Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Welcome to Houston EJ Speed

cland said:
Interesting signing. It's pretty low money and could be depth, but I have a feeling this is not good news for Harris or Pitre getting a second contract.
Click to expand...
Harris ($3.1M savings) and/or Pitre ($2.7M savings) could be cut this year. It would be tough to part ways with Harris given the promise he’s shown, but the injury bug may lead to a tough decision. Has there been any updates on him? Pitre has had some big moments with key plays, but I can see the potential for an upgrade at his position.
 
The only negative I've read about him is poor tackling, but that was from the Colts message board, so there is some bias.
 
I doubt that Harris is gone, but certainly possible. I think it is a shot across Harris’ bow and Harris is he is now on notice. Harris has more upside than Speed, but he can’t stay healthy. That is a major issue. Speed had a good year in Indy, especially against the run. As I understand…he’s very iffy against the pass.Henry T is also in play to start. Azeez is the only locked in starter imho.

Apparently, Dallas wanted Speed badly, but Speed wanted to come here to play for Ryans. That’s per Aaron Wilson, who is plugged in better than anyone at the local level.

We have zero absolute stars at LB but there are four decent to good LB’s who will play 99% of the snaps barring injury.

They signed Neimann, who is a ST guy, but could fill a spot if injuries occur. And Hanson and Hill.. that’s 7 total vying for 5 or 6 spots.

With Speed on board, I seriously doubt they draft a LB. I am removing LB from my future mocks. Which opens up a spot for a RB, a corner, a TE, etc.
 
cland said:
The only negative I've read about him is poor tackling, but that was from the Colts message board, so there is some bias.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned in the Player Transaction Discussion thread, Speed is averaging 1 missed tackle per game the last 2 years and had a 10.7% missed tackle rate last year. 129 players had a higher missed tackle percentage than he did, including Pitre, who at 17.1%, had the 15th highest missed tackle percentage.
 
www.click2houston.com

Why E.J. Speed chose Texans: ‘DeMeco Ryans, big part of decision,’ ‘They’re right on the cusp’ Goal: ‘Pro Bowl or bust’

New Texans linebacker stays in AFC South after long run with Colts
www.click2houston.com www.click2houston.com



HOUSTON – E.J. Speed weighed several key personal and business elements as he contemplated an important life and football decision, reflecting deeply as he navigated free agency.
Ultimately, the veteran former Indianapolis Colts starting linebacker and Tarleton State standout found a comfort zone through his conversations with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans combined with the lure of returning to his home state of Texas and joining a defending AFC South championship squad built to contend.
 
It's not a trade. I love it. We know what DeMeco can do with LB's. He's a decent LB now...possibility to get more juice out of this guy and become a plus level starter. He says his goal is to make the pro-bowl this year. I don't think it's likely, but I wouldn't rule it out in this defense. He'll have a lot more support here around him, plus a HC that knows what it's like to be that guy on the field.
 
badboy said:
Not sure why you think I am complaining? I just posted the facts. I rather like the trade.
Click to expand...

I just see people nitpicking it like you're going to sign a first team all-pro for one year and five million. He picked Houston over Dallas mainly due to DeMeco. Would be nice if he flourished under Meco like Cashman did. Probably asking too much, though. Still really like the move. It gives a boost and added depth plus experience to the defense and special teams.
 
Meh. I mean… I love him but I’m off the Al-Shaair “leadership” bandwagon after he tried to imply racism with his suspension. We need him to simply be a player and we need to find someone else to lead that team.
 
cland said:
Gotta get a MLB who can cover the opposing #1 WR. :boxing: I do think that Azeez Al-Shaair has a talent in the form of directing the defense as a whole.
Click to expand...
Nah, you need someone to get to landmarks and have awareness in the passing game. Just be avg coverage and be a good tackler. Jimmy Ward played the nickle better than Pitre by a long shot. 0 just isn't good going backwards. I'm not saying Speed is Urlacher in coverage, I'm just saying they need to get alot better in that department.
 
leebigeztx said:
Nah, you need someone to get to landmarks and have awareness in the passing game. Just be avg coverage and be a good tackler. Jimmy Ward played the nickle better than Pitre by a long shot. 0 just isn't good going backwards. I'm not saying Speed is Urlacher in coverage, I'm just saying they need to get alot better in that department.
Click to expand...

