How can you say that? John Abraham is a single-dimensioned blindside pass rusher. Mario has the size and strength to play on the strongside and stuff running lanes. Mario may never be the same caliber of pass rusher as Abraham, but there is more to a DE than pass rushing. Abraham is a better player now, but MW's potential goes WAY beyond John Abraham IMO.
I don't think even Kubiak could resist passing on Bush and Peterson back to back years. IF Carr does not pan out this season, the Texans have to SERIOUSLY start thinking about finding a replacement. With Kubiak there to groom them from the start...guys like Quinn/Brohm/Stanton should get a look. But if Carr plays well (like he has the past 2 games), I would like to see us add some talent to the secondary or the OL. 2 sleepers could be Troy Smith and Michael Bush. I know there isn't any draft talk right now but Smith isn't being mentioned with the guys mentioned above in terms of the NFL. Also, if Bush falls to the 2nd because of his injuries...he would be a perfect fit for this system.
I am going to buy a full page ad in the Chronicle urging the Texans to take Kolb! DRAFT KEVIN KOLB FOR AMERICA
Its pretty clear that if the Texans want to win now they're going to need to kick arse in the free agent market this year, rather than in the draft.. here's an interesting link listing the best FAs for 2007.. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nfl/freeagentsOL.html I'd love for the texans to get ANY of those 3 tackles listed... Max Starks (OL, Pittsburgh), Leonard Davis (OL, Arizona), Mike Gandy (OL, Buffalo) Davis is money, Gandy has a lot of potential, and Starks must be doing something right up there in P-burg... There's also some really good LBs and DTs going to be available this summer, too.
Add to that Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed both have rings. A safety that can cover and play the run are very hard to find. Keep in mind we play Indi 2 times a year and have to have great secondary play. I think texans go FS with first pick and CB with second. Strong and weakside LB will be addressed in the offseason.
And he was the only one ever, and has been average at best, when he's not getting arrested. Think the skins would like to have that one back and have maybe Tommie Harris, DeAngelo Hall, Ben Roethlisberger, Jonathan Vilma, etc.? Polamalu was drafted 16th, Reed was drafted 24th -- how does this justify using a top five pick on them? Rather it seems to show the exact opposite. Spending a top five pick on a safety when you can get a good one later in the first round is not a great idea. I guarantee you the texans will not draft a safety in the top five next season, name your price, I'll give you odds, whatever you want.
Bush will most likely be getting a medical redshirt and come back to complete his senior year next year. He wouldnt have much to lose, and a whole lot of draft status to gain. But if he doesnt get a redshirt granted, or he decided to come out, I would REALLY hope the Texans take him.. the guy is a monster and quick as lightning.. its rare to see that combination of size and speed, but he has it in spades.. probably wouldnt have to give up a first rounder for him either.
Sorry bro but you obviously have serious Mario Williams blinders on. Call Abraham whatever you want but he's been one of the best pass rushers since he's entered the league. He also causes a ton of fumbles and can drop back into coverage if need be. Williams would be lucky to have the career of Abraham. Abraham is one of the best defensive players in the league. In terms of the draft, too early to tell. I'd like to see AP, Troy Smith, Brandon Merriweather or a great OL. We don't need another receiver right now. Johnson has played very well and Moulds has caught anything thrown to him. We can always scoop up a veteran WR like Moulds if we can't keep him. I love how everyone feels Mario was a lock to go secobd. Brick had a 50/50 chance and VY was always going 3. No way to tell though. I wouldn't be mad that we picked Mario if he would show me something.I just don't see what some people on this board see.
They are starting to talk about Smith a lot more. I've heardfirst roundfrom everyone. His only negative is he's 6'1 but he does everything well. I think he's easily in the top 10 by the end of the year. Bush will depend on the combine but McGahee went in the first so I doubt it will be any different. I lie the two players you mentioned though. No weakness at all. If you could get AP and somehow Troy Smith we'd be unreal
Also, I like Sean Taylor. He'd be perfect here. His off the field problems seem to be a concern but that dude makes plays. Huge hitter and that's what we need.
In defense of the Taylor pick, he was probably the most highly ranked safety coming out of the draft since a guy like Ronnie Lott or Roy Williams (both went 8th overall) Unless you have a pick in the top 3 or so I'd say its pretty reasonable to think that most teams are going to use their picks on the best player at a position they need, not the best player overall. and as we saw in this past draft, even with the #1 overall pick, the texans took the guy they thought was most talented at the position they most needed help at. The skins needed some DB help.. there were a lot of people on this BBS (myself included) who were hoping Taylor would be available at #10 in 2004, and I believe he'll be a probowler before its all over.. if he doesnt screw himself over before that. But I agree, I dont see a safety going top 10 this year in the draft. Merriweather is the best shot, and he'll likely end up bottom of round 1. In fact, Michael Griffin may pass him before this season is over with.
Huff is an interesting case because almost all the analysts were predicting he'd play corner in the NFL.
Taylor is a quintessential Miami Cocaine player, but to say he's average is stretching it a bit. The guy lays some nasty hits and would improve the Texans secondary 10 fold. 2004 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, and one sack 2005 70 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown
For the highest drafted safety ever, I'd have to say that's a disappointment, especially considering that several of his counterparts have played in pro bowls by now I guarantee anybody who wants to bet, whatever you want, that it is more likely the Texans draft Ryan from Briscoe High with a top 5 pick than a free safety in 2007 with a top five pick.
I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you. I think there would be a debate if there was a FS worth taking in the Top 5, but there isn't. I also don't agree with saying that teams don't draft FS that high, guys like Lott and Roy Williams were drafted pretty high and they've turned out to be elite players at their position. Huff could be the next to follow (7th pick). I don't think its a matter of being able to find them later in the draft...its just that other positions (QBs, RBs, WRs, DEs) are usually the marquee players in drafts and for most cases concerning the lottery, FS's are usually not a team's immediate concern, but it's not to say they are not worth the pick.
I think that's the same difference though, I'm not saying their not worth it, but if the market's perception is that they're not, then you're better off going with teh crowd and maximizing value - even if you think young Ronnie Lott is an HOF player, if you're confident you can draft him at 24 instead of 4 due to market percption, you'd do it in a heartbeat.
So then it's agreed by all parties above, if we are targeting a FS and we are in the top 5, we trade down.
If they're targeting an FS after giving up 8 zillion sacks and having a punchless running game for the 300th year in a row.....lol god help them.
