Jason Babin

[HydrOshocK]

I thought I'd take this opportunity to turn the attention to a DE on this team that is playing well. Babin has been an impact player when he's on the field. He was very disruptive in the Chicago game and all the reports I've seen say he's having an exceptional camp. Here's a nice little write up on him

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/5061646.html

Babin is entering a critical season with the Texans. Three years after being a first-round draft pick, he has struggled to find his fit. That appears to have changed.

A first round DE that struggled early in his career but has since started turning it on......no, I'm pretty sure that's not possible. :rolleyes:

Last year, he moved to his natural position of defensive end in the 4-3, but the transition wasn't easy. He struggled with his fundamentals and had problems adjusting to being a situational pass rusher, sharing time with Antwan Peek.

wait....more struggling and overcoming obstacles. I sense a theme here.

"That's the thing about it, this game is so mental," Franklin said. "Mentally, he was probably all over the place. Hopefully now, he's a little more focused on himself and not other people around him. He's more focused on his body in terms of body mechanics.

I'm glad to see Babin is getting some recognition because he has really got off to a fast start so far. He may very well wind up being our sack leader again this season. What I can't figure out is what happened to his playing time in the Cards game? I haven't gone back and watched it again but I don't remember seeing him out there. I didn't see anything that had him listed as injured either. Anyone have any info on his status?

[Shawn E. Supergenius]

i really like Babin because he fire that most other defensive lineman on our team don't have. It's pretty sad when Babin and TJ are out playing Okoye and Williams.

[joedinkle]

Okoye is a rookie, give it time. Also, Babin and TJ are coming into their own.

[Taylor]

i really like Babin because he fire that most other defensive lineman on our team don't have. It's pretty sad when Babin and TJ are out playing Okoye and Williams.

I think that's the whole point. Babin (in particular) and TJ (Somewhat) are beginning to understand the technique and drive. With Babin it was never an issue of heart. It's encouraging to see that both of them are coming around like people expected (3-4 years).

I think Okoye and Williams have problems that are closer to a Babin and not a TJ. In the Babin and some of the Williams articles, they point to the over-thinking, and the not reacting. It takes time to develop the recognition and reaction skills necessary. If Okoye and Williams continue to try and get better (as the coaching staff makes it sound), I think they will see marked improvement as well. It will just take some time for them to learn how to read and react without thinking too much (in order to utilize their athletic ability and skill).

I'm reservedly hopeful that in a year or two, our D-Line will no longer look like a bunch of rookies, but rather, vets whose understanding of the game matches their athletic ability.

[HydrOshocK]

I agree. TJ and Babin have both stepped their game up and so far they have looked better than our starters. Okoye was to be expected IMO. He's a bit under his ideal playing weight and he's very young, but I have the utmost confidence that the kid will be a baller. Mario is being discussed in many other threads right now so I'll leave it at that.

I think the scenario we see is that both TJ and Babin wind up getting more rotations with the first team. They can help set the tempo and hopefully Okoye and Williams start clicking. That's a bit optimistic but totally feasible IMO.

[NBT]

Babin will be playing only on 3rd and possibly 4th down situattions this year whereas Mario and Amobi will be in down in and down out.

[Dunta_23]

Everyone always uses the phrase "It takes DLinemen 2-3-4 years to develop" and people always say "but they were first round picks" and a lot of other positions start and contribute early, why cant these guys? etc etc...

Maybe this is kind of when the 2-3-4 year cycle is going to start kicking in for Babin and TJ, then Mario, then Okoye....Sure all the fans are frustrated with the lack of production after a couple seasons, but we were all warned about the growing pains of these players in these positions. Im sure the cycle is going to start working in our favour, as these players seem to be playing well and the "project" we drafted this year in the 3rd round is turning out to be quite the suprise....so maybe good fortunes are on our way....

[Vinny]

Everyone always uses the phrase "It takes DLinemen 2-3-4 years to develop" and people always say "but they were first round picks" and a lot of other positions start and contribute early, why cant these guys? etc etc...

I think the reality is that regardless of position, some players come along slowly and some players get up to speed quickly. In an ideal world your top picks are supposed to "get it" fast since they get paid top money and tie up the largest chunks of your hard cap space. Teams take guys who are projects later because it will take a few years to get up to speed and they don't have to tie up money on guys who aren't going to be good for a few years. Obviously Mario was one of those guys that the Texans were hoping to "get it" quickly.

[Double Barrel]

I've always liked Babin as a player, because he's got heart and a determination about him.

But I'll be the first to admit that I've also felt a little suspicious of expecting too much from him. As Vinny has mentioned, he's a 'tweener' (too big for LB, too small for DE), but he can make up for that with pure will.

From what we've seen last season into the first two pre-season games, I think JB might end up being our best defensive lineman this season. He certainly reveals a drive that seems to be lacking in others, and that kind of heart for the game can make a world of difference for some players.

[joedinkle]

I said this in the Mario Williams thread, but I'll say it again here. These are just facts, nothing else.

Of the top 5 players to lead the league in sacks in 2006, their average number of sacks their rookie season was 4.5.

Only 2 of those 5 recorded more than 5 sacks their rookie season.

1 of those 5 has tested positive for roids.(Lights Out)