[Official] Texans Offseason 2011

emjohn · Aug 7, 2011

macalu said: ↑

been watching highlights of JJ Watt. that guy is a jumping machine. we're gonna see a handful of incompletions and interceptions because of deflections.
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College calling card - will be a perfect match for a scheme designed to rush and hurry passing downs - lower arch short passes.

rcoleman15 · Aug 7, 2011

Matt Jackson's thoughts on week 1 of training camp:
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bEvHC1eOdlo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

rcoleman15 · Aug 8, 2011

Here are Monday's news bits:

First up an article by Dale Robertson on how the Texans pretty much remained unscathed as in their first week as far as major injuries are concerned.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7687463.html

Meltdown avoided
Despite injuries, illness and heat, the Texans have suffered few camp setbacks. Kubiak gives credit to trainers, staff

By DALE ROBERTSON
Aug. 7, 2011, 10:23PM

The Texans hardly made it through their first week of training camp unscathed, with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson going down with injuries — and Brian Cushing never getting down to work - but the "worst-case scenario" for which trainer Geoff Kaplan had prepared didn't come to pass.

Although he was caught off-guard by the stomach flu that took out a player or two every day, Kaplan confirmed that almost all the Texans reported in excellent shape and none was overly stressed by the heat.

"I'm very happy with how the guys prepared themselves," he said. "I had no idea what to expect, having never been through a situation like this before, but conditioning hasn't been an issue. Even the players coming off surgery have held up. It's a big relief for all of us."

Cushing's improvement

Inside linebacker Cushing is the only Texan who has been held out, but he's also the only one who had surgery after last season, getting the patella tendon in his right knee repaired by Dr. James Andrews in January. Cushing could have benefited from the strict, regimented rehab regimen Kaplan and strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith would have imposed on him, but he's expected to make up enough lost time to be in the lineup against Indianapolis on Sept. 11.

Cushing could be practicing by Wednesday or Thursday, coach Gary Kubiak said.

"Hopefully he'll be back on the field and toward the weekend we'll see where he's at," Kubiak said.

The lack of offseason communication between coaches and players coupled with new restrictions - imposed by the collective bargaining agreement that resulted from the labor dispute - on how much time teams can spend in practice have the Texans playing more catch-up than Kubiak prefers.

Still, the coach, like the trainer Kaplan, counts his blessings.

"I think we'll be pretty close to everybody being on the same page when we get back to work Tuesday morning," Kubiak said. "Our trainers and our staff did a great job of preparing for this first week, as crazy as it was. I wish we'd had all the off-season time, but I feel good about where we are.

"We're behind from the standpoint of the volume of teaching. I mean, defensively, (coordinator) Wade (Phillips) has had this football team for six days. That's unbelievable. They've done a hell of a job.

"Offensively, I think our timing is not where it should be. Some of that stems from us not working together. When you're not working with (NFL rushing leader) Arian (Foster) in there and (Pro Bowl wide receiver) Andre (Johnson) missed a week basically, that affects you and what you're doing.

"I'm anxious to get all those guys back. But I'm sure everyone else has their problems, too."

Dubious distinction

Then there's the weather. Once again, the Texans lead the NFL in thermometer readings at camp.

"It's been hot, exceptionally hot, but we've held up for good two-hour practices and we're recovering well," Kubiak said. "I think our mental toughness and our conditioning has been pretty good."

Noting the players were given a workout program by Smith while they were barred from team facilities from February until just before camp, Kubiak said: "Those guys that stuck to it, they're really moving forward."
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Second a piece by Richard Justice..

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7686515.html

In search of a winning endgame

By RICHARD JUSTICE
Aug. 7, 2011, 2:09AM

It's not just that the Texans have lost a bunch of games the last couple of years. It's how they've lost them.

So many odd things have happened to this football team that it's easy to see them as being, well, unlucky.

I mentioned this theory to the head coach last week, and he wasn't impressed.

"I hope I never start thinking that way," Gary Kubiak said. "If I start thinking that way, I want someone to hit me."

NFL games are close; most are decided in the fourth quarter. Good teams know how to finish; the Texans don't. This has been established.

Still, it seems the Texans have been a victim of more than poor mental toughness or whatever it is really good teams have.

On the night before training camp began last week, Kubiak reminded his players they lost eight of their final 10 games last season.

"I'm going to show you how we gave five of those games away," he said.

