Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Official] Texans Offseason 2011

Discussion in 'Houston Texans' started by Castor27, Jan 3, 2011.

Tags:

Page 243 of 272

Jet Blast Member

Joined:

Mar 15, 2001

Messages:

2,185

Likes Received:

178

Matt Schaub will appear on Total Access tonight. Show starts at 6:00 on NFL Network.

Video of the interview should be on nfl.com this evening.

#4841 Jet Blast, Aug 16, 2011

rcoleman15 Member

Joined:

Aug 25, 2005

Messages:

1,011

Likes Received:

79

Two pieces from Paul Kuharsky and ESPN.

First up the "Texans Camp Confidential".

Source:
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/26532/camp-confidential-houston-texans-2

Camp Confidential: Houston Texans

August, 16, 2011
By Paul Kuharsky

HOUSTON -- Yes, they brought in a top-flight defensive coordinator, drafted well and signed some good-looking free agents.

Still, the Texans have been the breakout pick so often in recent years and have come up short that it’s completely fair to ask, even with those changes: Why should people believe? Why should they buy this team?

“I couldn’t sell it to anybody,” said Chris Myers, the team’s underrated center. “We’re doing what we do here in camp. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re a Texans fan. Our offense is the same offense that we’ve had and we’re going to try to make it better. Our defense has brought in who we think can change it, take it in the right direction and make us that complete team.

“That’s the pitch. If you’re going to buy it, you’re going to buy it. If not, we’re still rolling.”

To find their way to the playoffs for the first time since the franchise began play in 2002, the Texans need to find the consistency they’ve lacked on many levels -- start to finish in a game, week to week over the course of the season.

That new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has a great record of turning defenses around. Gary Kubiak carries questions as a head coach, but not as an offensive mind.

It’s a now or never deal for Kubiak, and he’s got a lot of talent on his roster that knows it.

Receiver Andre Johnson, one of the league’s top players, says the team’s spent the past few preseasons talking about breaking through. This time he wants less talk and more action.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1) How quickly can Phillips shape the defense?

He's coming off a poor term as head coach in Dallas, but his track record as a coordinator is excellent.

Players on the Texans' defense say he’s funny, yet pointed. He’s already infused the group with confidence, and he quickly identified things that amounted to easy fixes. Mario Williams’ false step should disappear, for example, and Kareem Jackson is unlikely to be seen in press coverages.

“Wade Phillips and [linebackers coach Reggie Herring] have brought a credibility and a confidence to the system that they run,” said end-turned-outside-linebacker Connor Barwin. “I feel like it carries over to us. You know if you do what you’re coached up to do that it’s going to work.”

The change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 isn’t as extreme as some imagine, because Phillips’ 3-4 doesn’t demand a gigantic space-eating nose tackle, and it doesn’t ask linemen to be responsible for two gaps. The linemen are really playing roles akin to what they did in the previous system, with Williams now standing up as an on-the-line 'backer on the weak side.

Creating that matchup as often as possible is key, and Williams should be the centerpiece of the retooling.

Though Williams didn’t look comfortable in the preseason opener, end Antonio Smith thinks offenses will really struggle with Williams and his bull rush.

“It has not been stopped in camp yet,” Smith said. “Since he decided to do it, I ain’t seem him lose. You know what you need to do to beat a person. I think that throughout this camp, he’s figuring out how to use that. He’s added it into his bag of tricks and he’s going to figure out how to use it along with his other moves.”

Matt Schaub and Johnson have both talked about how many more balls are contested and broken up in a typical practice. That difference suggests the new philosophy’s growing on a unit that’s needed not just players like Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning but also the sort of direction Phillips is providing.

2) Will Arian Foster be able to have another big season on the ground?

It wasn’t long ago that Steve Slaton ran for 1,282 yards. He’s disappeared since the 2008 season, however.

Foster said that what he did over 16 games last season proved him capable and that the notion of a fluke is ridiculous. But for the Texans’ offense to get better, he’ll have to follow up his 1,616-yard season and rushing title with another big showing.

“When you come out and have a season like that, then everybody wants to see what you’re going to do the next season,” Johnson said. “I think that is important for him, to come out and show people that he is the guy that he was last year.

“I think he’ll do it, there is no doubt in my mind. Because he works hard and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.”

Houston’s play-action can be spectacular with Foster running as he did in 2010. His style is perfectly suited for the team’s blocking scheme, which encourages him to cut once and take all he can get.

Another big year will go a long way toward setting the Texans’ course.

3) Do enough guys have killer instinct?

The Texans' slow starts and inability to finish were major issues last season. Better personnel and coaching will need to be accompanied by a killer instinct this franchise has too frequently lacked.

“You could put it that way,” tight end Owen Daniels said. “There’s definitely never been a lack of effort. I think it’s been missed opportunities at finishing games. ... We need to find something different this year in order to close out those games.”

A guy like Johnson, soft-spoken but intense, certainly has a personality you can win with. But are the Texans, in total, too low-key? I think it’s a fair question.

“You’ve got to have that [killer instinct],” said Manning, one of the key newcomers. “... If you believe, all this other stuff is going to come into play: working together, supporting your man, pushing him, making him work hard, holding him accountable. All that stuff goes hand in hand. I’ve never seen a championship team that didn’t believe, that didn’t finish.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

When they grabbed him during the 2010 season, I don’t think the Texans expected much from veteran cornerback Jason Allen. But the secondary was better with him than it was without him. Now, with a fresh start, he’s mounting a serious challenge to Jackson, the 2010 first-round draft pick. The team would be well served to go with Allen if things come out roughly even. Jackson’s seasoning would be better for now as a role player.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Antwaun Molden looks the part as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner. But the team has finally stopped talking up the fourth-year man from Eastern Kentucky. He’s not sturdy enough and doesn’t show enough gumption to be a factor in a group where he’s had a chance to add some depth. He had an interception in the preseason opener, but only after he committed a penalty that washed it away.

