Hopefully we can lock Barwin up before the season. If he has another big year, he's due for a big payday.
Brown is about 100x more valuable to the Texans than Barwin. Love Connor, but signing him shouldnt be at the top of the priority list, specially when he can command close to 10 million a year.
The point is to sign him to an extension before he can 'command' anything. He may be worth $10m per year legitimately. If he's willing to sign a below market deal, e.g. $8m-$9m per year, then they should jump on that.
Move if necessary... J.J. Watt on NFL32 Spoiler How's your health? Doing well. Ahead of schedule. Almost full range of motion back. Can do push ups and light bench press. I feel good. I feel confident I'll be back for the first game, maybe earlier. Before it was 'Yeah, but...' for the Texans. Now coming off winning the division and a playoff appearance. A lot of expectations. How are you dealing with the pressure of being favorites in the AFC? We're excited. No one puts more pressure on us than ourselves. We're always going to be the hunters. You have to have that hunter mentality and look for that W. Responding to Cushing(paraphrasing--it being nice having to do 'nothing' while they practice in the 105 degree heat): Cush knows I'm up at 4:30 every morning. They are working hard in this heat. He knows I feel bad I can't be out there. Can't wait to be out there. Take us to last week when you were catching balls off the jug machine. 50 straight catches without dropping one? Yeah, [dropped a four early and then] went on a streak catching 50 with my right hand to keep myself active. I hate the guys seeing me do nothing. We heard your D coordinator say you'll have a bust in Canton. I appreciate it. High words. If it came from anyone else, it might be brushed to the side. It's a goal everyone should have for themselves. You have to believe in yourself. Nice to see that someone else sees it too. One thing you want to work on? Excited to work on my pass rush moves. I started to figure out how to set up my moves near the end of last year. This D was great last year but there has been change. Mario & DeMeco are gone. How will you manage the D without them two? We have a lot of good players. We have a heck of a D and a smart D coordinator who puts us in position. We keep working hard and give 100% and let our play do the talking. 16 hour days for you on rehab. You said you were doing push-ups, you will be ready for the season opener? No doubt I'll be ready for game one. I'll take care of our trainers. I appreciate them.
I would take the chance on him duplicating or exceeding last years performance before I sign him. Brown on the other hand , top 5 money. The sooner the better.
I understand the point of the extension...but even at 8-9 million per year...thats not really much of a benefit compared to the 10 million he may get after the season. I dont think the Texans are in a good spot with this...you have to pick and choose your salaries wisely to remain a contender in the NFL. Is it better to have a combo of Reed, Barwin, and Mercilus for a combined 11 million per year (if Barwin signs an extension for 8-9 per year) or is it better to have a combination of Reed, Mercilus, and a rookie or FA for a combined 3-4 million per year? You could save 7-8 million dollars without much of a drop off (I think Mercilus will prove to be better than Barwin)...and you can allocate those funds to areas of weakness. Its all about being as efficient as possible with every dollar on the salary cap. If signing Barwin makes it complicated to keep Brown, Schaub, Quin, Casey or the host of other looming free agents...then its not worth it, imo. Its a tough situation, but I think the Texans need to be careful here, since we are already very iffy with our salary cap situation.
All good points. I think it'll come down to what the FO thinks the window with Schaub and Johnson is. We've got the underpinnings of a continual contender but that's predicated on Schaub and Johnson holding up. We may need to hold together the current group for an all-in move in the next two-three seasons.
