Day 1 thoughts

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I mean hasn't Gibbs viewed OLineman like the Broncos have running backs ? Its just a commodity.

it isn't just a "plug in any old tackle" view. It's a plug in a specific skill set guy. If you believe what the coaches stated, Baker didn't have the skill set they wanted since they said, "all" the guys were gone off the board except for Brown.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Vinny

it isn't just a "plug in any old tackle" view. It's a plug in a specific skill set guy. If you believe what the coaches stated, Baker didn't have the skill set they wanted since they said, "all" the guys were gone off the board except for Brown.

I meant of the LTs that had the "skill set" the Texans were looking for to satisfy the criteria of Gibbs ZB system ? Williams, Albert, Clady, & Brown fit but Otah & Chariblis for example didn't. Bakers a fit, but maybe only at guard ?
And what was the Texans plan for a LT in later rounds had they taken a CB in the first round ? Maybe defer it to a future year like their need at weakside DE ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I
And what was the Texans plan for a LT in later rounds had they taken a CB in the first round ? Maybe defer it to a future year like their need at weakside DE ?

I don't think they ever looked at the CB in the 1st. IMO that is why they signed Reeves.

In the old interviews with McNair and Kubiak, they talked how OLT was something they needed since the team was founded and that this draft was the time to grab one.

As was said before, I believe 4 guys projected at LT for the Texans, Clady, Williams, Albert and Brown. Brown was the rawest of the group which can be both good and bad.

I believe that Zuttah and Collins could also have been projects, but we will never know.

I have been very low on Baker, he did not appear to play with fire. Brown will play with fire.

I am curious to see how the OL will shake out, who will be the 8 or 9 guys we keep out of camp.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am curious to see how the OL will shake out, who will be the 8 or 9 guys we keep out of camp.

Brown, Pitts, Myers, Frye, Winston
Salaam, Spencer, Eslinger, Briesel, Butler

I know, that's 10.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am curious to see how the OL will shake out, who will be the 8 or 9 guys we keep out of camp.

Man, not just the OL. There is quantity at many positions, now. I'm counting ~85 players on the roster at present.

Gonna be some tough cuts down the line....

[Number19]

Taking Brown where we did, IMO, did not represent much of a reach. One of my two or three favorite prospect rating services, NFL Draft Scout, had him rated as the #12 OT back in Sept 07, with a "riser" qualification. With their final analysis, April 4th, they rated him as the 7th OT, with a qualifier of "stock up". Many of these late revisions had him rated as a 2nd rounder, with a few such as Draft Scout, as high second round.

There were three OT's taken in the 2nd round. We took him where we had to. Even trading down a few spots - which they had the opportunity to do - would have been taking too much of a chance.

I'm taking a wait-and-see position. He seems to need a bit of coaching and refinement of skills and I don't have high expectations of him winning a starting spot by game one. The guy only has three years as a OL'man under his belt and only one of those at LOT! But he will be tutoring under a coaching legend.

[nunusguy]

**
Brown plays offensive tackle, a position for stationary behemoths, the kind of player no coach would want covering punts. But Brown, a converted tight end in his second season as the Hokies' starting right tackle, uses his stunning speed and nimble feet to turn that stereotype into smithereens. Brown is the rare offensive lineman who covers punts, as athletic a tackle as the country offers.
"It's amazing," Virginia Tech offensive line coach Curt Newsome said. "You see one like him come along every so often."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...111001461.html
**
Interesting story about this years first-rounder.
He's an athlete for sure, but all indications are he's got lots & lots of things
to learn and perfect before he becomes a competant NFL pass-blocker.

[Roy P]

"Not that he really needs it, but covering punts gives Brown another chance to show off his athleticism. If NFL scouts didn't notice his quick feet in pass protection last season when he neutralized Mario Williams, the first pick in this year's NFL draft, or his strength when he plowed a hole for Branden Ore's game-winning touchdown run at Miami, they'll see it when he flies down the field."

Hmmmm.....that should be fun at practice.

[NickO]

I've never heard Gibbs referred to as a pass-blocking genius, so I'm a bit worried about Brown's development in that area. Maybe the Texans are going with the philosophy of creating such a feared running game that it hampers Freeney/Vandenbosch/Harvey from pinning their ears back on non-"3rd and long" situations?

If it's any help...these guys liked the pick

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Jpb-YkYO1I

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NickO

If it's any help...these guys liked the pick

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Jpb-YkYO1I

Those guys know a player when they see one.

