Selection 3.83: Louis Nix NT

[badboy]

There were several buried mentions of his wrist injury, which I first noted on the September 4th Injury Report (thread).

Here is a Sept 24, 2014 Chronicle piece that eluded to the wrist injury related to the IR.


Rotoworld:

Thanks I did find those but nothing with any detail. Puzzling as we know players have been on field with broken hands with casts, especially linemen; must have been fairly serious that cast would not protect.

 

[Double Barrel]

It's unfortunate, but many fans undervalue the importance of the offensive line. Not only in the starters, but more so in the depth.

It's unfortunate that many fans are ignorant about basic fundamentals of football. In the words of John McKay, "games are won and lost in the trenches".

If the Texans made it an actual written requirement to take an offensive linemen in the 1st or 2nd round of every single draft from here on out, I'd have no issue with it at all.

Just like TK said, if and until, we ever get that monster QB, you build the monster OL. Sayings like "win the battle in the trenches", or "it all starts up front", aren't just dumb cliches.

I agree completely. I would have no problem investing heavily in the line on both sides of the ball with high draft picks. Only a handful of positions should be considered before linemen, and that's only if you do not have anyone of value already at those skill positions.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Thanks I did find those but nothing with any detail. Puzzling as we know players have been on field with broken hands with casts, especially linemen; must have been fairly serious that cast would not protect.

You didn't see any details because none were given. If it were again an injury like Hopkins or Cushing's, he as a lineman would still have not been allowed to play, even under the most ideal circumstances, with a cast on in less that 8-10 weeks. With all the time he had missed with minicamps, OTAs, TC and the early regular season, another 8-10 weeks tacked on to that would make no sense whatsoever..........i.e., to put him back on the field for the last month of the season and expect that he would have any idea of what he was doing.

 

[mussop]

It's unfortunate that many fans are ignorant about basic fundamentals of football. In the words of John McKay, "games are won and lost in the trenches".



I agree completely. I would have no problem investing heavily in the line on both sides of the ball with high draft picks. Only a handful of positions should be considered before linemen, and that's only if you do not have anyone of value already at those skill positions.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't care how much this has become a passing league this has become, the game will always be won or lost in the trenches. You dominate up front, you win! Simple as that.

 

[JB]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't care how much this has become a passing league this has become, the game will always be won or lost in the trenches. You dominate up front, you win! Simple as that.

As long as you can do it on both sides of the ball

 

[The Pencil Neck]

As long as you can do it on both sides of the ball

Hences "trenches" and not just "trench".

 

[steelbtexan]

As long as you can do it on both sides of the ball

Agreed,

The trenches are where games are won and lost and I kinda hope rds 1-2 this yr is spent on the OL/DL and then speed is added next.

 

[mussop]

Other than the fact that he's just not very good.

and you are basing that on what?

 

[infantrycak]

and you are basing that on what?

You don't remember this from the draft forum?

 

[mussop]

You don't remember this from the draft forum?

no but now I'm going to have to go back and look.

 

[The1ApplePie]

Nix will do whatever it takes to come back.

Even if that means taking a nap and eating a whole cheesecake.

 

[Marshall]

Nix will do whatever it takes to come back.

Even if that means taking a nap and eating a whole cheesecake.

Why do you insist on disparaging those who have problems with weight. Are you so miserable that you can only find pleasure by mocking those who do? Are you seeking to use the last refuge of of the politically correct hate speech?

 

[infantrycak]

Why do you insist on disparaging those who have problems with weight. Are you so miserable that you can only find pleasure by mocking those who do? Are you seeking to use the last refuge of of the politically correct hate speech?

Get over the political crud. Dude is a professional athlete. Keeping his weight in control is part of his job and he has more assistance doing it than anyone else around.

 

[HOU-TEX]

Heck, I think the trenches are the best part of a football game. It's where the battle of each play begins and ends.

