NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – INSIDE SLANT
They entered the first round of the draft needing a quarterback and a pass rusher who could increase a sack total that plunged from 44 in 2012 to 31 last season. After Thursday’s first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans still have work to do.
However, they filled one need when they used the first overall pick on defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the highest-rated player in the draft, a once-in-a-generation pass rush prospect, according to a lot of scouts.
Clowney is ideally suited to play right end in a 4-3 system. The Texans play a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Clowney will play outside linebacker in the base defense, then drop down and rush with his hand in the dirt on obvious passing situations.
The coaches anticipate using their nickel defense 60 to 65 percent of the time, and that’s when Clowney will be the most dangerous.
It’s up to Crennel, who has five Super Bowl rings, to figure out how to fit Clowney with starting outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Brooks Reed, former first- and second-round draft choices.
Clowney is eager to get started because he believes he’s got something to prove after being so heavily criticized after recording only three sacks as a junior at South Carolina last season.
“A lot of people have doubted me,” he said after being drafted. “I’ve been proving people wrong throughout my life. A lot of people said I wouldn’t be anything growing up, and now look at me.”
General manager Rick Smith thought about trading the pick, but he didn’t find anyone who’d agree to his steep demands. He wasn’t going to give up Clowney without an offer too good to refuse.
The coaches are excited about pairing Clowney with defensive end J.J. Watt in passing situations. Five members of the front seven will be Watt, Clowney, Mercilus, Reed and inside linebacker Brian Cushing.
“I want to learn,” Clowney said. “I want to be great. Now that I’m in the NFL, hopefully, I’ll be a Hall of Famer someday.”
The Texans now prep for Friday’s second round, when they again begin the night with the first pick — this time, No. 33 overall.
Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr and Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are among the candidates to be chosen at that spot, but reports also circulated Thursday that the Texans could go the veteran route, possibly acquiring former Bill O’Brien pupil Ryan Mallett from the New England Patriots.
———————————————–
NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – NOTES, QUOTES
–New coach Bill O’Brien likes players who are smart, tough and versatile.
“Versatility is a key word in this process,” he said about scouting and drafting. “It’s something we look for in all of our players at every position.”
Specifically, O’Brien was talking about guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, their first pick in the second round. He started 20 games at tackle and 20 games at guard. The Texans will put him at left guard, where they need a starter.
“We want to be a physical team that runs the ball,” general manager Rick Smith said. Not only is he (Su’a-Filo) smart and physical, but his versatility adds to his value.”
–General manager Rick Smith usually trades down for extra picks. He prefers not to give up picks to trade up, but that’s what he did in the third round when nose tackle Louis Nix III was available.
The Texans entered the draft with a desperate need at nose tackle. Nix was viewed as a first- or second-round talent. When it was Philadelphia’s turn to choose in the third round, 83rd overall, Smith engineered a trade.
To get the Eagles’ third-round pick, Smith gave up the first pick in the fourth round, as well as a fifth-rounder, to get Nix.
“The big nose tackle is a really good scheme fit in the defense we’re going to play,” Smith said. “We had him rated high.”
The coaches believe Nix is good enough to start and to stay on the field in passing situations and play between J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick in the draft.
“I’ve never in my life thought that would happen, but having the chance to play next to Clowney and Watt and everybody else on the defense, I’m just super excited and happy,” Nix said. “I just want to be a part of it. And I am.”
–Two draft choices – defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and nose tackle Louis Nix III – have nicknames.
After being drafted first overall, Clowney disclosed that his first name is pronounced Ja-DEV-eon, not Ja-DAY-veon. But he’d rather be called J.D. So now he’s J.D. Clowney.
Nix, a third-round pick, said his nickname was “Irish Chocolate Thunder.”
–Bill O’Brien took tight ends coach John Perry and offensive line coach Paul Dunn to Iowa’s pro day. They wanted to check out tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, who ended up being their first pick in the third round.
The coaches worked out Fierdorowicz extensively.
“We put him through various drills and really similar drills to what we do with all those types of tight ends,” O’Brien said. “You could tell he was a team guy. I think anybody that plays for (Iowa coach) Kirk Ferentz has to be a team guy (because) he runs that type of program.
“In the meeting room with him, he could explain what they were doing at Iowa when we watched film with him. We saw a guy that got better and better as the year went on.”
———————————————–
NFL Team Report – Houston Texans – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Texans’ picks:
Round 1/1 – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, 6-5, 266, South Carolina
–Texans resisted opportunities to trade down and selected the highest-rated prospect in the draft. Has tremendous pass-rush skills, but must play hard on every down. Will play outside linebacker on weak side in base 3-4 scheme and drop down to right end in passing situations.
Round 2/33 – Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, 6-4, 307, UCLA
–Completed a two-year mission and should start at left guard immediately. Says he tries to emulate Logan Mankins, the Patriots’ Pro Bowl guard. He has the kind of nasty streak coaches love. Also played tackle but will focus on inside with Texans.
