Im more consured about a nose tackle that can't play because he's hurt. That's a tackle that takes up zero space.
Honestly, the only thing that could make Wilfork turn out to be a bust is injury. He is going to clog the middle, there's no debate to be had there IMO. The injury risk is more than legitimate, but if you're going into this with realistic expectations then there should be no problems with this signing.
100% disagree on the JJo topic. JJo was rated by PFF as 6th best CB in the NFL in 2009. He was 26 years old when he signed with us in 2011, when PFF gave him a top 5 grade in coverage amongst corners in the NFL. After all, there is a reason why he was 2nd team All-NFL by the Associated Press, 1st team all-NFL by Pro Football Writers, and 1st team All NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2011. When we signed him, it was expected that JJo perform like he did...it wasnt a surprise to many people at all...except maybe USA Today. After Nnamdi Asomugha, it was JJo that was the prized CB. Walter Football mentioned this before he signed with the Texans: http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2011CB.php In any case, JJo was known as elite, or entering his elite, when the Texans signed him. As far as Manning is concerned, he was one of the top 2 safeties (FS and SS) on the market when he was a free agent. Eric Weddle was the only guy that was better than him. I remember wanting Weddle instead, but again, it was well known that Manning was pretty much the next best option other than Weddle. Btw, in his last season with the Bears (2010), PFF graded Manning out as a top 5 safety in coverage. Basically, JJo and Manning were among the 2 best available at their positions when they signed with us. Is Cecil Shorts one of the top 5 FA WRs? Wilfork? Hoyer? Moore? These are all good pieces and great signings given our cap situation, but that's really it. You mention that 2015 has potential to be better than 2011...how? Other than Hoyer becoming an elite QB, there are no pieces here that can remotely give us what JJo gave us in his first two years as a Texan. And this doesnt include any other additions we made in 2011.
Actually... according to the pub you used... Hoyer is top 5. Shorts is top 10. (#7 if you don't count guys who were franchised/tendered) Wilfork is top 15. (#11 if you don't count guys who were franchised/tendered) Moore is top 5. (#2 if you don't count guys who were franchised/tendered) Now let's compare the re-signings (not counting tender/franchise guys): 2011: Jacoby Jones, Owen Daniels, Mike Brisiel, Shaun Cody, Jason Allen, Brett Hartman 2015: Ryan Mallet (#1 FA QB), Kareem Jackson (#4 FA CB), Derek Newton (#7 FA OT) I maintain that, when you put all the pieces together, this offseason looks every bit as good, if not better, than 2011. Of course this is with the knowledge of hindsight for 2011. We have no idea how the 2015 draft will unfold, either. But the FA portfolio looks stout across the board. Lots of holes filled with solid players and key resignings made for what appear to be very significant contributors. I'll admit I was more excited in 2011 because we finally didn't get left at the alter, and we signed some of the best guys available at positions of desperate need, but this offseason feels like it has the potential to propel us further than 2011 did (minus the draft).
Awesome signing!! Didn't read entire thread, but a Boston radio host said Wilfork still has game, but he especially brings intangibles and leadership. Watt-Wilfork on the same line!! Hope Nix-Clowney can add to it. Texans are killing free agency this year!
when brady was looking like fitzie in the first three games and people were freaking out, there was never a doubt in my mind that the opposing defense making their interior o-line collapse was the main culprit for bad qb play. Forget clowney for now..Willfork, watt and a very underrated crick will disrupt every line that we face. The running game and our defense are big enough to win us 8-9 games, if our "situational" coaching improves that's 2 more games. And if Mallet or hoyer can Fokass and move the chains on third downs, we can go far. We already had one of the best defenses and O-lines. Willfork will not be Ed Reed, unless their is some heart condition which sits him out for the season. Hard to admit for some but since 2011 we've obtained anyone we set out to get in free agency, including bust ed reed. willfork, shorts and rahim were tremendous additions. I see our opportunistic defense getting just as many ints and fumble recoveries.
Yes.... Crick seems to always be the forgotten man on that front 3. Clowney will add so much pressure and confusion off the edge where crick is lined up, it'll be glorious. Maybe JJ can make mercilous look decent when lined up on his side. What a waste of a first. When do you guys think Texans start drafting linebackers? Im thinking 2nd and 3rd rounders go to depth and eventual replacements.
IIRC, you're allowed to wear the same number as someone else as long as they're not on the field at the same time as you. In this case, they wouldn't be.
Once former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was released, the Houston Texans seemed like a perfect fit given their needs at nose tackle and old New England connections in head coach Bill O’Brien and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Wilfork has been an every-down player for the Patriots in recent years, playing a high percentage of their snaps while moving all around the defensive line, but with Houston’s depth up front, it looks like he’s primed for a return to nose tackle. After years as more of an early-down player, Wilfork saw a major spike in playing time in 2011 as he played 87 percent of New England’s snaps, compared to only 70 percent in 2010. While he’s never been a great pass rusher, the Patriots kept him on the field on passing downs to help open things up for those around him. Last year, Wilfork played 73% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps on their Super Bowl run, grading at +10.1 against the run and -9.7 as a pass rusher. Even with Wilfork’s versatility, many have pigeonholed him into the nose tackle category for a few years now. However, last season, he played the seventh-most snaps at 3-technique (420), a position usually reserved for more penetrating defensive tackles, while playing only 158 snaps at nose tackle (1- or 0-tech). Expect that number to increase next season as Wilfork will man the middle of Houston’s defense and provide a strong run stopping presence. He may never be an 800-plus snap player for the rest of his career, but Wilfork is primed for a few more seasons of playing 400-600 snaps a year at nose tackle where he’s still difficult to move. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/03/17/texans-wilfork-back-home-at-nose-tackle/
