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View Full Version : It's never to early to talk bout the off-season.


gsus8091
09-19-2007, 08:57 AM
Okay, okay, I know it's only September but I don't think it's ever to early to talk about the off-season for the Texans.

This year has been surprisenly excellent so far, especially our defense. But our defense should be as good as it is because of our killer front 4. Mario is on his way to a break out season along with a Pro-Bowl year, Travis Johnson had a very solid season opener against the Chiefs and should be a solid DT the rest of the year, Amobi Okoye had a so-so game against the Chiefs but exploded against the Panthers with a 2 sack game and could be a Rookie of the Year candidate, and Anthony Weaver has been solid as always.

As for the LB's excluding DeMeco Ryans they have been just okay at best and the secondary has been our weak spot with the exception of Dunta Robinson. But I have a solution to out defensive needs. I think we can all agree that out offense has been more than solid, bordering on very good. Schaub has been excellent, Johnson has been in Pro Bowl form, Ahman Green has been more than just a verteren starter/stop gap, and the offensive line has been incrediably strong in pass protection and in run blocking.

The off-season should be purely defensive in my opionion. With the first big addition being a superstar player. And that player should be WLB Lance Briggs. I know we got Marlon Greenwood, but he isn't a consisitent playmaker. Greenwood is but a solid compliment to DeMeco Ryans in the LB corps. What DeMeco and this defense needs is another playmaking LB who has incrediable athletic ability along with leadership and a winning attitude. Briggs would fill that void with the Texans. He is only 26 years-old, so he'll be entering his prime with us in Houston. Briggs and Ryans could become the new Boulware/Lewis, Urlacher/Briggs, Thomas/Taylor, Fletcher/Spikes and Wilson/Williams. Ryans and Briggs could solidify our LB corps as one of the best in the NFL. As for Greenwood we could move him to the SLB spot. Greenwood could thrive there, he has the speed, athleticism and strength to succeed as the SLB. Talk about an athletic group of backers. Thats the big off-season aquisition for the Texans in 2008.

As for the draft we also go defense once again. Also since we won't be or at least we shouldn't be drafting in the top 10 we won't have a shot at safety Kenny Phillips. He would fill our biggest need but since we won't be bad enough to get him, he would be out of the question. So I propose another DB. And the pick I would much prefer would be CB Justin King out of Penn St. He would fit perfect in our system. There aren't any other elite safety prospects so to take one would be a reach. I would love to see King coupled with Robinson. That would give us two man-to-man cover corners who could be left on an island on any givin play. King isn't as physical as Dunta but he can run with any receiver in the league and has spactacular hands. Having two cover corners would negate the fact that our safeties are weak. And speaking of safeties, we should resign Michael Bouleware for at least a 1 year contract. He can give us a much needed head hunter in the back field. But the main person of interest would be Justin King. As for our next pick, since we traded our 2nd rounder away, we should trade back into the 2nd and make sure we take care of our weak safety situation with the selection of Jonathan Hefney out of Tennessee. He would be perfect for our defense too. He reminds me of a Bob Sanders type safety. Smallish but no lack of power or hart. If we could get Justin King and Jonathan Hefney they could and would solidify our secondary for years.

Our defense could then become elite. Our offense is fine with the exception of needing one more WR and some O-Line depth along with a future RB, but I think we can suck one more year out of Ahman Green and wait unitll the 2009 draft to address that issue. But if we can add LB Lance Briggs, CB Justin King and FS Jonathan Hefney we could add some serious talent and playmaking ability to our Houston boys. What'll you think fellas?

TexansTrueFan84
09-19-2007, 09:17 AM
well i say we wait till the season is farther along before talking about the draft and etc. so we can see what our needs REALLY are.

thecd
09-19-2007, 09:38 AM
It sounds like a really good idea, but I wonder if Briggs would be willing to come here. He's said he wants a chance to be the leader on the defense, and I don't see him being able to wrestle that away from DeMeco. As for our 1st rounder next year, I'd be extremely happy with a CB, or possibly even a WR if theh right guy fell to us. RB can definitely wait at least one more year if we're going to take a 1st rounder.

gsus8091
09-19-2007, 09:45 AM
I know it's early but as of right now our pass defense is our weakest. As for Briggs, I think he'll love it here. He'd be the verteren of the defense. So even with DeMeco here Briigs would still be looked at as a leader because he's been there done that. And plus I think Briggs along with Justin King would make us elite, and we could consistently shut down Indy. Because let's be honest here, we the Texans are second in the AFC South, not the Titans and certainly not the Jags it's us. So the only way to wrestle away the crown from the Colts is by kicking there a$s on D, especially in the pass D. With my additions we could be the ultimate Cover 2 defense. Sort of like the way CHicago was at the beginning of the 2006 season.

