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LZ Report Draft Show....

LZ, I was listening to your Draft Show this evening in my car and around 6:25 pm there was a bunch of static and then another station, that was broadcasting music, came on over your broadcast. I was never able to tune your station in again, and missed some of what was discussed about drafting Mendenhall if he were there at #18. I did hear y'all talking about Gibbs and how he will probably want to get O-line and RB's later in the draft, but I did hear someone say that Mendenhall would be good in a ZB system. Can you fill in the blanks? Are we likely to pass on Mendenhall (if there at #18) even if he were a good fit?

Thanks!
 
If Jamaal Charles were to be available in third and we take a LT in first would anyone take Charles?
 
badboy said:
If Jamaal Charles were to be available in third and we take a LT in first would anyone take Charles?
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It wouldn't make me very happy. I'm hoping to get a DE, LB, or a OL in the 3rd after we draft a CB in the first. We can get a back in the 4th round.
 
Vinny said:
It wouldn't make me very happy. I'm hoping to get a DE, LB, or a OL in the 3rd after we draft a CB in the first. We can get a back in the 4th round.
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I agree with Vinny. We should be able to get a serviceable back in the 4th Round and fill our defensive holes or add OL depth in the 1st and 3rd.

i would prefer they go after DB help in the 1st in the form of Phillips, Cason, or Cromartie.
 
I agree with Vinny and SH's last posts. I'd like to see us add someone to our front seven in the third round, preferably a linebacker.
 
Insideop said:
LZ, I was listening to your Draft Show this evening in my car and around 6:25 pm there was a bunch of static and then another station, that was broadcasting music, came on over your broadcast. I was never able to tune your station in again, and missed some of what was discussed about drafting Mendenhall if he were there at #18. I did hear y'all talking about Gibbs and how he will probably want to get O-line and RB's later in the draft, but I did hear someone say that Mendenhall would be good in a ZB system. Can you fill in the blanks? Are we likely to pass on Mendenhall (if there at #18) even if he were a good fit?

Thanks!
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Go to 1560thegame.com and it is under the "Listen Live" section and then hit podcast. At the bottom you will find our show from yesterday.
 
TexansSeminole said:
I agree with Vinny and SH's last posts. I'd like to see us add someone to our front seven in the third round, preferably a linebacker.
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Ali Highsmith out of LSU would be a consideration in the 3rd or perhaps even 4th Round at LB.

He didn't have a great combine but lets see if he has a good pro day. The guy seems like the type of guy that could really excel at the next level. If in doubt, go SEC. After all, it's the genteel thing to do. He's not a Bama boy like Ryans but LSU is still SEC. :)
 
Second Honeymoon said:
Ali Highsmith out of LSU would be a consideration in the 3rd or perhaps even 4th Round at LB.

He didn't have a great combine but lets see if he has a good pro day. The guy seems like the type of guy that could really excel at the next level. If in doubt, go SEC. After all, it's the genteel thing to do.
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I like Shawn Crable (Big Michigan LB) and Wesley Woodyard (Great SEC LB who could play behind Greenwood immediately). Not sure if either will be there but those are the two I would think about targeting for interviews.

We'll see with Highsmith. He has red flag all over him after the combine.
 
TexansSeminole said:
I like Shawn Crable (Big Michigan LB) and Wesley Woodyard (Great SEC LB who could play behind Greenwood immediately). Not sure if either will be there but those are the two I would think about targeting for interviews.

We'll see with Highsmith. He has red flag all over him after the combine.
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He still ran the fastest 20 yard shuttle at combine for LBs which is probably a better indication of a LB's skill than running in straight line. He obviously trained poorly and tried to bulk up too much to compensate for what is considered less than ideal size for a NFL LB. I watched about 7 LSU games this year and he never looked slow, quite the contrary. Let's wait and see what his Pro Day shows.

