DraftTek Mock

[Bigtinylittle]

Interesting. So you're saying we take two OGs, no running back until the seventh, and no speed rushing DE? Unless we make some pickups before the draft, I don't see this happening.

[nunusguy]

Honestly fellas, would everybody be that excited about Clay Matthews if he didn't have the home-town connection here ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly fellas, would everybody be that excited about Clay Matthews if he didn't have the home-town connection here ?

I would, something about Cushing is causing me to not be excited. It maybe the injury history, it maybe the fact that he did not jump at me on film like Matthews did. I started liking Matthews back around the lose to Oregon St. IIRC. He just made plays you remembered.

Rey Rey is a middle only guy who I feel needs to be in the 3-4.

Now if we where talking Curry, heck hey, but he has climb out of reach.

Laurinitus also seemed to peek to me 2 years ago, SO he has dropped on my list.

I like some other latter round guys at LB, but I think the Texans have ignored the LB group long enough, get us 3 playmakers at LB and watch the run defense get better.

Lucky for us this a deep LB draft, only a few superstars but a lot of solid everyday player types.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly fellas, would everybody be that excited about Clay Matthews if he didn't have the home-town connection here ?

What I especially like about Mathews Jr. is his dad was an all pro LB for Cleveland, and gave my Oilers fits. His uncle Bruce Played for the Old Oilers, and is probably the best Olineman to ever play the game, and that's saying something. So the bloodlines are there. He will probably slot right into our spot at #15. And I will predict right now that he will be an All-Pro.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Honestly fellas, would everybody be that excited about Clay Matthews if he didn't have the home-town connection here ?

Yes.

I'm not from here and have absolutely no ties to the home-town connection. In fact, I looked at Matthews' "blood-lines" as a bit of a negative. It keeps getting brought up as a reason to take him, but unless his dad or uncle suits up, who cares?

Then I took that bias, and put it aside. I assumed that people were giving him a free pass because of who he was related to. However, when I watched him play, he stood out on his own merit.

Instead of looking at him as a kid with a silver spoon in his mouth, he has shown me that he has had to work for what he's gotten. He walked on at USC for crying out loud. You'd think that they would have given him a full ride just because of his family.

So, to answer the question, I am excited about Clay despite his home-town connections and blood lines.

[Blitzwood]

I'm scared as he>* of Matthews!! Can you say Vernon Gholston here we come.

Matthews wasn't even the third best LB at USC, much less a starter until recently. And why is no one mentioning his whopping 5.5 sacks his whole career there in the PAC-10. Drafting Matthews on potential is a colossal risk, more than Vernon was. At least he had 22 sacks his college career. And at 15, a major reach.

He hasn't done anything to warrant a 15th overall selection, besides have a nice combine, IMO. We all know if his name wasn't Matthews we wouldn't even be considering him in the first round. He also has some significant question marks about his maturity level (He created a "White Power" facebook group in 2007 with his buddies). How's he gonna explain that to his future teammates. And don't forget the amount of muscle he's put on in a very short amount of time. Wasn't he a 175lb walk on ?? Cushing's getting more heat over it right now, but the winds will shift to him eventually.
Finally, what position is he really gonna play? OLB in a 4-3. How, he has zero cover skills. So he's only a two down LB. Really? At the end of the day he's really a 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE tweener with very limited starting experience.

I think Jerry or Harvin are much safer picks and would be productive from game 1. Harvin, who is my preferred choice because of the explosiveness he plays with, would give us a level of athleticism and speed this team has never seen on our side of the ball and shift our offense to the same level of our division rival's, the Colts. With Slaton and Harvin in the backfield and AJ, Walters, and Daniels lined up, defenses won't know who to double. Kyle would look like a genius. And Harvin's been tearing it up for years at Florida and comes with a proven track record(bad pun).

Jerry's also been a disruptive force in the same conference, the SEC. He could easily replace Travis Johnson.

This pick needs to be really researched. Our season( and Kubiak's job) depends on it...

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I'm scared as he>* of Matthews!! Can you say Vernon Gholston here we come.

