austins23
Hall of Fame
Dude went and tried to tackle him at the shoulders! Wth was he thinking?
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Texans Defense is terrible. Absolutely terrible!
- Thread starter Mangler
- Start date
Decim8
Veteran
I know its a different game but in rugby league you only ever tackle high due to the following
1. Stop forward momentum
2. Stop them from passing the ball
3. Only if you have the skills/strength to do it.
Cunningham has displayed none of the above.
NT and the LB's are an even bigger problem than the secondary. Although a really good S would solve alot of issues. The LB corps is slow as molasses. I cant believe they've invested that much money in that kind of suckitude. When I watched the 49ers last night and saw their LB's play it was like night and day. The defense needs to be totally rebuilt. If I could find a coverage LB in the draft I would pair him with Cunningham and sign a LB with speed (Littleton) in FA. That would atleast improve the LB position somewhat.
I liked the Tunsil trade GM BOB made. (Most dont) But signing these guys to those contracts was idiotic.
Clear that Cap space
I also would ask the Bears what they would give up for WFV. While I was at it I would tell them Duke was available to replace Cohen.
Yes it is and some posters ant Weaver to be retained. This is the reason Saleh is high on my list. That and the fact that I think he can attract top tier asst coaches
Yep the S has to atleast slow him down.
I don't know if he's done enough. The Niners had a stacked d-line last year. Prior to that, the Niners had a middle of the pack defense. A guy who seems to get production without a lot of premier talent is the Colts DC Matt Eberflus. I'd like for the Texans next GM to interview him. However, I prefer an offensive head coach. This league is about offense and playing conservative is not a recipe for winning.
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austins23
Hall of Fame
Isn’t Fuller’s contract coming to and end? Sure would be nice to get a draft pick instead of just letting him walk.
Wouldn’t mind keeping him but dude can’t play 16 games.
I like Duke, I just don’t think he gets enough chances, especially in the passing game.
Devlin has to go. Someone needs to come in and install a legit running game. Whatever they are trying to do now is just bad. Terrible.
And why hasn’t our Rook, Greenard (?) played? Dude hurt or what? Can’t be any worse than what’s out there now.
Greenard has 7 defensive snaps, thus far. He needs to see the field to determine what the Texans have. CB John Reid also falls into that category. 32 snaps on opening night, 12 since. Is he really that worse than Hargreaves? Really?
Rich Schmidt
Myopicone
I was thinking we need to find a better word than terrible. I think that does not represent the level of suck we see. Agree on Greenard, let Mercilus or Scarlet take some time off and see if the rookie can play any better, or at least start develoing. No way Mercilus can be here next year. Is Conley coming back this year or next? Need to play Blacklock more too, so we have film on these rookies for the next GM/Coach as defense needs to be retooled and its already clear BMAC, Merci, Murray, Hargraeves etc are not starters. Let the rookie Reid play too. This is a developmental year now
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
There was no reason for the trade at all. They could've paired Hopkins up with Cooks and Cooks could've been the protection for Fuller. Not only that, they never should've taken back Johnson contract
There were reasons that weren't football reasons. I will leave it at that.
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
When they decided to let their nt go because he was too rich, they could've signed Snacks Harrison and or Poe for pennies. They could've added depth with Derek Wolf and or Griffin, both of which played better than anyone on the dl with the exception of healthy Watt. They could've added quality depth and players for cheap on defense for 2 yr deals and kept cap space. Logan Ryan would be far and away their best defender and he didn't sign until before the season. Personel error after personel error by O'Brien
Surely Greenard is better than Mercilus. Atleast he's faster than Mercilus.
Defensive HC's do well if they hire the right OC, look at Vrabel.
I dont care which side of the ball the HC comes from as long as he can bring great asst coaches with him.
banned1976
sleeper mode
I was disappointed in the last draft and made my opinions known about it, and the players O’Brien and Easterby picked in the draft thread. I too want to see all the rookies get adequate playing time but also realize they may not be ready. And considering the men making those picks it wouldn’t surprise me if none of them pan out in the NFL.
Bottom line is, Greenard May just be that bad. BoB isn’t here anymore and we can’t say it’s because he doesn’t like rookies. Plus, they were his picks.
The Texans Defensive Rankings
Points
26. 182 Total Points, 30.3 Points per Game
Rushing
32. 1065 Total Rushing Yards, 177.5 Rushing Yards per Game
Rushing Yards per Play
32. 5.4 Yards per Rushing Play
Passing
21. 1473 Total Passing Yards, 245.5 Passing Yards per Game
Total Yards
30. 2538 Total Yards, 423 Yards per Game
Opposing QB Rating
31. 111.5 QBR
Opponents 3rd Down Efficiency
23. 47%
Opponents Time of Possession
32. 34:28
The only defensive stat where we are in the top half of the league.