OBSERVATION DECK*

* Joel Dreessen is consistently underrated. Dreessen can block and, while not as dynamic as Daniels, has a knack for finding open spaces and presenting himself to Schaub. The Texans have a lot of quality tight ends. Look for the team to put three tight ends on the field at times, when they can operate as a heavy package or shift Daniels, Dreessen, James Casey or Garrett Graham into space, depending on the defensive personnel. Anthony Hill is the blocker of the bunch.

* After facing questions about durability, Schaub’s played two full seasons. Now the questions are about play in the clutch. He needs to eliminate moments like the one when he threw an overtime pick-six against Baltimore last season.

* I expect the Texans to look closely at receivers when the league cuts down rosters. Dorin Dickerson currently looks to be fourth in line, but I saw him fighting some passes in practices and he’s still relatively new to the position. Jeff Maehl heads the undrafted group but didn’t look great, either. Receiver depth is an issue.

* Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton could be the best non-starter on the roster come opening day. He’s in a tough spot behind DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, though injuries are often in play with Cushing.

* Myers is a key cog in making the Texans’ offensive line work, and he could be taking his place right alongside Jeff Saturday as an indispensable center in the division.

* The team could be an injury away from trouble at end and safety.

* Trindon Holliday’s speed is not enough for him to overcome his size as even a situational receiver. Plus, he seems easily hurt. The return jobs are open if the team wants to avoid using Jacoby Jones as the punt returner and Manning as the kick returner.

* Undrafted rookie Brett Hartmann beating out veteran punter Brad Maynard is a definite possibility.

* Count me among those not convinced that Matt Leinart can’t play. If this team needs a few spots starts, I bet he can do OK. One of the NFL’s quarterback-needy teams was foolish not to add Leinart to the mix. He’s better than a lot of guys with a chance to start some games this season.

* Lawrence Vickers is better equipped to work as the fullback than Casey, and he should get far more frequent opportunities to lead the way for Foster.
Click to expand...

Second the post game analysis from last nights game.

Source:
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/26517/observation-deck-jets-texans

Observation Deck: Jets-Texans

August, 15, 2011
By Paul Kuharsky

The Houston Texans are scheduled for only one prime-time game in the regular season, Week 16 at Indianapolis. But the new-look Texans got the Monday Night Football spotlight on the opening weekend of the preseason.

Viewers saw a team already thinned out at running back get thinner as a revamped defense did some nice things in a 20-16 win over the New York Jets.

One man's quick observations…

1. The Texans lacked some of firepower, with Andre Johnson (finger), Arian Foster (hamstring), Brian Cushing (knee) and prize free-agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph (groin) sitting out. We saw more, sooner, of Jacoby Jones, Derrick Ward, Darryl Sharpton and Jason Allen as a result.

2. Ward started and didn’t last long before suffering a head injury, leaving the team with only Chris Ogbonnaya and Javarris Williams as its running backs. Houston tried running Ogbonnaya inside too much, but got him going more as a bootleg pass target for Matt Leinart. He caught a short touchdown pass among his team-high six receptions for 67 yards. He ran for the game-winning touchdown from a yard out with just under 2:00 left.

3. Ankle injuries to Antoine Caldwell and Kasey Studdard could mean the team could be thinned for a time at guard as well.

4. Matt Schaub hit on just 2 of 5 passes before yielding to Leinart. Schaub was just a touch off and two of his targets, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter, were unable to pull in balls they got their hands on.

5. The Texans shouldn’t feel obligated to use James Casey as the first-string fullback just because he was the primary plan once Vonta Leach left. They later signed free-agent Lawrence Vickers. He shouldn’t be waiting until the second half for a chance to impact the game. He quickly had a 22-yard catch and run.

6. Second-string inside linebacker Xavier Adibi had a nice night, though he was unblocked on one of his two sacks. Another No. 2, outside linebacker Jesse Nading, was also productive with a sack and a forced fumble. Second-round pick Brooks Reed looked good, showing good burst at the snap. He had one good rush followed by a nice recognition in which he stopped chasing to jump and knock down a pass.

7. The late work of undrafted rookie outside linebacker Bryan Braman out of West Texas A&M is the sort that makes a guy impossible to hide for a practice squad spot. No matter the caliber of the people attempting to block him, he showed a knack for getting to the quarterback, even if he allowed rookie quarterback Greg McElroy to shrug out of a sure sack on the final possession of the game.

8. Will Demps fielded kickoffs and punts early on without much affect. Trindon Holliday was out hurt and the team wisely didn’t choose to look at Jones and Danieal Manning, veteran starters who didn’t need to be exposed to injury risk on special teams.
Click to expand...

and finally....NFL Rushing and TD Leader, Arian Foster, to Host National Radio Show

Arian Foster joins Yahoo! Sports Radio

Posted on August 16, 2011

NFL Rushing and TD Leader, Arian Foster, to Host National Radio Show

Weekly, Hour-Long Show to Air on Yahoo! Sports Radio Network

HOUSTON (August 16, 2011)– Today, Texans’ All-Pro Running Back, Arian Foster, announced an exclusive partnership with KGOW 1560 AM and Yahoo! Sports Radio Network for the 2011 NFL season. The “Arian Foster Show” will air Thursday nights at 6 p.m. CST on more than 180 stations nationwide and Sirius Satellite Radio. The new show will feature exclusive insights from one of the most thoughtful and outspoken players in the NFL. Foster’s show will cover topics including: a behind-the-scenes look at the Texans and the NFL; commentary and thoughts regarding upcoming games; interviews with notable Texans and their opponents; and insightful discussion and debate with network hosts, Bob Berger and Craig Shemon.

“This show will be about football from the insider’s perspective. Anyone who knows me knows that I call it like I see it. I am a serious football player and an avid student of the game. Fans around the country want to hear a forthright and honest take on what is going on around the league so they will get that,” said Foster. “But I am more than a football player. I am a father, a poet and a free-thinker, so we are going to get into some other cool things as our discussions take us wherever they will. This show is definitely not going to be your run-of-the-mill football ‘talking-head’ kind of thing. This show will be edgy, fun and unlike anything sports fans have heard before. I have opinions about practically everything and I am not afraid to share them.”

