Teams That Ignored 'Obvious' Needs...

JaguarCrazy2832 · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 73481

Jacksonville up until last year never drafted a QB since Byron Leftwich
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EliteTexan80 · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:45 pm Post subject:

Houston Texans - #2 WR

After the horrendous muffed punt by WR Jacoby Jones in the divisional playoff game against Baltimore, the writing on the wall was crystal clear - the inconsistent WR from Lane College was on his way out. However, even before then, the Texans felt the need for another WR, when Andre Johnson missed most of the season with his hamstring issues. The leading target in the Texans passing game was Arian Foster, and giving him touches in both the run game and the passing game would wear him out well before he got started. Simply put, the Texans have one of the best WRs in the NFL, and absolutely nothing behind him. Jones had never lived up to his billing as a developmental player who would be another Chad Johnson, Kevin Walter has seen his best years go by and is on a decline, and the remaining guys on the roster are scrap-heap pickups (Bryant Johnson, David Anderson) or UDFA pickups/PS designated players who have no NFL experience outside of a few snaps in week 17 (Jeff Maehl, Lestar Jean, Trindon Holliday). A #2 WR was needed, in a BAD way.

Prior to the draft, Jones was released, all but painting the walls with the message the Texans were going to be drafting a WR early in this draft. I am FIRMLY of the belief that the Texans were going to select WR Rueben Randle with their 2nd round pick, when Tampa Bay called up and offered some additonal mid round picks to move up from the 4th pick in the 3rd round to where the Texans were (where the Bucs selected OLB Lavonte David out of Nebraska). The Texans looked at the remainder of the board, felt as if Randle would still be there with the 4th pick of the 3rd, gambled...and watched Randle get selected with the 64th pick of the draft.

It was in this that the Texans made their BIGGEST gaffe of the draft, selecting former OSU WR DeVier Posey in the 3rd round (with the likes of Mohamed Sanu and Chris Givens still there for the taking). The red flags were flying at full staff with Posey, as he was one of the OSU players suspended for the free tats scandal a few years back. Posey sat out the majority of the 2011 season, logging in 12 catches for the season upon his return. Even when he was playing, Posey was overshadowed by the likes of Dane Sanzenbacher and Brian Hartline - not exactly worldbeaters. The red flags are looking to prove correct, as Posey has quickly earned himself into Gary Kubiak's doghouse during OTAs, where Kubiak lambasted Posey for being out of shape and behind on learning the playbook. The investment in Posey means he will be on the team, but many believe that he will get some undisclosed injury and be stashed on the IR this season.

The Texans stopped the bleeding in the 4th round by selecting WR Keyshawn Martin out of MSU, but truth be told...Martin projects out to be a KR/PR/slot WR. CAN he translate to a #2 opposite Andre Johnson? Perhaps, but the odds are against him for the most part, given that most successful NFL WRs tower over the dimunitive Martin. His size is going to put him behind the 8-Ball in terms of winning a starting spot on offense. He very well CAN do so, but he's gotta channel his inner Steve Smith to make it happen and play bigger than his size.

Outside of that, the Texans grabbed WR Mario Louis out of Grambling, Jerrell Jackson out of Missouri as well as what was thought to be a steal from the UDFA ranks in Dwight Jones from UNC. Many thought that Jones would be the guy who would make up for the lack of urgency in selecting a WR opposite AJ, and Jones surely spoke the part, calling himself "the NEXT ANDRE JOHNSON" to the Houston media and expecting to get himself a lot of playing time this season. That dream was short lived, as Jones unexpectedly quit on the time, citing no reason. Even as of now, Jones has a door open to him for Training Camp, but I highly doubt that a player with that lack of fortitude would fare well in this league, regardless of what team he's playing for.

As of now, the Texans WR unit/depth chart looks like this:

1. Johnson
2. Walter
3. Lestar Jean
4. Keyshawn Martin
5. Trindon Holliday
6. DeVier Posey
7. Jeff Maehl

The Texans have brought in veteran WRs Roy Williams and Bryant Johnson to give them an extended tryout, and the firm belief is that one of these two players will be on the 53 man roster come the start of the season. For a team that has been called a Super Bowl contender and has been praised as a team that identifies many talented players in the draft, the Texans have REALLY painted themselves in a corner in regards to the spot.

In a banner year for WRs in this draft, the Texans sit as the kid who didn't get any ice cream when then ice cream man came...and it will be seen whether or not everyone starts to laugh at them for missing out on a prime opportunity.
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PatriotsWin! · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 15508

texans_uk · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:30 am Post subject:

EliteTexan80 · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:33 am Post subject:

The LBC · Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 15543 Location: Long Beach, CA

Nobody · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

I'm fine with the Colts ignoring D this year, it's not like we're gonna be in the playoffs this year anyway. We're taking the Panthers approach. And I love the two defensive players we did draft. Chapman should be a beast in the middle, and Fugger is a very fast pass rusher, who was great value in the 7th, I had Chapman as a 2nd rounder without the injury, and Fugger as a 4-5th rounder. We should go D heavy next draft. For right now, it's about helping Luck.
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