Matthews wasn't even the third best LB at USC, much less a starter until recently. And why is no one mentioning his whopping 5.5 sacks his whole career there in the PAC-10. Drafting Matthews on potential is a colossal risk, more than Vernon was. At least he had 22 sacks his college career. And at 15, a major reach.

He hasn't done anything to warrant a 15th overall selection, besides have a nice combine, IMO. We all know if his name wasn't Matthews we wouldn't even be considering him in the first round. He also has some significant question marks about his maturity level (He created a "White Power" facebook group in 2007 with his buddies). How's he gonna explain that to his future teammates. And don't forget the amount of muscle he's put on in a very short amount of time. Wasn't he a 175lb walk on ?? Cushing's getting more heat over it right now, but the winds will shift to him eventually.
Finally, what position is he really gonna play? OLB in a 4-3. How, he has zero cover skills. So he's only a two down LB. Really? At the end of the day he's really a 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE tweener with very limited starting experience.

Blitzwood is kinda hittin on some of my thoughts about Matthews, and believe me I don't wanta put the guy down. The home-town connection with uncle Bruce is heart-warming and all (and it keeps gettin better with the H-of-Fame unc now on the Texans' coaching staff) and the Texans surely need some home-town heros to fire up the fan-base, but he makes some points about Clay M in his post that's worth considering. BTW what's this about "White Power" ? That's a new twist ?
LZ on 1560 was talking the other day about the Texans picking DT TJ with their first-round pick (16th overall) in 2005 Draft. He started at FSU only in his senior year and the highlight of his season (and his carrer at FSU), was basically the first 5 or 6 games of that year. I feel more comfortable with a
guy like D-Rob or DeMeco who's had a multi-year career as a starter at his alma mater. It's just a longer resume, more accomplishments, etc.
And like Blitzwood hinted at, maybe Matthews wouldn't have even started or played that much in his senior year if one less Trojan LB hadn't exhausted his eligibility ?

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Blitzwood is kinda hittin on some of my thoughts about Matthews, and believe me I don't wanta put the guy down. The home-town connection with uncle Bruce is heart-warming and all (and it keeps gettin better with the H-of-Fame unc now on the Texans' coaching staff) and the Texans surely need some home-town heros to fire up the fan-base, but he makes some points about Clay M in his post that's worth considering. BTW what's this about "White Power" ? That's a new twist ?
LZ on 1560 was talking the other day about the Texans picking DT TJ with their first-round pick (16th overall) in 2005 Draft. He started at FSU only in his senior year and the highlight of his season (and his carrer at FSU), was basically the first 5 or 6 games of that year. I feel more comfortable with a
guy like D-Rob or DeMeco who's had a multi-year career as a starter at his alma mater. It's just a longer resume, more accomplishments, etc.
And like Blitzwood hinted at, maybe Matthews wouldn't have even started or played that much in his senior year if one less Trojan LB hadn't exhausted his eligibility ?

You both make a good point but I think an organization that is confident in its player evaluations shouldn't lay down rules/obstacles in order to protect itself against a mistake.

In other words, I personally may be uncomfortable with a one year wonder. The statistics on those players becoming good NFL players may even suggest it's something to avoid, but if the front office rates the player high and it has an opportunity to go get him, that front office should do it anyway.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

You both make a good point but I think an organization that is confident in its player evaluations shouldn't lay down rules/obstacles in order to protect itself against a mistake.

You often make good sense to me D-M but not this time.
To me the ultimate consideration in an NFL teams use of its first round Draft pick is protection against the worst case scenario on the downside: a college players evaluation & projection to the NFL which is so badly mistaken that it results in a bust.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I think Jerry or Harvin are much safer picks and would be productive from game 1. Harvin, who is my preferred choice because of the explosiveness he plays with, would give us a level of athleticism and speed this team has never seen on our side of the ball.

Jerry's also been a disruptive force in the same conference, the SEC. He could easily replace Travis Johnson..

I like Harvin and like Maclin even more, however, it's been pointed out that the offense isn't the big problem with our football team.

Peria Jerry could easily replace Travis Johnson, however, the question is does he make the defense better? Would he improve the run defense and keep DeMeco Ryans free to make plays? I'm not so sure.

