What new starters do you want to see?

[painekiller]

I know we all want to see Cushing and Smith play, but the question I am really asking is which expected starter do you want to see replaced and by whom?

I'll start with a few changes I would like to see happen:

Myers seems to be a coach favorite, but I want to see Caldwell replace him for a long time. I don't expect this happen coming out of camp. But maybe by mid year.

Another player I want to see rise up and grab a starting job is Okam. I think a big NT who can split double teams changes the defense.

[nunusguy]

Most of all I'd like to see somebody, anybody beat out DRob at the position they've been "saving" for his return. I have really soured on him, and that wasn't easy since he used to be one of my favorites - even sent him several "get well" post cards when he was coming back from his injury.

[nero THE zero]

I'd like to see DelJuan starting. I don't care if he supplants TJ or Amobi, but I'd like to see him starting.

I'd like to see Caldwell starting in place of Myers.

Also, for clarity's sake, who's the expected starter at SS? If it's Ferguson, I'd like to see Barber start in his stead.

[idymoe]

You guys have already picked the cherries. :) I would like to see Barwin starting, based on merit and not injuries. I know he will be used primarily in passing situations to begin with, but with his physical tools, he will eventually be a good run stopper, too. Hopefully, he'll be a quick study. If he earns the start to kick Smith inside, it could be a very rugged d-line. If Okam could also earn a starter's spot, then that is even better.

The d-line should be significantly better this year, even if Barwin and/or Okam don't start. Smith is a huge upgrade to Weaver, and Barwin will be a better pass rusher than anyone not named Williams and possibly Smith. Deljuan is good enough to start, so the entire rotation will be better than last year.

[barrett]

I think "starters" are not that big a deal at most positions. Guys rotate and I hope we get contributions from spots #25-45 on the roster more than I care about who starts. That is how good teams are good. They do not have a guy on the roster that can't play. You have to have that with the way injuries and a 45 man active roster affect things in the NFL today.

The only starting lineup battle I care much about is at WLB, and that is because backup LBs get almost no playing time outside of special teams (opposed to the rotations that are used at almost every other spot). It seems like we have a bunch of guys who are quality depth but no solid NFL starter at the WLB. Hopefully one of them really steps up.

[papabear]

In General I would like to see younger guys able to beat out the older guys. That means we are doing a good job drafting. I'm not real picky about how that plays out though.

I think Caldwell will supplant Meyers, or Briesel at some point this year. That doesn't mean I'll be pissed if he doesn't.I would also like to see Barber breakout this year, and have guys like Bennet and Molden start consistently playing up to their ability. I would like to see Adibi show that he can be a long term solution at WILL.

[painekiller]

Most of all I'd like to see somebody, anybody beat out DRob at the position they've been "saving" for his return.

Who will be the DB starters? What if we trade Dunta before the season?

Bennett and Reeves seem to be the favorites at CB with Ferguson and Wilson the safeties(?).

I have a feeling Molden is going to be held back and be placed on the PUP list, I do not have any info just a hunch.

So what is if Bennett steps ups and beats out the slower smaller Dunta? The two guys I am rooting for long term to play CBs are Bennett and Molden. With Quinn as a nickle.

At safety, I like Barber and I would like to see Harrison step it up or it's time to say bye bye to him. I am also interested in seeing Nolan play. Just want to throw this one out there, what if we used Busing and Barber as safeties on run plays. That would be a some size.

WILL LB - I want Adibi to win it, but Diles might be the better run stopper to go with this defense.


One thing is for certain we are cutting some very good players very soon.

[cland]

The only starting lineup battle I care much about is at WLB, and that is because backup LBs get almost no playing time outside of special teams (opposed to the rotations that are used at almost every other spot). It seems like we have a bunch of guys who are quality depth but no solid NFL starter at the WLB. Hopefully one of them really steps up.

I actually feel pretty comfortable with the winner of the Adibi, Diles, and June battle at the WLB spot. Safety still has me worried, but not as much as prior years.

