DLine Kollars remarks raise more questions than they Answer ?

[nunusguy]

Prevailing wisdom has been that the Texans need an upgrade inside to play the nose next to Okoye. Kollar sounds pleased with the pool he's already got to choose from, and he could and could get another candidate in the draft.

"We've got quite a few on the inside especially at the nose we should end up having some good competition with Johnson, Cody, Okam and Robinson," he said.

But if one of the ends emerges as a good rusher opposite Williams or the Texans add that guy in the draft, it sure sounds like Smith could be the interior answer on passing downs.

"He's definitely a good inside rusher, I mean he's slippery inside, he uses his hands well," Kollar said. "He ended up playing a lot inside last year on first and second down. He just does a good job, he plays with great leverage, he was able to slip through gaps. He can give you some rush from the inside, that's for sure."
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-80/Some-D-line-insight-from-Texans-new-assistant.html

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3 of the 4 players Kollar mentions as the ones competing for NT are really what most classify as 3-techniques types ? He must really envision a smaller DLine or one without a true nose ?
Ant it looks like Kollar sees Antonio Smith playing even more time inside as a DT instead of on the edge ? I thought we signed Smith to be the primary DE along with Mario, now Smith is bragging about his value inside on first & second downs ? Huh ? I dunno but I'm thinking Kollar and new DC Bush are gonna have a lot of discussions about how to run this defense ? And does this mean that a DE is back in the discussion as the Texans top pick this month ?

[Keith]

3 of the 4 players Kollar mentions as the ones competing for NT are really what most classify as 3-techniques types ? He must really envision a smaller DLine or one without a true nose ?
Ant it looks like Kollar sees Antonio Smith playing even more time inside as a DT instead of on the edge ? I thought we signed Smith to be the primary DE along with Mario, now Smith is bragging about his value inside on first & second downs ? Huh ? I dunno but I'm thinking Kollar and new DC Bush are gonna have a lot of discussions about how to run this defense ? And does this mean that a DE is back in the discussion as the Texans top pick this month ?
Finally, some sense... I totally think a DE never left the discussion to begin with. And yes, Smith played more than a little inside for the Cardinals. I'm not sure how much I want him doing it on 1st and 2nd down, but I certainly think another pass rushing DE is needed.

Hearing this about the line makes you sorta want to double check what you think the team needs at LB. We need some tacklers.

[Bigtinylittle]

Finally, some sense... I totally think a DE never left the discussion to begin with. And yes, Smith played more than a little inside for the Cardinals. I'm not sure how much I want him doing it on 1st and 2nd down, but I certainly think another pass rushing DE is needed.

Hearing this about the line makes you sorta want to double check what you think the team needs at LB. We need some tacklers.

As I have mentioned before, I think one of the most puzzling things about the Kubiak era is why they would take DTs who were great at penetrating in college and try to turn them into something else in the pros. I think it is in Kollar's mind to change that. If our DTs can't get penetration this year, then I see an upgrade coming next year.

[nunusguy]

As I have mentioned before, I think one of the most puzzling things about the Kubiak era is why they would take DTs who were great at penetrating in college and try to turn them into something else in the pros. I think it is in Kollar's mind to change that. If our DTs can't get penetration this year, then I see an upgrade coming next year.
All of what you say is of course accurate, but the previous regime did the same thing but in spades by drafting TJ to play in a 3-4 of all things.

[nero THE zero]

They signed Smith to play DE and move inside on passing downs. This has been widely reported since his signing. I'm glad to see Kollar finally confirm it. But, I see no reason to make much ado about it. Seems like someone has an agenda they're pushing.

[painekiller]

"We've got quite a few on the inside especially at the nose we should end up having some good competition with Johnson, Cody, Okam and Robinson," he said.


Come on now, do you really think a coach is going to come out and say the guys I have now suck? What happens then if the weak NT crop in this draft do not fall correctly and they are not able to get one?

Grain of salt when it comes to praise. Heck a grain of salt when it comes to coaches speaking in general.

[Roy P]

Finally, some sense... I totally think a DE never left the discussion to begin with. And yes, Smith played more than a little inside for the Cardinals. I'm not sure how much I want him doing it on 1st and 2nd down, but I certainly think another pass rushing DE is needed.

