Doppelganger
None
Thanks to all the great comments from Version 1.0. As such I have had a chance to watch some more college football, see more playing time, and see more of the Texans. As such, I present to you...Doppelmock: In Season Version 2.0.
1. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford, 6'4, 245lbs, 4.61
I expect the Texans to pick in the high 20s possibly even in the 30s. With that in mind, you take BPA and in my mind that is Chase Thomas. I fully expect Barwin to leave after this year. One of two things likely happens: 1. He blows up for big sack numbers and leaves due to another team wanting to sign him to a big time contract or 2. He continues his pedestrian year yet another team still throws around more than the Texans are willing to pay and he walks. With that in mind, I say follow the plan of the Giants and Steelers: keep drafting guys who can put pressure on the QB and worry about how to play them later. Chase is a great athlete. Last year he has 2 tackles with 17.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He is constantly around the QB, puttign pressure and causing havoc. He is a high motor, highly atheletic guy who would be great in the Wade defense. Added bonus: in a pinch he can also play MLB.
2 D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, 6'6, 335lbs, 5.15
Admittedly, I have been a bit disapointed with Fluker this season. Last season he looked great at pass and run blocking and I expected him to progress. Unfortunately this year, his pass blocking has dropped a bit. He has looked a little sloppy at times at pass protection, while his run blockign has been outstanding. I think its a technique issue. Bama tends to emphaisze the run, so I am not surprised he has had a little difficulty. I will be monitoring him the rest of the season, but for now I am going to stick with him. He is still very athletic and its just a matter of getting him the right kind of pass protection coaching.
3.Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky, 6'1, 265, 4.72
If you are named for the president many people consider the biggest badass to ever occupy the White House, you best be a tough SOB. Many will point to his school and conference for his inflated numbers, but he played well against Alabama (seven tackles and 1.5 tackles). He is a physical run stopper...a Ray Lewis type of ILB. He would be the perfect compliment to a Brian Cushing type LB. He is an athletic run first pass defense second kind of LB.
3. Larry Black, Jr., DT, Indiana, 6'2, 309, 5.55
This may not be a popular selection, but meet the Texans newest NT! Yes, he is not the behoumouth some of us may want, but he fits the Wade Phillips Defense. In 2011 he had 47 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2010 he had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He can shoot the gap and make plays behind the LOS. That's what Wade loves and that's why LBJ(my new nick name for him!) would thrive in this defense.
4. Isaiah Johnson, S, Georgia Tech, 6'2, 208, 4.57
Georgia Tech stinks, but Johnson is awesome. In 2011 he has 78 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, one sack and three passes broken up. In 2010 he had 46 tackles and three tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack. Keep in mind his 2010 numbers were that of a true freshman. He has good size, speed, tackling ability, and reasonably good hands. In the Texans Defense, he could start out as a monster special teams player and provide ridiculously good depth.
5.Michael Williams, TE, Alabama, 6'6, 270, 4.77
You know who I really liked that the Texans drafted in 2009? Anthony Hill. I liked the idea of having that extra big body in there for run blocking or pass blocking. Williams is that kind of guy. Sure he has the hands to be a spot receiver but he will earn his bread and butter as a blocking demon. We have seen the Texans use OT Ryan Harris as a TE in heavy sets near the goal line or in important 3 or 4th and short yardage situations this year. Having a monster TE like Williams would be even better as that is his strength. He could even be a great Special teams blocker. Williams can also run short yardage and has soft hands. He can be used in a number of ways in this system.
5.Sam Schwartzstein, C, Stanford, 6'3, 290, 5.10
A sleeper center prospect. Right now, the backup center is the starting RG. Kubes needs a center to groom behind Myers and have some reaosnably depth. Schwartzstein can b that guy. He had a good game against USC and Cal and not as good against Notre Dame and Washington. He needs time to learn and develop. What better place than behind Myers and in the ZBS system?
6.Quinn Sharp: K/P, Oklahoma State, 6'1, 205
Donnie Jones is a nice punter. Problem is he is a below average punter. In net average he is #18 of 32 punters with a net of 41.6 yards. He is an average punter when dropping it inside the 20. In comparison, Sharp has averaged over 45 yards net in his career (45.1 this year and 46.3 last year which would be top 3). Sharp also can pin the ball inside the 20 and boom touchbacks. I say upgrade the position and get a guy who can change field positions with his foot.
7.Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina, 6'0, 218, 4.50
You know what, maybe I am crazy to take a chance on a guy with such a gruesome injury. Maybe I am nuts for taking a chance on a guy who has had repeated ligament tears. But you know what, its the 7th round and I gotta take a chance. I would slap the IR tag on him for 2013 and let him completely rehab. When he was healthy this guy was a beat. A first cut and go prototypical ZBS back with enough speed to make a difference in the open field. I will take a chance on him in the 7th that he will be able to contribute in 2014.
1. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford, 6'4, 245lbs, 4.61
I expect the Texans to pick in the high 20s possibly even in the 30s. With that in mind, you take BPA and in my mind that is Chase Thomas. I fully expect Barwin to leave after this year. One of two things likely happens: 1. He blows up for big sack numbers and leaves due to another team wanting to sign him to a big time contract or 2. He continues his pedestrian year yet another team still throws around more than the Texans are willing to pay and he walks. With that in mind, I say follow the plan of the Giants and Steelers: keep drafting guys who can put pressure on the QB and worry about how to play them later. Chase is a great athlete. Last year he has 2 tackles with 17.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. He is constantly around the QB, puttign pressure and causing havoc. He is a high motor, highly atheletic guy who would be great in the Wade defense. Added bonus: in a pinch he can also play MLB.
2 D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama, 6'6, 335lbs, 5.15
Admittedly, I have been a bit disapointed with Fluker this season. Last season he looked great at pass and run blocking and I expected him to progress. Unfortunately this year, his pass blocking has dropped a bit. He has looked a little sloppy at times at pass protection, while his run blockign has been outstanding. I think its a technique issue. Bama tends to emphaisze the run, so I am not surprised he has had a little difficulty. I will be monitoring him the rest of the season, but for now I am going to stick with him. He is still very athletic and its just a matter of getting him the right kind of pass protection coaching.
3.Andrew Jackson, ILB, Western Kentucky, 6'1, 265, 4.72
If you are named for the president many people consider the biggest badass to ever occupy the White House, you best be a tough SOB. Many will point to his school and conference for his inflated numbers, but he played well against Alabama (seven tackles and 1.5 tackles). He is a physical run stopper...a Ray Lewis type of ILB. He would be the perfect compliment to a Brian Cushing type LB. He is an athletic run first pass defense second kind of LB.
3. Larry Black, Jr., DT, Indiana, 6'2, 309, 5.55
This may not be a popular selection, but meet the Texans newest NT! Yes, he is not the behoumouth some of us may want, but he fits the Wade Phillips Defense. In 2011 he had 47 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2010 he had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He can shoot the gap and make plays behind the LOS. That's what Wade loves and that's why LBJ(my new nick name for him!) would thrive in this defense.
4. Isaiah Johnson, S, Georgia Tech, 6'2, 208, 4.57
Georgia Tech stinks, but Johnson is awesome. In 2011 he has 78 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss, one sack and three passes broken up. In 2010 he had 46 tackles and three tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one sack. Keep in mind his 2010 numbers were that of a true freshman. He has good size, speed, tackling ability, and reasonably good hands. In the Texans Defense, he could start out as a monster special teams player and provide ridiculously good depth.
5.Michael Williams, TE, Alabama, 6'6, 270, 4.77
You know who I really liked that the Texans drafted in 2009? Anthony Hill. I liked the idea of having that extra big body in there for run blocking or pass blocking. Williams is that kind of guy. Sure he has the hands to be a spot receiver but he will earn his bread and butter as a blocking demon. We have seen the Texans use OT Ryan Harris as a TE in heavy sets near the goal line or in important 3 or 4th and short yardage situations this year. Having a monster TE like Williams would be even better as that is his strength. He could even be a great Special teams blocker. Williams can also run short yardage and has soft hands. He can be used in a number of ways in this system.
5.Sam Schwartzstein, C, Stanford, 6'3, 290, 5.10
A sleeper center prospect. Right now, the backup center is the starting RG. Kubes needs a center to groom behind Myers and have some reaosnably depth. Schwartzstein can b that guy. He had a good game against USC and Cal and not as good against Notre Dame and Washington. He needs time to learn and develop. What better place than behind Myers and in the ZBS system?
6.Quinn Sharp: K/P, Oklahoma State, 6'1, 205
Donnie Jones is a nice punter. Problem is he is a below average punter. In net average he is #18 of 32 punters with a net of 41.6 yards. He is an average punter when dropping it inside the 20. In comparison, Sharp has averaged over 45 yards net in his career (45.1 this year and 46.3 last year which would be top 3). Sharp also can pin the ball inside the 20 and boom touchbacks. I say upgrade the position and get a guy who can change field positions with his foot.
7.Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina, 6'0, 218, 4.50
You know what, maybe I am crazy to take a chance on a guy with such a gruesome injury. Maybe I am nuts for taking a chance on a guy who has had repeated ligament tears. But you know what, its the 7th round and I gotta take a chance. I would slap the IR tag on him for 2013 and let him completely rehab. When he was healthy this guy was a beat. A first cut and go prototypical ZBS back with enough speed to make a difference in the open field. I will take a chance on him in the 7th that he will be able to contribute in 2014.
