Defensive Personnel

[jerek]

I think we can all agree that our defense was more or less horrible this year. Likewise, I think we can agree to put some or much of that blame on our now former defensive coordinator.

In our last game and throughout most of the season, these were our starters:

DE - Gary Walker
DT - Seth Payne
DE - Robaire Smith
OLB - Jason Babin (also DE in pass sets) / Shantee Orr
OLB - Antwan Peek (also DE in pass sets)
ILB - Morlon Greenwood
ILB - Dashon Polk
CB - Dunta Robinson
CB - P-Buc / DeMarcus Faggins
S - Glenn Earl
S - C.C. Brown

I have not had the opportunity to study this year's draft/FA as far as most of these defensive positions are concerned, so:

Assuming we are going 4-3, and knowing what you know, what are your thoughts on, not only who stays and who goes, but who should be playing D for us? Please consider cap/trade implications, as well as any other realistic constraints to your manuevering.

 

[keyfro]

when you look at that we are definitly have to make some huge changes on defense...greenwood will have to move to the WOLB spot...wong will have to be evaluated to see if he can continue his career or not...if i remember correctly his knee injury was an ACL tear and that is gonna keep him from moving laterally as well as he previously did...which of course is a big problem for a MLB...as far as a SOLB peek as the perfect size for the position but his mental and physical ability is always been in question...physical as in the ability to cover...we have 4 quality starters at DT but really none at DE...if babin can add some weight he would be ideal for the weakside DE position...but neither him or peek look like they could work as the strongside DE...so that is a position we definity have to pick up a guy this offseason...the best option would be to trade down in the draft and pick up Mario Williams of NC state...in FA the best option is hoping that denver releases courtney brown

 

[Runner]

I think we can all agree that our defense was more or less horrible this year. Likewise, I think we can agree to put some or much of that blame on our now former defensive coordinator.

On a tangent, I vote we start calling it "the 2005 season" rather than "this year" to help put it behind us.

 

[Dr. Toro]

If we stuffed the line with Payne/Walker we could give Peek/Babin a chance at DE. Rotating TJ in on the inside. It's possible our strength on the inside of the line can give these guys a chance to succeed at DE. Julian Peterson is out there and I'd love to see us pick him up for MLB, Greenwood back at OLB. Slay in the late rounds... I think Slay may be able to play some OLB, he'd need to bulk up a bit, but the frame is there. Speed is already a concern with Slay, so I'm not sure if he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't think getting a CB is in the works, we need to try to salvage Buchanon/Faggins ain't all that bad.

 

[Meloy]

If we stuffed the line with Payne/Walker we could give Peek/Babin a chance at DE. Rotating TJ in on the inside. It's possible our strength on the inside of the line can give these guys a chance to succeed at DE. Julian Peterson is out there and I'd love to see us pick him up for MLB, Greenwood back at OLB. Slay in the late rounds... I think Slay may be able to play some OLB, he'd need to bulk up a bit, but the frame is there. Speed is already a concern with Slay, so I'm not sure if he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't think getting a CB is in the works, we need to try to salvage Buchanon/Faggins ain't all that bad.

Faggins ain't all that good either and if PB does well this year do we let him go or risk another high $ contract on "one good year." IMO one of the picks in 3rd has to be a corner.

 

[Dr. Toro]

Yeah, Cedric Griffin would be nice he's probably a 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm not sure if Peterson is capable of manning the middle in a 4-3, but he's the type of athlete this defense needs and is very versatile. The knock on his game would be similar to that of Derrick Johnson, being questions about the ability to shed blockers.

 

[Vinny]

I think we will (try to) pursue a DE and/or MLB (perhaps both) in free agency so we don't have to reach too much in the draft.

 

[Dr. Toro]

I think we will (try to) pursue a DE and/or MLB (perhaps both) in free agency so we don't have to reach too much in the draft.

