He picked Poe and Wilfork, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The cowboys could've had J.J Watt but they too an offensive lineman instead so I give him the benefit of the doubt with nose tackles
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Texans&src=hash">#Texans</a> have also agreed to terms w/DT Louis Nix. So, unless I'm missing someone, that's six picks with deals so far. Rookie camp tomorrow.</p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/statuses/467167026965147648">May 16, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nix dropped because of injury concerns. Having said that, what happens if the guy can stay relatively healthy? I mean, at his best, he's pretty difficult to guard one on one...and there is no way a team can dedicate two blockers to him given that Clowney and Watt need extra attention. This line can be devastating...absolutely devastating. Please stay healthy, Louis.
Nix 5 technique apparently needs a lot of work. Crennell and Kollar are paying a lot of attention to him
Nix really shouldn't even be tried at the 5 tech, he's a nose tackle meaning a 0 or 1 tech and I don't think he can do much else.
There is absolutely no reason for "Nix" and "5 technique" to be in the same sentence. His strength will be at 0 or 1.
Ah, I think the confusion comes from a tweet that was talking about BOB working with the 5 techs and the NT and that during that time Nix looked poor when it came to his technique. Simple mistake.
Agreed, it's too soon, but on paper I love what they've done to rebuild the D-Line. There is some serious roadblocking beef for the early downs, and plenty of options for who you put in for 4 man fronts. That you can put Watt virtually anywhere on the line in a nickel formation and have Clowney's quickness and one of the massive tackles/ends around him....best wishes trying to scheme away to double and contain him. Hopefully Mercilus takes a big step forward. He's got to be better, especially if he's got a line (and Clowney) freeing him up for constant opportunities to make plays.
If Mercilus can stop blowing by the QB off the edge, and force plays in the pocket, this D-Line has SERIOUS potential.
Neither Brooks Reed or Merc were worth a damn last year. Reed probably goes to ILB and Merc is battling it out with Travardo for a starting job. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Williams ended up the starting OLB and Merc came off the bench.
At the start of this offseason, I stated that the new Texans regime must embrace an identity. This mgmt and coaching staff decided that the quickest way to get back to relevancy is to shore up the defense and surround JJ Watt(our youngest superstar) with talent. The addition of Clowney started that process. But i think the real impact at how successful our LBs will be is going to be based on if they can be disruptive inside with Nix. If the Texans set up situations like 3rd and 10 or worse for the opposing teams, I dont know how OC's are going to account for both Watt and Clowney and risking a LB coming up untouched from the inside on delayed blitzes...I really expect the Texans LBs to have a great season. Granted they can stay healthy, our defense should be very good.
Mercilus and Clowney play the same side OLB, while Reed plays the other. FWIW Travardo struggled last year in TC before he got "injured".
I'm not sure how much it matters. Everybody you mentioned is a converted college DE. I'm not sure Reed was ever really a great fit at SOLB, but he was a rookie when we were converting Mario to WOLB and Barwin was starting at the opposite side. When Mario tore his pectoral muscle, Barwin switched sides and Reed filled in on the strong side. He's just stayed there ever since. You'd think that a college DE would be better suited to WOLB because it's more similar to what they're used to. But since all of our OLBs are converted DE's, everybody has to adjust to the position.
