12.14.2010 Draftsite.com
 

12 Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6' 3" 282
44 Jake Kirkpatrick OC TCU 6' 3" 305
76 Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6' 2" 200
108 Jermale Hines S Ohio State 6' 2" 210
140 Vincent Brown WR San Diego State 6' 0" 185
172 Archie Donald ILB Toledo 6' 2" 235
203 Ted Laurent DT Mississippi 6' 0" 305


12 Marcell Dareus* DE Alabama 6' 3" 306
44 Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6' 2" 205
76 Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6' 2" 200
I am playing the 4 best cover guys, two of these guys will be CBs and two will be safeties Quin, Jackson, Smith or Dowling.
108 Pat Devlin QB Delaware 6' 4" 220
140 Roy Helu Jr. RB Nebraska 6' 0" 215
172 Alex Henery K Nebraska
203 Derrell Johnson-Koulianos WR Iowa 6' 1" 200

I want a FS and a DT with the first two picks. I could care less about who will be what, where.

I did that, If we stay in a 4-3 then Dareus is a DT, if we go to a 3-4, Dareus is a DE.

With the 2nd rounder either the new guy or one of the current CBs is moving to Safety. Quin played Safety in college, Jackson has the size to be a Safety, and Dowling, my 3rd rounder, is a safety prospect also IMO.

I want to play a couple of what ifs with you guys.

What if we get a new coordinator that runs a 4-3 (Marvin Lewis anyone?) and likes to attach.

Our CBs are young, we do need to upgrade the FS, but no one is worth a top 15 pick, so what if we go this way?

12 Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6' 3" 306 or
12 Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6' 1" 285
44 Deunta Williams Safety North Carolina 6-2 205
76 Sione Fua DL Stanford 6-2 306
108 Shiloh Keo S Idaho 5' 11" 210
140 Alex Wujciak ILB Maryland 6' 3" 255
172 Pernell McPhee DE Mississippi State 6' 4" 275
203 Alex Henery K Nebraska
UDFA Eric Hagg Safety Nebraska 6-2 210

My thinking is you would have a DT rotation of Okoye, Mitchell, Dareus/Paea, Fua. That would be some mix of quick and strong at the point.

In the defensive backfield you would have Pollard (if resigned), Nolan, Williams and Keo. The CBs would be Quin, Jackson, Allen, McMannis as a base, nice young talent with a new DB coach.

And I want to attach and attach the line of scrimmage.

I'd like to attach a few more wins to the total next year.

After the last couple of games I'm beginning to think that with this year's torching the corners are actually starting to play up to a near-NFL level. I'm thinking that it is possible that Quin and Jackson and whoever else may prove to be serviceable and this year's disaster might actually pay some dividends. A better DL would definitely help so I'm with you on DL with the first pick if that yields the best value. The DL got some decent push the last two weeks and the defense as a whole didn't look nearly as inept as it did in the earlier part of the season.

It appears to me that a couple things have happened to our defense in the last few weeks, one we signed Damione Lewis and he has gotten some push up the middle, two they have played Mark Anderson more and he has gotten pressure, and three they finally started using some exotic blitzes.

What if they had used the pressure from day one? What if we had another big bodied DT from day one? What if Barwin had not been hurt?

I think Kubiak keeps the training wheels on the defense to start the season and then lets the coaches take them off when their jobs are on the line. Man he seems to be a slow learner.

It does seem to be that way,.......and also he appears to be too loyal to his coaches as well as some players. He leans on coaches and players he is familiar with, like coaches he has been around in SF and Denver, as well as a lot of undrafted Colorado State players. IF he stays he must give up his influence on who Rick Smith would like to get when it comes to the defense. That is why I am for a President of operations person like a Parcells, or someone similar.

I thought about starting a thread on hiring Parcells to run the team, but he would not like any of our current players. IMO he would fire everybody from Rick Smith down to the practice squad players.

I like what he does to instill winning on a team, but he has not taken anyone to the Super Bowl in a long time. So has he lost his edge?

I'm leaning in favor of hiring a real GM and letting him decide who becomes the next HC like most team do it, not letting the HC hire the GM.

Draftsite.com 12.21.10
 

They have us picking at 11.

