<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>1st Look: <a href="http://t.co/02QP5NhVVW" title="http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Saturday-Rookie-Camp-Highlights/95d84023-e49f-4515-bde0-5ad4f92158a7">bit.ly/10pYcgA</a> Video highlights from this am's Rookie Minicamp.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/333282538921533440" data-datetime="2013-05-11T18:08:44+00:00">May 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I've been perusing all the camp videos and I'm really trying not to get too excited about Hopkins with the limited exposure but he just appears so much more polished than I even thought.
He's got a great chance to be offensive rookie of the year. With a stud #1 across from him, and a dominant running game, with his sure hands and polished route running...800 yds 8TDs is gonna happen.
Polished is exactly what he is. He's the most NFL ready WR in the draft and will make an immediate impact. I'm very excited for the future of our WR core. Posey looked like he was really coming on before the injury and both Jean and Martin showed a lot of potential. Let's hope Hopkins can become our new # 1 once AJ hangs them up.
Quotes from Saturday's morning practice: Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison Spoiler (on his thoughts on WR DeAndre Hopkins thus far) “Obviously, he’s got great ball skills and he works hard. We’re putting a lot on these guys and he’s working at it. He has good size, good ball skills and he’s getting better.” (on if he sees anything in person that he didn’t see on film) “No, not at all. I think our evaluation was pretty good. He’s right where we want him. We just have to keep developing and keep working at it.” (on how much QB Case Keenum has progressed in one year) “A lot, shoot, for him to come in here and he didn’t really take a ball under center in college, now he’s taking them under center and he understands what we’re trying to do. His footwork has been very good. He understands the progressions, having had the chance to hang around here and work with (QBs) Matt (Schaub) and T.J. (Yates). That helps a lot.” (on how the leadership role and how much that has helped QB Case Keenum) “To me, having him in here has been a great plus for us. He knows how we operate and how we do things around here. He gets a chance to show these guys how we expect things to happen. He’s done a great job in this camp.” (on what he’s seen out of WR Alan Bonner) “The same thing, he’s explosive out of a break. He did all that stuff that we expected or we saw on tape. He’s really done a good job as far as doing that. Again, we just have to keep teaching him and getting him on the right page.” (on if he likes what they get from WR Alan Bonner after the catch) “Oh yeah, obviously that’s one thing, he can run well after with the ball in his hands. That’s one thing we stress with our guys.” (on the versatility of T David Quessenberry) “Yeah, that’s one of the things that we liked about him. He’s able to play inside, outside. He’s a smart kid, four-year starter, does a lot of things and he’s athletic.” (on what they like about RB Dennis Johnson) “We saw him, he split some time at Arkansas and every time he had a chance to play, he made something happen. It’s one of those things that you see a guy make plays in college and you can anticipate he’s got a good chance to make them at the next level.” (on QB Collin Klein’s attitude) “He’s a great kid, very positive. He’s a smart kid. You can coach him. Say one thing one day and he’ll retain it the next day. There is a lot for him to learn, a lot to develop in, but he’s done a good job, a very good job.” (on what he’s seen from WR EZ Nwachukwu) “He’s an athletic kid. He can run. He missed (yesterday afternoon’s practice) with graduation, which I don’t blame him. It’s important to graduate. It’s just one of those things. He’s one of the guys that has done a good job. You can see burst. You can see some athletic ability. So we’ll see if we can keep working with him.” (on if only having two running backs on active roster has made the competition between the undrafted rookies even better) “I think the guys we have in are good football players. I was really impressed with their ability, just in the limited action that we do running the ball, they’ve got some good running skills. They catch the ball and do things, whether it’s because we have two guys on the roster or not, we’ve got a good group in here. I think, obviously, they’ll hone each other and they’ll make each other better.” (on WR Alan Bonner) “I just mentioned it before; he gets in and out of the break. He gets good run after catch. He’s done some very good things. We’ve got a good chance to develop something to work with.” (on if WR Alan Bonner can make an impact on special teams) “I’ll let (special teams coordinator) Joe (Marciano) more talk about that. I’m just trying to get him in the right spot and running the right routes.” (on if there were any injuries today) “Not from me. I’m just here doing my job.” (on what kind of an opportunity this is for some of the first-year veteran players that are out practicing) “For us, it’s great for us to have those guys, between (T) Nick (Mondek) and (QB) Case (Keenum) to come out here and help show the rookies how we operate because they’ve been around. They know what we expect. They know what our expectations are. Certainly with Case, he runs the group. (QB) Collin (Klein) gets to see how a quarterback runs the group for us.” Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips Spoiler (on if anyone has stood out to him so far in the first two days of rookie camp) “Well, the natural guys. (S D.J.) Swearinger, obviously, is a really good athlete and made a really nice interception this morning. He seems to be feeling the defense real well. He’s a really good athlete. Some of the other guys have looked good. We’re pleased overall. We’ve got a ways to go. Certainly a long ways to go, but we’re pleased with where we are.” (on Coach Kubiak commenting that S D.J. Swearinger looked as if he’s been doing this for a couple of years) “Yeah, he’s very instinctive. He’s just learning a defense like everybody else, but he seems to catch on quickly and like I said, he made an interception today where he was playing in another area but made the play. He’s a naturally good player that needs to keep developing, but we like him.” (on what he’s seen from the outside linebackers, specifically with his two draft choices) “I think everybody is a work in progress. We know that. We’ve got a good group. I think we’ve got the best group of rookie linebackers that we’ve had since I’ve been here—same thing with the secondary. I think we have a real strong secondary group. A lot of guys have a chance and an opportunity to help us.” (on if it is tough to gauge defensive players when they are in a learning environment and there is no contact) “No, I mean contact is certainly a big part of the game, but you can learn their athletic skills. That’s what we’re looking at right now. Also, the learning progression, how quickly they learn things and how quickly they get accustomed to everything.” WR Alan Bonner Spoiler (on his excitement at being in the NFL after being the ninth player from Jacksonville State to be drafted) “It’s just a starting block for the smaller schools, especially Jacksonville State. Hopefully I can get a lot of other guys inspired to push hard and work for what they want to go to.” (on Head Coach Gary Kubiak’s praise for his performance in Friday’s practices) “I’m trying to make the plays when I’m called on. I know I’ve got the ability; it’s all about getting the material down and coming out here and showing what I’ve got.” (on knowing what he wants to do with the ball before he catches it) “I think it’s always good to know what you want to do when the ball comes to you. You have an idea of where you want to go with it. It’s always good to try to know you want to score with the ball, so especially when the ball is in the air, just already have an idea of where you want to go with it.” (on having the opportunity to return kicks and punts in practice) “That’s my thing, right there. I love returning the ball, so if I get the chance to do it, I’m going to show what I’ve got.” (on the key to being a good return man) “Vision. You’ve got to be able to know where the defenders are; you’ve got to know where your blockers are going to block and where they’re shedding to and cut off the backside and just know your cuts. Really, just knowing where the defenders are, that’s the main thing.” (on whether he felt more comfortable with the mental aspect of practice today than he did on Friday) “There are not as many jitters. It’s still a load on us, so you’ve got a lot to think (about) coming out here. Our natural ability will come out once we learn the material for real, but right now it’s all learning and trying to go through practice and get through it.” (on what assets set him apart from other receivers) “My routes and my strength in my hands. I like to catch balls up top, so I try to catch the ball away from my body and I think I’ve got good, strong hands in traffic. Every ball that comes to me, I try to catch every one of them.” RB Dennis Johnson Spoiler (on his style of play) “I’m just a one-cut back. I don’t believe in all the dancing. I like to get north and south because you’re not going to score going east and west. So I just believe in going north and south.” (on how he’s going to make this team) “By hard work and determination and making plays every chance I get.” (on his return abilities) “I’m going to be on return. I’m trying to do punt return and I was a kickoff returner in college; a new element to my game, I’m trying to get the punt return.” (on the Texans coaching staff) “The coaches coach hard. They expect a lot out of you. They teach you a lot, too, in the film room. They come out here and we all work hard. After practice, they’re all fun and games. They like to have fun, too.” (on why he chose to sign with the Texans as an undrafted college free agent) “Really I came in here because Arian Foster was an undrafted free agent and I’ve seen where he came from. I’m undrafted and I was a free agent, so that’s why I came here; to learn from the best.” (on having confidence) “Yeah, I’ve got confidence. This just boosts my confidence more. The more confidence I have, the better I play.” (on if he’s talked to RB Arian Foster) “Not yet. I’m just out here working right now.” (on what he’s looking forward to learning from RB Arian Foster) “I’m just trying to see how he prepares; how he goes about doing his business so I can do the exact same thing.” Quotes