This Is Why.....

...I put little to no value in so called "draft gurus" or "draft geeks" that post for free on the interwebsnet.

Myron Lewis, who I profiled in a previous post, apparently stunk it up at his Vanderbilt Pro Day according to Sporting News Today.

Yet, according to Tennessean.com, Lewis impressed NFL scouts.

So which is it? Did he leave a steamer on the field or did he impress? Did those who went to the Pro Day really pay attention?

I'll give Sporting News credit. They wrote a glowing report about him earlier but they also printed a source's quotes that he didn't do well. They could have easily glossed over or ignored the quote to make their report look good. They didn't. Which is good journalism...a rarity today in my book.

It also highlights why I put little faith in writers out there and don't charge for it. If they were genuinely good scouts they would be employed by a scouting agency, college team or NFL team.

Case in point brings me to Draft Insiders Digest and this mock draft. For the record, it is widely known the Texans need to upgrade the offensive line, defensive tackle, running back and safety/corner spots. This numb nuts evidently isn't paying attention. He has the Texans taking LB Brandon Spikes with the 20th pick.

First off, if there is a position on the team the Texans don't need help it's at linebacker. You only have one of the best MLBs in DeMeco Ryans. On the strong side is Brian Cushing and his 2009 Rookie of the Year award. On the weak side, Zac Diles isn't to shabby. He was having an outstanding season on the strong side in 2008 and beat Xavior Adibi out on the weak side last season. Adibi would be the first up and Kevin Bentley can also play the weak side (he backs up all three LB spots).

Second, unless you play in a 3-4 defense, you don't draft a weak side linebacker that high.

With so many other areas of great importance on the team, this leaves me to believe that mock drafter Frank Coyle has no clue of what he is doing. Looking at the draft order, ranking the prospects and lining up them across from each other isn't a mock draft. At the very least, look at the team's needs. Some teams, especially top picks, have several needs but as the draft goes lower, you can take a good guess at what teams may be targeting.

I have no clue what Coyle's logic is giving the Texans a linebacker over other places of obvious need. He's not paying attention or is lazy and not doing his homework. Looking at his previous mock draft in February, he again selects a linebacker for the Texans. This is just sloppy lazy research by the self proclaimed "Premier Draft and Free Agency Publication."

I'm sure as I try to figure out the Texans latest moves, which I definitely have no clue about, I'll mock more mock drafts as I run into them.

Texans Draft Wish List: Myron Lewis

Okay, I admit this one is a reach in Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis. Depending on who you read, he's projected from 7th to 4th to 2nd round pick. In other words, no one really knows.

So why am I highlighting him? After the first two or three rounds, part of the draft is finding an undervalued contributor. If the Texans can address running back, defensive tackle and safety in the first three rounds, they might start thinking about looking for quality in the defensive backfield. Lewis just might fit the bill.

His tape measurements look tempting: 6' 1", 209 lbs with a 40 time of 4.48.

The best scouting report I found on him comes from Sporting News. Like my previous write up, I'll try to expand more on Lewis once I renew my Pro Football Weekly subscription.

Based on rankings I've seen on Lewis, the Sporting News report might be a little to glowing of Lewis. None the less, it provides an interesting prospect.

A brief synopsis of the report:

• Good coverage skills man on man and in press coverage.
• Adjusts well from back pedaling to turn and run
• Has good recovery skills and speed from a false step
• Anticipates the ball well and can close in on a play
• Decent in run support, he is willing to slow the runner down and wait for help, not a dominant tackler
• Has the size to cover big receivers and speed to cover fast receivers

Not much negative attributes on Lewis. The report projects him as a second round pick and says he has the potential to start as a rookie later in the season. It goes on to admit he might not be taken where they have him rated but will be a quality pick regardless of where he goes.

Houston Texans Wish List: Jeromy Miles

The loss of cornerback Dunta Robinson opens a hole in the defensive backfield and raises more questions that it solved. Rumor is that Robinson is on the verge of signing with the Dirty Birds of the ATL.

Obviously the Texans need to address cornerback in the draft or free agency. Since they've so far been quiet on the FA side of things, one imagines they will draft a corner this April.

Last year the Texans filled a glaring need at safety with Bernard Pollard but you can never have too many good defensive backs.

