$54 M defensive line

[texun]

I caught the replay of last Saturday's Texans / Bears game last Wednesday night while eating at the bar at a Papadeaux's restaraunt in Dallas. In between the Texas redfish, crawfish etoufe and cold draft beer, I breifly saw a graphic that said the Texans currently have $54 million in guaranteed money invested on the defensive front line. I couldn't believe my eyes and was thinking I must had misread the graphic (the volume was too low to hear well).

The choice of Mario over Reggie or Vince will be debated from now till kingdom come, and everyone has their opinion. However, it is also the choice of Jason Babin, Travis Johnson and our latest #1, Amobie Okoye, that we should all have great expectations from.

No more excuses! The only thing I expect from the D-line is to earn the money you are paid. It's time to put out and nothing short of total domination is acceptable. I expect a lot for $54 million guaranteed.
What does everyone else expect?

[Jeff]

We are going to need to see something from this line this year, or head will really start rolling! All that money, and the draft picks, its time for a return in our investment.

Babin on the other side of Mario is going to have to beat his guy, or ND Kalu who has always looked pretty good will have to beat their guy.

Mario generally looks good in practice because he is facing our Offensive line, but then he plays other teams with real NFL Caliber offensive linemen and he cant do what he does against our guys.

I agree with TH316, as long as I see Mario making plays like in the Giants game or Miami game and they are getting some pressure, I will be happy

[Texan (in Germany)]

I just think the competition in this year's camp, coupled w/ new coaches on the line should push us to be a better defense.

[infantrycak]

Well Babin did lead the team in sacks last year

Which says more about the under performance of others.

it was the first time he played his natural position of DE. Remember Capers had him at LB.

Natural position?--how about college position. Babin is not a natural starter at DE in the NFL. He is exactly what Capers and Belichick saw in him--a 3-4 SLB who can play at times as a pass rushing 4-3 DE.

[benefactor]

Lets face it...our offense isn't going to be blowing people off the field...and I'm OK with that. As long as its efficient and relatively mistake free we are good. The D-Line is where a lot of the game is decided. Getting to the QB and stopping the run are the two elements of a game that matter the most IMO. So I don't mind the cash dropped on a good D-line...but as you said...big results need to happen.