Robert Ayers, 1st Round Pick

[Roy P]

Today is Valentine's day, so this may sound ridiculous. Of course, this time last year, saying Duane Brown was a 1st round pick was also out of the question.

There are not many real 4-3 DEs in this draft. At the top of the draft there are guys who may be 'pass-rushing specialists' or 3-4 OLBs, but not true DEs for a 4-3. Tyson Jackson, who I've seen drafted by us in Mock drafts, might be more of a 3-4 DE like Chris Canty. Anyway, Ayers has some pass rushing ability and can hold up against the run. Finding Mario's bookend is a priority for the Texans (at least it should be) and I'm not going to be surprised to see the Texans draft him in the 1st round. Can't wait to see him at the Combine working out.

Hopefully, they will be able to trade down like they did last year with Brown.

[nunusguy]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to see a scenario, to even expect Ayers to be taken someplace in the second half of the first round, especially if he has a
good Pro-Day and/or Combine after an impressve Senior Bowl.

[painekiller]

And like I did Brown, I would scream reach if we took him in the 1st round. I man had a good week at the Senior Bowl and he goes from a 3rd/4th rounder to a 1st?

I like the guy, and I would not complain at his being drafted, just not in the 1st.

[idymoe]

My feelings on Brown were that I was really hoping that he would fall to the Texans 3rd round pick, but thought there was no way that would happen. I was surprised when they took him in the 1st, but was happy the Texans got him. I truly believe he would have been taken in the first by San Diego, or another team. In spite of the sacks allowed that everyone talks about, I still like the pick. I think he is further ahead after his first season than Okoye is after his second.

I like what I've seen of Ayers. I would like to see the Texans get him in the second. If the Texans think he won't last until the 2nd, and they want him, so be it, especially if they can trade down in the first and get another pick, as well. There are a few guys, Raji, Brown, that if they were there at 15 and we couldn't trade down, then I definately prefer them. If there were not someone at 15 that would be a no-brainer, I think pretty much everyone after that has as many questionmarks as Ayers.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

And like I did Brown, I would scream reach if we took him in the 1st round. I man had a good week at the Senior Bowl and he goes from a 3rd/4th rounder to a 1st?

I like the guy, and I would not complain at his being drafted, just not in the 1st.

That is my feeling as well. Which is why the thought occurred to me. It is apparent that 3rd round picks before the Senior bowl can become 1st round picks come draft day. Hell, during the season I was excited to see Aaron Curry listed as a 3rd round prospect only to see him now as a top 5 guy.

Ayers has steadily picked up steam from mock drafts and has been given a 1-2 listing by DraftScout.com and #35 overall. He is their "hottest" riser on the "who's hot" list. THR has him ranked #47 on their 2 Feb board up 35 slots from their previous ranking. DB has given him a 1st round ranking on his talent board, ahead of Michael Johnson (who he rates as a 3rd rounder). Anyone who knows Boylhart realizes that he doesn't care what anybody thinks, and only goes by game film.

Personally, I would love to have him in the third and would be content if we got him in the second round. In my mind, he has a lot to prove and would be a reach in the 1st round. However, there is a problem with this draft in terms of supply and demand for a position of need. At best, I could see him playing like Tamba Hali and the Chiefs drafted him #20 in 2006 but, at worst, he could be more like Jovan Haye drafted in the 6th round at #189 by the Panthers.

This will sound like a crazy idea, and I have to admit it wasn't mine, but drafting Peria Jerry to play RDE might be a better option. Boylhart compares him to a young Bruce Smith, which might be a bit of hyperbole to say the least. I could see him as a cross between Tommie Harris and Charles Grant, which wouldn't be bad to have opposite of Mario Williams.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This will sound like a crazy idea, and I have to admit it wasn't mine, but drafting Peria Jerry to play RDE might be a better option. Boylhart compares him to a young Bruce Smith, which might be a bit of hyperbole to say the least. I could see him as a cross between Tommie Harris and Charles Grant, which wouldn't be bad to have opposite of Mario Williams.

My initial thought was Jerry is only 6-3, would he be long enough? But then I looked at Weaver, he is also 6-3. Wing span will be an issue, especial at RDE, OLT all have long arms and a RDE needs to be able compete.

It is an interesting thought, BTW I think you would want to make Jerry the LDE, the one over the RT, and leave Mario as the RDE. Also then grabbing someone later like Lawrence Sidbury or even Phillip Hunt U of H to be the pass rushing guy. Mario moves to the LDE and Jerry would go to DT and the specialist would come in on passing downs. It is a thought.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

BTW I think you would want to make Jerry the LDE, the one over the RT, and leave Mario as the RDE.

Sorry, that's what I meant. I'm always thinking from the QB postion. When I said RDE, I was referring to the DE opposite the RT, which as you point out is the LDE.

Anyway, I've often thought that Tommie Harris would do a lot more and wouldn't get injured as much if he were out on the edge. If he played at 280lbs, he'd be a beast.