In addition to the weekly “Arian Foster Show,” Sports Radio 1560 “The Game” will air a call-in show with John Granato every Monday morning during the season at 8:05 a.m. CST featuring Foster. On Tuesdays at noon, Foster and well-known, sports pundit, Sean Pendergast, will produce a live, 30-minute local show every week from a Houston eatery.

“Arian is a big time talent, both on and off the field. We are thrilled to have him on 1560 ‘The Game’ and on Yahoo! Sports Radio,” said David Gow, President of Yahoo! Sports Radio.

About Arian Foster

Arian Foster led the NFL in rushing and touchdowns in 2010 as running back for the Houston Texans. After going undrafted from the University of Tennessee, Foster burst onto the NFL scene on opening day last season with a 231 yard, three-touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts. He spent the season locked in a tight battle with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles for the NFL rushing title. Foster rushed for 180 yards with two touchdowns in the final game of the 2010 season to capture the title. His 1,616 rushing yards and 604 receiving yards are the most combined yards from scrimmage ever by an undrafted player. Foster earned an ESPY for Best Performance of 2010 (of any athlete) and has been featured in The New York Times and Washington Post. The Sporting News featured Foster on the cover of the July 18, 2011 issue with the headline, “Arian Foster, The Most Interesting Man in the NFL.” A philosophy major at the University of Tennessee, Foster is married to former German television performer and singer, Romina Reinhardt. Foster and his wife have a 2-year-old daughter, Zanaya. Foster works closely with The Boys and Girls Clubs and other nonprofits, and most recently worked tirelessly to raise funds for Alabama tornado victims with Subway.

About the Gow Broadcasting and Sports Radio 1560 “The Game”

Based in Houston, Gow Broadcasting, LLC distributes audio content under the Yahoo! Sports Radio brand (www.yahoosportsradio.com) reaching more than an estimated five million people each week on a network of more than 180 terrestrial stations, Sirius Satellite Radio, and a number of digital and mobile partners. Gow Broadcasting, LLC is backed by a private investment group with significant experience in media ownership. The investor group includes Steve Webster, co-manager and co-CEO of Avista Capital, Patrick Dugan, vice president and general counsel of Nortex Corporation and David Gow, chairman and CEO of Gow Broadcasting, LLC.

In 2007, Gow formed a group of 30 Houston investors to acquire the license and launch KGOW 1560 “The Game.” These investors are committed to something unique: a locally owned, locally managed station in an era where nearly every major radio station has been bought by a large conglomerate. The station’s lineup begins each weekday with one of the market’s top sport-talk hosts, John Granato.
Click to expand...

#4842 rcoleman15, Aug 16, 2011
Rocket G Member

Joined:

Jun 23, 2004

Messages:

1,623

Likes Received:

8

Another example of how horribly wrong Pancakes is these days:

Earlier today in his chat he stated that Ogbonnaya would not see a carry again until "maybe" the last series of the last game of the preseason.

Kubiak today:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7699902.html

"Chris Ogbonnaya, the fifth running back who scored two touchdowns, was worn out from so much work, Kubiak said. Ogbonnaya should get a lot more carries against New Orleans.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7699902.html#ixzz1VEZT6CwH"

Shut up, McClain!

#4843 Rocket G, Aug 16, 2011
Aggie2012 Member

Joined:

Feb 22, 2010

Messages:

776

Likes Received:

99

Just got my JJ Watt jersey, from one of those china website. I really hope he is the real deal, like everyone is saying he is. I was actually surprised by the quality of the jersey.

#4844 Aggie2012, Aug 16, 2011
codell Member

Joined:

Aug 26, 2002

Messages:

19,312

Likes Received:

715

Rocket G said: ↑

Another example of how horribly wrong Pancakes is these days:

Earlier today in his chat he stated that Ogbonnaya would not see a carry again until "maybe" the last series of the last game of the preseason.

Kubiak today:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7699902.html

"Chris Ogbonnaya, the fifth running back who scored two touchdowns, was worn out from so much work, Kubiak said. Ogbonnaya should get a lot more carries against New Orleans.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7699902.html#ixzz1VEZT6CwH"

Shut up, McClain!
Click to expand...

In fairness to McClain, and I am neither a McLain apologist, nor do I have a hard-on for slamming everything he says like most on here, but he did qualify that by saying "if the starters are healthy". Kubiak later said Tate & Slaton are going to miss more time, so obviously Oby is going to have to play a good chunk of the game Saturday since Foster and Ward (coming off hammies) aren't going to be pushed much.

#4845 codell, Aug 16, 2011
cmpatel Member

Joined:

Jul 29, 2006

Messages:

566

Likes Received:

7

website???

Aggie2012 said: ↑

Just got my JJ Watt jersey, from one of those china website. I really hope he is the real deal, like everyone is saying he is. I was actually surprised by the quality of the jersey.

Click to expand...

#4846 cmpatel, Aug 16, 2011
vinsensual Member

Joined:

Nov 2, 2008

Messages:

8,460

Likes Received:

794

Aggie2012 said: ↑

Just got my JJ Watt jersey, from one of those china website. I really hope he is the real deal, like everyone is saying he is. I was actually surprised by the quality of the jersey.

Click to expand...

That ain't bad, can you compare the red trim on teh shoulders to actual team colors? I wanted a Vonta jersey so bad last year, but they're expensive for just screened jerseys.

#4847 vinsensual, Aug 16, 2011

emjohn Member

Joined:

Jul 29, 2002

Messages:

12,132

Likes Received:

567

Pancakes also handed us the wisdom that Mario "looked more comfortable" when lined up as a DE than he did standing up as an OLB.

