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Thumper

T

TheRealJoker

Hall of Fame
With Chris Kiffin joining the coaching staff as LB coach one LB I am pretty confident the Texans will target in FA will be Azeez Al-Shaair to be the 3rd starting LB and compete for one of the top two spots when the team goes nickel.

Al-Shaair had his best season in college when Kiffin was his DC/LB coach. He was 1st team all C-USA leading the conference in tackles. And of course he overlapped with DeMeco as a successful UDFA.

Pretty sure bet he is a Texan this season.
 
TheRealJoker said:
With Chris Kiffin joining the coaching staff as LB coach one LB I am pretty confident the Texans will target in FA will be Azeez Al-Shaair to be the 3rd starting LB and compete for one of the top two spots when the team goes nickel.

Al-Shaair had his best season in college when Kiffin was his DC/LB coach. He was 1st team all C-USA leading the conference in tackles. And of course he overlapped with DeMeco as a successful UDFA.

Pretty sure bet he is a Texan this season.
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Tell me something about what Chris Kiffin wants in a LB?

Are we going to get a downhill player like Demeco or Cush who can also play sideline to sideline? Are we going to get a pure Thumper like McKinney?

Are we going to continue with these little LBs who can’t stop the run, can’t play in coverage?

does Christian Harris have a place on this team? How about Kirksey, is that experiment over?

was Wallow a wasted pick? Will Hanson develop into a starter?

what’s the”vision” for the LB position?

in your opinion?
 
thunderkyss said:
Tell me something about what Chris Kiffin wants in a LB?

Are we going to get a downhill player like Demeco or Cush who can also play sideline to sideline? Are we going to get a pure Thumper like McKinney?

Are we going to continue with these little LBs who can’t stop the run, can’t play in coverage?

does Christian Harris have a place on this team? How about Kirksey, is that experiment over?

was Wallow a wasted pick? Will Hanson develop into a starter?

what’s the”vision” for the LB position?

in your opinion?
Click to expand...

I’d sure be happy with:

ILB- Jack Campbell (Iowa / 6-5 @ 247 lbs). Downhill thumper who plays sideline to sideline….and can drop into coverage.

SS- JL Skinner (Boise State / 6-4 @ 220 lbs). Another tweener (LB/SS) who likes to do downhill thumping. He’s also effective in coverage.
 
thunderkyss said:
Tell me something about what Chris Kiffin wants in a LB?

Are we going to get a downhill player like Demeco or Cush who can also play sideline to sideline? Are we going to get a pure Thumper like McKinney?

Are we going to continue with these little LBs who can’t stop the run, can’t play in coverage?

does Christian Harris have a place on this team? How about Kirksey, is that experiment over?

was Wallow a wasted pick? Will Hanson develop into a starter?

what’s the”vision” for the LB position?

in your opinion?
Click to expand...

I think Kiffin was brought here to coach up what DeMeco wants. Which is similar to what Kiffin’s dad had in Tampa. Smaller than average but fast LBs who did not suck.

I thought when Christian Harris was drafted he could play MIKE or WILL. It appears that Caserio/Lovie wanted him at WILL. We’ll see if it stays that way.

Tremaine Edmunds would be perfect here and is my pick for the FA spending spree. He is not undersized so that’s a plus. But he is every bit as athletic as “those type” of LBs. Add Azeez Al-Shaair and that LB corps will be transformed from a weakness to a strength!
 
thunderkyss said:
So Hanson, Wallow, Kirksey, Cashman… wasted time & money?
Click to expand...

Hansen is a UDFA that has carved out a spot on ST. Cashman 6th round acquisition that is also a core ST. Wallow 5th round and same. Three relatively inexpensive LBs competing for roster spots and contributing on ST. I say sign Al-Shaair because he has knowledge of DeMeco’s system and experience under Kiffin. And has performed at a high level in the NFL. LB needs to be a strength of this team and he would help create that strength.

Kirksey should be a cap casualty and Someone better should take his spot.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Hansen is a UDFA that has carved out a spot on ST. Cashman 6th round acquisition that is also a core ST. Wallow 5th round and same. Three relatively inexpensive LBs competing for roster spots and contributing on ST. I say sign Al-Shaair because he has knowledge of DeMeco’s system and experience under Kiffin. And has performed at a high level in the NFL. LB needs to be a strength of this team and he would help create that strength.

Kirksey should be a cap casualty and Someone better should take his spot.
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I thought Hansen was a decent rotational player actually. Doubt he'll be a starter or anything but in the limited playtime towards the end of the year he did some good things.
 
Khelar said:
I thought Hansen was a decent rotational player actually. Doubt he'll be a starter or anything but in the limited playtime towards the end of the year he did some good things.
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Hansen of course is here because of Lovie who was his HC in college before coming to Houston as Culley's DC
so with Hansen's benefactor now being gone from the local scene his own future with the Texans is likely very uncertain.
 
IDEXAN said:
Hansen of course is here because of Lovie who was his HC in college before coming to Houston as Culley's DC
so with Hansen's benefactor now being gone from the local scene his own future with the Texans is likely very uncertain.
Click to expand...