Here goes:

1. The Texans appeared to be driving for the winning touchdown against San Diego when a pass bounced off wide receiver Andre Johnson's knee and into the hands of a Chargers defensive back. Game over.

2. Jacksonville had 8 seconds left in a tie game and 66 yards to go. Overtime, right? Jaguars quarterback David Garrard took a last-second shot, heaving it toward the goal line. A Texan tipped it to a Jacksonville player. Touchdown. Game over.

3. Mark Sanchez took the New York Jets 68 yards in 45 seconds and turned a 27-23 deficit into a 30-27 victory over the Texans.

4. The Texans rallied from 21 points down to force overtime against the Baltimore Ravens. And then Matt Schaub threw an interception.

5. The Texans appeared to be driving for a game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter against Denver. Another interception ended it.

Fixing intangibles

Do those five games qualify as giveaways? Three interceptions. One Hail Mary pass. One defensive meltdown.

"I don't play the luck game," Mario Williams said. "We won, we won. We lost, we lost."

There were dozens of other issues in all those games, but the bottom line is when it counted most, the Texans were only a play or two from winning.

Is that what teams mean by closing? Is that what this training camp is about?

"We've got to execute, particularly in the times of a football game where you've got to really be locked in," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "That's the discipline part of it, and then guys have got to step up and make plays. That's what we've got to do.

"We didn't do a good job of that in games at the end last year."

How do you fix intangibles? It's one thing to work on cornerback Kareem Jackson's footwork or teach Williams a new defensive position. It's another thing to coach hearts and minds, to give players the confidence to do things they haven't done before and then get them to do it.

"I will pretty much tell you that we're going to be focused on that this year, and I would expect that we will perform a heck of a lot better in those situations this year moving forward," Smith said.

It's not about luck

Schaub said he thought of those close losses every day of the offseason and understands that until the Texans begin winning them, until they learn how to finish opponents off, words mean nothing.

"We're absolutely on the cusp," he said. "It's just a few little things, attention to detail and a consistency thing, and we're right there."

His teammates all said similar things. They don't believe in luck. They're looking ahead, not backward.

"I don't really worry about last year," Johnson said. "That's over and done with."

Are losses connected? Did losing to the Chargers put the Texans in a negative frame of mind when it was time to close out the Jags or Jets? Do bad teams convince themselves they'll do just enough to lose?

The Texans have more physical talent, so maybe that's the key to finishing games. If the defense is better, Schaub will not be put in as many tough situations.

It's hard to know what's going to work, whether the problems have been mental, physical or some combination of the two.

"For the most part, it's coming in day one and taking those losses and using them to motivate you and work on specific things and be able to play a full fourth quarter," center Chris Myers said.

'Do-or-die time for us'

I asked if he believed the Texans were on the cusp of being pretty good.

"I feel like we've been saying that for the past three years," Myers said. "It's almost like it's do-or-die time for us to be able to come out here and play a whole season."
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Third an article by Craig Malveaux on Brooks Reed.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7687459.html

Strong likeness
Texans rookie LB Reed aspires to do more than resemble Matthews

By CRAIG MALVEAUX
Aug. 7, 2011, 10:32PM

For whatever reason, the name Brooks Reed is often synonymous with Clay Matthews.

Not just because they both are relentless, high-energy guys with nonstop motors or because of their similar frames, but because Matthews and Reed are considered speed-rush specialists who happen to play linebacker and sport free-flowing blond hair.

Other than that, they have little in common. Didn't grow up in the same state. Didn't go to the same university. Didn't get drafted by the same team or even in the same round.

Yet, despite how irrational it is, scouts, coaches and reporters seek every opportunity to compare the two before Reed even plays his first NFL down for the Texans.

"He's the best at that position in the league, and to have that comparison is pretty awesome," Reed said of Green Bay's Matthews. "I know that I'm not at his level, but hopefully some day I will be."

Reed is honored to draw comparisons to the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Year, regardless of the reason. But he hopes that soon enough Brooks Reed will be a household name instead of being the Texans linebacker who has long hair like Matthews.

"Right now, I'm looking to make my own mark on the field, be remembered for the player that I am," he said.

Reed (6-3, 263) understands that achieving that type of success requires him to turn his shortcomings into strengths. And it begins at training camp.

"Coverage and pattern reading is definitely something I'm working to improve out here in camp. That's all new to me," Reed said. "Cover 3 and cover 4 and all those other coverages that I never ran in college is an adjustment."

Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring says those things — learning complex schemes and how to drop into coverage - will come in time.

"He has new skills to learn," Herring said. "You don't just jump out there after one week and do this overnight. With a lot of reps, he's going to become efficient at it."

When Texans general manager Rick Smith hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator, Smith knew the roster lacked the type of players needed to run Phillips' 3-4 scheme efficiently.

One of the pieces missing was an aggressive outside linebacker to add depth behind Connor Barwin - one who could pressure the quarterback.

With exceptional talents such as Von Miller and Akeem Ayers long gone, Smith pulled the trigger on the Arizona standout in the second round.

"What we knew immediately about Reed was that he has great initial burst and can get to the passer," Herring said.

First impression

Reed impressed NFL scouts with his intensity and tenacity at Arizona and displayed his speed during NFL combine drills. His pass-rushing ability and knack for getting after the quarterback make him an ideal fit for the Texans.

"That's one of Brooks' better skills, using his speed on the outside," Phillips said. "The 3-4 will give him some opportunities to get some sacks."

Speed can get Reed only so far in the NFL, though, as evidenced in pass-rushing drills this past week. In a few instances, Reed burst off the line quickly, giving himself the advantage over his opponent. But several times, the lineman recovered, engaging Reed with NFL strength and technique.

Learning on the run

"Break his hands," Bill Kollar, assistant head coach/defensive line coach shouted at Reed. "Knock them out of the way and then swim off."

"He's getting better and better every day out there," Herring said. "We've been very pleased with his work habits so far."

Reed said he knows Barwin will play the majority of the snaps opposite Mario Williams, but one way he plans to make an impact and vie for playing time is through special teams.

"It's the same way in college. That's how you prove yourself, first and foremost," Reed said. "I have to show what I can do on the field through special teams, which is the first step to gaining trust as a player.

"If you prove that you can do that, then you can move on to the next
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And finally the Texans Notes by Dale Robertson and Craig Malveaux.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7687433.html

Texans notes: LB coach Herring praises Williams

By DALE ROBERTSON and CRAIG MALVEAUX
Aug. 7, 2011, 11:01PM

One step at a time

Linebackers coach Reggie Herring has praised former defensive end Mario Williams for how quickly he is learning his role at linebacker.

"Mario is getting more and more comfortable with the system," Herring said. "His change of direction and movement is just as good as any of the other linebackers."

Early on in camp, Williams battled the habit of getting into a three-point stance. But lately he has resisted the urge to put his hand on the ground.

Center of attention

New corner Johnathan Joseph saw plenty of Andre Johnson on Sunday, as the Pro Bowl receiver returned from sitting out five days with a compound dislocation of his left index finger.

"I think we're both making each other better," Johnson said of competing against the former Bengal. "We're all working to make this team better. He's a great player. That's why we brought him here."

Responded Joseph: "It was a great competition. Andre is the best receiver in this game, and it's just a great pleasure to have him out here. As a defensive unit, it will only make us better."

Johnson had tested his injured hand Saturday, and although he felt pain, he thought he was ready.

"I had it protected and I had it taped up pretty good," he said. "After I caught some balls yesterday and felt comfortable doing that, that's what made me come out and practice today."

Quarterback Matt Schaub admitted he thought Johnson had lost some conditioning because of the layoff.

"He probably wouldn't want me to say that he got a little winded," Schaub said. "He hadn't practiced in a few days. Just (needs) to get his legs back under him. It's Dre. He'll be ready."

Praise for Leinart

Having promoted Matt Leinart to No. 2 quarterback, coach Gary Kubiak should be relieved by what he's seen from the former USC Trojans star turned Arizona Cardinals bust.

Leinart held his own Sunday while leading the Texans' No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense.

"He's really impressed me the last couple days," Kubiak said. "There's no panic in Matt. That's a big challenge when you're taking the second offense against the first defense.

"Matt just plays the game. He throws it where he's supposed to throw it. He's got a lot of confidence right now. I'm excited for him.

"I think his career's going to take off again, and I'm excited for him."

Running backs galore

Second-year running back Ben Tate, who missed all of his rookie season after suffering a broken ankle in the first preseason game, was shut down Sunday because of hamstring tightness.

"He came out, warmed up (and) said his hamstring was tight, so we moved on," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Derrick (Ward) was back (from the flu). That group right there has been impressive the last couple days in their work habits."