I have a brother-in-law, who's a good dude and knows sports, but he's one of those offensive type guys. The one's who's rather see a 56-42 type of game vs a 17-10 game. I constantly give him a hard time, telling him the obvious truth. Those type of games aren't good football. Crappy defenses that allow teams to run up and down the field isn't football. It's been several years, but I think he's coming around.

 

[Texian]

If he does not perform 2015 it still will not be because he is not good.

Whether or not he's going to show that is another question.

A whole lot of hoping, wanting and wishful thinking going on here.

 

[thunderkyss]

Heck, I think the trenches are the best part of a football game. It's where the battle of each play begins and ends.

I have a brother-in-law, who's a good dude and knows sports, but he's one of those offensive type guys. The one's who's rather see a 56-42 type of game vs a 17-10 game. I constantly give him a hard time, telling him the obvious truth. Those type of games aren't good football. Crappy defenses that allow teams to run up and down the field isn't football. It's been several years, but I think he's coming around.

Agreed.

But with the league pushing rules that way, don't you think we should be taking advantage of it?

I used to be fine with a team that averaged 21~25 ppg, but nowadays, it's difficult to build a defense that can consistently hold a team under 21 points nowadays. Heck, we did it last year, & still couldn't win more than 9 games.

 

[The1ApplePie]

Why do you insist on disparaging those who have problems with weight. Are you so miserable that you can only find pleasure by mocking those who do? Are you seeking to use the last refuge of of the politically correct hate speech?

I am actually a big fan of him because he is fat. Texans haven't had beef in the middle in a long time. Hope he stays healthy, and the right kind of fat for the Texans going forward.

 

[IDEXAN]

Well... on one hand, you've got practically the whole world falling over Dallas for their three 1st round picks on the OL. One of them just happens to be a guard they drafted in the first of that very same draft.

Tyron Smith was a top ten pick in the 2011 Draft and a very talented left tackle and as such is more than worthy of being drated that high, but using first rounds picks (including a 16 overall) on two interior lineman Frederick & Martin (RG & Center respectively) was not good cap management because guards and centers can be had in second rounds and later though likely not franchise left tackles like Smith. Whoever hear df a franchise Right Guard anyway ?
And yea they were all voted to this past probowl, well the probowl is strictly a popularity contest where many marginal players end up going to the exhibition game. Just think how many overrated Dallas players have gone to the probowl over the years ?

 

[silvrhand]

We just need to hire a new GM is all:

 

[infantrycak]

but using first rounds picks (including a 16 overall) on two interior lineman Frederick & Martin (RG & Center respectively) was not good cap management because guards and centers can be had in second rounds and later though likely not franchise left tackles like Smith.

Nope. Cap management wise any rookie is going to be better than a top tier G. Clowney's contract averages $5.5 mil. A good G like Logan Mankins is averaging $8.5 mil. X's contract is $1.38 mil avg. He replaced yeoman Wade Smith who had cost $3.75 mil. Your cap argument doesn't fly.

Whoever hear df a franchise Right Guard anyway ?

Tagged interior OL have included: Alex Mack, Logan Mankins, Ryan Khalil, Stacy Andrews

 

[IDEXAN]

Nope. Cap management wise any rookie is going to be better than a top tier G. Clowney's contract averages $5.5 mil. A good G like Logan Mankins is averaging $8.5 mil. X's contract is $1.38 mil avg. He replaced yeoman Wade Smith who had cost $3.75 mil. Your cap argument doesn't fly.



Tagged interior OL have included: Alex Mack, Logan Mankins, Ryan Khalil, Stacy Andrews

Of course you are right that there's a correlation between cap resources and longevity in the league or the players contract , which is rookies are less expensive than vets. But I was referring more to opportunity costs in the sense that using high draft picks & larger chunks of money alloted to the rookie pool or first round picks vs mid round picks) on non-premium positions like guards and safetys vs premium positions like edge rushers & corners is not not wise.
It takes a better football player & athlete to competently play tackle than guard or the same for playing CB vs safety. And that's all reflected in the compensation for their respective positions.

