[Speculation] Should the Texans Make a Trade for an Experienced (and Light) DE?

[barrett]

wasn't TJ drafted as a 3-4 DE? I know he wasn't taken to play NT.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by barrett

wasn't TJ drafted as a 3-4 DE? I know he wasn't taken to play NT.

Nope...pretty sure he was Supposed to play NT...which is why everyone was shocked when we drafted him. He was known more as a 1 gap type DT in college. IF we actually free up our lineman he should benefit. Could be a decent end in a 3-4 maybe. He is what he is at this point. average at best DT.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by papabear

Nope...pretty sure he was Supposed to play NT...which is why everyone was shocked when we drafted him. He was known more as a 1 gap type DT in college. IF we actually free up our lineman he should benefit. Could be a decent end in a 3-4 maybe. He is what he is at this point. average at best DT.

I know he was a DT in college but I'm pretty sure he was not taken as a NT. The best I could find was this chronicle article from his first training camp.

"Defensive end Travis Johnson, who's learning both sides and moves inside to play tackle in a four-man front, is a work in progress. "

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/ar...d=2005_3897218

This is exactly how I remember it. They drafted him and intended to make him a rotation player with Smith and Walker at 3-4 DE on 1st and 2nd down, and then moved him inside to DT a lot to replace Payne as a pass rusher on 3rd down.

Either way nobody ever saw Travis Johnson as a 3-4 nose, and nobody is going to now.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by barrett

Either way nobody ever saw Travis Johnson as a 3-4 nose, and nobody is going to now.

I seem to remember him as being a NT then too, but maybe it was just on passing downs. Then at least there was a chance he might grow into....now, no one would buy him being a 3-4 nose.