[OFFICIAL] Texans training camp/pre-season thread

rcoleman15 · Aug 5, 2011

Friday's news items:

First up an article on the Texans by Dale Robertson:

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7683315.html

Finally, football with full force
Labor deal ratified and salary cap issues cleared, Kubiak has a complete team at his disposal

By DALE ROBERTSON
Aug. 4, 2011, 11:26PM

Four days into training camp, following a gravely uncertain, discombobulated offseason, the Texans finally had a full deployment of players available for practice Thursday afternoon. But they still couldn’t have a for-real practice.

The rules of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL’s owners and their on-the-field workforce, which was formally ratified Thursday to end the league’s first work stoppage in 23 years, prohibit more than one workout per day in pads. And coach Gary Kubiak had opted to go full bore in the morning with the guys who were contractually free and clear to rattle each other’s cages.

That left another dozen — hugely significant names like NFL rushing champion Arian Foster, defensive captain DeMeco Ryans plus the two new secondary anchors, Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning — as interested bystanders only.

“It’s disappointing,” Kubiak admitted, “because you’ve got guys who just want to practice and play. They want to go, and it’s not their fault they can’t. There’s nothing they can do about it. There’s nothing anybody can do about it.”

In the curious cases of Ryans and defensive end Antonio Smith, both of whom had been in the mix through Wednesday, this represented a step backward. By agreeing to redo their contracts to get the Texans under the $120.4 million salary cap before a 3:01 p.m. deadline, they suddenly became unsigned players.

Ditto Andre Johnson, but he wasn’t going to practice anyway because of the compound dislocated finger suffered in the first workout Monday morning.

Smith admitted he didn’t understand the picayune details of what needed to happen for the Texans to get legal — day broke with them $8.5 million over the salary cap. But when general manager Rick Smith called him aside shortly before practice and asked him to take one for the team, as it were, he readily agreed.

“I personally don’t have any recollection of anybody doing something like this before,” the eight-year veteran and third-year Texan said. “It is what it is. I guess it has something to do with the structure of our contracts. I can’t say what made us candidates, but I want to win, so I want to help the team. That’s the main focus for me.”

Bonuses instead of salary

The math is complicated, but basically Smith, Ryans and Johnson got their paychecks going forward reduced in exchange for taking more cash up front in the form of signing bonuses. Specific numbers were not made available.

“It’s win-win,” Johnson explained. “You do it to help sign more players. That’s just part of being a teammate. The more players we bring in, the more competition we have, the better the team gets. That’s just the way I look at it. We all want to be successful around here, and this is going to help the team be successful.”

Added Ryans: “It’s all good. Anything I can do to help us get better, to get where we need to be … I’ll do anything to help this team out.”

Kubiak, to be sure, was grateful.

“If you don’t have players that are unselfish and willing to help the football team, then you can’t go out and sign players in free agency,” he said. “The reason Johnathan is here, Danieal is here . . . and the fullback (Lawrence Vickers) is here, it’s because of guys helping the football team out.

“They’ve been very good to this football team, not only as players but as people, too,” he said of Johnson, Ryans and Smith. “It means a lot.”

Although Kubiak might have been tempted to hold his walk-through in the morning, he didn’t think it was worth the gamble in case nothing got resolved later in the day and the players would have had to go full speed on the indoor FieldTurf because of the 100-plus degree heat outside.

Stall tactic works

Instead, he pushed back what was originally supposed to be a 2:45 p.m. special teams drill to a full session at 4:30 in hopes that all the i’s would be dotted and t’s crossed by then.

And indeed they were.

“Things worked out good,” Kubiak said. “That was kind of our plan. We took these guys to the brink today. We had a heck of a physical practice today. Now it’s about 12 guys catching up with 73. You didn’t want 73 guys waiting on them. But those guys, I think they’re in good shape. They’re champing at the bit. They want to play football.”

Finally that’s possible, no strings attached.
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Second a piece on Jacoby Jones by Richard Justice:

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7684154.html

Jones akin to prodigal son of a gun

By RICHARD JUSTICE
Aug. 4, 2011, 7:45PM

There must have been two or three times over the years when the Texans toyed with the idea of cutting Jacoby Jones.

