YoungTexanFan
All Pro
Does anyone knowledgeble think we might move tj outside to DE when we rotate him in. i personally dont think he will be able to anchor our line but i have my hopes up. the draft next year for dt's looks really deep.
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TJ a possible DE?
- Thread starter YoungTexanFan
- Start date
texasguy346
Mod Squad
The most likely scenario would have TJ rotating in to give either Walker or Smith a breather at DE, but it's not out of the question that TJ would be able to give Payne a breather by coming in to play inside. He spent much of his college career playing directly over the center so he should be comfortable there. However, with his quickness and pass rushing ability I feel he is more suited for playing DE. The Texans will also bring him in when we go to nickle or dime pacakges where we have Walker and TJ inside as DTs, and use Peek/Babin/Wong as DEs. I have a feeling that as the season progresses we will see more and more of TJ.
TheOgre
All Pro
I think we took TJ instead of Spears because of his versatility. He can rotate into any position on the line. Also, if we ever go to a 4-3 (which might happen if Capers doesn't get the job done), then TJ will make a good DT. Doubt that was a big consideration for CC when he drafted him, but it is something to keep in mind.
I remember seeing various pieces of info in mocks and other sources about TJTheOgre said:
those months leading up to the Draft, but I would usually see more things about Spears when it came to the topic of Defensive tackles. Certainly if the
paper or other publication was local or regional, it would tend to feature covererge about Spearts over other Dlineman because of him being an LSU
guy, which of course is nearby. Also, its coming out that TJ was strong last
year, but his career in general was not as impressive as other Dlineman.
But I'd have to disagree about versatility because I've read that besides being
suited to play in the 3-4, Spears could play End in the 4-3 while I've never
read that TJ has good potential to play End in that formation. So when you realize that the 34 downlineman are basically all tackles (even thought they
call them DEs, you know he's basically a tackle. But since he's more of a pure tackle than Spears, he could also play Nose. So given its very, very unlikely we convert the D, I think we have the best guy for our system. Of course all bets are off if the incumbant coaching regime changes.
TheOgre
All Pro
nunusguy said:
Most 3-4 defensive linemen project to 4-3 DT's. That is not always the case though. Spears projects as a pure DE in the 3-4 and can play DE or DT in the 4-3. TJ is just the opposite. He projects as someone that can play NT or DE in a 3-4 but is basically a DT in the 4-3.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
TheOgre said:
been out for a while
still trying to digest the Texans draft & specificly the 1st round pick of TJ. but of all the statements made the one above by Ogre reflects just why they went TJ instead of Spears most succinctly. also this was a case of need over bpa or bpa for need. for now TJ will be in 3rd & 4th down situations, also in back-up for the Big Three should one go down. as he gets stronger and use to the NFL, the Texans scheme and its players he could very well see limited NT time depending on match-ups. long term as Ogre states he will be a cornerstone DE in the Texans 3-4 
jacquescas
Veteran
he is gary walkers replacement plain and simple.
YoungTexanFan
All Pro
the reason i asked this question was because next year i feel is the year we really fix the d line. everyone is concerned about the o line. tj seems like more of a huge rusher. the 3-4 NT isn't supposed to rush the passer very much from what i know, he is just supposed to tie up two gaps for the lb's. next year we can get the NT out of oregon that we all wanted before he decided to stay in school. there are soo many NT's that we could use next year if tj is our end of the future.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
Haloti, Ngata, 6-5, 345, Oregon may very well be available when the Texans pick & solidify long term the defensive line-
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerprofiles/dt/halotingata.html
http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/prospects/ngatah.html
but here is the more likely prospect out of Oregon to be selected high in the first round, Tim Day or TD. He is massive for a TE at 6-4 268 and is a converted Guard so he not only loves to block he knows how to block. As the Texans needs go it will depend on Bennie Joppru's recovery, I'm hoping BJ has a sucessful 1st season with the Texans and we can go with a NT like Ngata. but if not don't be surprised if the Texans select a TE next year named TD
www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/01/415d8381d7789
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerprofiles/dt/halotingata.html
http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/prospects/ngatah.html
but here is the more likely prospect out of Oregon to be selected high in the first round, Tim Day or TD. He is massive for a TE at 6-4 268 and is a converted Guard so he not only loves to block he knows how to block. As the Texans needs go it will depend on Bennie Joppru's recovery, I'm hoping BJ has a sucessful 1st season with the Texans and we can go with a NT like Ngata. but if not don't be surprised if the Texans select a TE next year named TD
www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/01/415d8381d7789
LikeABoss said:
I thought Walker was one of the players on the cut list about 2-3 months ago but people shot that down. I still think if he doesnt do what the Texans want him to do this season he is gone. As of right now i wouldnt put anything past Casserly with Sharper, Foreman, and now Glenn being released. So if i was Walker this means he needs to have a really good season.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
royce1054 said:
The difference between the Sharper, Foreman and Glenn situations vs. Walker's situation is all in the cap effect. With Sharper, Foreman and Glenn the Texans saved money on the cap this year in each instance. With Walker, they would actually take up more money by releasing him than keeping him--$4.04 mil for him to play this season, $9.19 to release him. Basically what you would be doing is paying $5 mil of cap space in order to free a roster spot. In 2006 he will still be cheaper to pay than release cap wise--in 2007 he will be in Glenn's situation--some savings, but not a whole lot.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
there are lots of possibilites, the one I'm most excited about is the possibility the Texans for the 1st time have some qualtiy depth on the defensive line. seems like a major need has been addressed and all anyone can think of is the Texans overpaid to reach this point 
one thing for sure is Gary Walker will have an impact on Travis Johnsons development, dicipline & workout habits. I'm firmly in his camp that he will have a positive affect on his rookie protege similar to Glenn's teaching Dunta Robinson to become a legitimate NFL starting player
also don't discount the possibility that Payne may not be able to play at full strength for awhile and that Robaire Smith would move to the nose with Walker & Johnson on the ends
one thing for sure is Gary Walker will have an impact on Travis Johnsons development, dicipline & workout habits. I'm firmly in his camp that he will have a positive affect on his rookie protege similar to Glenn's teaching Dunta Robinson to become a legitimate NFL starting player
also don't discount the possibility that Payne may not be able to play at full strength for awhile and that Robaire Smith would move to the nose with Walker & Johnson on the ends
beerlover said:also don't discount the possibility that Payne may not be able to play at full strength for awhile and that Robaire Smith would move to the nose with Walker & Johnson on the ends
I think that is one of the main reasons that Johnson was drafted. I dont think the Texans are sure on Paynes knee. Plus i think they wanted to add depth in the D-line. (esp pass rushing depth)
off subject..... doesnt it seem like we got rid of all of our run stoppers in Foreman and Sharper to and replace them with ok run stoppers in Wong and Greenwood who are better cover men. I just hope our run D doesnt suffer from this move.