Hansen earned his roster spot last season. There will be added competition at LB in camp.

I’m more disappointed in Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Kevin Pierre-Louis than anyone. Both seemed to regress upon arrival.
 
TheRealJoker said:
I think Kiffin was brought here to coach up what DeMeco wants. Which is similar to what Kiffin’s dad had in Tampa. Smaller than average but fast LBs who did not suck.

I thought when Christian Harris was drafted he could play MIKE or WILL. It appears that Caserio/Lovie wanted him at WILL. We’ll see if it stays that way.

Tremaine Edmunds would be perfect here and is my pick for the FA spending spree. He is not undersized so that’s a plus. But he is every bit as athletic as “those type” of LBs. Add Azeez Al-Shaair and that LB corps will be transformed from a weakness to a strength!
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Spend money on Edmunds/Shaair/Givens and Allen. Draft Anderson and the defense will be much better.

Draft offense and the team won't be one of the worst teams in the NFL.

None of these guys will cost huge fa money. Probably around 30-35 mil
 
TheRealJoker said:
Hansen is a UDFA that has carved out a spot on ST. Cashman 6th round acquisition that is also a core ST. Wallow 5th round and same. Three relatively inexpensive LBs competing for roster spots and contributing on ST. I say sign Al-Shaair because he has knowledge of DeMeco’s system and experience under Kiffin. And has performed at a high level in the NFL. LB needs to be a strength of this team and he would help create that strength.

Kirksey should be a cap casualty and Someone better should take his spot.
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I’m not arguing to keep any of these guys. That’s not my angle.

Low cost acquisitions that appeared to be the direction Lovie was going. Depth at most, maybe. But depth is an issue that’s ruined a season or two in Houston.
 
thunderkyss said:
Tell me something about what Chris Kiffin wants in a LB?

Are we going to get a downhill player like Demeco or Cush who can also play sideline to sideline? Are we going to get a pure Thumper like McKinney?

Are we going to continue with these little LBs who can’t stop the run, can’t play in coverage?

does Christian Harris have a place on this team? How about Kirksey, is that experiment over?

was Wallow a wasted pick? Will Hanson develop into a starter?

what’s the”vision” for the LB position?

in your opinion?
Click to expand...
For Mike LB, I would draft Jack Campbell out of Iowa.
1676753874190.png1676753950386.png1676763208816.png
 
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IDEXAN said:
Hansen of course is here because of Lovie who was his HC in college before coming to Houston as Culley's DC
so with Hansen's benefactor now being gone from the local scene his own future with the Texans is likely very uncertain.
Click to expand...
He earned his keep as far as I can tell and only 24 years old or so. Kirksey otoh...decent pass rush but that's it. Wouldn't hurt my feelings if he was gone in 2023. $6.25 mil cap hit in 2023. $1 mil dead money if he's off the books. Pretty easy math, imo. Of course, as seen in my mocks, I'm drafting edge, DL and LB heavily this year. He would be fairly easy to replace.
Jake Hansen Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries, Bonuses | Spotrac
Christian Kirksey Contract Breakdowns, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries, Bonuses | Spotrac
EDIT: The only LBs I would keep from last season are Hansen, Hewitt, and Harris. Everyone else can walk. I'd be looking at LaVonte David, Tremaine Edmunds, David Long, and TJ Edwards in FA.
I would target Jack Campbell, even if I had to draft him higher than where the "experts" have him slotted, Noah Sewell, and Mahamoud Diabate and Aubrey Miller Jr. in the later rounds.
Campbell would be a day 1 starter at Mike. Sewell would make a good Sam, Miller Jr. would be the Will.
1676765464877.png1676765524911.png1676765604883.png1676765729203.png
 
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thunderkyss said:
Tell me something about what Chris Kiffin wants in a LB?

Are we going to get a downhill player like Demeco or Cush who can also play sideline to sideline? Are we going to get a pure Thumper like McKinney?

Are we going to continue with these little LBs who can’t stop the run, can’t play in coverage?

does Christian Harris have a place on this team? How about Kirksey, is that experiment over?

was Wallow a wasted pick? Will Hanson develop into a starter?

what’s the”vision” for the LB position?

in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Inquiring minds want to know.
 
OptimisticTexan said:
I’d sure be happy with:

ILB- Jack Campbell (Iowa / 6-5 @ 247 lbs). Downhill thumper who plays sideline to sideline….and can drop into coverage.

SS- JL Skinner (Boise State / 6-4 @ 220 lbs). Another tweener (LB/SS) who likes to do downhill thumping. He’s also effective in coverage.
Click to expand...
I like the idea of having Campbell in there, but I bet 30 other teams do too. If a team wants/needs him bad enough, they're gonna reach to make sure they get him.
Might have to settle for a guy like Noah Sewell, Nolan Smith, Aubrey Miller, Daiyan Henley, DeMarvion Overshown, Nick Herbig or Henry Too Too or whoever is left on the board after you have made your must have picks.
Any one of these guys could be as good as or better than Campbell.
 
