3 picks and oh how the 3-4 is shaping up...

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by painekiller

The 3 guys added so far all have high motors, they all work super hard, all have high football IQ. Things that have not been a driving factor in the past.

That's actually why I was elated that Aldon Smith got drafted by the 49ers. I was so sure that he was a Rick Smith pick and I was not crazy about him because I felt he was all athleticism with no awareness, intelligence or effort. I would've definitely preferred Cameron Jordan to Watt, but I think Watt will be a solid, if not spectacular player for 8-10 years, so I can't complain too heartily. And I think Brooks Reed, our 2nd round pick, is much more likely to be successful than Aldon Smith.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by dadmg

That's actually why I was elated that Aldon Smith got drafted by the 49ers. I was so sure that he was a Rick Smith pick and I was not crazy about him because I felt he was all athleticism with no awareness, intelligence or effort. I would've definitely preferred Cameron Jordan to Watt, but I think Watt will be a solid, if not spectacular player for 8-10 years, so I can't complain too heartily. And I think Brooks Reed, our 2nd round pick, is much more likely to be successful than Aldon Smith.

I completely agree with you. I was elated when he was taken by the 49ers.

[Nconroe]

Looks like Texans being recognized by some as having an A draft grade this year. hope this turns into what we see this year and into future

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/s...earn-top-marks

Houston Texans

Best pick: Second-round pick Brooks Reed fits in their 3-4. I think he can be a lot like Clay Matthews of the Packers.

Questionable move: Picking J.J. Watt in the first round instead of Prince Amukumara, but that's being nitpicky, especially since they later landed two corners.

Third-day gem: QB T.J. Yates. Matt Schaub is their quarterback, but this is nice developmental pick.

Analysis: They were dreadful on defense last season, but their top four picks should help change that. The first three all could be starters as rookies. Wade Phillips had to be happy. The Texans had a good draft.

Grade: A

[Joe Joe]

At the recap of the draft by Kubiak and "pay Me" Rick, Kubiak talked about the flexibility of Mario. Mario at OLB would give the Texans more depth there as well as maybe being able to keep another DE.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

At the recap of the draft by Kubiak and "pay Me" Rick, Kubiak talked about the flexibility of Mario. Mario at OLB would give the Texans more depth there as well as maybe being able to keep another DE.

I saw that. His statement was the 1st confirmation that Mario can be used up or down. The drafting of Watt makes that possible. Mario can have a huge year if he embraces the concepts that they going to use. So far I am hearing that Mario is bitching about the conversion. My nephew has talked to Mario in a bar and he is truly not happy about it.

The sooner they can resolve the lockout the better. Getting Mario in to work with Wade can only help.

[HPF Bob]

I see Mario as being similar to the late Reggie White. His chief asset is his quickness for a man his size. Putting him as an OLB in a 3-4 means overpowering smaller, quicker people and playing in space. Yes, he can win some mismatches from there but he's also going to get embarrassed out there because there will be some matchups where he'll be outquicked. I can understand his misgivings. I don't want to say it can't work but I do have doubts the transition will go as well as the braintrust thinks it will.

[Joe Joe]

I was watching the LB's coach talk about Reed on the Texans Website. He reminds me of the character Maurice Minnifield on Northern Exposure. Love the fire, but hope it isn't false bravado.