If you could change one thing about the draft.....

[nunusguy]

I think Barwin is atleast as risky as Cushing if not more so, but I think people accept that and kinda realize its something we have to accept because its so important to improve our pass-rush even if we have to use a second round pick on a situational player.
The problem with Cushing for me is that he may not be as much of an upgrade over Diles at SAM as Caldwell ultimately will be at center (or RG). That's not a favorable return-on-investment for first-round cap vs 3rd-round picks in terms of cap resources. And its really gonna be a bummer if Cushing can't stay on the field on third-downs as some say ?
So if given the choice I would have taken the Texans top-rated DB on thier Board for the #1 pick and got the SAM in a later round.

[HPF Bob]

I suppose I was relieved that we didn't use our first-rounder on a "situational" player like some wanted with Everette Brown. To me, Barwin is an acceptable risk *because* we waited until the second round to take him. I'm not sure I understand the logic of starting him out on the depth chart behind Mario though. Seems to me as if, on passing downs, you'd want both of them on the field.

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I'm not sure I understand the logic of starting him out on the depth chart behind Mario though. Seems to me as if, on passing downs, you'd want both of them on the field.

I think he is behind Mario because he isn't suited to be on the strongside on running downs. I think he'll see lots of action on passing downs, but I'm not sure if he'll line up strongside or weakside. Mario on the strongside on passing downs would help out if the opponent actually ran the ball on a passing, but putting Mario there would make it easier for him to be chipped.

I sometimes think Bush may start to move Mario around again on passing downs to make the Texans less predictable kind of like what the Texans originally tried with him his rookie season. I'm interested to see what the Texans plan to do on passing downs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cushing put his hand down in the dirt every now and then as the DTs are off the field.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I suppose I was relieved that we didn't use our first-rounder on a "situational" player like some wanted with Everette Brown. To me, Barwin is an acceptable risk *because* we waited until the second round to take him. I'm not sure I understand the logic of starting him out on the depth chart behind Mario though. Seems to me as if, on passing downs, you'd want both of them on the field.

If you look at depth charts they are for base defenses, they do not have the situational packages in them. I see Barwin as part of the nickle packages, Mario will move to the LDE, Smith becomes LDT, Okoye stays at RDT, and Barwin become the RDE.

The article that dadmg posted last week , they talks about the perfect situation for a player to come into the league. I see this as how Barwin will be brought along. We are finally a team that is maturing and we should be glad that 2nd rounder with talent are no longer must starts. It has only taken us how long?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

If you look at depth charts they are for base defenses, they do not have the situational packages in them. I see Barwin as part of the nickle packages, Mario will move to the LDE, Smith becomes LDT, Okoye stays at RDT, and Barwin become the RDE.

This is a very good read about how I forsee our defense becoming more aggressive and how we'll be using our new toys.


http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.co...z_schemes.html

The first blitz that I am going to show you is what we simply refer to as “Sam and Mike”. We are going to use the strong side linebacker and middle linebackers to rush the passer. We slant our strong side defensive end, nose guard, and 3 technique to the open side of their formation away from their normal rush gaps. The weak side defensive end is going to drop into pass coverage on this play. The alignment is the same as before. The Corners are line up in tight coverage but are going to bail out and play a three deep zone coverage with the Free Safety. The Corners will play outside leverage on this blitz and force everything inside. The Free Safety is playing a deep middle. The weak side Defense End and Strong Safety are the outside defenders to each side. They are playing seam coverage with the Will linebacker in the middle seam. The Strong Safety and weak side Defensive End play what we call the hot receivers to their side. Once the quarterback sees the blitz he’ll often throw to these short areas to his designated hot receiver. If the tight end comes down the middle seam the Strong Safety collapses on him. The Defensive End does the same thing with the back out of the backfield.

What's cool about having Barwin as the "situational" pass rusher is that on those occasions when we have the DE drop in coverage, it won't be a total waste of his talent. He is the DE that I want on the weak side of a formation when we are in passing situations.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I suppose I was relieved that we didn't use our first-rounder on a "situational" player like some wanted with Everette Brown. To me, Barwin is an acceptable risk *because* we waited until the second round to take him. I'm not sure I understand the logic of starting him out on the depth chart behind Mario though. Seems to me as if, on passing downs, you'd want both of them on the field.

1st - I'll say that I was one of those who wanted Everette Brown. I think he'll be more than a "situational" player, but that's an agrument not worth having now.

2nd - Mario starts at the RDE but moves to LDE quite often. So, Barwin would be the guy coming in at RDE when that happens and both of them will be on the field.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

The problem with Cushing for me is that he may not be as much of an upgrade over Diles at SAM.

Really?

You need to watch Cushing play this season and come back with another assesment.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Really?

You need to watch Cushing play this season and come back with another assesment.

It does appear that Brian Cushing was able to play the SAM at a higher level than Zac Diles. Now, I'm wondering if we can find a WILL who plays that position better than Diles.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

It does appear that Brian Cushing was able to play the SAM at a higher level than Zac Diles. Now, I'm wondering if we can find a WILL who plays that position better than Diles.

Hey was I ever wrong about Cushing, but I realized that already back 'bout October.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

It does appear that Brian Cushing was able to play the SAM at a higher level than Zac Diles. Now, I'm wondering if we can find a WILL who plays that position better than Diles.

Weatherspoon would appear to be a perfect fit for this team. He can rush the passer and he is excellent in pass coverage.

I would not be hurt if we drafted Rolando McLain, who IMO can play all three LB position. Adding McLain would do to our WILL what Cush did for our SAM.

[TexanJedi]

I would be surprised to see the Texans take another LB early since we run a 4-3 and Diles has played well. It seems to me we run a number of nickel sets on 3rd downs so would you use a 1st rounder on a line backer that only plays two downs, because someone would be on the bench come 3rd and long(Ryans, Cushing, or a rookie)? A corner, safety, or interior linemen would seem to be more likely. Shoot even another play maker for the offense might happen should one be available unexpectedly.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by TexanJedi

It seems to me we run a number of nickel sets on 3rd downs so would you use a 1st rounder on a line backer that only plays two downs, because someone would be on the bench come 3rd and long(Ryans, Cushing, or a rookie)? A corner, safety, or interior linemen would seem to be more likely. Shoot even another play maker for the offense might happen should one be available unexpectedly.

If you have good LBs, you wouldn't necessarily need to change to a Nickle set. Just going back to last year's draft if we already had Cushing on the team - would you like to add CB Vontae Davis, S Louis Delmas, DT Ziggy Hood, or LB Clay Matthews?

The position isn't nearly as important as the player, in my opinion. That's what BPA is all about.

[TexanJedi]

Originally Posted by Roy P

If you have good LBs, you wouldn't necessarily need to change to a Nickle set. Just going back to last year's draft if we already had Cushing on the team - would you like to add CB Vontae Davis, S Louis Delmas, DT Ziggy Hood, or LB Clay Matthews?

The position isn't nearly as important as the player, in my opinion. That's what BPA is all about.

I liked him at the time but say we did not need a line backer, I would have wanted Michael Oher- slide Winston inside or whatever. Maclin or Harvin would have been fine as well. I don't want to reach for anyone but a BPA approach must take a team's current talent and needs into account.

[Blitzwood]

I think it's BPA of DT, FS, or CB in the first round. I also think Kubes will try to acquire another mid round pick somehow. He knows how important this draft is for him.

Also, still think it would have been nice to take R.Jenning in the 7th round. Could have come in handy. IMO.