Sacks
9. 16 Sacks
Points
26. 182 Total Points, 30.3 Points per Game
Rushing
32. 1065 Total Rushing Yards, 177.5 Rushing Yards per Game
Rushing Yards per Play
32. 5.4 Yards per Rushing Play
Passing
21. 1473 Total Passing Yards, 245.5 Passing Yards per Game
Total Yards
30. 2538 Total Yards, 423 Yards per Game
Opposing QB Rating
31. 111.5 QBR
Opponents 3rd Down Efficiency
23. 47%
Opponents Time of Possession
32. 34:28
The only defensive stat where we are in the top half of the league.
Sacks
9. 16 Sacks
FuzzyLogic
Mathematically Possible
Thanks for posting - I doubt our secondary is (Passing #21) is actually that good - opposing QB rating of 111.5 agrees. Just why would you need to pass against this defence you can pick up a 1st down every 2 plays and kill the clock at the same time.
If we had a run stuffer and brought those averages down some - teams would just start to throw more, where our lack of pass rush, lack of talent across the DB's, and no coverage LB's would really start to shine.
If we had a run stuffer and brought those averages down some - teams would just start to throw more, where our lack of pass rush, lack of talent across the DB's, and no coverage LB's would really start to shine.
So what do you think the goal was defensively to start the year?
Did Romeo see the writing on the wall & bail, or did they really see something in Weaver & promoted him (or both)?
regardless, the defense can’t be meeting expectations.
Do you stay the course believing Weaver can “fix” it, or do you start demanding wholesale changes?
Did Romeo see the writing on the wall & bail, or did they really see something in Weaver & promoted him (or both)?
regardless, the defense can’t be meeting expectations.
Do you stay the course believing Weaver can “fix” it, or do you start demanding wholesale changes?
Personally I would rather wait to after the season or until we hire a GM whichever comes first. Right now any move we make will probably be overseen by Easterby & I really don't trust him to get good value.
Maybe I'm wrong but I really don't want to be proved right. The Texans have a steep uphill climb now without adding any more it.
Maybe I'm wrong but I really don't want to be proved right. The Texans have a steep uphill climb now without adding any more it.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Merci has too much dead money.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Better to yank the band-aid versus slowly pulling it off. I'm not counting on a big turnaround in 2021 therefore it could be the season to eat dead money in preparing to retool in 2022.
badboy
Hall of Fame
You know Mosley opted out for this season?
Some moves have to be made now or not at all .... Like WFV - you can't give that guy a long term contract with the injury issues and you can't really afford him either so you move him or let him walk for nothing.
Even if it is Easterby making the deal , a deal is better than no deal in this case.
Whitney Mercilus | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Whitney Mercilus signed a 1 year, $1,075,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including an average annual salary of $1,075,000.
www.spotrac.com
2020 $22,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
If you can find a trade partner its Only $6.2m
2020 $1,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
Thing is , what team is going to take on that contract with his lack of production ? You'd have to pay some portion of the salary and probably send them a draft pick too.
He's one of the contracts I'd love to see cleared .... I just don't see how the hell they pull it off.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Releasing Whitney costs you $27.2mWhitney Mercilus | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Whitney Mercilus signed a 1 year, $1,075,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including an average annual salary of $1,075,000.
2020 $22,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
If you can find a trade partner its Only $6.2m
2020 $1,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
Thing is , what team is going to take on that contract with his lack of production ? You'd have to pay some portion of the salary and probably send them a draft pick too.
He's one of the contracts I'd love to see cleared .... I just don't see how the hell they pull it off.
First step....make him available, then look at the options. Maybe there wll be another OB out there that just might make the deal that allows the Texans to win in a trade.
As far as I'm concerned , everyone not named Watson should be available.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Heard today that Green Bay interested in Watt and one of our WRs. The person said Green Bay will trade for one of our WR by 23rd. Watt was less "sure trade". Urgency was these players give GB chance for SB this year.
Round two for JJ with draft site having that pick used by Pack for WR Sage Surrat Wake Forest
Round three for Fuller with draft site.com going with DT Darrius Still.
My immediate thought was GB has $7 m cap space but it was said that could be worked out. Fuller being in contract year would be issue as he will want bucks but Watts 20 and 21 was huge benefit including possible rework adding years plus reducing hit.
Cook was mentioned as better alternative than Fuller?
Round two for JJ with draft site having that pick used by Pack for WR Sage Surrat Wake Forest
Round three for Fuller with draft site.com going with DT Darrius Still.
