What new starters do you want to see?

[cland]

The only starting lineup battle I care much about is at WLB, and that is because backup LBs get almost no playing time outside of special teams (opposed to the rotations that are used at almost every other spot). It seems like we have a bunch of guys who are quality depth but no solid NFL starter at the WLB. Hopefully one of them really steps up.

I actually feel pretty comfortable with the winner of the Adibi, Diles, and June battle at the WLB spot. Safety still has me worried, but not as much as prior years.

I really think it's about how our DT's turn out, and I'm very interested in seeing how Okoye in year 3 and Okam in year 2 turn out. T. Johnson can hold ground, but he's not going to change the game. Smith's pass rush at DT in the nickle package, will also impact how our D is schemed against.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by cland

I actually feel pretty comfortable with the winner of the Adibi, Diles, and June battle at the WLB spot. Safety still has me worried, but not as much as prior years.

I really think it's about how our DT's turn out, and I'm very interested in seeing how Okoye in year 3 and Okam in year 2 turn out. T. Johnson can hold ground, but he's not going to change the game. Smith's pass rush at DT in the nickle package, will also impact how our D is schemed against.

I agree that DT is more important for how we play this year, but who starts there isn't that important. At least 4 DTs will play and at least 1 DE will see time there as well. So which 2 get to start doesn't matter a ton since they all need to play well for us.

At LB, your starters play almost all of the snaps, and when they come off the field it is for a DB not for the backup. Because of this it is probably the most interesting position battle.

At Safety I just don't think we have enough talent to even call it a position battle. Someone is going to be put there and asked to not lose games. We are obviously going with the model that pass rush = pass defense. If we can rush the passer well, that should be fine. The problem is we haven't yet.

[painekiller]

As barrett points out at some positions the starter is not as important.

RB is one of those, well at least the ways Kubiak has used the position in the past. We all believe Slaton will be the feature back, I am hoping that Foster wins the short yardage/big back job. I think Brown has the inside track, but I want young hungry blood with something to prove playing.

Slaton, Moats, Foster. (PS) Jeremiah Johnson

[painekiller]

OK a lot of us think Caldwell should start, but has anyone but me looked at the OL depth? We have no one at OT after the top 3 guys. And if Caldwell starts our game day depth is hammered in the middle.


I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

[Arky]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

Have you seen the roster lately? There are some interesting UDFA's and FA's I didn't know they (the Texans) picked up - some from big name schools.... Tackles from Florida and Michigan, a center from LSU, guards from Kansas and Notre Dame..... I didn't know they had these guys...

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

OK a lot of us think Caldwell should start, but has anyone but me looked at the OL depth? We have no one at OT after the top 3 guys. And if Caldwell starts our game day depth is hammered in the middle.


I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

Most teams are only going to have three OT's active on game day. Now if one of ours gets hurt we will be pretty thin, but I feel really good about our top three tackles. We would be a little thin at gaurd or Center if Caldwell started, depending on who he beat out, but we don't know who might surprise us in camp. I'm not a real big fan of keeping a better player on the sidelines just to make our depth chart look better though. If he beats someone out then so be it.

Myers is just a center, but didn't Briesel work at center before?

[cland]

I agree, Caldwell starting doesn't prevent him from sliding over to guard to cover for an injury, with Myers coming up to play center.

[idymoe]

Originally Posted by papabear

Myers is just a center, but didn't Briesel work at center before?

Myers started the first 5 games at left guard for Denver in 2007. He moved to start at center for the last 11 games. If Caldwell starts at center, I think that makes our backup for guard/center in Myers better than what we had last year. Having to replace Ephraim at swing tackle is a bigger issue at this point. Butler may be better than Ephraim at backing up both tackles, then we need to replace Butler in the 2nd backup spot from last year.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by idymoe

Myers started the first 5 games at left guard for Denver in 2007. He moved to start at center for the last 11 games. If Caldwell starts at center, I think that makes our backup for guard/center in Myers better than what we had last year. Having to replace Ephraim at swing tackle is a bigger issue at this point. Butler may be better than Ephraim at backing up both tackles, then we need to replace Butler in the 2nd backup spot from last year.

I don't see Myers as a gaurd even though I'm sure he could play there. He's slightly undersized as a center. It's even worse at Gaurd.