Texans make Roster moves including releasing Okam

Arky · #1 10-25-2010, 06:43 PM

I think many of us had Okam cut in the pre-season. IIRC, they gave him a lot of reps to show them something..

Like the Sheppard move - IMO, he's got a sky-high upside. I saw most of his games in college and he was always heard from - every single game. Don't see a reason why he can't continue this in the NFL... He has experience at both DT and DE so he has versatility..... He might have made a good backup/replacement for Barwin but I think they had him put on a few pounds so he is a little heavier now...

nunusguy · #2 10-25-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arky

He has experience at both DT and DE so he has versatility..... He might have made a good backup/replacement for Barwin but I think they had him put on a few pounds so he is a little heavier now...

You saying you think Sheppard, if trimmed down to a lighter weight, has the potential to play the edge as a 4-3 DE and be an effective NFL
pass-rusher ? I mean I hope he does because we sure need help in that area.

Arky · #3 10-25-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunusguy

You saying you think Sheppard, if trimmed down to a lighter weight, has the potential to play the edge as a 4-3 DE and be an effective NFL
pass-rusher ? I mean I hope he does because we sure need help in that area.

Yes, he was a DE for a time (I think a year, maybe two) at Arkansas. He's a tweener and his strong point is his quickness. I would venture to say he might have more upside than draft pick Mitchell but you'll never hear the coaches admit to that. Not saying this is the case here, but sometimes there's team politics involved that keep the best man from getting the job. He's undrafted so he's (Sheppard) got to pay his dues and work his way up.... Now that they've activated him, I'd like to see them give him some reps.. Perhaps (for his own good) they will work him in slowly...

NBT · #4 10-26-2010, 11:02 AM

They have looked for edge rushers for ad nauseum. It's about time they looked to an interior Dlineman, even if he is on the small side. I hope we can finally begin to generate some pressure against the QB. And it will have a beneficial effect on the LBs and secondary too.

painekiller · #5 10-26-2010, 12:15 PM

Being a DE in college is not the same as being a DE in the NFL. Shepard is quicker than the OGs he will face in the middle, but he is not fast enough to play against the OTs in the NFL, IMO.

DT is the correct position for him in the 4-3 we run.

WMH · #6 10-26-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Being a DE in college is not the same as being a DE in the NFL. Shepard is quicker than the OGs he will face in the middle, but he is not fast enough to play against the OTs in the NFL, IMO.

DT is the correct position for him in the 4-3 we run.

I just hope it freaking works......if we can at least get into the lower middle of the pack D, we would be able to do some damage.

While I have faith in the O, we can't survive week in and week out coming back in the fourth quarter. It just ain't gonna happen.

Arky · #7 10-26-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Being a DE in college is not the same as being a DE in the NFL. Shepard is quicker than the OGs he will face in the middle, but he is not fast enough to play against the OTs in the NFL, IMO.

DT is the correct position for him in the 4-3 we run.

I dunno, man. He might have Freeney-like quickness. But the larger point is we won't know till he gets some live reps. Live games always shake out different than practice or preseason. Let's have a look and then we can judge....

painekiller · #8 10-26-2010, 04:40 PM

let me be clear, I like Shepard a lot. He impressed me at the open practices, no one could block him.

His biggest asset that I saw was his burst of the ball. Maybe he can move outside, time will tell that, but I don't see it.

But as for his potential at DT, I see him and Mitchell as a great combo together in a couple years.