My immediate thought was GB has $7 m cap space but it was said that could be worked out. Fuller being in contract year would be issue as he will want bucks but Watts 20 and 21 was huge benefit including possible rework adding years plus reducing hit.
Cook was mentioned as better alternative than Fuller?
If he walks, do you think he'll get a good offer somewhere?
If so, will that bring a comp pick?
If he finishes the season with the requisite number of snaps , its fairly likely he's a "qualifying free agent".
So how many "qualifying FA's the team loses Vs the number signed" will determine how many comp picks they get - Where those picks fall depends upon the quality of those lost / gained.
This offseason is going to be unlike any other with the cap going down instead of up and few teams having a much money to spend , I think we'll see a whole lot of guys cut and sign one or two year deals under typical market value because the money just isn't there. The stars are going to get theirs and everyone else is getting the leftovers.
Spotrac is showing his market value at
- 4 yrs, $52,437,457
- Avg. Salary: $13,109,364
I mean look where the Texans stand currently 38 players and about $20m Over the adjusted cap figure - WFV is NOT one of those 38 accounted for players.
They are going to have to cut / trade / restructure several players one way or another to free up money to fill out the roster.
They have a whole lot of company in that regard ... probably 2/3rds of the league is in the same situation.
AJ Green , Larry Fitzgerald , TY Hilton , Allen Robinson & Sammy Watkins are all FA's too ....
Here's the list https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/wide-receiver/
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
The Texans job is to move salaries and get a decent return on what could be a rental or a player signed to a new contract by the receiving team. Bottom line, got to move those players that can be moved and probably count on a few RD3 and RD4 returns for 2021 and 2022.
As for Mercilus, there's going to be a team that has a need for a veteran OLB. If Texans can move him and eat some contract money for a 2022 RD4......I'd probably do it b/c he isn't doing the Texans "D" a bit of good. I don't want an Osweiler deal where the team is paying both contract money and a draft pick to ditch him.
As for Mercilus, there's going to be a team that has a need for a veteran OLB. If Texans can move him and eat some contract money for a 2022 RD4......I'd probably do it b/c he isn't doing the Texans "D" a bit of good. I don't want an Osweiler deal where the team is paying both contract money and a draft pick to ditch him.
If you want to get rid of Mercilus you're going to have to do an Is type deal.
banned1976
sleeper mode
Unloading Mercilus could work if the Texans “gift” a player the other team covets. Fuller and Mercilus package deal for a 4 and a 6, or something like that. I’m not good at trade scenarios but you get the idea. The Texans will have to get creative with some of these bad contracts.Releasing Whitney costs you $27.2mWhitney Mercilus | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Whitney Mercilus signed a 1 year, $1,075,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including an average annual salary of $1,075,000.
2020 $22,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
If you can find a trade partner its Only $6.2m
2020 $1,550,000
2021 $4,650,000
Thing is , what team is going to take on that contract with his lack of production ? You'd have to pay some portion of the salary and probably send them a draft pick too.
He's one of the contracts I'd love to see cleared .... I just don't see how the hell they pull it off.
The Texans had a guy that was really good at this type of stuff but unfortunately O’Brien had him fired in the offseason. That’s one of the ways he tried to make it hard for the organization to fire him. Or maybe it’s one of the ways Easterby has protected himself.
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OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Like the angle. Maybe a Mercilus and Stills could get him moved if the team expected a RD4 in return or a 2022 RD3.
If GB is interested in Watt and a WR.....I'd make the receiver Fuller and then ask for RB- AJ Dillon and a RD2 pick in return. Texans get a solid rookie RB to put in the backfield and recoup a RD2 pick. GB could easily re-work Watt's deal and a couple of years to reduce the cap hit so it works. Fuller would only see his asking price go up if he stayed healthy and had a huge second half with Rodgers. If he doesn't, GB could retain him for a cheap prove-it type of contract since he'd be asking for a contract versus being in a position to demand one.
TxnsJuggernaut1
All Pro
Start demanding wholesale changes.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
This defense was giving up 168 yards on the ground the 2nd half of last season with RAC calling the shots. And that was with DJ Reader.
And what do you mean by stay the course or demand changes? Stay the course for the rest of this season? What else can they do? And who are you demanding changes to? They can't make any deadline trades, they don't have a GM. And the dude playing GM was apparently co-signer to some of the worst deals in NFL history.
I could swallow the Hopkins trade a little easier if we had gotten proper compensation. Still wouldn't have liked it, but you get adequate in return, you can live with it. But we didn't. I agree that trading Watt might be necessary, but I do NOT want that done by Jack Easterby. So any trade deadline deals are simply not option AFAIC.