11 Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6' 1" 285
43 Deunta Williams S UNC 6' 2" 205
75 Titus Young WR Boise State 5' 11" 170
107 Zach Hurd OG Connecticut 6' 7" 315
139 Doyle Miller CB Nevada 5' 11" 185
171 Archie Donald ILB Toledo 6' 2" 235
203 Pierre Allen DE Nebraska 6' 5" 265

I could live with this draft.

my attempt

11 Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6' 1" 285
43 Deunta Williams S UNC 6' 2" 205
75 Sione Fua DT Stanford 6' 2" 307
107 Andy Dalton QB TCU 6' 3" 215
139 Eric Hagg S Nebraska 6' 2" 205
171 Niles Paul WR Nebraska 6' 1" 215
203 Alex Henery K Nebraska 6' 2" 175

What I come up with if we were switching to 3-4


11. Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC
43. Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pitt
75. Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple
107. James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
139. Eric Hagg, SS, Nebraska
171. Adrian Moten, LB, Maryland
203. Alex Henery, K, Nebraska

If we go to a 3-4 we are going to need more beef in the middle of the defensive line. And I do not see you addressing that, I know we could try to go after a NT in FA. Also Quinn is a high risk pick and size wise more a 4-3 DE IMO than a 3-4 DE. I like 300+ lbs for my 3-4 DE. I would trade Mario Williams, but not sure you will get much with him being in a rehab situation, so I will get #32 from the Pats because I would take Miller at our #11, and this mock has him at 32.

My attempt at a 3-4 draft

11 Stephen Paea DE/NT Oregon State 6' 1" 302
32 Von Miller OLB Texas A&M 6' 3" 240
43 Jarvis Jenkins DE Clemson 6' 4" 310
75 Sione Fua NT Stanford 6' 2" 307
107 Shiloh Keo S Idaho 5' 11" 210
139 Eric Hagg S Nebraska 6' 2" 205
171 Quan Sturdivant ILB UNC 6' 2" 230
203 Alex Henery K Nebraska 6' 2" 175

My 3-4 defense of the future is:
DE Paea NT Fua DE Jenkins
OLBs Miller & Barwin/Cushing ILBs Ryans/Sturdivant Sharpton/Cushing
CBs Jackson Quin Safeties Keo Hagg

This is my worst fear about converting to the 3-4. The Mario Factor is the key, can he play in the 3-4 and excel, and if not they would probably not trade him for a year after trying to answer that question. At that point his value would be diminished. In the above scenario the Patriots would be lauded as geniuses, and rightfully so, and the Texans would look like morons. And I don't think relying on two rookies safties is the way to go either.

I just think we can build a good (4-3) defense under new coaching/regime just fine with some of the personnel we already have, namely Mario. Maybe I'm wrong, but this is the thing that keeps me from the Cowher or Bust bandwagon.

I did not say that this group was the starters in 2011, but they should be solid starters by 2013. Also I am not on the Cowher or bust band wagon, I was simply responding to another posters 3-4 mock. My original cherry pick was for a 4-3. In my original cherry I went with two DTs and 2 safeties, but I do not think a guy should play until he has earned the playing time, one of my complaints against Kubiak.

I currently believe Kubiak is coming back next year with a new defensive coordinator. Hopefully someone like John Fox or Marvin Lewis. But a former HC is unlikely and I and the fans will be underwhelmed by the move.

What'd you say 'bout my draft??? J/k.

Yea, I didn't address the NT position because I think Lewis, our recently signed DT is capable. I believe Quinn is very capable of being an OLB in a 3-4. He bounced between a 4-3 and 3-4 some at UNC.

I think Paea is a harder sell in a 3-4. Fua, IMO, is a little undersized for the NT.

Seth Payne was smaller than Fua, so I'm hoping he can become a force in the middle. As for Paea he is a penetrator and that is what I want in my 3-4, that is the way that Wade Phillips runs the 3-4.

12.30.10 Draftsite.com Mock
 

8 Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6' 3" 306
40 Deunta Williams S UNC 6' 2" 205
72 Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State 6' 0" 190
104 Steve Schilling OG Michigan 6' 5" 305
136 K.J. Wright OLB Mississippi State 6' 4" 245
168 Dane Sanzenbacher WR Ohio State 5' 11" 185
199 Jonathan Cornell ILB Mississippi 6' 1" 235

Again not a bad draft, but if we go to a 3-4, do we have a spot for Dareus who IMO is a DE in the 3-4. I know we need to upgrade the DEs for the 3-4 but Mario and Antonio should be the starters at DE.

My mock/cherry pick has a trade involved in it. We give #8 & 72 for the 49ers pick at #6

6 Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6' 1" 205
40 Jerrell Powe DT Mississippi 6' 2" 330
104 Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple 6' 2" 195
136 Andy Dalton QB TCU 6' 3" 215
168 Wayne Daniels OLB TCU 6' 2" 250
199 Alex Henery K/P Nebraska 6' 2" 175

The other option is one this team is not inclined to do and that is Ngata will be franchised, so go sign him and give up the 2 first round draft picks. Having Ngata is better than any pick they could draft at #8.

