That may be so, but I think the Texans were just as happy, if not happier, with Jackson/Tate as they would've been with Matthews/Arenas (likely Arenas would've been the best CB available if we took Matthews)... and in the first instance, they landed more picks.
Why? Do you honestly believe that when two teams make a trade of draft picks(in any sport), they know exactly who the other team is aiming for? When you trade down, you are selling the position of your draft pick. You're not trading a specific player. If the Texans loved Gerhardt so much, they would've told the Vikings to go screw themselves, and picked the guy with the 51st pick. I actually liked the move. Because I don't see much of a difference between him and Tate. If there is a big difference, ZERO chance the Texans trade down unless they have a collective brain freeze.
Kubiak explained why they made the move and it makes perfect sense. They liked both running backs equally, both had traits they liked more than the other and there was a debate on which one to take. I'm pretty sure they would have been satisfied with either one. If you have the option of A) Taking one or the other at your initial spot and that's it or B) Trading down a couple of spots, still able to take one of the backs, AND getting an extra third You would have to be r****ded not to make the move. I'm sure they ran enough scenarios where one of the backs were going to be taken before they were to picked again at 58, but enough to know one would still be there (which end up being true). They may have been "surprised" that the Vikings took Gerhert but that could just be saying they were surprised that it was the Vikings that ended up drafting one of the running backs and not one of the other teams infront of them like the Steelers, Patriots, Packers, etc...They took a calculated risk and obviously knew it was going to work because they still got one of their targeted running backs. And they actually did know what moves they were going to make to get him, because they had to trade back up to 58 to draft Tate by giving up their 5th. That ended up looking really genius because Hardesty, another RB, got drafted at 59. So it's pretty safe the say, the Texans knew all the implications that were going on when they moved down
I think Andre Davis is going get cut soon. I have never been a big of is and he is getting paid too much money for his production. Now that they drafted Trindon Holliday to be the kick and punt returner, there is no need for Davis. I think Jacque Reeves needs to be careful as well. Paying Jacque Reeves $4 million dollars to be a nickel back is a lot as well but I don't see him being cut because his is really the only veteran CB on the roster.
You may be onto something here. We won't see any cuts for a while, but Johnson, Walter, Jones, Davis, Anderson, Holliday, and Dickerson is definitely one too many WRs. If Holliday proves a worthy KR/PR, and Dickerson makes the team as the 5th WR, Davis will likely be cut. Reeves spent most of last year trying to get back up to speed after that broken leg (I don't think he contributed significant playing time until week 6 or so), but when he did play he did ok, yet certainly not worth his salary. I think he'll stay around, but it really depends on how McManis, McCain, Molden, and Bennett perform. If he cannot prove himself noticeably better than at least 2 of them, he's gone.
Dickerson is well worth a 7th round pick with his physical skills. I think he is the perfect player for the practice squad as a developmental player. Kubiak usually keeps 5 WRs on the roster and I think Holliday will be part of the group along with Johnson, Walter, Jones, and Anderson. The return game last year was pretty terrible and Holliday had a combined total of four punt returns and kickoff returns touchdowns in college. He had 209 yards of total offense in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge. He fills a need and could make a big impact next year.
Actually the Texans ranked 16th in kick return average and 9th in punt return average. We didn't hit many homeruns, but we were certainly above average.
this is right, if McClain the Texans are gonna do something, it is almost a certainty that it won't happen. In fact, I cannot think of a situation where he was correct. SOmeone posted that Eric Winston quote earlier in the thread saying that McClain thinks he is an insider but is really clueless.
I think so too. He has hardly even made an appearance in the offense in the past 2 seasons. They have 4 good receivers, so they are fine, plus a lot of TEs now. Davis' return skills have been average lately and like you said, he is getting paid way too much to just return kicks. However, I would still like Jacoby to return punts, he is one of the better returners in the league. I was not shocked that the Texans were surprised. When they traded up again almost immediately after the pick, I knew that pick had taken them by surprise.
Davis filled in admirably for an injured Johnson and Walter 2 seasons ago in 07, but since then there just hasn't been much use for him. His YPC is pretty impressive, he definitely does well when called upon in the slot. But he's on the other side of 30 and we've got some young talent that needs opportunities, so he will likely be odd man out. I get the feeling we're going to see a lot more from Jacoby in the passing game this year and lot less of him in the return game. Just my hunch.
I thought Jacoby finished pretty strong last season and will definitely play a bigger role on offense, but I think his punt returning skills are too valuable to not use.
I could be wrong, but I think this Holliday kid is going to really turn heads in KR/PR duty. Jacoby can hit a homerun, but he's far too careless with the ball. I expect to see him match, if not overtake KW's production in our offense this year. I'll gladly be wrong though, because I'll take success however we can get it.
Trindon Holliday is so small man, I just fear for his life when he gets trucked by some 250 pound linebacker.
Kubiak and Smith yesterday in the post-draft press conference said that Dorin Dickerson will play WR for us and learn behind Andre Johnson. I can definitely see him becoming our own Hines Ward. He was project by many to go in the second or third round. A surprise he lasted to the seventh. Marques Colston anybody?
No, Jacoby will be focusing all on WR, especially if Holliday is the real deal for KR/PR. Last year was a WR tryout for Jacoby, pretty much, and he passed (which is why we have Holliday). And for those worried about Holliday's size, the dude played in the toughest and fastest conference in college football. I think he'll do fine in the NFL. Half the guys can't even see him, and the other half can't catch him.
Watching the Post-Draft Recap Special on ESPN: Herm, McShay, and Kiper all have the Texans having the best draft out of the AFC South while the Jags had the worst. McShay, thought we reached for Tate and is more of a finesse back, but really likes Mitchell, Graham, and both he and Kiper really like the Dickerson pick. There's a general consensus that Jackson is very underrated and will be able to contribute immediately
I think Andre Davis is definitely the odd man out at WR. We drafted two guys with return ability, not to mention we'll have a couple of guys at TE that can play some slot (Casey, Graham). I have a feeling that Anthony Hill will either be on IR or PUP for a good part of the season. He was injured later in the season last year, so the recovery will be later than OD. At CB, the writing is on the wall for at least one of Fred Bennett, Antwaun Molden, and Reeves. Molden may have the edge since he is a better special teamer.
