The Texans "A" list

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Not to merge this thread with the Kubiak thread, but if this is it, Kubiak's record here is abysmal and he should be ran out of town on a rail. Only 5 guys? Plus, of those 5, the only "A" that Kubes brought in was Ryans. He gets credit for Mario and Matt, but it was widely reported that Daniels was a Casserly pick (I think even Kubiak admitted this?). Thus, Kubiak can only truly lay claim to Ryans, Mario and Schaub. Considering AJ is head and shoulders the best and Casserly was at least involved with drafting everyone else but Schaub, it could be argued that Casserly played a bigger role in getting our most talented players than Kubiak.

You seem to forget we have a general manager. His name is Rick Smith. I believe he's somewhat responsible for the draft picks from 2007-2009 as well as Schaub.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

You seem to forget we have a general manager. His name is Rick Smith. I believe he's somewhat responsible for the draft picks from 2007-2009 as well as Schaub.

Thanks for the lesson in the Texans organizational structure. I had no idea.

The conventional wisdom for the last 4 years has been that this is Kubiak's team and he makes the majority of the decisions (including personnel and drafting). I suspect none of us here know the truth but, to my knowledge, that's been the general consensus. Agree?

All I was noting was that you did not list a single player from these 2007-09 drafts; i.e. the Smith/Kubiak era, as players anyone would want. If you truly believe this, I would think this would give you pause about Kubiak (and Smith).

[Arky]

OK, I guess no more feedback.

My own list is something like what Mike and PK offered. I might include Molden (if he ever gets healthy) and Dreesen for his long snapping skills + backup TE. There are players like Jeremiah Johnson on IR who we haven't really had a look at yet to consider, also.

So, if we go by that, Mike had 18 names. PK had 18 names. I have no debate with the players listed from those two lists. My own list would be about the same maybe +2 more. So, let's call all these guys "keepers". Then, out of a 53 man roster, we have approx. 18-20 keepers. Then that would leave about 33 JAG's (just a guy).

Now, I understand you can't have pro-bowlers at every position but I still see lots of room for improvement and depth with these Texans... While we've got some outright stars and solid, dependable players at some positions, there are areas where the team is still kinda weak, IMO....

Kubiak is in a no-win situation here: If you think he has plenty of talent, then you might think why isn't he getting the most out of it? If you think he has a dearth of talent, then you might think "dang, you've had 4 years, bud".

Statistically, this might turn out to be the best Texan team ever (offensively and defensively) on paper. Unfortunately, it hasn't yet translated to the most important stat of all, W's and L's.....

[Nconroe]

I felt like adding a little more for some reason.

using Mike and PK's lists
In the A's I would consider players who would start just on just about any team.
Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, Owen Daniels

B's I would consider: Would start for more than 1/2 the teams
Eric Winston (Winston almost an A) Schaub, Pitts minus the injury, Antonio Smith.


C's - I would use this category for young players, lower salaries
Glover Quinn, Bernard Pollard, Zac Diles, Jacoby Jones (special teams, he is explosive and talented (although sometimes reckless), Kevin Walter, Slaton (the 2008 version), Bentley for his ST play, Barwin for his upside, DA for his low salary and slot third down role.
Duane Brown,Vonta Leach,
Incompletes: James Casey,Antoine Caldwell,Tim Jamison, Brice McCain.
others mentioned: Andre Davis,

that is 25 of the 53 man roster, then I took a look at roster, seems there are several more who would likely be picked up as free agents if released by other teams. such as Xavier Adibi, Dominic Barber, Kris Brown, Shaun Cody, Arian Foster, Amobi Okeye, Jacque Reeves, Dunta Robinson, Matt Turk, Eugene Wilson, so that was get us to 35 keepers, but 18 positions of need and certainly many that could be upgraded.

I think that leaves you somewhere better than the middle, much better than 2-14 where we were 4 years ago, not yet, but almost in the playoffs, could be in playoffs with a few breaks which we know could have occurred.