Wednesday's quotes: MORNING Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on the team singing happy birthday to him) “I’m 51 today so that was my present. It wasn’t much of a present.” (on if the team dumped Gatorade on him for his birthday) “They tried and missed. (QB Matt) Schaub had another incompletion for the morning.” (on who was leading the way) “I don’t know.” (on the fun after practice) “Yeah, we try to have a good time, try to keep it loose. It’s (Assistant Defensive Backs) Coach (Perry) Carter’s birthday, too. I guess that brought a little smile to the day. It was a pretty, pretty tough day as far as practice; we’re in full gear and got a lot of work to do. But we made it through, we pushed through.” (on his birthday wish) “If this football team stays healthy and keeps going, that would be my wish.” (on the status of DE J.J. Watt) “He’s doing great. I don’t know if y’all watch him when he’s working on the other field in practice, but he’s running well, he’s in his stance, he’s starting to look like himself. It’s about keeping his conditioning right now because we know he’s going to be ready to go. (Strength and conditioning coach) Cedric (Smith) and Kap (Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Geoff Kaplan) got a huge assignment there to have him ready on opening day. I think he’s going to be ready before that, but we’ve got to be smart about what we’re doing.” (on any health updates) “No. Just (NT) Shaun (Cody)’s still out and (WR Jerrell) Jackson’s still out. Everybody else is back. (ILB Brian) Cushing had a good week, (DE Jared) Crick’s had a good week. We won’t be in pads anymore this week, so those guys should be ready to go unless something unforeseen happens, so we’re good.” (on if the 49ers defense will give him more of a test for the Texans offense) “Well I think Carolina’s defense was very good last year; they’re a 4-3 team so it’s totally different. The 49ers are a 3-4 team; very, very big, physical, in the top of the league all year last year. Their team’s built a lot like our team in a lot of ways; they play great defense, they run the ball well. So it’s a good test for us. As I said yesterday, our preseason is very real, the teams we’re playing are good teams. Next week we have a really tough assignment in (preseason) Week 3. So that’s the way this league is built, but I think our preseasons match up good.” (on the physicality of the 49ers and Texans) “Yeah, we’re both going to play a lot of people, and it’s still the preseason, that type of thing, but that is what we both stand for. I got a lot of respect for (49ers head coach) Jim (Harbaugh), the job he’s done there and that football team. So, it’s a good test for us.” (on if he still plans on playing WR Andre Johnson this weekend) “Yeah, Andre will play. I don’t know if I’ll play Andre as much as I’ll play the ones, so to speak. I’ll have to talk to you guys about that. But he’s been good for two weeks now. He’s at full-going practice right now and doing well.” (on OLB Bryan Braman) “He’s very good. He’s a much-improved player. We’ve talked about guys like (TE Garrett) Graham and you can put Braman in that mix. He’s learned our defense. He’s always played well for (Special Teams Coordinator) Joe (Marciano), but he’s learned our defense, and, boy, he plays really, really hard, lot of talent. That was a hell of a find for a free agent.” (on the role CB Johnathan Joseph plays as a mentor to the young guys) “Yeah, J. Joe’s become a leader. He’s a great player, but he’s become a leader. What a job that (defensive backs coach) Vance (Joseph) has done and J. Joe and (assistant defensive backs coach) Perry (Carter) have done with guys like (CB) Brice McCain, GQ (SS Glover Quin); they were very young, good players, but they really helped them find another level. I’m very impressed with J.Joe; he’s been a great addition to the team.” TE Owen Daniels Spoiler (on QB Case Keenum) “It’s a lot different even though we’re running the same plays. He was having to catch up with that basically starting from ground zero in terms of language. Case has been doing an excellent job coming in and learning the system. It’s just different terminology for the same sets, same looks.” (on playing at home this Saturday) “Yeah, we’re excited to get back in front of the fans here at Reliant, man. Seems like it’s been forever, and it seems like it kind of just was yesterday that we were playing that playoff game, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a place louder so it’s going to be exciting to get back in there. I know the fans are excited to see what we’re all about, and they get to see us play a pretty good football team.” (on if he thinks the team is making progress) “Yeah, we’re just about done with camp which is nice and it’s nice that we have games to look forward to at the end of the week now. It makes putting in the work, a little bit more motivating. You have an opponent come in and we have a good one coming in this weekend. We’re taking it day by day, we’re working, and we’re getting better.” QB Case Keenum Spoiler (on how he feels about getting out there and getting reps) “It’s been great. I take every day seriously as I can and work each day as hard as I can. I know this week’s going to be really cool getting to play here in Houston in front of the Houston home crowd again, so I’m really excited about that.” (on if he sees progress in himself) “I definitely, definitely have, in all aspects. It’s very good to see how far I’ve come, but how far I need to go, too. So it’s kind of both sides there.” (on if it felt any different to get into the game on Saturday) “Yeah, it was different. It was the NFL. We’re playing the Carolina Panthers, we’re not playing SMU or Tulsa or somebody that I’ve played a lot of times. It was Carolina Panthers, and it was different, but it was football; same size field, same 11 players on each team, just a little bit bigger, stronger and faster players. But it was a blast, it was a lot of fun and I’m having a blast playing football. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world.” (on his thoughts about facing San Francisco) “It’s going to be a good test. I think good teams want to play good teams to get better. I think that that’s important, and a good team like San Fran coming in and pushing us, and as far as defensively being able to go out and execute against a team who’s done really well in the past and has a good team. It’ll be really good.” (on having to calm himself down during a game) “You know, you always have to calm yourself down. If you’re going out there calm with no butterflies, then you’re probably doing the wrong thing. Your adrenaline, something’s wrong inside. I always say that if you don’t feel some excitement, nervousness that you probably need to be doing something else.” (on the biggest step he thinks he’s taken) “It’s hard to say because I feel like I’ve taken steps each day. The one I made today was important, the one I made yesterday was important, and the one I’m going to make tomorrow’s very important, too. They’re all very important.” (on if his preparation has changed now that he knows Head Coach Gary Kubiak wants to see him play more) “No, I think as a quarterback you got to prepare the same way each week, whether you’re starting or backing up. I guess it’s a little bit different being a preseason game, but I think every quarterback has to go out and prepare on their team like they’re going to go and lead their team and be the guy that’s playing in there. So I’m going to prepare like I know how and study the game plan and be ready to go for anything.” WR DeVier Posey Spoiler (on the rookies singing Happy Birthday to Head Coach Gary Kubiak) “That’s just part of being a rookie. You expect things like that. It is coach’s birthday. I don’t mind singing Happy Birthday to him.” (on the pressure to play well soon) “I really don’t feel like it is any pressure. You get drafted in this league. You get picked up in free agency to become a pro and be the best at what you do. When I’m out here, I’m just trying to work on my craft and get better every day. This is my job. I want to be professional so that’s what I try to do every day.” (on if there’s anything he has learned about himself as player) “I have to play at a high level every day. I know the talent is there. I’m supposed to be here. I just have to play at that high level every single day and I need to get that out of myself every single day.” (on what it means when the coaches tell the rookies that they don’t have time to be rookies) “Exactly what those words mean. We have to come in and develop and we have to get better every single day. They (coaches) have to see improvement. They have to see us working and that’s just what we try to do.” QB Matt Schaub Spoiler (on RB Ben Tate) “He’s a hard worker, he really pushes (RB) Arian (Foster) and vice versa. They really go hand-in-hand and make each other work to get better. Ben’s (Tate) such a patient running back which fits our zone scheme really well. He can break tackles, he’s a physical runner, but, at the same time, he’s got speed and quickness as well.” (on getting WR Andre Johnson back on the field this weekend) “Yeah, you want to get everyone out there to get some game action before the live bullets go in September. So it’ll be good if he gets out there and we can get some balls completed and just get into a rhythm.” (on Head Coach Gary Kubiak charging him with an incompletion for missing dunking the Gatorade jug on him) “The thing was, it was (OLB) Connor (Barwin) and I both, it was a combined effort, and we had to go over the top of a few guys from the top shelf. It was a long way to go, and it didn’t quite carry good enough, but we got him pretty good. We were more impressed with the rookies singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.” (on QB T.J. Yates saying Head Coach Gary Kubiak still has some speed ) “I don’t know about that, I think that might be a little brown nosing. I don’t think he’s too quick.” (on how he feels the team is coming together) “We’re working hard, we’re just working through things. We got a bunch of young guys and guys that are new to this system, so just trying to bring them along. They’re really studying and working hard, and guys are improving every day.” (on if QB Case Keenum picked up on anything from the offense quicker than he expected) “I mean, yeah. He’s done a good job because it’s so completely different from anything he’s ever run. How we teach our quarterback play, he’s really embraced it, grasped it and is working hard to get better at it.” AFTERNOON Head coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on NT Shaun Cody’s injury improving) “Yeah, he’s doing pretty good. He had a big time improvement in the first 48 hours. I’d say he’s probably the same today as he was yesterday but he’s moving around good. They’ve got him on some type of stimulator that he’s working on. I think that we probably get to next week and I’m not Kap (Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Geoff Kaplan) to tell you, but I’d imagine next week they’ll get him moving around and see how he does.” (on ILB Darryl Sharpton’s injury) “It’s slow. It’s positive but it’s slow. We knew we were looking at a process that was possibly a month or five weeks. The question with him is going to be once we get there in two and half or three more weeks and start setting our rosters, is he close? Is he ready to go or is he still a ways away? So it’s taking some time.” (on his plans for QB Case Keenum) “I really haven’t talked with the coaches so I’d rather not get into that. But like I told you, I would like him to play a little bit more than he did last week. I would like him to play with some of our ‘twos’, offensively line wise, in this game. Do I switch him and John (Beck)? I don’t know but we’ll work through that tomorrow.” (on WR Lestar Jean playing inconsistent) “They’re young. (WR DeVier) Posey really had a good morning and made some good plays. Lestar (Jean) had a good game. He’s been practicing well. He dropped the ball (in practice) but that’s part of it. The young kid (WR