The Trenches

[Bigtinylittle]

To me, safety is not one of our top problems. They are:

1. Lack of a consistent pass rush

2. Lack of a consistent running game.

3. Lack of time for QB to get the ball off.

I believe that if we had played with an all-pro free safety all sixteen games last year, we would have still finished with about the same record or maybe a little better.

If we would have played with an-all pro left tackle instead of that free safety, I think we would have definately have made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro weakside DE with Mario on the strong side, I think we would have definately made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro halfback we would definately made the playoffs.

Sure, having an all-pro free safety would be nice, but safety is not one of the priority positions in the draft. You can't have an all-pro at every position. This year, eight offensive tackles were picked in the first round. How many safeties were picked in the first round?

Think about it.

[Vinny]

if we can't stop the run, none of that stuff matters. Stopping the run puts teams in obvious passing situations since it is hard to stay in 2nd (or 3rd) and short and play good defense overall. Okoye was disappointing vs the run last year and has to prove he is a 3 down lineman this season. This will go a long way towards us being a better team defensively.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Vinny

if we can't stop the run, none of that stuff matters. .

AGREED........

[kravix]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

To me, safety is not one of our top problems. They are:

1. Lack of a consistent pass rush

2. Lack of a consistent running game.

3. Lack of time for QB to get the ball off.

I believe that if we had played with an all-pro free safety all sixteen games last year, we would have still finished with about the same record or maybe a little better.

If we would have played with an-all pro left tackle instead of that free safety, I think we would have definately have made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro weakside DE with Mario on the strong side, I think we would have definately made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro halfback we would definately made the playoffs.

Sure, having an all-pro free safety would be nice, but safety is not one of the priority positions in the draft. You can't have an all-pro at every position. This year, eight offensive tackles were picked in the first round. How many safeties were picked in the first round?

Think about it.

I cannot agree with those two. I think that the def would have looked better with even a healthy Weaver let alone an all pro, but there was way too much shifting in the def backfield because of injuries and poor play for one DE to make up for that.

The other.. While Salaam isnt a pro bowler, he is by no means a revolving door or a loss at LT. I would peg him average, but better than any LT we have had to date. Alot of pressure came up the middle because Flanny couldnt block to save his life. They actually ran the ball pretty good to the outside left edge. Our off was even at the tops of the ranks in long passes.

The off woes came from the lack of a running game. Green got hurt, but still suited up several games and played a few. Dayne actually did better than I thought he would, but he isnt an every down back and he is typically better late in games and later in the season because def arent so fresh. Couple that with a missing AJ, the other recievers stepped up and did ok but they arent AJ, hurt Schaub, and then off lineman dropping like flies and viola.. sub par off.

The biggest thing that hurt the team last year was injuries. Because we didnt have depth. This year the depth is better all around. Injuries will happen but they wont hurt as much. That is the biggest thing that will mean a play off spot and just missing it.

[NBT]

You can never tell about injuries. We have had them in bunches for the past two years. We have more and better depth this year so that should help. The walking wounded will be back (maybe even Spencer!). We have the depth to overcome the paucity at the RB position if Ahman gets hurt (again!) Everything always looks rosey this time of year. Let's hope the God of injury smiles on us this year.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

To me, safety is not one of our top problems. They are:

3. Lack of time for QB to get the ball off.

i could buy the first two, but this is ridiculous because our passing game was like the only thing that was close to consistent. 22 sacks is dandy and like 5th(?) lowest in the league to boot. i'm fine with that, i'm just sick of seeing an insurance company behind our LBs. you pay 'em a lot, but they just don't cover it all.

I believe that if we had played with an all-pro free safety all sixteen games last year, we would have still finished with about the same record or maybe a little better.

If we would have played with an-all pro left tackle instead of that free safety, I think we would have definately have made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro weakside DE with Mario on the strong side, I think we would have definately made the playoffs.

If we would have played with an all-pro halfback we would definately made the playoffs.

if one player would have made the difference, then one player would have made the difference. you can't just pick and choose and assume what would've happened and act like it's a reason for anything. besides, seeing as how our backfield was a joke last year a probowl caliber player being inserted would've made more of a difference than upgrading over salaam who played valiantly and gave it all every time.

Sure, having an all-pro free safety would be nice, but safety is not one of the priority positions in the draft. You can't have an all-pro at every position. This year, eight offensive tackles were picked in the first round. How many safeties were picked in the first round?

Think about it.

1 safety. as in, 1 playmaker/high-round pick/above average safety would give us a playmaker at every level of defense. the d'line has a couple, we've got demeco in the middle, corners are both potential playmakers, and a playmaking safety would round it into an all around assault. i see plenty of room for role players on the line, OLBs and the other safety.

according to NFL.com we were 19th against the run, 25th against the pass. about 20th in sacks, last in interceptions but top 10 or so in forcing, recovering and scoring on fumbles. even though numbers are a general indication they certainly don't lie. i remember points where the D locked down running games for short stretches, but never was able to keep passes out of reciever's hands. a LT/RB (which we got in the draft and free agency) won't help any of those numbers, a DE will help the sacks and the run game and maybe even the pass if the the whole line plays really well but certainly wouldn't have an impact on the pass and interceptions the way a safety would.

