Where is Barwin?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

I think the defensive scheme has something to do with it, plus Barwin is often lined up against the other team's best pass blocker. Whereas Watt lines up against a RG or RT most often, Barwin draws the LT. He also has containment duties in his role, as opposed to Watt who maybe just controls a gap.

Can't say I'm a guru with this defense, but it is possible a good pass rushing 3-4 DE has more opportunity than the 3-4 OLB. That said, Barwin is still making little noise ...on the stat sheet at least. The team is 4-0, and maybe this weaken's Barwin stance at the bargaining table, which is really a win for the team and its fans if it means Barwin re-signs at a lower than previously offered rate.

Kubiak echoed much of this on the radio earlier today, might have been his press conference or his show on 610 am, don't remember.

Also said that the other teams appear to be running away from him.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Kubiak echoed much of this on the radio earlier today, might have been his press conference or his show on 610 am, don't remember.

Also said that the other teams appear to be running away from him.

Maybe, but that also sounds like typical Kubiak protecting his guy and trying to cover up a guy who's just not producing much. I recall people always calling BS when he did this with Mario and would say in his press conference after Mario didn't show up in the stat sheet that he was playing great and getting double-teamed all the time.

And to stay with Mario, as best I can recall, when the topic was moving Mario to OLB, everyone talked about how Wade's defense was designed to allow the OLBs to rush the passer nonstop and that they were the primary beneficiaries of the scheme and pointed to the ridiculous numbers Ware is able to put up in Dallas as proof of how Wade creates a bunch of opportunities for his OLBs.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Maybe, but that also sounds like typical Kubiak protecting his guy and trying to cover up a guy who's just not producing much. I recall people always calling BS when he did this with Mario and would say in his press conference after Mario didn't show up in the stat sheet that he was playing great and getting double-teamed all the time.

And to stay with Mario, as best I can recall, when the topic was moving Mario to OLB, everyone talked about how Wade's defense was designed to allow the OLBs to rush the passer nonstop and that they were the primary beneficiaries of the scheme and pointed to the ridiculous numbers Ware is able to put up in Dallas as proof of how Wade creates a bunch of opportunities for his OLBs.

When you have a Mario or a Ware or a Cornelius Bennett, you rush them 95 percent of the time. When you have two guys that are mirrors like Reed and Barwin, both guys being more complete defenders you then have to ability to send either one and drop the other on any given play. Our defense is more unpredictable with the current OLB starters then it was when Wade got here and was looking at how to bring Mario against a TE or a RB.

I say that Wade has more tools available and he keeps the opposing OL men guessing more as to who is dropping and who is coming. And a split second of indecisiveness is all that is need in the NFL.

Wade is using the tools that are laid before him, and Watt and Smith are the guys creating havoc for opposing QBs, the OLBs are relentless they will get theirs.

And besides, the only person that Barwin is hurting right now is him, and maybe his agent. He should of taken the bird in the hand when it was offered.

I'm not concerned about Conner as long as our defense is playing the way it's playing right now. The team is on a role and I hope that this can be maintained until February.

And I am not looking for the Texans to go undefeated, so I am enjoying the current run.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Maybe, but that also sounds like typical Kubiak protecting his guy and trying to cover up a guy who's just not producing much. I recall people always calling BS when he did this with Mario and would say in his press conference after Mario didn't show up in the stat sheet that he was playing great and getting double-teamed all the time.

And to stay with Mario, as best I can recall, when the topic was moving Mario to OLB, everyone talked about how Wade's defense was designed to allow the OLBs to rush the passer nonstop and that they were the primary beneficiaries of the scheme and pointed to the ridiculous numbers Ware is able to put up in Dallas as proof of how Wade creates a bunch of opportunities for his OLBs.

The big difference in Kubiak protecting his guys before and now, is before he was protecting members of a losing team, and now he is saying a member of the best defense in the NFL is playing well.

I saw a quote from Barwin that all the defensive guys are joking about how it's a race to try to beat Watt to the QB. So if Watt wins that race every time and he finishes with 30 sacks (his current pace) and the team gets 52 (current pace) on the top rated defense, I'll defend Barwin all season long.

[Joshua]

I should add that I'm simply engaging in the conversation for the fun of it and have no problems with the Texans' defense. This the D is playing great, and that's good enough for me. Whether one particular guy is having a great year means little to me. Like someone else said, this may work to the Texans' advantage when it comes to contract negotiations. Just wanted to offer my 2 cents on the OLB's role in this scheme and Kubiak's inclination to defend his guys to the death (which I understand and I'm fairly sure was one of the reasons he never lost the team during the down years).

[WMH]

As we have seen, you can't keep everyone. If Barwin isn't going to produce, I'd just assume re-up Cush and Quin.

[HPF Bob]

We've gone up against three below-average offenses (thankfully two in our own division who we'll meet again) so the defense is playing well but I want to see them tested first by a real offensive juggernaut like the Packers or Patriots before I want to give them full props as the best defense in the league.

