Houston Heading Toward Big Season.

[Micjones]

If you are looking for one NFL player that is capable of a breakout season in 2012 then look no farther than Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston.

The Chiefs drafted Houston in the third round out of Georgia and getting him there was a steal. Houston was projecting as a mid-first round pick before he tested positive for marijuana use at the NFL scouting combine. Teams backed away from a player stupid enough to smoke weed so close to such an important event but the Chiefs felt that Houston’s value was too great to pass on in round three. They also felt that, after talking with Houston, that there wouldn’t be any future trouble.

So far, KC’s investment is paying off big time.

Houston got off to a slow start last season (what Chiefs player didn’t) but by the end of the year he had forced his way into the starting lineup and soon he became an every-down player. In fact, Houston’s numbers and grades from Pro Football Focus indicated that he could be a monster in 2012. First, take a look at Houston’s overall grades from 2012.

Houston’s first four weeks were crap. After that he didn’t play as much and when he did he was average. Then, from Week 10 on, save a slip-up against the eventual AFC Champion Patriots, Houston was a beast. He finished the season with an overall grade of +6.8.

Yet there was a clear moment when Houston “got it” and it appeared to come around Week 10. We were tracking Houston’s progress here on AA and we had already noticed he had gone from bad to average and correctly predicted that he was about to turn the corner.*

*This is just one of the many reasons you should subscribe to premium stats at Pro Football Focus.

So what kind of season might Houston have in 2012? Chances are he could be even better than he was from Week 10 on of last season. But what if he was just equally as good? What would his numbers look like?

In 2011,Houston finished the year with six sacks, three QB hits, 13 QB hurries, three batted passes, 45 tackles and 32 stops.*

*The official NFL numbers credit Houston for a few more tackles. They also credit him with -.5 a sack. We’re using PFF numbers here because we believe them to be more accurate. PFF doesn’t give out 1/2 sacks. If two players get there at the same time, they both get credit for a sack.

His grades from PFF were as follows:

Overall: +6.8, Run D: +7.4, Pass Coverage: -7.6

If we take his numbers from Week 10 on, average them out and project them for an entire season, they look like this.

12 sacks

4 QB Hits

22 QB Hurries

58 Tackles

50 Stops

+33.4 Overall Grade

How does that +33.4 overall grade stack up against all 3-4 OLB from 2011?

It would be good for #3 in the entire NFL behind only Cameron Wake (+43.5) and Aldon Smith (+36.4) and ahead of players like Demarcus Ware (+32.6) and even Tamba Hali (+31.4).

The 50 stops?

Yeah, that’d be the best in the NFL.

The stops are really important because those are plays basically blown up by Houston. Add to that 12 sacks and you’ve got yourself an absolute force at OLB opposite Tamba Hali.

2012 will be Houston’s second season in Romeo Crennel’s defense. He’ll likely benefit from a full offseason of work and a more structured preseason plan from Romeo Crennel rather than Todd Haley’s “we’ll take it slow approach.” Houston should be ready right out of the gate this season and if he can string together 17 weeks of play comparable to his last eight weeks of football in 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs defense is going to be very, very good.

And Justin Houston could be heading to the Pro Bowl.

The Story.

[whoman69]

Errr, what's going on here? I feel like JimNasium right now.

[BigMeatballDave]

Re-break Manning

[BossChief]

Getting Baldwin AND Houston for the 21st overall pick was just masterful usage of draft currency.

It was like a "buy one, get one half off" sale because both had perceived issues.

And they say Pioli only plays it safe.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Getting Baldwin AND Houston for the 21st overall pick was just masterful usage of draft currency.

It was like a "buy one, get one half off" sale because both had perceived issues.

And they say Pioli only plays it safe.

Yes and in between those picks we got our Cotf. I was really hoping for Hudson and we got him.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Getting Baldwin AND Houston for the 21st overall pick was just masterful usage of draft currency.

It was like a "buy one, get one half off" sale because both had perceived issues.

And they say Pioli only plays it safe.

Just being objective here, but Houston and Baldwin haven't really done all that much. Baldwin made 1 or 2 crazy catches and little else, while Houston had 3 sacks against Chicago and little else.

I feel that Baldwin and Houston are the two most over hyped players on CP. Breaston is another over hyped player.

[Chief_For_Life58]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Just being objective here, but Houston and Baldwin haven't really done all that much. Baldwin made 1 or 2 crazy catches and little else, while Houston had 3 sacks against Chicago and little else.

I feel that Baldwin and Houston are the two most over hyped players on CP. Breaston is another over hyped player.

Theyve both got the potential to be very good starters in this league

houstons gonna trent green peytons career come week 12

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Frankie

LOL. Every thread about any other Chiefs player ends up being a Cassel thread. Such is the state of the Chiefs/NFL.

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Just being objective here, but Ayers and Thomas haven't really done all that much. Thomas catches only 27 passes each year, holds about 30 wangs in his mouth, and little else, while Ayers gets 1.5 sacks, 23 tackles, is a broke wang in Thomas's mouth, and little else.

I feel that Ayers and Thomas are the two most over hyped players on a garbage team. Clady is another over hyped player.

FYPs

[InChiefsHeaven]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

FYPs

That's just awesome!