Keshawn Martin), we’ve switched him from one side to the other, so we’re trying to check him as far as understanding our offense because he’s going to have to play a couple spots. We probably slowed his process down a day or two but he picked it back up today. That’s going to be an ongoing deal as we work through the preseason.” (on WR Andre Johnson’s snaps) “He’s definitely going to play (this weekend), unless there’s any type of setback in the next two days. He’s definitely going to play. Will he play as much as I play the starters? Probably not. I’ll probably put a play count on him like I did the ones last week.” (on WR Andre Johnson) “He’s fine. He’s doing everything. He’s taking all the reps he can possibly take. His conditioning level looks pretty good. Really it’s a matter of just Andre (Johnson) getting back out there and getting hit again and beating bump again. He knows he needs to play and he’s working his way toward getting there.” (on rookie K Randy Bullock) “Randy (Bullock) is all business. He’s been pretty professional since the day we got him. He’s got plenty of leg to do this job. It’s a lot to ask of a young man and he’s battling a savvy, veteran kicker who has been pretty successful in this league. He held his own last week and we’ll keep going and see how it works out.” (on if the pressure is too much for K Randy Bullock) “Oh no, he’s fine. He handles himself very well. He handled himself in college. I expect him to handle himself here. That’s why we drafted him.” (on if there were any misses in this morning’s kicking competition) “I think Randy (Bullock) had one. There’s big debate on whether the other guy (K Shayne Graham) had one. It was close. We’ll get the video out and see but they both kicked well this morning.” (on what he likes about QB Case Keenum) “I’ve told you this over and over again, this kid loves to play. That’s important. I know that sounds cliché but he comes out here every day ready to work. He’s very smart. He’s picked up what we’re doing. Guys kind of gravitate to him. We’ve got guys from all over this country trying to make this team and he can take his group and get them going in the right direction like he did the other night. He’s got that ‘it’ factor and he’s trying to figure out how to play the quarterback under the center again, and I think he’s come a long way.” (on if he sees some of himself in QB Case Keenum) “I’ll tell you, he achieved. He’s the leading passer in NCAA history. It’s amazing what he’s done. I think the thing that’s been impressive is after what he did in college and then you don’t get drafted. There is no ‘Why me?’ in this kid. He has come here bright-eyed and ready to go every day. He knows he’s got a challenge ahead of him but he is really answering the bell each and every day. He had a great morning this morning.” (on how turning 51 compares to other birthdays) “I don’t know. These birthdays aren’t what they used to be. I spent 29 of them in this league and at training camp so they’re just another day.” (on if he’s concerned that the offense isn’t playing as well as the defense) “I think our defense is playing extremely well. I think our offense is doing some good things, too. We’re trying to regroup with a young group of receivers and a new right side of our offensive line. I think we’re kind of at where I thought we would be as a team. I think both sides of the ball got a lot to work on but we have played very well on defense. We moved the ball pretty good on offense last week. We can’t turn it over, though.” (on if G Antoine Caldwell and T Rashad Butler will start this weekend) “I don’t know. We’ve talked about maybe rotating those guys. All four of those guys will play three quarters of the game somehow, some way. That’s the way we’re doing it. Whether we let the guys operate and think of themselves as starters this week, we haven’t made that decision.” http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...practice/766dd740-580e-4d8e-9313-0b5797d8d2fd
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Derek Newton will start at RT Saturday. Kubiak said he & last week's starter Rashad Butler will get = # of reps <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/236117191043457024" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:08:19+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Gary Kubiak said QB Case Keenum will play with 2nd team against Niners.</p>— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/236117474410647552" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:09:27+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Antoine Caldwell will start again at RG. Kubiak said rookie Brandon Brooks would get the chance but is "not ready" <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/236120878918807552" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:22:59+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak on RT Derek Newton: "Got a lot of ability. He needs to get more consistent in his play. He's very young." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Texans"><s>#</s><b>Texans</b></a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/236121631511171073" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:25:58+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Texans G Derek Newton said G Wade Smith called a meeting of the off. line on the field after practice cuz they weren'thappy w/ their play.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/236122036949352448" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:27:35+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Newton said Smith, Duane Brown & Chris Myers spoke during the impromtu meeting to address practice which Brown said was below expectations.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/236122745241477121" data-datetime="2012-08-16T15:30:24+00:00">August 16, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't have the specifics out here in East Tx and was wondering if any of you would like to start a thread on the next pre season game. Thanks in advance Texan fan.
