I can't speak on that. Have to wait to see how he looks with Harvin on the field and Russell could improve throwing the ball as well. And don't forget he was missing a big chunk of his offensive line this year. But people don't give enough credit to these QBs receiving options. Payton has Thomas, Decker, etc. Brees has Jimmy Graham on the field and had Gates in San Diego. Rodgers has a well rounded receiving core that got Matt Flyn paid. We see how Brady's numbers dropped when he lost Gronk and Hernandez. This is why I believe if the Texans want to draft offense in the first round they should draft Sammy Watkins. He's probably more of a game changer than the QBs in this draft. But we'll see what Russell does next year.
I think the reason for that is that there is effectively 2 ways to win in the NFL these days, either you build around an amazing QB like Brees, Peyton, or Brady by furnishing them with offensive weapons to complement them or you build a stout defense to crush those QB's like the niners and Seachickens have done.
Brady, Manning, and Brees are in the playoffs just about every year no matter who the supporting cast is. It's very difficult to keep a great defense together with the salary cap. They are usually there for a couple seasons then fall off when the players leave for more money. That being said it's damn hard to find a Brady, Manning, Brees, or Rodgers.
The last part of what you said is the problem. You can either hope you miracle your way into a Manning or Rodgers, or if you have the right foundation, you can build up the D and make it scary. The Texans have the foundation for what could be a very scary defense for a long time so I see that as their best way to get to the SB this decade.
I think it's a passing league not a QB league. The QB doesn't have to be great he just have to be clutch and understand to throw the ball to the guys with the same uniform on. The new rules benefit the receiver most and throughout NFL history _ more times than not, behind every great QB you will find a great receiver and or receiving core. Look at Kurt Warner... Set the world on fire with Martz, Faulk, Bruce, and Holt. He suxked in NY, but he was good again in Arizona with Wisenhunt, Fitz, and Boldin. A great receiving core and good play calling can make a good game managing QB great. And adding Sammy with Dre gives this receiving core the opportunity to be great and carry a QB. They probably would have that already if they would have drafted Patterson instead of Hopkins.
You realize the Texans hired Bill O'Brien, right? Do you actually think he's going to coordinate a run dominated offense? You have all these ideas, but you seem to neglect who the new HC is.
That's what's called a strawman argument. No one said that at all, but sure enough, your arguing that point anyway. I was talking about what the Seahawks and Niners do but that's not the only way to run a "defense based" team.
I have no idea what kind of system O'Brien will run. But a good coach can adapt. Many said Chip Kelly needed a mobile quarterback for his system to work but it worked without one. Kubiak had a system that's built for a mobile quarterback with a strong arm and tried to make it work with a quarterback who didn't fit that mold and had some success doing it, but he couldn't adjust the game plan when needed especially in the red zone. I suspect "IF" Foster is healthy, O'Brien will lean on him because when Foster is healthy he's one of the best in the league and really the only playmaker on the offense.
Andre Johnson is the "playmaker" on the offense. Foster has been good, but have you heard of an NFL running back coming back from back surgery? Just doesn't seem too promising. Kubiak's system seemed built for the running game and play action fakes, but was so very predictable. I am optimistic that we will see significant improvements, but we may have another RB.
That's why I said "IF" Foster is healthy... Certainly no guarantee. Dre is a great in between the 20's receiver. But when I say "playmaker" _ I mean guys who can get the ball ANYWHERE on the field and get in the end zone and Dre doesn't do that but Foster does (or should I say did). I see people say J.J. had a great year but we only won two games. The same EXACT thing can be said about Dre.
I'm curious to see if O'Brien sticks with the zone blocking scheme. They ran a power running scheme in New England. Foster's a zone runner, but I actually think he's talented enough to have success in a different system. We may get a chance to find out. Here's a crazy idea....resign Ben Tate and draft some offensive linemen.
Have the Texans hired an offensive line coach yet...? That may give us some type of indication of which way they will go as far as run schemes. I think a team will offer Tate more money than what the Texans can afford to pay him. I think we should draft one. It's some good running backs in this draft. Tre Mason is a lil beast and he's ranked as the 6th best running back in the draft.
So, when McNair compares Clowney to Mario Williams... did McNair have a good experience with Mario? Is that something he wants to repeat? I mean, we mostly agree that he was better than Bush and VY, but that isn't saying much. They didn't exactly seem devastated when Mario left for Buffalo. In my memory, Mario was frustrating for his inconsistency and lack of drive. I'm not sure being compared to Williams is flattering for Clowney.
JJ Watt did say if you got Clowney in a room with him that he would get him on his work ethic. I think Clowney will be a beast, but is that our biggest need? Nope.
I'm sure being compared to the Texans franchise sack leader who was given the largest contract by a defensive player in the history of the NFL after being drafted with the first overall pick who is averaging over 10 sacks per 16 games played is a real insult to a college player....
Just like he did with Sam Montgomery? The idea that we should just build a super elite defense to prop up our QB is silly. Sure defenses can win championships, but QBs make dynasties.
Yeah what a "silly" idea....only that's how 3 of the last 4 QB's in the SB the last 2 years got there.
Mario had a garbage defensive coordinator and a garbage defense around him as well. But these are the same fans who say "Well we got J.J. and only won 2 games" so I can understand why some of them think Mario was garbage.
