Harrison and Barber

[Arky]

A couple of days ago, Kubes was asked on the radio who his "unexpected contributors" were this year. On the offensive side, he named Slaton. On the defensive side, he named Barber....

This makes me think the Texans may not go after a safety in the early rounds of the draft or possibly, not at all....

[NBT]

Originally Posted by Arky

A couple of days ago, Kubes was asked on the radio who his "unexpected contributors" were this year. On the offensive side, he named Slaton. On the defensive side, he named Barber....

This makes me think the Texans may not go after a safety in the early rounds of the draft or possibly, not at all....

I now agree Arky, but with Barber not really able to get on the field until the last game, let's not get premature here. Maybe not the first pick now, but I still think both safeties are still a chronic need.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by NBT

I now agree Arky, but with Barber not really able to get on the field until the last game, let's not get premature here. Maybe not the first pick now, but I still think both safeties are still a chronic need.

With all due respect, I don't share the chronic need. Barber had 5 tackles in the Oakland game and then the big sack in the Bears game. He had numerous other games with a tackle or two but I think mostly from special teams play. The staff apparently really likes him so I see him getting more time - possibly starting next year. I'm speculating that they won't pick a safety early due to his and Eugene Wilson's good play. Ferguson, who did OK, might be back. Maybe if a BPA is a safety, they might ... but who knows?.... We'll see.....

[barrett]

Barber's limited emergence should not change things at all. He is simply another SS for us. He may slightly upgrade Brown/earl/harrison/fill-in-the-blank, but we still need a safety with Range and ball skills. Wilson played OK and I was a big fan of his during the season. I think he was one of the big keys to turning everything around, but if anything his impact should show how much we need this kind of player, not convince anyone we have the hole filled with an over-achieving journeyman nearing the end of his career.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

Barber's limited emergence should not change things at all. He is simply another SS for us. He may slightly upgrade Brown/earl/harrison/fill-in-the-blank, but we still need a safety with Range and ball skills. Wilson played OK and I was a big fan of his during the season. I think he was one of the big keys to turning everything around, but if anything his impact should show how much we need this kind of player, not convince anyone we have the hole filled with an over-achieving journeyman nearing the end of his career.

He's 28. That's "experienced". I'd say he (Wilson) has a couple of more years of over-achieving left in him. OTOH, the others ages are:

Barber 22
Harrison 24
CC Brown 25
Demps 29
Ferguson 34

I'd say 2 to 3 of those are gone next year.....

[Bigtinylittle]

I agree with Arky on this one. I would not call 28 over the hill at any position with the possible exception of running back.

I believe the thinking of Kubiak differs from most fans when it comes to FS. I think the FS safety is one of the most exposed positions on the defense, so most fans really notice it, especially on long pass plays. What they don't notice is any deficiences he might have against the run. Most ball-hawking safeties are probably not also going to be great against the run, and I don't think Kubes is looking for one of those.

With our first round pick we might be able to get a ball hawking FS who also plays the run well, but if what we already have is servicable, then I think Kubiak uses that pick for some other position which more desperately needs shoring up. For example, a LB, a speedy DE, a real NT, or another great ZBS running back to go with Slaton. If we use our number one for FS. I will be surprised. If we use a second or a third for one, he may not be better than what we alrady have. At least not next year, which if I remember is a make or break year for Kubiak. If we don't post a winning record next season, he will follow Richard Smith out the door.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I agree with Arky on this one. I would not call 28 over the hill at any position with the possible exception of running back.

I believe the thinking of Kubiak differs from most fans when it comes to FS. I think the FS safety is one of the most exposed positions on the defense, so most fans really notice it, especially on long pass plays. What they don't notice is any deficiences he might have against the run. Most ball-hawking safeties are probably not also going to be great against the run, and I don't think Kubes is looking for one of those.

With our first round pick we might be able to get a ball hawking FS who also plays the run well, but if what we already have is servicable, then I think Kubiak uses that pick for some other position which more desperately needs shoring up. For example, a LB, a speedy DE, a real NT, or another great ZBS running back to go with Slaton. If we use our number one for FS. I will be surprised. If we use a second or a third for one, he may not be better than what we alrady have. At least not next year, which if I remember is a make or break year for Kubiak. If we don't post a winning record next season, he will follow Richard Smith out the door.

Regarding Wilson, does anyone think his best football is ahead of him?

As for another position "more desperately" needing help, you are nuts. We are Mediocre and Terrible at our safety spots. There is not a position on our roster that has been a bigger hole, and its been that way our entire existence.

As for your argument about ball-hawking/run stuffing etc... 3 of the 5 most valuable defensive players in the NFL are Safeties (polamalu, sanders, reed). They are far more valuable than any CB or 4-3 LB. Only a handful of pass rushers (ware and maybe harrison), come close to the impact of these 3 guys. DT probably is #3 in terms of importance, but they are the least likely defensive position to help next year (your own argument).

They NFL is a passing league these days and the impact of the MLB is greatly diminished. The FS is the new captain and leader of the NFL defense, and the best defenses show this. So if we can get a great FS or a Demarcus Ware type edge guy I am fine with either. No other defensive position has close to the impact though, and I don't see us going offense.

[jppaul]

Personally after seeing the Rose Bowl I would draft Mays at 15, provided of course that he was still around, which if what Kirk Herbstriet said about Mays running a 4.28 at 225 pounds, he might not be. If that was true he would probably go top 10 like Sean Taylor.

Did anybody else see his hit on Norwood and his own teammate? I can count on one hand collisions, that I have seen, more violent than that. Unbelievable.