Mike Montgomery Visits [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] / Cochran's RFA Tender Rescinded

[American Idle]

Basically saying they are eyeing any DL men especially Jerry and Raji (what a shocker on both) and OLB Clay Matthews, its more of an opinion piece and doesn't really tell alot, but here it is:

Fans constantly ask who I think the Texans are going to select with the 15th pick in the first round of the draft next month. I tell them it’s easier for me to predict the position than the player because teams still are shuffling players on their draft boards.

For instance, I think their first-round pick will be a defensive player because the Texans still need so much help on that side of the ball. I may be wrong, but I think the Texans will use their top pick on a big-play outside linebacker or a defensive tackle who can penetrate and agitate.

What new defensive coordinator Frank Bush and new assistant head coach/defensive line Bill Kollar want to do is to pressure the quarterback by exploding off the ball, getting up the field in a nanosecond and being as disruptive as possible.

Because the Texans expect their No. 1 pick to become a starter next season, I’ve ruled out another defensive end. Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, who signed as a free agent from Arizona, are the starters.

I don’t see the Texans selecting a cornerback or safety in the first round. It doesn’t matter who plays in the secondary, if the defense can’t pressure the quarterback, the defensive backs are toast.

Matthews a possibility
That’s why I think the first pick will be an outside linebacker like USC’s Clay Matthews III or a tackle like Mississippi’s Peria Jerry.

Of course, the Texans would love to have Wake Forest outside linebacker Aaron Curry or Boston College tackle B.J. Rajii, but both will be long gone.

Matthews is usually 6-3, 245, but he lost five pounds before the combine so he would be quicker. He ran the 40 in 4.62 seconds. More importantly, he ran the first 10 yards in 1.49.

Scouts and coaches love to time the first 10 yards because it’s an indication of a player’s explosiveness.

Florida receiver Percy Harvin was timed in 1.47. Maryland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the fastest prospect at the draft with a 4.30 in the 40, ran the first 10 yards in 1.44.

In other words, Matthews explodes off the ball. That kind of explosion is one reason his stock is soaring.

Scouts and coaches love ascending players like Matthews. He was a 166-pound safety in high school. The defensive coordinator wouldn’t start him because he was too light. That coordinator was his father.

Matthews walked on at USC. He was a freshman redshirt, played special teams as a sophomore, came off the bench as a junior, and, three games into his senior year, started at the elephant position and excelled.

Matthews was outstanding at the Senior Bowl and terrific at the combine. His pro day is April 1, and I’m sure he’ll be impressive there, too.

Matthews can play either side. He has an incredible work ethic. He’s smart and instinctive. Somebody said he’s got good bloodlines, too. I’ll have to check that out.

Don’t count out Jerry
If the Texans don’t take an outside linebacker like Matthews, perhaps they will go for a tackle like Jerry.

Jerry is nasty and physical. He penetrates and obliterates. But he looks like Amobi Okoye. Jerry is almost 6-2 and 299. Okoye, who was a huge disappointment last season, is 6-2 and 302.

I don’t know what Bush and Kollar think about having two tackles the same size. I believe the Texans prefer one of their tackles be a road grader who takes up a lot of space. Frank Okam would be the ideal road grader, but his engine needs a tuneup.

John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. He can be heard on 610 AM on Mondays at 7:30 a.m. and Fridays at 4:30 p.m. john.mcclain@chron.com

[painekiller]

He had to write something, and remember he was thinking Reggie Bush or Vince Young about this time in that draft. Last year he had no clue who the draftees where at this time.

I was laughed at 3 months ago when I wanted Raji with our 1st round pick which was top ten at the time, he was 2nd or 3rd rounder on most peoples books. And know I am laughing.

I like Ziggy Hood as much as Jerry, and he is projecting into the 2nd or 3rd, so if the team is willing to go with another DT, (not a NT type) then I would rather have Hood.

At 15 I would be quote reaching for unquote the prospects I would take. I like Donald Brown, Clay Matthews, Max Unger, and Alphonso Smith, but I don't think the team takes any of them at 15.

I wish I had 3 2nd round picks with one being a very early pick.

[Warren]

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Texans haven't offered a contract and the Packers have. They say he'd have to gain at least 10 lbs. to play in Green Bay's new 3-4, but he has the frame to do it.

I think Montgomery could provide quality depth for the Texans at DE if they could get him at the right price. He's not an explosive rush end, but he has some quickness and pass rush skills, plays hard, and is solid against the run.

[American Idle]

I would like him too, but if they haven't offered a contract by now, its probably a moot point.

[Keith]

Our best and only local beat writer has broken the story! /sarcasm

This week, the Texans released defensive end Earl Cochran and brought in Green Bay defensive end Mike Montgomery for a visit. ... The Texans aren’t expected to offer him a contract. ...

The Texans told Cochran they’d like to re-sign him when he’s healthy, according to agent Mark Slough.

“We’re disappointed they chose this direction,” Slough said. “Earl likes Houston, and he’d like to be with the Texans. Teams have inquired about Earl, but we’re not in a hurry to make a decision.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6306465.html

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Keith

Our best and only local beat writer has broken the story! /sarcasm



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6306465.html

It's amazing how late the chronicle was with this information. On another note, best in the business, Justice was on 1560 yesterday. They asked him about Texans Free agents. Who might still come back, where some of them might end up etc. They got to Nick Ferguson and Justice had no idea who he was. They had to tell him he played safety. I could understand not knowing a practice squad guy or some warm body brought in mid-season, but Ferguson started 9 games for us last year. Pathetic.

I tuned him out from there on, but I think he was confused about Cecil Sapp as well...I think he thought he was a WR.

[cadams]

Justice has less football insight than and understanding than an 5th grader. it amazes me that someone would pay him to do what he does. i am also amazed that john and lance keep him on at 1560. the guy is a douche. he must be tight with someone

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by papabear

It's amazing how late the chronicle was with this information. On another note, best in the business, Justice was on 1560 yesterday. They asked him about Texans Free agents. Who might still come back, where some of them might end up etc. They got to Nick Ferguson and Justice had no idea who he was. They had to tell him he played safety. I could understand not knowing a practice squad guy or some warm body brought in mid-season, but Ferguson started 9 games for us last year. Pathetic.

I tuned him out from there on, but I think he was confused about Cecil Sapp as well...I think he thought he was a WR.

You should have stayed tuned in; he went on to not knowing who C.C. Brown was.

I was embarassed for him.