I'm keeping this Jerry idea on the backburner for now. I want to see how he times at the Combine. Ideally, the numbers I'm looking for are 1.68 - 10 yard split, 4.32 - Short Shuttle, and 7.40 - Cone. For explosion I want to see at least a 34" Vertical and a 9' 6" Long Jump. If Peria can get into that range, then I would definitely contemplate drafting him to be my DE.

Also, I am not giving up on the idea of going after a trade or some kind of pick up in the FA market. Jeremy Thompson of Green Bay, Jeremy Mincey of Jacksonville, or Jovan Haye of Tampa Bay as possible targets.

As for this draft's late round pass rushing guy, I've got me eye on Eastern Illinois DE Pierre Walters.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by painekiller

My initial thought was Jerry is only 6-3, would he be long enough? But then I looked at Weaver, he is also 6-3. Wing span will be an issue, especial at RDE, OLT all have long arms and a RDE needs to be able compete.

It is an interesting thought, BTW I think you would want to make Jerry the LDE, the one over the RT, and leave Mario as the RDE. Also then grabbing someone later like Lawrence Sidbury or even Phillip Hunt U of H to be the pass rushing guy. Mario moves to the LDE and Jerry would go to DT and the specialist would come in on passing downs. It is a thought.

This is interesting. I have been thinking lately about Okoye at DE. In fact I posted this on another MB the other day. Its really just a fantasy but I would love to see us try it.

A few simple steps could fix our D. Sounds crazy huh? Well here it is my crazy plan.

Sign Haynesworth as a FA.

In the first round draft BJ Raji. I know he probably wont be there at 15 thats ok I have a plan. If he is drafted before us offer that team our first plus Travis Johnson for Raji. If they arent interested in TJ throw in our 3rd which should be adeqaute.

Trade Travis Johnson if wasnt involved in trade up. Im not as down on him as most but he just doesnt fit so I take any pick 4th or better.

In the 2nd round draft the best speedy OLB available. Clay Matthews or Clint Sintim or Tyrone McKenzie. One of them should be available.
In the 3rd round Draft Jarron Gilbert San Jose St DE.
In the 4th round Draft WR Jarrett Dillard, 5-10, 185, Rice
In the 5th round draft James Casey Rice TE
In the 6th round draft Sammie Lee Hill Stillman DT34 DT43
In the 7th round draft Gartrell Johnson, RB, Colorado State

Depth Chart Defense

LDE Amobi Okoye DelJuan Robinson Tim Bulman
DT BJ Raji Frank Okam
NT Haynesworth Sammie Lee Hill
RDE Mario Williams Jarron Gilbert Jesse Nading
OLB Xavier Adibi Clay Matthews? Kevin Bentley Chaun Thompson
MLB DeMeco Ryans Kevin Bentley
LCB Jacques Reeves Fred Bennett David Pittman
RCB Dunta Robinson DeMarcus Faggins Matterral Richardson
SS Nick Ferguson Brandon Harrison Dominique Barber
FS Eugene Wilson Will Demps

Take the 3/4 NT's responsibilities and the philosophy of the position and apply it in a 4/3 with both DT's. Why not have 2 guys in the middle that can command double teams? This frees up both ends to go 1 on 1 witht Tackles. I believe Okoye could thrive here. This front gives us 4 players capable of getting to the QB allowing Demeco Ryans and 2 speedy OLB's to blitz with off the edge and run down plays, our D would be Texan tough.

I know CRAZY huh? Well Im not finished yet. Next year In the 1st round My Houston Texans draft Terrance "Mount" Cody DT Alabama. Now thats CRAZY!!

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This will sound like a crazy idea, and I have to admit it wasn't mine, but drafting Peria Jerry to play RDE might be a better option. Boylhart compares him to a young Bruce Smith, which might be a bit of hyperbole to say the least. I could see him as a cross between Tommie Harris and Charles Grant, which wouldn't be bad to have opposite of Mario Williams.

But isn't that what a lot of people said about Okoye when he came out ?
He was in the 280s at the Senior Bowl when he played very well, flashed and alot of people went on and on about his quickness and athleticism.
I remember seeing his spin move in the week of SB practice and being reminded of Dwight Freeney. Apparently Rick Smith was to ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

But isn't that what a lot of people said about Okoye when he came out ?

Apparently Rick Smith was to ?

Nobody was suggesting that Okoye should or would play DE. He was a 3-Technique DT that may grow into a NT. Drafting the youngest player in the NFL meant that we were not seeing anything close to the final product. We saw that he had athleticism, but perhaps as he matured under the supervision of NFL coaches and trainers, he might grow into a Pat Williams.

I think the worst they thought they would be getting is a pass rushing DT to put pressure on the QB. The best case scenario was a larger run stuffer who still had the athleticism of a lighter version of himself. Many times when you see scouting projections of a player you will come across the phrase, "has the frame to add more bulk while maintaining quickness and agility" and that was the case for Amobi.

I'm actually proposing the opposite with Jerry. I would like to see him slim down and lose some of the bulk around his belly in hopes that it would add to his quickness. I would then use him much like the Chiefs have employed Turk McBride in Kansas City.