| |
|
|
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 16, 2008
|
|
In my opinion the Texans have had a great offseason. We signed some good free agents and didnt go out and overspend on veteran free agents and make the same mistake that teams like Washington continually make. I do think we overpaid Reeves but its only a 4 year $20 million deal instead of dishing out something like $60 million to someone like Faneca. A team is built through the draft and I believe we had a great draft and got some major steals with Slaton, Abidi, & Okam in the 3rd, 4th, & 5th rounds. We also signed some good undrafted free agents this past week which is key because even if these guys never start every team needs depth and thats what were doing there. All in all im very impressed with the new Kubiak & Smith regime and anticipate great things in the nearby future from my Texans!
|
|
|
|
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 18, 2008
|
|
Umm first of all, great avatar there TXAggie. I think Reeves is gonna be a solid pickup. The Texans are gonna use him differently then the way the Cowboys did. He fits our defensive scheme way better. I think he could suprise some people. I agree with you that you have to build through the draft and use free agency to add depth or plug holes but dont spend the big $$ on big name free agents. Okam is another guy that was asked to play a scheme that didnt fit his game his senior year. In the right system he could be a stud. Imagine the blockers he is gonna tie up for Okoye to get to the QB. This d-line could be dominant if we can avooid injuries.
|
|
|
|
|
Level:Amateur
Since:Sep 25, 2006
|
|
TXAggie you say the Redskins continually to make mistakes by overspending on vets. Well maybe mabye not. The Skins have made the playoffs 2 of 3 years losing both times in Seattle (including their superbowl appearance year). So is that a mistake? mostly likely the skins will make the playoffs again this year and yes they blew a bunch of draft picks but its not like the team was SUB .500 each year like the Texans. If not for Jville pulling their starters last game of the season the texans would be 7-9. The point of playing is making the playoffs and trying to get to the superbowl, the skins have a better shot than the texans right now so is it a mistake year in and year out??? you tell me.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 16, 2008
|
|
I was talking about a couple years ago when they kept trading their draft picks and signing high priced vets and it did nothing to improve the team. They would get all these new players every year but they hardly ever made the playoffs. That all changed when they got Coach Gibbs back and he changed the plan because Snyder would actually listen to him and then they started building the way they should by drafting guys like Jason Cambell, Shawn Taylor, Carlos Rodgers & LaRon Landry for example.
As for the Texans, the franchise is only 6 years old. It's very hard for a new franchise to improve quickly because you have almost an entire roster of young, inexperienced players and dont have the luxury of quality vets like Clinton Portis & Santana Moss. It's also hard to sign quality veterans because none of them want to go to a young team that is building for the future and will probably not make the playoffs soon.
As for playoff chances I dont think the Redskins have a better shot than the Texans at making the playoffs this year I think they have the same chance. I believe they are the same caliber type of team now but they both have to compete in the 2 toughest divisions in football. Washington is still behind New York & Dallas and on the same level as Philadelphia in the NFC East. Houston is still behind Indianapolis & Jacksonville and on the same level as Tennessee in the AFC South. Both franchises are on the way up but have to overtake those teams in front of them before they can make an impact in the playoffs.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 27, 2007
|
|
Ah yes... If only the cowgirls played full strength... if only Marion Barber hadn't rushed for a nett of 1yd... If only Romo focussed on the game and not on the stands etc... Its all a world of what ifs... Try to move on mates, bottom line we beat them fair n square, 11 on 11. We had alot of starters out too but I don't dwell too much on ifs.
Anyway, I am looking for some info on how the Texans draft went, who they took (whether on D or offense) and did they address most if not all of their needs. I read that you guys took Jacque Reeves from the Boys, he is an ok CB, he had some trying times last year but he was green, I think with more playing time he can minimise though big plays he gives up.
How's the D holding up? Did you guys add anyone new (FA or rookie) to the D-line? I know you guys struggled in the secondary with key injuries to Dunta and Earl (is it) last year, any another upgrade apart from Reeves?
I am not here to mock or pick fights with the Tex fans but just to update myself with whats happening with the team.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 27, 2007
|
|
Well, I just read the Texans draft and to answer myself, you guys did fairly well. Like always. That is one reason why I like texans, i like their draft, its smart and forward looking. I was hoping the Skins would pick him up but you guys got a player with a big upside. He is fast and can cover well. Duane Brown is a good pick, a safe one at least. He will hold the line for years to come.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 27, 2007
|
|
Sorry, something missing...