Mustyzulu1979
09-19-2007, 10:18 AM
From what I understand, we have alot of free money this off-season to use on free agents.

TexaStaTexan
09-19-2007, 10:41 AM
secondary is (and will be) our biggest need

two words... troy palamalu (sp?)

outofhnd
09-19-2007, 10:48 AM
secondary is (and will be) our biggest need

two words... troy palamalu (sp?)

Polamolu just signed a 4 year extenstion this offseason. I would rather address secondary in Free Agency and 3rd round of the draft. I think with the plethora of running backs available in this years draft class, we should be able to get a really good running back late in the first round. Even drafting a first round corner will still take time to develop Fred Bennett will get some playing time this year I think he has a legitimate shot at being a solid #2 as soon as he gets some more experience.

If we dont go running back in the first round I want Safety Tom Zbikowsky out of Notre Dame. That guy is a playmaker.
:D

TexaStaTexan
09-19-2007, 10:51 AM
ah yeah, forgot about that extension

i also like zbikowsky

gsus8091
09-19-2007, 10:59 AM
Sorry but Tom Zbikowsky returned to school for one reason, he wouldn't have been a 1rst rounder, he won't be one again, I want nothing to do with Tommy. He is a big hitter that's all. He was projected to go in the 3rd round of the 2007 Draft thats why he returned, and so far this year he's been beat deep and hasn't laid the wood on anybody. He isn't a top safety. Jonathan Hefney is a better fit for the Texans. I know we need a RB, but if we can't get at least Jonathan Stewart than we need to address the CB position. Justin King is a perfect compliment to Dunte. As for Samuel he'll cost too much, and will want Nate Clements money, Dunte will ********** hate that, and as soon as he can will leave. If you take a rookie CB he's cheaper and Dunte will still be the man. The safety and corner position is easily the weakest, it's the weakest now and will be in the off-season.

Also Lance Briggs wants to be paid, and when he sees that he can come and big a leader and a difference maker here in Houston he'll likely sign with the Texans. If they offer him the right money. He would be perfect for us. He can cover TE's and he can run with RB's even though he rarely does, but his athleticism is unmatched, and he could be the best 4-3 WLB in the game next to Julian Peterson and Bullock.

Lance Briggs-UFA
Justin King-1rst round draft
Jonathan Hefney-2nd round draft

After that we load up on the fat guys. I mean grab as many BPA with the fat guys. Centers, guards, and tackles who can play guard.

dalemurphy
09-19-2007, 11:03 AM
Sorry but Tom Zbikowsky returned to school for one reason, he wouldn't have been a 1rst rounder, he won't be one again, I want nothing to do with Tommy. He is a big hitter that's all. He was projected to go in the 3rd round of the 2007 Draft thats why he returned, and so far this year he's been beat deep and hasn't laid the wood on anybody. He isn't a top safety. Jonathan Hefney is a better fit for the Texans. I know we need a RB, but if we can't get at least Jonathan Stewart than we need to address the CB position. Justin King is a perfect compliment to Dunte. As for Samuel he'll cost too much, and will want Nate Clements money, Dunte will ********** hate that, and as soon as he can will leave. If you take a rookie CB he's cheaper and Dunte will still be the man. The safety and corner position is easily the weakest, it's the weakest now and will be in the off-season.

Also Lance Briggs wants to be paid, and when he sees that he can come and big a leader and a difference maker here in Houston he'll likely sign with the Texans. If they offer him the right money. He would be perfect for us. He can cover TE's and he can run with RB's even though he rarely does, but his athleticism is unmatched, and he could be the best 4-3 WLB in the game next to Julian Peterson and Bullock.

Lance Briggs-UFA
Justin King-1rst round draft
Jonathan Hefney-2nd round draft

After that we load up on the fat guys. I mean grab as many BPA with the fat guys. Centers, guards, and tackles who can play guard.

