i definitely think the mathews angling was pure conjecture/wishful thinking on mclain's part - but he's been definitive they're going defense for some time and i'm simply wondering if that's maybe them feeding him some info to throw people off their scent. they seem to do a pretty decent job at keeping their plans under wraps so i'm dubious (a bit) of mclain. assuming they liked mendenhall... i'm not a big draft guy but wells and moreno both seem like big-time talents to me, whereas the defensive guys slotted in the 15-20 range don't seem as sure a things, maybe a little overvalued/rated... and then i keep thinking about how terrible, terrible, terrible we were in the red zone last year........ i mean that may very well be a bigger priority than any other.....
And the two USC LBs (Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing) are still projected for the first round, even though they tested positive for steroids (which is a performance enhancement drug). Thus, Harvin who was stupid and smoked weed before a drug test looks to be paying a price for that, while Matthews and Cushing) not so much.
Wells and Moreno were highly touted NFL propsected going into last season but the hype really died down after their teams had sub-par seasons and especially since they did not run good 40 times. Wells would be a very nice complimenty but he seems a bit injury prone, I really have no qualms with Moreno. But looking at the other "big" backs in the draft, I think guys like: Andre Brown: 6-0 224lbs Shonn Green: 5-10 227 lbs Rashad Jennings: 6-1 231lbs could all be available in the 3rd and I think we'd be able to get the same type of production out of those guys as a complimentary back as Wells or Moreno
Matthews and Cushing's positive test has not been confirmed, it's the same source that broke Harvin but Harvin and his agent have not refuted it while as both Matthews/Cushing have. We'll see what happens after the results come out.
Yea McClain definately has a personal infatuation with Mathews that could even rival his love for Anna Megan Riley. Hell i think if Orakpo or Jenkins were there at fifteen, and somehow Matthews lost an arm he would still think the Texans would pick him. I like Matthews and would be all for the Texans drafting him, but its hard to get insight from McClain at what were gonna do with our first pick because of his bias.
Mancrush nepotism. McClain was (still is) a big Bruce Matthews fan and just wants another Matthews in town to write stories on, even if it's Bruce's nephew.
Steelers Release Gary Russell 17th April, 2009 - 10:28 am Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - The Steelers have released running back Gary Russell, who scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII. Russell made Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie in 2007, and was the team's short-yardage back last season. http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/11773/20090417/steelers_release_gary_russell/ This could be a nice pick up as second RB behind Slaton ... I like Russel, he has a lot of potential.
Russell couldn't have been making a lot of money in PITT. I wonder why they released him? They needed to clear up roster space that early? I agree though, he should be in consideration for mop up duty behind Slaton.
http://www.bengals.com/news/article...ty-signs/ff55d0fa-2d82-4807-ac03-3e7200eb4415 The man who scored the Steelers' first touchdown in their February victory is the newest Bengal and it could impact next week's draft. Cincinnati picked running back Gary Russell off waivers Friday after he played in 15 games last season, including the postseason, and had five rushing touchdowns. The 5-11, 215-pound Russell was cut Thursday when the Steelers re-signed backup quarterback Charlie Batch. Russell averaged 22.3 yards as Pittsburgh's kick returner, a spot the Bengals are seeking to fill with wide receiver Glenn Holt's departure in free agency. Russell was thought to be emerging into a productive big back heading into his third season in Pittsburgh. If the Bengals had been seeking Cedric Benson's backup in the draft, they may now feel they don’t have to expend a pick there with Russell in the fold. At least maybe not a high one since his strength is viewed as a zone runner that would fit into some of what the Bengals do. It also impacts the roster, particulalry if the Bengals continue to keep just three running backs, along with a fullback. If Russell arrives as advertised, that would leave just one spot behind him and Benson. That puts former No. 1 pick Chris Perry, veteran Kenny Watson and a rookie that flashed late last year, James Johnson, in a free-for-all. The Bengals pursued Russell as a college free agent after the 2006 draft before he signed with Pittsburgh. A Columbus, Ohio native who prepped in-state at Walnut Ridge High School, Russell got time in a University of Minnesota backfield that included NFL starters Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber. Russell rushed for 1,130 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2005, but didn't play in 2006 after flunking out.