 

[Texian]

and you are basing that on what?

His college career is average and ordinary

 

[infantrycak]

Of course you are right that there's a correlation between cap resources and longevity in the league or the players contract , which is rookies are less expensive than vets. But I was referring more to opportunity costs in the sense that using high draft picks & larger chunks of money alloted to the rookie pool or first round picks vs mid round picks) on non-premium positions like guards and safetys vs premium positions like edge rushers & corners is not not wise.
It takes a better football player & athlete to competently play tackle than guard or the same for playing CB vs safety. And that's all reflected in the compensation for their respective positions.

Compensation on rookie contracts is slotted now and doesn't vary by position.

At every position in the NFL except P, K and LS a high end talent will be paid higher than any rookie contract all the way to #1.

If a G or a S makes a bigger impact to the team because of whatever combination of best player and need then there is no resource reason cap or draft pick not to take them in any round.

The Seahawks aren't crying over having drafted S Earl Thomas #14 over "premier position" DE Derrick Morgan.

And I doubt the Cowboys and their rushing game are crying over having drafted RG Zack Martin instead of "premier position" OT Ja'Wuan James.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

A whole lot of hoping, wanting and wishful thinking going on here.

You must be referring to yourself which is sad.

 

[Texian]

You must be referring to yourself which is sad.

No but I do understand how some are more infatuated with his 360 lbs than his actual play on the field.

 

[infantrycak]

No but I do understand how some are more infatuated with his 360 lbs than his actual play on the field.

His actual play on the field had him considered a 1st round talent, not his size.

 

[mussop]

His college career is average and ordinary

In what way?

 

[mussop]

His actual play on the field had him considered a 1st round talent, not his size.

Exactly!

 

[badboy]

No but I do understand how some are more infatuated with his 360 lbs than his actual play on the field.

Need to update your info. Nix has not been 360 for some time. He weighed in 331 and is supposedly on a plan to come in to camp about 325, IIRC. I do prefer positive thinking over negative especially when the former is more supported with facts than the latter.

 

[Texian]

Need to update your info. Nix has not been 360 for some time. He weighed in 331 and is supposedly on a plan to come in to camp about 325, IIRC. I do prefer positive thinking over negative especially when the former is more supported with facts than the latter.

Well that should be a lesson to all the Fans of Girth, the bigger is better crowd. They keep wanting them bigger and the coaching staff keeps wanting them smaller. Regardless of how much tons of fun Nix weighs, your positive thinking more often than not is really just wishful thinking and is often confused with wanting, hoping and dreaming. And the facts never really enter the equation but excuses often do.

 

[PHILLYTEXANFAN]

Well that should be a lesson to all the Fans of Girth, the bigger is better crowd. They keep wanting them bigger and the coaching staff keeps wanting them smaller. Regardless of how much tons of fun Nix weighs, your positive thinking more often than not is really just wishful thinking and is often confused with wanting, hoping and dreaming. And the facts never really enter the equation but excuses often do.

I think the whole weight infatuation derives from The success big men like Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork have had.

 

[PHILLYTEXANFAN]

And take this as it was it is but, I think Nix lacks maturity. It's a bad example but, anybody who follows players on social media, you see multiple post about them training or watching film. Nix seems to only care about silly nonsense. Haven't seen him post anything about training or the such

 

[Texian]

I think the whole weight infatuation derives from The success big men like Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork have had.

They're very unique in their respective position in much the same way as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are in theirs.

 

[badboy]

I want to address several posters comments here. I think Nix like many young guys tried to fit in socially by clowning around. The fact people are laughing at what you say seems to indicate they like or at least accept you. He started the "Irish Chocolate" at ND and got some laughs so he played it up. It became his persona as many college folks have done with similar things and some of us. It was successful for him in college and he needs to let that go and become a pro. I think the $ and his team will 'mature' him. He has the physicals & college stats to say he can translate to pros. There is nothing (so far) to indicate he cannot. Dog house or not, he had (has:wrist) injuries keeping him from field. Starting TC, it is all on him..as with any other player. Be fair to him.