Round 3/65 – C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, 6-6, 265, Iowa
–Perhaps the best blocking tight end in the draft. He fits because Bill O’Brien wants to use formations with multiple tight ends. He wanted a physical blocker to play with Garrett Graham and Ryan Griffin, both of whom are better receivers than blockers.
Round 3/83 – Louis Nix III, NT, 6-2, 330, Notre Dame
–General manager Rick Smith gave fourth- and fifth-round picks to Philadelphia to move back into the third round to get Nix, who should fill a big hole in the middle of the defensive line. Nix has to keep his weight under control if he wants to be more than a run-down player.
Round 4/135 – Tom Savage, QB, 6-4, 235, Pittsburgh
–The well-traveled Savage was outstanding as a true freshman at Rutgers and exceptional as a senior at Pitt. Went 1,024 days without playing because he missed three seasons while transferring. Good size, big arm, solid mechanics. Will be coached hard and won’t be rushed into lineup.
Round 6/177 – Jeoffrey Pagan, DE, 6-3, 310, Alabama
–A one-year starter who’s coming off shoulder surgery. Started 11 games as a junior and entered the draft. Should help as a two-gap end that can read and react. They need him to compete for starting job or at least provide enough quality depth to become part of the rotation.
Round 6/181 – Alfred Blue, RB, 6-2, 223, Louisiana State
–Started 13 games in college. Suffered major knee injury that ended junior year and started two games as a senior. Tall back who makes an inviting target. To make the team as the third back, he’ll have to play special teams.
Round 6/211 – Jay Prosch, FB, 6-1, 256, Auburn
–A large, hard-nosed fullback who specializes in blocking. The Texans won’t use many formations with a fullback, but when they do, he’s got to be a powerful lead blocker. To make the team, he’s got to stand out on special teams.
Round 7/216 – Andre Hal, CB, 5-11, 188, Vanderbilt
–Defense is looking for depth a corner. He’s a high-character guy who was a team leader in college. Plays hard all the time. Improved ball skills. Lacks speed to turn and run with receivers. Might be better in zone.
Round 7/256 – Lonnie Ballentine, S, 6-3, 215, Memphis
–Mr. Irrelevant will have to make the team as a special teams player. The defense already has depth at safety. He’s got good size and excellent 4.4 speed, but he’s limited in coverage and doesn’t play the run very well. Has natural talent but has to learn to become a player who can cover.
PERSONNEL TRACKER
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
–OT Ryan Harris was the swing tackle the last two seasons. He rotated at right tackle with Derek Newton. He’s best suited for a zone scheme. He’s not expected back with the Texans.
–FB Greg Jones left Jacksonville after nine seasons to sign a one-year contract with the Texans because he wanted to compete for the Super Bowl. He’s entering his 11th season. He’s still a strong blocker but not much of a runner or receiver. He’s not expected back.
–RB Deji Karim was signed when injuries decimated the running back position. He’s a solid kickoff returner. He’s not expected to return.
–LG Wade Smith started at left guard the last three seasons. He played hurt last season and is healthy now. He’s been in the league for 11 seasons. He started every game with the Texans since signing with them in 2010. At 33, he’ll probably sign a one-year deal for close to the minimum with a team that needs a veteran left guard or a valuable reserve.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–TE Garrett Graham: UFA; $11.25M/3 yrs, $4.5M guaranteed.
–CB Elbert Mack: UFA; terms unknown.
–LB Ricky Sapp: Potential ERFA; $570,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–RB Andre Brown: UFA Giants; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–S Chris Clemons: UFA Dolphins; $2.7M/2 yrs, $450,000 SB.
–QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: FA Titans; $7.5M/2 yrs, $4M guaranteed.
–LB Paul Hazel (waivers Browns).
–S Kendrick Lewis: UFA Chiefs; $795,000/1 yr, $100,000 guaranteed.
–NT Ricardo Mathews: UFA Colts; terms unknown.
–DT Jerrell Powe: Not tendered as ERFA by Chiefs; terms unknown.
–WR Mike Thomas: FA; $730,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
–OLB Bryan Braman: Not tendered as RFA/Eagles; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–TE Owen Daniels (released).
–LB Evan Frierson (released).
–T Andrew Gardner: UFA Eagles; terms unknown.
–WR Lestar Jean: Not tendered as RFA/Vikings; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–S Danieal Manning (released).
–ILB Joe Mays: UFA Chiefs; $6M/2 yrs.
–CB Brice McCain (released)
–DE Terrell McClain: Not tendered as RFA/Cowboys; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
–DT Earl Mitchell: UFA Dolphins; $16M/4 yrs, $9M guaranteed.
–QB Matt Schaub (traded Raiders).
–ILB Darryl Sharpton: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
–DE Antonio Smith: UFA Raiders; $9M/2 yrs.
–RB Ben Tate: UFA Browns; $4.7M/2 yrs, $1.5M SB/$2.5M guaranteed ($1.5M total potential per-game RB).
