LB Colvin says he’s joining Texans

[Splat]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-texans-colvin&prov=ap&type=lgns

HOUSTON (AP)—Free agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4761/;_ylt=ApbDz1mQPYgHTh.ENrgrXs0dsLYF) said Monday he’s set to sign with the Houston Texans (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/hou/;_ylt=AkZW8nNeTNOEA3WdiPvffvcdsLYF).

Colvin, who won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nwe/;_ylt=AhY_3JZnRXdHS_6NR1FB_mkdsLYF), told Houston television station KRIV that final contract details were being worked out.

[Geo]

I would have liked to see him join the Colts, but he'll probably get more money and playing time from the Texans. I wish him well.

[cunningham06]

I'm so glad the Texans got him. Now we've finally got a legit pass rusher that can play DE besides Mario, which should help him out a lot.

[yourfavestoner]

I'm so glad the Texans got him. Now we've finally got a legit pass rusher that can play DE besides Mario, which should help him out a lot.

As a Jags fan, I hope they play a 6'3 250 lb linebacker at defensive end, too.

[MetSox17]

As a Jags fan, I hope they play a 6'3 250 lb linebacker at defensive end, too.

Hahahahahaha

[Gay Ork Wang]

I believe he played DE for the Bears and is like top3 in sacks for lbs right now

[Don Vito]

I think Houston is going to play him at end, he lined up with his hand down occasionally in NE. Didn't he play LB in Chicago?

[The Great Jonathan Vilma]

ya, he was an OLB in a 4-3 with the bears at the start of his career, with Urlacher and Holdman.

I think this is a solid signing for the Texans. I want to see the contract though

[Jay]

Texan fans will enjoy the hell out of this guy. Tons of personality, hated to see him go. He taught the fans of New England some pretty... interesting things... like flushing your toilet as soon as you drop your deuce so that you can avoid smelling up the bathroom. Works like a charm. Don't ask how that came up in a conversation...

[Duster]

I've got to think they picked him up to play linebacker. Nice veteran pickup where ever he ends up playing for this team though as they're very young all-around.

[MetSox17]

like flushing your toilet as soon as you drop your deuce so that you can avoid smelling up the bathroom.

Pfft, i've known that for a long time.. lol

[TheGreatEscape]

I like to leave my mark on other people's toilets so when I'm deflowering someone else's bathroom I like to let my stink build up before flushing otherwise it's like wasted energy.

[PACKmanN]

why not allow him to play the weakside at LB? allow him to rush that side at times and he doesn't have to be a great cover guy at the weakside.

[TheGreatEscape]

why not allow him to play the weakside at LB? allow him to rush that side at times and he doesn't have to be a great cover guy at the weakside.

I'm pretty sure Adibi's being groomed for that spot and given that LBs can have a big impact quickly I think the texans want Adibi in there at some point this season, whereas at the SAM they've got diddly.

[Duster]

why not allow him to play the weakside at LB? allow him to rush that side at times and he doesn't have to be a great cover guy at the weakside.

Weakside is where you want smaller, quick guys who move well. You want your big guys (like Colvin) on the strong side. That's the way the typical 4-3 works anyways.

[yourfavestoner]

Weakside is where you want smaller, quick guys who move well. You want your big guys (like Colvin) on the strong side. That's the way the typical 4-3 works anyways.

No, that's the way the Tampa Two works. There's a big misconception about this because everyone plays Madden, and in Madden, they pretty much label all of the good, fast OLBs as ROLBs, because its the one that stays on the field in nickel packages and such.

In a traditional 4-3, you want your Sam to be a solid coverage guy who can run and cover the tight end. The Will in a traditional 4-3 is usually a disruptor who must get through traffic, seal cutback lanes, and disrupt the line of scrimmage. His primary coverage responsibilities are backs in the flats.

[Hwoarang]

I'm so glad the Texans got him. Now we've finally got a legit pass rusher that can play DE besides Mario, which should help him out a lot.**** Mario doesn't need any help.

[mqtirishfan]

In a traditional 4-3, you want your Sam to be a solid coverage guy who can run and cover the tight end. The Will in a traditional 4-3 is usually a disruptor who must get through traffic, seal cutback lanes, and disrupt the line of scrimmage. His primary coverage responsibilities are backs in the flats.

I'd personally want a bigger guy in there to stuff the run, and a guy covering backs and disrupting plays to be quicker.

[Duster]

No, that's the way the Tampa Two works. There's a big misconception about this because everyone plays Madden, and in Madden, they pretty much label all of the good, fast OLBs as ROLBs, because its the one that stays on the field in nickel packages and such.

In a traditional 4-3, you want your Sam to be a solid coverage guy who can run and cover the tight end. The Will in a traditional 4-3 is usually a disruptor who must get through traffic, seal cutback lanes, and disrupt the line of scrimmage. His primary coverage responsibilities are backs in the flats.