Quotes from Thursday including comments from Rick Smith and Duane Brown: MORNING Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on how practice went today) “I didn’t think it was very good. It wasn’t one of our better practices defensively, offensively and special teams. I didn’t think we were real sharp, a little tired and feeling sorry for ourselves. We got a big test Saturday so we need to come back this afternoon, be sharp in our walk-through and have a good one in the morning and then get ready to play.” (on if he has finalized who will start this weekend) “No, I’m going to meet with the coaches this evening when we get through but it’ll be pretty much like it was last week. It’ll just be extended time for the ‘ones’ and they’ll probably play a good quarter and a half.” (on who will start on the right side of the offensive line) “(T Derek) Newton is going to start at right tackle but (G Antoine) Caldwell will start at right guard. But between the four of them, they will all play the same throughout three quarters of play. That’s the way we’ll do it this week.” (on the quarterbacks) “I’m going to talk more about it tonight but like I told you, we’ll keep the rotation. I want to see Case (Keenum) play with our second group so he’s obviously going to play more. Does that mean he plays third (in line)? I don’t know. We’ll see.” (on if there is added significance when in a starting role) “It’s just rotation. I think (T Derek) Newton deserves a chance to go out there as starter this week. It’s not anything (T Rashad) Butler did, and the young guard (Brandon Brooks) isn’t ready to go do that if I put him in there right now. We’ll give (Derek) Newton a chance but between him and (Rashad) Butler, they’re going to play the same amount of plays. It’s still a hell of a battle going on.” (on what he likes about T Derek Newton) “Derek’s got a lot of ability. He needs to get more consistent in his play. He’s very young but he’s powerful and he’s got the ability to do it. The question is if he’s going to be able to do it on a consistent basis.” (on any health issues today) “No, we’re good. Shaun (Cody) looks like he’s doing better but I know he won’t play. (WR Jerrell) Jackson won’t play but other than that, we’re okay.” (on if the team is on their regular season routine) “Yeah, we’ve started our routine. We actually got an extra day on Monday. We’ll come in and watch film but Tuesday will be like our normal Wednesday during the week, so we’ll operate next week the way we do in the regular season.” (on the growth of ILB Mister Alexander) “A lot. Health is the biggest issue. He’s healthy. He has not missed a practice and hasn’t missed a rep and when you do that, you get better as a player and obviously it’s showed.” DE Antonio Smith Spoiler (on how much he expects to play this weekend)“Normally, from the past, I think into the second quarter, first half, really. Depending on how good we do. For our defense, it’s how many three-and-outs we can get, and for our offense, it’s for how long they can hold the ball and score.” (on if the defense is where he wants it to be at this point) “The defense is never where you want it to be, you always want to make it better. (Defensive Coordinator) Wade’s got us on the track of doing that. I think each and every week we won’t be satisfied with where we are. I’m not satisfied at all if the defense ain’t at its best.” (on the defense recording eight sacks against Carolina) “Now that’s real impressive. It was fun watching the youngsters get out there and do their thing. I really enjoyed watching some of the youngsters come out of their own, get their pass-rush swag on. They were all up and down the sideline, cheering like they just won the Super Bowl. That’s what football’s all about.” AFTERNOON Head Coach Gary Kubiak Spoiler (on LT Duane Brown’s contract extension) “We’re happy for him. As a coach in this business, you love seeing players who do it the right way get rewarded. He’s been exceptional since the day he walked in the building, not only as a player but as a person. He’s got a lot of bright years ahead of him so we’re very happy for him. The whole team is.” (on why he would not hesitate to get LT Duane Brown’s contract extended) “Well, you’re around Duane (Brown) every day just watching him handle himself as a pro, how he works and his abilities. That’s easy to look at every day. You’re getting an accountable young man for a long time so it’s an easy situation for us as an organization and it’s a great one for him. I think it’s good for the players because he got rewarded. He’s handled himself the right way, done things the right way and he’s being rewarded so that’s a very positive thing.” (on LT Duane Brown’s contract extension limiting distractions) “Duane (Brown) can answer that. For us to know that we’re going to have him for a long time, that’s awesome for a coach to know that. I can say this; it wasn’t like it was on his mind. He’s having a great camp. He’s been working hard and good things come to those who wait. He’s waited his turn and put forth the effort and obviously he’s a happy young man today.” (on LT Duane Brown’s progression as a player since he’s been in Houston) “He’s been special. From day one when he walked in the door, we said ‘You’re a starter.’ We put a lot of pressure on him. He had not played tackle a long time in college. Remember, he was a tight end at one time, so the progress that he made with the load that was put on him early in his career, he responded to and he’s been good ever since.” (on LG Wade Smith and C Chris Myers calling an informal meeting on the field with the rest of the offensive line after practice to express their dislike with the lack energy and focus) “Well, that’s important for your whole team. I tell them all the time, if you’re waiting on me every day to police you and to get mad when things aren’t right, then we don’t have a good team. When you start policing each other and your expectations of each other are that way each and every day, then we got a heck of chance to be a great football team. I like the way we go about our business. We were a little sloppy this morning but we came out this afternoon and we rain into what we were doing.” (on how much LT Duane Brown’s leadership played a role into his new contract extension) “Well, it’s a great deal. Obviously, a lot of things are taken into account. Duane, like I said, has not only been a good player but he’s been excellent off the field, in the locker room, he’s had a great offseason, he’s a worker and he’s here all the time. All those things add up to what happened to him today so it was well deserved.” Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Rick Smith Spoiler (on what it means to the Texans to have LT Duane Brown’s contract extension done before the season starts) “I’m extremely thrilled for Duane (Brown), first of all, and for our organization, secondly. He’s a young, ascending player. I think he’s determined and committed to being as good as he can be and I think he has the ability to be as good as there is in the league. We’re excited. It’s another important piece to the foundation that we’ve laid about trying to bring a championship to Houston and build on that.” (on not hesitating to get a deal done with LT Duane Brown) “It was important for us to do a deal but it’s also important for us in the context in how we put our football team together; to come to an agreement that makes sense for us. I thought that his agents, Andy Ross and Kenny Landophere did an outstanding job of representing him and hearing all our concerns and we were responsive to them and they were responsive to us and that’s how you get deals done.” (on what it says about the Houston Texans as an organization to get a contract extension done like LT Duane Brown’s without it lingering during the season) “Obviously, we’re pleased that we had some success in this particular negotiation and it is important particularly when you identify players that you think represent your core group of football players and guys that you want to build your team around. Duane (Brown) represents one of those guys and so it’s always a benefit when you can get one of those guys locked up long-term.” (on OLB Connor Barwin’s contract negotiations) “I don’t comment on contract negotiations in the public and I’m going to maintain that. We’ve been forthright about the fact that we’ve got several guys that are entering into the last year of their deals and to the degree that we can get some of those guys done like a Duane (Brown), like an Arian (Foster) early, then we will. We’re always working that way.” (on the decision to draft LT Duane Brown with the 26th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and the criticism that followed that selection) “What I can say is that was a very tackle-rich draft and he was a guy that we identified that we wanted. We anticipated that there was going to be another guy to go before him. We had studied that draft fairly extensively and felt comfortable moving back. And if you remember, we moved back and picked up that extra third-round pick and we took (RB) Steve Slaton with that pick and we were able to get Duane (Brown). We were excited about it. We thought we knew the type of player that he could develop into and it’s just fortunate that he has.” (on what LT Duane Brown’s contract extensions says about him when players like QB Matt Schaub and OLB Connor Barwin are in the last year of their contracts) “What I would hope that is says is we think that Duane Brown is a really good football player and that we think he is a football player that’s on the rise and that he’s got an opportunity to be one of the better ones in the league.” LT Duane Brown Spoiler (on his contract extension) “I’m extremely excited, man. First and foremost, I want to thank the whole Texans organization, (Owner) Bob McNair, (Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager) Rick Smith, (Vice President of Football Administration) Chris Olsen, Coach (Gary) Kubiak, the whole staff, everyone. I’m so excited to be able to get this deal extended, and to be a Texan for a long time means a lot to me.” (on if he understands how special this is) “Oh yeah, absolutely. I understand that they had a lot of confidence in me, a lot of faith in me to not let me play my last year and to extend it and keep me here for a while. I’m just very grateful. I try to put in as much work as possible and do my part for