The Texans are blessed with excellent depth at the position, so Tate and Arian Foster's hamstring issues aren't alarming.

"(There are) plenty of guys to go around," Kubiak said. "It's fun to watch. Steve (Slaton) is having a great camp. (Rookie Chris) Ogbonnaya is having a hell of a camp.

"It's just fun to watch right now because those guys are getting so much work. They're not sitting there or standing.

"It's funny, you can show up one day as the fifth guy and the next day you're the third guy. It's just fun to watch them grow up."

See you Tuesday

The players are getting a break until meetings tonight, returning to the practice field on Tuesday morning.

The Youth Day workout from 8-10 a.m. is open to the public. Go to the Texans' website to print free tickets.

Linebacker on board

The Texans signed veteran free-agent linebacker Tim Dobbins.

Dobbins (6-1, 246) spent his 2006 rookie season with San Diego, when Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips held the same position there. Dobbins stayed with the Chargers through 2009, then played for Miami last year before being waived recently.

Originally a fifth-round pick out of Iowa State, he has appeared in 78 games with 16 starts, six of them for the Dolphins. He was Miami's leading tackler four times. He made eight starts for the Chargers in 2008, finishing the season with 42 solo tackles, an interception and two forced fumbles.
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Mr.Scarface · Aug 8, 2011

rcoleman15 said: ↑

Matt Jackson's thoughts on week 1 of training camp:
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bEvHC1eOdlo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

Matt Jackson...needs to stay OFF ANY VISUAL MEDIA.....WOW

Needs to get off the radio while he is at it......

Jet Blast · Aug 8, 2011

The Lions lost a running back this morning to a torn Achilles. I wonder if they'll give the Texans a call about Steve Slaton. He's having a good camp so now might be the best time for a trade.

DonnyMost · Aug 8, 2011

That's 9 achilles tears so far, wow.

rikesh316 · Aug 8, 2011

Jet Blast said: ↑

The Lions lost a running back this morning to a torn Achilles. I wonder if they'll give the Texans a call about Steve Slaton. He's having a good camp so now might be the best time for a trade.
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I am sure they will use the preseason to showcase him. If Foster and Ward are healthy, I don't see a way Slaton doesn't get traded. He has value as a 3rd down back, is cheap, and still young. Ben Tate has been injury prone and against missed camp yesterday with a hamstring injury. Kubiak said Chris Ogbonnaya is having an exceptional camp so far and has practice squad eligibility I believe.

couple of d's · Aug 8, 2011

Matt Jackson looks like Patton Oswalt

monkeyboy32 · Aug 8, 2011

LeShoure was brought in to compliment Jahvid Best in a thunder/lightning type backfield.

Slaton is more of a cloudy with chance of light drizzle...

vinsensual · Aug 8, 2011

couple of d's said: ↑

Matt Jackson looks like Patton Oswalt
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Thought the same.

rcoleman15 · Aug 8, 2011

New Daily Texan Video..

Link:
Joseph, Johnson make each other better

Next Mike Florio on NBC Pro Football Talk Live interviews Rick Smith:

Link:
http://hqplayer.nbcsports.com/Player.html?PID=44&vid=2379

Finally found this over at TexansTalk.com...did some searches here and couldn't find anything... but even still not the worst thing to burn seven minutes on.

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

rcoleman15 · Aug 8, 2011

Here is the "Back to Football" Texans preseason show that aired on channel 13 yesterday.

Description:

Back to Football: 2011 Texans season premiere (22:25)

ABC-13/KTRK aired it's 2011 Houston Texans season premiere show on Sunday night, getting you ready for another year of Texans football.
Click to expand...

Link:
http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Back-to-Football-2011-Texans-season-premiere/b955bb1f-479b-4bab-8e60-b15274c4ac51

Uprising · Aug 8, 2011

rcoleman15 said: ↑

Here is the "Back to Football" Texans preseason show that aired on channel 13 yesterday.

Description:

Link:
http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Back-to-Football-2011-Texans-season-premiere/b955bb1f-479b-4bab-8e60-b15274c4ac51
Click to expand...

That was great thanks. Man, that Slaton kickoff return to the 1 yard line out of bounds.

gucci888 · Aug 8, 2011

Uprising said: ↑

That was great thanks. Man, that Slaton kickoff return to the 1 yard line out of bounds.
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Ya...I saw that again lastnight and literally LOL'd.

