Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LaMarr Houston, DT, Texas
by Ed Valentine on Mar 8, 2010 11:00 AM EST
in 2010 NFL Draft
48 comments
[Remember to check the '2010 NFL Draft' section for all stories relating to the draft.]
We know that the upcoming NFL Draft is reputed to be very deep at the defensive tackle position. That bodes well for our New York Giants, and I would be stunned if they don't try to bring in someone via the draft who could at the very least improve their tackle rotation.
One such player might be Texas defensive tackle LaMarr Houston, the subject of today's Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile.
Let's take a closer look at Houston.
LaMarr Houston Scouting Reports
From Draft Breakdown.
Very quick first step and gets upfield fast. Shoots the gap effectively and disrupts the play. Can collapse the pocket and gets a good push on the blocker. Strong at the point of attack and seems to have a strong lower body. ... Not as effective against the run as he is rushing the passer.
Could be a nice pickup in the bottom of the second round for a team that runs a 4-3 defense that relies on speed.
From Consensus Draft Services.
Rapidly ascending player got better every week and had a fine performance in the national championship game. ... Top athlete for the position, combining quickness, agility and explosiveness. ... Best football still in front of him.... When all is said and done, may hear his name called in the second round. Has the athletic tools to develop into a starting DT a few years down the road.
From the National Football Post.
Houston has put on about 15-20 pounds since last season and it's worked to his benefit. He displays a lot more power and balance at the point of attack and looks comfortable when asked to sit into his stance, extend his arms and control blockers on contact. ... Houston is sudden on contact as a pass rusher and does a good job using his hands, keeping his pad level down and accelerating toward the ball. ... He looks like a potential nose tackle or three technique in a 4-3 scheme at the next level and will give whatever team he's on a lot of options inside.
Why Houston fits with the Giants
Because we know the Giants could use depth on the defensive line, particularly at the tackle slot. This is a player who appears to have lots of skills the Giants could use in a variety of ways, and we know how they have always loved to move players around. Could be a solid selection in the middle part of the draft.
Why the Giants should pass
My only concern about this guy as a third- or fourth-round pick, let's say, is that he might be a 'tweener.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
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This guy is shooting up the boards
he could go as high as the Colts #31 pick.
I’d be thrilled if they select him at #46 if he’s there, I think this is the DT the Giants need to get.
6"3 305lbs..I dunno that he’s a tweener Ed. He’s a former RB too….the fact he ran a 4.85 40 shows he’s an incredible athlete.
Between Houston in round 2 and Linval Joseph in round 3…as for some others, I think is enough of a reason for the Giants to not need to go DT in round one
Master of the squeegee
Loved Houston in the BCS title game
He displayed lateral quickness that translates very well in NFL. He might always be part of a rotation, but guys like him that get out there and hit and move and aren’t simply uni-directional at DT, they always find ways to contribute.
that’s the good thing about drafting a DT for the Giants.
They have Cofield, Canty, Alford and Bernard. I don’t really see how exactly a DT’s going to fit in here if all these guys are healthy..especially starting.
I think Houston’s potential, as someone who was a RB, then a pass rushing DE..and now a 300lbs DT…is pretty damn high.
Any DT the Giants draft is going to be a rotational player..and if that’s what Houston is now…I dunno how that’s a bad thing
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 8, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Bernard can still get cut
If he is “hurt” again in training camp and we have someone like Houston who looks good and actually participates in training camp / OTA’s.
You don’t have to start to get a meaningful amount of reps, a rookie can get up to 300 reps if he looks good in practice. Alford is mostly a pass rush specialist who we bring in on 3rd down so if Houston or whoever we draft plays well he can be the main guy that spells Canty and Cofield when they need some rest
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 8, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
I would like him at 46.
He sounds like he fits w/ what our new D-coordinator likes. Injury aside, I dont think Bernard is very good any more. I would like Houston in the 2nd AND either Linval Joseph or Cam Thomas in the 3rd. Unless we give up the 3 for Morrison.