Thing is we could have had Nata back when he first came out for just exercising him as our pick, BUT we didn't, and I'm not for going back now and giving up 2 future first rounders to make up for what we should have done in the first place.

Actually liked the mock, too.

My cherry pick leaving picks and scheme the same.

8. Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6' 3" 306
40. Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh 6' 4" 260
72. Michael Floyd* WR Notre Dam 6' 3" 220
104. Jaiquawn Jarrett FS Temple 6' 2" 195
136. Harrison Smith SS Notre Dame 6' 2" 212
168. Mike Mohamed ILB Cal 6' 3" 235
199. Brian Maddox RB S. Carolina 5' 11" 228

My main objective, initially, was to improve the pass rush. I believe I accomplished that with my first two picks. I think WR is a concern with J.Jones possibly leaving through FA and the lingering ankle injury of AJ. I think our passing game suffered this year as a result of the latter, Floyd is a stud who has time to develop. While I'm content with Pollard in run support and in blitz packages, he's horrible in coverage and Wilson is getting a little long at the tooth. Nolan and Barber are still suspect, IMO. This tandem of Jarrett and Smith could be something special. Mohamed bolsters our LB corp and Maddox replaces S.Slaton in the RB rotation. Tate is still a relative unknown and an injury to A.Foster would cripple our ground game.

After watching some bowl games, not liking what I saw from Prince, overrated IMO, and thinking maybe Wade runs a hybrid defense. Here is another attempt at this one by me.

8 Von Miller OLB Texas A&M 6' 3" 240
40 Stefen Wisniewski OG Penn State 6' 3" 297
72 Kendrick Ellis DT Hampton 6' 5" 340
104 Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple 6' 2" 195
136 Eric Hagg S Nebraska 6' 2" 205
168 Benjamin Ijalana OT/OG Villanova 6' 4" 320
199 Chas Henry PT Florida 6' 3" 215

This is way to early for Miller and I know that, but I think we win tomorrow, or I would try to trade down if Peterson and Fairley are gone when we pick. In a 3-4 Miller and Barwin are my OLBs with Cushing and Ryans in the Middle, Sharpton is the future MLB.

Wisniewski is a stud who can play OG or OC, and he should be a late 1st rounder, but if he drops to us we need to solidify that RG position. Ellis gives that big body to play the true NT.

I agree with Blitzwood, we need a safety tandem, and I not know Smith from Notre Dame, but I do know Hagg. Jarrett and Hagg shoud have to earn there time, not be handed it.

The All American punter from Florida will give us a big leg now, and Ijalana will be allowed to develop and possibly be a OG in our system.

If the team can pull off getting another 2nd round pick I would grab Mike Pouncey and then our middle of the OL is set for a long time. Pouncey, Wisniewski, Caldwell in some combination would be the future OL.

As for the the NT postion, I would go out in FA and sign one or two of the following guys:John Henderson, DT, Raiders ; Ronald Fields, NT Denver; Ron Edwards, NT KC(Klein Forest/ A&M grad); Shaun Smith, NT, KC; Paul Soliai, NT Dolphins, Haloti Ngata DE/NT Ravens (he will be Franchised and cost two 1st round picks); Chris Hoke, NT Steelers; Remi Ayodele, DT Saints; Bryan Robinson, NT, Arizona; Gabe Watson, NT, Arizono; Alan Branch, DE/NT, Arizona; Aubrayo Franklin, NT, 49ers; Brandon Mebane, DT, Seattle.

Let Ellis develop behind two veteran NT with experience in the NFL, that will help this team now and later.

DraftTek.com 1.1.11
 

8 Da'Quan Bowers Clemson DE43
40 Jason Pinkston Pittsburgh OG
72 Brian Lainhart Kent State FS
104 Aaron Williams Texas CB
136 Titus Young Boise State WRF

Not on love with this draft, my cherry pick

8 Von Miller Texas A&M OLB34
40 Sione Fua Stanford DT34
72 Mike Pouncey Florida OG
104 Quinton Carter Oklahoma SS
136 Mark Barron Alabama FS

Draftsite.com 1.3.11
 

11 Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6' 3" 306
43 Deunta Williams S UNC 6' 2" 205
75 Joe Lefeged CB Rutgers 6' 1" 205
107 Steve Schilling OG Michigan 6' 5" 305
139 Vincent Brown WR San Diego State 6' 0" 185
171 Dain Taylor DE Drake 6' 3" 242
202 Josh Bynes ILB Auburn 6' 2" 239


Again if we stay in the 4-3 not a bad 1st pick, If we go to a 3-4 then we may have to many 3-4 DEs to go with one in the 1st. But not a bad one to draft. He could be a Gary Walker type.

