Justin Houston, anyone ?

[patsfan-1982]

this kid looks like he could be a pretty good every down 3-4 OLB in any system i dont know how hes stock will rise and fall come draft day but right now he's a late #1 who could be there at #33 what you guys think

 

[andrewgarrr]

Never seen him play standing up. All his plays are made in the backfield, which is awesome, but BB asks a lot more from the 34 OLB position. That part of his game will need to develop.

He lacks lateral quickness and an 'inside move'. Looked really quick off the ball. Never really saw him engage any blockers and beat them. Looked like he just beat guys off the ball and used his quickness, that won't happen a lot at the next level. Could use 10 pounds.

Looks like an intriguing prospect nonetheless, but there's better value and probably more immediate impact players at #33 than this Houston.

 

[stinkypete]

Size is always a question, at 6'3", Houston doesn't fit the prototypical mold. Scouts also question his instincts, hands, and character (a substance abuse suspension back in '09).

Overall I see too many red flags, and would rather have Kerrigan.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Never seen him play standing up. All his plays are made in the backfield, which is awesome, but BB asks a lot more from the 34 OLB position. That part of his game will need to develop.

He lacks lateral quickness and an 'inside move'. Looked really quick off the ball. Never really saw him engage any blockers and beat them. Looked like he just beat guys off the ball and used his quickness, that won't happen a lot at the next level. Could use 10 pounds.

Looks like an intriguing prospect nonetheless, but there's better value and probably more immediate impact players at #33 than this Houston.

I really hate to sound like a jerk, but did you actually watch his games this year, or only his highlight reels? Georgia employed a 34 scheme this year, and he was one of their OLBs. One of my best friends is a huge Georgia fan, so I watched every single one of their games, and I can assure you that Houston played in a two point stance pretty frequently. He dropped into coverage, played against the run, and did an excellent job rushing the passer; contrary to your assertion, he used speed and quickness to set up other moves, and I see no reason why he can't do the same in the NFL. Clay Matthews does it just fine, and Houston is both bigger and more adept against the run. Now, I don't think he matches the BB "prototype" in terms of size, and his run defense occasionally suffered because of that, but he's a scrapper who can do what we ask our linebackers to do. I like him a lot.

I don't know if I can advocate drafting him in the first, but if he falls into the second, I'd be okay with taking him after a modest trade back (or if he makes it to 60, in which case it's a no brainer). Really, though, hasn't this topic been discussed extensively enough in the other thread about Houston? http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...731447-justin-houston-looks-like-beaaast.html

 

[upstater1]

Concerns about light weight and size?

He's listed at 6'3" and 260 pounds. Sure, he could use one more inch, but that doesn't matter when the size thing concerns arm length more than anything else.

260? He can't put on 5 pounds and play at Willie McGinest's weight?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Concerns about light weight and size?

He's listed at 6'3" and 260 pounds. Sure, he could use one more inch, but that doesn't matter when the size thing concerns arm length more than anything else.

260? He can't put on 5 pounds and play at Willie McGinest's weight?

I think people are more concerned by the fact that he looks closer to 6'2, #245 on the field. If that's the case, then he loses some lustre.

 

[IllegalContact]

KJ wright in the 3rd round is better value

 

[andrewgarrr]

I really hate to sound like a jerk, but did you actually watch his games this year, or only his highlight reels? Georgia employed a 34 scheme this year, and he was one of their OLBs. One of my best friends is a huge Georgia fan, so I watched every single one of their games, and I can assure you that Houston played in a two point stance pretty frequently. He dropped into coverage, played against the run, and did an excellent job rushing the passer; contrary to your assertion, he used speed and quickness to set up other moves, and I see no reason why he can't do the same in the NFL. Clay Matthews does it just fine, and Houston is both bigger and more adept against the run. Now, I don't think he matches the BB "prototype" in terms of size, and his run defense occasionally suffered because of that, but he's a scrapper who can do what we ask our linebackers to do. I like him a lot.

I don't know if I can advocate drafting him in the first, but if he falls into the second, I'd be okay with taking him after a modest trade back (or if he makes it to 60, in which case it's a no brainer). Really, though, hasn't this topic been discussed extensively enough in the other thread about Houston? http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...731447-justin-houston-looks-like-beaaast.html

Watched zero games. Only watched a few clips, and in all of those clips he was never playing standing up. I never implied that he never played standing up. I just shared the fact that I never saw him playing standing up. You seem to be taking this too personally. If he used his quickness to set up other moves, I never saw it in anything I watched. Sorry I don't have the time, tenacity, nor do I care enough to watch and study draft prospects in depth.

 

[tcclubs]

He checked in today at 6-3 270lbs (and 30 bench press reps). So the rumors of him playing at 245 seem to be off base unless he added 25lbs in 2 months. If he was playing at 260 and showing that speed, I think he could definitely be a consideration for the Pats.

Tomorrow will be very interesting to see how his speed holds up at this weight. If he posts good numbers he could move up draft boards. I want to compare his numbers to Kerrigan and Aldon Smith. Should be an interesting day...

TC

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

I posted part of this earlier in a different thread but I think it should be mentioned again here.

Houston showed off long arms of his own (34½) while checking in at an athletic-looking 6-2⅞ and 270 pounds

The length of his arms and his weight, which was regarded as a very positive 270lbs and not sloppy, makes him a very intriguing candidate to me. Especailly his arm length. Aldon Smith had arms that measured in at 35 5/8" and they called it freakish. If Houston were the same height (6'4 1/4") his arms would have measured in at about 35 1/8". Just shy of freakish. That alone makes up for his less than stellar height.

It'll be interesting to see what his athletic measurables from the combine will be. I couldn't find any good video on YouTube of him playing stand-up but his burst off the edge is approaching legendary and he has exceptional power moves.

 

[letekro]

Wes Bunting had him #11 overall prior to the combine. If he tests well, he is a lock for the top 20. He has good size, a great first step and a good motor. Don't see him dropping to the late 20s unless he has a bad combine/workouts.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Concerns about light weight and size?

He's listed at 6'3" and 260 pounds. Sure, he could use one more inch, but that doesn't matter when the size thing concerns arm length more than anything else.

260? He can't put on 5 pounds and play at Willie McGinest's weight?

It always comes down to 1 or 2 inches on this board..

Watch out, if he is 254 he can't play LB here. Roosevelt Colvin was only 6'3 250. Sure he didn't live up to expectations, but I would say it was the hip more than anything. Oh wait, if he would of weighed 5 more pounds and stood 1 inch taller the injury would never of happened.

Joking aside, I do question Houston's instincts and experience. He has plenty of potential though. I'm game if Belichick is.

 

[tricktak]

I like him a lot but I've noticed some vernon gholston in watching him. He's a great pass rusher and has a good motor but the knock on him is his inability on man to man coverage. The Patriots want their linebackers to be able to play man to man coverage which was one of the reasons they took cunningham last year.