Zeirlein's prioritized list of position needs

[Brisco_County]

From the "How did this get overlooked?" file...

Lance Zeirlein made a blog post last week that prioritized the team's needs for the draft and free agency.

It was a refreshing read for me since I'm in total agreement with everything he says, but ONLY if Antoine Caldwell does transition to center as planned. I'm 50/50 on that probability, since Caldwell's learning curve has reportedly been slow. If it's determined that Caldwell is not our center of the future --or 2010-- I would swap guard with center in this ranking.

Texans team priority rankings by position

And to complement this entry:

Top ten draft prospects of 2010

The free agent market will have very little to offer in 2010 due to CBA rules that go into effect for uncapped years. Consider that with our 2010 schedule and Kubiak's do-or-die mandate, this draft is going to be vital for the current front office in regard to addressing needs.

EDIT: I also found some good draft analysis here: draftcountdown.com

 

[Silver Oak]

great find and post...thanks!

 

[wagonhed]

I agree with almost all of that. Here are the changes I'd make:

DE - 1.5 I love Smith and Williams, and I love Barwin and Bulman backing them up. The only reason I could see us getting a DE is to play Barwin there permanently and let Bulman go when his contract expires which is this year I believe, but I rather like things the way they are.

RB - 4.0 We still need a power back even if Arian Foster plays well in '10. I don't trust Slaton, and I don't think most of the rest of us do either. This deserves a 3rd or 4th rd pick.

OLB - 2 I love our starters, and I like Bentley. Also, remember that Cato June is on the team, and I'd really like to resign him. I think he could potentially beat Diles and start at WLB. I would be disappointing in anything other than a project player from the last couple rounds.

Finally, I feel like CB and FS should be 5's. Along with G/C (depending on Caldwell), these are our greatest need positions, and in a passing league, they are too important to accept mediocrity at.

 

[Brisco_County]

I'm looking at this guy: Mike Iupati

I'd be thrilled to land Earl Thomas. Not being a Longhorn homer, but the guy is a perfect fit for our team.

I think this is the first mock draft analysis I've ever read that accurately explains the Texans' needs:

The safety position has been a perpetual problem for the Houston Texans since they entered the league. Still, for one reason or another they have steadfastly refused to devote a premium resource and address it once and for all. The team is very high on Bernard Pollard, who they picked up off the street during the season, but they could still use someone to play alongside him. Earl Thomas of Texas is only a sophomore eligibility-wise but he’s technically draft-eligible after redshirting his first year in Austin. The Longhorns usually do a good job of keeping their young players in school but there are indications that Thomas is seriously considering making the leap and if he did the first round would be well within reach. Thomas doesn’t have great size but he is very athletic and rangy with a nose for the ball and a playmaking streak. If the Texans could team Thomas with Pollard they wouldn’t have to worry about the safety position for a long time. After giving up on former first round pick Travis Johnson defensive tackle is also a need for Houston and they could use another starting-caliber cornerback as well. Don’t rule out a running back either because Steve Slaton suffered a classic sophomore slump and the depth is extremely sketchy.

Source.

 

[GP]

I don't even want to think about drafting a DT. Again.

Just move on already. You had two chances. Whiffed on both of them.

It's time to find either a good FS, a pretty sure-fire C, or take BPA at our spot.

FS and C are very legitimate needs that have not been given a 1st round treatment in this franchise's history.

And if we don't like what's there, at our time to pick, and in one of those two positions I listed, then just grab a WR or a RB or a CB or even a LB for all I care...as long as the guy is not a project-type of player who needs years to develop.

Kubiak needs to have a sense of urgency now. No more experiments.

 

[TheRealJoker]

Given the expected slim pickings in FA and the "do or die" year for Kubiak coming up I wouldn't be surprised at all if we traded future picks to either get another 1st round pick or trade up to get a player that would put us over the top.

If there is ever a year that this FO will trade future draft picks to invest in the present its gonna be this year.

 

[Lucky]

Given the expected slim pickings in FA and the "do or die" year for Kubiak coming up I wouldn't be surprised at all if we traded future picks to either get another 1st round pick or trade up to get a player that would put us over the top.

I would be totally opposed to trading picks for another 1st (see: Babin, Jason) or trading picks for a player (see: Burnt, P.). Kubiak & Smith haven't earned the right to burn draft picks.

I disagree about what's available in free agency. Bad contracts will be dumped and players will be on the market. We'll see if the Texans have what it takes to reel some in.

