Still major questions on Defense. The nose tackle is a big concern. Ryans and Barwin are coming off of injures. Who knows what Cushing we'll get this year. Also, don't know how well he'll be at ILB. He wasn't too hot trying to fill in at MLB last year. If Quin moves to safety, he'll be playing a new position and we'll have unproven cornerbacks (one being a rookie?). Nolan starting at the other safety? Hopefully some of this will be addressed in FA. If Glover moves to safety, we still need another one and we definitely need a vet CB to come in and be one of the starters. So, I'm glad we addressed the D in the draft but I don't know how much it helps THIS year. At this point, pre-free agency, I'm not expecting them to make a big leap up to being the 14th-16th ranked D. I'm expecting more of the 20th-22nd range. Will that be enough to make the playoffs? I say no. If we land an Asomugha or a Wettle then maybe I'll change my mind.
They succeed in the draft but that won't mean **** if they ignore free agency! Time to see if one of the WORLD'S most valuable sports franchises can open up it wallet for some playmakers on defense AKA Asomugha
Quinn/Nolen? I think there's no way Shiloh was drafted to start as a safety in the next couple of seasons
In free agency, you can pick up starters that aren't stars. I assume the Texans will look at scheme appropriate journymen. Jim Miller keeps suggesting that the Texans might sign Gerald Sensabaugh, and to me it makes sense. He's the type of saftey with corner skills that they want, and he played in the scheme last year
Glover at FS. Nolan at strong. The secondary coach wants the safeties to be twins so it doesn't really matter who is who.
I expect the Texans to at a minimum kick the tires on Dawan Landry of the Ravens and/or Eric Weddle of the Chargers to play safety. Honestly, they would be at a minimum average at the safety position if they add either of those players. At corner I am sure the Texans will talk to Asomugha of the Raiders, but I expect him to cost too much... too bad, he is the BEST corner in the NFL and can literally shut down half the field, he would be a HUGE improvement for the Texans. Jonathan Joseph of the Bengals and Taylor of the Steelers are both possible. However, Taylor is neither are really #1 corners, but both are above average. I don't know if the Steelers will resign Taylor if the Texans over pay. Lets hope they stay the hell away from Cromartie and Routt... both of those guys would get KILLED as #1 corners. My gut tells me that Joseph is the corner they end up with unless Wade Phillips has convinced McNair he can win the Super Bowl with Asomugha.
I do not know the origin of this.... But on the Cowboys fan forum a few people have made mentions to Marcus Spears and Gerald Sensabaugh (both free agents) as intending to sign with the Texans.... IMO the Cowboys will retain Sensabaugh but probably not Spears. Spears would be a good player to have while building the 3-4 in Houston.
I guess I'm the optimist, but after this draft, I think there is hope for our defense. I seriously doubt Shaun Cody will play more than a limited role at nose this coming season. We'll see a combination of Watt, Antonio, and Mario on the defensive front. Some schemes Mario might go to OLB, and when that happens, we'll see Earl Mitchell or Amobi, which is just fine. Watt, Antonio, and Mario will get the vast majority of playing time on the defensive line, though. Having those three guys alone on the defensive front will make all three of them better. Mario is going to look like a beast next year, because teams are going to have to go one-on-one on him most of the time. Our linebacking core is rock solid. Yeah, Demeco Ryans might not be exactly himself when he comes back. Yeah, Cushing may never be what he was when he was a rookie. Yeah, we haven't seen much of Barwin. I don't care. Barwin tore it up as a pass rusher last season. Brooks Reed looks to tear it up as a pass rusher. A half-strength Demeco Ryans and Cushing in the middle are better than most linebacking corps in the league. If you get all four of our guys playing well, coupled with the decent depth we have behind them, and you have yourself one of the best young linebacking groups in the league. The secondary concerns me, obviously. Is Pollard coming back? Doubtful. Keo apparently plays like Pollard anyways. I'm curious to see what these guys can do with some actual coaching though. Put Kareem at free safety (where I think he'd excel). Keep Quin at corner, with Harris and Carmichael, then sign a veteran (Asomugha probably won't come here) like Joseph. Give that group some coaching, coupled with a revamped pass rush, and they won't look half as bad as last year. The secondary is my only area of concern, like I said. But Wade is coaching for a job here. So is Kubiak. Our defense will be fine. Our offense will be great.
Quin is the one talked about at safety by the Texans. I think the 3-4 is going to take time to implement which could be difficult if the lockout takes out training camp.
I believe he's already been released. It's clear that the coaching staff has made up their minds to move Quin to S. Wade's system is starting to shape the roster. He firmly believes that his front 7 is so disruptive to the offense that pressure isn't too high on the secondary (QBs can't drop back and look for downfield routes). This has me wary that the Texans may not look to put a lot of money in their FA CB and S. Both safeties are going to be cover safeties in this system, so Keo doesn't look like he'll be on the field much, outside of special teams. I liked Quinton Carter as a partner for Quin, but maybe they will surprise us and pay for Weddle or Huff. Sensabaugh would make sense as a low cost guy that Wade would vouch for. I'd really like a serious #1 CB, but if Wade is making McNair happy telling him how there's no need to pay an Asomugawa (shades of Kubiak selling McNair by telling him there was no need to pay for a high dollar RB)......I think Ike Taylor may be our high mark target. I believe it may turn out that Mario does not transition well into this new scheme and Watt will need to start opposite Smith. I hope I'm wrong. I think Cushing and Ryans will be great as ILBs, assuming Ryans makes it back at least 90%. I don't think that is remotely a given. I think if the offense comes back healthy, including the guys like Tate that goose-egged the season, they will be beating folks down with an improved defense giving them more of a breather and a few extra turnovers.
I understand. I was just stating my opinion that Kareem would be better served than Quin at safety. I think that our new and (hopefully) improved pass rush should help out the secondary, but anyone is a fool if they think that the pass rush will be disruptive enough game in and game out as to not warrant a number one corner. Best Case: The Texans sign Asomugha, the rookies preform well, everyone takes to the 3-4 and we're in the playoffs competing. Worst Case: We don't sign anyone, rookies have little impact, offense is still great, and we win like 7 games. McNair still keeps Kubiak and Wade to "give them their fair shake together."
Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith said he expects CB Kareem Jackson to show a steady improvement next season because of the playing time he received this season and the amount of help defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will give. "I think his growth will be exponential," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "He learned a lot last year. He knows he didn't perform the way he wanted to or needs to. He's committed to doing that." Read more: http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=71...eem-jackson-to-show-improvement#ixzz1LL9i5an2
No kidding, I had to highlight what he wrote in order to see it, even then I gave up and stopped reading his post....eye strain...no bueno.
