Usually start one every year but have fallen a little behind. Couple notables: Stephan Paea - 49 Bench Press Reps (Combine Record) Julio Jones - 4.39 Forty; 11.3 Broad Jump; 38.5 Vertical Von Miller - 4.53 Forty; 10.6 Broad Jump; 37 Vertical Marvin Austin - 4.80; 38 Bench Press Reps Marcel Dareus - 4.94 Forty Nick Fairley - 4.82 Forty A.J. Green - 4.50 Forty Paea would have been a lottery pick before his injury, could be a huge steal later in the 1st. Julio and Von had unbelievable showings. Von apparently looked pretty raw during LB drills but he solidified himself as a Top 10 pick IMO. Julio really helped himself today and could go in the Top 10. Apparently Ayers' stock took quite a hit as he was running in the 4.8 Forty range. Also, Fairley measured a little shorter and lighter than expected.
As I mentioned in the Draft thread, I really want the Texans to snag Marvin Austin. His work ethic and character were questioned at UNC, but he has all of the tools necessary to be a very disruptive force in the middle. Mammoth build, quick feet, and great technique. I think he's going to be an All-Pro in this league for years to come.
Work ethic is one of those things that raise red flags for me. The Texans clearly are not the type of organization that bring the best out of players, and Kubiak is not a fire and brimstone kind of coach that will get guys motivated....Marvin Austin is a freak of nature, but a bad work ethic is something I don't think the Texans can fix. The guy has to come in ready to play for this team to be good. Amobi Okoye, Frank Okam, and even Mario Williams to some extent are all guys that were labeled with questionable work ethics, and I really don't sense any change in them on that front. Mario has had injury problems, so that could be the reason why he's so hot and cold, but the other two DEFINITELY haven't shown anything....Okam to the point of finally being cut.
Okam and Akoye are not even in the same neighborhood as Austin in terms of athleticism. Okam was never labeled a top-flight physical specimen, and was selected in the later rounds. Akoye was very immature, and just never had the "IT" factor. I'm still baffled to this day as to why we selected him 10th overall. 2007 was arguably the weakest DT class in the history of the NFL. Like you said, Austin's a freak of nature. He possesses Mario-esque gifts, that just cannot be coached. Wade Phillips has worked with a handful of All-Pro linemen, and Austin would be an ideal candidate to serve as the anchor of the Texans' revamped D. I would invest a great deal of time in to the interview process, and really get a feel for this kid's drive and coachability. Who are the other legitimate DT prospects that the Texans should have their eye on? I really haven't been following the pre-Draft analysis too closely, but caught some combine action this morning.
This is a good thread, but I am going to put it in general football, because I think it will get better play there. I will leave a redirect in TAD.
Was going to post the same thing in the original post. The guy has all the tools to be an all-pro DT. He'd definitely would have been in the mix as the Top DT had he not gotten caught up in the agent-gate scandal. His work ethic is definitely a HUGE concern as fryeball posted but if he's still around in the 2nd, I think it's a risk definitely worth taking. Fairley and Dareus are likely to be gone by #11. Paea is a later 1st rounder due to his injury but he's someone to keep an eye on IMO, especially since we trade down quite often. He'd be a perfect NT for Wade and crew, as strong as they come and also plays with some fire.
Julio Jones' numbers could make someone want to jump up to 11. If we could move up it looks like a move up inside #6 would be worth it. Peterson, Miller, Dareus, Bowers, Fairley, Green A team above us wanting a QB might move down a little to save some cash.
would be absolute steal in the 2nd round. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ee2cWddxHdI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I thought I saw someone say that Miller ran a 4.6 40 at some point today. That's just frightening for anyone who doesn't land him in the draft. That being said, I have no interest in giving up anything significant to move up the board. I'm still hoping we can swing something like Aldon Smith + Rahim Moore in the first two rounds.
Newton and Gabbert measured out incredibly but neither looked all that great during drills apparently. I definitely wouldn't want to draft either in the Top 10 but Bills, Titans, and Skins need a QB bad. Newton - 6'5" 248; 4.59 Forty; 35 Vertical; 10.8 Broad Jump Gabbert - 6'4" 234; 4.62 Forty; 10 Broad Jump
4.53 in the 40, 37'' vert, and 10'6'' broad jump. I watched him run in the combine (he posted an unofficial 4.46), and Rich Eisen and the NFL Network crew were absolutely drooling over him.
Julio Jones may crack the top ten as well. Chances are the Texans will have mo better defensive options at their pick.
LOL Travis Johnson. My ideal pick in the first round would be Julio Jones. I've been saying this forever. He has legit speed, size and can block just like our system entails. His combine 40 is just extra incentive to draft him number 11, if he isn't gone already. Also, I like Paea for our NT. 48 benches!!?? Wow, that's strength that cannot be taught or developed. I just don't see the point in reaching for another corner when there are so many proven ones out on the free agent market. This free agent class has to be the reason Houston left Dunta walk with no regret. If only Von Miller could fall..
DB's are up today. Will post official times as they come up, but so far... Patrick Peterson with an unofficial 4.32 Forty.
Cam Newton looks awful throwing the ball. Like Tebow bad. Ryan Mallet looks real good, but he's got some black flags. I heard Greg McElroy aced the Wonderlic. Scored a 48.