"When he was young, he frustrated me," Gary Kubiak said. "To see how gifted he was and to know that if I could get him to buy in to what it is to be a pro ..."

The coach points to a chair in his office.

"We all kind of battled him for a couple of years," he said. "We've had some rough talks in this office, he and I. I left him at home when we went to Jacksonville one year."

So why didn't you cut him?

"When you draft players, your job as a coach is to develop (them)," Kubiak said. "When you get somebody who has all that talent but you're battling other things that are keeping him from being as good as he can be, you've got to figure out how to go and fix it. If it's off the field, on the field, whatever. He has responded to the battle."

Some of us figured Kubiak would be happy to show Jones the door and go sign another wide receiver this offseason. Yes, Jones was coming off his best season, when he caught 51 balls and played particularly well while Andre Johnson was injured.

But he dropped some balls and didn't always seem to take the whole thing real seriously. How much could the Texans trust Jones?

"He's still got some inconsistent things about him that he's got to correct, but I think he's immensely talented and I think he can help us," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "I think (last season) was a product of his personal maturation process."

Far from shopping for another wideout, Kubiak and Smith put re-signing Jones near the top of their to-do list. Kubiak said the Texans had invested so much in helping him become a productive NFL player that the last thing he wanted to do was watch him go someplace else and do great things.

"He's come a long damn way," Kubiak said.

Track wasn't his dream

Indeed, Jones has come a long damn way. He grew up in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, raised by his mom and great-grandmothers.

He was a not-so-strapping 5-7 and 160 pounds soaking wet when he graduated from high school and accepted a track scholarship to Southeastern University.

But track didn't float Jones' boat, so he transferred to Lane College and walked on to the football team. That's about the time something crazy happened. He began to grow. And grow.

He stood 6-2 by the time he left Lane, and when the Texans took him in the third round of the 2007 draft, he was on the verge of an improbable dream.

"When I was little, I would tell people, 'I'm going to the League,' " Jones said. "They were like, 'Yeah, whatever. What league?' "

The thing is, he still didn't really know the game. At least he didn't know the game the way a kid who'd played all his life would have known it.

Jones had gone out for football in high school, but he didn't play much until his senior season. Back then, he was a track guy wasting everybody's time on a football field. When he got to the Texans, he was a happy-go-lucky kid who — and let's be kind about this - didn't take things as seriously as he should have.

"I was like a chicken with my head cut off at times," he said.

'Flashes of excellence'

Even when Kubiak would be frustrated, he kept looking at the size and speed, and he hoped there would be a time when Jones either figured things out or ended up looking for work in the real world.

Jones was lucky to have so many role models around him during his summers in Houston. There were Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and, for a time, Keenan McCardell.

"I learned so much from those guys," Jones said. "I didn't really know the game, and there were times I didn't know the things I was supposed to do. They were great to me. Coach Kubiak treated me like one of his own, and I appreciate him for that. He helped me become a man on the field and off. He told me I had guys around me I could learn from, and I took it to heart. Toward the end of the season, the light went off in my head."

The Texans saw him as a special-teams guy who got a few snaps at wide receiver for a year or two. But the more playing time Jones got, the more he showed he could contribute at wide receiver, especially in three starts at the end of last season when he caught 17 balls for 235 yards.

"He had flashes of excellence," quarterback Matt Schaub said, "and that's what we expect of him. He has really matured a lot, and he needs to take that next step. We really expect him to. We think he'll take off. The more he's out there, the more comfortable he gets."

Jones smiles when asked about this. He has come so far since high school, yet he seems to be about the only person who hasn't been surprised.

"I've had a lot of guys help me," he said.
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Third an article on Dorin Dickerson by Craig Malveaux

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7684424.html

A nomad no more
Dorin Dickerson has settled in at wide receiver. Now he needs to translate his physical gifts into playing time

By CRAIG MALVEAUX
Aug. 4, 2011, 11:41PM

Dorin Dickerson has heard just about every description in the book. He's explosive. He's physically gifted. He has raw athleticism. And his personal favorite: He's built like a linebacker but has the speed of a wide receiver.