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

FYPs

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Just being objective here, but Houston and Baldwin haven't really done all that much. Baldwin made 1 or 2 crazy catches and little else, while Houston had 3 sacks against Chicago and little else.

I feel that Baldwin and Houston are the two most over hyped players on CP. Breaston is another over hyped player.

Houston's rookie season was nothing to sneeze at.
56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble

I'm also not sure how Breaston is overhyped.
700+ receiving yards, 2 TD's on a team with a pretty punchless aerial attack.

Baldwin hasn't done much.
Most of the hype surrounding him is purely about his talent and athleticism.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by O.city

I think Houston has a bright future, but I'm gonna let it playout a little more before I put too many eggs in that basket.

That's exactly where I am with it. But you have to admit, the thought is titillating.

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

I feel that Baldwin and Houston are the two most over hyped players on CP. Breaston is another over hyped player.

Umm,... Ricki Stanzi?

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Just being objective here, but Houston and Baldwin haven't really done all that much. Baldwin made 1 or 2 crazy catches and little else, while Houston had 3 sacks against Chicago and little else.

I feel that Baldwin and Houston are the two most over hyped players on CP. Breaston is another over hyped player.

If Manning gets snapped in half early say week #2 whats your thoughts for the Donks next season sans Manning?

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

If Manning gets snapped in half early say week #2 whats your thoughts for the Donks next season sans Manning?

They would be as good as the Chargers, Saints, Giants, Patriots, and Steelers would be without their franchise QB.

The Donks wouldn't have signed Manning if he couldn't take a hit like anybody else. If Manning gets hurt, it will be a knee or ankle or something that gets injured, not his neck.

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

The Donks wouldn't have signed Manning if he couldn't take a hit like anybody else. If Manning gets hurt, it will be a knee or ankle or something that gets injured, not his neck.

Bullshit. USA Today just a week ago, said Manning is still not 100%

Here ya go...

Jun 12, 2012
Peyton Manning still not 100%, but checkup encouraging
Comments 9
By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
Updated 2012-06-12 8:49 PM Peyton Manning may not have the liveliest arm on his team, but he is physically reverting to the form that made him the NFL's only four-time MVP.

It was clear during the Denver Broncos' minicamp today that Manning's velocity hasn't quite returned after multiple neck surgeries cost him all of the 2011 season, but he does look sharp and accurate with intermediate throws.Broncos QB Peyton Manning can't wait to start the season after missing all of 2011.
CAPTIONBy Ron Chenoy, US Presswire
And doctors continue to stay upbeat about his long-term prognosis.

"I still have a lot of work to do,'' Manning told USA TODAY Sports' Jim Corbett on Tuesday, one day after he'd undergone his latest checkup with the team's physicians.

"I'm so glad to be back on the field practicing. ... Last season being injured was new for me. I thought I had a good attitude about it and tried to handle it the best I could. Certainly, it feels good to be back out on the field.

"I continue to rehab. I have work to do and progress that I still need to make.''

Intensively rehabilitating the nerve damage in the triceps of his throwing arm continues to be a focal point. Manning may never be able to match passes popping off the rifle arm of rookie QB Brock Osweiler, but he did groove a nice 35-yard touchdown to WR Demaryius Thomas in today's practice, beating Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey in the process.

"Peyton anticipated where Demaryius was going to be and saw the play the whole way," Bailey said.

"When (executive vice president of football operations) John Elway got Peyton to come here, it made my year, made my career. I've never played with a guy like this."

Still, Manning thirsts to get more out of himself physically.

"I can't emphasize enough that I still have rehab to do," he said. "That's still part of the process."

Manning is grateful to have made as many strides as he has after being forced to miss his final year with the Indianapolis Colts while sitting out the first NFL games of his career.

"I still enjoy playing," said Manning, who's entering his 15th season. "I went through the physical process through free agency checking with the medical people and coaches, checking, 'Should I continue to play?' Had they said 'No' that would have been a pretty easy answer.

"But all of them said I was good to play and should play. I've always had a great passion for the game and I still enjoy playing. I think you play the game because I love it. ... Certainly when it's time to stop playing, I'll know that. And I'll stop at the right time.''

But that isn't now. Manning is juggling his rehab, internalizing a new playbook and familiarizing himself with new teammates. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he seems to be embracing the obstacles after enjoying so much continuity with the Colts.

And when Denver's regular-season opener rolls around around Sept. 9, Manning expects to be wholly focused on picking apart the Pittsburgh Steelers, not worrying about the fused vertebrae in his neck.

"I don't worry about it," Manning says of the next hit he absorbs. "It hasn't even crossed my mind.

"I've never taken it for granted being able to play. Then, sitting out last year, I never felt sorry for myself because I had 20 years of unbelievable health going up to that point. ... Last year I tried to handle it with a good attitude. But it's nice to be back on the field with a different team, different teammates, it's exciting to do that.''

But it was also a bit exciting to see a familiar face Tuesday when Manning's longtime offensive coordinator in Indianapolis, Tom Moore (who coached alongside Denver head coach John Fox on the Steelers staff in 1989), attended practice.

"I think the world of him," Manning said of Moore. "He's enjoying seeing (former Colts) Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme, guys he used to coach. It was a great gesture by coach Fox (to invite Moore).

"I know a lot of people are enjoying seeing him.''

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-encouraging/1