SLBs are typically big linebackers who can take on blockers. Obviously they cover the tight end a fair bit but this trend is actually dwindling a bit for a few reasons:
1) Tight ends are playing in the slot more often. This means safeties or even corners are covering them more often.
2) Tight ends are much faster and athletic than ever before, thus most linebackers can't stick with them.
3) SLBs likely aren't even on the field in most passing situations.

WLBs are almost always smaller and faster than SLBs. WLBs don't have to take on as many blocks and thus can get away with being smaller. Also, since they're on the field during passing downs a lot of the time they need to be able to drop into coverage.

[Paranoidmoonduck]

3) SLBs likely aren't even on the field in most passing situations.

This is your only point I can take issue with, because if your 4-3 defense's outside linebackers are only 2-down guys, then your defense has a major problem. The short passing game involving the tight end isn't very predictable, and it happens a lot more than just on 3rd down/nickel situations.So long as the guy is lining up on the strongside, he needs to be able to cover at least ten yards deep.

My favorite SLB is still Julian Peterson. It's rare to find a 240 lbs. guy that can cover 15+ yards deep and then line up at defensive end in nickel packages.

[Duster]

This is your only point I can take issue with, because if your 4-3 defense's outside linebackers are only 2-down guys, then your defense has a major problem. The short passing game involving the tight end isn't very predictable, and it happens a lot more than just on 3rd down/nickel situations.So long as the guy is lining up on the strongside, he needs to be able to cover at least ten yards deep.

My favorite SLB is still Julian Peterson. It's rare to find a 240 lbs. guy that can cover 15+ yards deep and then line up at defensive end in nickel packages.

Generally SLBs are only 2 down guys, or even one down players (~50% of defensive plays usually). WLBs, on the other hand, stay on much more because they usually only come off in dime packages which are used sparingly by most teams.

[Unbiased]

As a Jags fan, I hope they play a 6'3 250 lb linebacker at defensive end, too.

Laughable, coming from the fan of a team who just drafted a tiny-ass "DE" themselves.

[Paranoidmoonduck]

Generally SLBs are only 2 down guys, or even one down players (~50% of defensive plays usually). WLBs, on the other hand, stay on much more because they usually only come off in dime packages which are used sparingly by most teams.

Which linebackers stay in a dime or nickel package is totally decided by quality, not position.

[Duster]

Which linebackers stay in a dime or nickel package is totally decided by quality, not position.

Quality in pass coverage, yes. It is almost always the WLB.

[bigbluedefense]

It will be interesting how the Texans decide to use Colvin. Will he be a full time DE?

Im against that. I feel that they should use him the same way we use Kiwi. Stand up up at SAM in the base 4-3, with the ability to blitz or drop back in zone, and as LE in the nickel.

The way offenses run nowadays, he'll have the same # of snaps at LE as SAM anyway. And that way, you don't sacrifice so much in the run game, bc i question whether he can hold up at LE for a full game over a course of a season.

Thats probably the best mode of action to take with him. Although i wouldn't be surprised if he does play full time LE and plays it well. He was a solid run stuffer with NE, so it wouldn't shock me if he pulled it off.

And let's not forget, size isn't everything when it comes to dlinemen stuffing the run. Its all about leverage and strength. You can be smaller, as long as you play with great leverage and strength you'll be ok. This is generally speaking, I still believe even if you go with a smaller dline you need at least one bulky run stuffing presence on the line, and your small guys have to be strong, not just the speed rushing types.

[bigbluedefense]

No, that's the way the Tampa Two works. There's a big misconception about this because everyone plays Madden, and in Madden, they pretty much label all of the good, fast OLBs as ROLBs, because its the one that stays on the field in nickel packages and such.

In a traditional 4-3, you want your Sam to be a solid coverage guy who can run and cover the tight end. The Will in a traditional 4-3 is usually a disruptor who must get through traffic, seal cutback lanes, and disrupt the line of scrimmage. His primary coverage responsibilities are backs in the flats.

thats not the case anymore. it used to be that way in traditional 4-3 defenses, but with the emergence of the pass catching TE, those days are over.

nowadays your SAM is a run stuffer, really nothing more than that. the SS is now the guy primarily responsible for TE coverage, or a zone defense is used to cover the TE, or a double team. Also the MIKE has taken on TE responsibilities since he runs down the seam with them so much now with so many teams running Cover 2 (the play).

you basically want to limit the TEs ability to make plays on 1st and 2nd down in your base defense, and then you can come out with more effective pass coverage packages in your nickel on 3rd down.

of course we're all just making gross simplifications, because a lot of variation can cause coverage adjustments etc. but you get what im saying.

[MetSox17]

I die a little more and more inside every time i hear someone say "Tampa 2"..

Ugh

[FlyingElvis]

I was holding out hope for a return to NE after they cut him. Especially since there was little news of him meeting w/other teams for a while. Oh well. Houston will be better on D just by his presence, as long as he can come back healthy and stay that way. I hope he does b/c I agree w/Jay about Rosy's overall personality and work ethic. Never heard him discussing his toilet habits, but it doesn't suprise me - he's quite fun to listen to when it comes to interviews & radio time.

