Good Read on Phil Taylor - his problems at Penn State, then turnaround at Baylor

[JimBaker488]

MOBILE, Ala. - Phil Taylor shed more than just weight when he left Penn State.

The Baylor defensive tackle left behind his Maryland buddies and the trouble they often seemed to get in together.

Unfettered from both, Taylor blossomed in Waco, Texas, over the last two-plus years and has become a legitimate draft prospect. His combination of size (6-foot-4, 337 pounds) and quickness off the ball impressed NFL scouts during Senior Bowl practices this week.
http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-27/sports/27051573_1_taylor-and-fellow-penn-state-penn-sate

 

[Section516]

I would really, really love for the Texans to find a way to get this guy at a reasonable selection, or for him to last till our pick in the 2nd..

 

[steelbtexan]

I would really, really love for the Texans to find a way to get this guy at a reasonable selection, or for him to last till our pick in the 2nd..

They can get him if they want him. They will have to trade to #25 or so in the 1st rd. to get him. That means trading away your 2nd and 3rd rd picks. Taylor is worth it IMHO.

Rd.1 #11 Houston/A.Smith
Rd.1 #25 Taylor
Rd.4 Jerrard Tarrant


If the Texans drafted these guys and added a good Vet CB. You would see a much improved defense.

The cost would be having to pay two 1st rd contracts and a vet FA contract. As well as having to invest 2/3rd picks. But to me the cost is worth the risk/reward.

That's why BoB will never approve of it.

 

[Wolf6151]

I like the guy in the 2nd round but no earlier. He didn't have great college production and was overweight at Baylor as well. He seems to be losing weight and playing better now that a contract is on the line like many veteran NFL players who only get better in contract years.

 

[steelbtexan]

I like the guy in the 2nd round but no earlier. He didn't have great college production and was overweight at Baylor as well. He seems to be losing weight and playing better now that a contract is on the line like many veteran NFL players who only get better in contract years.

I understand this sentiment.

To be truly successful sometimes you have to roll the dice. Taylor could be the next Ted Washington or he could be the next Frank Okam.

He seems more like Washington than Okam.

The safe play would be to draft Fua over Taylor or Ellis. History tells me this is the direction the Texans will go.

If trading OkOye and a 3rd allowed the Texans to have two 2nd rd picks would you make the trade? I would make that trade in a heartbeat.

Rd.1 Houston/Smith
Rd.2 Fua
Rd.2 Devin House
Rd.4 Tarrant

This way the Texans fans never have to see the likes of McCain/Adibi/Wilson/Okoye ever see the field again in a Texans uni.

 

[Wolf6151]

At first I thought about that trade offer and wanted to jump on it, but Okoye and a 3rd round pick seems awfully expensive for a 2nd round pick in a draft that's so weak on talent. If this were last years draft, one that's very talent rich, then I might go for it but not this year.

 

[Blake]

Good stuff. I still wouldnt trade up from our 2nd round pick to get him. I would wait for him to drop to our 2nd round pick, or grab another talented player.

 

[TexansSeminole]

At first I thought about that trade offer and wanted to jump on it, but Okoye and a 3rd round pick seems awfully expensive for a 2nd round pick in a draft that's so weak on talent. If this were last years draft, one that's very talent rich, then I might go for it but not this year.

Okoye is a body on the defensive line right now. We have no idea what he can do at DL in the 3-4. Probably nothing, but losing him would mean we would have to replace him with somebody. My feeling is that we should keep him and draft his replacement. He can be a fill in this year IMO. We need to utilize all the guys we have on the roster right now in this transition. Okoye and a 3rd rounder will see significant minutes, they may become two starters. I don't think we can afford to trade that for one potential starter.

 

[JB]

Okoye is a body on the defensive line right now. We have no idea what he can do at DL in the 3-4. Probably nothing, but losing him would mean we would have to replace him with somebody. My feeling is that we should keep him and draft his replacement. He can be a fill in this year IMO. We need to utilize all the guys we have on the roster right now in this transition. Okoye and a 3rd rounder will see significant minutes, they may become two starters. I don't think we can afford to trade that for one potential starter.

And Okoye may wind up being a standout 3-4 DE.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

At first I thought about that trade offer and wanted to jump on it, but Okoye and a 3rd round pick seems awfully expensive for a 2nd round pick in a draft that's so weak on talent. If this were last years draft, one that's very talent rich, then I might go for it but not this year.