Two other top LB prospects didn't even do all the drills at the combine and are going to point everything to their Pro Day. I give Highsmith some credit for attending the combine and not skipping drills like many others did (Connor and Rivers come to mind). If we are going to wait till the combine to fully grade those guys, we should wait till then to slot Highsmith. Sadly, if he has a good Pro Day he might not even be there in the 3rd or 4th. It's funny how that stuff works itself out....all I know is that he makes plays at a position of need, but if he runs another 5.0 40yard dash, it will be tough to take him so early...I think he will get that fixed and get it to around 4.7 on Pro Day.
 
Second Honeymoon said:
He still ran the fastest 20 yard shuttle at combine for LBs which is probably a better indication of a LB's skill than running in straight line. He obviously trained poorly and tried to bulk up too much to compensate for what is considered less than ideal size for a NFL LB. I watched about 7 LSU games this year and he never looked slow, quite the contrary. Let's wait and see what his Pro Day shows.

Two other top LB prospects didn't even do all the drills at the combine and are going to point everything to their Pro Day. I give Highsmith some credit for attending the combine and not skipping drills like many others did (Connor and Rivers come to mind). If we are going to wait till the combine to fully grade those guys, we should wait till then to slot Highsmith. Sadly, if he has a good Pro Day he might not even be there in the 3rd or 4th. It's funny how that stuff works itself out....all I know is that he makes plays at a position of need, but if he runs another 5.0 40yard dash, it will be tough to take him so early...I think he will get that fixed and get it to around 4.7 on Pro Day.
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Kinda sounds like Abbate last year .
 
I have a very good strategy when it comes to scouting linebackers for the draft. Just take the SEC defensive player of the year and you'll be safe (see Demeco Ryans and Patrick Willis). In this case, it's Glenn Dorsey, a. we have no shot at him and b. he's a DT.

So now let's just look at the 2007 1st Team All-SEC LB's in the Draft:

LB # Ali Highsmith LSU 6-1 225
LB # Wesley Woodyard Kentucky 6-1 212
LB Jerod Mayo Tennessee 6-2 230
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I think I'd start looking at them in the 3rd round and get a SEC LB to play next to Demeco!
 
Hey Lance, recently you talked about Dunta's leg injury and said you had heard it isn't the type of injury that should have any lasting effects, or something to that extent. Instead it is only one of those injuries that takes awhile to rehab. Can you refresh my memory as to what you said? I just want to see if I heard it right.
 
STEEL BLUE TEXANS said:
Hey Lance, recently you talked about Dunta's leg injury and said you had heard it isn't the type of injury that should have any lasting effects, or something to that extent. Instead it is only one of those injuries that takes awhile to rehab. Can you refresh my memory as to what you said? I just want to see if I heard it right.
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I am sure he has more to add, but this is from page seven.

LZ said:
No prayer. The old "hammy off the bone" is a b*tch and if that wasn't bad enough, once that gets taken care of, he has extensive rehab with the knee. The timetable for that kind of crazy rehab is just too long to expect him to make it back any earlier than December (which would be too late).
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Way off topic for a second here, but...

LZ - did you ever get into the Wilco concert on Friday? You sounded kinda pissed off when we spoke to you outside. If not, you missed a heckuva show.
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
This is just a ballpark on rounds they might get picked . Of course at this point you just got to wait and see .

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=RB&draftyear=2008&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC
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I keep that link in my favorites and have reviewed continuosly. I see no one solid in 4th other than Choice and he is catching heat from several including LZ if I am not mistaken. Why would you pass on an RB in 1st & 3rd and then hope someone drops? We have two guys that have played in very few actual games in Walker and Taylor; Ahman Green who might not even be on team after June cuts; no RB signed in free agency and some want to go with that and a maybe 4th round selection? That is interesting.
 
STEEL BLUE TEXANS said:
Hey Lance, recently you talked about Dunta's leg injury and said you had heard it isn't the type of injury that should have any lasting effects, or something to that extent. Instead it is only one of those injuries that takes awhile to rehab. Can you refresh my memory as to what you said? I just want to see if I heard it right.
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The dreaded "hammy off the bone" injury takes awhile to come back from but it shouldn't be a permanent issue for him. His ACL injury is another one that isn't a career ender for a CB as long as he rehabs it the right way. The only thing I worry about is Robinson trying to come back too soon. He's competitive and in a contract year and I just hope that he doesn't go out of his way to try and make it back to his detriment and the team's detriment. This type of injury at this time of the year would generally put him out until about December.
 
