Let's talk D-line

[Keith]

I agree with Kravix on TJ... Travis was also a late bloomer of sorts in college too, so I expected him to also have a slow start to his NFL career. I also can't help but wonder what impact having Robaire Smith as a veteran mentor has meant to his development, and I don't really mean that in a good way.

The Texans D-line has been overrated and overpaid pretty much every season since the beginning, but I think 2008 might be the first year where it really all comes together, what with young guys gaining proficiency (even excellence, esp in the case of Mario), and with older vets contributing in the rotation.

They will need to show improvement in stopping the run (19th last year) and in creating turnovers from the running game (also 19th), but it looks like this might be the year that group makes the jump.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by Keith

They will need to show improvement in stopping the run (19th last year) and in creating turnovers from the running game (also 19th), but it looks like this might be the year that group makes the jump.

I agree. This seems to be one of the most underrated factors in determining how successful we will be next year. If you look at our upcoming schedule, it is very heavy in teams with bad quarterbacks and/or exceptional running games.

We face:
Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall
Willis McGahee
Fred Taylor/ MJD (twice)
Joseph Addai (twice)
Ronnie Brown
AD/Chester Taylor

That's half of our schedule against exceptional running attacks. Then you have other teams with a morass at the QB position who will undoubtedly be very run oriented in Detroit, Oakland, Chicago, and possibly even Green Bay.

So, our defense is going to get a heavy dose of the run and they're going to have to be up to the task.

Actually, now that I think about it, this makes it even more imperative that we hold on to Anthony Weaver.

[Bigtinylittle]

I've said this before but I'll say it here again. To me, Mario looks better at LDE than RDE. I know Weaver was injured, but I think he was our biggest defensive liability last year besides Faggins. Not only did Weaver play subpar, but he also often kept Mario from his best position. If we could add one superstar to our team right now, I would prefer a great speed rusher at RDE who could also play the run well. I think that would totally transform our defense. Maybe we'll get one next year in the first round.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I've said this before but I'll say it here again. To me, Mario looks better at LDE than RDE. I know Weaver was injured, but I think he was our biggest defensive liability last year besides Faggins. Not only did Weaver play subpar, but he also often kept Mario from his best position. If we could add one superstar to our team right now, I would prefer a great speed rusher at RDE who could also play the run well. I think that would totally transform our defense. Maybe we'll get one next year in the first round.

Maybe Weaver kept Mario from his best position last year, but you could just as easily say that not having a true speed rushing threat to come in and play RDE when Mario switches side played a role too. In passing situations it makes sense to bring a speed rusher and get Weaver off the field.

On your average down it's not a bad thing to have a pass rusher like Mario, who's also good against the run, and a good run stopper like Weaver on the other end. Weaver will be replaced as soon as the Texans can find someone else, but he's not as bad as some people make him out to be.

[KJ3]

i don't think it matters one single iota which side mario is coming from. he's gonna bring heat and run stopping from either side. hell, he could probably do it from DT but that would be stupid.

i'm guilty of undervaluing weaver and i know it. it still just irks me to see him be so mediocre. i don't know whether it's his contract, his play, that everyone else on the line seems to belong there except him or what it is exactly but i would like to see him replaced. how frightening would our d'line be with a quality player there instead of weaver? i think it would change a lot about our d.

[papabear]

I don't know if Weaver will ever live up to his contract....most free agents never do, it's just the nature of the beast. He's also never going to be the pass rushing force we need. He is what he is. He was better two years ago and hopefully he will help us improve this year us as far as stopping the run now that he is healthy. I thought he would be better than he was when we signed him...I'm like that with most free agents, but I'm learning. If he helps us stop the run better this year because he's healthy and Colvin/Bulman or whoever gives us a pass rush then I'll be happy. We will never have the prototype at every position. If Okoye improves (he will). We should also have a chance at an improved DT rotation thanks to Okam. That will make everyone fresher, and we should be just fine up front.

[NBT]

Aren't we forgetting about Rosevelt Colvin here? He will play more from the DE position this year than LB, I think. I hate to say it but Covin may push Kalu into the unemployed ranks, or retirement.

TJ has some competition this year coming from Okam, so I think this will not only keep him fresher, but light a fire under his tail to not be outshown. JMHO

I think Cochran makes it as a DE reserve again, and Maddox makes it as Amobi'a backup.

Weaver needs to get back in the groove, or he may be in danger of losing his job.