[Chron] Morency Gets Handle on Kubiak's One-cut Philosophy

ima_drummer2k · Aug 18, 2006

I predict DD to have health issues all year long. With that in mind, the race to be his backup has a lot more significance. Should be interesting to see who wins out.

Putting the dance shoes away
Morency gets handle on Kubiak's one-cut philosophy

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Unlike NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights, Texans running back Vernand Morency won't shake-and-bake when he makes his preseason debut Saturday night at St. Louis.

When Gary Kubiak became the Texans' coach, he watched film of every play of the 2005 season. After making his evaluations, Kubiak told Morency that if he wanted to succeed in the new offensive system, he would have to eliminate making moves in the backfield.

At times, Morency looked as if he were auditioning for Dancing with the Stars.

Kubiak told him to stop dancing, make his one cut and take off downhill immediately.

"That's a hard habit to break because that's the way he's been running for so long," Kubiak said. "Vernand's very athletic, and he can make people miss. But once he saw what we wanted from our backs, he started to adjust."

As a rookie last season, Morency showed flashes of excellence, carrying the ball 46 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Because Domanick Davis is still out with a sore knee and no one knows when he'll return, Kubiak and offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun are auditioning candidates to replace him.

Rookie Wali Lundy, a sixth-round pick from Virginia, will start against the Rams because of his performance in the 24-14 victory over Kansas City. Lundy had nine carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Morency, who sat out the Chiefs game because of a minor injury, will replace Lundy. The coaches also would like to see rookie Damien Rhodes, who scored a touchdown against the Chiefs, get some more carries.

"I had a nice, long talk in the steam room with Vernand this week," Kubiak said. "I don't want him to be hesitant when he gets the ball. I want him to take the handoff, make the cut and then just cut it loose.

"I think he's going to do very well. I'm excited to see him."

The coaches plan to give two backs a lot of carries in the regular season unless one emerges as the clear-cut winner in the competition to excel in the system Kubiak and Calhoun brought from Denver.

"I envision us playing more than one guy," Kubiak said. "We'll play two for sure. We might play three. We'll definitely have a system where we'll rotate so we're not wearing out one guy."

To be one of those backs, a runner has to block, especially on blitz pickup. If the back can't help protect quarterback David Carr, then he won't be on the field.

"Obviously, we want to establish the run to set up the passing game," Carr said. "I've been pleased with what our backs are doing. They've really worked hard in camp, and I'm excited to see how it's all going to play out. Vernand's a good back. He's exciting to watch."

Morency (5-9, 213 pounds) believes he has adjusted to what Kubiak and Calhoun want from their backs.

"It's not really that tough," he said. "You have to have faith in your linemen and just know that they're going to get the block.

"My style is to be aggressive. Not only is this something I love to do, but I was born to do it, too, and I'm excited about the opportunity."

Morency had no problem with Kubiak's telling him to stop dancing in the backfield, forget about the shake-and-bake moves and just take off.

"He's one of those coaches where you can sit down and talk to him," Morency said. "He's more of a player's coach. You can always tell him what's on your mind, and he's a straight shooter. That's the great thing about him."

Like his coach, Morency watched tape of last season's games. He evaluated himself.

"I actually watched all the cutups of my runs last year, and I definitely agree," Morency said. "There were a lot of hidden yards that I could have gotten.

"I'm really excited about this season because Kubiak is pushing me to be the back that I know I can be and the back that I want to be."

john.mcclain@chron.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
By JOHN MCCLAIN

Changes up front
The Texans are changing their starting defensive line for the second preseason game at St. Louis.

End Mario Williams is moving from the strong to the weak side. Tackle Anthony Weaver is moving to strong-side end, the position he played at Baltimore. Robaire Smith and Travis Johnson will start at tackle.

"Our ideal situation would be to start Weaver at one end and Mario at the other," coach Gary Kubiak said. "To do that, this team has to continue to find another inside player.

"Whether that's going to happen or not, I don't know. We know that Mario and Anthony can play inside and out. When it's all said and done, we have to play our best four. We have to figure that out through a little movement, and we're going to do that in preseason."

Many happy returns
Cornerback Phillip Buchanon and receiver Richie Ross will return punts against the Rams. Buchanon has looked good in practice this week.

"Phillip's very explosive," coach Gary Kubiak said. "There's no reason he shouldn't be one of the top guys in this league.

"We have to be able to win three ways — offense, defense and special teams. If you can make big plays on special teams like Phillip can, it gives you a chance. He's as comfortable catching the ball on punts as I've seen."

Game plan for Rams
Because the Texans are playing their second preseason game, coach Gary Kubiak is planning to play the starters longer than he did in the 24-14 victory over Kansas City.

"Basically, the game plan is to play our starters for about a quarter and a half up to a half, depending on how many plays that is," Kubiak said. "Then we'll play our second team. Sometime in the fourth quarter, we'll bring in our threes (third team).

"The starters could play an entire half."
Click to expand...

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rikesh316 · Aug 18, 2006

I think the Texans will carry 4 running backs. I doubt DD will be ready for the season opener. If they think he we won't be ready until Week 7, they will place him on PUP list. I think DD and Wali Lundy are the only locks to make the team. Morency is the most talented of the rest of the group but we have to see how he adjust to the new system. Antowain Smith is 34 years old so you know he can't be a starter. 3rd string and 4th string running backs must help on special teams and Smith can't do that. My guess is he still makes the team because he could around goaline situations. So I think DD, Lundy, Morency, and Smith will make the team and Taylor signed to practice squad. If it was up to me, Taylor would be on the roster instead of Smith but I highly doubt Kubiak wants two rookie backs.

JamesC · Aug 18, 2006

I'm glad to see the d-line changes. I thought Weaver might be a bit too light to play tackle on a regular basis. That might be why the Chiefs were able to run up the middle so well. I also hope to see Mario have a much better game as well.

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