I'd be MORE inclined to trade a draft pick in a weak draft class than a strong one. You're going after a specific player that you deem better than the others available. The drop off in talent would generally be greater in a weak class than a strong one.

Also, unless the new CBA is agreed to before the draft, I don't think current players can be included in any trades.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

I think most of us believe Taylor will be gone by our 2nd round pick. I think a great trade would be with NE at the top of the 2nd (#33). Switch 2nd round and 3rd round picks with them. I am now getting a little worried he won't make it that far. Assuming he shows/interviews well at the Combine, I could see him going in the 20's/late 1st round.

He just seems to be the best NT for us but I don't think he'll be in contention for our selection at #11. I can't see him being the best player... especially considering we have plenty of areas that need addressing.

I'd be more inclined to trade down in the 1st if we can... than trade up from our 2nd. We'd likely have to give up our 2nd and 3rd rd picks to move up in the 20's for him. This of course, assuming that is where the Texans grade him and we find a partner.

With that said, what do yall like best?
1. Cameron Jordan at DE with Phil Taylor at NT
2. Justin Houston at OLB with Phil Taylor at NT
3. Keep our picks and take a NT in the 2nd or 3rd like Paea, Powe, Fua.

After watching both defenses last night, I continue to want a DOMINANT D-Line. Cameron Jordan - Phil Taylor - Mario Williams would be Solid. Take an OLB in the 4th Round.

 

[steelbtexan]

The Jordan, Taylor, MW DL would be a great start to overhauling the the defense. You could draft a K.J.Wright/Mason Foster/Dontay Moch type OLB in the 4th rd.

Who knows Phillips may have found a sleeper OLB in the East/West game.

A good ILB pick in the later rds would be Chris White ILB Miss St. This guy isn't going to light up the Combine. But he's a smart heady type LB that the Texans are currently lacking.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

The Jordan, Taylor, MW DL would be a great start to overhauling the the defense. You could draft a K.J.Wright/Mason Foster/Dontay Moch type OLB in the 4th rd.

Who knows Phillips may have found a sleeper OLB in the East/West game.

A good ILB pick in the later rds would be Chris White ILB Miss St. This guy isn't going to light up the Combine. But he's a smart heady type LB that the Texans are currently lacking.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. You just know Wade is going to get at least one guy from that East/West Shrine Game. Interestingly enough he coached Dontay Moch. Am thinking he could be a 3rd round pick for us but if he lasts till the 4th!? I would LOVE this draft. DE Jordan, NT Taylor, OLB Moch. Grab a veteran free agent CB like Aso/Bailey/Taylor and pray for Mario, Barwin, Demeco to come back healthy. That is a really solid defense.

 

[JCTexan]

I think most of us believe Taylor will be gone by our 2nd round pick. I think a great trade would be with NE at the top of the 2nd (#33). Switch 2nd round and 3rd round picks with them. I am now getting a little worried he won't make it that far. Assuming he shows/interviews well at the Combine, I could see him going in the 20's/late 1st round.

He just seems to be the best NT for us but I don't think he'll be in contention for our selection at #11. I can't see him being the best player... especially considering we have plenty of areas that need addressing.

I'd be more inclined to trade down in the 1st if we can... than trade up from our 2nd. We'd likely have to give up our 2nd and 3rd rd picks to move up in the 20's for him. This of course, assuming that is where the Texans grade him and we find a partner.

With that said, what do yall like best?
1. Cameron Jordan at DE with Phil Taylor at NT
2. Justin Houston at OLB with Phil Taylor at NT
3. Keep our picks and take a NT in the 2nd or 3rd like Paea, Powe, Fua.

After watching both defenses last night, I continue to want a DOMINANT D-Line. Cameron Jordan - Phil Taylor - Mario Williams would be Solid. Take an OLB in the 4th Round.

The only problem I have with drafting a DE in the first is that Antonio Smith, Earl Mitchell & Amobi Okoye are all likely to be 3-4 DE's with Mario. With Cushing likely playing ILB I don't see the OLB on the roster that will have an impact like Matthews or Harrison do with their teams. I will take option 2 as that seems to be what the Texans are lacking in their move to the 3-4.