from Saturday's afternoon practice: Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on the health of the team after the day’s two practices) “Just (T Brennan) Williams. He got rolled up this morning in a drill that he was doing, but we think he’s going to be fine; well, all indications are he’s fine. We had him checked out at lunch.” (on what T Brennan Williams injured) “Actually, it was his knee. We’re going to keep him out tomorrow and then put him back to work next week, so we got lucky.” (on how much progress the offense has made through four practices) “Well, just watching them get in and out of the huddle and assignment stuff, like the biggest thing to me is to watch (WR DeAndre) Hopkins and watch (WR Alan) Bonner work – how slow they were initially just coming out of the huddle because of the assignment and everything. All of a sudden, this afternoon they’re faster in everything they’re doing, so it’s gotten better. I think we’ve gotten a pretty good look at all these guys, got a pretty good idea of what we’ve got. We’ll finish up tomorrow morning, but I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of what we’re working with, and we’re excited to get them going with the rest of the guys.” (on RB Dennis Johnson) “He’s got a lot of ability. I told him five minutes ago, I said, ‘You’ve got a lot of ability.’ There’s some things he’s got to do that will help him become a pro in how he goes about his work, but he’s got the ability to play in this league, so what an opportunity he’s got. With our situation at running back, somebody’s going to step up at that position out of these guys and have an excellent opportunity to help this football team.” (on whether WR Alan Bonner will get reps in the return game) “Yeah, he handles the ball good. Obviously, you don’t get to see a returner live until you put some pads on, but he handles the football real good. He catches it, makes good decisions, so we knew that. He made some big plays in college and we’ll give him a chance.” (on whether he notices if players from smaller schools react differently to the opportunity than those from big schools do) “I don’t know that I see that big of a difference. You’re talking about as far as a guy who played in the SEC as compared to a kid that played at Jacksonville State? I think once they get out here, they’re all players and the first thing you’re looking for as a coach is the ability to play in our league. We know what it takes and have been doing it a long time, and you see guys like a (WR Alan) Bonner that comes from a small school and you watch him run around and you know what type of ability he has, and yet you see (S D.J.) Swearinger, who’s been playing at a big-time level in college and obviously he’s got a ton of ability. So we’re just trying to give them all a chance and see if they can help us out.” (on the status of T Brennan Williams) “He’s fine. We’ll hold him; we held him this afternoon and we’ll hold him in the morning and put him back to work with our guys next week. He’ll be OK.” (on attending his son Klein’s graduation from Rice University this morning) “Graduation was good. He said he was graduating, so I went to check. They called his name, so he was good.” OLB Justin Tuggle Spoiler (on what things have been like since arriving in Houston) “It’s taken me time to get adjusted to everything. I’m in a new scheme; I’m in a new place, but I feel good about it. First day was a little fast, trying to pick up and everything. Like everything in life, you have to take it day-by-day and make progress and just keep working hard.” (on knowing what it takes and the opportunity that he has) “It feels good. It feels really god. I’m happy that I’m here. I’m happy that I’m playing the position that I am and I’m happy that I’m getting the reps that I am right now, before everybody else gets here, at the rookie camp and just try to get ahead so that when everyone else is here, I can just play fast and not have to worry about the assignments because I got a little bit ahead of the game.” (on if he played linebacker when he was younger) “I played a little bit in high school, but mostly just quarterback.” T Brennan Williams Spoiler (on the status of his injury) “I’m feeling great. Somebody’s been praying for me. I’m doing alright.” (on if there is any discomfort in his knee) “Just a little bit of swelling. Nothing too bad. I’ll be back pretty soon.” (on if he expects to be ready for practice tomorrow morning) “Not tomorrow morning. I’m supposed to lay off it a little bit more.” (on if he landed funny on his knee at practice this morning) “It got rolled up a little bit. It was nothing major. Like I said, somebody was praying for me and I dodged a bullet. I’ll be back. No surgery, nothing major.” (on if it was the same knee he had work done on in college) “Different knee.” (on if he had a MRI) “Yeah, I went over to Methodist and had it looked at. That was it.” (on if he was still able to pick up things and learn even though he wasn’t practicing) “Yeah, I’ve been out of practice before. I’ve been playing for a long time. You get injured and then you take mental reps and you focus on what everybody else is doing and sometimes a mental rep is just as good as a physical one. Actually, I think I got a better understanding of what we were running today just based off of watching it up close.”