 

[Brisco_County]

I don't even want to think about drafting a DT. Again.

Just move on already. You had two chances. Whiffed on both of them.

It's time to find either a good FS, a pretty sure-fire C, or take BPA at our spot.

FS and C are very legitimate needs that have not been given a 1st round treatment in this franchise's history.

And if we don't like what's there, at our time to pick, and in one of those two positions I listed, then just grab a WR or a RB or a CB or even a LB for all I care...as long as the guy is not a project-type of player who needs years to develop.

Kubiak needs to have a sense of urgency now. No more experiments.

Keep in mind that those DT picks occurred during the Casserly years, of which only four players remain.

To quote the great evaluator of talent, Bill Belichick, ""Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly since he left the Redskins? His percentage is like a meteorologist."

I would definitely trust a DT pick under Rick Smith, Frank Bush, and Gary Kubiak. Other than the fact that none of them are Charlie Casserly, they earned some bigtime cred with the selections of Brian Cushing, Glover Quin, and by finding Bernard Pollard in free agency.

 

[Goldensilence]

Keep in mind that those DT picks occurred during the Casserly years, of which only four players remain.

To quote the great evaluator of talent, Bill Belichick, ""Who's been wrong more than Charley Casserly since he left the Redskins? His percentage is like a meteorologist."

I would definitely trust a DT pick under Rick Smith, Frank Bush, and Gary Kubiak. Other than the fact that none of them are Charlie Casserly, they earned some bigtime cred with the selections of Brian Cushing, Glover Quin, and by finding Bernard Pollard in free agency.

Except you omitted Amobi Okoye.

I'd hate to see us take another DT. I'm with GP. What we need is production this year period. We can't afford to take a high round project player.

 

[Brisco_County]

Given the expected slim pickings in FA and the "do or die" year for Kubiak coming up I wouldn't be surprised at all if we traded future picks to either get another 1st round pick or trade up to get a player that would put us over the top.

If there is ever a year that this FO will trade future draft picks to invest in the present its gonna be this year.

This is a good point, and I would support this decision if they moved up to get Gerald McCoy.

I would be totally opposed to trading picks for another 1st (see: Babin, Jason) or trading picks for a player (see: Burnt, P.). Kubiak & Smith haven't earned the right to burn draft picks.

I disagree about what's available in free agency. Bad contracts will be dumped and players will be on the market. We'll see if the Texans have what it takes to reel some in.

I think they've earned it. Cushing, Quin, and Pollard. Smith and Kubiak have made this team 1000% better than what they inherited from Casserly. Besides, would you be opposed to landing someone like Gerald McCoy?

You make a good point about players being dumped, but there's also the probability that those contracts are bad because the players are busts.

 

[Brisco_County]

Except you omitted Amobi Okoye.

Details, details.

Yeah, forgot about that one. But they probably learned their lesson on project players... I hope.

 

[Vinny]

I disagree about what's available in free agency. Bad contracts will be dumped and players will be on the market. We'll see if the Texans have what it takes to reel some in.

it takes some moxie but when I look at Rick Smith I can only think of Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories.

 

[gtexan02]

I wish Kris Brown was already cut and kicker was rated a 5.0.

If we bring him back next year, regardless of whethe rhe's got competition, Im going to be severely disappointed.

I don't care that he may rebound, honestly. Its all accountability, and the Texans are breeding a group of players and coaches who always believe that next year is the year that really matters.

 

[Brisco_County]

I wish Kris Brown was already cut and kicker was rated a 5.0.

If we bring him back next year, regardless of whethe rhe's got competition, Im going to be severely disappointed.

I don't care that he may rebound, honestly. Its all accountability, and the Texans are breeding a group of players and coaches who always believe that next year is the year that really matters.

I would be happy spending a high round (3 to 4) pick on the kicker from Alabama.

it takes some moxie but when I look at Rick Smith I can only think of Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories.

If I understood the joke I would probably laugh.

 

[nero THE zero]

Here's the list in order, to put it into perspective:

Offensive Guard - 4.5

Defensive Tackle - 4
Cornerback - 4
Free Safety - 4

Running Back - 3
Wide Receiver - 3
Center - 3
Outside Linebacker - 3
Punter - 3
Kicker - 3

Quarterback - 2.5
Defensive End - 2.5

Offensive Tackle - 2

Middle Linebacker - 1.5
Strong Safety - 1.5

Tight End - 1

 

[nero THE zero]

Except you omitted Amobi Okoye.