Bigger is better: yes some think fat is all it takes on trench but that as most know is incorrect. There has been incorrect info posted here such as Wade Phillips prefering smaller nose players. He did say he had been successful with smaller players. He did say he used what he was given. Increasing size at any position while keeping the other attributes like speed, quickness, balance, anchor, etc is preferable. However, the majority of those posting they want a fat guy seem to mean they want to have a solid strong nose that clogs the middle & shuts down the run. Anything else including sacks and QB hurries or interrupting the vision and therefore the pass is a plus.

I have never seen or heard a Texans coach say they wanted a smaller player unless it was to reduce the weight from flab to "football weight". I do not like "fat guys".

We all know the first year pro is most difficult for majority of players and even worst for those that seldom see the field for whatever reason. Neither Clowney or Nix are head cases so I am willing to see what they do when healthy and on the field.

I have not seen many if any post from Ryan Mallett, Fitzpatrick, Tom Savage, Mike Mohammed (concussion), Garrett Graham (ankle), Posey (calf), Brooks (knee/ankle), Clabo (shoulder) or KJ (back) on how they are doing. Here is IR with ten (beside Nix). anyone of them tweeting their training routines?

Reserve/Injured

# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
39 Ballentine, Lonnie SAF 6-3 215 21 0 Memphis
16 Bonner, Alan WR 5-10 191 24 2 Jacksonville State
53 Bullough, Max ILB 6-3 249 23 0 Michigan State
90 Clowney, Jadeveon LB 6-5 266 22 0 South Carolina
14 Fitzpatrick, Ryan QB 6-2 223 32 10 Harvard
96 Jamison, Tim DE 6-3 287 29 6 Michigan
15 Mallett, Ryan QB 6-6 245 26 4 Arkansas
92 Nix, Louis DT 6-2 331 23 0 Notre Dame
67 White, Cody G 6-3 303 26 3 Illinois State
72 Witzmann, Bryan T 6-7 311 R South Dakota State
73 Yeatman, Will T 6-6 315 26 4 Maryland

http://www.houstontexans.com/team/roster.html

 

[PHILLYTEXANFAN]

I want to address several posters comments here. I think Nix like many young guys tried to fit in socially by clowning around. The fact people are laughing at what you say seems to indicate they like or at least accept you. He started the "Irish Chocolate" at ND and got some laughs so he played it up. It became his persona as many college folks have done with similar things and some of us. It was successful for him in college and he needs to let that go and become a pro. I think the $ and his team will 'mature' him. He has the physicals & college stats to say he can translate to pros. There is nothing (so far) to indicate he cannot. Dog house or not, he had (has:wrist) injuries keeping him from field. Starting TC, it is all on him..as with any other player. Be fair to him.

Bigger is better: yes some think fat is all it takes on trench but that as most know is incorrect. There has been incorrect info posted here such as Wade Phillips prefering smaller nose players. He did say he had been successful with smaller players. He did say he used what he was given. Increasing size at any position while keeping the other attributes like speed, quickness, balance, anchor, etc is preferable. However, the majority of those posting they want a fat guy seem to mean they want to have a solid strong nose that clogs the middle & shuts down the run. Anything else including sacks and QB hurries or interrupting the vision and therefore the pass is a plus.

I have never seen or heard a Texans coach say they wanted a smaller player unless it was to reduce the weight from flab to "football weight". I do not like "fat guys".

We all know the first year pro is most difficult for majority of players and even worst for those that seldom see the field for whatever reason. Neither Clowney or Nix are head cases so I am willing to see what they do when healthy and on the field.

