Connor Barwin, DE - Round 2, 46th Overall

[Keith]

Someone to rush the passer.

[TexanJedi]

Very versatile with upside. I am happy enough. Now get a RB at some point and build depth.

[nunusguy]

I am absolutely excited about this pick ! Risky for sure, but big time upside !
Very interesting prospect. This makes up for my apathy about the first-round choice.

[jcp]

Someone to rush the passer.

While I was really hoping E brown would fall to us...I think that's a solid pick

[Keith]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79CJdrxZbo

highlights from Barwin.

[papabear]

I like it...I'm curious to see how he fits in. I assumed they would try to drop down Cushing to end on 3rd down, but that would seem to be Barwin's job now. As long as peyton manning is on his back i'll be happy.

[papabear]

i wouldn't be opposed to moving back into the second for Unger or Johnson...and I'm rarely in favor of trading up.

[TexanJedi]

Hand down DE, can play either side, will start off behind Mario according to Kubiak.

[painekiller]

Hand down DE, can play either side, will start off behind Mario according to Kubiak.

That is cool. He can learn the game at a nice pace. He will see the field in packages that work for him. Should be a Special Teams terror.

[WMH]

NFL.com had this to say about him:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/connor-barwin?id=71197

Pick Analysis: The pass-rushing phenom from Cincinnati lands with the Texans at the 46th pick. A tremendous athlete with outstanding speed and quickness, Barwin has the requisite movement skills to develop into a versatile situational player as a pro. Though the Texans have primarily used the 4-3, Barwin's skills allow the flexibility to incorporate some hybrid looks into the game plan.

[popanot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79CJdrxZbo

highlights from Barwin.

Not much, but here's more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskwvLtVqZo&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGkH6LkpE8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1LpOP-FpH8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z4ZP4ruwjQ&feature=related

[Mike]

Another guy who looks like he plays fast. This move should allow Cushing to stay on the field on third down as a LB.

[edo783]

Solid pick with good upside IMO.

[James]

4.47 40 at his pro day. That's ridiculous.

[BigBull]

I think the pass rush should be much improved this season.:D

[Roy P]

A tremendous athlete with outstanding speed and quickness, Barwin has the requisite movement skills to develop into a versatile situational player as a pro.

DE Connor Barwin Cincinnatti HOU 6' 4" 256 4.59 21 40.5 2.68 1.53 10.75 6.87 4.18 72.25 12.58 5.74

I like the athleticism the team is going for on defense.
Cushing had explosion of 75 and Athletic Index of 5.96, then we go and get this guy.

[Blitzwood]

Barwin in the second is a gift, really.
I love the potential tandem of him and Cush.

Great job Kubiak !

My friends and I call Barwin "meat-hooks" because of his long arms attacking the ball carrier.
I wonder if Kyle plans on using him on the offense.
Should be interesting...

[coloradodude]

IF the coaches do their job with this guy he will be a stud. I was watching some clips on him two nights ago hoping we would land him.

Coach him up, give him simple assignments at first then turn him loose.

[Mike]

This kind of scared me..... Casserly said he loved him this morning. Mentioned he could rush the passer and he had expolosiveness and athleticism. His best years might be year 2-3 when he learns how to be a more complete player.

[popanot]

I definitely feel he has the size and athletisim to be a factor and at least be someone who the offense has to account for opposite Mario. He should be good and has the potential to be very good.

[kravix]

My biggest issue here is the fact that he has only played DE 1 year from a converted TE...

No doubt he is gifted physically. And I think that he has the potential to bring some heat as well as versatility to the def.

I would be more comfortable droping him into coverage for a zone blitz than any other DE on the roster.

[dalemurphy]

My biggest issue here is the fact that he has only played DE 1 year from a converted TE...

No doubt he is gifted physically. And I think that he has the potential to bring some heat as well as versatility to the def.

I would be more comfortable droping him into coverage for a zone blitz than any other DE on the roster.

The great thing, though, is he is a very accomplished football player. He understands the game, studies it, and improved dramatically through the season. If you watch his highlight reel on youtube, he developed better pass rush moves than a lot of the hybrid guys that went in front and just behind him. Here are some things to look at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79CJdrxZbo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QeKW1--bA0&feature=related

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/556598

[barrett]

My biggest issue here is the fact that he has only played DE 1 year from a converted TE...

No doubt he is gifted physically. And I think that he has the potential to bring some heat as well as versatility to the def.

I would be more comfortable droping him into coverage for a zone blitz than any other DE on the roster.

I don't think lack of time at DE is a concern because we are not talking about a guy who is just about athleticism and potential. He had great production as a DE. In fact he had more production in one year than many other prospects had in 2-3.

[Roy P]

Should be a Special Teams terror.

He can be a Long Snapper, too! I just hope that we don't overwhelm him by giving him 3 playbooks on day one. Right now, I just want him to take advantage of OLs sliding protection towards Mario.

[Roy P]

My biggest issue here is the fact that he has only played DE 1 year from a converted TE...


Trevor Scott led all rookies with 5 sacks.

http://www.nfl.com/players/trevorscott/profile?id=SCO719246


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QeKW1--bA0&feature=related

Listen to 6:55 of this interview.

[Keith]

Battle Red Blog (http://www.battleredblog.com/2009/4/29/858621/interview-with-the-newest-texans) had a post-draft Q&A with Barwin. Good stuff!

TT: You won’t be able to participate in any Texans activities until you are finished with school in June. What are you going to do until that time to get ready for camp?

Connor: I’m back in Cincinnati, and I’ve got six weeks to train as hard as possible. I’m completely locked in and focused on being prepared as I’ve ever been for June 14th, when I can go down to Houston, and June 15th we start camp. I’ll just continue to run and lift as hard as I can and focus really on my pass rush and playing defensive end.

Take the link to read more about his pass rush moves and what type of OT might give him the most trouble.