Antonio Smith, DT?

[Joe Joe]

If Barwin wins the DE spot opposite Mario, does Antonio Smith move to DT on first and second downs as well? Bush has always talked about getting penetration from the defensive line and this was one of Antonio's strong points when the Texans got him. I see this making the Texans weaker against a power rushing team, but increase the effectiveness of the pass rush.

[Roy P]

I don't see Barwin winning the DE spot on 1st and 2nd down. That being said, I wonder if Smith would be better than Okoye as the 3-Tech.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I wonder if Smith would be better than Okoye as the 3-Tech.

So obviously the question is, on first and second downs do we have a player on the roster now who could come in at strongside DE if Antonio is inside at 3-Tech who with Antonio would form a stronger combo than the present combo of Okoye at 3-Tech and Antonio at DE ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

So obviously the question is, on first and second downs do we have a player on the roster now who could come in at strongside DE if Antonio is inside at 3-Tech who with Antonio would form a stronger combo than the present combo of Okoye at 3-Tech and Antonio at DE ?

A) Barwin - Cody - Smith - Williams

or

B) Smith - Cody - Okoye - Williams

or

C) Barwin - Okoye - Smith - Williams

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Roy P

A) Barwin - Cody - Smith - Williams

or

B) Smith - Cody - Okoye - Williams

or

C) Barwin - Okoye - Smith - Williams

I'll take D

Barwin - Smith - Dan Williams - Mario Williams

IMO, with that type of potential disruptive force, any secondary would look pretty damn good.....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by WMH

I'll take D

Barwin - Smith - Dan Williams - Mario Williams

IMO, with that type of potential disruptive force, any secondary would look pretty damn good.....

I don't see Barwin as having much of a future as a full-time 4-3 DE, here or anywhere.
If they'd bulk him up some to play against the rush it would probably compromise his quickness as an edge-rusher. Afterall his coomparisons to Jason Babin
really aren't that far off of the mark.
Truth is he probably should have been drafted by a 3-4 team where he could play from a standup position as an OLB if we're talking about a 3-down role for him ? Now if the Texans were to go to more 3-4 schemes, then his full-time participation in the defensive lineup starts to make more sense.