On another team, he might be my favorite to be offensive ROY. But with Kubiak's conservative play-calling, we'll see. To start the season, the Texans may continue doing what's always been comfortable for them: Handing the ball off to Arian Foster and throwing to AJ & the TEs. Hopkins may have to force his way into the "rotation". I have no doubt Hopkins will maximize the opportunities given. Regardless of how he starts the season, he should finish very strong.
DeAndre Hopkins should see some time as WR1 next year, while AJ80 gets a breather. Maybe in two years, Hopkins can split time with AJ80 as WR1. If AJ80 wants to play 5 more years, this is his way forward.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a> just finished their 3-day, 5-practice rookie mini-camp. Decisions ahead now for Smith/Kubiak on 17 tryout players</p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/333619594310860801" data-datetime="2013-05-12T16:28:04+00:00">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak said he's about to have a "long talk" with QB Collin Klein. Impressed with how far he came in 2.5 days <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/333620605037473792" data-datetime="2013-05-12T16:32:05+00:00">May 12, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> How likely is it we keep 4 QBs on the game day roster? When is the deadline to make a decision?
What are you talking about? Texans are #5 in yards per game, #8 in points per game, #3 in plays from scrimmage and #6 in yards per play. Yes Kubes is on the conservative side but he still manages to make big plays and put up big numbers. Whoever was in the # 2 position at WR got plenty of opportunities but i dont think it was a lack of play calling but a lack of them producing. We saw, in the playoffs, that Kubes was Growing more confident in calling plays for Posey
Quotes from the final rookie minicamp practice today: Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on how the players performed in rookie mini-camp) “I mean, you look at all of them; they all moved around good. They all picked up what we did pretty quick. Right now is a tough day because I’ve got to go in there; there’s a bunch of guys here on a tryout standpoint that that we’ve got to say no to and those type of things. But yet all the other guys are here and they wake up tomorrow morning and walk in the locker room with Andre (Johnson) and J.J. (Watt) and the boys. A lot going on right now, but very proud of the way these guys worked.” (on QB Collin Klein) “I tell you what, it was impressive. I’m fixing to go up and have a long talk with him. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but to watch how far the guy came in two and a half days; really played probably his best day out here today. He’s found a way his whole career and he’s probably going to find a way this time, too. He’s done a good job.” (on if any of the running backs stood out to him) “They all do. I think they all have an excellent chance to help our team. I think it’s going to come down to how well they play for (special teams coordinator) Joe (Marciano) and special teams, but they’ve all got running ability. One of them is a tryout. They young man that played for Indy last year (DejiKarim). It’ll be a great opportunity for the three guys that we end up taking to camp.” (on WR Alan Bonner after watching him for three days) “His best day was this morning. A ton of ability. It’s going to all be mental, making a change, what we ask him to do. But the physical ability is everything we thought it was.” (on OLBs Trevardo Williams and Sam Montgomery) “I would say that (Trevardo) Williams is a little ahead of (Sam) Montgomery. Montgomery struggled with his back and some stiffness. He did get better as the few days went along. I think the thing that he’s got to do is get with (head strength and conditioning coach) Cedric (Smith) and get in our conditioning program; get a little bit better from that standpoint. I think Williams was exactly what we thought. Tremendous speed. He can really run. So settling them down at one spot, letting them compete will be the key. But they were both fine.” (on WR DeAndre Hopkins after three days of practice) “He’s special. Ball skills are extremely special. Very long; long