I'd hate to see us take another DT. I'm with GP. What we need is production this year period. We can't afford to take a high round project player.

Why is it assumed that DT is inherently a project player?

 

[BigBull17]

Given the expected slim pickings in FA and the "do or die" year for Kubiak coming up I wouldn't be surprised at all if we traded future picks to either get another 1st round pick or trade up to get a player that would put us over the top.

If there is ever a year that this FO will trade future draft picks to invest in the present its gonna be this year.

I wouldn't be suprised either. I wouldn't be shocked if we traded for a player primed for a run.

Like that LZ is down with an upgrade at WLB. I like Diles as a back-up/special teamer with a slightly more athletic starter at Will.

 

[gtexan02]

Why is it assumed that DT is inherently a project player?

Defensive Tackle is the most likely miss when drafting 1st rounders on defense. The ratio of hits to misses on DTs is terrible compared to other positions on the D. Many DTs are considered projects bc of it

 

[HOU-TEX]

We've had 1 flop DT and one that might be on the verge of flopping. That shouldn't mean the DT position should be over looked or taken off the draft board. It sucks the position's still an issue, but it needs to be fixed or at least upgraded.

 

[BigBull17]

We've had 1 flop DT and one that might be on the verge of flopping. That shouldn't mean the DT position should be over looked or taken off the draft board. It sucks the position's still an issue, but it needs to be fixed or at least upgraded.

Agreed. I just don't want to risk taking a 1st round DT when all signs point to it being one of the hardest positions to scout for next level.

 

[HOU-TEX]

Agreed. I just don't want to risk taking a 1st round DT when all signs point to it being one of the hardest positions to scout for next level.

Honestly, I don't think we'll be going DT in the 1st. I still think it'll be addressed somewhere in the draft or via FA. I highly doubt we'll be going into another season with Zgonina a part of the rotation. It's obvious Okam isn't going to take advantage of the situation.

 

[b0ng]

Why is it assumed that DT is inherently a project player?

It's not. Okoye was a project because he was all of 19 years old (Or was it 20?) when we selected him.

 

[badboy]

I agree with almost all of that. Here are the changes I'd make:

DE - 1.5 I love Smith and Williams, and I love Barwin and Bulman backing them up. The only reason I could see us getting a DE is to play Barwin there permanently and let Bulman go when his contract expires which is this year I believe, but I rather like things the way they are.

RB - 4.0 We still need a power back even if Arian Foster plays well in '10. I don't trust Slaton, and I don't think most of the rest of us do either. This deserves a 3rd or 4th rd pick.

OLB - 2 I love our starters, and I like Bentley. Also, remember that Cato June is on the team, and I'd really like to resign him. I think he could potentially beat Diles and start at WLB. I would be disappointing in anything other than a project player from the last couple rounds.

Finally, I feel like CB and FS should be 5's. Along with G/C (depending on Caldwell), these are our greatest need positions, and in a passing league, they are too important to accept mediocrity at.

Just curious, why do you think Cato could beat out Diles?

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

Good read by LZ, as usual. For those not familiar with him, he always has GREAT stuff around Draft time.

I think this team is light years ahead of when Kubiak started. We've got really really good players, I like where we're at, I think we're SO close... yet there are still so many positions that I want us to draft early, I can't help but miss out on a few. It drives me insane!

I want nothing more than what the Giants had with their Super Bowl run. The most dominant DL in the league. There's a pressure sack and then there's a coverage sack. I want a dominant DL that the entire league fears, that will pressure the QB the entire game all season long. But they've also got to be able to consistently stop the run. I don't know where we are with our DL right now. I don't want to spend early picks on the DE position, so that leaves the DT spot. I don't know what the staff wants though... a penetrating DT or a big run stuffing NT? The fans want NT but I'm not convinced that's exactly what the staff is looking towards. I think if we could get an elite DT, that will really help Amobi to reach his potential, it will help Mario shine, it will help Antonio... and Barwin. It will help the LB's and it will really help a mediocre secondary. I think a dominant DT will help get our DL to be elite which should be the cornerstone of our franchise.

With that said, DT's are so hard to get right. I would HATE for us to miss with that pick. Dan Williams and Brian Price are the early favorites for the 20ish spot. Can they come in and produce right away in Kubiak's "make or break" year? He's got to get score with these early picks that HAVE to produce right away.