If he drops to the third
this is a no brainer
second id take a better look… he is worth it but there could be a higher rated guy
Looks good and appears to be able to add a little bulk
and lose little in the way of speed. I would be a little more comfortable if he graded better against the run. That tells me he doesn’t shed blocks well at the College level and could get locked up by a Pro Lineman.
I still believe we need an athletic NT type to shore up our run D and keep our MLB clean.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
Part of me wants
an early down space eater. With the ability to slide tuck inside on passing downs, a three technique is not much of a need in my book. I would love a dan williams type.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
2nd round
Houston would be good to add to the rotation but he will be behind 4 guys who have something to prove this year and i do think Canty and Bernard will earn their money this year, also alford will be back and he was set to take cofield starting spot last Yr from what i hear about his progress. With that being said I dnt know anout using a second round pick to bolster our DT’s im starting to think we just need to grab one sometime in the draft but maybe not that high unless the value is off the charts, I do like Mr. houston alot tho and he would be good if and when one of our DT’s cant go.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
I wouldn't mind snagging this kid..Plus
He has the size and speed to play NT if they opt to transition to a 3-4..Actually, they could line him up over center in a 4-3..Quick, low center of gravity..He could cause fits and disruption to an offense.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
He’s a 3 tech, not a NT. I don’t know if we need a DT or not. It depends on how you feel about Alford and Bernard as your backups. Coefield and Canty will be starting. Coefield at NT and Canty as the 3 tech. If we want an extra 3 tech to have behind Canty, Houston could be a good option.
I hate the idea
of having a NT who weighs less than 340…
I know the Cowgirls have Ratliff but that’s a rare exception, not a rule…
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Mar 8, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Me too but this is a 43
typically DT’s in this scheme need to be aroun 300lbs but i do want a bohemuth to clog up things just like you…………………speaking of Ratliff, could you imagin him in a one gap scheme (43) GOODNESS GRACIOUS, i wouldnt even watch the NFL anymore lol
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
Plus he played for Texas and his name is Houston...gotta love that!
Remember the Alamo.. !!
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Alford
is coming off of a MAJOR knee injury this year. I dont know how much we can count on him or how effective he will be this year.
Thats true
But it happened early and he is young and athletic but some insurance would be good. Even if he goes down we should have three healthy ones and remeber we dnt use DT’s on 3rd and anything over 5 on this team so 2nd round on a 2dwn guy, i would rather go 1st rd on a 3dwn guy like price but even then were gonna have a log jam with 3rd dwn guys …….. our pressure package will probably be sintim, tuck, canty, osi with our MLB (whoever that is) and boley or osi kiwi, tuck, canty and sintim standing up with boley ( these are all nickle package suggestions) my point is we have enough for the pressure package so i would wait til the 3rd round for a space eater in the mold of a mout cody or somethin.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
This guy played rush end
and hes been pretty effective as a pass rusher. He had 7 sacks as a DT last year. plus hes the most athletic DT at the combine. the more i look at this guy the more i like him
Oh ok
Well bring him on in then lol, fewell will have his hands full with all these damn pass rushers tho but like last year taught me, pass rushing happens on the field not on paper so if he had 7 sacks and is athletic as you say then this is a no brainer in the second round……. the only issue would be do we snag a MLB or him or do we reach for MLB in the first round because Mcclain will not be there especially if the broncos get seattles first round pick then they will definetly snag mcclain with one of their picks……………..and im in the minority who thinks we should drop back in the 1st rd and take spikes or stay there @ 15 and take weatherspoon.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
I'd be happy with Spoon at 15
With Rolle on board the need to trade down is less
(Not that its a bad idea, but there is one fewer hole that needs filling)
Spoon over spikes
from what I’ve seen of the two I’d take Spoon over Spikes even if that means taking him at 15 which some might consider a reach. If the guy grades out as a 20-25 pick and you need that spot, it’s not a reach to me to grab him at 15.
Yeah, I'm not sure its worth arguing about
5-7 spots in the draft.
