Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle
In order to figure out who the Texans WILL draft, instead of who we as fans would select, I think it is important to try to get inside Smith's and Kubiak's heads. That's a pretty hard thing to do because of how close to the vest they play their cards. That said, here's what I think: I think Kubiak is relatively pleased with last year's safety play.
I know a lot of fans in Houston want a true-old-style-roaming-speed- burning free safety, but that's not the style of safety Kubes covets. I'm not saying he wouldn't play one if he fell into our hands, but I just can't see Kubuak giving up a top draft choice to get one of those guys. On the other hand, if a tremendous SS fell to us in the second round, one who was an exceptional tackler and also good in coverage, I guess the Texans might take him. But I don't see anyone like that on the horizon. So I personally see us going with our two older veterans backed up by Harrison and Barber. Demps may get cut, but if he doesn't, that would create such a log jam at safety that I just don't see us going for a safety even in a lower round.
I'm thinking the most likely for our first pick is a run stuffing tackle as a rotation guy, or a DE who would allow us to cut Weaver and his huge salary. I could also see up going for a LB if the coaches fall in love with one. I could even see us going for Moreno if the coaches are in love with him. If we go with a DE in the first, I could see us going for another one in a lower round. The roster right now isn't exactly full of talented DEs.
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What makes you think this is what's in Kubiak's head? What would indicate Kubiak does not covet this kind of safety?
First off Kubiak has not run our defense the last 3 years so I don't think it's about what Kubiak covets. Second, a new DC means changes in defensive scheme and different uses of personnel. If Bush wants to play the DL upfield more like he talked about it may mean we play more man with our CBs. Or it may not. It may mean we blitz our safeties and LBs more or it may not. It may mean we continue playing the ridiculous "we don'thave a FS, we have two interchangable Safeties (who can't cover) defense." Or again, we may not.
My point is that we don't know exactly how personnel will be used under Bush other than we will run a 4-3 front and it won't be cover 2. Outside of that he has stated only an intension to be more aggressive (like every new DC).
Now it doesn't look like a FS worth the slot will be available at 15, so my guess is DL or a tradedown (I hope for tradedown). But we certainly can't go eliminating positions based on the tendencies of a defense under a new coordinator we have never seen in that role.