Is it time to start thinking about drafting an offensive lineman in next year's draft, or pursuing o-line talent in free agency? With Duane Brown out, we really struggled, and our right side of the line has performed poorly all season. If we're stuck with Schaub, then we need to at least protect the guy, that would help a lot.
Absolutely. Newton is not the answer at RT, and Wade Smith seems to be on the way down (32 years old). Jury is still out on Brandon Brooks, but addressing LG and RT would be good.
First, Kubiak needs to come down to reality and realize he's not a miracle worker when it comes to lineman and realize that this scheme cant hide the blemishes that exist on the line.
Wade Smith has been the worst offensive lineman this year. I have constantly seen him get blown off the ball.
I agree. Newton woud be a decent reserve, but as a starter he's been a liability since day one. The OL has to be addressed this offseason, preferably early in the draft. If it were my team, I'd be looking at DL/DB in 1st and OL in the 2nd and 3rd. I'd also bring in a vet FA, and take several flyers on late round and undrafted rookies. Give your QB every single tool that he needs to succeed. And if he continues to flounder, the decision will be simple.
Newton and smith have been horrendous. Brown was really bad too, but maybe that was he turf toe? Brooks has ctuakky been pretty good IMO. Myers has had to compensate for smith a lot
It's about time people start getting on his *** I understand he's a young player but he's really shown nothing for me. They need Brown back, even with one foot he has to be better than both of our tackles. Brooks is no tackle, but I'd be interested in seeing how he does starting at RG a time or two. I want the right side to be that side it used to be that the Texans loved to run behind again
Last night in watching the Raiders/Denver game I was reminded of the terrible decision we made when we let Winston and Briesel (who is now w Oakland) go. With a decent line last year I think that could have made a big impact, and now this year it's a clown show out there.
Briesel, yes. Winston sucks, it was the right time to let him go, they should consider the same with some guys now.
There is this thing called a salary cap, so letting go of Winston and Briesel with Butler and Caldwell in the wings was not a crazy move. It just didn't work out.
Looking at it now, probably should have spent that cap money on a proven vet vs Reed. The defense has not really looked all that different without Reed, will need more time though to say that with certainty.. If Reed has one more year left in him then he's obviously worth what we pay for him.
Well we did draft both Williams (RT replacement), Ben Jones (C replacement), and Quessenberry (G replacement), but Williams and Quess are on IR, which removed a lot of competition and future prospects. Remember that Newton is coming off knee surgery, it may take him a bit to get his legs underneath him again. Those two injuries to rookies did hurt a lot. Edit: Brandon Brooks is the real deal. This guy can ball, along with Brown and Myers (usually).
Kind of hard to get a "proven vet" quality o-lineman. Even then, you end up overpaying for a guy like Winston (who was never worth his original contract, thus he's been cut twice since), or Briesel (Again, overpaid and now on a team that doesn't even run a ZBS anymore). Your best scenario is to develop through the draft... and hope you can get a good system that's easily picked up upon and cohesive enough.
yes. when matt is not under pressure, he is way more accurate with his throws. i know, captain obvious, but it's true! plus, it's always won and lost in the trenches.
Well you can it's just the cost of them. It's not like they never hit the market, Titans nabbed one in Levitre this past offseason. I may have to re-look over who the FAs were but at the price they signed Reed could have provided relief enough for them to develop someone better. In the end It's up in the air I Guess. Because otherwise we'd be trusting Keo/Swearinger in big spots instead of Newton. Hopefully Reed comes through when we need him though.