 

[Ole Miss Texan]

It's not. Okoye was a project because he was all of 19 years old (Or was it 20?) when we selected him.

With all the hype I could of sworn he was 12... but maybe that's just when he graduated from Harvard Law and also finished Med School.

 

[nero THE zero]

Defensive Tackle is the most likely miss when drafting 1st rounders on defense. The ratio of hits to misses on DTs is terrible compared to other positions on the D. Many DTs are considered projects bc of it

That's not what was said. What was said was that a DT, any DT, is a project pick.

Project and high bust rate are not analogous.

 

[beerlover]

Defensive Tackle - 4 Mario, 16,050,000 Antoine Smith, 6,400,000 Amobi Okoye, 2,640,937, Shaun Cody, 1,800,000 Connor Barwin, 1,030,833 Already invested (based off 2010 projections) on the DL & still tied for 2nd highest priority? I'm not buying it!

 

[dalemurphy]

Good read by LZ, as usual. For those not familiar with him, he always has GREAT stuff around Draft time.

I think this team is light years ahead of when Kubiak started. We've got really really good players, I like where we're at, I think we're SO close... yet there are still so many positions that I want us to draft early, I can't help but miss out on a few. It drives me insane!

I want nothing more than what the Giants had with their Super Bowl run. The most dominant DL in the league. There's a pressure sack and then there's a coverage sack. I want a dominant DL that the entire league fears, that will pressure the QB the entire game all season long. But they've also got to be able to consistently stop the run. I don't know where we are with our DL right now. I don't want to spend early picks on the DE position, so that leaves the DT spot. I don't know what the staff wants though... a penetrating DT or a big run stuffing NT? The fans want NT but I'm not convinced that's exactly what the staff is looking towards. I think if we could get an elite DT, that will really help Amobi to reach his potential, it will help Mario shine, it will help Antonio... and Barwin. It will help the LB's and it will really help a mediocre secondary. I think a dominant DT will help get our DL to be elite which should be the cornerstone of our franchise.

With that said, DT's are so hard to get right. I would HATE for us to miss with that pick. Dan Williams and Brian Price are the early favorites for the 20ish spot. Can they come in and produce right away in Kubiak's "make or break" year? He's got to get score with these early picks that HAVE to produce right away.

While I'm not thrilled with our talent or production at DT. I'm just not sure what we need there. After all, though the guys are on the smaller side, we led the NFL in tackles for a loss. We were excellent on 3rd and 4th short yardage. So, it's hard to argue the neccessity for a big 2 gapper. Also, while our DTs weren't good pressuring the passer, Antonio Smith is very good at it when he drops inside. And, with Barwin's development and Mario at DE, not to mention Cushing's ability to rush from the edge, it's difficult to argue we need a passing rushing DT early. Also, I'm really high on Deljuan and think he does both things pretty darn well. I think the staff began to realize that also. He played a lot more after the bye week. Hopefully, he'll be healthy for training camp and win Amobi's job if Amobi doesn't step up considerably

This may truly be the year when the organization is free to draft BPA. While we need to strengthen depth in a few areas: DT, RB, OC/OG, CB?... I don't see a single spot where I see us starting someone that shouldn't be playing for a good team... So, that really frees up the draft, IMO.

 

[beerlover]

Texans need to hit on a low cost sleeper to even things out

 

[GP]

That's not what was said. What was said was that a DT, any DT, is a project pick.

Project and high bust rate are not analogous.

I think the reason dlinemen are so risky is become of the nature of their position. The physicality of their job is brutal and intense, and it happens on every snap. Snap after snap after snap...

They are locked up, most times, one-on-one with a big guy right in front of them. Linebackers and defensive backs are out in space, and so it becomes a game of maneuverability, angles, timing, and other aspects for a LB or DB. They get physical when a tackle is to be made.

Dlinemen are engaged right at the snap. They're locking horns with the olineman in front of them. It's grueling work.

So if you draft a dlineman, he's going to be lined up against some 30-year-old veteran olineman who is just way too good for the rookie dlineman to handle. Unless the olineman is a rookie himself.

But most teams have their olines pretty set, with guys manning that station for years upon years.

It's not a knock on the dlineman. He's just sorta' screwed from the very beginning.

That's what I think makes drafting a 1st round dlineman such a gamble. Because you're not drafting a 1st round dlineman to sit for two years and learn the game. He's needed ASAP. Draft an olineman, howver, and he CAN sit back and learn from the guy who's in front of him on the roster.

