Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Player Spotlight: LaMarr Houston
12:31 PM | 
Posted by
Eric
LaMarr Houston could be a 1st Round prospect in the draft almost any year other than 2010. This year he's ranked anywhere from the 10th to the 15th player, AT HIS POSITION! That's how loaded Defensive Tackle is in this draft. As of March 30th I have him mocked to the Bengals in the 2nd Round and some mocks have him falling to the 3rd. If you've watched any game tape on this guy then you know why I said he could be a 1st Round prospect in most other years. The guy is a disruptive force who gets in the backfield even against the elite teams. He can move sideline to sideline in ball pursuit like a linebacker does. Plus with his being a former Defensive End he provides versatility which adds to his value.
As a Defensive Tackle he is an excellent pass rusher who has a variety of moves that enable him to get to the Quarterback. Houston flys off the line with a very quick first step. Against the run he does a good job of driving his blocker into the backfield and redirecting the RB. He can make a tackle while being blocked. In the National Championship game Alabama schemed specifically against him and in the NFL will command double teams. He has a thick powerful lower body and uses his legs to drive Offensive Lineman back into the backfield. Is very good at getting low and getting leverage against his opponent. His biggest asset though could be that he can play both end and tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4. That kind of versatility will make NFL coaches and GM's raise his stock on their draft boards.
Houston does have some negatives. He doesn't have very long arms and sometimes allows O lineman to get their hands on him. He lined up in a 4 point stance at Texas, I doubt NFL coaches will allow that which means he'll have to work on that this summer. He sometimes is inconsistent in his effort off the line. Occasionally has some problems with double teams turning his back to the double team that will need to be worked on. Not often but occasionally has trouble shedding blocks.
Houston's positives far outweigh his negatives. He would be an upgrade over Tank and Sims in my opinion and give the Bengals that much needed depth at DT, especially in the AFC North. He brings to the table what the Bengals have been missing and that's someone who can get pressure up the middle and collapse the pocket. If somehow he slips to the 3rd he'd be a steal and though unlikely it could happen due to the fact there is so many good players at DT. With this in mind teams may opt to wait on taking one thinking a good one can be had later. If this happens some DT's could slide from the 2nd to the 3rd and 4th rounds.
As a Defensive Tackle he is an excellent pass rusher who has a variety of moves that enable him to get to the Quarterback. Houston flys off the line with a very quick first step. Against the run he does a good job of driving his blocker into the backfield and redirecting the RB. He can make a tackle while being blocked. In the National Championship game Alabama schemed specifically against him and in the NFL will command double teams. He has a thick powerful lower body and uses his legs to drive Offensive Lineman back into the backfield. Is very good at getting low and getting leverage against his opponent. His biggest asset though could be that he can play both end and tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4. That kind of versatility will make NFL coaches and GM's raise his stock on their draft boards.
Houston does have some negatives. He doesn't have very long arms and sometimes allows O lineman to get their hands on him. He lined up in a 4 point stance at Texas, I doubt NFL coaches will allow that which means he'll have to work on that this summer. He sometimes is inconsistent in his effort off the line. Occasionally has some problems with double teams turning his back to the double team that will need to be worked on. Not often but occasionally has trouble shedding blocks.
Houston's positives far outweigh his negatives. He would be an upgrade over Tank and Sims in my opinion and give the Bengals that much needed depth at DT, especially in the AFC North. He brings to the table what the Bengals have been missing and that's someone who can get pressure up the middle and collapse the pocket. If somehow he slips to the 3rd he'd be a steal and though unlikely it could happen due to the fact there is so many good players at DT. With this in mind teams may opt to wait on taking one thinking a good one can be had later. If this happens some DT's could slide from the 2nd to the 3rd and 4th rounds.
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