LB Cato June to Visit (Signed 1-yr, $500k bonus)

[Mike]

I am lukewarm to him. I thought he was good in the Colts system that had speed everywhere, but think he was ill suited for the SAM. I am OK with Adibi and Diles at the WILL. (I put my healing hands on both to stay healthy).

We need size and a thumper at the SAM.

Of course, in the past the Colts defenders looked like supermen compared to the the old Texans offense.

[Keith]

If the Texans are asking June to play SLB, then they should keep looking. June was a college safety iirc, and he is pretty good in coverage.

I would have to think that maybe Diles could shift over to Sam if June signed. That, or the team's new rookie, of course.

The official site is recognizing the media reports of June's visits.

Free agent linebacker Cato June (6-0, 227) is visiting with the Texans today, according to reports by multiple Houston media outlets.

Per team policy, the Texans do not officially announce free agent visits, and all transactions, such as trades and free agent signings, are not official until they are announced by the team. ...

Of course, they posted something similar when Kevin Burnett visited.

[edo783]

I suspect that if we keep him, it would be for more for the nickel package when a cover LB is important. He and Ryan could cover well. Probably would see some time spelling the weak side backer, but probably not starting there, but ya never know.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by edo783

I suspect that if we keep him, it would be for more for the nickel package when a cover LB is important. He and Ryan could cover well. Probably would see some time spelling the weak side backer, but probably not starting there, but ya never know.

That's my thought. We sub in a pass-rush specialist, why not a coverage LB? He also adds some veteran presence to the lockerroom. As long as we aren't paying him starter money, but role player/mentor money, I'm all for it. Otherwise, I'll get Stephen Hodge as a UDFA and make him my cover WILL.

[nero THE zero]

The WLB plays over the RDE, no?

Which side does the "SS" (re: Ferguson/Barber) play on?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

The WLB plays over the RDE, no?

Which side does the "SS" (re: Ferguson/Barber) play on?

The Will plays the weak side. In a normal formation that would be beside the RDE. But not always.

The Strong Safety will usually play on the strong side (across from the TE) and close to the line of scrimmage. Thus the saying 8 in the box.

The free safety plays a little deeper and is the better pass coverage guy, in theory.

Now some teams, using a cover-2 will have both safeties at the same depth, and one might become the all time left guy and the other the right. It is a way to disguise the coverage.

In the NFL teams try their best to disguise what they are going to do presnap, thus the Texans trying to have safeties and LBs that can play either strongside or weakside. But we have forgotten the all important ball hawk and playmaker in favor of the vanilla joe average guy.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by painekiller

The Will plays the weak side. In a normal formation that would be beside the RDE. But not always.

The Strong Safety will usually play on the strong side (across from the TE) and close to the line of scrimmage. Thus the saying 8 in the box.

The free safety plays a little deeper and is the better pass coverage guy, in theory.

Now some teams, using a cover-2 will have both safeties at the same depth, and one might become the all time left guy and the other the right. It is a way to disguise the coverage.

In the NFL teams try their best to disguise what they are going to do presnap, thus the Texans trying to have safeties and LBs that can play either strongside or weakside. But we have forgotten the all important ball hawk and playmaker in favor of the vanilla joe average guy.

Yea, I meant in a normal base defense. And I ask because, assuming we sign June and he wins the job (which isn't a stretch assuming we sign him,) we would need to fortify his side of the field given his run-stopping deficiencies. Mario is a good start. It's unfortunate to hear that the SS plays the other side of the field though.

Can't say I'm in favor of bringing him in. We need to get bigger and more athletic in the LB corps. I don't think June provides that.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

If the Texans are asking June to play SLB, then they should keep looking. June was a college safety iirc, and he is pretty good in coverage.

I would have to think that maybe Diles could shift over to Sam if June signed. That, or the team's new rookie, of course.

The official site is recognizing the media reports of June's visits.

Of course, they posted something similar when Kevin Burnett visited.

Diles was the starting SAM last season before his injury. When did he become a WILL?

Greenwood and Adibi where the main WILL starters last season.

[barrett]

I thought that late in the season Bentley played as well as any LB we had.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Diles was the starting SAM last season before his injury. When did he become a WILL?

Yep, my bad. Rushing a post.

Originally Posted by edo783

Probably would see some time spelling the weak side backer, but probably not starting there, but ya never know.

You have high hopes for Adibi, and maybe his time has come. If the Texans sign the version of June that was with the Colts in 05 and 06, then Adibi will have his work cut out for him.

Hopefully it works out regardless. The depth at LB isn't all that great.