 

[Brisco_County]

I think the reason dlinemen are so risky is become of the nature of their position. The physicality of their job is brutal and intense, and it happens on every snap. Snap after snap after snap...

They are locked up, most times, one-on-one with a big guy right in front of them. Linebackers and defensive backs are out in space, and so it becomes a game of maneuverability, angles, timing, and other aspects for a LB or DB. They get physical when a tackle is to be made.

Dlinemen are engaged right at the snap. They're locking horns with the olineman in front of them. It's grueling work.

So if you draft a dlineman, he's going to be lined up against some 30-year-old veteran olineman who is just way too good for the rookie dlineman to handle. Unless the olineman is a rookie himself.

But most teams have their olines pretty set, with guys manning that station for years upon years.

It's not a knock on the dlineman. He's just sorta' screwed from the very beginning.

That's what I think makes drafting a 1st round dlineman such a gamble. Because you're not drafting a 1st round dlineman to sit for two years and learn the game. He's needed ASAP. Draft an olineman, howver, and he CAN sit back and learn from the guy who's in front of him on the roster.

I don't see how the position is nearly as fun as the others. I guess I'd have to play it to understand, but I'm about 70 lbs undersized.

 

[GP]

I don't see how the position is nearly as fun as the others. I guess I'd have to play it to understand, but I'm about 70 lbs undersized.

I just think you sit back and look at the three defensive areas: DL, LB, and DB.

DL is a battle on every down whether it's a run or a pass.

The LB area is the next physical area.

And then the DBs usually just run around, come through on an very rare blitz of the QB, or try to come up and stuff the run. But even if they come up to help with the run, chances are that the DL and the LBs have engaged most offensive personnel by that point in time when the DB is trying to tackle the ball carrier.

Which is why Pollard must be a LB in a DB's body or something. The guy craves the contact. He's in the hunt on every play.

So you've got four dlinemen on four olinemen, and maybe even a FB or RB in there, and possibly a TE or two, and they are just smashing it up on the line every play.

It's easy to see why a guy like Mario would not go 100%, or that he might run himself 10 yards around the QB up the field too far. You get tired of getting punched in the shoulder or gut. You're stacking up and possibly tripping over other mammoths who are falling all around your knees.

Doesn't sound like the most funnest position to play, to me.

And by the way, The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr. is a great show. The best-kept secret of TV series in my opinion.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

Texans need to hit on a low cost sleeper to even things out

While the player may not be an immediate impact player, this is one of the keys to having a quality roster. Most, if not all, really quality teams have found a late round (5th plus) or UDFA who not only is a starter, but is a clearly about average player. The dynamic is a little weird because you can't count on a specific player to be that guy, but because of the time it takes to get high draft picks across all position you need a handful of these picks to work beyond expectation in order to get 22 starters.

 

[Lucky]

Why is it assumed that DT is inherently a project player?

Defensive Tackle is the most likely miss when drafting 1st rounders on defense. The ratio of hits to misses on DTs is terrible compared to other positions on the D. Many DTs are considered projects bc of it

The are many more Dorseys and Okoyes than Haynesworths and Williams.

Most, if not all, really quality teams have found a late round (5th plus) or UDFA who not only is a starter, but is a clearly about average player.

Then you have the Colts, who find one in about every draft (Mathis, Bethea, Brackett, and Garcon).

 

[dalemurphy]

The are many more Dorseys and Okoyes than Haynesworths and Williams.


Then you have the Colts, who find one in about every draft (Mathis, Bethea, Brackett, and Garcon).

For us:

2006: David Anderson (7th)
2007: Zach Diles (7th)
2008: D. Barber? maybe (6th)
2009: McCain?, Casey? ( 6th, 5th)

Diles certainly is one of those players. D.Anderson is borderline... and Barber, Casey, McCain are all possibilities.


The real problem with the Texans is the list of those guys before 2006.... 0!
We had 0 successful late round picks, underperforming but expensive Free Agents, and 2 1st round busts out of those first 4 drafts/seasons.

For an off-season exercise, go through the rosters of good NFL teams and try and find one that has only 3 starters that were drafted before 2006 or a team that has 0 players signed through Free Agency before 2006.
(THERE AREN'T ANY!)