Because of those physical attributes, the coaches at the University of Pittsburgh didn't know where to place him. So he played a few positions during his college career.

Dickerson caught passes at wide receiver, shed blocks and drifted into coverage as a strong-side linebacker and even created lanes for running backs at tight end.

The 6-4, 226-pounder never had a position on the field — one Dickerson could permanently call his own for more than two years. Until now.

Drafted in the seventh round in 2010, Dickerson quickly found a home on the outside catching passes during training camp last season. It landed him the fifth spot on the receiver depth chart. Nothing has changed this year.

"I love it here as a receiver," he said. "I just went wherever the coaches needed me in college, wherever they could get me on the field. Here, I'm learning every day how to get better at receiver, the little things."

Learning from the best

Andre Johnson said he has seen growth of Dickerson in his route running, catching and knowledge of the playbook.

"I'm really excited to see what he can do because he has improved a lot from year one," Johnson said. "He's been busting his butt, and it shows."

Part of Dickerson's growth stems from training with mentor and fellow Pittsburgh alum Larry Fitzgerald this offseason. Fitzgerald showed him fundamentals of the position and how good old-fashioned hard work can pay off, which Dickerson said wowed him.

"Larry (Fitzgerald) is one of the best receivers in the game, him and Andre (Johnson), and there's a reason why they are the best because they both work really hard," Dickerson said. "So you could tell when you're there, working with them, why they are the best in the game."

Coming into camp, Dickerson was eager to display the things he learned from Fitzgerald. The competition among the receivers has been heated.

Dickerson, Terrence Toliver, Jeff Maehl, Trindon Holliday, Derrick Townsel and Lestar Jean are all fighting for coveted roster spots.

"They are all pushing each other out there to get better and make the team," said No. 3 receiver Jacoby Jones. "When one of them sees another receiver making a play, they all go out and try their hardest to make a play for themselves."

While Dickerson secured a roster spot last year, he knows nothing is guaranteed, especially since there are a limited amount of spots.

Special teams demon in making?

His desire to do whatever it takes to get on the field, though - as he displayed at Pittsburgh - has landed him in a good position to make the team. His plan is to excel in a facet of the game that wide receivers coach Larry Kirksey deems critical for younger players.

"The fourth or fifth receiver who makes this team has to play special teams," Kirksey said. "If that's him because of (Kevin) Walter, Andre and Jacoby, he has to be a great, exceptional special teams player, and he knows that."

No matter what happens, the goal for Dickerson is to contribute.

"I've never been part of a winning team in my life," Dickerson said. "I've been close a bunch of times, but I just want to be a part of a winning team and help be one of the reasons why we win."
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Fourth...Texans Notes by Dale Robertson

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7684364.html

Texans notes: Sharpton fills in for Ryans

By DALE ROBERTSON
Aug. 4, 2011, 10:36PM
Sharpton sharp

When DeMeco Ryans couldn't practice Thursday morning while his contract was being redone, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips plugged in second-year pro Darryl Sharpton at Ryans' right inside linebacker slot. Sharpton proved up to task and then some.

"He got the chance to go in and run the defensive football team," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Just watching him, I thought he did a helluva job."

Cushing progressing

Brian Cushing, the left inside linebacker in Wade Phillips' new 3-4 scheme, is recovering from off-season knee surgery and won't be able to participate in any contact drills for a while, but he did step in during the afternoon walk-through session. Gary Kubiak said he's keeping a tight rein on Cushing.

"I watched him run today," Kubiak said. "I think he's better every day. He's not quite ready to come back out here quite yet, so we're being smart with him. Next week? I don't know. We'll see. "

Noisy bunch

Wade Phillips is the professorial kind of coach, soft-spoken and silver-haired, but his primary assistants more than compensate. D-line coach Bill Kollar, linebackers coach Reggie Herring and secondary coach Vance Joseph are major-league screamers — but in a good way.

Joseph already has lost his voice, and Herring seems to be on the brink of doing so .

"With (Joseph) bringing that excitement, that fun, that attitude to the game, it makes the players relax a bit," said Glover Quin, who has moved from cornerback to strong safety. "When you're relaxed and having fun, you'll automatically play better.

"We're all hollering, talking, getting into it."