arms. Big hands; you saw the catch he made out here today. He’s going to help us early and we know that and that’s why we brought him here. Right now it’s really a matter of settling him down mentally and learning what he’s doing so all the skill keeps taking over where it’s not a bog-down process. It’s going to be a big six weeks for him.” (on QB Collin Klein having potential) “I know it. He’s got a ton. For what he did in college and what Jake (Plummer) has been doing with him, he’s come a long way, as far as working under center and stuff. The arm strength is there. The delivery is a little different but you work with that. But his instincts as a football player you can’t coach; the way he just takes off and stuff like that. Like I said, we’re fixing to sit down and have a good long talk, he and I, but I think this kid’s going to beat the bushes and he’s going to figure out a way. I’m very impressed with him.” OLB Sam Montgomery Spoiler (onif it was a frustrating rookie camp because of the tightness in his back) “No, it’s not frustrating. It’s just something that you keep an open about and keep working at it every day. The trainers have helped me and we’ve been doing a great job, extra time in doing rehab and stuff like that. Just making sure that I’m worked out, flexed out real good, hips are loose and everything. Those guys do a tremendous job. That is probably one of the greatest training staffs I’ve ever been around.” (on what he was able to do to impress the coaches during camp) “I think over the last three days I’ve shown a lot of intensity and enthusiasm, showing guys that I won’t quit. Coming out here every day ready to work and never giving up on a play and just getting better and better at the things that Coach asks me to do every day, really just loosen it up and play some great football.” (on if he’s enjoying what the coaches have him doing) “Oh yeah, I love it. It’s a great challenge: new system, I get to learn and educate myself on the game a lot more, be a lot more freer. Being out in space is pretty cool.” (on what he has to learn the most) “I think the biggest thing I have to pick up on is how the Texans do things here. They’re at a whole different level. Their intensity, how enthusiastic they are about the game that definitely is something that comes through experience, get around the older guys and seeing what the coaches expect. The players’ standards are probably 20 times higher. I’m just trying to keep up with those guys and contribute to a great defense. That’s one of my main priorities right now.” (on what they are teaching him position-wise) “They’re trying to teach me how to stand up, teach me how to drop back. Just teach me how to maximize my potential to be an ultimate football player.” (on if the physical or mental aspect of changing positions is tougher) “It’s really both. With a new position, things have to be learned. Things have to be trained. I really have to do stuff on my off time, which I do and the trainers help me do. It’s really a responsibility that I have to take into my own hands. Every day, consistently, I keep getting better. I keep coming out, never quitting, never giving up.” (on the comfort level with transitioning to the NFL with S D.J. Swearinger alongside him) “Just to have D.J. out here, the comfort level raises up tremendously. Just to have a great chemistry of older guys that do the right thing on and off the field, such hard workers, such strong leaders, that makes it 10 times more comfortable. You get up under an older guy and you keep your mouth shut, do what he says, follow his example and you get stuff done and you create a friendship and a family.” (on S D.J. Swearinger saying that he looks out for Sam Montgomery) “Oh yeah, D.J. always makes sure you go here or go there, run faster, jump higher. We push each other to jump higher, hit harder. It’s definitely something where we raise our maximum potential each day.” Btw, today is the halfway point in the Texans offseason. It's been 17 weeks since they last played a game and we're 17 weeks (+ 1 day) from the regular season beginning.
Considering there have only been like 3 or 4 WR's to win in the past 25 years - I wouldn't think so. Y'all are cray. Maybe one of the tackles will win it, that'd be fun.