SuperTexan said:
The dreaded "hammy off the bone" injury takes awhile to come back from but it shouldn't be a permanent issue for him. His ACL injury is another one that isn't a career ender for a CB as long as he rehabs it the right way. The only thing I worry about is Robinson trying to come back too soon. He's competitive and in a contract year and I just hope that he doesn't go out of his way to try and make it back to his detriment and the team's detriment. This type of injury at this time of the year would generally put him out until about December.
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I agree with you, but keep in mind that PUP list will give him 6 weeks to continue to rehab and then there is another time frame (a couple of weeks?) where the Texans can still continue to wait until they activate him or put him on the IR. Remember that the Texans have to clear him to play so he won't get out on the field based upon if he feels he's ready. The team docs have to give him the okay.
 
Da_General said:
Way off topic for a second here, but...

LZ - did you ever get into the Wilco concert on Friday? You sounded kinda pissed off when we spoke to you outside. If not, you missed a heckuva show.
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I finally got into the show as I finally got my tickets. Tweedy's voice was a little ragged but I still thought the band sounded great. This is the 2nd time I've seen them and they put on a great show. I really like that venue.
 
Lance, in your mock draft version 3, you have Brandon Alberts going to Denver. This is the first I have seen Alberts drafted this high, and I actually feel he is worth the mid-first draft slot, but are you projecting him to play OG or OT in Denver and in the NFL in general? Now, assuming he doesn't quite go that high, and is sitting at 18, how do you/the FO feel about adding Alberts to our team? We need OG help and he can double as a swing tackle. Not only does he fit our/Denver system, he has all of the athletic ability and natural talent in the world.
 
LZ said:
I agree with you, but keep in mind that PUP list will give him 6 weeks to continue to rehab and then there is another time frame (a couple of weeks?) where the Texans can still continue to wait until they activate him or put him on the IR. Remember that the Texans have to clear him to play so he won't get out on the field based upon if he feels he's ready. The team docs have to give him the okay.
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The Texans can have him start practicing between weeks 6-9 and then they have two weeks to make a decision whether to activate him or IR him. So they could rehab him for 8 weeks and then practice weeks 9 & 10 before making a decision.
 
YoungTexanFan said:
Lance, in your mock draft version 3, you have Brandon Alberts going to Denver. This is the first I have seen Alberts drafted this high, and I actually feel he is worth the mid-first draft slot, but are you projecting him to play OG or OT in Denver and in the NFL in general? Now, assuming he doesn't quite go that high, and is sitting at 18, how do you/the FO feel about adding Alberts to our team? We need OG help and he can double as a swing tackle. Not only does he fit our/Denver system, he has all of the athletic ability and natural talent in the world.
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I think the Broncos could use him as their RT but if he couldn't win the job as a rookie, he could compete at OG as well. The ability to play both spots is considered a big plus since teams don't have many linemen active in a given week. He is best suited for the tackle spot but could play guard in the ZBS where his average strength wouldn't be as big a concern. I feel he would easily fit into the Texans system as well.
 
LZ said:
I think the Broncos could use him as their RT but if he couldn't win the job as a rookie, he could compete at OG as well. The ability to play both spots is considered a big plus since teams don't have many linemen active in a given week. He is best suited for the tackle spot but could play guard in the ZBS where his average strength wouldn't be as big a concern. I feel he would easily fit into the Texans system as well.
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As a RT? I was thinking maybe a LT and have Foster slide over to RT. Do you honestly feel he will be a better OT than OG? I see him as a rare OG that is worth a first round pick in the teens. I just see him being a better natural OG that would be better suited as a swing tackle rather than being an OT who could slide inside to guard in a pinch. I know he has all the measurables, but he has put all of those together at OG and proven he is a dominant player at that position, why not leave him there?
 
