I like the idea of moving Brooks Reed to inside linebacker next to a healthy and returning Brian Cushing.

So our starting four linebackers next year will be Whitney Mercilus, Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin.

That's pretty good. Way better than what we had in the playoffs. We were down to our 3rd and 4th stringers due to injuries at inside linebacker. An upgrade at nose tackle and maybe right end, especially if Antonio Smith is released for cap purposes (hopefully the ninja takes a pay cut), is essential because we need another beast on the defensive line so that J.J. Watt isn't a one-man show.

We're not far away from having a dominating defense again. All we need is a couple upgrades and some luck staying healthy in 2013, especially at the four linebacker positions. No 3-4 defense can succeed if you have mediocre linebackers. The middle of the field will be exposed which we saw far too often once we lost Cushing and Reed to injuries last season.

The "Bulls On Parade" wrecking crew will be back in 2013, anchored by the defensive player of the year and 23-year-old Team MVP, J.J. Watt.

Fixing our defense seems simple enough. The offense is another story...

James Casey and Connor Barwin to Philadelphia. Glover Quin to Detroit. Kevin Walter is gone.

QB: Matt Schaub. TJ Yates.
RB: Arian Foster. Ben Tate.
FB: Tyler Clutts(doubt he will be our starting FB or even be on the team)
WR: Andre Johnson. Keshawn Martin. Devier Posey(will not play in 2013). Lestar Jean.
TE: Owen Daniels. Garrett Graham
OT: Duane Brown. Derek Newton. Nick Mondek(7th rounder)
G: Wade Smith. Brandon Brooks. Ben Jones.
C: Chris Myers

ILB: Brian Cushing. Darryl Sharpton.
OLB: Brooks Reed. Whitney Mercilus. Bryan Braman.
DE: JJ Watt. Antonio Smith. Jared Crick. Tim Jamison.
NT: Earl Mitchell
CB: Jonathan Joseph. Kareem Jackson. Brandon Harris. Brice McCain(needs to be re-signed). Roc Carmichael.
S: Danieal Manning. Shiloh Keo.

Randy Bullock, Jon Weeks, no punter.

I hate to lose Barwin but it seems we're leaning on drafting a linebacker early in the draft.

So that's two fan favorites we lost to the Eagles two off-seasons in a row? DeMeco Ryans and Connor Barwin. And the Eagles are horrible, I don't get it.

draino, what would you say if I told you the Texans will have Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard and Eric Winston (all three signed) by tomorrow?

if we are going to sign ed reed, it's going to be today. if he leaves today without a contract he's going to the 49ers. i havent heard any news about eric winston since he got cut, but id take him back in a heartbeat. 50/50 on pollard, but we do need a 3rd safety, preferably one that can cover deep though.

Tomorrow bro. The rodeo is going on at Reliant right now. 60,000 plus people. It's going to be too hectic out there. Expect to hear some signings tomorrow.

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL
I think Reed will spend the night in Houston and they'll reach an agreement Friday.

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL
When Texans finalize Reed deal, they'll want to make big deal out of it. Rodeo takes over Reliant. Crowds at nite are humongous.

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL
It's almost 5 in Houston. No way they complete Reed deal tonight. Rodeo on at Reliant, more than 60,000 coming to concert, I imagine.

This was within the past hour. Andre Johnson and Ed Reed will be sitting court side at the Rockets and Timberwolves game tomorrow night at Toyota center. Ed Reed isn't flying out of Houston tonight or tomorrow. Also heard that Eric Winston and Bernard Pollard are flying in to meet with the Texans. It should be a very interesting day tomorrow.

yeah someone else tweeted that ed is not going to sign today. as long as he stays in houston tomorrow ill be happy. i know we contacted charles woodson too but hes in SF.

it would be crazy if texans sign ed reed

their defense will be super, #1 defense in fantasy, etc

ryan do you know when the comp picks are going to be announced? i know we should get one for mario, brisiel, and I believe jason allen as well.

a lot of positions to address in the draft. brook reed is staying at OLB since barwin left to philly.

ILB, WR, NT, OLB, S, TE, FB, G/T

I would love to get Margus Hunt, but DE is not a need at the moment.