1. Left Tackle It doesn't matter if Spencer comes back or not, we need a premier left tackle. If Spencer comes back, he can easily be moved to right guard and him and Winston form a wall over there. The only real keepers I feel we have on this line are Winston and Pitts. McKinney is long in the tooth. Weary, Salaam, and the backup center, they are garbage. Studdard should be playing now and we have to get a top flight left tackle from somewhere. 2. Defensive back Gotta be a starter, not a nickel back, a top flite starter. 3. Outside linebacker with speed and brains enough to get in the backfield and cause problems but also effectively cover backs and ends in the passing game.
I think both safety's are weak. Faggins is HORRIBLE. We could use an upgrade over weaver but that is not too pressing. Both OLB's should be upgraded, although a single stud would be acceptable also. LT is a need. and a better RB would be nice, not sold on Green. WR # 2 used to be a problem but I dont think it will anymore with the emergence of jacoby and andre davis.
I think our receiving corp is set with the emergence of KW, AD, and Jones. That is 4 wides that can run routes and catch it. The DB and OLB issue go together. I want one premier DB and one premier OLB to facilitate balance. We still aren't generating enough pass rush. We need an OLB with killer speed that can get in the backfield and create havoc along with the DB.
You're right about needing a LT, but you couldn't be more wrong about the rest of the line. Weary is the best lineman we have right now, followed closely by Winston. They should form a solid right side for several years. There's a reason you haven't heard Weary's name much this year...it's because he's doing his job. Pitts is not a keeper. He's committed more penalites and killed more big plays than anyone on the line this year, and he's just not cutting it, period. Couple that with the slow-footed Salaam, and the left side is pretty bad. I'm optimistic about Chris White at Center...they wouldn't just keep a 3rd center around for nothing. Other than that, we just need a bona-fide free safety. Hutchins isn't an every down player, and CC Brown, Boulware, and Earl are all better suited as strong safeties.
I think a lot of Pitts problem is the guy next to him. I think he's a quality lineman. I think you are giving Weary credit simply for not committing penalties doesn't account for the fact that our running game is atrocious. Watch him run block. Not good.
I opened this thread up and immediately pressed cmd+f and typed "vince". I'm both shocked and impressed that nothing came up. Kudos!
1. LT 2. CB 3. RB I think Von Hutchins has been pretty good at FS, definitely good enough to take FS off our greatest needs list.
Offensive line has been the biggest need since DAY FREAKING ONE of this franchise's existance. Its why they actually had a press conference (as silly as that was) to give Tony Boseli his Texans jersey, and the media was all giddy, predicting (poorly) that he'd be back by week 4 and all would be well in the world. And when that fell through, they proceded to do NOTHING about the line for five years... except stop-gaps and overpay for questionable players (Todd Wade?) instead of building it through the draft with quality 2nd and 3rd round picks. Finally, when the new regime comes, they almost insntatly make the effort... and get Spencer and Winston... and low and behold, they're both starters (when they're not injured). The only thing I caution you guys with is that the "dominant" LT in today's NFL is almost always a first round (and usually HIGH first round) pick... they're not just sitting out on the street begging to be picked up.
Texans greatest need is a UT alum so all of those UT douches can finally shut up about Vince. In fact, I doubt that would stop all the Vince Nut-riding.