One player I like at safety is Jeromy Miles from UMass. The Sporting News Daily profile on Miles projects him as a second round pick.

A quick run down on Miles from Sporting News profile:

1. Excellent cover skills off the line man on man. Can watch a quarterbacks eyes and track the ball. Breaks quickly on a pass.
2. Very physical in run support and in coverage.
3. Not explosive with elite speed but makes up for in with great range and instinct
4. Big hitter who can force the ball loose.
5. Excellent tackler
6. Projected to go in the second round
7. Should be an instant starter in the NFL

He started his career at Navy but transferred to UMass. Even though he left Navy that he played for them is telling. You can't be an academic slouch and enter the Naval Academy. According to his NFL Draft Bible player profile, Miles left the Academy because he felt the military life wasn't for him. He preferred to enter the civilian life instead.

So the transfer from Navy doesn't appear to be a red flag. It was just a person making a choice in life for what he thought best. Can't blame a young man for that. Personally I admire the maturity and responsibility he had to make the decision.

One caveat to my report. Apparently only Sporting News is high on him. Everybody else has him as a late pick to an undrafted free agent. That just goes to show the unpredictability of the draft and scouting reports. For what it's worth, most free sites don't really have a clue.

My Analysis: Scouts know more than I do. Todd McShay and Mel Kiper don't know dick. Most draft sites don't know crap.

I just highlighted Miles due to what I read in Sporting News.

So am I hearing what I want to hear from the Sporting News profile? No. I'm just looking at one report. I have more faith in Pro Football Weekly's reports than any other publication. I just haven't updated my subscription yet.

Anyway, if Miles is as good as Sporting News advertises and he falls, the Texans or any other team has a potential great value pick.

Texans Early Draft and Free Agency Edition

So I slacked off at the end of the season keeping up the blog. I had a post mortem written for the season but never published it.

These Shoes Were Made For Walking
The club made their first major move of the off season by not franchising cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Last year's rumor mill insisted that the Texans offered Robinson around $24 million per year range money. It would have made Robinson one of the top three paid CBs in the league, if I remember correctly. I'm not so sure about the rumor being true. The Texans never wage salary battles in public and never gave any indication of the money D-Rob was offered. Robinson and his agent never said anything either. Robinson was upset over getting the franchise tag not the money offered. I think the $24 million price tag has been repeated enough in the local media and blogosphere that it's taken as fact.

Either way, it changed the dynamics of free agency and the draft. Despite what you may think of him, Robinson was the number one corner on the team and now needs to be replaced. Does the team already have the next starter on the roster with second year player Grover Quin? Does that bump Frenchy up to number one? Or do the Texans make a run at a free agent to start or a high draft pick? Does Fred Bennett come up for air once the team digs him up from underneath the bench? Is Brice McCain ready to move to the nickle slot?

The LT Dream and Other Cast Offs
Some fans live in a fantasy world. Some are clamoring for the Texans to sign future Hall of Famer Ladanian Thomlinson. Forget it. It's not happening.

I have a friend that wants to sign every cast off free agent for the Texans. His football knowledge is that of a newly arrived immigrant who has never seen the game before. My friend's choices would collectively add five or more years to the Texans average age.

Owner Bob McNair publicly stated the Texans free agent policy for this year. He has mandated that the Texans not sign any old veterans on the downside of their careers. He wants young players that improve the team now and for years beyond.

So my friend and other fans can clamor all they want. McNair signs the checks. What he says goes.

Future Features
I'm about to enter a project at work that may take up to six weeks. I'm blocking out March 1 to April 15 and possibly beyond.

What I plan to do on my little bit of down time is feature a potential draft pick I think the Texans could take a look at.

Alan Burge, of the Houston Examiner, is running a feature on his blog called Texans Draft Watch. I don't plan on featuring any players he highlights unless I can add to Burge's take.

Until next time...

Week 15 - St. Louis, LA They are Still the Lambs

The Texans won 16-13 and still fans have to be talked in off the ledge. The way the blogosphere, talk radio, newspaper comments and fans are jabbering, you get the feeling fans would have preferred the Texans to lose. Or have Texans fans just turned into the biggest whinniest fans south of Dallas? Is Houston the new Dallas? All this noise about Denver South should be called Dallas South?

