I was hoping we'd trade down. Im sure he'll be productive. 3rd round. What's the time frame? 7:00 pm?
It wasn't a bad pick, but there were players that would have had more of an impact still on the board.
ESPN Insider's take on the pick: Houston Texans (from New Orleans): Travis Johnson | DT | Florida State Scouts' take: Houston probably would have added either Demarcus Ware or Shawne Merriman if either was still available, because improving its pas rush is a priority. But both players were already gone, so this pick makes sense. In our opinion, Johnson is the best defensive tackle available and he should provide excellent depth, which is critical because both LDE Gary Walker and NT Seth Payne have had some problems staying healthy. Johnson has the burst and closing speed to develop into a productive situational interior pass rusher. He's also big and strong enough to defend the run when he lines up at defensive end. Mel Kiper's take: The Texans need to get bigger and better up front on defense, and Johnson will help with that. He improved immensely from his junior to senior seasons (three tackles for loss as a junior, 18 last season) and is a stout tackle who will plug the middle in Houston's 3-4 defense. Johnson can collapse the pocket or play the run and will boost a defensive line that added end Jason Babin last year.
The defensive line caused no havok last year. They were ok against the Run, but they could not create the holes for the linebackers to penetrate and get to the quarterbacks. This makes the defensive line a lot younger. Good pick for the position.
Will the Texans make any moves to get a good WR in the 3rd Rd? Or maybe a trade to get into the 2nd Rd?
I wasn't too thrilled with the trade either, but if he was the highest rated guy on the Texans board, then that's fine. I'm glad they didn't pick a RB like suggested earlier in the thread. The DL was their 1st or 2nd most need, so it's good that was addressed. If Payne and Walker can both manage to stay healthy for the most part and line up with this guy, along with a year of experience for Babin, the pass rush could be effective now. At least a nice improvement over last season.
I'm ticked off. Who the hell is Travis Johnson? I haven't even heard of this guy until today. But I am not Casserly and I am he knows a lot more than me when it comes to evaluating talent. As a Texan, Casserly hasn't disappointed when it has come to drafting. But I keep reminding myself that Casserly was the guy that picked Heath Shuler out of Tennessee with the #3 pick.
He's had some misses - aside from Carr his first draft - where the Texans had loads of picks - wasn't really noteworthy.
#99 Travis Johnson Yahoo.com scouting report Ht: 6-5 Wt: 286 Position: NG Projected as: DT Position Rank: 1 Class: RS - Senior High School: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, CA) College: Florida State Biography: Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after posting career numbers of 50/18/2.5. Played in thirteen games as a junior totaling 36 tackles. Charged with a felony count of assault in April of 2003 but the case was quickly dismissed. Started eight games as a sophomore posting 50/10/2.5. Positives: Explosive run-stuffing defensive lineman with good upside for the next level. Bends his knees getting leverage on opponents, quick off the snap and stout at the point. Immediately reads or diagnoses the action, displays solid hand technique getting off blocks and redirects to the ball carrier. Gets a good amount of momentum going up the field and tough to slow down. Slides off opponents to the inside, has the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack and wraps up tackling. Works hard to make a play. Negatives: Lacks top bulk and upper body strength for the inside. Marginal skills as a pass rusher. Analysis: Rebounding off a poor junior campaign, Johnson got his game back on track last season and progressed off of what was a terrific sophomore year. The court case of ‘03 seemed to drag on him as a junior and was not as highly ranked as he should have been coming into the season. Stands to add bulk and strength to his frame yet a solid tackle for a conventional defense and a legitimate first round choice.
That was Norv Turner's pick. He pushed Cass into making that pick then did an about face and turned his back on Shuler and blamed Cass on the pick. Cass was fired by Snyder later but Snyder later said that was a mistake and should have fired Norv instead of Cass.