Even though DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing weren't involved in the morning workout, Herring repeatedly shouted at them to make points. He knows how important they're going to be for him.

Mario's adjustment

Mario Williams is now officially a stand-up outside linebacker, but he still finds himself launching his pass rush from the three-point stance he has used as a defensive end.

And that's perfectly OK with Wade Phillips.

"Doesn't matter to me," Phillips said, "as long as he gets to the quarterback. People know he's going to be coming anyway."

Homecoming for Vickers

Lawrence Vickers made his offseason home in Houston while he was playing for the Cleveland Browns. Now, it's his in-season home, too, after the Texans signed him to help fill the void left by Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach's signing with Baltimore.

"It's exciting for me," Vickers said, "but I think everybody else is even more excited than me. My kids can go back to school and tell their friends 'Daddy's home now.' I'm enjoying it."

But he bristles a bit when asked about "replacing" Leach.

"I don't look at it as (if) I'm replacing anybody," he said. "I'm Lawrence. So I'm coming in (to) do the things I do, and that's just the end of that one.

"I don't necessarily think I bring something different. But I bring passion, excitement. I enjoy the game. I enjoy doing whatever it (takes) to get the win."
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Fifth a writeup from ProFootballFocus.com on their prediction for our 2011 season.

Source:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/08/05/houston-texans-continuity-change-success/

Houston Texans: Continuity + Change = Success?
August 5th, 2011 | Author: Khaled Elsayed

I’m calling it now. Houston Texans.

That’s my darkhorse to win it all. They’ve made two signings in free agency and that’s all I think it takes for them to go from sadly disappointing to straight-up dominating. And if they don’t, well, heads will have to roll. It’s that simple.

Right now, while everyone is looking at Philadelphia and the moves they’ve made, people are sleeping on Houston. They haven’t so much got stronger, as eliminated two of their biggest weaknesses. That’s enough to make this team pretty darn scary.

Continuity is Key

Everyone was so focused on the Texans’ secondary struggles and switch to a 3-4 defense, it seems like they’ve forgotten just how good the offense is. It’s starts at the quarterback position.

Matt Schaub wasn’t a fancy high draft selection. He doesn’t run around making highlight reel plays. He doesn’t even give the press the kind of sound bites that gets him face time on ESPN, CBS and FOX. So it’s no surprise that as good as he’s been, he seems to get overlooked. Schaub is one of the most accurate QBs on his deep ball and he handles the blitz exceptionally well. They’re part of the reason he’s recently finished sixth (2009) and fifth (2010) in our pure passer gradings.

It doesn’t hurt that Schaub has some of the best weapons to work with. It may come as a shock to many, but Andre Johnson is a pretty special receiver. Okay, so it’s not that hard to accept. Johnson was marginally ranked second in our three year gradings of wide receivers. But he’s complemented by the sure handedness of Kevin Walter, a player who has dropped the fewest catchable balls over the past three years. That impressive duo becomes a tough to contain trio when you consider what Jacoby Jones can do (even if he’s not quite as consistent as you’d like).

Then there’s getting Owen Daniels back at full health. For the first half of the 2010 season Daniels was quite clearly making his way back from an injury that ended his prolific 2009 season. But in the final four weeks he was second in yards and receptions among all tight ends. It’s almost not fair the Texans get another weapon in the passing game.

We haven’t even talked offensive line and running backs yet. Everyone knows how good Arian Foster is – our third ranked running back from 2010. He led the league in yards, and is also a pretty nifty receiver out of the backfield. But what about the O-line? Well, they’ve got the continuity aspect handled by resigning Mike Brisiel, and that means they’re returning all of the starters who contributed to them ranking second overall in our offensive line rankings.

You get what I’m saying? The Texans are strong all over on offense. The defense … not so much.

But Change Can Be Good

It’s pretty telling that Houston was home to two cornerbacks who were in the top five in allowing the most receiving yards. In a remarkable coincidence, Kareem Jackson and Glover Quin gave up 924 yards each (the joint fourth highest in the NFL). They also surrendered 11 touchdowns between them. So they had some issues with their cornerbacks. At the safety position, Bernard Pollard gave up six touchdowns, and the rotating pair of Troy Nolan and Eugene Wilson combined for a -17.1 grade. I know, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. The whole secondary was pretty terrible.