He blocked 3 kicks in his carrier, that is a bonus.

[HPF Bob]

As a first-round pick, I don't think you'll see him on special teams except when we or the other team is placekicking. He'll soon be worth too much money to be injured on some freak special team play running 40-yard sprints.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by NickO

I've never heard Gibbs referred to as a pass-blocking genius, so I'm a bit worried about Brown's development in that area. Maybe the Texans are going with the philosophy of creating such a feared running game that it hampers Freeney/Vandenbosch/Harvey from pinning their ears back on non-"3rd and long" situations?

If it's any help...these guys liked the pick

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2Jpb-YkYO1I

you are being lighthearted/sarcastic but you are right. A bad running game puts you in a bunch of 3rd and longs. If you can give yourself more 2nd and short or 3rd and short situations you don't have to sink into deep passing situations that often.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Vinny

you are being lighthearted/sarcastic but you are right. A bad running game puts you in a bunch of 3rd and longs. If you can give yourself more 2nd and short or 3rd and short situations you don't have to sink into deep passing situations that often.

Absolutely. It's the offensive equivalent of having a great pass rush making the secondary better. The offense and Defensive lines are the most crucial part of any team....maybe even more than the QB. The run game can set everything else up, and the run game starts in the trenches. I think you can see how close we are to having a great defensive line, and I think there's plenty of reason for optimism on the offensive side of the ball.

[NBT]

On our first round pick:
PK - Brown was a reach. Coach Gibbs didn't think so!
RP - Dissapointed.

The "Big Name" OT's were gone at #18. Smith traded down to #26 for an additional #3 (RB- Steve Slaton) & #6 pick (S Dominique Barber).

Most of us wanted a trade down scenario, and I think we got a very good one. It does no good to carp about the results now, lets wait until this season is over and see who contributes, and in what category. I have to say I am extremely pleased with our Draft, and with how well Smith & Kubiak worked together.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

On our first round pick:
PK - Brown was a reach. Coach Gibbs didn't think so!
RP - Dissapointed.

The "Big Name" OT's were gone at #18. Smith traded down to #26 for an additional #3 (RB- Steve Slaton) & #6 pick (S Dominique Barber).

Most of us wanted a trade down scenario, and I think we got a very good one. It does no good to carp about the results now, lets wait until this season is over and see who contributes, and in what category. I have to say I am extremely pleased with our Draft, and with how well Smith & Kubiak worked together.

I will still say that Brown was a mid 2nd rounder based on his skill level, and as such was a reach. Now the fact that the Chargers where ready to reach for him with the next pick does not change my feeling that he was a mid 2nd to early 3rd round pick.

Just because Miami drafts Ginn top ten does not mean he has top 10 skills.

I am looking forward to late July and the start of training camp. I hope they open the practice to the fans again, because I loved being able to see them in person before the game. That is when Davis started to stand out to a few of us on the old site.

I want to see Mario and Brown going head to head. Then I will know how wrong I was on the guy.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

On our first round pick:
PK - Brown was a reach. Coach Gibbs didn't think so!
RP - Dissapointed.

I'm mildly dissapointed.

In fact, I'm pleasantly surprised that we were able to get a LT, RB, and CB while trading down. I'm somewhat happy to get Molden in the 3rd round.

Now we just have to wait and see how the team looks on the field.

[NBT]

Okay fine. You both have stated your opinions, and I have stated mine. How about the loser buys the beer after the season?! Sound fair enough?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

Okay fine. You both have stated your opinions, and I have stated mine. How about the loser buys the beer after the season?! Sound fair enough?

Anytime, and there is no losing only different shades of winning.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Anytime, and there is no losing only different shades of beer.

i fixed that for you!

[NBT]

I just don't buy the "reach", and I adamently reject the "panic" aspect of taking Duane Brown with our first pick. I would like to pat Rick Smith on the back for staying firm in his resolve, then when the crem de la crem of the OLTs were gone at the 18th pick, he did a very savy and nervy thing in trading down eight spots, then had to sweat someone else jumping ahead of us, and then got the next best OLT still left on the board. AND in the process picked up an extra 3rd & 6th rnd pick for doing so. If Brown, Slaton, and Barber all make the team, and indeed do start, Rick Smith will be hailed as a genius. Heck Mr. McNair has already given him a raise and a new contract.