[HoustonTexans.Com] Kubiak names Duane Brown starting Left Tackle

[rikesh316]

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/blogs.asp?blogger_id=16

Big mini camp news right off the bat: as of today, Duane Brown is the Texans' starting left tackle. After the team's first mini camp practice of 2008, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak named the first-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech as the current starter over veteran Ephraim Salaam.

"We’ve got to see how far we can bring this kid in the next month, so we put him right in there with the first group today," Kubiak said. "And I know it was very tough on Ephraim, and y’all know I have a great deal of respect for Ephraim and I can understand why it was tough, but as I explained to him, I’ve got to see how far I can bring this young man. But I know Ephraim’s going to do his job and I’m expecting good things from him, but we felt like we had to put this kid to work right away."

Brown worked with the first team for much of practice, facing off against defensive end Mario Williams (who looked even quicker and more aggressive than he did last year).

"He’ll be working with the first group, and that’s the only way we’re going to find out if this kid’s going to get to where we want him to go and how quick he can get there," Kubiak said of Brown. "You draft these kids in the first round to come in, and play and that’s nothing against Ephraim, as I said, and we’ve had this conversation. I understand the difficulty in that (for Salaam), but we as coaches feel like we have to put this kid to work right away."

While it's common knowledge that Brown was selected to eventually take the reigns from Salaam, it's quite a surprise to hear an announcement like this so soon.

We'll have plenty more mini camp coverage throughout the day.

- Nick Scurfield

[rikesh316]

I have no problem with this. Salaam is too slow to fit this system. Let the kid start and learn on the job. Salaam doesn't match up well versus the ends in the division because they all are speed rushers.

[macalu]

it would have been more of a surprise if Brown WASN'T named the starter.

[H-Town Info]

I'm lil surprised by this...but i thought he would start after the bye week.

[gucci888]

it would have been more of a surprise if Brown WASN'T named the starter.

How so? At the press conference, Kubiak and co. were making it seem like that he wouldn't be right off the back.

I like this though, give the kid some confidence and start testing him out right off the back. Going against Mario everyday should give Brown a good taste of what the NFL is like.

[yobod]

This is why I love Kubiak. He doesn't beat around the bush, and try and cottle players.....we drafted Brown for a reason, now let's see if he's got the skills to back up the draft pick. No reason to delay the inevitable if he's good enough right now. If he's not, then hey, we tried, and still have Salaam to plug in there until Brown does gain the experience and skillset necessary.

[jopatmc]

I thought Kubiak made it very clear on draft day when he said, "He's our left tackle." that Duane Brown was the starter.

[gucci888]

This is why I love Kubiak. He doesn't beat around the bush, and try and cottle players.....we drafted Brown for a reason, now let's see if he's got the skills to back up the draft pick. No reason to delay the inevitable if he's good enough right now. If he's not, then hey, we tried, and still have Salaam to plug in there until Brown does gain the experience and skillset necessary.

Posted this in the offseason thread..."Actually, I'm fired up about seeing all the young players and how they develop. We need a young defensive tackle like Frank Okam (fifth-round pick from Texas) to be able to step up and help us by becoming part of the rotation."

Looks like Kubiak is really gonna push these young guys to make an impact on the team. Hopefully he can put some fire into Okam because if he's motivated, physically he'll be able to come in and help out the D-Line from day 1.

[Mattj]

Ephraim's starting by the 3rd series in Pittsburgh...just my hunch. They are giving Dwayne a baptism by fire and seeing how he handles it. He is not being promised the starting job. They know what they have in Salaam, and he doesn't need the reps. Right now, you can pencil in Winston at RT and Pitts at LG, every other position on the line is up for grabs.

[rikesh316]

Ephraim's starting by the 3rd series in Pittsburgh...just my hunch. They are giving Dwayne a baptism by fire and seeing how he handles it. He is not being promised the starting job. They know what they have in Salaam, and he doesn't need the reps. Right now, you can pencil in Winston at RT and Pitts at LG, every other position on the line is up for grabs.

I would say Chris Myers is penciled at Center with the money the paid him and the fact they don't have depth at the postion compared to other spots. I still hope Spencer beats out Pitts.

[grummett]

There's no way Chris Myers isn't the starting center from day one.

[ima_drummer2k]

Ephraim's starting by the 3rd series in Pittsburgh...just my hunch. They are giving Dwayne a baptism by fire and seeing how he handles it. He is not being promised the starting job. They know what they have in Salaam, and he doesn't need the reps. Right now, you can pencil in Winston at RT and Pitts at LG, every other position on the line is up for grabs.
Matt, anything new on the Charles Spencer front? Is he ahead, behind, or right on schedule for his rehab?

[Mattj]

Spencer still runs with a limp...I think it's gravy if he ever plays a down again. I hope I am wrong. I don't think Myers is anything special (Though it's hard to tell from 1st impressions of a center). He may start, but I don't think he's much better than McKinney honestly, though it looks like McKinney is done with the Texans.

[gucci888]

Spencer still runs with a limp...I think it's gravy if he ever plays a down again. I hope I am wrong. I don't think Myers is anything special (Though it's hard to tell from 1st impressions of a center). He may start, but I don't think he's much better than McKinney honestly, though it looks like McKinney is done with the Texans.