I really think it's about how our DT's turn out, and I'm very interested in seeing how Okoye in year 3 and Okam in year 2 turn out. T. Johnson can hold ground, but he's not going to change the game. Smith's pass rush at DT in the nickle package, will also impact how our D is schemed against.

[barrett]

I actually feel pretty comfortable with the winner of the Adibi, Diles, and June battle at the WLB spot. Safety still has me worried, but not as much as prior years.

I really think it's about how our DT's turn out, and I'm very interested in seeing how Okoye in year 3 and Okam in year 2 turn out. T. Johnson can hold ground, but he's not going to change the game. Smith's pass rush at DT in the nickle package, will also impact how our D is schemed against.

I agree that DT is more important for how we play this year, but who starts there isn't that important. At least 4 DTs will play and at least 1 DE will see time there as well. So which 2 get to start doesn't matter a ton since they all need to play well for us.

At LB, your starters play almost all of the snaps, and when they come off the field it is for a DB not for the backup. Because of this it is probably the most interesting position battle.

At Safety I just don't think we have enough talent to even call it a position battle. Someone is going to be put there and asked to not lose games. We are obviously going with the model that pass rush = pass defense. If we can rush the passer well, that should be fine. The problem is we haven't yet.

[painekiller]

As barrett points out at some positions the starter is not as important.

RB is one of those, well at least the ways Kubiak has used the position in the past. We all believe Slaton will be the feature back, I am hoping that Foster wins the short yardage/big back job. I think Brown has the inside track, but I want young hungry blood with something to prove playing.

Slaton, Moats, Foster. (PS) Jeremiah Johnson

[painekiller]

OK a lot of us think Caldwell should start, but has anyone but me looked at the OL depth? We have no one at OT after the top 3 guys. And if Caldwell starts our game day depth is hammered in the middle.


I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

[Arky]

I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

Have you seen the roster (http://www.houstontexans.com/team/Roster.asp?sort_by=3) lately? There are some interesting UDFA's and FA's I didn't know they (the Texans) picked up - some from big name schools.... Tackles from Florida and Michigan, a center from LSU, guards from Kansas and Notre Dame..... I didn't know they had these guys...:eek:

[papabear]

OK a lot of us think Caldwell should start, but has anyone but me looked at the OL depth? We have no one at OT after the top 3 guys. And if Caldwell starts our game day depth is hammered in the middle.


I can already see next years want list including a depth level guard and tackle

Most teams are only going to have three OT's active on game day. Now if one of ours gets hurt we will be pretty thin, but I feel really good about our top three tackles. We would be a little thin at gaurd or Center if Caldwell started, depending on who he beat out, but we don't know who might surprise us in camp. I'm not a real big fan of keeping a better player on the sidelines just to make our depth chart look better though. If he beats someone out then so be it.

Myers is just a center, but didn't Briesel work at center before?

[cland]

I agree, Caldwell starting doesn't prevent him from sliding over to guard to cover for an injury, with Myers coming up to play center.

[idymoe]

Myers is just a center, but didn't Briesel work at center before?



Myers started the first 5 games at left guard for Denver in 2007. He moved to start at center for the last 11 games. If Caldwell starts at center, I think that makes our backup for guard/center in Myers better than what we had last year. Having to replace Ephraim at swing tackle is a bigger issue at this point. Butler may be better than Ephraim at backing up both tackles, then we need to replace Butler in the 2nd backup spot from last year.

[papabear]

Myers started the first 5 games at left guard for Denver in 2007. He moved to start at center for the last 11 games. If Caldwell starts at center, I think that makes our backup for guard/center in Myers better than what we had last year. Having to replace Ephraim at swing tackle is a bigger issue at this point. Butler may be better than Ephraim at backing up both tackles, then we need to replace Butler in the 2nd backup spot from last year.


I don't see Myers as a gaurd even though I'm sure he could play there. He's slightly undersized as a center. It's even worse at Gaurd.

[painekiller]

I am not as worried about the game day roster guys as I am the depth behind them. We have no one. As pointed out Butler maybe a step up at this time to Salaam. But we have nobody behind Butler. An injury to Brown or Winston that last any length of time can hurt this team as much as the loss of Slaton.