#4848 emjohn, Aug 16, 2011
Scarface281 Member

Joined:

Mar 17, 2009

Messages:

10,097

Likes Received:

4,672

emjohn said: ↑

Ogbonnaya did plenty to make Ben Tate nervous. Someone's got to go. Bummer about Ward - he was fantastic for us last year and didn't get enough appreciation.

Loved what I saw from Watt on the line in general. I thought Reed looked ready to go too.

Very discouraged about Mario, but it is a short season and his transition is a rush job. Hopefully it is a kick in the pants that he's got to be better prepared to read plays and shed blockers. Teams will look to exploit him if he doesn't step up. It's a tall tall order for him.
Click to expand...

What did he do to make Tate nervous? Ogbonnaya had about 2.1 yards per carry and his only big gains were wide open passes that any of our players could have caught and ran for. Tate just needs to get healthy. I think this is good for OB though and hopefully he has some confidence and can get better. He's on the PS though. Foster/Ward/Tate and/or Slaton will be our backs. We wouldn't risk putting Tate on the PS, because he wouldn't last long in the waiver wire (recent 2nd round pick making little this year).

#4849 Scarface281, Aug 16, 2011
Cannonball Member

Joined:

Jul 27, 2006

Messages:

21,888

Likes Received:

2,334

Scarface281 said: ↑

What did he do to make Tate nervous?
Click to expand...

He got on the field.

#4850 Cannonball, Aug 16, 2011

1 person likes this.
Aggie2012 Member

Joined:

Feb 22, 2010

Messages:

776

Likes Received:

99

cmpatel said: ↑

website???
Click to expand...

http://www.jerseysnfljerseys.net/

#4851 Aggie2012, Aug 16, 2011

1 person likes this.
Aggie2012 Member

Joined:

Feb 22, 2010

Messages:

776

Likes Received:

99

vinsensual said: ↑

That ain't bad, can you compare the red trim on teh shoulders to actual team colors? I wanted a Vonta jersey so bad last year, but they're expensive for just screened jerseys.
Click to expand...

I thought they did a very good job of replicating it. The only I can say is the red shoulder strip might be wider than the actual authentic jerseys. But this jersey IMO was the best cheap china jersey I have ordered or seen.

#4852 Aggie2012, Aug 16, 2011
rcoleman15 Member

Joined:

Aug 25, 2005

Messages:

1,011

Likes Received:

79

Quotes: Kubiak Tuesday press conference

Link:
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-3/Quotes-Kubiak-Tuesday-press-conference/91628de6-5aaa-49aa-bc6c-d0126dbca68a

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak answered questions from the media at a Tuesday afternoon press conference in Reliant Stadium. The following is a transcript of his interview.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak:

(on the team’s injury situation after Monday night’s game) “(T Rashad) Butler’s got a hamstring (injury), the same one that was bothering him early in camp that he came back from. He’s on a day-to-day basis as of right now. We had two concussions in the game, both (RB) Derrick Ward and (ILB) Cheta (Ozougwu). Derrick is doing fine today. I think Derrick will be just fine. Cheta actually spent the evening in the hospital. I was over at Methodist with him this morning and his family. He’s doing better, but obviously took a pretty good shot. Let’s see, where do we go next? Who else? What are the other ones?”

(on G Antoine Caldwell and G Kasey Studdard) “We’re still trying to evaluate them as of right now. Caldwell’s is a sprain, typical high-ankle sprain that you never know exactly how long it’s going to be. It’s going to take some time. Studdard’s is actually more than that and it’s still being evaluated as we speak.”

(on how the injury situation at running back will affect practice this week) “Well, obviously we’re sitting there with (RB) Derrick Ward (injured), so that’s probably going to be a struggle with this quick turnaround to get to New Orleans. (RB) Arian (Foster), I’m hoping Arian is on the field in the morning when we practice. That has been our plan all along. (RB Ben) Tate is moving very slowly. His progress coming back has been very slow, so I can’t sit here and tell you that he’s going to be ready to go. I sure hope he is. We were hoping that he would be ready to get back on the field. Obi’s (RB Chris Ogbonnaya) fine. He’s just beat up from last night’s game and of course (RB Javarris) Williams is still here. (RB Steve) Slaton’s going to miss some more time. Steve will probably not be ready for New Orleans, so we’ve got some issues at that position and at the offensive line position as we wake up tomorrow, probably more so than anything.”

(on if he was worried about ILB Cheta Ozougwu’s concussion) “When I watched the film, the opening kickoff (of the) second half I think is when it might’ve happened. He kept playing and took a couple more shots, and it really wasn’t until late in the middle of the fourth quarter that he complained. I think he actually said something to (ILB Darryl) Sharpton. Sharpton came over and told the trainers, and we didn’t like the way he was acting. We evaluated him after the game, didn’t like what was going on and took him to the hospital. He spent the night at the hospital. He was dressing and doing fine when I went to see him and his family a while ago, but obviously took a pretty good shot. It’s going to take some time.”

(on adding players this week) “Well I think we’re at the point right now, I can’t speak for the addition part and stuff like that but I can say here, when you get to this point at training camp you’ve got to get creative when you start having problems like this because you’re three weeks away from putting your team together. Yeah, I’d love to go get two or three running backs and a couple of offensive lineman; that sounds easy, but that’s not the way, it’s not as easy as it sounds. What we’ll do is have to get creative in what we’re doing going into the New Orleans game. We’ll have to adjust practice, what we’re doing in practice, how we’re practicing, how many groups are practicing. When I get through with you guys that’s what I have to start doing today.”