Right now I think the biggest decision will be if an elite OT falls
For example, its widely reported that Anthony Davis turned off all GMs at combine interview, but everyone also thinks he has 1st round ability. If he is there at 15 do you grab him or not?
A high caliber OT
is the only thing that keeps me from going LB first round. If there is a franchise caliber OT available it is almost impssible to pass up. To me Diehl was a far better LG than LT. If he could be moved back to that spot the oline would instantly improve. Then the question becomes how much faith do you have in Goff and Sintim and what are the LB options in the 2nd.
McClain and Spikes
I’m seeing a few people looking past both McClain and Spikes both very good MLB / ILB players. Few people see the need in both players, not only are both top line players but both are what you would call coaches on the field for the D- Unit. Both call the D- Play formations and also move players into position if the player misses a read. This is the same roll that Pierce was doing for the Giants. Not every player has what it takes to proform this duty. McClain is the top player in this position and Spikes is a notch below him in play calling.
by jerseyjoehaven on Mar 9, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
Weatherspoon and Washington did the same thing for their teams too…just not as a “MLB”.
These guys are better athletes (well…we don’t know what sort of athlete McClain just is yet…I remember Sabaen saying he’ll be a workout warrior too) and probably more likely to be there at #15.
Spikes should be there…but that’s a reach around at #15
Master of the squeegee
As it gets closer to the draft things become increasingly clearer
As much of a stud as McClain is, he’s widely regarded as being a poor fit in the 4-3. Now, I don’t necessarily agree with that, but it’s worth considering. Spikes is a bit of an enigma. He looks good on film, but he shows lackluster effort and execution at the combine. Washington has come right out and said he’d be most comfortable in a 3-4. Weatherspoon has all the physical attributes of a player who could man most LB positions, although he was an OLB in college. He say’s he’d like playing MLB, but is that just to keep more suitors in the parlor?
Where does that leave us? At #15, it’s almost impossible to turn down McClain if he falls to that spot. Is Weatherspoon worth the risk that he can’t transition to MLB and overload us at WILL? Is Spikes really as good as alot of "experts say he is? What do we draw from his apparent lack of effort at the combine? Is Sean Lee or Pat Angerer worth picking over other needs with Goff already manning the position with the system firmly implanted in his head?
I would say that if the player we consider drafting at MLB isn’t a perfectly viable upgrade over Goff, that we cool it a little on all this talk that reaks of desperation. We may be pretty well off with the roster as it stands and just draft for depth with an eye open for OT talent. I’m just not buying that we’ll burn a 1st rounder on a Tackle, unless it’s on D.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
Especially with al the small school gems JR is likely to find
such as:
Offensive lineman Andrew Tyshovnytsky (6-4 1/4, 317), from Fordham, ran a 4.91 and 4.94 in the 40, had a 28-inch vertical leap, 9-2 broad jump, 4.83 short shuttle, 7.99 cone drill and had 33 reps in the bench press. He looked good in his position drills.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
I'd love to see
a Ram with the Giants. It’s been decades since they’ve had one.
This is one of those type of players Ross and Reese find
This kid is a complete athlete with long arms and great footwork for a small school.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
I agree
I would prefer a space eater like Cody or Cam Thomas or even Dan Williams in Rd 1 instead of a 3 tech guy….and a MLB to make plays behind him.
I agree that a true NT would be better for DT depth than another 3 tech. Tuck can always slide in and play the 3 tech if needed. I don’t know about burning our 1st rnd there, but if a guy like Cody is around in the 3rd that would work for me.
One big problem with NT types
If they aren’t quite good enough, they basically become speed bumps that the opposition simply avoids
If Williams is athletic enough to make plays too, he is clearly worth a #1
if you are looking for a starter
but I think our DT needs are for a backup/rotational player. Williams is a 3 down NT, we really only need a 2 down NT because we have so many options for pressure packages on 3rd down.
Williams is probably gone by our pick anyway, Broncos or Dolphins probably get him. The Chiefs have an outside shot at that too (reached for Tyson Jackson last year)
I always remember Reese saying he goes with the best player on his board..tho it seems that with players like Ross, KP and Nicks….its a BPA + need type thing.
