NFL and Houston Texans Superthread: Are we ready for some football?

[boardman]

The anticipation is killing me

[YourMissV]

Anyone want to place any pre-draft bets? LOL
I bet my purple birds embarrass themselves at Reliant. Anyone care to take me up on that bet? It's well known we aren't very good on the road so I'm not anticipating a win against you guys. I just wanna come watch the game and talk smack surrounded by Texan gentlemen.

[Satin]

Ok here we go.....

[Satin]

Damn Jags got Blackmon.....

[DickEmDown]

Whitney WHO???

[Satin]

Texans get Whitney Merciilus.....

So much for a WR....

[One-Eyed Willy]

Originally Posted by One-Eyed Willy

AW BT it aint that bad.. I think we all knew Mario was too expensive to keep. The worst thing of this situation is to think of what we could of had if we traded him last year. Now we get nothing in return. I hate to criticize in hindsight, but you can't help but wonder if trading Mario pre-2011 would have given us a top 5 pick or better. Also, we do have a home game vs the Bills next season so lets hope our O-Line (whats left of it) will hold up to our former beast.

This also changes the perplexity of the Draft and I'm all for the Texans looking into Drafting Nick Perry. I personally think the feller would make an outstanding OLB in the 3-4 and possibly could take over the starting role from Reed. Most scouts have him going bottom of the 1st or top of the second.

There is also Whitney Mercilus, the winner of the 2011 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year. He recorded 16 sacks last year at the OLB position but may be taken higher than Perry, who I think is more likely to become a Texan. It sux that we need some major upgrades via draft but this is where the Texans excel. Don't hit the panic button just yet.

Video: Whitney Mercilus OLB Prospect

Also for the Peyton sweepstakes, Titans, are also talking to Saturday(Peytons Fav Center). Its quite possible that Texans may be able retain Myers if Peyton and Saturday go to Titans as a package.

Well, looks like Texans need a #3 QB, guess who is today's prospect.. Our own Case Keenum. He will likely be at the bottom-mid draft and Texans may just get him..

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-medi...c-909eef744fcf

HELL YEAH!! Thanks Mr Smith!

[Guest040616]

Originally Posted by One-Eyed Willy

HELL YEAH!! Thanks Mr Smith!

I have not seen Whitney Mercilus (Mercilus=great name for a pass rusher) play so I am not going to be critical of the pick. I considered a pass rushing specialist (LB or DE) to be one of 3 need positions for the Texans (along with quality OL depth and a pass receiver). I trust Rick Smith and Coach Kubes judgement. Those two know more about team needs and evaluating player personel than all the rest of us so called experts, combined!

Evaluation from the Houston Chronicle (The General):

"Rick Smith and Gary Kubiak told me they loved Illinois outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, but there was no way he’d be available when they made the 26th pick.
Well, guess what?
Mercilus was available, and they jumped on him even though they really liked Stanford OT Jonathan Martin and Georgia G/T Cordy Glenn as well as Wisconsin offensive linemen Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz.
Mercilus is 6-3, 1/2, 261. He ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at the combine. In his one season as a starter for Illinois, he had 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 22 1/2 tackles for loss. Those are incredible statistics.
Mercilus left school as a junior to take care of his parents, who emigrated from Haiti.
He’s got tremendous upside, just scratching the surface as for what he might be able to do in the NFL. He’s tough and plays hard on every snap. He’s got a great first step and an impressive closing burst to the quarterback. And he plays the run well. All scouts I’ve spoken to say he could be better in the NFL because he had only one year of starting experience.
Check this out: When the Texans go to nickel defense, Brian Cushing and Mercilus playing behind Connor Barwin, Brooks Reed, J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith with five defensive backs giving thanks for a front six like that."

I will echo Willy's sentiments: Thanks Mr Smith!

[TheDon]

I like the pick. Plus the guys last name is MERCILESS (Even though his first name is Whitney...)

I like how all the teams in our division got offensive players, and we responded with a DE. Very nice. Wright in Tenn doesn't scare me. But in Jacksonville, Blackmon + Robinson +MJD, those are pretty explosive players, it's a good thing that they are being led by Henne and Gabbert

And congrats to Houston's own Andrew Luck on being the first pick.

[Satin]

Hey DED.....

2011 Ted Hendricks award winner...
Bill Willis lineman award...
CFPA defensive performer of the year...
Consensus all-American....
First team all-big ten....

6'4 261 lbs...

Led the nation with 16 sacks and 9 forced fumbles....

Is that good enough for you DED....quit hating playa...

[TheDon]

Wade said if he stayed in college for one more year, and had a similar year, he would be a top ten pick in the next draft.

[Guest040616]

Reading between the lines (from The General's comments) this was obviously a best player available pick for the Texans. That being the case, I hope they focus on a pass receiver and a quality OL in the 2nd and 3rd round.

What started off as a miserable off season may work out after all! Although I would still prefer to have Eric Winston wearing Steel Blue next season!

[DickEmDown]

I'm not hating bruh...I just liked the TE from Stanford better than a LB for an already GREAT defense

That's the only weakness of the Texans offense IMHO, being able to stretch the middle of the field with a big target

[Guest040616]

Originally Posted by DickEmDown

I'm not hating bruh...I just liked the TE from Stanford better than a LB for an already GREAT defense

I liked Coby Fleener as well. By the same token, a defense (especially a 3/4) can not have too many defenders capable of putting pressure on the opposing qb!

I'm still hoping the Texans will have an opportunity to select Case Keenum in the later rounds! Eat 'em up!

[DickEmDown]

Originally Posted by bigtex

I liked Coby Fleener as well. By the same token, a defense (especially a 3/4) can not have too many defenders putting pressure on the opposing qb!

True, true...

I'm just glad my Steelers drafted an OL!