[Breaker]

A Texans blogger at the Chron stated that Colvin was guaranteed to start. (http://blogs.chron.com/fanblogtexans/2008/06/texans_sign_veteran_lb_rosevel_1.html)

They haven't released the terms of his contract yet. I hope to have it by this afternoon and I'll post them. Since Kubiak/Smith usually don't go after high-priced FA's, I would imagine the contract is reasonable. Again, Colvin was deciding between us and the Colts. The Colts told his agent that he was not guaranteed to start. The Texans told him he would start immediately. I am sure that was a huge factor in his decision. -TH

Now he just a fan blogger, and no other more credible source has announced the same thing, so I guess you can take it FWIW. But he did say he had some buddys that worked for the Houston Texans, so who knows.

If he was to start it would probably be for RE. I think the coaching staff is moving Mario over to LE, his position he played in college and the side he's most comfortable with. They are also high on Zac Diles and have him listed as the starting SLB. They have been hyping him up since late last season, and from the time I seen him on the field he has looked pretty good.

So, that leaves WLB and RE. We currently have Morlon Greenwood at WLB and like another poster stated, we are going to groom Xavier Adibi for that position. If he can get caught up to the speed of the NFL then he could start about mid-season, he's talented enough to do it. Morlon is solid but isn't anything special, so maybe Colvin bump him for WLB.

As for RE, we have absolutely no one at that spot. Anthony Weaver has been a FA busted and is more of an LE anyways. Earl Cochran is a young, but the coach have been pretty high on him too, I don't know much about him, except he's big and athletic. Then there N.D Kalu who have been a pretty solid player for us. Right now he's being use as a situational pass-rusher for us and done a damn good job of it. I would like for him to start, but coaches might fear of him wearing down too early in the season since he is abit on the older sider. So that's a position Roosevelt Colvin would most likely take, if he were to start. I'm not sure how a 6'3 250 lbs DE would do as a full-time starter. We know he's a good pass rusher, and BBD have said he a good run-stuffer so that's a relief.

[Jay]

Never heard him discussing his toilet habits, but it doesn't suprise me - he's quite fun to listen to when it comes to interviews & radio time.

It was when they were asking him about his recovery from hip surgery... he said he had issues in the bathroom and... uh... not being able to do things himself...

[FlyingElvis]

^^ Colvin is strong against the run. He's really an incredible player - well rounded and has little in the way of weakness. But that was all from the OLB spot, not DE.

^ ah - that makes sense. I couldn't quite figure how he would have ended up discussing his, um, movements. lol.

[cunningham06]

As a Jags fan, I hope they play a 6'3 250 lb linebacker at defensive end, too.

6'3 250 is not that undersized for a DE... A pass rusher at the other DE spot is one of our biggest needs, and Colvin would be good there. He might need to gain some weight, but he's pretty close to adequate as is. He will either play at DE allowing us to move Weaver inside to DT a more natural position for him; or he will play SLB which is another team need.

[MetSox17]

6'3 250 is not that undersized for a DE... A pass rusher at the other DE spot is one of our biggest needs, and Colvin would be good there. He might need to gain some weight, but he's pretty close to adequate as is. He will either play at DE allowing us to move Weaver inside to DT a more natural position for him; or he will play SLB which is another team need.

You're kidding if you think 250lbs is not undersized. Especially with his build. His weight is distributed throughout his body, guys that are stocky from their torso down might get away a little with playing some downs at DE at 250, but there's no way he can handle a 315 lb tackle mauling him every single play.

[Duster]

You're kidding if you think 250lbs is not undersized. Especially with his build. His weight is distributed throughout his body, guys that are stocky from their torso down might get away a little with playing some downs at DE at 250, but there's no way he can handle a 315 lb tackle mauling him every single play.

There are definitely some DEs that play the season around that weight.

[cunningham06]

You're kidding if you think 250lbs is not undersized. Especially with his build. His weight is distributed throughout his body, guys that are stocky from their torso down might get away a little with playing some downs at DE at 250, but there's no way he can handle a 315 lb tackle mauling him every single play.

It is undersized, but it's not like he is incapable of playing DE. He can also gain a little weight before the season starts. Plenty of DE's are around 250. Jevon Kearse likes to keep himself around 255-260. Trent Cole likes to play around 260. Since Mario is so huge we don't need another 300 pound DE. We are perfectly fine with a lighter DE who can get after the qb.

[Breaker]

There are definitely some DEs that play the season around that weight.

*cough* Robert Mathis at 245 *cough*

[TheGreatEscape]

You're kidding if you think 250lbs is not undersized. Especially with his build. His weight is distributed throughout his body, guys that are stocky from their torso down might get away a little with playing some downs at DE at 250, but there's no way he can handle a 315 lb tackle mauling him every single play.

Strahan was playing under 260 this season, and he's one of the strongest and best run stuffing DEs in teh league. But I do agree that I don't see Colvin as an everydown DE, although as a SLB he could put his hand down on passing downs as a situational rusher.

[buckeyes4ever]

As a Jags fan, I hope they play a 6'3 250 lb linebacker at defensive end, too.

HILLARIOUSE!!!