It is amazing how badly Charlie Casserly screwed this team up. It is the reason why I'm so supportive of Kubiak/Smith... Not because I'm comparing them to Casserly/Capers but because they literally had to turn over the entire roster in a relatively short time. We've all studied the draft but looking at all the young veterans acquired the past 3 years through Free Agency and Trade, you can really see the job these guys have done!

Here's a list of heavily contributing players that were drafted in the mid to late rounds, traded for with late round picks , or signed to inexpensive deals and were all under the age of 27 when acquired (All since 2006). Here we go:

Vonta Leach
Steve Slaton
Ryan Moats
Arian Foster
Kevin Walter
Andre Davis
Jacoby Jones
David Anderson
Owen Daniels
Joel Dressen
James Casey
Kasey Studdard
Chris Myers
A. Caldwell
Chris White
Eric Winston
Shaun Cody
Deljuan Robinson
Tim Bulman
Zac Diles
Kevin Bentley
Bernard Pollard
Eugene Wilson
Dominique Barber
Glover Quin
Brice McCain

That's an impressive list, IMO. All this has been done in 4 years. There was NOTHING when Kubes got hear!

 

[The Pencil Neck]

There was NOTHING when Kubes got hear!

Perhaps you've forgotten CC Brown, Petey Faggins, and Charlie Anderson. They were late round Casserly picks who contributed and even got picked up by other teams when they left.

OTOH, maybe you didn't.

 

[dalemurphy]

Perhaps you've forgotten CC Brown, Petey Faggins, and Charlie Anderson. They were late round Casserly picks who contributed and even got picked up by other teams when they left.

OTOH, maybe you didn't.

But, they aren't on the team now. My point is that you won't find another team in the NFL, certainly not a good one, that has so little left over before 2006.

Regarding those players:
Faggins was a benchwarmer this year.
CCBrown in NY is hated more than Matt Stevens was here. He replaced their starting Safety, who went down in the middle of the season. He was horrible!!
Charlie Anderson? Not sure where he is. I think he was with Miami at some point.

Anyway, only CCBrown could even make our 53 man roster. And, he would only take Busing's spot.

Actually, they did inherit a couple of decent players but injuries wiped them out: Dominick Davis, Steve McKinney.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

But, they aren't on the team now. My point is that you won't find another team in the NFL, certainly not a good one, that has so little left over before 2006.

Regarding those players:
Faggins was a benchwarmer this year.
CCBrown in NY is hated more than Matt Stevens was here. He replaced their starting Safety, who went down in the middle of the season. He was horrible!!
Charlie Anderson? Not sure where he is. I think he was with Miami at some point.

Anyway, only CCBrown could even make our 53 man roster. And, he would only take Busing's spot.

Actually, they did inherit a couple of decent players but injuries wiped them out: Dominick Davis, Steve McKinney.

The "otoh" part of my post was supposed to show that I was just joking.

Apparently, it failed miserably.

 

[HOU-TEX]

But, they aren't on the team now. My point is that you won't find another team in the NFL, certainly not a good one, that has so little left over before 2006.

Regarding those players:
Faggins was a benchwarmer this year.
CCBrown in NY is hated more than Matt Stevens was here. He replaced their starting Safety, who went down in the middle of the season. He was horrible!!
Charlie Anderson? Not sure where he is. I think he was with Miami at some point.

Anyway, only CCBrown could even make our 53 man roster. And, he would only take Busing's spot.

Actually, they did inherit a couple of decent players but injuries wiped them out: Dominick Davis, Steve McKinney.

Wasn't Faggins cut by the titans? Meh, either way, Faggins and CC sticking around for as long as they did was just more proof of how jacked up we were when Kubiak took over.

 

[badboy]

While I'm not thrilled with our talent or production at DT. I'm just not sure what we need there. After all, though the guys are on the smaller side, we led the NFL in tackles for a loss. We were excellent on 3rd and 4th short yardage. So, it's hard to argue the neccessity for a big 2 gapper. Also, while our DTs weren't good pressuring the passer, Antonio Smith is very good at it when he drops inside. And, with Barwin's development and Mario at DE, not to mention Cushing's ability to rush from the edge, it's difficult to argue we need a passing rushing DT early. Also, I'm really high on Deljuan and think he does both things pretty darn well. I think the staff began to realize that also. He played a lot more after the bye week. Hopefully, he'll be healthy for training camp and win Amobi's job if Amobi doesn't step up considerably

This may truly be the year when the organization is free to draft BPA. While we need to strengthen depth in a few areas: DT, RB, OC/OG, CB?... I don't see a single spot where I see us starting someone that shouldn't be playing for a good team... So, that really frees up the draft, IMO.

