? about our new staff

[painekiller]

I was looking at this last night.

Our new staff on offense:

Rick Dennison: from the houstontexans.com

With Dennison at the helm, Denver's offense averaged 350.5 yards per game from 2006-08 and rushed for 124.4 yards per game, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Despite starting a rookie at left tackle and a second-year player at right tackle in 2008, the Broncos offense gained 6,333 yards to rank second in the NFL and the offensive line allowed a franchise-record-low 12 sacks on the season.

In 2007, Denver was fourth in the NFL in yards per play (5.7) and was fifth in the league in yards per rush (4.6). In 2006, Dennison's first season at the helm of the offense, Denver ranked fifth in the NFL with an average of 360.4 yards per game.

Dennison guys moved the ball. But they had a problem scoring, #17 in '06 with 19.9 pts /game, #21 in '07 with 20 pts /game, and in '08 #16 with 23.1 pts /game. BY comparison the Texans where #12 in '06 with 23.
7 pts /game, #28 in '07 with 16.7, and #12 in '08 with 23.7 pts /game.

Also add Greg Knapp, he has been in Atlanta, #16 in scoring in '04, #14 in scoring in '05, and #25 in scoring in '06. He then guided the inept Raiders for two years, something I am not going blame him for the issues there, but they where still on the bottom. In Seattle last season they were #25 in scoring.

Granted Knapp has been on teams with little talent outside the early Atlanta teams. But not exactly, another scoring genius here.

What do all these guys have in common? They all believe in running the ball is how to win.

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most "experts" calling the NFL a pass first league now? Guys like New England, New Orleans, Indy have set the bar. Name the stud RB on these teams, there isn't one. Not that they can not run, nor will they not run, they run by using the pass to set them up. The difference is in the attitude of the coaches, Kubiak seems to want to prove he is a running HC, and they just worry about scoring any way the defense will give them.

Now I will give it to Kubiak that we need a red zone runner who can score, our best was ranked 31st with 4 TDs, Moats. Off track here Baltimore might be willing to get rid of Willis McGahee who had 12 tds on 34 yds/gm, that puts us into the playoffs.

Where am going here? I am worried we are going to be the same team again, we are not going to be better than average with only average coaches, an below average OL, no red zone scoring threat. And we extended this HC?

What do I want? I want Kubiak to have an epiphany, in the Red Zone go to the spread, leave AJ in the game, create mismatches and legal picks, called rubs, and spread the ball around.

Draft some stud interior offensive linemen, and play them, find a mix that works like it does between the 20's, where Kubiak's and his guys rule.

[NBT]

I don't think Kubes will allow us to be the same team again. He just got an extension, so he has a mandate from McNair to take that next step. I would hope he would mould Dennison and Knapp into what we achieved last year and come up with a mix that will get us to the next level.

What I think needs to be done differently is get off to a fast start, something we have not done very well in the past few season.

[TexicanMexican]

I don't think the description of a running team is right for the Texans. I think they want to run the ball to set up the play action. Thus the run first mentality but move the ball by any means. Last season they had no choice since the run game wasn't there.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by TexicanMexican

I don't think the description of a running team is right for the Texans. I think they want to run the ball to set up the play action. Thus the run first mentality but move the ball by any means. Last season they had no choice since the run game wasn't there.

I agree with you, my choice of words is incorrect, Kubiak and current company believe in a Run First type offense.

But I was raised on the Run N Shoot, Bill Walsh's version of the WCO, and later a huge fan of the Ram's Greatest Show on Turf. All these offenses had a couple of things in common, they used the pass to set up the run, they created mismatches, they flooded zones, they used attacked weakness in the defense.

Why do you spread the defense out? Because the dime CB is usually not the talent that the starting SAM is. Make a dime stop a Alonzo Highsmith, or make a SAM cover a Roger Craig, neither will happen.

Bring in the Jumbo Package, with 240 lb TE and you already lost. Bring in Rashad Butler and Connor Barwin and now you have created some mismatches. Why not try a Tackle eligible play with Winston or Brown, both are supposed to be great athletes.

OK I am getting off subject again. I am tired of safe coaching, give me a brassy play caller.

BTW don't get me started on defense....

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am worried we are going to be the same team again, we are not going to be better than average with only average coaches, an below average OL, no red zone scoring threat.

If Studdard, Myers, and Briesel are playing the majority of snaps this season, then we will be the same team again. It won't matter who the coaches are.

[NBT]

Well.....if we play another 3-4 team like the Jets at the beginning of the year and they have a NT like, what's his name, Kris Jenkins, we sure better not have Myers at OC. I am sure Dennison is looking at film of our games last year and will be pushing for help in that interior line. But I'm always trying to be a glass-half fuller type.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

If Studdard, Myers, and Briesel are playing the majority of snaps this season, then we will be the same team again. It won't matter who the coaches are.

To your own point RP, how's drafting somebody like Sean Weatherspoon gonna fix that problem ?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

To your own point RP, how's drafting somebody like Sean Weatherspoon gonna fix that problem ?

If either Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams are available, then I wouldn't be drafting Sean Weatherspoon either. However, it is my opinion that this team could draft John Asamoah and Kyle Calloway and address the interior OL without spending a 1st round pick to do so.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

To your own point RP, how's drafting somebody like Sean Weatherspoon gonna fix that problem ?