I don't like the idea of paying premium dollars for a WLB. I'd rather overpay at CB, DL, or OL... I'd also pay a lot for Michael Turner- I just doubt that will happen.

3andOUT
09-19-2007, 11:08 AM
Yah, for the first time since this team has been in Houston I think it may be a little too soon to talk offseason. Enjoy it while it's here. The off-season is when I store up food and hibernate until late April

outofhnd
09-19-2007, 11:14 AM
Sorry but Tom Zbikowsky returned to school for one reason, he wouldn't have been a 1rst rounder, he won't be one again, I want nothing to do with Tommy. He is a big hitter that's all. He was projected to go in the 3rd round of the 2007 Draft thats why he returned, and so far this year he's been beat deep and hasn't laid the wood on anybody. He isn't a top safety. Jonathan Hefney is a better fit for the Texans. I know we need a RB, but if we can't get at least Jonathan Stewart than we need to address the CB position. Justin King is a perfect compliment to Dunte. As for Samuel he'll cost too much, and will want Nate Clements money, Dunte will ********** hate that, and as soon as he can will leave. If you take a rookie CB he's cheaper and Dunte will still be the man. The safety and corner position is easily the weakest, it's the weakest now and will be in the off-season.

Also Lance Briggs wants to be paid, and when he sees that he can come and big a leader and a difference maker here in Houston he'll likely sign with the Texans. If they offer him the right money. He would be perfect for us. He can cover TE's and he can run with RB's even though he rarely does, but his athleticism is unmatched, and he could be the best 4-3 WLB in the game next to Julian Peterson and Bullock.

Lance Briggs-UFA
Justin King-1rst round draft
Jonathan Hefney-2nd round draft

After that we load up on the fat guys. I mean grab as many BPA with the fat guys. Centers, guards, and tackles who can play guard.

I don't want Briggs or Samuel, I dont want guys that command dollars but don't have any sense. Id rather bring in randall Gay CB of New England Big physical corner that will compliment Dunta without the humongous waste of money. Id rather draft a rookie Linebacker and groom him than pay big money to briggs who may just be the product of his system. Turner is going to be an interesting situation I look for him to go to Green Bay where the draft did not do anything to help them with the running game. So much first round RB talent available this year. If we can get zbikowsky in round 3 that would be great, I see him as this years Eric Weddle

3andOUT
09-19-2007, 11:18 AM
There is a pretty cool stat that holds true every year. I am not sure of the exact numbers from last year, but year in and year out VERY few pro-bowlers were free agent signings. YOu build talent through the draft and you supplement it with free agents.

gsus8091
09-19-2007, 11:22 AM
I know but I would love for the Texans to have an elite unti at LB. That would be more usefull than having a one year wonder like Samuel who by the way hasn't been totally awesome yet. Samuel is going to go to the highest bidder. Where as Briggs is going to ge somewhere where he can be a leader, be part of something and be paid right. That place is here in Houston.

As for a CB, the average pay for an elite FA CB is way more than for an elite FA LB. A rookie CB would be so much less and he can be a part of your team for twice as long (his rookie contract and his 2nd contract), that's like 10 years of his service. Thats much better than having a guy who would only be usefull for about 2 or 3 years at best. Clements won't be near his elite level 3 years from now, and will never be as good as he was in Buffalo. But a LB has a longer prime. Briggs has made the past two Pro-Bowls and may make this years, if we sign him at 26 or 27 we would have him untill he's 30 in his prime. That means he would probably be a Pro-Bowler until he was 30 and then still get good use of him after that until he was around 32 like Takeo Spikes, Ray Lewis and London Fletcher are still doing.

gsus8091
09-19-2007, 11:26 AM
There is a pretty cool stat that holds true every year. I am not sure of the exact numbers from last year, but year in and year out VERY few pro-bowlers were free agent signings. YOu build talent through the draft and you supplement it with free agents.


Exactly, that's why I'm saying we draft the CB and the safety,and sign our one big FA. Justin King and Hefney are perfect for us here in HOuston. As for Briggs, I can see him having the same impact Julian Peterson had for Seattle even thought they are two different LB's. The CB is the expensive one, I would much rather have a LB through the draft but we only have 2 first day picks. Those should be used for our weak a$s secondary and sign Briggs for a verteren leadership. He can only help our LB corps, and DeMeco and Lance would dominant. You know they would.