We could use a dominant Guard, esp. one that has the versatility to play LT occasionally or down the road. What's the thought on him here, if he's available and other top choices are not?
 
YoungTexanFan said:
As a RT? I was thinking maybe a LT and have Foster slide over to RT. Do you honestly feel he will be a better OT than OG? I see him as a rare OG that is worth a first round pick in the teens. I just see him being a better natural OG that would be better suited as a swing tackle rather than being an OT who could slide inside to guard in a pinch. I know he has all the measurables, but he has put all of those together at OG and proven he is a dominant player at that position, why not leave him there?
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I'm not sure the Broncos would want to plug in a rookie at LT again. They had Ryan Harris there last year and from what I understand, they like him. Albert could go LT or RT but you might be right because Albert is a better prospect than Harris. Teams question his strength in terms of playing guard in the NFL and teams who have watched film on him say that he actually looks better at tackle than at guard.
 
LZ said:
I'm not sure the Broncos would want to plug in a rookie at LT again. They had Ryan Harris there last year and from what I understand, they like him. Albert could go LT or RT but you might be right because Albert is a better prospect than Harris. Teams question his strength in terms of playing guard in the NFL and teams who have watched film on him say that he actually looks better at tackle than at guard.
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While he doesn't have Jake Long type strength, isn't his strength adequate when coupled with his arm length? I feel his ability to move in space and his ability to drive the defender in the open field make him a better ZBS guard than tackle. I know he has the measurables to play LT, but I do not believe in converting a player I feel has all-pro potential at one position to another position that he MAY be able to play. I believe if we are going to draft a OG and attempt to convert him to LT, it should be in the latter stages of the draft. A first rounder is not the pick to use. Boss Bailey had all the athleticism in the world but couldn't put it together aside from injuries. Spencer had 2 games of NFL experience, so how or why would anyone deem him to be a successful transition project. He was an unknown entity, and he still is to this day.
 
Lance, I apologize in advance if you've answered this before, because I'm sure you have:

How many Running Backs do you see the Texans having on the roster next season? and who would be available to put on the practice squad? (Walker, Taylor, undrafted rookie, rookie late round draft pick, etc??)
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I think that show was called Sport Science or something like that. Very interesting.
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Ah yes, thanks TPN, I found it!

Here's a link for those who want to watch. We were discussing why long arms are good for Left Tackles vs. short arms. Of course technique is most important, but just a little extra longer of an arm can help in the LT pushing the DE. This video is really focused on the QB vs. DE but you can easily see the importance of the LT- which they are discussing the entire team without ever really referencing it. It's great seeing something from a more "scientific" view.

It's about 7 minutes long and well worth the watch if your interested... just fast forward about 1 minute and you avoid all show introductions..

Sports Science: Ben Roethlisberger
 
I totally agreed with their take on Stewart. teams will kick themselves for passing on the guy. in a worst case scenero he misses two games thats 6 months out, he had surgery yesterday. also mentioned teams that would be all over him range from 20-30. would not last until the 2nd rd. or make it past the Packers. no mention of San Diego.
 
Ole Miss Texan said:
Lance, I apologize in advance if you've answered this before, because I'm sure you have:

How many Running Backs do you see the Texans having on the roster next season? and who would be available to put on the practice squad? (Walker, Taylor, undrafted rookie, rookie late round draft pick, etc??)
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I think there will be three backs on the roster and possibly one on the practice squad. The third RB needs to be able to play special teams either as a return man or in coverage since the first two backs (assuming A. Green is still here) won't play "teams". I think it will be Green, Brown and Taylor with a draft pick or undrafted on the practice squad or taking over the 3rd spot.
 
LZ said:
I think there will be three backs on the roster and possibly one on the practice squad. The third RB needs to be able to play special teams either as a return man or in coverage since the first two backs (assuming A. Green is still here) won't play "teams". I think it will be Green, Brown and Taylor with a draft pick or undrafted on the practice squad or taking over the 3rd spot.
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Do you think it's possible that we go with 4 RBs on the 53 man roster? Particularly if Chris Taylor and the rookie can play ST?