The BPA on defense may very well be Vontae Davis. However, there will be folks who say that they are not wanting another CB because it won't address what the team needs.

So, no matter who we take, somebody will come up with a reason not to take him.

[gunn]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I'm scared as he>* of Matthews!! Can you say Vernon Gholston here we come.

Matthews wasn't even the third best LB at USC, much less a starter until recently. And why is no one mentioning his whopping 5.5 sacks his whole career there in the PAC-10. Drafting Matthews on potential is a colossal risk, more than Vernon was. At least he had 22 sacks his college career. And at 15, a major reach.

He hasn't done anything to warrant a 15th overall selection, besides have a nice combine, IMO. We all know if his name wasn't Matthews we wouldn't even be considering him in the first round. He also has some significant question marks about his maturity level (He created a "White Power" facebook group in 2007 with his buddies). How's he gonna explain that to his future teammates. And don't forget the amount of muscle he's put on in a very short amount of time. Wasn't he a 175lb walk on ?? Cushing's getting more heat over it right now, but the winds will shift to him eventually.
Finally, what position is he really gonna play? OLB in a 4-3. How, he has zero cover skills. So he's only a two down LB. Really? At the end of the day he's really a 3-4 OLB/4-3 DE tweener with very limited starting experience.

I think Jerry or Harvin are much safer picks and would be productive from game 1. Harvin, who is my preferred choice because of the explosiveness he plays with, would give us a level of athleticism and speed this team has never seen on our side of the ball and shift our offense to the same level of our division rival's, the Colts. With Slaton and Harvin in the backfield and AJ, Walters, and Daniels lined up, defenses won't know who to double. Kyle would look like a genius. And Harvin's been tearing it up for years at Florida and comes with a proven track record(bad pun).

Jerry's also been a disruptive force in the same conference, the SEC. He could easily replace Travis Johnson.

This pick needs to be really researched. Our season( and Kubiak's job) depends on it...

Maybe your getting Cushing and Matthews confused. Because at USC, Cush is the guy that didn't play on 3rd down.

[gunn]

Also..... you're coming across as if you have and agenda, imo.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by gunn

Also..... you're coming across as if you have and agenda, imo.

gunn, Yea, my agenda is called "not drafting another project in the first round". Seriously. I can't believe some are cool with it just because of his name, then they wonder why we're 8-8 again.

If it's third and long, and Cush was out, then Matthews was out unless he's bringing the blitz.


Roy,
not bad, although I'm not very high on Vontae in the first. His brother is getting benched by Singletary in the pros, and Vontae got benched as a junior. His character leaves alot to be desired, from what I've read.
Plus Dante and Vontae gets a little redundant

How about:
1. Percy Harvin WR/RB Florida
2. Jarron Gilbert DT/DE SJSU
3. Jarius Byrd CB Oregon
4. Tyrone McKenzie OLB S.Florida
4. David Bruton FS Notre Dame
5. Zack Follett OLB Cal
6. Quin Johnson RB/FB LSU
7. Dallas Reynolds C/OG BYU

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Interesting. So you're saying we take two OGs, no running back until the seventh, and no speed rushing DE? Unless we make some pickups before the draft, I don't see this happening.

He is really saying OC and OG, only Unger can play now at OG and upgrade Briesel while he learns to read the DL and becomes familiar with the line calls. Next year you have a new OC and a 2nd year guy ready to play ORG.

Also most of us are forgetting that Chester is starting to get to age that we need to find his eventual replacement in the next couple of years.

[gunn]

Originally Posted by painekiller

He is really saying OC and OG, only Unger can play now at OG and upgrade Briesel will he learns to read the DL and becomes familiar with the line calls. Next year you have a new OC and a 2nd year guy ready to play ORG.

Also most of us are forgetting that Chester is starting to get to age that we need to find his eventual replacement in the next couple of years.

Yep... same page.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by gunn

Yep... same page.

BTW if we address the OL like gunn is suggesting we are finally done with the starters, we can then start to be like a non expansion team and take OL candidates to groom. Then our depth at OL will finally be development guys along with maybe one old timer. Not a group of throw aways from other teams.