(on who stood out on film) “On the offense, I think a couple of things stood out to me. (FB) James Casey stood out to me. Obviously, he’s trying to replace a heck of a player in (former Texans FB) Vonta (Leach) and we really liked what he did. He not only played the fullback position, and played it well in our opinion, he played tight end also, so we were impressed with James. I was impressed with (WR) Lestar Jean. He’s been making plays at camp, got a couple of chances to make plays and made them, so we’re going to move him up. He’s going to get more reps. Then, I thought the young quarterback - it was good to see (QB) Matt Leinart go in and get going. I thought he played pretty good. I know he can still play better, but that was good to get him going again. I thought (QB) T.J. (Yates) handled himself well. He’s 6-for-12, had some bad plays, but didn’t hurt the team with those plays. He threw the ball away, those type of things, kept his team going, and then made some big plays at the end. So, I was impressed with what he did.

“On defense, I could stay here for a while. I just liked our effort, our total effort on defense across the board. I thought it was exceptional. We got to the quarterback, we made plays on the front end, the back end, the linebackers. If I start pointing out guys, I could point out a lot of linebackers. (ILB Darryl) Sharpton, (ILB Xavier) Adibi played well; obviously (OLB Bryan) Braman, I think everybody’s talking about him and his effort. The ability to rush the passer is exciting for all of us. (OLB) Jesse Nading played extremely well and (OLB) Brooks Reed didn’t have the sacks, so to speak, but when you went back and watched the game, I was very encouraged by him. I thought he did a nice job. On the back end, (CB Sherrick) McManis continues to stand out. Guys that do it at camp keep doing it and he’s been that way throughout camp. (CB Brandon) Harris, the young corner, did some good things in the game. (DE) Tim Jamison did some good things, but overall I think it was a very good defensive effort.”

(on the return game) “Well, we were trying to be very simple when we were playing our young guys from the special teams standpoint. It wasn’t important that we went out there and saw a bunch of (TE) Joel Dreessen and some of those guys that are key special teams players for us. (Special Teams Coordinator) Joe (Marciano) is trying to look at a lot of young guys. Obviously we needed to look at (SS Quintin) Demps. Demps’ chances of making this team will hinge a lot on his ability to return, as will (WR Derrick) Townsel, so we wanted to look at them. It was not good enough in the game. It was kind of sloppy, especially the kickoff returns. We did have one nice punt return to end the game, but I think some of that has to do with all of the people we’ve played. There were some bright spots too. Watching (OLB) Brooks Reed cover kicks, that was a bright spot. (FB) James Casey did a good job once again in the few special teams plays that he had. (FS) Shiloh Keo showed up, just his effort and everything. He needs to tackle better, but the way he went downfield. (OLB Bryan) Braman showed up in special teams, too. That’s what we’re trying to do, just trying to get a feel of who we think has got the best chances to make this team.”

(on how OLB Mario Williams played) “Well, I think he played 15 plays. Our ‘ones’ didn’t really play much football, and the ball went away from him a great deal. The three or four passes that he was in the game on were three-step drop kind of stuff so it was quick game stuff. It’s a learning process for Mario. I’m encouraged by what I saw; the coaches are still encouraged, and obviously he’s going to play a lot more football this week. It is different playing linebacker; and watching him warm up with linebackers before the game was a little interesting. (Defensive Coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and (Linebackers Coach) Reggie (Herring) are still encouraged and hopefully some of those sacks and some of those things that happened with the second group, we start to get with the first group as we play more football. I know Mario is excited with what we’re doing. I talked to him at halftime coming out of the tunnel and he told me that one of the biggest factors in standing up in our stadium with noise and everything was getting off on cadence and coming off the ball quicker as compared to having your hand down and your ear a little closer to the football. I think you’ll see him continue to improve.”

(on how rookie DE J.J. Watt played in his debut) “He was good. He was very good. We only played him like we did the ‘ones’ because he’s done such a good job in practice. He was very active; gets his hands up, and I think he’s going to knock a lot of balls down. He had a chance for a sack that (NT) Earl (Mitchell) ended up getting, but he was a big factor on that play. He doesn’t play like a rookie; he’s a very mature young man, so we’ll up his reps this week.”

(on QBs Matt Leinart and T.J. Yates) “I thought Matt played good. I thought he could have played really good. He missed a few throws in the quick game with some things and he got dinged around a little bit, but I liked his composure and the way he handled his group. He had a bunch of young kids out there with him and he handled himself well. The one interception he had, the ball got tipped, and you’ve got to overcome that. I thought for the amount of time he’s missed as a player - I mean, he has not played very much football - he is progressing very nicely. T.J., as I mentioned, I was impressed. He’s struggled in practice the last few days as his reps went down, but when he went in the game, he acted like belonged. He bought himself some time until he had a chance to make a couple of big plays and that’s what you have to do as a quarterback. He made sure he didn’t make bad plays, and when he had a chance at the end he made a couple of big ones, so he did a good job.”

(on the play of NTs Earl Mitchell and Shaun Cody) “Well, Shaun didn’t play that much. I think Earl played more snaps. Earl and (OLB) Brooks (Reed) played more snaps than anybody in the game. Earl was very impressive. Earl played really good. Shaun played well, too; he only played 16 snaps. We’ve been very encouraged with Earl. Probably the biggest thing for us in Earl as compared to last year is Earl’s conditioning. Earl looks like he can play a lot of plays right now; at this time last year that wasn’t the case, so he’s taken care of his business in the offseason.”

(on how the players have handled the transition to a 3-4 defense) “I think they’re excited. It’s been that way in practice. They’ve been making a lot of plays in practice. They have been winning a lot of periods when we get competitive. We’ve been getting to the quarterback a lot in practice and we did it again last night. The encouraging thing was seeing how many people got there. It wasn’t just one guy, and we probably had three or four more (sacks) that we could have had. I think that excites players, to see a scheme that gives them to a chance to make those kinds of plays and that makes them want to come back in this room tomorrow and say, ‘What do we do next?’ It’s a great start by (Defensive Coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and the defensive staff. They did a hell of a job.”