this team to make it successful, and I’ll continue to do that.” (on if his contract was weighing on his mind at all) “A little bit. When you hear that there’s a possibility it could happen, you can’t help but to think about it. The stuff I was saying before about preparing for the season and preparing to have the biggest year of my career, I really meant that.” (on his emotions when he found out the deal was done) “Man, just surreal. I’ve been happy to make it to this point, to the NFL, but once you get here, it’s hard work and I realized that. It took me a while to mature and to get to this point in my life where I’ve become a complete pro. I’m just happy that they recognize that and have the confidence in me to extend this great deal.” (on his teammates’ reactions) “Just congratulating me, everyone’s happy, everyone knows how hard I work and how serious I take my job. The o-line is letting me have it, of course; it’s their job. I got to thank those guys too because without those hogs up front, I wouldn’t be successful as I am.” (on how he feels about getting his contract renewed with players like QB Matt Schaub and OLB Connor Barwin in the last year of their contracts) “I’m honored, man. Those are two great players, and my job on the left side of the line is to keep number 8 (QB Matt Schaub) clean, and for them to extend the deal to me and show that they want to get me done early means a lot to me.” (on his year, getting married and getting this deal) “It’s been a heck of a year for me, I’m very blessed, very grateful. I have to thank my wife, too, she’s been very supportive. You go from marriage to honeymoon, coming to training camp and get a new deal; it’s awesome. And my birthday is coming up. So, yeah, it’s been an awesome year for me.” (on the Super Bowl completing his year) “Yeah, that’s the only thing missing, man. That’s what we’re working towards now.” (on if he thinks this contract validates talk about him being an elite tackle ) “I mean, I think the Texans feel that I’m an elite tackle and that’s why they chose to pay me as well as they have. My validation comes from my peers and just my performance. I haven’t played a down yet in the regular season this year, so I need to go out and prove that.” NT Shaun Cody Spoiler (on rehabilitating his back) “It’s a process. I got an epidural, like coach (Gary Kubiak) said, to calm things down; everything’s starting to tighten up and calm down in there. It’s going to be a process, of course, but I start feeling better every day. I’m starting to do some rehab stuff from tightening my core and getting that stuff ready. So, it’s going in the right direction.” (on what he’s able to do) “We just started, we’re about four or five days out from my little procedure. I’m doing core stuff, I can do cardio stuff now. So I can move around just as tolerated. It feels really good, actually.” (on if he’s aiming to get back by the Miami game) “No, as soon as possible, really. I’d like to get back before then, you want to get feeling really good before the first week. So, hopefully I can get back as soon as possible.” http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...practice/0492c99b-f39b-4882-ac10-0831b74c8f19
Danieal Manning was on NBC Sports Talk today. You can see the interview here: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/48696408#48696408 I didn't see an embed button so you have to watch the video the old fashioned way by clicking on the link. If for some reason it doesn't work, just go here and look for the Manning video.
That interviewer comes off as a total douche. He repeatedly says that AJ and Schaub guaranteed a super bowl appearance, which isn't even close to being true.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Last training camp practice was this morning-meetings with players tonight and tomorrow morning-then we are ready for SF game</p>— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) <a href="https://twitter.com/sonofbum/status/236470899983929344" data-datetime="2012-08-17T14:33:50+00:00">August 17, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The end zone where <a href="https://twitter.com/arianfoster"><s>@</s><b>arianfoster</b></a> scored 2nd TD in playoffs getting prepped Friday am. <a href="http://t.co/Wch6OBz1" title="http://twitter.com/DoughertyDrew/status/236467397350027265/photo/1">twitter.com/DoughertyDrew/…</a></p>— Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoughertyDrew/status/236467397350027265" data-datetime="2012-08-17T14:19:57+00:00">August 17, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The one that earns the job. Regardless of who's QB3 on 9/9, I do hope Keenum stays around and develops. I'd like to see where he and Yates are 12 months from now.
More good news, ...word is Kendall Wright from the Titans (heard it on 104.5 the zone-sports Nashville radio this morning) is not looking so great I find it interesting, that our 1st rd. pick (Merciless) is doing as well or better than expected. I initially wanted Wright and thought the Titans would have jumped on Merciless when they could have had him...Now, I'm so glad, hell K.Martin up to this point is looking better lol Can't wait to watch the game on my preseason live app Saturday!