Your assessment is why I moved DT off my board but will look for the right FA. As most of you know, I was a huge advocate of a big monster DT & wanted BJ Raji to drop to us or his team mate in round 2. Like DM says what we have has eliminated the opponents run & a good CB and FS depth will improve the over all D.

 

[dalemurphy]

The "otoh" part of my post was supposed to show that I was just joking.

Apparently, it failed miserably.

Unfortunately, those picks were 3 of the best second day picks Casserly ever made!

 

[Brisco_County]

For us:

2006: David Anderson (7th)
2007: Zach Diles (7th)
2008: D. Barber? maybe (6th)
2009: McCain?, Casey? ( 6th, 5th)

Diles certainly is one of those players. D.Anderson is borderline... and Barber, Casey, McCain are all possibilities.


The real problem with the Texans is the list of those guys before 2006.... 0!
We had 0 successful late round picks, underperforming but expensive Free Agents, and 2 1st round busts out of those first 4 drafts/seasons.

For an off-season exercise, go through the rosters of good NFL teams and try and find one that has only 3 starters that were drafted before 2006 or a team that has 0 players signed through Free Agency before 2006.
(THERE AREN'T ANY!)

It is amazing how badly Charlie Casserly screwed this team up. It is the reason why I'm so supportive of Kubiak/Smith... Not because I'm comparing them to Casserly/Capers but because they literally had to turn over the entire roster in a relatively short time. We've all studied the draft but looking at all the young veterans acquired the past 3 years through Free Agency and Trade, you can really see the job these guys have done!

Here's a list of heavily contributing players that were drafted in the mid to late rounds, traded for with late round picks , or signed to inexpensive deals and were all under the age of 27 when acquired (All since 2006). Here we go:

Vonta Leach
Steve Slaton
Ryan Moats
Arian Foster
Kevin Walter
Andre Davis
Jacoby Jones
David Anderson
Owen Daniels
Joel Dressen
James Casey
Kasey Studdard
Chris Myers
A. Caldwell
Chris White
Eric Winston
Shaun Cody
Deljuan Robinson
Tim Bulman
Zac Diles
Kevin Bentley
Bernard Pollard
Eugene Wilson
Dominique Barber
Glover Quin
Brice McCain

That's an impressive list, IMO. All this has been done in 4 years. There was NOTHING when Kubes got hear!

This is the argument I am constantly making to people on the forums and in person. I wish more people understood this.

Casserly was tragically bad, and the worst part is that his decisions have wasted good years of Andre Johnson's career.

 

[Brisco_County]

It's easy to see why a guy like Mario would not go 100%, or that he might run himself 10 yards around the QB up the field too far. You get tired of getting punched in the shoulder or gut. You're stacking up and possibly tripping over other mammoths who are falling all around your knees.

Doesn't sound like the most funnest position to play, to me.

And by the way, The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr. is a great show. The best-kept secret of TV series in my opinion.

There's probably a hand-to-hand combat type of element that they must enjoy. It looks like Sumo wrestling, which is an admirable sport that appears to have some similar strategies.

Brisco County was an underappreciated show. Bruce Campbell could've been huge if given the right role.

 

[painekiller]

I Also, remember that Cato June is on the team, and I'd really like to resign him. I think he could potentially beat Diles and start at WLB. I would be disappointing in anything other than a project player from the last couple rounds.

quote from wikipedia

Houston Texans
June was signed by the Houston Texans on April 4, 2009 to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million.[204] He was expected to compete with Xavier Adibi and Zac Diles for the weakside linebacker position.[205] However, on August 20, June broke his forearm during morning practice, had surgery to insert a plate that afternoon and was expected to miss 6–8 weeks.[206] June had previously missed some training camp time due to a knee injury.[207] On August 28, June was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to his injured forearm.[208] He was released with an injury settlement on September 3, making him a free agent.[209]

[edit] Chicago Bears
June signed with the Chicago Bears on December 1, 2009 [210] June was signed as a replacement for Lance Briggs who had a knee injury. He played on special teams on December 6, against the St. Louis Rams, but was inactive the following week against the Green Bay Packers. He was waived on December 14 and replaced on the 53-man roster by practice squad member James Marten when Briggs returned to good health.[211][212]

June is not a Texan. He is a FA.