(on WR Lestar Jean) “He’s a big body. He’s tough to handle when he gets in one-on-one situations, jump balls, those types of things; he tends to find a way to get to the ball. I’ve been impressed with just his body movements: the way he redirects his body, like on the last play of the game when he gets the P.I. (pass interference) but he still gets in position to make plays. He made a catch on Saturday or Sunday morning, I can’t remember what practice it was, the ball was behind and he went back there with one hand. I’ve had DB’s tell me consistently for the last week, ‘Coach, this guy is tough to handle,’ so it’s continuing. I’m going to move him and give him a chance to prove that he’ll keep going. We’ve just been impressed with him, and he’s a sharp young man, too.”

(on where he’ll move WR Lestar Jean up to) “We’re going to bump his reps up. He’ll be competing right aside (WR Dorin) Dickerson when he wakes up in the morning.”

(on the punting competition between Brett Hartmann and Brad Maynard) “They got a chance to punt a bunch last night, but I thought they both kind of did what we thought they would do. Maynard can directional punt and is a really good inside-the-20 kind of guy. Hartmann, the young man, has got a bigger leg, has hit some of the bomb-type punts, but he has been inconsistent and that kind of held true last night. That’s kind of the way camp has been going. Kickoffs are huge for Hartmann. Can he kick the ball out of the end zone? Do we know, if he kicks off for us, that people are going to be starting off on the 20, or he is going to be inconsistent doing that? All of those things will factor in; and being (K) Neil’s (Rackers) holder is important too. We have to make sure he feels good about who’s holding for him on kicks.”

(on K Neil Rackers) “He did good. Actually, (P Brad) Maynard held for both the long field goals.”

(on the newly-signed LS Scott Albritton) “Yeah, he did a good job. We went to Baylor and we couldn’t find one, so we went to CSU (Colorado State University). We picked him Saturday night at midnight and he came in and did a good job.”

(on the consistency of K Neil Rackers) “He’s been consistent. What was he last year - 37-of-40? I think the other three were maybe a yard or yard-and-a-half different to where he’s 40-for-40. He’s been very consistent. He’s come back stronger this year. I don’t know if y’all noticed, he worked really hard on himself this offseason and took care of himself physically.”

(on the offense facing a high-pressure defense this week against New Orleans) “Yeah, the good thing for us is that they’re (a) 4-3 (defense). One of the hardest things for our team this year, and for me as a coach, is that all of our teaching is kind of flipped. We used to get a lot of 4-3 work; we play in a 4-3 division, so we would have to go get our 3-4 work on cards or stuff like that, but now it’s flipped. We get a ton of 3-4 work (in practice) so we have to do most of our 4-3 work on cards. We need to play a 4-3 team in preseason; Gregg’s (New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams) is as good as there is out there and presents a lot of problems for you, so it’s a good week for us. We need to go against them.”

(on what he wants to see this week that he didn’t see against the New York Jets) “Just keep moving forward. Obviously, I’m going to play the ‘ones’ a lot more than I did last night with the quick turnaround, and it’s a tough turnaround with the physical nature that we’ve got going on at some of the positions, but just keep moving forward. Can some of these guys that stepped up last night come back and do it again? Because it’s a quick preseason.”
Click to expand...

#4853 rcoleman15, Aug 16, 2011

Ricksmith Member

Joined:

May 6, 2009

Messages:

6,299

Likes Received:

613

Aggie2012 said: ↑

I thought they did a very good job of replicating it. The only I can say is the red shoulder strip might be wider than the actual authentic jerseys. But this jersey IMO was the best cheap china jersey I have ordered or seen.
Click to expand...

All my uncle's on my dads side have those jerseys. I'm so tempted to order one cause they look authentic, with really good quality, but the red stripes on the shoulder stick out to me. I wonder if a seamstress can adjust it to the correct width lol

#4854 Ricksmith, Aug 16, 2011
today Member

Joined:

Feb 14, 1999

Messages:

2,200

Likes Received:

1,168

Aggie2012 said: ↑

I thought they did a very good job of replicating it. The only I can say is the red shoulder strip might be wider than the actual authentic jerseys. But this jersey IMO was the best cheap china jersey I have ordered or seen.
Click to expand...

Would you mind taking a picture of it and posting it? I'm assuming that what you got may not look exactly like the picture on the website.

#4855 today, Aug 16, 2011
Ricksmith Member

Joined:

May 6, 2009

Messages:

6,299

Likes Received:

613

today said: ↑

Would you mind taking a picture of it and posting it? I'm assuming that what you got may not look exactly like the picture on the website.
Click to expand...

He posted a picture of the back of his jersey. If its the same as my uncles, the only noticeable difference to me on those jerseys are the stripes on the shoulder, and the word "TEXANS" is a little lower below the collar.

Can you post a picture of the front, aggie?

#4856 Ricksmith, Aug 16, 2011
Kam Member

Joined:

Jan 16, 2002

Messages:

30,476

Likes Received:

1,322

Aggie2012 said: ↑

http://www.jerseysnfljerseys.net/
Click to expand...

Lol, they have Houston Oilers football jerseys, but the logo used is the Edmonton Oilers. That is awesome.

#4857 Kam, Aug 16, 2011
Ramathorn006 Member

Joined:

Nov 9, 2009

Messages:

2,725

Likes Received:

164

Aggie2012 said: ↑

Just got my JJ Watt jersey, from one of those china website. I really hope he is the real deal, like everyone is saying he is. I was actually surprised by the quality of the jersey.

Click to expand...

I might get and Olajuwan jersey from that site...did you have any trouble ordering your jersey?

#4858 Ramathorn006, Aug 16, 2011

rcoleman15 Member

Joined:

Aug 25, 2005

Messages:

1,011

Likes Received:

79

Here are Wednesday's news articles.

Up first an article from Alan Burge on the Texans salary cap situation and Mario Williams.

Source:
http://www.examiner.com/houston-texans-in-houston/texans-salary-cap-number-shines-a-light-on-mario-williams-contract

Texans salary cap number shines a light on Mario Williams' contract

Alan Burge
Houston Texans Examiner
August 16, 2011

Don't look now but the Texans have a little bit of a salary cap issue.