I'm really not worried that Barwin is off to a slow start because the rest of the defense is doing well. Perhaps when some of the other guys wear down, Barwin will be fresh enough to go on a tear, so it's all good.

Now, if we're in Week 10 and he's still producing the same, it might be cause for concern. It should be noted that Barwin is a converted TE that was still learning defense when we drafted him and now he's had two position shifts so there may still be some technique stuff he has to work on, much like Mercilus.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

We've gone up against three below-average offenses (thankfully two in our own division who we'll meet again) so the defense is playing well but I want to see them tested first by a real offensive juggernaut like the Packers or Patriots before I want to give them full props as the best defense in the league.

I'm really not worried that Barwin is off to a slow start because the rest of the defense is doing well. Perhaps when some of the other guys wear down, Barwin will be fresh enough to go on a tear, so it's all good.

Now, if we're in Week 10 and he's still producing the same, it might be cause for concern. It should be noted that Barwin is a converted TE that was still learning defense when we drafted him and now he's had two position shifts so there may still be some technique stuff he has to work on, much like Mercilus.

So after they prove they are a top defense in the league (for the 2nd straight year) you'll go out on a limb and say they are a top defense in the league?

[idymoe]

I have a problem with the Texans' defense. They are not scoring enough points!

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by barrett

So after they prove they are a top defense in the league (for the 2nd straight year) you'll go out on a limb and say they are a top defense in the league?

Go back and re-read my post. There's a difference between the words "the" and "a".

"The" is the definitive article as in "the best defense in the league".

You substituted "the" for "a" as in "one of several". I wasn't debating whether the Texans had "a" top defense in the league, I was debating whether they had "the" top defense in the league, which is an open question when the season is only four weeks old and three of the teams they've played were not very good offensively, featuring young quarterbacks with weak supporting casts.

[Nconroe]

[QUOTE=idymoe;31741]I have a problem with the Texans' defense. They are not scoring enough points![/QUOTE]

It may be a problem but not the problem or is it . I think its because our offense posseses the ball too long not giving the other teams offense enough time to make more mistakes.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Go back and re-read my post. There's a difference between the words "the" and "a".

"The" is the definitive article as in "the best defense in the league".

You substituted "the" for "a" as in "one of several". I wasn't debating whether the Texans had "a" top defense in the league, I was debating whether they had "the" top defense in the league, which is an open question when the season is only four weeks old and three of the teams they've played were not very good offensively, featuring young quarterbacks with weak supporting casts.

You're right Bob, I slightly changed your argument with that word change. Your statement was fair, it just wasn't much more than saying "I'll wait and see and then make a claim only when there is irrefutable proof." Declaring any defense (texans, 49ers, cardinals, etc...) the best right now would be a guess. Declaring one best after the season would be reading the stat sheet.

[nunusguy]

I actually think Barwins "double-digit" sack year in 2011 was a bit of a fluke because he got 4 sacks in a single game against a rookie who was also probably the most inept QB in the entire NFL last year.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by barrett

You're right Bob, I slightly changed your argument with that word change. Your statement was fair, it just wasn't much more than saying "I'll wait and see and then make a claim only when there is irrefutable proof." Declaring any defense (texans, 49ers, cardinals, etc...) the best right now would be a guess. Declaring one best after the season would be reading the stat sheet.

I took one of those personality quizzes yesterday and it said one of my "strengths" was being able to coldly analyze statements and weigh their veracity. It can be seen (particularly on the internet) as being hypercritical when, in reality, it is the personality that examines for every possible flaw before proceeding with a plan. I'm the guy that splashes the cold water of reality on other's wild-eyed optimism.

I guess I should have been a QA tester.

[Nconroe]

or auditor

[HPF Bob]

The NFL is investigating whether Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams has an injured left wrist.

Williams has not been on the Bills' injury report this season despite what he claims has been a wrist injury that has bothered him all season. But the team says he has not missed any practices or game time.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Sunday that "the club says he is not injured. We will follow up this week to obtain a formal explanation."

Williams is the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, signing a $100 million contract as a free agent in the offseason. He has not played well for Buffalo and has just 1½ sacks.

[popanot]

I said I wasn't concerned about Barwin as long as the D overall was performing and we were winning. However, now I'm concerned. There were times last night where JJ was TRIPLE teamed and still no one could get to Sanchez. Barwin made bascially one play (tipped pass). Now that Cush is likely lost for the season, we need everyone not named Watt to step up their game and start producing. Obviously the coaches know this team far better than us, but it would nice to see Mercilus, Braman and Nading to step it up and get into the regular rotation.

[nunusguy]

Who did more of a disappearing act in Jersey last night, Barwin or Andre Johnson ? Two big producers for the Texans who were both AWOL last night.

[cadams]

While I was definitely disappointed with some of what I saw on defense, the jets routinely had 6 linemen in the game blocking.

[WMH]

5 games in, Barwin is just a guy.....