Draftsite.com 1.5.11
 

11 Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 6' 3" 306
42 Ahmad Black S Florida 5' 9" 190
73 Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6' 2" 200
104 Caleb Schlauderaff OG Utah 6' 4" 300
135 Armon Binns WR Cincinnati 6' 4" 200
173 Alex Wujciak ILB Maryland 6' 3" 255
203 Zac Etheridge S Auburn 6' 0" 213

It's official, we are going to a 3-4. Not a great mock draft overall IMO for the conversion.
My Cherry Pick:
Trade #11 to Miami for #14 and 78. They take Blaine Gabbert.
Trade #14 to Seattle for #21 and 53. They take Locker.

21 Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6' 1" 311
38 Dontay Moch OLB Nevada 6' 1" 245
42 traded to Denver with 4th round pick
53 Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6' 2" 205
73 Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6' 2" 200
78 Stefen Wisniewski OG Penn State 6' 3" 297
Trade Amobi Okoye to NE for #96
96 Sione Fua DT Stanford 6' 2" 307
104 Traded to Denver
135 Chris White ILB Mississippi State 6' 4" 245
173 Niles Paul WR Nebraska 6' 1" 215
203 Chas Henry PT Florida 6' 3" 215

DE Mario /Mark Anderson; NT Damione Lewis/ Paea/ Fua; DE Smith / Earl Mitchell
OLB Moch; ILB Ryans/Sharpton; ILB Cushing/Chris White; OLB Barwin

Passing downs : Mario, Mitchell, Smith, Anderson
Moch , Cushing, Barwin

As for the DBs may the best man win: (Not in Order) Glover Quin, Sherrick McManis, Kareem Jackson, Jason Allen, Troy Nolan, Jimmy Smith, Ras-I Dowling, Leaving 3 spots open for Vet FAs.

Seth Payne I liked. Gary walker not so much.

Has a schedule for FA's being available or draft date been set given CBA is still very much in question.

or even if do draft or open FA season, when signings can start to be official, likely after CBA agreed?

I'd like them to just agree to change rookie first round top 10 salary limits, see how that effects things, TV contracts seem to be growing so revenues to teams and players will grow without any changes, and then leave rest as is for a few years, get on with it.

You think there will be a new CBA soon? All I see is a power struggle, with the season likely in the balance.

On CBA, hard to say, both sides seem to be use poor negotiating skills

NFLPA website has some info and links from their side
http://www.nflplayers.com/about-us/2...ckout-Central/

Roger Godell put out a letter a few days ago. trying to sound optimistic. http://www.entertainmentbeacon.com/n...oodell-to-fans

Chron covers impacts on Texans FA possibly
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/7371555.html

This appears to be a balanced view of the situation
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...uestions090810

Yeah, likely if we can trade down, and get as many picks as possible in top three rounds is good.

After listening to the Wade Phillips interview on radio 610 today it doesn't look like Wade thinks it's that big of a deal personnel wise, to change over to a 3-4 from the 4-3 we presently use.

Kubiak said he could win with Carr.

Kubiak was trying to get a job......

What's Wade supposed to say?

We are screwed. We have no 3-4 DL, we have maybe one 3-4 LB, our secondary is the worst I have ever seen.

That?

Wade was too... The one common thread in all this is McNair. He's the same buffoon who was convinced that Carr was serviceable and gave him a ridiculous extension, and the same buffoon who gave his HC an extension despite performing at or below mediocrity. This franchise is a mess and it all starts at the top. There are multiple instances this year and in the past that clearly indicates this.

1.11.2011 Draftsite.com Mock
 

11 Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6' 3" 282
42 Muhammed Wilkerson* DT Temple 6' 5" 300
73 Mike Pouncey OG Florida 6' 5" 320
104 Jeron Johnson S Boise State 5' 11" 194
135 Chykie Brown CB Texas 6' 0" 190
173 Niles Paul WR Nebraska 6' 1" 215
203 Alex Wujciak ILB Maryland 6' 3" 255

Not in Love with this one either. I see some hits but I do not see Clayborn as an upgrade at either DE spot. More of a BPA type pick and we already have to many DEs for the new system..

My take.

