No big surprise here, Newton started against NO and Butler played poorly against the 2's. Newton has a lot of upside with his size, and you know he earned it if Kubes picked him over a vet. http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/08/newton-to-start-at-right-tackle-for-texans/
He may have earned it over Butler but I think the truth is that neither of them have played well in preseason.
albeit true one could argue that with the ZBS one simply needs time to learn the scheme and execute it effectively... hopefully that is the case in this regard and he works his way into a good RT. obviously the coaches like his build and potential.
That may very well be the case. I'm not saying Newton won't evolve in the position. However, going into game 1 the right side of the line looks like a big weakness.
I wouldn't say a big weakness, but def cause for concern. I really thought Butler was going to step up this season, seeing as how he just got a new contract not long ago. I think the Texans even matched an offer by the Redskins to keep him as a RFA. At least he's there for depth at both tackle positions.
I agree, hopefully, he will get better and fast. I didn't think the rebuild on the right side was a particularly good idea given where the team is right now. Why didn't we stay with Winston?
Already mentioned, but I'm thinking the staff decided Newton is the long term pick at the spot and would rather just throw him into the fire and speed up his learning curve with game action.
The kid better adjust his bayonet quickly because he will be facing some elite pass rushers almost every other game all the way til turkeyday. May the gods be with us. On a positive note, schaub has mastered the peyton manning crumble before the hit, which is a smart football play. Just no more Quarterback sneaks when facing the fat curb stomping haynesworth and we will be fine. *so far fat albert remains unsigned.
Not sure if anyone else noticed that a majority of our bigger runs have been coming off the left side of the line. For instance Foster's score against N.O. went to the left of the line and Ben Tate's 10-12 yard run against the Panthers also came from that side. Not saying that we've only had gains from that side but obviously we're favoring that side of the line because we create better yardage. When other teams start to notice (if they haven't already) that would definitely be a weakness to be exploited.
Newton has been inconsistent with the starters. Sometimes he is spot on, others he gets beat like a drum. Unfortunately, so has Butler and Newton gets the advantage because his physical abilities lend better to the ZBS system similar to Brown, so we are going to be in for a rough time early on while he gets acclimated to being a starter. Same thing happened with Brown.
Probably the right decision to stick with one guy and just give him all the reps. Continuity and rapport among the starting 5 is our best bet at maintaining the run game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak now at podium: we named Derek Newton starter at RT this am. Did good job other night. We've liked his progress.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/240179241021493248" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:09:28+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak says what moved them toward Derek Newton at right tackle was "watching his progress." Calls him a young ascending player. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/240179284851978240" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:09:38+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak said Newton, a 2nd-year pro, is a "young player that we think's ascending" & has a chance to be a "great player." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240179645536944128" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:11:04+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>JJ Watt & Shaun Cody practiced today. Brian Cushing, Chris Myers, Andre Johnson did not. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a> just had a jog-through</p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240179805503488001" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:11:42+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Andre Johnson said he wasn't sore after the game, but Kubiak says Andre is sore, so that's why he didn't practice. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/240180013448712192" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:12:32+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak said Watt, Cody, Cushing, Myers & Johnson will all be ready for Week 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240180101143207938" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:12:53+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"My expectations for him are extremely high," Kubiaksays of Newton. Says they believe in him. Also that he could be a great RT. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/240180243434967040" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:13:27+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>No platoon at right tackle. Kubiak said it's Newton's job outright, although competition was very close <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240180408019464192" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:14:06+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: "Really difficult decisions" looming with roster cuts at safety, corner, QB, back end of O-line <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240180766993162240" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:15:31+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"I think Kareem's had a wonderful camp" Kubiak on <a href="https://twitter.com/reemboi25"><s>@</s><b>reemboi25</b></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/240180960816144384" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:16:18+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: Shayne Graham has had a heckuva camp. I have a lot of confidence in him.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/240181221257277440" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:17:20+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>John Beck will start at QB on Thurs if TJ Yates doesn't play. He & Case Keenum will likely play 1 half apiece <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/240181276773081088" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:17:33+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak says there may be a couple of starters who play on Thursday against the Vikings, but most won't. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) <a href="https://twitter.com/taniaganguli/status/240181598362931202" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:18:50+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
but of course. entering his 9th season, schaub has broken a bone every season. so frail =/ he has missed less games than brady(we can all distort stats to convey diff. povs). Schaub antagonists completely and intentionally bypass his 41 consecutive games before the fat man landed on his foot. When Drayton florence hit him, schaub had released the ball for seconds after the throw. Same with white goodman. Any Qb would have missed time. He can take hits, as long as they're football hits like any qb. dammit i took the bait, again.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Newton: "I can get nasty, yes sir."</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/240188600292106241" data-datetime="2012-08-27T20:46:39+00:00">August 27, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wade Smith started out shaky when he first came onto the team, so I'm hoping that Derek Newton can elevate his game in much of the same way.
I just hope Schaub sees it coming when someone blasts past this guy. I just cringe at him getting injured again because we have inexperienced guys on the line.