I just remember the defense as a whole played better when it was Shaair in the game as opposed to To'oTo'o.
 
NitroGSXR said:
Meh. I mean… I love him but I’m off the Al-Shaair “leadership” bandwagon after he tried to imply racism with his suspension. We need him to simply be a player and we need to find someone else to lead that team.
Click to expand...
Where did the 'he tried to imply racism with his suspension' come from. Tried to look it up and all I found was:

No Evidence of Blaming Race:
There's no evidence or reporting suggesting that Al-Shaair blamed his race for the suspension.
(Google AI)
 
cland said:
Where did the 'he tried to imply racism with his suspension' come from. Tried to look it up and all I found was:

No Evidence of Blaming Race:
There's no evidence or reporting suggesting that Al-Shaair blamed his race for the suspension.
(Google AI)
Click to expand...
www.forbes.com

NFL’s Azeez Al-Shaair Apologizes For Viral Hit On Trevor Lawrence—But Criticizes ‘Racist And Islamophobic’ Attacks

A hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sparked an on-field fight Sunday and apology Monday morning.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
 
NitroGSXR said:
www.forbes.com

NFL’s Azeez Al-Shaair Apologizes For Viral Hit On Trevor Lawrence—But Criticizes ‘Racist And Islamophobic’ Attacks

A hit by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sparked an on-field fight Sunday and apology Monday morning.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
Click to expand...

Did you read the article? Azeez "called out "racist and Islamophobic" attacks he's received since the play." That's not him implying racism was the cause of the suspension, that's him reacting to the social media attacks on him after the suspension! And I have 0 cause to believe that he wasn't lit up with that nonsense. Blaming the suspension on racism is immensely different than speaking out against hate speech on social media.
 
cland said:
Did you read the article? Azeez "called out "racist and Islamophobic" attacks he's received since the play." That's not him implying racism was the cause of the suspension, that's him reacting to the social media attacks on him after the suspension! And I have 0 cause to believe that he wasn't lit up with that nonsense. Blaming the suspension on racism is immensely different than speaking out against hate speech on social media.
Click to expand...
Exactly!
 
cland said:
I just remember the defense as a whole played better when it was Shaair in the game as opposed to To'oTo'o.
Click to expand...
That's not saying alot. To o to is what a 2nd yr guy vs a 6 yr guy? There is also a reason Azeez came off the field in SF because Kinlaw was the better player, not just Warner. In Tenneessee he made a lot of tackles, but was bad in coverage
 
leebigeztx said:
That's not saying alot. To o to is what a 2nd yr guy vs a 6 yr guy? There is also a reason Azeez came off the field in SF because Kinlaw was the better player, not just Warner. In Tenneessee he made a lot of tackles, but was bad in coverage
Click to expand...

Umm, Kinlaw is a DT. Not sure where you're going there??? And To'oTo'o made a lot of progress in his 2nd year, but until he can direct an entire defense effectively I'm sticking with Azeez. There's a reason that he's a captain.
 
cland said:
Umm, Kinlaw is a DT. Not sure where you're going there??? And To'oTo'o made a lot of progress in his 2nd year, but until he can direct an entire defense effectively I'm sticking with Azeez. There's a reason that he's a captain.
Click to expand...
To’o To’o wore the green dot at Alabama. He also wore it when Azeez was out this season.

I think his ceiling is being a comparable player to Azeez. I actually think if he would have played in his rookie year like he did last year they wouldn’t have bothered signing Azeez and just ran with To’o To’o as the Mike.

They both fulfill that intangible role of getting guys in the right spots on the defense.
 
TheRealJoker V2 said:
To’o To’o wore the green dot at Alabama. He also wore it when Azeez was out this season.

I think his ceiling is being a comparable player to Azeez. I actually think if he would have played in his rookie year like he did last year they wouldn’t have bothered signing Azeez and just ran with To’o To’o as the Mike.

They both fulfill that intangible role of getting guys in the right spots on the defense.
Click to expand...

He was the substitute-captain. :winky: But yes, DeMeco likes for his defensive calls to come from the MLB.

I'm glad we signed Azeez, and I think this is the perfect situation for any position really. Having a vet who's very familiar with the defense and having the young guy To'oTo'o learning behind (or alongside) him to take over when his contract is up, is exactly where you want to be. The one thing with DeMeco that I'm least concerned about is proficiency at LB.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top