With the signing of Rolle..I don’t see the drastic need for anything else out there.
MLB…they could go with Goff and/or sign a vet. A rookie’s not going to run the NYG’s defense.
DT..they could chalk up the 4 of them having health issues, so there.
It leaves BPA. I think we’ll really know how serious JR is when he talks about drafting the BPA this year, cuz there’s not a clear need that stands out over the others.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 8, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
the real need is “getting better” across the board.
Impact is needed.
Could we just stand to get more explosive on offense? CJ Spiller could do that ;)
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 8, 2010 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Giants have stated numerous times that they are a BPA franchise
Of course they temper their grades by positional value and need.
But you should never see them reach for a player that simply fills a positional need, nor pass up a significantly better player, because it is a stocked position.
It would have been very interesting last year if Oher had fallen further, as like Davis was a widely acknowledged 1st round talent with other issues.
Dnt know bout the BPA stuff
I think thats just a scare tactic, these GM’s have jobs to worry about too so you better fill positions of need dammit lol, i hear teams say it all the time but when draft day comes they always take a player that mysteriously fills an exact weakness on there team……… BPA could be a QB at 15 in this draft but i dnt think thats going to happen it will be MLB, OT, DT and maybe Rb, all positions of some need! if we were truly taking BPA at 15 we would end up with dez bryant or somethin.
The correct saying should be we take BPA @ a position of need, that makes more sense
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
Rookie MLB's are different
that position for some reason doesnt hold a sharp learning curve especially for an intelligent one like weatherspoon. in the NFL rookie MLB’s especially first round seem to always start from day one and take over.
But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!
Gates I hear you
But if JR has Dez Bryant or Clausen/Bradford on the board in front of him, you better believe he will desperately be trying to trade down. Some team would be willing to move up to grab one of those guys.
Some times you go BPA by simply getting the value out of the pick, not by actually taking the BPA.
Williams
Williams is Good, Price is better. But if you are going into the second round the team should go after Houston, Price and Williams both will be gone by Giants second round pick.
by jerseyjoehaven on Mar 9, 2010 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
Yesterday I saw a mock draft that had MCCOY falling to us
now wouldn’t that be lovely?
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 9, 2010 3:40 AM EST up reply actions
I like the sound of "pocket collapser"
and ability to move quickly. Sounds decent to me for sure, though at mid 2nd round there might be better available. Doubt he makes it to 78.
Not sure DT trumps LB or OT
It all comes down to “best available” but I would prefer to see a focus on that MLB slot and then an OT. Next would be safety depth and DT.
Not too long ago everyone on this board was ready top write Bernard off. Now we know he was injured but I am still not sure he did not get fat dumb and happy with a big contract. Hope not. We’ll see but he is a question mark in my book until he shows something.
Alford is coming off a serious injury. No guarantees there.
Cofield and Canty should play well. If one of the two above comes back to form them the Giants have three solid DTs to rotate, and Tuck goes inside on passing downs.
I think the Giants go DT in round four and down. If Houston is there…sure.
A DT can help if they are either ...
a “clogger” or a “disruptor”. I prefer the latter, as it can help against both the run and pass.
Personally, I think having Rolle on board means higher likelihood to trade down, as I haven’t seen anyone profiled here is a “must have” at # 15 (unless McClain is still there – unlikely), and ET at # 15 to fill the S hole not a major need anymore. If there are 4-5 guys you like at # 15 who are roughly = BPA-wise, trade down about 10 slots and pick up another # 2 (if you can).
this guy sounds ideal for the Giants mega pash-rush style 4-3 defense
especially if hes a round 2-3 guy.
Please Mets.. over .500 this year? Please??
trading down
is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. There are going to be very few teams looking to trade up. If we dont like anybody available, trading down would be ideal, but still unlikely.
by Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey on Mar 8, 2010 4:17 PM EST reply actions
I like him
he has good size and production as well so for a 2nd round player you can’t ask for more
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 8, 2010 4:32 PM EST reply actions
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