Obviously, we wouldn't have all 4 active on game day, but with all the injury concerns and the likely depth, I think it's worth considering. What do yo think, Lance?
 
dalemurphy said:
Do you think it's possible that we go with 4 RBs on the 53 man roster? Particularly if Chris Taylor and the rookie can play ST?

Obviously, we wouldn't have all 4 active on game day, but with all the injury concerns and the likely depth, I think it's worth considering. What do yo think, Lance?
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I can see 3 active and one on practice squad but that is about it. Your third RB is going to have to be able to play special teams in some capacity because Brown and Green won't.
 
LZ said:
I can see 3 active and one on practice squad but that is about it. Your third RB is going to have to be able to play special teams in some capacity because Brown and Green won't.
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don't you have to consider the FB position when talking running backs? what about those two roster spots, Leach & Cook?

I really like Arkansas FB Peyton Hillis, 6-1 240 (4.64 forty, 26 reps) he is a bit undersized @ FB but with better ball skills (downhill runner) upgrade over Cook, fits zbs system & versatile (RB, FB, special teams) as injurys & cirmcumstance dictate.

Walker was undrafted.

Cook was a 6th

Hillis should be a 5th
 
LZ said:
I can see 3 active and one on practice squad but that is about it. Your third RB is going to have to be able to play special teams in some capacity because Brown and Green won't.
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So, then, if we do draft a RB in the first 5 rounds, Smith and Kubes must have a plan on who they hope to cut out of Taylor, Green, CBrown. In that scenario, only having someone placed on the IR before the roster gets cut to 53 would prevent the necessity of a cut.

It looks like there is no way we take a RB even in round 4 or 5 this year- there just isn't any space for one.
 
dalemurphy said:
So, then, if we do draft a RB in the first 5 rounds, Smith and Kubes must have a plan on who they hope to cut out of Taylor, Green, CBrown. In that scenario, only having someone placed on the IR before the roster gets cut to 53 would prevent the necessity of a cut.

It looks like there is no way we take a RB even in round 4 or 5 this year- there just isn't any space for one.
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If need be, Green can be released June 1st and save $3.8million. A drafted back can take his spot. You keep Green until then in case of injury or Brown craps out. Green could also end up being the better choice to keep if healthy. It could be Green, Brown and draft pick with Taylor out or on PS. ( At least I think Taylor can go to PS).
 
LZ said:
Tommy Blake is the DE and I'm almost positive he won't be drafted. He has a severe public anxiety disorder and I believe I read he was bi-polar as well. He is weighing in the 280s right now and that his 30 pounds over his playing weight. He easily had first round talent entering the season but he started acting strange before the season and had one famous episode in front of scouts who were there to see him practice before the season started. I just think his baggage makes him almost undraftable.
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Looks like Tommy had a good workout, pretty decent numbers. Hopefully he's over the anxiety...and someone will take a chance on him:
» DL Tommy Blake: Had a very good workout ... Weighed in at 272. Ran the 40 in 4.80 and 4.83. Had a 30½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 3-inch long jump, 4.37 short shuttle, 7.16 cone drill and had 23 reps in the bench press.
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http://www.nfl.com/draft/story;jses...0d5d806b4a39&template=with-video&confirm=true
 
TEXANS84 said:
Looks like Tommy had a good workout, pretty decent numbers. Hopefully he's over the anxiety...and someone will take a chance on him:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story;jses...0d5d806b4a39&template=with-video&confirm=true
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Maybe the medical center can give him some good meds? He could be a cheap solution to our pass rushing defensive end problem if he can get his problem fixed. Maybe Samkon Gado can prescribe him something?