Vinny, I think we need a FA MLB badly. I think there are some very good linebackers available, but am not too sure about the DE crop. Who do you like out there?

 

[Vinny]

It's a thin crop. On the high end... John Abraham and Aaron Kampman (strong side DE), Darren Howard, to guys like Ndukwe Kalu (Rice grad...a bit injury prone as well), Kyle Vanden Bosch, Raheem Brock, or even perhaps someone like Cory Redding. We just need someone who can hold up to a OT an entire game and provide some exposion on the edge without getting worn out by the 4th quarter (something that will happen to our undersized tweener group)

 

[travfrancis]

i like the idea of aaron kampman

vinny do you gary walker will play LDE or DT? (assuming roster stays how it is)

 

[Dr. Toro]

It's a thin crop. On the high end... John Abraham and Aaron Kampman (strong side DE), Darren Howard, to guys like Ndukwe Kalu (Rice grad...a bit injury prone as well), Kyle Vanden Bosch, Raheem Brock, or even perhaps someone like Cory Redding. We just need someone who can hold up to a OT an entire game and provide some exposion on the edge without getting worn out by the 4th quarter (something that will happen to our undersized tweener group)

Of that group my personal preferences would be KVB and Howard. Cory Redding might be a worthwhile gamble.

 

[Vinny]

i like the idea of aaron kampman

vinny do you gary walker will play LDE or DT? (assuming roster stays how it is)

DT but he has legit pass rushing skills so he can play strongside de in short yardage, goal line and to rest the starter. Next year DT should be one of our team strengths.

 

[jerek]

What about Mario Williams, the alleged second coming of Ju Pep? I have not really watched any substantial footage of the guy other than highlight reel blips on the draft talks, but does anyone know much about him?

 

[Koolbrz]

I think we can all agree that our defense was more or less horrible this year. Likewise, I think we can agree to put some or much of that blame on our now former defensive coordinator.

In our last game and throughout most of the season, these were our starters:

DE - Gary Walker
DT - Seth Payne
DE - Robaire Smith
OLB - Jason Babin (also DE in pass sets) / Shantee Orr
OLB - Antwan Peek (also DE in pass sets)
ILB - Morlon Greenwood
ILB - Dashon Polk
CB - Dunta Robinson
CB - P-Buc / DeMarcus Faggins
S - Glenn Earl
S - C.C. Brown

I have not had the opportunity to study this year's draft/FA as far as most of these defensive positions are concerned, so:

Assuming we are going 4-3, and knowing what you know, what are your thoughts on, not only who stays and who goes, but who should be playing D for us? Please consider cap/trade implications, as well as any other realistic constraints to your manuevering.

P-Buc needs to become more of a hitter and stop trying to arm tackle so much. N. Clemens would be a nice replacement. Pitts. C. Hope could possibly strengthen our safety position. J. Peterson would be nice in the middle maybe even Carolina's W. Witherspoon. It all comes down to how much these players want to be paid of course.

 

[jerek]

huh?????????
they were kinda talking about FA so they wouldn't use a draft pick

Good observation. Here's another. I started the thread and mentioned nothing about restricting the defensive improvements to free agency. I asked a question about what people know about Mario Williams, and this I do know about him: we would draft him, rather than sign him through the free agency. Thanks for clarifying, in case anyone else didn't get that.

Any one else with a little reading comprehension have anything of substance?

 

[texasguy346]

It all comes down to how much these players want to be paid of course.

That's the real question, and I'm afraid in most cases the player will want a ton of guranteed money to come here and play. We've just come off an absolutely horrible season, and we can't promise free agents that we'll be successful next season. We're in a similar situation as the Bengals were before their recent success. Free agents will come to Houston to get an offer (never having any intention of signing with the Texans) all in an effort to raise their market value among other teams. I could be wrong of course, but I'd highly surprised if we actually sign a "big-name" free agent player. If we do however we'll definately be looking at a big contract with big bucks guranteed.