Mattj · Aug 8, 2011

couple of d's said: ↑

Matt Jackson looks like Patton Oswalt
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I get that alot.

couple of d's · Aug 8, 2011

Mattj said: ↑

I get that alot.
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LOL I didn't know you were on this board. If the sports radio thing ends up not working out you should get ahold of Oswalt's people. You could be his double.

rcoleman15 · Aug 8, 2011

Here is an article via foxsportshouston.com and David Dalati on Kevin Walter.

Source:
http://www.foxsportshouston.com/08/08/11/Texans-WR-Walter-understands-role-with-t/landing_texans.html?blockID=545049&feedID=3551

Texans' WR Walter understands role with team

David Dalati
August 8, 2011

In 2003 Kevin Walter was the 255th player selected in a draft of 262 players. The Giants took Walter with a compensatory pick in the seventh round. Of the 35 receivers selected in 2003 only 11 remain active, including Walter and teammate Andre Johnson. The former Eastern Michigan receiver, who is beginning his 9th year in the NFL and his 6th with the Texans, has made the most of the opportunity he has received. Walter has come quite the long way from the player who was cut by the Giants during the 2003 training camp.

"You're right," said Walter. "It's amazing. This is my sixth year with coach Kubes. It flies by. You can't take anything for granted because it doesn't last forever."

The Texans signed Walter away from the Bengals as a restricted free agent in 2006. During the past five years with the Texans, Walter has 246 catches for 3,091 yards. It's not the perfect comparison that's more catches than Vincent Jackson, Nate Burleson and Miles Austin among others. But it's not only his ability to catch the ball which has allowed Walter to become a starter in the NFL. Walter takes pride in being receiver who loves to block.

"I take big time pride in being a blocker," Walter said. "Digging out a safety for the running back so those guys get big gains…I take great pride in that."

What Walter objects to is the label that he's a possession receiver which is often NFL code for a guy that can't stretch the field due to a lack of speed.

"I personally take it as an insult," Walter said about the possession receiver label. "That's what drives me…possession receiver…this and that. I'm a receiver all around. I feel I can run down the field and make big plays when called upon."

"I'm amazed at him," said coach Gary Kubiak. "Kevin has to work really hard to be successful. It's been that way his whole career. Kevin overcomes some shortcomings with his work habits and his study and all those things. Everybody knows he'll be there every day, every play as hard as he can play. You can't have enough of those guys.

And Walter's sensitivity about the possession receiver label?

Said Kubiak: "Tell him not to let it hurt his feelings because they're going to call him that his whole career. But I bet he plays a long time. That's a compliment in my opinion."

Even though Walter is the starter opposite Johnson, the Texans' coaches view Walter and Jacoby Jones combined as the second receiver. And combined Walter and Jones caught 102 passes for 1,183 yards in 2010.

"We're all in this together," Walter said. "If everybody understands what role they have, that's what makes the offense great."

When he came to the Texans Walter sometimes was compared to former Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey who played 13 seasons in the NFL, the first nine in Denver.

"I grew up in Chicago and I was always a big-time Bears fan," Walter said. "Walter Payton was one (hero). Jerry Rice obviously… guys like Ed McCaffrey. Those guys worked hard and spent a lot of time in the league."
Click to expand...

And here is a new podcast interview with Eric Winston via 610 am.

Description:

Expectations Are High For Texans Season

Eric Winston, the Texans’ RT, explains his mindset and expectations going into the 2011 season.
Click to expand...

Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcbshouston.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2Feric-winston-8-8-11.mp3&podcast_name=Eric+Winston&podcast_artist=Ben+Nance&station_id=&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

JuLiO-R- · Aug 8, 2011

Looking for some advice here...I'm close to buying tickets, and I'm trying to decide which seats would be better. I'm pretty much forced to stay in the 600 sections.

Where would I get a better experience?

Sideline Corners? (601, 616, 627, 642)
or
Endzone? (619, 623, 645)

The endzone is cheaper, and I can find seats in the lower Rows. (Row C) Or should I pay a little extra to sit in the corner? (Rows F and higher)

http://ticketsbythebay.com/reliant_stadium_seating_chart.gif

DonnyMost · Aug 8, 2011

I'd suggest going for a lower seat in the endzone, the closer to the middle of the endzone the better.

I have some extra tickets to a couple of games this year if you're interested in something better.

Ricksmith · Aug 8, 2011

I'd suggest the Endzone too. Especially if its the 3rd row.

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