Why Can't the Defense Stop Elite QBs?

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barrett

We were not very good at rushing the QB this year. Barwin and Reed combined for 5.5 sacks and Mercilous had 6 in about %10 of the snaps they played. We need an edge pass rush or we will continue to struggle with the elite offenses.

This is where I'm getting... if the Texans are going to take the step from playoff fodder to playoff champion, they need to evaluate where they need to see the sort of improvement where they can slow down Brady, Manning, etc.

If Barwin is gone (or at best no more effective than he was in 2012), and if Mercilus cannot improve his edge contain and run defense, then there's the argument there to go get the best pass rushing front 7 player they can find in the draft or free agency next year. Even if Barwin is back and Mercilus improves, Antonio Smith then isn't getting to the QB often enough. That need (DE and/or OLB) ought to trump taking an ILB in spite of how thin the Texans are at that position or really any other position. Seems crazy given how they've invested high picks in Reed and Mercilus lately, but apparently it isn't enough.