 

[DenverBorn]

Babin was drafted specifically to play LB in a 3-4. I don't see any way that he's going to be able to convert to a 4-3 DE. I think he's gone -

After drafting VY in round 1, I think we need to go OT with the first pick in the second round, and DB/LB with the two first picks in the third round. We've GOT to draft another corner to play ahead of Buchanon (who I hope is released) or Faggins. Then I say we focus on more OL picks in rounds 4 and 5, unless there's a really good WR who drops down in the draft.

You guys are crazy if you think BM and CC are going to spend the money in free agency to significantly improve the team. I think it's a total waste of brain power to study the list and speculate as to who we might sign. Who have we signed in the past? Wade? Greenwood? Great decisions...

 

[sax_49]

Pos Overall Rank Rating Name Type Yr Ht/Wt College Current Team Signed Team
RB 1 Shaun Alexander UFA 6 5-11/225 Alabama Seattle
OG 2 Steve Hutchinson UFA 5 6-5/313 Michigan Seattle
QB 3 Drew Brees UFA 5 6-0/221 Purdue San Diego
C 4 LeCharles Bentley UFA 4 6-2/313 Ohio State New Orleans
RB 5 Edgerrin James UFA 7 6-0/214 Miami (Fl) Indianapolis
CB 6 Charles Woodson UFA 8 6-1/205 Michigan Oakland
RB 7 Jamal Lewis UFA 6 5-11/240 Tennessee Baltimore
OLB 8 Julian Peterson UFA 6 6-3/235 Michigan State San Francisco
OLB 9 Will Witherspoon UFA 4 6-1/231 Georgia Carolina
OT 10 Jon Runyan UFA 10 6-7/330 Michigan Philadelphia
WR 11 Reggie Wayne UFA 5 6-0/198 Miami (Fl) Indianapolis
DE 12 John Abraham UFA 6 6-4/256 South Carolina NY Jets
CB 13 Nate Clements UFA 5 5-10/190 Ohio State Buffalo
DE 14 Darren Howard UFA 6 6-3/275 Kansas State New Orleans
DT 15 Rocky Bernard UFA 4 6-3/290 Texas A&M Seattle
OT 16 Jeff Backus UFA 5 6-5/308 Michigan Detroit
RB 17 Ahman Green UFA 8 6-0/217 Nebraska Green Bay
DE 18 Aaron Kampman UFA 4 6-4/284 Iowa Green Bay
DE 19 Robert Mathis RFA 3 6-2/235 Alabama A&M Indianapolis
OLB 20 Cato June RFA 3 6-0/227 Michigan Indianapolis
WR 21 David Givens UFA 4 6-0/215 Notre Dame New England
S 22 Adam Archuleta UFA 4 5-11.5/209 Arizona State St. Louis
RB 23 Deshaun Foster UFA 4 6-0/222 UCLA Carolina
WR 24 Antonio Bryant UFA 4 6-1/192 Pittsburgh Cleveland
WR 25 Antwaan Randle El UFA 4 5-10/190 Indiana Pittsburgh
K 26 Adam Vinatieri UFA 10 6-0/200 South Dakota New England
K 27 Mike Vanderjagt UFA 8 6-5/211 West Virginia Indianapolis
DE 28 Orpheus Roye UFA 10 6-4/320 Florida State Cleveland
S 29 Corey Chavous UFA 8 6-1/205 Vanderbilt Minnesota
WR 30 Joe Jurevicius UFA 8 6-5/230 Penn State Seattle
WR 31 Nate Burleson RFA 3 6-0/192 Nevada Minnesota
P 32 Dave Zastudil UFA 4 6-3/210 Ohio Baltimore
RB 33 Michael Bennett UFA 5 5-9/209 Wisconsin Minnesota
FB 34 Mack Strong UFA 12 6-0/238 Georgia Seattle
DT 35 Chris Hovan UFA 6 6-2/298 Boston College Tampa Bay
QB 36 Kurt Warner UFA 8 6-2/220 Northern Iowa Arizona
MLB 37 Sam Cowart UFA 8 6-2/245 Florida State Minnesota
QB 38 Jon Kitna UFA 9 6-2/217 Central Washington Cincinnati
OT 39 Victor Riley UFA 8 6-5/340 Auburn Houston
C 40 Mike Flanagan UFA 10 6-5/297 UCLA Green Bay
S 41 Idrees Bashir UFA 4 6-2/198 Memphis Carolina
P 42 Tom Rouen UFA 14 6-3/225 Colorado Seattle
C 43 Justin Hartwig UFA 4 6-4/300 Kansas Tennessee
CB 44 Jerry Azumah UFA 7 5-10.5/192 New Hampshire Chicago
K 45 Joe Nedney UFA 10 6-5/225 San Jose State San Francisco
OLB 46 Keith Newman UFA 7 6-2/248 North Carolina Minnesota
C 47 Jeff Mitchell UFA 8 6-4/300 Florida Carolina
WR 48 David Boston UFA 7 6-2/228 Ohio State Miami
DE 49 Ndukwe Kalu UFA 9 6-4/265 Rice Philadelphia
MLB 50 Matt Wilhelm RFA 3 6-4/245 Ohio State San Diego