Well, I just read the Texans draft and to answer myself, you guys did fairly well. Like always. That is one reason why I like texans, i like their draft, its smart and forward looking. I was hoping the Skins would pick up ANTUWAN MOLDEN in the draft but you guys got a player with a big upside. He is fast and can cover well. Duane Brown is a good pick, a safe one at least. He will hold the line for years to come.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
|
Hey Samoa,
As far as I know, the defense is going to look similar to last year except for in the secondary. Fred Bennett will be starting at CB from week one (in my opion, he should have been last year's DROY), and Jacque Reeves will line up opposite him. Will Demps will be in there at FS from week one as well.
The only rookie that I see having a chance to win a job out of training camp is Xavier Adibi at SLB. Molden has been described as a prospect, and I think with Reeves on the team we won't have to force him into action immediately.
Strong safety is going to be interesting; I don't remember enough of Glenn Earl to really know if he'll beat out C.C. Brown. But I think we're all sort of hoping that midway through the season, Dunta Robinson comes back and transitions to FS, then Demps moves to SS. Demps is really more of a typical SS anyways. If that happened, our secondary would be so much better in coverage.
On the D-line, I think Travis Johnson will get one last shot at NT. But we did draft this Frank Okam monster out of Texas, so he'll definitely provide some competition in camp. I'm not sure how DE will wind up either. Weaver will probably win the job just because he's strong against the run and gets paid a paltry $6 million per year, but he can't rush the passer at all and will probably continue to switch out with Earl Cochran or Kalu on 3rd downs.
Most of all though, the upgrade is going to come from coaching and experience. This is a very, very young defense. Mario, Okoye, Travis Johnson, DeMeco, Fred Bennett, and Reeves are all capable of improving from last year. And our young CBs should benefit from the hiring of Ray Rhodes, who is one of the best secondary coaches in the business.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 27, 2007
|
|
Thanks Nash for the update, exactly what Iv'e been looking for, a fans perspective on the team.
Thats good, Reeves will start while Molden learns, if he is good enough in camp, maybe play nickel for now. Its great in terms of depth and hopefully they can shorten the learning curve. With Fred Bennett at the other side, you won't have to worry about that spot for the next 5 years.
Sorry, I do not know about Adibi but from your posts he sounds exciting. Was it Orr that previously held the SLB spot? I'm keeping an eye out for this kid during the season. Okam, also didn't read any info on him, anyway I really don't follow college ball and haven't read about prospects outside the 1st and mid 2nd round. If he is ready to compete with Travis, then he must be good and your D-line is going to be nasty and IMO one of the best line in the NFL. I wish we could nick some of your linemen. I'll tell you what, your front office knows how to get late round steals and the team is quite solid and young on D (with Mario, Okoye, Travis/Okam & Weaver). That is formidable and down right scary.
Does Travis Johnson have solid pass rushing skills? I am hoping the Skins can pick up a DT (not too old) who can collapse the pocket next year. Hehehe... We are not stealing your first round pick in 05 but just in case he becomes redundant. We have good run stoppers at DT but don't fare that well in the pass rush. Plus our D-line is getting old and we need to get some speed.
Thanks again.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 27, 2006
|
Nah. Johnson has one sack in the past three years. He'll occasionally bust through and make a play on a RB behind the line, but for the most part he doesn't get near the opposing QB.
He had one great game last year and got all of us excited that he might start to play to his potential, but he had a pretty bad season after that. To be fair though, he was drafted under the Dom Capers regime when we still ran a 3-4 defense. Perhaps he's just playing out of position right now.
I'm willing to give him another year, but I think most people in Houston have given up on him. A change of scenery and scheme may bring out the best in him though. And if he can avoid the boneheaded penalties, he'll contribute to whichever team he plays for.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 29, 2006
|
|
If the cowgirls decided not to take the week off the Skins would have missed the playoffs again.
|
|
|
|
|
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 18, 2008
|
|
If the cowgirls decided not to take the week off the Skins would have missed the playoffs again. Beat me to it! NICE JOB!
|
|
|