So going out and getting a cover safety who gave up no touchdowns and picking up a cornerback who ranked sixth in our 2009 rankings (he wasn’t healthy last year) doesn’t just represent an improvement. It represents a huge upgrade. With a little bit of development from their younger players, this once scarily bad secondary could actually be pretty decent.

Of course there are issues with the Texans implementing a new defensive scheme. While DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing have the kind of skill sets that should translate well to a 3-4 defense, how Mario Williams adjusts, and what they do at the nose tackle position remains unseen. Plus they’re looking for an immediate contribution from a rookie, and are far from certain of their number two outside linebacker. Lots of question marks there, but there is proven talent on that defense. Certainly more so than last year when you think of the secondary issues, suspension / down year of Brian Cushing and injury to DeMeco Ryans.

So while it may not be top of the league, you’d imagine this D getting better.

Playoffs or more?

Which is what convinces me this is the Texans’ year to do something more than flatter to deceive. The AFC South is there for the taking, especially if Peyton Manning is less than 100%, and Houston is primed to take it. From there would you bet against them? They may lack the post season experience, but they have an offense that can run on you, and pick up yards in the air. A defense with playmakers and improved secondary play.

When people sit down to talk about their dark horses for a run at the big one, some will look at the Texans. Well, consider me the first to lay my claim down in suggesting it so.

Heck, if I’m wrong you’d have forgotten this article by the time it gets proven. If I’m right? Well expect a few links to remind you of who saw the rise of the Texans coming.
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Here are some podcasts from our local radio:

610am:

Description:

Manning Can Be Impact Player On Special Teams

Dante Hall, the two-time All Pro punt returner, gives his opinion on the NFL’s new kick off rules and how impactful he thinks Danieal Manning will be for the Texans.
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Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcbshouston.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fdante-hall-8-4-11.mp3&podcast_name=Dante+Hall&podcast_artist=Ben+Nance&station_id=&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

Description:

Owen Daniels: Super Bowl The Goal

Texans tight end Owen Daniels talks about the expectations for the upcoming season and his thoughts on Mike Lombardi’s comments that the team is soft.
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Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdC%2FdZ%2FdW%2FYCZW_3.MP3&podcast_name=Owen+Daniels&podcast_artist=Vandermeer+and+Lopez&station_id=63&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

Description:

NFL Network Not Recanting “Texans Soft” Comments

Kara Henderson from NFL Network defends her co worker Mike Lombardi who commented that the Texans are a soft team
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Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdC%2FdZ%2FdD%2FYCZD_3.MP3&podcast_name=Kara+Henderson&podcast_artist=Vandermeer+and+Lopez&station_id=63&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

Description:

Jackson Intends To Shine In New Defense

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson talks about his second season in the NFL and what to expect and his thoughts on the new defensive scheme.
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Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdC%2FdY%2FdO%2FYCYO_3.MP3&podcast_name=Kareem+Jackson&podcast_artist=Vandermeer+and+Lopez&station_id=63&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

Description:

Cushing Looks For A Return To Action Soon

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing discusses how he was progressing from knee surgery and what to look forward from him this season under Wade Phillips.
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Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2FdC%2FdY%2FdO%2FYCYO_3.MP3&podcast_name=Kareem+Jackson&podcast_artist=Vandermeer+and+Lopez&station_id=63&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

david_rocket · Aug 5, 2011

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...r-pulls-hamstring-in-his-first-2011-practice/

Arian Foster pulls hamstring in his first 2011 practice

Posted by Mike Florio on August 5, 2011, 11:55 PM EDT

AP
Texans tailback Arian Foster, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2010, has seen his quest for a repeat derailed temporarily via a pulled hamstring.

Per Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle, Foster suffered the injury on a 40-yard touchdown run during the first play of an 11-on-11 scrimmage.

It was Foster’s first practice since signing a one-year exclusive rights tender offer on Sunday.