The fact that Spencer is still running with a limp and the coaches don't want any type of contact is really a bad sign IMO. It'll be 2 years in Sept. since he got injured, if you haven't healed by then... :(

[justtxyank]

Too bad that McKinney isn't going to be back.

[msn]

Too bad that McKinney isn't going to be back.
No kidding. Excellent run-blocking, iirc.

[studogg]

Spencer still runs with a limp...I think it's gravy if he ever plays a down again. I hope I am wrong. I don't think Myers is anything special (Though it's hard to tell from 1st impressions of a center). He may start, but I don't think he's much better than McKinney honestly, though it looks like McKinney is done with the Texans.

I'm good if Myers is equal to or greater than McKinney. Mainly due to the age factor.

[ima_drummer2k]

Spencer still runs with a limp...I think it's gravy if he ever plays a down again. I hope I am wrong.
That's what I was afraid of. I feel bad for that kid (can you imagine having your life-long dream shattered before it even gets started?) but I'm sure glad we drafted Brown.

[rezdawg]

Whats up with all the negativism towards Spencer's recovery? His quotes seem to point towards more of a positive direction...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3389248

Spencer joined some teammates for running and conditioning drills about a month ago. He was so eager to test his leg, he had to hold himself back.

"I was flying up and down the field," he said.


I can get in my stance, I can explode. I'm looking forward to contributing." "I've taken a little detour, but I'm back on track."

Doesnt seem like he is doing much limping when he can fly up and down the field and he can explode from his stance.

[leroy420]

Spencer returns to Texans practice (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-texans-spencer&prov=ap&type=lgns)

By CHRIS DUNCAN, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 14 minutes ago

HOUSTON (AP)—The start of Houston Texans minicamp on Friday was more than just a practice to Charles Spencer.

The 6-foot-4, 338-pound offensive lineman took the field with his team for the first time since breaking his left leg nearly two years ago, a severe injury that doctors thought could end his career.

It’s a minor miracle that he’s even playing again, but Spencer’s goal now is earning back his job.

“I’m taking it day by day. I ain’t rushing nothing,” Spencer said. “I’m excited to show these coaches what I can do.”

Ephraim Salaam has started at left tackle in all 30 games since Spencer’s injury. The Texans used their first-round pick this year on tackle Duane Brown and coach Gary Kubiak said Brown is the front-runner to take over position this season.

Spencer showed the same potential when the Texans drafted him in the third round in 2006. He was the Texans’ starting left tackle for the first two games of 2006, but was injured in the third quarter of his second game, Houston’s 43-24 loss to Indianapolis on Sept. 17.

When it happened, Spencer thought he had only sprained his knee. But team physician Dr. Walter Lowe gave him the ominous diagnosis after an X-ray—spiral fracture of the tibia with torn cartilage under his kneecap.

“That’s when it set in,” said Spencer, a college standout at Pittsburgh. “I had worked so hard, coming from the north and coming down and working in this heat and fighting for a starting job. It was tough. I had to face a lot of adversity and I had some more to deal with.”

Spencer had surgery the day after sustaining the injury. His leg was immobilized for two weeks and months of painstaking rehabilitation followed. Spencer relied on teammates to keep his spirits up and drew daily motivation from his daughters, Nhyairah and Vizzsun, who are now 5 and 1 1/2 .

“I’ve got a family to take care of and I’ve got to support them,” Spencer said. “If I’m not coming to work and working hard, then I’m not providing for the family.”

He had another surgery last June and doctors discovered that the cartilage was growing back and that the injury was healing properly.

“It was a very severe injury on a very large man,” Texans trainer Kevin Bastin said. “He’s been very disciplined in his work and his rehab process and the small steps we’ve been taking with him really paid off.”

Once he was able to run again, Spencer had to overcome the fear of re-injuring it.

“For a while, I was kind of half-stepping,” he said. “What can I do? How fast can I come back? Once you get over that hump, that was probably the biggest thing, just trusting it.”

Spencer joined some teammates for running and conditioning drills about a month ago. He was so eager to test his leg, he had to hold himself back.

“I was flying up and down the field,” he said.

The time out gave Spencer a new, humble perspective. He was a star in college, an All Big East selection in his junior and senior seasons. In the pros, he’s just another player fighting to stay on a roster.

“It’s a business and everybody is replaceable,” Spencer said. “If you don’t prepare yourself as being the best, or being elite, then you’re replaceable. I have to approach that every day.”

Spencer was wearing a knee brace during Friday’s workout and Kubiak said he’ll hold Spencer out of full-squad drills during the minicamp. Spencer will gladly follow Kubiak’s orders as long as he’s considered for his old job in the fall.

“This is huge, because I went from a starting role to not playing to playing behind guys right now,” Spencer said. “I’ve got to work hard to get back in the starting lineup. I can get in my stance, I can explode. I’m looking forward to contributing.”

If it doesn’t work out at left tackle, Spencer said he’d be willing to play either guard spot. After two seasons impatiently watching from the sideline, he just wants to play again.

“It can hurt. You’re used to doing something every day and you can’t do it for a certain amount of time,” Spencer said. “I’ve adjusted to it. I’ve taken a little detour, but I’m back on track.”

He's still got a lot of work to do, but if Spencer comes back healthy, regains his form, and they find a way to fit him in, this could be a very good line.

[rocketsfaninsa]

yeah i love it, the kid can play. but this mainly is for his confidence and getting him used to the speed of the nfl game against our best guys on D. demeco and williams will show him a thing or two