First...I think the problem is more than the DC. Just to make that clear. But...since we've decided to keep Kubiak and Smith and simply hire a DC... I don't have a problem with Wade, as long as he's the product of an honest search. The (arguably) worst defense in league history deserves attention...and I'd THINK, as captain of the ship, you'd want to do a search to get ideas. To figure out who fits best. Maybe that will happen...but I doubt it.
Don't trade Mario......recognizable face of the franchise and a good defensive player. Why would you trade him for draft picks when we haven't been able to do crap with our recent picks.
that's really going out on a limb there to say that one of the worst defenses of all-time will improve.
"Lastro". Man, your football takes are so good. I can't believe you're stooping to this drivel concerning baseball. I suppose my responses to some of these topics can come off as "super touchy", and that's my fault. Look, there *are* legit criticisms of McLane, especially the dumping of Hunsicker (or however it was that that actually played out), the misappropriated spending, and the failure to invest money on hard-to-sign draft picks (the *ONLY* place where the word "cheap" is remotely applicable). I don't mean to say the guy was above reproach. Just that the "cheap" label that Houstonians throw around really, really irritates me because it's entirely inaccurate. So inaccurate, so greatly and easily disproven by even a *casual* look at the actual facts, that it's just stupid to even utter that. Legit criticisms (though the second may be more on Purpura) LOL are you kidding me? We GOT to the WS. Trust me, getting there is much harding than winning it. Then you weren't watching very closely. No, he promoted Purpura, a move that no one--at the time--had any problem with based on his excellent performance at his previous post. Incorrect. The Astros were trying to reload around what was a solid, excellent group of veterans (built, tyvm, on McLane's watch). The error was that they kept trying to build around that thing when it was long dead and should have been dismantled. I hear you, and I respect your opinion as well, though I think mine is more accurate. EVERY franchise keeps revenue in mind. It's a business. But if you don't think they were committed to winning, why did they bring in Clemens, Pettitte, and Lee? You don't really think the thought was that *Lee* would generate ticket sales, do you? Which is a comparison. An invalid one, IMO.
i'll say it again. anyone who compares mcnair to drayton deserves a swift kick in the nuts and then a series of swifter kicks to the taint.
With the 11th pick of the draft, the Houston Texans select Von Miller, OLB from Texas A&M University. I love the 3-4. I have my doubts about Wade, but man if we get the right players for this scheme (doubtful), the defense really could be something.
We better be getting atleast 2 first rounders and a second for Mario. I would be really hesitant to trade Mario. He has shown to be one of the best defensive linemen when healthy.
There's a reason you don't see me in the Astros threads. I'm a disenchanted former follower. There's zero need for me to troll them, like a certain unnamed Schaub hater or two Titan lovers do with the Texans. If the Astros right the ship, I'll be happy to watch them again, and I think they took a step in the right direction this past year.
Draft: I still think you HAVE to take Prince or Peterson if they slip to #11 (unlikely)(Jenkins?). Past that, I'm more concerned with the line than the LB corps....but a FA NT is a better bet (none to be found in the draft) and I wouldn't put Ryans in the lineup yet, even in pencil. Cushing (I) and Barwin (O) make sense.....I think Bentley or Sharpton will be okay inside. I keep seeing Dareus and Fairley march up the board in mocks, which stinks. Watt, Paea, and Ayers are other other options..but none would be a NT and I think Smith already takes one end. Mario has the other unless they attempt to put him as a WOLB. I hate the thought of trying to convert both Barwin and Mario as OLBs...especially since I have zero faith in either covering the TE or flat. Given how pathetic our secondary is, this is begging for disaster. Yeesh. They won't be, but the Texans have to shine in FA if they want to fix our glaring issues at DT (NT), CB, and S. We'll be lucky to get one of them solved in the first round. I'd be more inclined to look at LBs in the second. I don't see his trade value being that high, in fact, I don't see many people outside the Brady/Manning class that would bring in that return. I think a (mid) 1st and 4th, a (low) 1st and 3rd, or a (mid-low) 1st and future 2nd might be the best offer we'd get. He's now two years removed from his SUPER Mario seasons (2007, 2008). Tiny slip last year, hampered and disappointing this one. 50 tackles and 12 sacks would get you a prime draft pick return. 28 and 8 and nagging injuries...teams will be hesitant. Again though, I don't see McNair moving such a big name of the team. I don't think it will go well, but I believe they'll try and see if they can get him to work as an end or WOLB.
That is the risk you take in trading a talent like Mario. If you had NE's braintrust then I think you take the risk because while they haven't hit on 100% of their picks, their percentage has been good in the draft. With this front office, it can be a concern. If you blow the picks and Mario goes on to even equal his current performance, it would be a killer.
Well you're definitely not gonna get that type of return for Mario. He has suffered various ailments throughout his career and has only remained completely healthy for a season or two at best. Even when healthy, he has shown that he has the capability of being one of the best lineman but has yet to prove it on a consistent basis IMO. Mario's box score will always look pretty good but anyone that watches him knows that it comes in spurts. It was the same thing in college and he's carried over with him to the NFL. He has the capability of absolutely taking over a game (which he has shown multiple times) but will also completely disappear for 3-4 game stretches.
Not in love with the Texans - never have been. Interested observer. However, I did watch Wade closely while he was the Cowboys' coach and I must say that those here and in the media who are already spinning this as a good thing because of his record as a defensive coordinator are setting themselves up for a huge disappointment. The Wade they are getting is not that same Wade as his teams have gotten worse as time passes. This is a no chance of success scenario: they simply don't have the personnel to play the 3-4 - not on the DL or at the LB & CB spots. Look at how poorly the Cowboys performed on defense under Wade with far superior personnel yet the Texans' company line would have us to believe that he can turn things around in a year with this group of underachievers. Well, good luck with that one. McNair just made a classic Bud Adams' type decision so I expect the results to be also in the classic Adams' mold (MAJOR FAIL). I see this move setting the Texans back three years as once Kubiak get axed next year, it will take the new coach another two more to right this ship - if it's still a ship by then.
Any new DC that comes into Houston is going to look good when you had the worst defense in the league the previous year.