Walterfootball's 6 round draft is like the my dream draft for the Texans: # 15 Houston Texans: Clay Matthews, OLB, USC # 46 Houston Texans: Max Unger, C/G, Oregon I think this pick makes a lot of sense for the Texans, who could use help at both center and right guard. Max Unger, able to play both positions, fits the team's zone-blocking scheme perfectly. # 77 Houston Texans: Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama The Texans' secondary has been an abomination for years and has always missed a ball-hawking leader. # 112 Houston Texans: Javarris Williams, RB, Tennessee State The Texans really could use a power back to complement Steve Slaton. Pick change; previously Andre Brown, RB ( I preferred Brown) # 122 Houston Texans: Terrance Taylor, DT, Michigan Adding a powerful nose tackle would really improve Houston's bottom-10 run defense. (Rob Rang thinks Taylor may go undrafted, Mike Mickens could be there at this pick) # 152 Houston Texans: Henry Melton, DE, Texas The Texans signed Antonio Smith, but they still need a pass-rusher across from Mario Williams on passing downs. Henry Melton just ran a 4.64 at his Pro Day. Pretty impressive considering he's 269 pounds. # 188 Houston Texans: Courtney Greene, S, Rutgers Could push Dominique Barber in training camp, but he'll provide solid safety depth. If you want to cherry pick, Delmas and Chung are both available at #46, but Johnson could be Demeco at S. And as I said I think Andre Brown is the pick for our big back, huge and fast and a one cut runner. Other than than that, I hope he's right on .... but thats about a 1 in a million chance. http://walterfootball.com/draft2009.php
I just hope we don't draft Matthews or Cushing with our first pick. I would rather hold out for someone like Jenkins or trade down.
If Jenkins is on the board at #15, the Texans will take him. With that said, I don't think he'll make it past the Saints. Also, the drug test results from the combine is being released today. There could potentially be some HUGE shakeups.
This mock has us drafting Earl, so I'm cool with that. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=ages2/090420 15. Texans: Earl Campbell, RB, Texas Team needs: safety, defensive tackle, running back Running back isn't an urgent need for the Texans, but how can they pass on a homegrown human wrecking ball who commands total attention from opposing defenses? Campbell doesn't possess blinding speed -- he runs a 4.6 in the 40 -- but his 5-foot-11, 244-pound build and 36-inch thighs allow him to plow over opponents. He will provide a bullish counterpart to the elusive Steve Slaton. Campbell rushed for 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns at Texas. Said Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer: "Earl Campbell is the greatest player that ever suited up. He's the greatest football player I've ever seen. Billy Sims is human. Campbell isn't." AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky: Despite all their defensive needs, this amounts to a no-brainer -- a Texas Longhorn transforming into a Houston Texan. With Campbell's power and Slaton's speed, Houston could have an all-time backfield. It wasn't hard to pass on Dan Wilkinson, Russell Maryland and Buck Buchanan. There was no safety on the big board to consider, and the linebacker talent will be good enough later.
I'll say that pick at least brings to question Beanie Wells at 15. I think the O would dominate with Wells and Slaton. The offensive lineman's best friend is the big back that can hit a smallish gap with speed and power. It turns stalemates into gains.
It seems good for the Texans that a lot of guys who seemingly would not be Texans targets, Macklin?, are now thought of as sure fire top ten picks. Still hoping for a trade down for more picks and BPA in the first, would be happy with Wells if it meant acquiring an extra pick or two.
Sheldon Brown believes the Eagles need to renegotiate his contract, which has four years remaining. Team president Joe Banner says otherwise. “They said it's 'counterproductive.' My response to that is 'Who is it counterproductive for?' I don't care how it affects them. If somebody wants to deal, it's going to be good for that team.” - Eagles CB Sheldon Brown on his trade demand and team president Joe Banner's reaction http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=4085707 Brown wants out ... maybe we could trade for him? Can we swap Robinson for Brown? Or isn't that possible because of the franchise tag on Robinson? Let's face it Robinson isn't happy anymore ...
you can trade robinson - but why would you deal him for another contract headache with a player that's 3 years older?... they're better off keeping robinson. i hope robinson comes to his senses here; he's not handling this well at all, IMO. maybe he's getting bad advice from his agent?