I see Gibbs staying a few year, at least until his health becomes an issue, because he has retired before and did not like it. Now he is building something special again. This team is getting close.

I would like to draft Unger in the 2nd but I think he is gone before we pick at 46. But if he slides I jump on him.

I like Sebastian Vollmer, he is a diamond in the rough. I can see him being a starter in a few years, making Winston a OG.

An OL of Brown, Pitts, Unger, Winston, Vollmer in a few years would be a huge upgrade to the OL Capers had on the field. That would be a combination of size and quickness, goodbye goalline trouble.

[gunn]

Originally Posted by painekiller

BTW if we address the OL like gunn is suggesting we are finally done with the starters, we can then start to be like a non expansion team and take OL candidates to groom. Then our depth at OL will finally be development guys along with maybe one old timer. Not a group of throw aways from other teams.

I see Gibbs staying a few year, at least until his health becomes an issue, because he has retired before and did not like it. Now he is building something special again. This team is getting close.

I would like to draft Unger in the 2nd but I think he is gone before we pick at 46. But if he slides I jump on him.

I like Sebastian Vollmer, he is a diamond in the rough. I can see him being a starter in a few years, making Winston a OG.

An OL of Brown, Pitts, Unger, Winston, Vollmer in a few years would be a huge upgrade to the OL Capers had on the field. That would be a combination of size and quickness, goodbye goalline trouble.

Having a good offensive line generally equates to having a good team. If people believe that our offensive line is "okay", then they must not have noticed the way this team perfomed on third and shorts and on goal line situations. I doubt Unger will be there as well, but if he is, it's a no brainer.

As for your oline... that's a big right side. It's all about physicality up front for me. I want my guys to be nasty and impose that on other teams... and that's why I'm a big fan of Unger.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by gunn

Having a good offensive line generally equates to having a good team. If people believe that our offensive line is "okay", then they must not have noticed the way this team perfomed on third and shorts and on goal line situations. I doubt Unger will be there as well, but if he is, it's a no brainer.

As for your oline... that's a big right side. It's all about physicality up front for me. I want my guys to be nasty and impose that on other teams... and that's why I'm a big fan of Unger.

If Volmer becomes the player I project then he might be a LT, and that would require Brown to move, do you move Brown to RT with Winston sliding to RG or do you move Brown to RG?

I will say Winston's feet are not near as good as Browns, so a move into the phone booth might sit better with his abilities.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by painekiller

He is really saying OC and OG, only Unger can play now at OG and upgrade Briesel while he learns to read the DL and becomes familiar with the line calls. Next year you have a new OC and a 2nd year guy ready to play ORG.

Also most of us are forgetting that Chester is starting to get to age that we need to find his eventual replacement in the next couple of years.

Actually, I realized what he meant and I should have said so. And I really don't think it would necessarily be a bad idea to do it. The part of what he said that really bothers me is not picking up a DE and not getting a back until the seventh. Seventh round backs usually don't have NFL careers. We would have to get awfully lucky to find one that will. Also, the guy he mentioned may not even be there in the seventh when we pick. What do we do then?

As for DE, I thought the whole plan for the DL was to move Smith to the inside on passing downs. If we go with Bulman at RDE in those situations, it seems to me we would not get the full benefit of moving Smith inside. Also we are a bit thin at DE right now. We cut Weaver, and apparently Cochran won't be back, so if Smith moves inside, Bulman is really our only other DE. Sounds scary.

[gunn]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Interesting. So you're saying we take two OGs, no running back until the seventh, and no speed rushing DE? Unless we make some pickups before the draft, I don't see this happening.

We certainly need help on the interior oline and with Unger you get and instant upgrade at two positions and a starter from day one. With Green you get depth there that is needed and a possible starter down the road.

What are you going to get out of a speed rusher that you're not going to get out of Matthews? Your speed rusher is likely going to come in based on down and distance and Matthews can bring what you're speed rusher already has. As for the running back situation... I think this kid is flying under the radar. He was highly recruited out of highshool but for whatever the reason didn't have a whole lot of production until his senior year at FSU. Could be a late bloomer but one thing is for sure he can blister. 4.33 is that. And like I said, he looks like Slaton on tape.