Originally Posted by Vinny

if we can't stop the run, none of that stuff matters. Stopping the run puts teams in obvious passing situations since it is hard to stay in 2nd (or 3rd) and short and play good defense overall. Okoye was disappointing vs the run last year and has to prove he is a 3 down lineman this season. This will go a long way towards us being a better team defensively.

do you think okam plays for okoye during running situations or just when okoye gets tired? or neither?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by KJ3

do you think okam plays for okoye during running situations or just when okoye gets tired? or neither?

Technically they play different positions. One is the undertackle (Okoye) and one is the nose tackle (Okam). Travis Johnson played mainly the NT last season, but he can play both positions.

IIRC the team is going to try Okam at the undertackle at times with TJ at NT, but that is only if Okam keeps proving to be athletic.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Technically they play different positions. One is the undertackle (Okoye) and one is the nose tackle (Okam). Travis Johnson played mainly the NT last season, but he can play both positions.

IIRC the team is going to try Okam at the undertackle at times with TJ at NT, but that is only if Okam keeps proving to be athletic.

yea i know, it's a different objective from the same position. either draw a double team and stuff up the run or try to collapse the pocket and while it seems like a balanced attack to have both objectives trying to be accomplished together it's not necessary at all.

btw, up close travis johnson is one big dude. like...thick from head to toe. 6' 3'' 305 doesn't describe him at all.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by KJ3

do you think okam plays for okoye during running situations or just when okoye gets tired? or neither?

I think the Texans see TJ and Okam as being able to play either the under or the over/nose tackle....with Okam more of a nose tackle type right now. They might see Okoye as being able to hold down either spot, but for me with his young age I would think that they would just have him focus more on the under tackle spot right now.

The Texans have also said that now that Mario has his feet underneath him now that they are going to go back to using him at multiple places along the line....maybe even inside. I think what that means is you will see a lot of rotation along the line and that we will see a ton of different line-ups for the front four this year.

[cadams]

man, i hope they don't have him playing tackle at all this year. i don't mind switching him from re to le, but i think he needs to stay on the ends

[kravix]

3rd and 15

Thompson, MW, Amobi, Kalu

Sack.. 4th and 25

[papabear]

Originally Posted by cadams

man, i hope they don't have him playing tackle at all this year. i don't mind switching him from re to le, but i think he needs to stay on the ends

I don't want to see Mario at tackle much either....but a few times a game is enough to keep the offense off balance and guessing. As long as it doesn't slow him down I don't have a problem with them moving him around, but do it just enough to keep the offense honest. I think he can handle it now as oppsosed to his rookie year when he was honestly probably a little overwhelmed.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by KJ3

do you think okam plays for okoye during running situations or just when okoye gets tired? or neither?

to me, they look like an ideal pair side by side if Okoye continues to fill out (Men's bodies don't stop thickening till their mid 20's)....if Okam can find a way to get in good enough shape to play more than spot mins and Okoye can continue to mature this may be a nice tandem to have in on first and 10.

[NBT]

I'm pretty much drooling at what might be. This is Okoye's "light comes on" 2nd year, and if Okam can gear himself up for it, yep, we oughta be fearsome in the DL. Now if Anthony Weaver can just get it together.......?

[edo783]

Originally Posted by Vinny

to me, they look like an ideal pair side by side if Okoye continues to fill out (Men's bodies don't stop thickening till their mid 20's)....if Okam can find a way to get in good enough shape to play more than spot mins and Okoye can continue to mature this may be a nice tandem to have in on first and 10.

Yup, there are real possibilities there. Okam IMO will come out on the long yardage downs or on most 3rd downs and TJ will come in for a little more pressure up the middle on the QB. He probably will be spelling Okoye at that position alongside Okam. Just seems like a logical fit for the talent to me.

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by edo783

Yup, there are real possibilities there. Okam IMO will come out on the long yardage downs or on most 3rd downs and TJ will come in for a little more pressure up the middle on the QB. He probably will be spelling Okoye at that position alongside Okam. Just seems like a logical fit for the talent to me.

Oddly enough for a big guy, Okam plays pretty good in passing situations as he is effective at not letting the Qb step up into pocket especially if he's not double teamed. Hopefully this will translate to the NFL. With Okam's motor issue, being a third down tackle may be the most effective way to get him to play hard on every down he is in there.

[Wolf]

Originally Posted by Vinny

to me, they look like an ideal pair side by side if Okoye continues to fill out (Men's bodies don't stop thickening till their mid 20's)....if Okam can find a way to get in good enough shape to play more than spot mins and Okoye can continue to mature this may be a nice tandem to have in on first and 10.

very true ...makes me excited about the Texan front line