On the inside, you have Pitts, Meyers, Briesel, Caldwell and then what. Most of us have been looking for Whites replacement for a couple of years.

At OC we did pick up a 270lb guy from LSU, can you say practice squad at best this season? he will need to really bulk up. As for OG we have a former 4th rounder with his 4th team in 6 years in Jones, I'm not saying, but I am saying.
Dan Stevenson from Notre Dame might surprise but so far has been on 3 teams practice squad.
Kasey Studdard, please, watch him in one on one, he should not be on a roster.

I hope we get lucky again and the main 7 stay healthy, because we are only 7 deep.

[papabear]

I hope we get lucky again and the main 7 stay healthy, because we are only 7 deep.


How many teams feel really good about their 8th or 9th lineman on the depth chart? I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have more depth, but in general once you get that far down the depth chart for O-lineman your counting on some young player to develop. I haven't looked at who we have in those spots to closely, but it doesn't look like there is anyone there that I have high hopes for. Although I don't think anyone had huge aspirations for Deljuan Robinson, Tim Bullman, Zac Diles, or even Briesel initially either. Each one of those guys will likely either start or play a big role as part of the rotation other than maybe Diles...and many people thought he was playing the best of all our LB's before he got hurt.

[painekiller]

but in general once you get that far down the depth chart for O-lineman your counting on some young player to develop.

Exactly my point. I think this is the last legacy of the empty roster Smith/Kubiak inherited. Instead of 3rd 4th or 5th round guys developing behind solid vets, we are having to rely on UDFA types to develop.

I believe with the next draft, we will be looking at depth after round 2 again.

[papabear]

Instead of 3rd 4th or 5th round guys developing behind solid vets, we are having to rely on UDFA types to develop.


I think most teams are having to rely UDFA or 6th 7th round picks in some areas. We are probably still catching up from Cass, but a by product of the salary cap is that you have to rely on some of those fringe players to fill out your roster, no matter how good the front office. Developing those guys could be the difference between a decent team and a pretty good one.

[TexicanMexican]

Given that some teams have trouble filling out a starting offensive line, I don't doubt that finding depth is an issue for most teams. That said, it's nice if a couple of later picks can develop to solid back ups. My dream is the Texans eventually start drafting for depth and not need.

[painekiller]

Given that some teams have trouble filling out a starting offensive line, I don't doubt that finding depth is an issue for most teams. That said, it's nice if a couple of later picks can develop to solid back ups. My dream is the Texans eventually start drafting for depth and not need.

Thank you, that is what I have been saying. Teams like the Eagles will draft a 1st rounder who does not even get on the field. That is the ultimate goal IMO.

[idymoe]

PK, I think the Texans are only one or two drafts away from being in that position. Off the top of my head, I think a first rounder next year who is a running back or maybe db would be expected to start or contibute right away (not counting st). Maybe if there were a huge upgrade in the draft at wlb. Otherwise, I think we are pretty solid at all other positions with some developing young guys for this year's starters. If Caldwell earns the start at center, then I could see drafting a lineman on offense or defense and having the luxury to bring them along slowly.

[nunusguy]

PK, I think the Texans are only one or two drafts away from being in that position. Off the top of my head, I think a first rounder next year who is a running back or maybe db would be expected to start or contibute right away (not counting st). Maybe if there were a huge upgrade in the draft at wlb. Otherwise, I think we are pretty solid at all other positions with some developing young guys for this year's starters. If Caldwell earns the start at center, then I could see drafting a lineman on offense or defense and having the luxury to bring them along slowly.
I dunno, but I tend to think the biggest outstanding questions are in the DB.

[painekiller]

If Caldwell takes over the OC position in the next year, then a OG prospect might get a shot. Unlikely though.

I agree with you guys on the DBs, a 1st round DB will be expected to compete. If Adibi continues to grow as a player would they still go WILL? Weatherspoon or Kindle could be prospects worth a look, if Kindle can learn to stay out of trouble.

[NBT]

Other than finding that compementary RB, and finding a CB to replace Dunta, we have arrived. We will always be fine tuning here and there, but I think we have fleshed out our team.