Foster showed up later in the day with the leg heavily wrapped.
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solid · Aug 6, 2011

david_rocket said: ↑

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...r-pulls-hamstring-in-his-first-2011-practice/

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Will get a free pass on camp and exhibition games, but will be ready for the season.

codell · Aug 6, 2011

I lol'd at this pic:

ROXRAN · Aug 6, 2011

thanks rcoleman15 and others, love to hear the updates...

ROXRAN · Aug 6, 2011

btw, happy Arian showed explosion on his 40 yard run, but maybe ease into things to avoid the hammys . . .It's been a long, hot summer

pgabriel · Aug 6, 2011

any word on how mario's doing?

rcoleman15 · Aug 6, 2011

ROXRAN said: ↑

thanks rcoleman15 and others, love to hear the updates...
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Your welcome.

jdh008 · Aug 6, 2011

pgabriel said: ↑

any word on how mario's doing?
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Saw a little bit of him today out at camp. They ran straight offense vs. defense for about a half hour out there with full pads.

He seemed pretty quiet, but he didn't look bad. There were at least two plays I remember specifically where Mario was blatantly held or he would have been in the backfield.

vinsensual · Aug 6, 2011

I stayed after to try and get autographs but most of the players were carted up side ramps and avoided the crowd. Even scrubby Maynard got his own cart. The few that signed stuff as they left were Tolliver, Quin, Jacoby and JJ Watt. Do the bigger stars sign stuff after open practices?

Egghead · Aug 7, 2011

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rjVFQCd8TzU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

J.R. · Aug 7, 2011

Just about fell down

RedRaiderRocket · Aug 7, 2011

Egghead said: ↑

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rjVFQCd8TzU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I hope this video was made last year...

DreamShook · Aug 7, 2011

I think I saw that video on the news on Saturday but they followed it up with another video from the same day with a better defensive effort.

conquistador#11 · Aug 7, 2011

^
Well, Kevin runs great routes. He did the same to revis last year against the jets and had it not been for the sun blinding Kevin, he would have had a 60 yard td. <insert silly smile

Ok yeah, kareem will be the third cb in the rotation. Considering it's a pass happy league, he is still going to see plenty of passes being thrown his way.

Kate81 · Aug 7, 2011

My scouting report from today's practice:

Mario Williams does not have the hips to play LB and the speed for sideline to sideline pursuit.

Matt Schaub has terrible running form and no arm muscle definition, he should work on his biceps and triceps.

J.J. Watt looked quick for his size.

Brooks Reed was surprisingly bigger than I thought.

Rashad Butler is huge.

Wade Phillips looked like he belonged in front of a BBQ.

Troy Nolan had a nice pick against Schaub in the red zone, Schaub tried to squeeze in a pass into tight coverage, Nolan read it all the way.

Daniel Manning had a easy pick on a high throw from Matt Leinart who was getting pressured.

Leinart throughout the day was throwing a nice tight ball though.

clutch citizen · Aug 7, 2011

Kate81 said: ↑

My scouting report from today's practice:

Mario Williams does not have the hips to play LB and the speed for sideline to sideline pursuit.

Matt Schaub has terrible running form and no arm muscle definition, he should work on his biceps and triceps.

J.J. Watt looked quick for his size.

Brooks Reed was surprisingly bigger than I thought.

Rashad Butler is huge.

Wade Phillips looked like he belonged in front of a BBQ.

Troy Nolan had a nice pick against Schaub in the red zone, Schaub tried to squeeze in a pass into tight coverage, Nolan read it all the way.

Daniel Manning had a easy pick on a high throw from Matt Leinart who was getting pressured.

Leinart throughout the day was throwing a nice tight ball though.
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So Mario looked bad?

Kate81 · Aug 7, 2011

clutch citizen said: ↑

So Mario looked bad?
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Its just one practice, but from what I saw... I'm skeptical he can excel at LB.

TigerBait · Aug 7, 2011

I thought Mario was going to be asked to rush 90% of the time. If that's the case I don't really see the need for sideline to sideline pursuit. if he was a ILB I might be worried. He's a stand up DE that may be asked to run to a flat zone from time to time.

RunninRaven · Aug 7, 2011

Yeah, but if it's not a pass play will he just give up and not pursue the RB?

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[OFFICIAL] Texans training camp/pre-season thread

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