The one thing you have to remember in this scenario is the team on the receiving end has to have the requisite cap space to absorb them.
For the Fuller / Mercilus scenario the figure is $22.162m and only 7 teams have that amount of space while only 1 of those has a winning record (Cleveland).
2020 NFL Team Salary Cap Tracker
A real-time look at the 2020 salary cap totals for each NFL team, including estimated cap space.
www.spotrac.com
I don’t even want Jack saying the blessing at supper.
banned1976
sleeper mode
The one thing you have to remember in this scenario is the team on the receiving end has to have the requisite cap space to absorb them.
For the Fuller / Mercilus scenario the figure is $22.162m and only 7 teams have that amount of space while only 1 of those has a winning record (Cleveland).
2020 NFL Team Salary Cap Tracker
A real-time look at the 2020 salary cap totals for each NFL team, including estimated cap space.
This defense has too many veterans on bad contracts. The only good contract on the entire defense is Roby. He’s the only value. McKinney, Cunningham, Mercilus are all liabilities on the field and the cap.
If the Texans have to agree to pay part of the cap hit to their trade partners, just to get rid of these guys I’m fine with that. I don’t care if they start rookies at every LB position next year. I actually get more out of my viewing experience watching rookies try than watching high priced veterans just going through the motions. I don’t remember a Texans defense having so little impact through 6 games of a season than this one.
Rock Boys...lmao!!! Pop rock, maybe. Justin Bieber Boys.
Roby is a no. 2 at best.
Overpaid IMO.
5 NFL teams with the most to gain or lose in Week 3
The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are among the five NFL teams that have a lot riding on their Week 3 games.
www.pff.com
PFF grades him poorly, and I know a few knowledgeable fans on this forum that have the same assessment.
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texanhead08
All Pro
Roby is a no. 2 at best.
Overpaid IMO.
5 NFL teams with the most to gain or lose in Week 3
The Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears are among the five NFL teams that have a lot riding on their Week 3 games.
PFF grades him poorly, and I know a few knowledgeable fans on this forum that have the same assessment.
Roby only looks good to Texan fans because the other CB's are so bad.
There is an argument to the Hopkins deal but there is no excuse not get a first rounder in the deal. It hasn't been said as much but the dumb move was trading the 2nd rounder for Cooks when the last draft was one of the deepest WR drafts ever and you trade for someone with a high salary and concussion issues.
You know I agree with you on this ... I've complained about McKinney , Cunningham for close to two years. Mercilus had been competent until this season but that contract looks horrible now.
I'm just pointing out the facts as they are.
To get rid of any of these bad contracts will be difficult at best and moving any of the "assets" for picks is also difficult.
You really have to look at how it affects those teams future caps - They are dealing with the same shrinking cap the Texans are.
Who's going to be willing to wreck their 21 & 22 caps for any of these guys ? ....
Watt & WFV are probably the only two with any value going forward.
I agree.
But there might be instances like when a contending team gets hit with some injury and they don't want to see that window closes so they may decide to swing for the fence.
It's still a long way to go.
The Texans did rent that Broncos for half a season.
Some team may even pick up a 2-yr contract if it's not too bad since the Texans had already paid the bonus up front.
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
They already fired the HC and GM and the rest will be gone just as soon as the new guy brings in his own staff, not sure what other "wholesale changes" they can make. I mean they still have games to play and someone has to be in the seat this season. Call me a cynic but are we actually trying to talk about what we can do to improve and start winning this season? Or even over the next 2-3 seasons? We are a team with a, shall we say, limited talent pool particularly on defense, no cap space, no first round pick next year, no HC, no GM, the oldest temp HC in NFL history, first time OC and DC that know they are just padding their resume for their next job, one of the worst line coaches I've ever seen and a QB that over the last 3 years has seen more sacks than a bagger at Wal-Mart.
Hate to break it to you boys but we are in full rebuild mode and we haven't even hired the people that are going to do that rebuild. At this point best thing to do is sit back and enjoy the ride because best we can hope for is to screw over the fins. Luckily it seems several teams will help us do that as they suck possibly even worse than us and, in the case of the Jets, seem to be tanking. Fact is we are most likely either going to have to cut players and eat the cap hit or just ride their contracts out because the people we have there is not a one, except maybe Watson, that anyone would point to and say "There, thats the guy we need to take us to the next level". Oh I'm sure lots of teams would love to have Watt or maybe even Fuller but its like Clowney, love to have him but not enough to pony up the cash.
I'd rather the next GM make these decisions, anyway. Easterby can just hold prayer meetings, or something, from here on.
Somebody has to clear the decks of salary cap now.
Take what you can get and give the new regime a fresh start.