Tavon Austin

[popanot]

Would LOVE for the Texans to get this guy in RD1. Fills 2 needs, can play RB, isn't afraid to block, beats defenders 1 on 1, and has the speed and moves to take it to house at any time. Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb were up in the upper elechelon of fantasy scoring throughout the year, and that's who Austin reminds me of. We could use that type of player here! Question is, would Kubiak use his all-around skills and talent like WVU did and like MINN/GB did with Harvin/Cobb?

3 Round mock here w/video of each player - http://draftbreakdown.com/new-mock-by-jon-dove-2/2

Note: The link above directs you to Page 2 where the Texans/Austin pick is. You have to click Page1 to see Picks 1 thru 16.

[nunusguy]

If he'd be anything like Percy Harvin he'd be a great addition to the team, but he does not strike me as the kind of player Kubiak would draft to play WR because of his size, especially when he's the only one of the top 6 or 7 WR prospects under six foot and < 200 lbs in this Draft. Hey I'm not saying he's not a good prospect, but Kubiak likes those bigger WRs and that's in no small part do to how much he looks to his receivers to bloc in his offense.

[popanot]

Unfortunately you're probably right about Kubiak not wanting a small-ish WR, but I think that would be extremely short-sighted of him. Smaller slot guys have been killing it the last few years (Welker, Harvin, Cobb, Cruz...), and with Schaub's noodle-arm of late, we could really use a guy that can take a short pass and make a big play out of it. I was hoping K-Mart would be that guy, but he drops everything thrown at him.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by popanot

Smaller slot guys have been killing it the last few years (Welker, Harvin, Cobb, Cruz...), and with Schaub's noodle-arm of late, we could really use a guy that can take a short pass and make a big play out of it.

You know I'm thinking Reggie Bush is a FA again ? No kidding, I mean the slot-back is really his position even though he had some limited success as Miami's RB this past year. I don't know how expensive Bush would be, but probably not as steep as Welker ? And he can also return punts. Just a thought ?
And about Schaub's "noodle-arm", I happened to see some film on a long TD pass he made to Keven Walter early in the year vs Denver last night, and it actually was airborne for 50 yards of the field, so apparently there's really something to these reports about his arm fading late in the year ?

[HPF Bob]

If Tavon is as good as advertised, I don't think he lasts to #27. Besides, I'd rather go defense in Round 1.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Besides, I'd rather go defense in Round 1.

Not Me. Please give me a playmaker in round 1 that will get me to stop cringing everytime I watch this offense, Please!

Patterson, D. Hopkins, Austin or Stedman Bailey.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Besides, I'd rather go defense in Round 1.

I was leaning that way too and hoping for an ILB like T'eo/Minter/Ogletree. However, there are now rumors that if the Texans re-sign Barwin they're likely to move Reed to ILB and start Mercilus at OLB.

I always thought Reed would be a better ILB with his size and speed (he has about the same measurables as Cushing but is faster). They moved him there for awhile when Cushing got hurt but then pulled a groin. I think he could easily make the transition with a full camp to get acclimated.

With that said, I think they could find a tweener-OLB/DE in the later rounds to fill Mercilus's backup OLB role (plus give Braman a shot), so I'd go Offense in RD1. This team needs some speed and a playmaker on O so bad it's not even funny.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by popanot

I was leaning that way too and hoping for an ILB like T'eo/Minter/Ogletree. However, there are now rumors that if the Texans re-sign Barwin they're likely to move Reed to ILB and start Mercilus at OLB.

I always thought Reed would be a better ILB with his size and speed (he has about the same measurables as Cushing but is faster). They moved him there for awhile when Cushing got hurt but then pulled a groin. I think he could easily make the transition with a full camp to get acclimated.

With that said, I think they could find a tweener-OLB/DE in the later rounds to fill Mercilus's backup OLB role (plus give Braman a shot), so I'd go Offense in RD1. This team needs some speed and a playmaker on O so bad it's not even funny.

After seeing the SB, which featured the 2 best defenses in the league, I'd be ok with going defense in the 1st round, as long as he's a starter. We're clearly not a good enough team to draft a backup in the 1st round like we did last year.

[nunusguy]

Tavon Austin ran a 4.34 forty at the Combine today, as did Ryan Swope. Wow, I had no idea the Aggie WR had that kind of long-speed ? Just goes to show how sometimes a 40 time can be that important because I think this time will boost Swope's projection by ATLEAST a whole round in Aprils Draft.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Tavon Austin ran a 4.34 forty at the Combine today, as did Ryan Swope. Wow, I had no idea the Aggie WR had that kind of long-speed ? Just goes to show how sometimes a 40 time can be that important because I think this time will boost Swope's projection by ATLEAST a whole round in Aprils Draft.

Agreed on Swope, I was sure he was a 4.5 type guy, boy was I wrong on that one.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

Not Me. Please give me a playmaker in round 1 that will get me to stop cringing everytime I watch this offense, Please!

I don't think it's a lack of playmakers that's making you cringe.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by chuck

I don't think it's a lack of playmakers that's making you cringe.

Precisely. I think it has more to do with a scheme that becomes predictable as the season wears on. Kubiak's beliefs, right or wrong and largely inherited from Shanahan and echoed by Walsh, Halas and Lombardi, is that if we put the talent on the field to do what we plan to do on offense, we cannot be stopped.

The parts are interchangeable. The talent level is not. You need an OL that is nimble and can move as a unit. You need a QB that can execute play action to perfection (it would help if he were a running threat - this one is not). You need a RB who can see cutback lanes and has the quickness to exploit them. You need WRs who can block and hang onto the ball. You need a TE who can become a medium-to-deep threat on occasion. The plan has about a 30-yr track record of success provided the talent is there.

That's not to say the Texans cannot upgrade the right side of the OL and replace some parts in the receiver corps. But the big problem is Schaub and we're committed to him for several more years.

But defense still wins titles in this league and ours got exposed as soon as Cushing left the lineup and J-Jo pulled his hammy. They did not get the outside push they had all of 2011. If they move Reed inside and maybe get a speed rusher for OLB, that might really spice up the D. They could use some healthy bodies inside to prevent double teams on Watt and they need better secondary play although it was much improved until late in the season.

The Giants excel at getting more quick-twitch guys flying at the QB than most OLs are capable of blocking. I think the Texans are close to getting there but just need a few more guys and good health. The difference between us and the good teams of last year was that the defense couldn't take chances like they could when Cushing was in there. They need to get back to that.