Hearing this about the line makes you sorta want to double check what you think the team needs at LB. We need some tacklers.

I talked about the LBs here....Scott McKillop and Robert Francois might be a couple of guys to watch for on draft weekend. Also check out Mike Rivera of Kansas when the UDFAs start signing.

http://inthebullseye.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567

This gives me some hope that Everette Brown will be coming to Houston if he's still on the board at #15.

[nunusguy]

This gives me some hope that Everette Brown will be coming to Houston if he's still on the board at #15.

Do you think that Gosselin still has it ? Anyway he's got us taking Orakpo at 15 in his second mock which leads me to my question ? Even if Orakpo or Brown were on the Board at 15 do you think the Texans would take either one of them considering the cap they've already invested in DLine ?
I realize trying to make a call on what Smith/Kubiak might do in a hypothetical situation is very speculative, but that sort of thing is a big part of what we're doing here anyway.

[TexanJedi]

I think Gosselin's mocks before his final one are red herrings. Besides I think he is better at nailing down the top 100 players that will be taken rather than where they will specifically go.

[Roy P]

Even if Orakpo or Brown were on the Board at 15 do you think the Texans would take either one of them considering the cap they've already invested in DLine ?


Yes. If it makes the team better, then you do it. If you don't like the money invested in the DLine, then purge some of that salary. I'd start with Travis Johnson.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXJJ14HL5EE

The beginning I don't pay much attention to because of the level of competition, but later on in this clip it's amazing. It's enlightening to hear the announcers of the game talk about the "99 rule" and how they can't stop him. The thought of 99 on one side and 90 on the other makes me smile.

[cland]

MJ (http://www.thefootballexpert.com/Michael_Johnson_Miss_St_v_GT.jpg)

[NBT]

Michael Johnson? He has all the potential that Mario did coming out, but will he up his motivation, and play every down? I say he will. So I would keep an eye on him in this Draft.

[TexanJedi]

Michael Johnson? He has all the potential that Mario did coming out, but will he up his motivation, and play every down? I say he will. So I would keep an eye on him in this Draft.

I would love to have Michael Johnson. One positive about bringing him here is he would only be needed as a situational guy to start, but would still make an early impact as Kubiak stated our high picks needed to. He does not have to be "the man", and he can learn some good work habits from Mario. If he could live up to his potential along side Mario and Amobi gets it going.....:D:D:D

[cland]

I mentioned this is in another thread, but the following lineup could be very legit on passing downs:

Williams Smith Okoye Johnson



I feel like we have plugged enough holes, and have enough depth in this draft that we could take a bit of a risk/reward stance on our 1st round pick.

[Roy P]

I mentioned this is in another thread, but the following lineup could be very legit on passing downs:

Williams Smith Okoye Johnson



I feel like we have plugged enough holes, and have enough depth in this draft that we could take a bit of a risk/reward stance on our 1st round pick.

Me too, except I am hoping that Everette Brown is that guy who slips to #15. :D

[jppaul]

McShay on his 7 rounder has Johnson slipping all the way to 27 in the second to the Carolina Panthers.

[NBT]

I was just rereading this thread and wondered how everyone felt about having Conner Barwin as our situational passrusher? Super athletic, with speed for his size. Added to this he should be a whiz as a special teamer. I, personally didn't think he would still be there in the second round.

[Nconroe]

I'm good withtaking DE there, with that being Conner Barwin. if in 2-3 years he's a big contributor, maybe right away on special teams, then a great pick, which I currently think it will be.

[Roy P]

I was just rereading this thread and wondered how everyone felt about having Conner Barwin as our situational passrusher? Super athletic, with speed for his size. Added to this he should be a whiz as a special teamer. I, personally didn't think he would still be there in the second round.

I'm wondering if he could be as effective as Chris Kelsay who was drafted by the Bills and coached by Kollar at #48 by the Bills in 2003. Kelsay is 6'4" and 261lbs and gets around 5 sacks a year. That would be my minimum expectation for Barwin. On the flip side, Osi Umenyiora who was drafted #56 in that same year, has been good for 8-12 sacks, when healthy over his career (14.5 high).