My Lessons for next year

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

We're working off different definitions of "project."

To me, a project is a guy who takes an extraordinary amount of work, for a number of possible reasons, to develop to realize his potential. It could be because he was new to/inexperienced at his position (ie. Barwin), was extremely young (ie. Amobi), or played in a small conference against inferior competition (ie. Jacoby.)

Again, that's not to say that Barwin won't succeed in the NFL. But, it is going to take more work on Barwin to develop his pass rushing skills and DE acumen because of his lack of experience at the position. That is, by definition, a project.

Again; You can argue semantics all you want. But my point still stands; Another thing Smithiak seems to like to do is draft a high-potential-project/raw/inexperienced (players) fairly high in the draft. They've done it with Amobi, Jacoby, Molden, and now Barwin.

Tomato:tomato

I agree it will take a lot of work for him to reach his potential, but name me the DE taken who will not take a lot of work.

To me, Barwin can come in and have an impact as a situational rusher completely "as is." His current skill set may be limited in regards to what it may become, but I think he can get after the QB this year before any work other than training camp. That is why I think you can't term him a project.

As for the idea that Smith likes players with high risk/reward (more accurate than "project" with the guys you named), I agree somewhat. Amobi and JJ fit this mold (and even though you didn't name him so does Duane Brown).

But then in the first round this year we went with a very safe and plain pick of Cushing over a number of players who appeared to have a higher ceiling. I think every team balances these things and I don't see the Texans doing it any more often than the rest of the league. So I agree we are likely to see a risky/project type pick somewhere in each draft, but I think you see those in most team's drafts most years.