I can see Houston being a franchise full of feel-good story players. Gado..kind of but he's obviously not with the team. Maybe with Rashard Butler coming here and find out his illness, he becomes a great player on our OL. Tommy Blake? comes to Houston, gets his illness fixed and becomes a great player. Get a lot of players that overcome adversity- we could have a movie filmed with all our players starring as themselves! If only we could somehow swing Mike Oher in the draft next year. The post is starting to sound more and more sarcastic as I type, so I want to point out it's not intended to be at all. This organization just seems like one (of the few) that can bring the best out in people.
 
badboy said:
If need be, Green can be released June 1st and save $3.8million. A drafted back can take his spot. You keep Green until then in case of injury or Brown craps out. Green could also end up being the better choice to keep if healthy. It could be Green, Brown and draft pick with Taylor out or on PS. ( At least I think Taylor can go to PS).
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I don't think Taylor can go to the practice squad. However, if he does, another team would snatch him up anyway.
 
Ole Miss Texan said:
Maybe the medical center can give him some good meds? He could be a cheap solution to our pass rushing defensive end problem if he can get his problem fixed. Maybe Samkon Gado can prescribe him something?

I can see Houston being a franchise full of feel-good story players. Gado..kind of but he's obviously not with the team. Maybe with Rashard Butler coming here and find out his illness, he becomes a great player on our OL. Tommy Blake? comes to Houston, gets his illness fixed and becomes a great player. Get a lot of players that overcome adversity- we could have a movie filmed with all our players starring as themselves! If only we could somehow swing Mike Oher in the draft next year. The post is starting to sound more and more sarcastic as I type, so I want to point out it's not intended to be at all. This organization just seems like one (of the few) that can bring the best out in people.
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My experience of working in psychiatric locked units with people with mental issues says there are medications that can often help. However, when person begins to feel normal or even some what better the medication is no longer wanted as it is a reminder to person that he or she is ill. Does the team think the gamble is worth the risk is what it comes down to.
 
badboy said:
My experience of working in psychiatric locked units with people with mental issues says there are medications that can often help. However, when person begins to feel normal or even some what better the medication is no longer wanted as it is a reminder to person that he or she is ill. Does the team think the gamble is worth the risk is what it comes down to.
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While I think it's getting better, many of these drugs also have some pretty bad side effects, and that's another reason why there is such a high instance of people taking things into their own hands and discontinuing the treatment.

If you think that professional football players with lots of money and their careers on the line would handle it differently than most, you might consider the cases of Barrett Robbins and Alonzo Spellman.

This doesn't mean that Tommy Blake can't have a successful career, and I would love to see that happen (whatever team it might be with). Just means there's some items to be aware of.
 
ChampionTexan said:
While I think it's getting better, many of these drugs also have some pretty bad side effects, and that's another reason why there is such a high instance of people taking things into their own hands and discontinuing the treatment.

If you think that professional football players with lots of money and their careers on the line would handle it differently than most, you might consider the cases of Barrett Robbins and Alonzo Spellman.

This doesn't mean that Tommy Blake can't have a successful career, and I would love to see that happen (whatever team it might be with). Just means there's some items to be aware of.
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You are correct but for most, the side effects if any are far out weighed by the benefits. Hopefully, Blake can get some to help him have a long career but more importantly a happier life. Robbins crash was because he stopped meds and if I remember correctly he was using alcohol which often does not mix well with meds. I don't remember details on Spellman.
 
badboy said:
You are correct but for most, the side effects if any are far out weighed by the benefits. Hopefully, Blake can get some to help him have a long career but more importantly a happier life. Robbins crash was because he stopped meds and if I remember correctly he was using alcohol which often does not mix well with meds. I don't remember details on Spellman.
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I think we're in complete agreement, but to clarify, the side effects combine with the feeling of normalcy that you described in your earlier post to make it that much more attractive to discontinue medication.

Robbins spent at least part of the Saturday before the '03 Super Bowl in Tijuana, so your right on target about the alcohol part. Spellman had more than one instance of unfortunate behavior (as has Robbins), but I believe they were in large part caused by a combination of self medicating with alcohol and recreational drugs as well as discontinuing prescribed medications.
 
about killed my hopes for Otah on tonights version of "the draft show". what are all these sources saying he is moving up the draft boards? was hoping that 20$ to tank it @ the combine worked & he would fall to the 18th pick :cool:
 
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