Here is a list of FA's this year. This came from scout.com A few of them would look good in a Texan uniform this year. I have no idea if any are being considered by the Texan front office. Several would fill need positions on the team.

 

[Dr. Toro]

Ray Lewis is probably availalbe for a second rounder (3rd and P-Buc?), according to reports out of Baltimore. I know he's getting older (30) has slipped a little bit (is it because he's declining or disgruntled) and is coming off surgery (Boselli 2.0?). However, guys like Rodney Harrison and John Lynch have continued to excel and provide leadership after they were written off for age/money. I think Lewis has like 15-20 million left on his deal and is signed 'til 2008. He might have 3 great years left, and I'd like to see what he could do rejuvenated and motivated. If the Texans are in win now mode, a 2nd rounder might not be too much for this guy.

 

[edo783]

Ray Lewis is probably availalbe for a second rounder (3rd and P-Buc?), according to reports out of Baltimore. I know he's getting older (30) has slipped a little bit (is it because he's declining or disgruntled) and is coming off surgery (Boselli 2.0?). However, guys like Rodney Harrison and John Lynch have continued to excel and provide leadership after they were written off for age/money. I think Lewis has like 15-20 million left on his deal and is signed 'til 2008. He might have 3 great years left, and I'd like to see what he could do rejuvenated and motivated. If the Texans are in win now mode, a 2nd rounder might not be too much for this guy.

Bad move IMO. At end of career and a second would very likely be where we pick up an LT (assuming RB at #1).

 

[Dr. Toro]

Bad move IMO. At end of career and a second would very likely be where we pick up an LT (assuming RB at #1).

Maybe it makes more sense in a trade down scenario... get some veteran leadership for all those rookies. Ray is getting older, but I don't know if it's the end of his career, Romo might have had his best season at age 35. Lewis will be 33 at the end of his deal. I think they do need to address LT in the second if they don't in the 1st.

 

[TexanFanInCC]

Yeah, Cedric Griffin would be nice he's probably a 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm not sure if Peterson is capable of manning the middle in a 4-3, but he's the type of athlete this defense needs and is very versatile. The knock on his game would be similar to that of Derrick Johnson, being questions about the ability to shed blockers.

griffin would be sweet. he could be the next nathan vasher....and vasher is quite a damn good player on a good bears defense.

 

[TexanFanInCC]

AJ HAWK!!! i would drool to see him in a texans uni!

 

[TexanFanInCC]

by the way, theres an article that says that john runyan could consider the texans if he doesnt resign with the eagles. ill try and find the link...