My Lessons for next year

[jaimeg]

Originally Posted by barrett

Are you serious? They were the top offense and top running team over his tenure in Denver that included 2 superbowl wins. And you are going to sit with a straight face and say that their system is a failure because Shanahan only lasted 3 times as long as the average NFL coach. And only won 2 superbowls (which is 2nd best in the NFL over his tenure I believe). Genius.

I for one would love for the Texans to have the kind of "downfall" that results in a decade of high powered offense, winning, and multiple superbowls.

I'm not saying their system is a failure, I am just saying it could have been better. Yes they won two superbowls but Schaub is not Elway. I just believe that we're basically a turf toe away (Slaton) from being a 6-10 team.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

I just believe that we're basically a turf toe away (Slaton) from being a 6-10 team.

I am also concerned about Slaton's durability. Last season was a pleasant surprise, and perhaps I'm just a cynic, but I can envision a scenario where we overuse Slaton and expose him to possible injury. Ideally, I'd like to see Slaton getting about 15 touches per game. However, I'm not very confident that the other RBs on the roster can take on the other rushing attempts and have the offense not miss a beat. There is some hope about Foster and Johnson to make the roster and we may still be able to get another RB as a FA or in a trade. On a positive note, perhaps the additions of Caldwell and Hill will help keep the big powerful tacklers off of Slaton allowing him to take less impactful hits.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

I'm not saying their system is a failure, I am just saying it could have been better. Yes they won two superbowls but Schaub is not Elway. I just believe that we're basically a turf toe away (Slaton) from being a 6-10 team.

Your whole premise is flawed anyway. Kubiak has shown he is willing to draft RB in the high(est) rounds. Why don't you address that?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

I'm not saying their system is a failure, I am just saying it could have been better. Yes they won two superbowls but Schaub is not Elway. I just believe that we're basically a turf toe away (Slaton) from being a 6-10 team.

Your logic is terrible though. You say they might have been better which is unrealisitic considering the success they achieved. But even if they could have done better, it wasn't RB that was holding them back. They were the top rushing team in the NFL during Shanahan's tenure.

By attempting to piggyback your legitimate concern over the Texans RB situation to the Broncos, you have ruined what could have been a valid point (we need help at RB). And I just don't understand what could have possessed you to put our running game issues at the feet of the two best running game coaches of modern NFL football (shanahan and gibbs).

With all of that said I too am concerned we don't have more at RB. I wish we'd drafted one (though not in the first two rounds). But it is the one position where it is still possible to easily upgrade. RBs are constantly cut and become available more often than any other position. Edgerin James just hit the market and has size and great durability. If not him, then I am confident we will find someone who can be a backup RB and carry the ball 10 times a game.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by barrett

RBs are constantly cut and become available more often than any other position. Edgerin James just hit the market and has size and great durability. If not him, then I am confident we will find someone who can be a backup RB and carry the ball 10 times a game.

Does anybody believe that Selvin Young could carry the ball 10 times a game? He was pretty effective in Denver a couple of years ago and he's only 25 years old.

[painekiller]

Every RB gets hurt, period. No matter what round you draft the guy he will be hurt at some point. Why guarantee a large amount of money to a guy that in most cases will not last more than 3 years.

Blaming Shanahan's job loss on not drafting a RB in the early rounds is showing a very low knowledge of the Denver trouble's and draft problem the last few years.

Shanahan wasted picks, and he did not ever give a defense time or the resources to develop.

It was time for him to go in Denver, but his replacement sure has made a ton of mistakes so far. Glad I am a Texans fan

[NBT]

Maybe we stole the genius behind Denver's drafting when we signed Rick Smith. He has certainly paid off for us.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

Maybe we stole the genius behind Denver's drafting when we signed Rick Smith. He has certainly paid off for us.

Go back and look at the drafts Denver had since they won the Super Bowl before saying they had anyone there that could be called genius.

[NBT]

You may be right, but he has certainly brought our drafting out of the dark ages.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by NBT

You may be right, but he has certainly brought our drafting out of the dark ages.

I've got zero complaints so far, but based on the general rule that it takes three years to evaluate a draft class there really isn't a large enough sample size to have a good grip on Smith's drafts. Again,I have no complaints, and I do think he's made some good moves. It's safe to say that he's better than Casserly, but a big reason for that is that Kubiak and Smith appear to have a good working relationship. I'm not saying Casserly and Capers didn't get along, just that they never seemed to be on the same page personnel wise.

[NBT]

Kubiak and Smith do have a symbiotic relationship that certainly helps in their draft efforts. The reverse was true When Capers said do, that is what Casserly did. There was no dialogue, and very little assistant coaching or scout involvement, IMO.

[NBT]

Maybe Barwin is somewhat of a project, but then isn't Casey?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

Maybe Barwin is somewhat of a project, but then isn't Casey?

I don't think so. Barwin is an immediate pass-rusher to come in on 3rd downs because Antonio Smith is the 1st and 2nd down DE. So, Barwin is more of a specialist. Now, if they tinker a little and try him at the SAM and put Cushing at the WILL, then that would be a project.

[Nconroe]

Just wondering has Cushing ever played Mike?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Just wondering has Cushing ever played Mike?

Nay, but we've got a guy named DeMeco.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I don't think so. Barwin is an immediate pass-rusher to come in on 3rd downs because Antonio Smith is the 1st and 2nd down DE. So, Barwin is more of a specialist. Now, if they tinker a little and try him at the SAM and put Cushing at the WILL, then that would be a project.

I think I said that about Barwin because a couple of guys on the main board were comparing Barwin to Peek and Babin. Maybe it was just the coaching but they never achieved their potential.

Doesn't Barwin backup Mario and not Smith?

[Roy P]

I think Barwin will be the DE opposite Mario on passing downs as Antoni Smith slides inside to the 3-Tech. Just my gut feeling, I don't have any evidence.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I think Barwin will be the DE opposite Mario on passing downs as Antoni Smith slides inside to the 3-Tech. Just my gut feeling, I don't have any evidence.

There is evidence of that at the open practices. And I agree, this will be the main passing down DL.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

There is evidence of that at the open practices. And I agree, this will be the main passing down DL.

Yep, that's what I saw at practice too. Barwin will come in on passing downs with Smith going inside.

[NBT]

Then I stand corrected. If that is the most effective combination, then I'm all for it.