I have not seen many if any post from Ryan Mallett, Fitzpatrick, Tom Savage, Mike Mohammed (concussion), Garrett Graham (ankle), Posey (calf), Brooks (knee/ankle), Clabo (shoulder) or KJ (back) on how they are doing. Here is IR with ten (beside Nix). anyone of them tweeting their training routines?

Reserve/Injured

# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
39 Ballentine, Lonnie SAF 6-3 215 21 0 Memphis
16 Bonner, Alan WR 5-10 191 24 2 Jacksonville State
53 Bullough, Max ILB 6-3 249 23 0 Michigan State
90 Clowney, Jadeveon LB 6-5 266 22 0 South Carolina
14 Fitzpatrick, Ryan QB 6-2 223 32 10 Harvard
96 Jamison, Tim DE 6-3 287 29 6 Michigan
15 Mallett, Ryan QB 6-6 245 26 4 Arkansas
92 Nix, Louis DT 6-2 331 23 0 Notre Dame
67 White, Cody G 6-3 303 26 3 Illinois State
72 Witzmann, Bryan T 6-7 311 R South Dakota State
73 Yeatman, Will T 6-6 315 26 4 Maryland

http://www.houstontexans.com/team/roster.html

I can tell you this much, Tom Savages account is deleted. And all the other players you mention barely use social media. Also a player that does use social media is Swearinger, all he ever really talks about is being blessed to play, but also improving his craft. Mallet posted something about training with the DS2 platform

 

[Playoffs]

I think Nix like many young guys tried to fit in socially by clowning around. The fact people are laughing at what you say seems to indicate they like or at least accept you.
...
We all know the first year pro is most difficult for majority of players and even worst for those that seldom see the field for whatever reason.

Add in how being the comedian is a common defense/distracting mechanism for "fat" kids.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

In view of Nix's 2014 wrist injury, an interesting fact I just dug up. In the 2012 season, Nix also suffered a significant wrist injury in a goal line stand against Southern Cal.http://collegefootball.ap.org/wacotrib/content/notre-dame-players-focusing-themselves-now

Weak wrists?

 

[ghostlight]

Well, I for one is very excited to see him on the field this camp. We have some very good talent on IR and practice team. I miss the old camps like San Angelo and San Marcos where you could move along the side lines.

 

[Playoffs]

Weak wrists?

Would that be an over or under use injury?

 

[ObsiWan]

Would that be an over or under use injury?

I mean, <ahem> quit it

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Evidently, Nix has sustained injuries in the past to BOTH of his wrists.

Nix is pictured here wearing a hyperextension wrist guard with its overlapping back flap designed to stop the wrist from going too far back in an impact (the most common mechanism causing a wrist injury.....fracture or ligament). These wrist guards are used during rehab of injuries and for adding rigidity for chronic injuries of the wrist.

 

[Marshall]

Well that should be a lesson to all the Fans of Girth, the bigger is better crowd. They keep wanting them bigger and the coaching staff keeps wanting them smaller. Regardless of how much tons of fun Nix weighs, your positive thinking more often than not is really just wishful thinking and is often confused with wanting, hoping and dreaming. And the facts never really enter the equation but excuses often do.

I haven't read many facts lately, just varied opinions. I can only say that the media had him ranked highly for whatever reason and I'd rather be hopeful that he eventually lives up to that expectation than perennially second guessing our picks.

Can he take on two blockers and still disrupt the inside running game? That is all I want to know and I don't care how much or little he weighs. But physics would indicate larger and stronger is more likely to be able to accomplish this.

I suspect his use of his hands to shed blockers would make wrist injuries common among defensive tackles. But I defer to those who know rather than suspect.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

With all the negative tending to be spewed re. Nix, it's interesting to read what one of the most respected NFL scouts had to write just prior to the 2014 Draft. The profile is in depth and detailed.


NFL DRAFT PROFILE: LOUIS NIX
by DAVE-TE THOMAS

When you get into the details, it's easy to see why the experts were willing to pick him high, and why I for when aren't giving up on him any time soon.