We've known this for a while as the Texans had to re-structure the contracts of DeMeco Ryans, Andre Johnson and Antonio Smith on August 4 to get under their league mandated cap figure. But we didn't know their exact revised number until today.

The Texans are only $866,544 under their cap number, according to Jason La Canfora of nfl.com. That's not a lot in case you were wondering. In fact, there are only two teams in the league in worse shape capwise, according to the list posted by La Canfora.

Only the top 51 salaries on NFL teams currently count against the cap. But when Week 1 rolls around, all 53 player salaries on the roster will count against the cap, as will the salaries of players on injured reserve (if their contract is guaranteed against injury), settlements to players waived-injured, and practice squad players.

At least those were the rules in the last collective bargaining agreement.

The Texans could shave a little bit here or a little bit there to get more cap room, but there's one big whopper of a contract out there that's just begging to be re-worked for cap purposes.

Mario Williams is in the final year of his rookie deal and will be paid a base salary of nearly $14 million this year, all of which counts on the cap.

Generally, in a capped year when you have a situation like that (and you plan to keep the player) you re-do the contract by converting a large portion of the base salary to bonus, pay the player the bonus immediately and amortize that amount over future years for cap accounting purposes, thereby reducing the player's base salary and current cap figure.

In the case of Williams, a re-do could save several million off his and the Texans cap number.

So why aren't the Texans working on this, like, yesterday?

Maybe they are.

But maybe they aren't.

And if they aren't, that should tell you something about what the Texans are thinking in terms of Mario's long term future as a Will Linebacker in a Wade Phillips 3-4 defense.

Williams received some criticism for his play last night but that was countered by, a) it was his first preseason game in a new scheme, and b) he played ony 15 plays.

But if you make that kind of scratch, I think the criticism is warranted, especially since Williams' contract accounts for more than 11% of the Texans cap number.

I keep going back to the Aaron Kampmann example.

Kampmann couldn't make the transition from 4-3 end to 3-4 linebacker in Dom Capers' scheme. He was gone after a year.

We've been told not to worry because Mario is really more like a defensive end than a linebacker, and he'll be rushing 95% of the time - or something like that - because Wade's 3-4 is really a 5-2 or a 4-3 depending on down and distance.

I'll buy that, to a point.

And the point is, whether he's hand on the ground or standing up, rushing the passer or (gasp) working in space, Mario needs to show that he can make this transition and that he's worthy to continue to be one of the highest paid players on the team.

It's quite the dilemma isn't it?

The Texans will take a huge financial risk if they re-work Williams' deal before they're convinced he'll be successful with the transition.

The other possibility is that you lose him to free agency next year with no compensation - other than maybe a compensatory pick (max. 3rd rounder) in 2013.

Re-working Williams' deal would save cap space this year and set things up for a trade down the line to a team looking for a premiere 4-3 pass rusher in the prime of his career.

One problem with that, of course, is that Bob McNair may not want to blow $20 million in signing bonus for a guy they may not keep.

Another problem is that in order to trade a player, you have to find a team that's willing to take on the remainder of the contract.

Stay tuned.

Note: Reader Wade Harrison points out below that profootballtalk.com has the Texans at $2.2 million under and I'm not sure of the reason for the discrepancy. Typically these numbers come from league releases, not sources. Cap numbers and 'team salary' have different meanings in the context of cap accounting so that could be one reason. For now I'm going to assume worst case until I find out something different.
Click to expand...

Second is an article by John McClain on the Texans injuries at RB.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7700523.html

Off and not running
An early raft of injuries has left the Texans low on ball carriers

By JOHN McCLAIN
Aug. 17, 2011, 12:15AM

The Texans’ growing injury list was the primary topic of conversation at Reliant Stadium on Tuesday, and it started with the running backs.

Though ankle injuries suffered by guards Antoine Caldwell and Kasey Studdard during Monday night’s 20-16 victory over the New York Jets were more serious, the Texans have injury questions about four of their top five backs, including three sidelined with pulled hamstrings.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he hopes Arian Foster (hamstring) can return to practice today and play against New Orleans on Saturday. Kubiak said Steve Slaton (hamstring) is going to miss the Saints game and didn’t sound too confident about Ben Tate (hamstring) returning.

And Kubiak sounded unsure about Derrick Ward, who left the Jets game in the first quarter because of a concussion and didn’t return.

“Derrick is doing fine today,” Kubiak said, “but we’ve got this quick turnaround before (the New Orleans game), so you don’t know.

“Our plan all along has been for Arian to be on the field in the morning. Tate is moving very slowly. His progress coming back has been very slow. I can’t sit here and tell you he’s going to be ready to go. I sure hope he is. We were hoping he would be ready to get back on the field.”

If Foster and Ward are able to play against the Saints, the situation won’t be so dire. Otherwise, Chris Ogbonnaya will have to come to the rescue again.

“Chris is fine,” Kubiak said. “He’s just beat up from last night’s game.”

Ogbonnaya went from fifth on the depth chart to doing the heavy-duty work against the Jets. He carried 17 times for 37 yards and a touchdown. He caught six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

There’s a chance he could be the featured back again.

The Texans also have Jarvarris Williams on the roster. He was signed last week but didn’t play because Kubiak didn’t think he had enough practice time.

“We’ve got issues at that position and in the offensive line,” Kubiak said.

Caldwell, who backs up Mike Brisiel at right guard, suffered a high ankle sprain that will keep him out quite a while. Kubiak said Studdard’s injury is more serious and that his ankle was still being evaluated. There’s a chance he could miss the season.

Linebacker Cheta Ozougwu, the seventh-round pick from Rice, suffered a concussion and spent Monday night at The Methodist Hospital.

“We evaluated him after the game, didn’t like what was going on and took him to the hospital,” Kubiak said. “He was dressing and doing fine when I went to see him and his family (Tuesday), but it’s going to take some time.”