Bad win, good loss, moral victory. Three concepts that belong in the category of Santa, the Easter Bunny and an honest politician. They don't exist. A win is still a win, a loss is still a loss and a moral victory is for pussies and losers.

I'll be the first to admit the Texans looked like crap. Again. But the bottom line is when the game clock read 00:00 the scoreboard showed Texans 16 Rams 13. All you crybabies go cheer for the Cowboys.

Fumblitis is Contagious?
The Rams had to cancel practice due to the swine flu. Can the Texans cancel the run game due to fumblitis? What the hell is wrong with the backs? Steve Slaton was the chief offender. Chris Brown the fumbler at critical times. Ryan Moats didn't want to be left out against Seattle and now Arian Foster put the ball on the carpet. I don't even have any comments about the issue.

Simply the Best in the Universe?
''He can do it all,'' Rams cornerback Ron Bartell said about Andre Johnson. ''He's got the size, speed, run after the catch, blocking, everything. There's nobody in this league that compares to him.''

That's a hell of a compliment from Bartell. He faces Larry Fitzgerald twice year...the only other receiver that I consider All-Universe caliber.

The Other Brown
Again, Kris Brown missed a field goal. Crucial? Maybe. Who was once Mr. Reliable has become a giant question mark. He just isn't consistent. At this point I don't think anything is physically wrong with him. I think it's all mental. A friend of mine who is a Steeler fan hates Brown. He claims that Brown had the Texans fooled for the last seven season. I don't agree. The overall body of work as a Texan kicker proves Brown was reliable. With the exception of this season, he's been money for the Texans. I can't say that someone can be that consistent for seven years and pulled the wool over the eyes of coaches and management.

Brown missed two field goals that would have sent games into overtime. If the Texans are to contend for a playoff spot next year then this has to improve. In a tight race field goals can mean the difference between playing or staying home. The Texans can't allow this to linger as they've let it this year. They can't be fickle out of a misplaced sense of loyalty to Brown. He either improves over the summer or they find someone who can put the ball through the uprights.

I have some more thoughts later tomorrow after work. Tired and need some sleet.

Week 15 - Sleepiness With Seattle

Note: I wrote a week 14 edition but evidently I never posted it.

It was going to be one of those games. What games you ask? Well for starters, which Texans team is going to show up? Will they show up in the first half and go home? Or get to the game late and play the second half? Will they build a big lead and blow it? Or did they stop caring in Jacksonville last week?

Friends, Romans, Countrymen

Well something to that effect. Gary Kubiak made an impassioned speech Saturday night before the game and fired up the team to victory.

So that begs me to ask...Where the f**k was that passion, oh, about the time of the NY Jets game? Or even a week ago at Jacksonville? Or the Monday Nighter against the Titans? Or both Colts games? Or or or...you get the picture.

Why do they wait until they are pretty much out of playoff contention to get fired up? That fire should have been in the belly from game one.

Back to the Game
Outstanding opening play. Obviously. The Texans went to a quick count and caught the Seattle defense napping. Matt Schaub hit Andre Johnson down the sideline for a long TD pass on the first play from scrimmage.

The offense played a near flawless first half. Not much to nit pick at. I could rant and rave about a run game but that's beating my head against a dead horse.

The Run Game
Okay, I'll touch on something quickly about the running attack. Besides that it still sucks.

For crying out loud just freakin' hold onto the damn ball. Ryan Moats coughed it up (you know the savior of the run game after the Bills win).

The bright side is Arian Foster didn't fumble. And he had a nice day catching the ball to boot. I'd give him a game ball for not fumbling but with my luck he'd fumble the game ball.

F for Effort
Was anyone really trying for the Seahawks? Matt Hasselbeck appeared to me as the only player on offense making any effort.

Despite the long TD to start off with, I thought Marcus Trufant played a decent game too. Where the f**k was Aaron Curry? I think I heard his name called once. Or did he even play? I'm not sure anymore.

Unless Mike Holmgren is the new GM in Seattle, Jim Mora is probably out as head coach.

A for Effort
The Seattle fans behind me sure gave all they got cheering for their team. It might have been a game if the players put that much effort into the game.

It was three ladies, probably around 50-ish, cheering for the 'hawks. One of them went missing before kick off. She made it back right before the end of the 1st quarter.

One asked,"Where have you been?"

She replied,"Looking for the right beer and it took me five tries.

