense with said horrific nickname...

that's just not right...
 
Would anyone still have a problem with the nickname if we win the Superbowl and in effect become Bulls literally on parade?
 
I like the name. I'd probably like most any name that the players themselves chose though.

The nickname sucks, but I like it. It's grown on me.
 
Allstar said:
Would anyone still have a problem with the nickname if we win the Superbowl and in effect become Bulls literally on parade?
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That's a good way to think about it.

Doesn't seem like the name is going anywhere though. I've seen a few players use it as well as Wade.

I guess you guys can petition them on twitter, but it seems like the name is here to stay.
 
Sorry gramps but Barwin, Cushing, Reed and whomever else is in the 20's probably listened to that song when they were growing up and liked it enough to remember it when they played football.

Try not to all act like cranky old men at once about it though.
 
i like it because its something you wouldnt expect, someone who suggested raging bulls, stampede or whatever.. smh, so generic, trying too hard to create intimidation.bulls on parade is more about this incredible defense being on dispaly than it has to do with snoopy floats and mardi gras beads..

the thing about nicknames is they just come about, you dont have polls to pick nicknames. whenever its forced you end up with cheesy names like the ragin bulls... bulls on parade kinda just happened. again, deal with it. your bitching solves nothing.. not every nickname has to be "in your face badass." remember a man named sweetness? how about the tyler rose?

its awesome getting on twitter and seeing all the #bullsonparade posts when the texans d does something great..

Sorry gramps
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it does seem like the average age of those who dislike it, is a bit up there...


[imgwidthsize=673]http://media.whosay.com/143554/143554_la.jpg[/IMG]

tumblr_m5fc1aguFP1qd7xn5o1_500.jpg
 
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Premier said:
it does seem like the average age of those who dislike it, is a bit up there...
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Yeah, so what? I make the guys in Grumpy Old Men movies look like angels 'cause I can out grumpy any ole grumpy old man. And I get grumpy about that damn nickname cause it sucks. Horribly.

Dude, don't take this personally, cause you're a Texan fan and that makes you OK in my book. Let's just agree to disagree. Which means I can call you misguided and you can call me old and grumpy. How's that? :)
 
b0ng said:
Sorry gramps but Barwin, Cushing, Reed and whomever else is in the 20's probably listened to that song when they were growing up and liked it enough to remember it when they played football.

Try not to all act like cranky old men at once about it though.
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But, but...I AM a cranky old man. Just axe my wife. :D
 
nero THE zero said:
I can't believe how many dislike the nickname.

You couldn't pick a better song to pump up a stadium.
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I've heard the song. Lyrics make no damned sense to me.

"Rally round the family with a pocket full of shells"
WTF does that have to do will bulls or parades?!?

Maybe it's a generation thing but neither the song nor the nickname do a damned thing for me.

after this season I want to be able to hum along to "We Are the Champions" :brando:
 
ObsiWan said:
Maybe it's a generation thing but neither the song nor the nickname do a damned thing for me.
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Kids today. :smiliepalm:


When these kids are still paying on their mortgage, figuring out how to afford college for their kids and still arguing with their wives about it all, I'll being flying up and down the halls in the old age home in my anti-matter powered wheelchair with a picture of Capt Kirk on the back grabbing nurses asses and stealing other patients happy pills. :whip:
 
ObsiWan said:
Maybe it's a generation thing but neither the song nor the nickname do a damned thing for me.
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I like the sound of the song but you are right the lyrics are whack. I would prefer Welcome to the Jungle or a Metallica song but the song is fine.

I am sorry I just see the front seven wearing pink tutus whenever I hear Bulls on Parade.

after this season I want to be able to hum along to "We Are the Champions" :brando:
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Love the sentiment, loathe the song - but it would go well with the pink tutus.
 
Thorn said:
Kids today. :smiliepalm:


When these kids are still paying on their mortgage, figuring out how to afford college for their kids and still arguing with their wives about it all, I'll being flying up and down the halls in the old age home in my anti-matter powered wheelchair with a picture of Capt Kirk on the back grabbing nurses asses and stealing other patients happy pills. :whip:
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You may not have the fancy chair but aren't you already doing a couple of those things
:D
 
The song refers to the military weapons industry, and 'pocket full of shells' bit infers that politicians rally around the family as an American symbol but are in the pocket of military-industrial complex because they carry a payment of 'shells' in their pockets. Or something like that. :kitten:

As far as the moniker goes, it refers to a use of brute force over diplomacy, which fits the defense well.
 
bhsman said:
The song refers to the military weapons industry, and 'pocket full of shells' bit infers that politicians rally around the family as an American symbol but are in the pocket of military-industrial complex because they carry a payment of 'shells' in their pockets. Or something like that. :kitten:

As far as the moniker goes, it refers to a use of brute force over diplomacy, which fits the defense well.
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Wolf said:
Well it is Wikipedia so take it with a grain of salt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulls_on_Parade
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The Wiki entry is pretty much what bhsman said. That definition/description makes me feel somewhat better about the song. Having grown up in the 60s, protest songs and Stick-it-to-the-Establishment tunes were what I was weaned on so I can relate to the attitude
....except that now *I* am part of the Establishment
:)
 
BullNation4Life said:
If memory serves right, he Barwin was tweeting about "Bulls on Parade" last year...

So basically Barwin gave the defense a horrific nickname and most likely will walk for more money after the season to leave the rest of the Texans defense with said horrific nickname...

that's just not right...
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he didn't come up with it...he tweeted it after he heard the term though. He just has a higher profile than a bunch of fans who have no fans of their own (with the exception of TC of course). :fans:
 
It's grown on me. At first, I didn't like it but I kinda do now - and it's Bulls on Parade. End of story. :kitten:
 
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