Trading down doesn't happen often because those teams are usually terrible, have alienated their fanbase, and need a new face of the franchise. Texans are unique in that they suffered an improbable down year (for whatever reason) but still have a substantial portion of their core AKA we don't need to take a huge risk. We have some obvious holes to fill and a new QB, DE or LB would be nice, however none of them have a "can't miss" aura. I'm inclined to believe the management will recognize this and trade our pick to Minnesota*, or whoever, and try to reload rather than rebuild. I honestly believe the difference between us finishing 2nd and the division and dead last in the league was simply the stink of Schaub, Kubiak and Reed. Had any of these problems been addressed on time, we may be looking at the wild card instead of effin Teddy Bridgewater. *Mariota removing his name only amplified other teams' willingness to trade up for a QB
Keenum's ability to recognize Blitz protections comes with time, but I think a lot more his problems stem from the fact that he doesnt use the line as much and ventures outside the pocket a bit too much. He needs to be a bit more patient. Colin Kaepernick might become a special talent, but that OLine has a punishing run game. Baltimore won a title bc their OLine gave Flaco time to throw deep, this season not so much... Agree, but to think that any prospect coming out this year is worth a #1 pick is overstretching it too... No doubt we need a QB. But are we supposed to find a race car driver to drive a broken 95 Ford Taurus? A player like Bridgewater would be expected to start the first game of the season. But if that season turns out to be a disaster, what does that do to a young QB? Does our city have patience for more years of futility till we become relevant? What about the older stars: Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Arian Foster??? I never stated that if a top flight QB was available, you pass on it. On the contrary, I stated that there is zero guarantee that Bridgewater is a sure fire star prospect. No one is coming out and saying that. How can we expect that kinda change here? Luck was best prospect in college football. With RG3 close behind. Everyone was clear that these two were cant miss players. None of this years QB's appear to have that team changing persona. If that is the case, the Texans should just draft the best player/prospect in this year's class, which imo is Clowney.
If the Texans draft Clowney - and he's more Peppers than Williams; if they can land a legitimate upgrade at RT; if Foster and Cushing both return healthy... I mean - am I crazy, even with Keenum, thinking this team could win 9+ games next year (assuming they make a smart, competent head coaching hire)?
too many ifs for me to see that are remotely probable. any team can do a worst to first thing...we've seen that. certainly not IMPOSSIBLE. but i also certainly wouldn't bet on it, either.
Sure- but Foster's recovery is the only one that feels long shot-ey, IMO. Cushing will be back; Clowney is a beast; and finding a right tackle isn't *that* hard... We could make a laundry list of problems facing the Texans - but I really think their greatest obstacle is Kubiak: he has run his course here and the players have moved on. It doesn't mean they're not playing hard; it's not even an indictment of him as a coach. They just look like a team in "yeah, yeah... we get it" mode - they've heard the same speech for 8 years and they've officially tuned it out, not doing all the little things that teams have to do. It happens. A lot. Look at Tampa Bay with Tony Dungy, as just one prominent example that shoots to mind. IOW, if they do NOTHING else (beyond a decent draft) but replace their HC... I honestly think they'll be a better team next year. IF.... Cushing is healthy, Foster is healthy; if they have a better-than-decent draft... I think they'll be back in the 9+ wins neighborhood.
On the offensive side, the key is the running game (regardless of whether it is Foster, Tate, or whomever). If there is one thing that Kubiak can do, it is design an offense around an effective running game. The Texans beat the Colts (who went onto win the Super Bowl) with a team led by David Carr and had Ron Dayne running the ball. Shoot, the Texans stayed close to the Patriots last week with Case Keenum and Ben Tate who ran for over 100 yards. There were times when Baby Shan was here where Schaub could get hot and try and steal you a game, but the running game taking off is what made this team a juggernaut the past two years with a healthy/productive Schaub. The loss of the right side of the OL and drop off in play from both Brown and Smith on the left side really hampers what the team can do offensively. That cannot be understated. Regardless of who the coach is next year, if they don't fix the OL and return to some semblance of health and productivity from the LBs to improve the pass rush, the Texans are toast.
Playing close in the NFL is an incredible illusion. This is a league of parity. Most games are close from week to week. Honestly, that's what makes this 10 game losing streak seem even worse...in a league of immense parity, the Texans haven't figured out how to end up with more points than their opponent in the last 10 games....and it's been a downward slide since Thanksgiving 2012. Again, it's certainly POSSIBLE. But I wouldn't bet on it. Or say it's probable.
Greg Cook made a good point on the radio earlier in saying that Matthews has to be considered as an option. Should we get a coach who doesn't run a zone blocking scheme, we have only 2-3 lineman capable of making that switch.
What has Bridgewater done to prove he's any better than Keenum? There is a QB in this draft that is hands down better than Case. There are plenty of players in this draft that are better than the Wade Smith, Derek Newton, Kareem Jackson, Shilo Keo, Brooks Reed, Antonio Smith, etc. You want to win the Superbowl you build your lines. Drafting Bridgewater over Clowney is making the same mistake the Texans made with their 1st draft.
OMG - Bridgewater looked amazing in the last TD drive!!! Amazing!!!!! 4th down and 12 and you gotta see the run. The kid has been under massive pressure all night. He has got to have the crappiest offesive line of any top college QB. Anyone who thinks this kid can't run is an idiot. He avoids the sack like very few before him and still throws accurate. I'm sold. Go Jags!
i have no opinion on this matter. i just hope the FO gets it right. tired of hearing different people just repeat the same bs over and over they heard someone else say another forum.. this was impressive though, the 4th & 12 he picked up prior to this play was impressive as well..