The other lady said,"Five?"

"Yup, this is my fifth one. And it's good."

Yeah lady, five beers in a quarter and I'm pretty sure it would taste good to me too. It's the only way I survived the 2-14 season.

Finally Analysis
No new of fresh insight for me to add this late in the week and on the verge of week 16. In a nut shell, the teams boasted a similar record going in but Texans were the superior team. Seattle players looked like they pretty much quit on Mora. The Texans don't appear to have quit on Kubiak. Yet.

Kris Brown has probably brought on some serious contenders next year for the Texans. Clutch field goal misses on top of others he doesn't miss were costly. If the Texans try to up grade on of the Last Original Texans then should expect more of the same. His track record in Pittsburgh speaks the same.

It's a quiet possibility that old Bill Shakespeare makes another appearance this year.

Finally it looks like DGDB&D went dark again. So long guys all though Big Fat Drunk has taken his act over to the Battle Red Blog.

Week 13 - Jack Del Rio Pwned Gary Kubiak

Remember last year I harked and barked about the only thing keep Jack Del Rio from earning the name of Worst Head Coach in the NFL was Herm Edwards. Upon the firing of Edwards, Del Rio assumed the mantle.

And that Gary Kubiak is bad news for you. The Texans used to own the Jacksonville Jaguars. They were at least good for a season split. Not this year. In the last four meetings with the Hags, Kubiak is now 1-3. The only win was last year's Monday Night game.

So congrats are in order to Gary Kubiak. You are currently Del Rio's bitch and that doesn't bode well for your Houston coaching future.

The Game

I'll be honest. I worked the graveyard shift the night before the game. I normally make it to the opening kick off and through the game. Given the playoffs slipping away I decided to try and get some sleep.

So when I did wake up the Texans were in the hole and the Sex Cannon was in. Uh oh is all I thought. Of course, Steve Tasker and Gus Johnson are no help. They rambled on endlessly about a back up quarterback's daily routine. No wonder Texans fans hate their coverage.

Fortunately Schaub came back and almost lead the Texans back to victory. He immediately lead Texans to a TD on his first possession back. The game seemed to finally be turning.

It's not like they had their chances. The defense came up big and made a goal line stop early in the game. They dropped Jags quarterback David Garrard for a safety and the special teams recovered a muff punt. In the end though the offense wasn't able to capitalize on those errors. I can't recall the details, not that I want to at this point, but the offense either got two field goals or one field goal off the possession after the safety and recovered punt.

Remarkably the team was still within striking distance.

The Half Back Option Heard 'round the Houston Metro Area

Then the brain farts start. The Texans were starting to game some momentum even though trailing 23-12. Schaub hit Angry 'dre Johnson on a 53 yard play to the Texans in scoring position. A few players later the Texans have 1st and goal. In one of the worst calls and poorly executed plays in Texans history, RB Chris Brown looked for TE Joel Dreesen in the end zone. Under heavy pressure Brown heaved the ball and it was caught...by a guy in the wrong uniform. No points! At least a field goal gets them within a TD and 2-point conversion of a tie.

Who to Blame?

The blame game is the favorite game for the media and fans to play. Ultimately Gary Kubiak is to blame. Kyle Shanahan calls the offense but Kubiak can change the play or veto the selection.

Many last week were saying the Colts game probably cost Kubes his job. At the point I disagreed. I figured it didn't help his cause and it was something to put on the list when evaluation time comes along at season end.

While I don't think it's the final nail in the coffin but several fans and media are saying the Chris Brown halfback option pass will be the one that cost him his job.

I don't always see eye to eye on Jerome Solomon's Houston Chronicle column and blog but he makes a case on why that specific play won't end the Kubiak regime and it is a whole slew of things that will in the columnKubiak's pink slip merited by more than just one call

Final Thoughts

The Seattle Seahawks come to Reliant for the last home game of 2009. Fans are eager to put this year behind, fire Kubiak, bring in Bill Cowher and make the playoffs.

I'm not eager to put the year behind yet because I want every Sunday to be football Sunday forever. Kubiak may or may not get fired. Bill Cowher isn't coming to Houston and if he does then a rebuilding process is under way which means the playoffs are at least another two or three seasons away. Plus the worst kept secret in football is Cowher wants the Carolina job.