So, I go to Texans training camp the other day, and watched a lot of the Texans defensive line, particularly when they were going through 1 on 1 drills. Free agent veteran Jeff Zgonina (pronounced ska-KNEE-na) stood out mostly because of his distinctive physical features. He looks impossibly squared off and surreal, like a how a football player would look as envisioned by Japanese anime artist. His legs, even standing next to other large peoples, look impossibly thick.
This, of course, doesn't tell you squat about how the defensive line is going to play, I just thought it was a mildly amusing observation. I have to say though, most breathless dissection of training camp performance by fans and journalists really doesn't tell you squat. Especially this early in camp.
As I alluded to in a previous entry, a number of national news media sorts make the assumption that Travis Johnson will be the starting defensive tackle for the Texans. I guess they make that assumption because he was drafted in the first round, and if you are going to spend first round money for Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, and Travis Johnson, you will be starting all of them and hoping you get first round results.
Well, if you check out this article from the HoustonTexans.com website, the coaching staff is planning on starting Anthony Maddox at defensive tackle, not Travis Johnson. Maddox was released from the Jaguars last season, put on the practice squad by the Texans, and eventually got significant playing time when the starting defensive tackles went down due to injury. If you care about such things, Maddox looked surprisingly explosive compared to others at least the day I was out at camp.
One of the interesting things about the HT article is who mentored Maddox: Jaguar Pro Bowlers Marcus Stroud and John Henderson.
Who mentored Travis Johnson? Gary Walker and Robaire Smith, two guys whose current significant contribution is helping make the Texans the #1 dead cap team in the league. (Seth Payne is also a big dead cap figure, but at least he had a reputation for being a hard worker and playing to his potential before injuries caught up to him).
Gary Kubiak is trying to make the Texans a team that is hard to make and practices with effort. That it doesn't matter what round you were drafted or where you came from. Travis Johnson was a highly thought of recruit coming into college and was drafted in the first round by the Texans. Anthony Maddox was recruited to play for Florida State, didn't qualify academically, spent three years in the middle of his schooling delivering furniture, and then was drafted by the Jaguars after he had a great season with Delta State. Travis Johnson was a bit in the doghouse last preseason due to his conditioning and effort, and Anthony Maddox played like a guy who remembers what it is like worrying about paying your bills each month. So, at least for now, Maddox is penciled in as a starting defensive tackle.
In various media reports, I keep hearing how much defensive line will be a strength of the team. Though I am optimistic for the future, what I see are some talented young inexperienced players, some players perhaps more suitable for the 3-4 and an oldish guy who looks like a Rescue Hero action figure. (Very early reports say that the first team defensive line is looking good, or meaning, the first team offensive line looking bad).
I'm not trying to be overly negative about this group, rather I'm just trying to temper expectations a bit. I'd call it "being realistic" but usually that is code for, I'm right and you're wrong so that's not what I want to say. I really have no idea how the line is going to play with the addition of Okoye and new defensive line coaching, but usually I don't have high expectations for very young defensive lines no matter how much they are being paid. What are your thoughts and expectations for the defensive line?
Photo credits: Andy Martin, TexansBullPen.com (training camp pictures), Getty Images (Zgonina headshot), FanHouse (Rescue Heroes).
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Good article, TC. And Zgonina does look like he was penned by an Anime artist. I was out at the Sunday a.m. practice and I swear, I didn't know tree trunks had knees until I saw him in person.
I think the defense will pick up where it left off at the end of last year - D-line included. I just hope they don't overwhelm Amobi like they did Mario last year. I'm probably the only one who will admit this, but I'm almost ready to start Thomas Johnson (or Travis or Jeff). They're bigger/stronger than Okoye and should be better against the run. Let Amobi come in on passing downs when you want his extra quickness in your pass rush. As he gets more experience, and learns the tricks of the trade, let him have more and more P/T. This will keep him fresher for the end of games and maybe won't wear him down over the course of the season. An additional benefit could he won't hit that "wall" that rookies do when transitioning from the 12 week college season to the 16 wk pro season.
Just a thought.
- ObsiWan
My favorite Madden moment is when he was spending ten minutes explaining to Pat Summerall what "cankles" were. He started drawing circles around Zgonina's legs.
"Ya see... you've got your calf and BOOM! it just goes straight into the foot. It's a calf and an ankle. Cankle. Boom!"
Hey Steph,
Are you on vacation? I keep checking to see if there is something new.
Can't wait for Saturday night!
Yeah, I've been on vacation. I'll have something new soonishly.
Saturday is going to be fun. I'm rooting for overcast skies, no rain for the tailgate, and no injuries during the game. :)
Heard you on the radio. You ROCK!!
Love you!!
GEAUX TEXANS!
The best defense is time consuming, ball control offense. The opposing team's QB sits, while the opposing teams defense wears down. A defense doesn't necessarily have to be high strung, making spectactular plays to be successful. A defense that bends and makes the offense "over work" for every yard it picks up is good enough. Mario and Amobi are way to early on in their careers to make a credible analysis of their ability. Today, instant gratification is the name of the game. Fans want it now, not tomorrow. So, until Mario and Amobi make headlines on a consistent basis, fans will never be happy. I think our culture is on the brink of the "throw the Christians to the lions" mentality.