And for those who are at all interested, here are the credentials that Dave-Te Thomas brings to the table:

Readers of Scout.com are encouraged to join Dave-Te' Thomas for an online chat at noon Central Time Tuesday discussing any of the 2015 draft prospects on your mind. Why does Thomas like one prospect over another? How does he see a certain quarterback or linebacker fitting into your team’s plans or scheme? In which round will this player be drafted? After analyzing hundreds of prospects already and ranking them with his team of scouts, Thomas definitely has his opinions and some of them will probably surprise you.

Featured on countless radio and television shows since the age of 14, Thomas is an accomplished sports writer, talent evaluator and scouting personnel consultant for the majority of teams in the National Football League. Thomas also coordinates scouting services for Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association organizations.

Thomas runs a scouting information service called NFL Scouting Services and produces The NFL Draft Report, a publication provided by league headquarters to the media in preparation for the NFL Draft.

He has appeared on numerous national and local radio shows, served on the selection committee for several bowl games and his work has been featured in over 100 college media guides and publications (College & Pro Football Newsweekly, Associated Press, Giants Weekly, New York Daily News, Atlanta-Journal Constitution, San Jose Bee, San Francisco Chronicle).

 

[thunderkyss]

But physics would indicate larger and stronger is more likely to be able to accomplish this.

I think the point is that larger does not always mean stronger.

 

[Texian]

I haven't read many facts lately, just varied opinions. I can only say that the media had him ranked highly for whatever reason and I'd rather be hopeful that he eventually lives up to that expectation than perennially second guessing our picks.

Can he take on two blockers and still disrupt the inside running game? That is all I want to know and I don't care how much or little he weighs. But physics would indicate larger and stronger is more likely to be able to accomplish this.

I suspect his use of his hands to shed blockers would make wrist injuries common among defensive tackles. But I defer to those who know rather than suspect.

No offense but the media is probably one of the worst places to go to get information. A collective bunch of novices, know-it-alls, dreamers and wannabes. They're much like fortune tellers and psychics, no formal training or schooling, just hang a shingle proclaiming to be an NFL Draft Expert. Most plagiarize from other novice lists, parroting the same wrong, bad erroneous information that they have heard or read somewhere else.

Can he take on two blockers and still disrupt the inside running game? That is all I want to know There is enough game videos out there for you to watch that will answer your questions. All you have to do is roll up sleeves and put in the time.

Getting your information from the media is akin to getting stock tips from the homeless guy standing on the corner.

 

[cuppacoffee]

No offense but the media is probably one of the worst places to go to get information. A collective bunch of novices, know-it-alls, dreamers and wannabes. They're much like fortune tellers and psychics, no formal training or schooling, just hang a shingle proclaiming to be an NFL Draft Expert. Most plagiarize from other novice lists, parroting the same wrong, bad erroneous information that they have heard or read somewhere else.
Can he take on two blockers and still disrupt the inside running game? That is all I want to know There is enough game videos out there for you to watch that will answer your questions. All you have to do is roll up sleeves and put in the time.

Getting your information from the media is akin to getting stock tips from the homeless guy standing on the corner.

Same can be said for most message board posters.

 

[thunderkyss]

No offense but the media is probably one of the worst places to go to get information. A collective bunch of novices, know-it-alls, dreamers and wannabes.

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

Same can be said for most message board posters.

What you talkin bout !!!

I did a facebook test that said I had a PHD education .

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

After the Texans waived him, the Giants picked him up, then he was waived because he could not pass the physical. The Giants reclaimed and signed him after he finally passed the physical. Now.......

PDS ‏@PatDStat 1h1 hour ago

Louis Nix, waived again by the Giants for the second time this season.

 

[steelbtexan]

Same can be said for most message board posters.

And they could still do a better job than Rick Smith.

Just by throwing darts at a draft board.