Texansphan said:
I like the idea of having Campbell in there, but I bet 30 other teams do too. If a team wants/needs him bad enough, they're gonna reach to make sure they get him.
Might have to settle for a guy like Noah Sewell, Nolan Smith, Aubrey Miller, Daiyan Henley, DeMarvion Overshown, Nick Herbig or Henry Too Too or whoever is left on the board after you have made your must have picks.
Any one of these guys could be as good as or better than Campbell.
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I disagree with the bolded. A mike LB with certain traits is a must have in Ryans scheme.
 
DocBar said:
I disagree with the bolded. A mike LB with certain traits is a must have in Ryans scheme.
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Iirc, Noah Sewell is a Mike. The job of the mike is to enforce the middle - let the Will and the Sam take care of the sideline duties along with your edge guys. If you employ just two LBs, each is charged with his side primarily, but lends assistance when needed to the other. If you only employ two LBs, then you likely have the extra safety in to sneak down and lend a hand - or your CB.
 
If I had a say I would want a veteran to fill this role as QB of the defense. Tremaine Edmunds has the physical ability and may level up as a player with DeMeco to be this team’s Fred Warner:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1615192239038402566

Second option would be Germaine Pratt, another ascending young MIKE that has the coverage skills necessary.

Third option would be fill the need in the draft. I think Trenton Simpson would be the best fit but there will be a learning curve with any rookie which is why I would rather spend in FA and get that vet (Edmunds or Pratt).
 
David Long
Age: 26
2022 stats (Titans): 2 INT, 86 tackles
Long did a little bit of everything for Tennessee in 2022, his best season yet as a pro. He enters free agency after setting career-highs in tackles for loss (seven) and quarterback hits (three). While wreaking havoc in the backfield, he also stood out in coverage with five pass breakups and two interceptions. He's arguably the top linebacker available.

bring in Long LB, Payne DT and/or Allen DT. CJ Gardner-Johnson or Von Bell and you have a great start rebuilding this defense.
 
Pratt, like Fred Warner , was a converted safety turned MIKE.

Edmund’s player comp when he came out was Urlacher (who was also a converted safety). You have to be able to cover like a DB to be the MIKE in this defense imo. And while Simpson has all the skills in the world. I’d rather fill this need with a ready-made product in Edmunds or Pratt who will also provide much-needed veteran leadership to the defense (especially mentoring young stud Harris like DeMeco did Cushing).
 
TheRealJoker said:
Pratt, like Fred Warner , was a converted safety turned MIKE.

Edmund’s player comp when he came out was Urlacher (who was also a converted safety). You have to be able to cover like a DB to be the MIKE in this defense imo. And while Simpson has all the skills in the world. I’d rather fill this need with a ready-made product in Edmunds or Pratt who will also provide much-needed veteran leadership to the defense (especially mentoring young stud Harris like DeMeco did Cushing).
Click to expand...

Yep, the defense needs veteran leadership, particularly at the LB position.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Cutting Kirksey is a no-brainer. Only 1 million dead cap hit and gain 5.25 million to sign the vet upgrade to QB this defense. Kirksey cannot cover the deep middle, Edmunds and Pratt can. That changes this defense dramatically.
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Can’t help but think Kirksey was a really strange option for LOVIE as Mike in the Tampa 2. I kind of got it as a compromise with few resources in his first season as DC, but very surprised that he didn’t upgrade him last offseason at the first available opportunity.
 
welsh texan said:
Can’t help but think Kirksey was a really strange option for LOVIE as Mike in the Tampa 2. I kind of got it as a compromise with few resources in his first season as DC, but very surprised that he didn’t upgrade him last offseason at the first available opportunity.
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Agreed. Though they did sign him to a team-friendly extension which allows them to get out of the contract with minimal dead money.
 
Texansphan said:
Iirc, Noah Sewell is a Mike. The job of the mike is to enforce the middle - let the Will and the Sam take care of the sideline duties along with your edge guys. If you employ just two LBs, each is charged with his side primarily, but lends assistance when needed to the other. If you only employ two LBs, then you likely have the extra safety in to sneak down and lend a hand - or your CB.
Click to expand...
I misspoke in another post. Of the draft picks I liked, I would use Campbell at Mike, Sewell at Will and Miller Jr. at Sam.
Sam is on the strong side of the formation and is used to cover TEs & RBs out of the backfield. Will gets to freelance a bit more, blitzes more often. The Mike is your run stuffer and middle of the field coverage guy in zone. The Mike needs to be very athletic and very smart. Campbell is that guy.
 
TheRealJoker said:
Pratt, like Fred Warner , was a converted safety turned MIKE.

Edmund’s player comp when he came out was Urlacher (who was also a converted safety). You have to be able to cover like a DB to be the MIKE in this defense imo. And while Simpson has all the skills in the world. I’d rather fill this need with a ready-made product in Edmunds or Pratt who will also provide much-needed veteran leadership to the defense (especially mentoring young stud Harris like DeMeco did Cushing).
Click to expand...
Urlacher himself says he mostly played safety. New Mexico has him listed as LB & WR. Crazy.
Brian Urlacher College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
 
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