11 Dontay Moch OLB Nevada 6' 1" 245 (Watch him climb the board, hopefully we can trade down and get him, but if not...)
42 Stefen Wisniewski OG Penn State 6' 3" 297
73 Kendrick Ellis DT Hampton 6' 5" 340
104 Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple 6' 2" 195
135 Shiloh Keo S Idaho 5' 11" 210
173 Chas Henry PT Florida 6' 3" 215
203 Jonathan Cornell ILB Mississippi 6' 1" 235

Here's a 1rst round mock. The mock has us taking Akeem Ayers (OLB - UCLA). I looked up video of Ayers and he looks like a good player, but seems a bit stiff or slightly slower than I'd prefer in a rushing 3-4 DE/OLB. The mock has Von Miller going 18, so I think I'd cherrypick Miller if we were to go OLB.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...tml?xid=si_nfl

.......But then Kubiak has done pretty well with Schaub. You can't bat 1000 with every decision you make. Just hope most of them work out pretty well.

MY take,

11. Cameron Heyward DE(3-4) Ohio State 6' 6" 290
42. Casey Matthews OLB Oregon 6'2" 235
73. Mike Pouncey OG Florida 6' 5" 320
104. Justin Houston* OLB Georgia 6'3" 258
135. Jermale Hines S Ohio State 6' 2" 210
173. Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State 6' 0" 190(drops because of a broken arm)
203. Jamie Harper* RB Clemson 5' 11" 230

Nice attempt. Only question I have is where is your NT?

STEPHEN PAEA HAS for the second consecutive year been voted the winner of the Morris Trophy. Paea becomes the fourth two-time recipient of the award, having won it in 2009, and becomes the fourth Beaver to win the Morris Trophy, joining Esera Tuaolo (1989), Inoke Breckterfield (1998) and Bill Swancutt (2004).
The Morris Trophy is given to the outstanding offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-10. The selection procedure is unique -- the starting offensive linemen in the Pac-10 vote for the defensive winner and vice versa.
**
Stephen Paea, the 6-1, 311-pound senior from Los Altos, Calif., whose only Pac-10 offer was from Oregon State coming out of junior college, also received received the 2010 Pac-10 Conference Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year honor
http://oregonstate.scout.com/2/1032875.html
**
This guy appears to be an Amobi Okoye, but with excellent functional strength and a full-time motor, both missing from Okoyes game.
Phillips says he's not necessarily interested in a big fat guy to play nose, so this might be an option ? Also depends on how Phillips rates Mitchell & Cody ?

My point, obviously, is that one should not take at face value Wade's assertion that he can run his defense with the personnel he has now. He's not going to come in and immediately take a dump on the slapstick defense these clowns have assembled.

Solomon mentioned in his blog the other day what Vegas thinks of the Texans' chances at the playoffs next year:

"Bodog.com has the Texans at +175 to make the postseason and -215 at not making it."

Hilarious. McNair may be fooling the necks around here by hiring a pair of hometown goons but he certainly isn't fooling Las Vegas.

Draftsite 1/18
 

I'll draft a NT to groom under Cody and Lewis for a year.


11. Justin Houston* OLB Georgia 6' 3" 259 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR0L2RVId90
42. Ahmad Black FS Florida 5' 9" 190 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9msQlgOziFE
73. Jarvis Jenkins NT Clemson 6' 4" 310 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV0wC...eature=related
104. Markus White OLB Florida State 6' 4" 260
135. Mike Blanc DE 3-4 Auburn 6' 4" 290
173. Jermale Hines SS Ohio State 6' 2" 210
203. Alex Henery K Nebraska 6' 2" 175 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfCedROWWog


I'd be happy with either draft, but I prefer to: trade down with N.E. our 11th for the 28th and 33rd pick.

28. Allen Bailey DE 3-4 Miami 6' 4" 288 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQvcXWLQKyk
33. Casey Matthews ILB/OLB Oregon 6' 2" 235 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUz2o2a_OXA
42. Mike Pouncey OG Florida 6' 5" 320 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzjPIP3gKkU
73. Bruce Carter OLB UNC 6' 3" 230 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nFL9XVNmo
104. Armon Binns WR Cincinnati 6' 4" 200 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NunWG3U-Dw
135.Tejay Johnson S TCU 6' 1" 210 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inQL9MiGVHM
173. Anthony Gray NT Southern Miss 6'0" 318
203. Alex Henery K Nebraska 6' 2" 175 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfCedROWWog

I thought Bailey at 28 was a solid pick, he's got everything you look for in a 3-4 DE. Next I took the guess work out of the Texans draft war room and picked the brothers of two pro-bowlers:cool:. Bruce Carter will man the other OLB spot opposite Matthews. Binns gives us the REAL #2 we've needed for some time now, I think JJ will look for a payraise elsewhere this coming season anyways. Tejay gives us some depth in the secondary and Gray could some day be our NT, he's very hard to block down low. Henery kills two birds withe one stone, he's our PK and our punter. And a very good one at that.