Official Texans @ Chiefs Game Thread, 8/15/2009

[RunninRaven]

Is Caldwell starting at Center? I'm really interested in watching him and see if he really is capable of stepping in for Chris Meyers this season and improving that position.

[Nconroe]

Hmm, lots to be watching this early in the year, I was thinking the 5 TE's, 3 who also snap would be most interesting, now I think watching our young CB's should be interesting as well. And I hope our DL is more disruptive than before.

[Keith]

Stephanie logged a blog post on her pre-game thoughts:
http://blogs.chron.com/texanschick/2...y_preview.html

• How will the Texans offense do against the KC 3-4? I think KC may end up showing more stuff preseason to get more confidence in their young team, and get their fans more excited about the season. They've said that it is a priority for them to win these games.

And aj_ has one too:
http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Housto...ans-and-Chiefs

The Chiefs added some big names during the off-season, especially at linebacker with Mike Vrabel lining up at the right side outside linebacker spot and Zach Thomas at the left inside spot next to Derrick Johnson.

Imagine that... Derrick Johnson as a 3-4 linebacker.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

Imagine that... Derrick Johnson as a 3-4 linebacker.

He is still undersized and he is playing in the middle, not a place for the dynamic superman some of the poster have made him out to be.

IIRC Vilma was rookie of the year and traded when his team went to a 3-4, could DJ be heading down a similar path? Time will tell.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

IIRC Vilma was rookie of the year and traded when his team went to a 3-4, could DJ be heading down a similar path? Time will tell.

I think Johnson was a bit misused by the old regime there, so I don't know that the 3-4 would make it much worse, aside from the Chiefs apparently lacking a good NT. That won't help him.

As for being traded, Johnson would have been on the block earlier this year if at all (especially under a new HC and front office) since 2009 is his final under contract. No offense to Diles or Adibi, but looking ahead to 2010, I'd be very curious about him as a Will in the Texans defense. Very curious indeed.

[barrett]

agreed. 4-3 WLB is where he belongs and we are currently very unsettled at that spot. Now I would be more than happy if one of our guys really took ownership of that spot this season, but if not, I'd love to see us add a guy like Johnson in FA. He has great speed and would probably have a reasonable price tag. It would be far better than spending another high draft pick on a LB.

[HPF Bob]

I've been looking at both KC and Denver and imagining who will shake out in the transition to a 3-4. The Broncos are trying 4-3 DEs like Elvis Dumerville, Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder as OLBs in a 3-4 defense where, honestly, I think they'll all suck. It would be great to take those three and Derrick Johnson and fit them into the Texans' defense. We'd have an instant solution to our WLB and speed-rushing DE needs. Keep an eye on the waiver wires.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

No offense to Diles or Adibi, but looking ahead to 2010, I'd be very curious about him as a Will in the Texans defense. Very curious indeed.

I am hoping Adibi makes that his position. If not, I am more inclined to look at Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri or Sergio Kindle OLB Texas in the draft. They are projecting for that low 20's right now. And they both have 5 years less wear and tear on them.

DJ 6-3 242, can someone explain to me again why Capers thought this is small?

Vilma 6-1 230.
Demeco Ryans 6-1 248
Jaimie Sharper 6-3 239
Kailee Wong 6-2 250

And if I read the stat sheets correctly, DJ is going to be a Chief next year also.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by RunninRaven

Is Caldwell starting at Center? I'm really interested in watching him and see if he really is capable of stepping in for Chris Meyers this season and improving that position.

White is starting at OC, but you should get a lot of Caldwell.