Offensive tackle Rashad Butler (hamstring) is day-to-day.

“When you get to this point at training camp, you’ve got to get creative when you start having problems like this, because you’re three weeks away from putting your team together,” Kubiak said. “Yeah, I’d love to go get two or three running backs and a couple of offensive lineman. That’s not as easy as it sounds.

We’ll have to adjust what we’re doing in practice”

The Texans will need as many healthy backs and offensive linemen as they can get Saturday. Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams loves to blitz, something he did 18 times in the first half of New Orleans’ opener against San Francisco.

“The good thing for us is that they’re (a) 4-3 (defense),” Kubiak said. “One of the hardest things for our team this year, and for me as a coach, is that all of our teaching is kind of flipped.

“We used to get a lot of 4-3 work. We play in a 4-3 division. Now we get a ton of 3-4 work (in practice). We need to play a 4-3 team in preseason. Gregg’s as good as there is, and he presents a lot of problems for you, so it’s a good week for us. We need to go against them.”
Click to expand...

Third up is the "Texans Notes" by John McClain and Davis Barron.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7700484.html

Texans notes: Kubiak defends Mario Williams' play

By JOHN McCLAIN and DAVID BARRON
Aug. 17, 2011, 12:30AM

Mario Williams took a lot of criticism after his first game at outside linebacker. He took only 15 snaps and was blocked wide a couple of times when the Jets ran inside him for good yardage.

"Our (starters) didn't really play much football, and the ball went away from him a great deal," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's a learning process for Mario. I'm encouraged by what I saw. He's going to play a lot more (against New Orleans).

"It's different playing linebacker. "Hopefully, some of those sacks (seven against the Jets) and some of those things that happened with the second group, we start to get with the first group as we play more football.

"I know Mario is excited with what we're doing. I think you'll see him continue to improve."

Linebackers' sack lunch

The Texans had seven sacks, all by backup players, including six by linebackers. Xavier Adibi had two while Bryan Braman and Steven Friday had 1½ each.

"I liked our total effort across the board," Gary Kubiak said. "I thought it was exceptional. We got to the quarterback, we made plays on the front end, the back end and the linebackers."

Foster adds radio show

Running back Arian Foster will appear weekly on Yahoo! Sports Radio and its local flagship, KGOW (1560 AM), the network announced Tuesday.

The Arian Foster Show with Bob Berger and Craig Shemon will air at 6 p.m. Tuesdays on Yahoo! Sports Radio. He will do a call-in show on 1560 AM with local host John Granato at 8:05 a.m. Mondays and will join host Sean Pendergast for a noon Tuesdays shows at a local restaurant.
Click to expand...

Fourth is an article by John McClain on the overall injuries to the Texans.

Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7699902.html

Injuries taking toll at running back, offensive line

By JOHN McCLAIN
Aug. 16, 2011, 4:57PM

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said injuries are taking a toll at running back and in the offensive line.

Guards Antoine Caldwell and Kasey Studdard suffered serious ankle injuries in Monday's 20-16 victory over the New York Jets. Kubiak called Caldwell's injury "a high ankle sprain." He said the seriousness of Studdard's injury is still being evaluated.

Kubiak said both guards will be out a while. Mike Brisiel started at right guard ahead of Caldwell, who started last season when Brisiel was injured.

The Texans have a short week between Monday's game and the Saints game, their last at home until they begin regular season against Indianapolis.

Kubiak is still concerned about his running backs. He said he hopes Arian Foster will return to practice after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ben Tate and Steve Slaton, both of whom have hamstring injuries, are expected to miss more time.

Derrick Ward left in the first quarter because of a concussion. Kubiak said he's doing "fine."

Chris Ogbonnaya, the fifth running back who scored two touchdowns, was worn out from so much work, Kubiak said. Ogbonnaya should get a lot more carries against New Orleans.

Rookie outside linebacker Cheta Ozougwu, the seventh-round pick from Rice, suffered a concussion and spent the night at The Methodist Hospital.
Click to expand...

Up next are some new Texans podcasts.

First up from 610am.

Description:

Gary Kubiak Show: Training Camp Edition

Gary Kubiak stops by for his hour-long weekly visit to discuss which players have stood out during Training Camp and impressions from the first pre-season game.
Click to expand...

Link:
http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcbshouston.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F8-16-11.mp3&podcast_name=Gary+Kubiak+Show&podcast_artist=Ben+Nance&station_id=&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

Now from HoustonTexans.com

Description:

Ogbonnaya and W. Smith talk run game 08/16/2011

Texans running back Chris Ogbonnaya and left guard Wade Smith described what they saw in the Monday night win over the Jets. Length: 3:00
Click to expand...

Link:
http://old.houstontexans.com/news/PodcastCentral2.asp?AUTO=Y&EID=1444

And here is a JJ Watt interview from Yahoo Sports Radio.

Description:

J.J. Watt

The Texans rookie D-lineman got his first taste of NFL action on Monday Night .
Click to expand...

Link:
http://www.yahoosportsradio.com/shows/j-j-watt-gets-his-first-taste-of-nfl-action-joins-the-cablination-5490/

Here are some new Texans videos.

From Nfl.com

Description:

Houston, we solved our problems

Published: Aug. 16, 2011 at 03:32 p.m.

Texans QB Matt Schaub was pleased with his team's performance in its preseason opener, especially the revamped defense led by new coordinator Wade Phillips.
Click to expand...

Link:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d82181c56/Houston-we-solved-our-problems

And finally from 610am.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kL2PQPqVqO4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

#4859 rcoleman15, Aug 17, 2011
Last edited: Aug 17, 2011
Scarface281 Member

Joined:

Mar 17, 2009

Messages:

10,097

Likes Received:

4,672

Cannonball said: ↑

He got on the field.
Click to expand...

Not enough. All Tate has to do is get himself healthy, and he'll be ahead of Ogbonnaya.

#4860 Scarface281, Aug 17, 2011

(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Page 243 of 272

Share This Page