Duane Brown's replacement?

[RunninRaven]

Okay, since no one has broken it down completely yet, here is what I gathered from the interwebs:

Game 1 (Pitt) - 5 total, 3 by Harrison
Game 2 (Ten) - 3 total, 1 Vanden Bosch, 1 Kearse, 1 Haynsworth
Game 3 (Jax) - none
Game 4 (Ind) - 2 total, 1 Freeney, 1 Mathis
Game 5 (Mia) - 1 total, Porter
Game 6 (Det) - 3 total, 1 White, 1 Redding
Game 7 (Cin) - 1 total, Thornton
Game 8 (Min) - 5 total, 2 Allen, 1 Greenway, 1 Edwards, 1 Williams
Game 9 (Bal) - 2 total, 1 Price
Game 10 (Ind) - 2 total, both Freeney
Game 11 (Cle) - 1 total, Wimbley
Game 12 (Jax) - none
Game 13 (GB) - 1 total, Bishop
Game 14 (Ten) - 3 total, 1 Tulloch, 1 Ford, 1 Kearse (no Vanden Bosch this game)
Game 15 (Oak) - 3 total, 2 Burgess, 1 Richardson
Game 16 (Chi) - none

Now, take from that what you will. I listed most of them because I am not familiar enough with each team to know who would likely have been lining up against Duane. I will say that my own eyes mirrored what others have said already in this thread, which is that he seemed to show definite improvement as the season went on. I heard his name called out less and less, which is a good thing. Assuming his ceiling is far above where he ended up last year, I see no reason to even consider using a high draft pick on a LT. If you see a project LT in the 4-7 rounds and he looks like a good value, go for it, but not before then.

[Joshua]

I don't profess to be able to critique left tackle play, but my recollection of what has been said by people in the know is that Brown is very raw in his technique and this is his biggest downfall right now. By all accounts, he has the physical skills and mental makeup to do the job, he's just very sloppy right now (particularly as the game wears on). While nothing is guaranteed, one would think that Alex Gibbs will be on his ass and his technique should improve. Seems like most people think that once this happens, he should be a very solid to above average LT. Hopefully so.

[sinnister]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Yup, he's the next Orlando Pace, we're set at LT.

Average = Awesome? That's realistic expectations. You are a glass half full kind of guy, right?

Bob McNair and I definitely need to switch places for a year.

Oher isn't Orlando Pace either.

[TexanJedi]

Seems like Winston was getting burnt on a regular basis the last month of the season, maybe we should be drafting his replacement.

[Roy P]

The reason I brought this up was because our first round pick did not exactly play like one. Can he improve upon his game? I sure hope so.

The potential picks in this draft could be difficult to project at this point. Perhaps Oher slips to #15 and we face the decision as to whether or not to take him. We could perhaps pass on him, like Jammal Brown, and trade down for a player like Travis Johnson.

Another scenario is that when the 2nd round comes around, the BPA available could be an OT. Now that could mean moving Winston to RG and leaving Brown and LT while the rookie could come in and play RT. Also, Ephraim did well as the backup OT last season, but could be getting past his prime. Having a 2nd round OT on the roster like Troy Kropog, with the potential to fill in for Brown or at least compete for the position, might be a good thing. That would allow Salaam to retire.

This is not something that I'm predicting the Texans will do. I'm only wargaming what possibilities are out there. Another situation I might explore is drafting QB Josh Freeman to replace Sage Rosenfels and pushing Schaub. It would be comparable to the Eagles drafting Kevin Kolb.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Another situation I might explore is drafting QB Josh Freeman to replace Sage Rosenfels and pushing Schaub.

What round do you think you could get Freeman in. He's got the size and arm, and can be very good, but he's also has stretches where's he can be WILDLY inaccurate. I've seen him thread the needle on a couple of impressive throws....and then not be anywhere near his intended target on his next three passes.

I realize you are not saying that he could start right away, and maybe someone with a better eye for talent thinks all of problems are fixable but he's not anywhere on my want list.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by papabear

What round do you think you could get Freeman in. He's got the size and arm, and can be very good, but he's also has stretches where's he can be WILDLY inaccurate.

Charlie Whitehurst, Brodie Croyle, Trent Edwards, and Kevin O'Connell were in the #80-#95 range of the 3rd round. I'll imagine Freeman would fall in there somewhere.

[jppaul]

Roy, you of all people know that Olinemen for the most part take a while to develop. I saw enough development, I say give the kid a chance.

I know that you are not advocating replacing him, only providing a heads up on a potential situation. Nevertheless, if the goal is a quality LT, and Brown has not been playing up to the level expected then I would say marked improvement is the benchmark by which to judge a rookie.

In other words is he getting better every game. I thought so.

[Bigtinylittle]

I guess it is possible, but to me not likely at all, that we will see a lineman sitting there on the board at 15 who would make us IMMEDIATELY a significantly more competitive team. But I could see a RB, DB, LB, or DL who would fit that bill.