If there is not an lineman available worthy of that draft spot then you should not reach on a guy. Go for the guy that is BPA that help your team now, and Weatherspoon would help this team. The question is what is the value of the OL prospects in this draft?

I'm torn on a few guys right now, guys like Iupati and Maurkice Pouncey are bubble guys at 20, IMO. Not many players I am liking in the current mock's at #20, plus a lot of guys like Donovan Warren and Jon Asamoah I like in the 2nd round.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I'm torn on a few guys right now, guys like Iupati and Maurkice Pouncey are bubble guys at 20, IMO.

On his "Talent Board" your boy Boylhart gives Iupati & Pouncy 4th & 5th round grades respectively while he gives Antoine Caldwells x-'Bama Oline teammate a first-round grade. Interesting to say the least, but guess that's just Boylhart being Boylhart ?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

If either Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams are available, then I wouldn't be drafting Sean Weatherspoon either. However, it is my opinion that this team could draft John Asamoah and Kyle Calloway and address the interior OL without spending a 1st round pick to do so.

Take the best prospect in the DT, Oline, & CB categories over Weatherspoon even if the Mizzou backer is a couple clicks higher in the Texans overall BPA ratings. Each of those 3 areas are both significantly higher need positions & of higher positional value than another LB, which is already our strongest defensive group with DeMeco & Cushing.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Take the best prospect in the DT, Oline, & CB categories over Weatherspoon even if the Mizzou backer is a couple clicks higher in the Texans overall BPA ratings. Each of those 3 areas are both significantly higher need positions & of higher positional value than another LB, which is already our strongest defensive group with DeMeco & Cushing.

I'd take Dan Williams at #20, but I'm not in any hurry to grab Odrick or Brian Price either. The quick twitch 3-Tech with 1st round grades like Travis Johnson and Amobe Okoye have made me shy away from that. I also like Tyson Alualu just as well.

I've already mentioned that I'm not thrilled with the CB prospects with "1st round" grades. The way our needs line up and the way the mock drafts are falling in line, we are in the trade down zone.

Don't worry too much about the Texans drafting Sean Weatherspoon. I'm sure they won't, I like him to much for that to happen. He reminds me of Karlos Dansby who is much like having another SS on the field. Did you see him cover Dexter McCluster in the Senior Bowl?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

On his "Talent Board" your boy Boylhart gives Iupati & Pouncy 4th & 5th round grades respectively while he gives Antoine Caldwells x-'Bama Oline teammate a first-round grade. Interesting to say the least, but guess that's just Boylhart being Boylhart ?

Drew doesn't let the "politics" of group think cloud his judgement. He basis his assessment on watching games, not by looking at lists of other evaluators. That's one of the things that I like about him. I try to do that with an eye towards the "consensus" grades. It helps me separate the wheat from the chaffe. I'd give Iupati a late 2nd round grade based upon his potential, but since I see him being rated as a 1st rounder, I've taken him off my board. Like Boylhart, I like Kyle Calloway and Mike Johnson, however, I won't be drafting them in the 1st round, since it appears that I won't have to.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

I'd take Dan Williams at #20, but I'm not in any hurry to grab Odrick or Brian Price either. The quick twitch 3-Tech with 1st round grades like Travis Johnson and Amobe Okoye have made me shy away from that. I also like Tyson Alualu just as well.

OK here's something I've got some confusion about ? It's my impression that by most accounts Shaun Cody played well in his first year with the team last year and some feel that he was our best DT in 2009 ? Not a standout, not
a steller performer but he done good, basically ? It's also my understanding that Cody is basically a 3-Tech/1-gap kinda DT and yet he played the nose
position, usually next to Okoye or Antonie Smith in nickel schemes ?
The Z-man also played at nose when they rotated.
Anyway here's the question I'm leading up to: are the Texans indifferent about having a true NT type (like Dan Williams) in their DLine and therefor not of the mind to make a concerted effort to acquire one thru the Draft or FA, or are they really interested in having a bonifide NT.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Anyway here's the question I'm leading up to: are the Texans indifferent about having a true NT type (like Dan Williams) in their DLine and therefor not of the mind to make a concerted effort to acquire one thru the Draft or FA, or are they really interested in having a bonifide NT.

That's a good question. One that the coaches only know the answer to. It's hard to get a good read on what type players the defense would best utilize. In my own estimation, the USC defense that Pete Carroll has been running would give us a clue or some insight.

Shaun Cody and Brian Cushing came from that system, so that may be a reason as to why they excelled so quickly while being "new comers" to the team. Knowing responsibilities and scheme is helpful. This is why I wouldn't be too surprised if we looked at Taylor Mays, if he's still available at #20.

Many of us fans have been wanting a larger, double-team eating, run-stuffing, NT for a while. Just as we have wanted a better coverage, ball-hawking, FS for longer than the GM has. However, OUR vision doesn't necessarly match what the Texans staff want. On the other hand, they may want what we've been crowing about, but just haven't been able to acquire. Therefore, they've had to get by with the players they have on the roster. Who knows?