Yes. Because that was one play. Plus I think the Texans have to be in win-it-all mode. Andre is the window. They played it too conservative for the past few years. And he just blocked a punt. So if he could do that every fg attempt that would be great
Interesting story from end of last year on Braman.... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013138406_apfbcplayerdrugcharges.html shrooms!!
this is the nfl, there are plenty of ways to get around contract structures. eagles would have already eaten all the guaranteed money
The other thing is that Cushing's rookie season, as I remember it, anyway, was not a product of strength and brawn, per se - but more a result of a highly-instinctual, football-smart player consistently being in the right place at the right time. I think the suspension and nagging injuries, combined with the train wreck the Texans' defense became last season, had a much greater impact on him than potentially altering and/or stopping a steroid routine. If healthy, I think he's the one guy on this defense that might, with better coaches and scheme, have a (re)break-out year.
The NFL announced a slight change to the roster reduction timeline. Teams must reduce their roster size to 80 players by Tuesday, August 30 at 3:00pm CT. Previously the roster size reduction was 75 players by that date. Teams are still required to reduce their roster size to 53 on Sept. 3.
What's the latest on Joseph? I remember he had some sort of injection last week (for tendinitis maybe?), but I didn't follow practice the week leading up to the Saints game, so I don't even know when the last time he practiced was.
The owner announcing that only makes me believe that Peyton will be ready to go full force by week one.
http://blog.chron.com/jeromesolomon...n-but-not-everything-is-great-for-the-texans/ Solomon: Also expresses a lack of optimism over Ryans/Cushing's health. I agree that he's probably right that we can't bank on Ryans bouncing back from a known career killer like an Achilles rupture. Exactly what went on with Cushing's knee is also murky. How much of a tear did he have? Regardless, I'm very excited about this team. Killah Watt and Reed have looked outstanding, and I think the offense will really put things together this year (seriously, who knew that the run game was going to be so dominant last season? You have to rework the playbook to take advantage). Get Joseph out there, tell Rackers to kick balls out of the endzone like everyone else, and let's do this. Take advantage of the division looking so shaky for once and snag 10 wins!
Props to RC15 a lot of work. Link:http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-3/Monday-practice-quotes/3df79c88-8ceb-4019-a780-9dbbdcf7af59 Houston Texans Transcripts Last Day of Training Camp Monday, August 22, 2011 Head Coach Gary Kubiak: Spoiler (on if there is any new health news) “No, pretty much the same today, Johnathan Joseph back to work. We were real light today just getting moving. We’re going to start our week tomorrow. Joseph was back on the field today. Paul Williams was back on the field today, so a few bodies came back, but other than that we’re still working the same way.” (on if RB Derrick Ward is closer to getting cleared to play) “Derrick did practice today and should be cleared here any time. We expect him to be available this weekend.” (on if he’s worried about ILB DeMeco Ryans) “No, I think it’s just taking some time. It (his elbow) got really swollen on him and just getting the flexibility back and going through the rehab process. We were being smart last week. Today, you all can see we didn’t do much at all. It’ll be day-to-day with him, but I don’t have any doubt that he will be back sometime soon.” (on his assessment of training camp) “I think it’s been good. Obviously the heat’s been very, very difficult, but I think our football team is in excellent shape. I like the way we’re holding up as far as our wind and stuff watching us play. We’re basically done today and get on our routine this week the way we do things in a normal season, so trying to get guys ready for the season.” (on how long the first team will play against the 49ers on Saturday) “My first answer would be three quarters. We’ll see. Obviously we try to play a little bit more and get close to full game. We turn around and play Minnesota on Thursday, so I’ll play them as much as a possibly can this weekend.” (on if there’s any update on WR Lestar Jean) “He’s got a pretty banged up shoulder. They’re in an evaluation process right now. You’re not going to see him out here in the next couple days, but should know more here toward the end of this week.” (on WR Devard Darling) “He’s got some ability. He’s played in this League. He’s way behind knowing what we do, so that’s tough for him, but we’re trying to settle him down to see if he can help us. He’ll play some this weekend. He’ll play a lot of football next week.” (on how important Saturday’s game will be for CB Johnathan Joseph) “Yeah, he needs to get back out there. He looked great during camp and obviously the groin has held him up a little bit. He was back out today. We’ll pick it up each day with him and hopefully he’s ready to carry his load on Saturday night, but he needs to play.” (on how important it is to see CB Johnathan Joseph through a number of reps to see where he’s at) “Yeah, it’s very important. At the same time at the end of the week, you got to decide okay how many is it? How many reps do you want to see from him? I don’t think you throw him out there and play him three quarters. We’ll see how he practices throughout the week.” (on the update on ILB DeMeco Ryans) “Just like I told them, it’s day-to-day. We’re trying to get the swelling out of it, trying to get the flexibility back and trying to be smart at the same time. We’ve got time. We’re not going to do anything crazy with him.” (on the update on NT Earl Mitchell) “He missed today. He’ll be day-to-day. He’s got a banged up knee and we’ll see, but he’ll be day-to-day.” (on how much opportunity he sees for the Texans this year) “There’s opportunity every year. We all get to play 16. The most important thing right now is that we get this team as good as it can be for opening day. We can’t look past anything but opening day and can’t be concerned with what’s going on with other teams. We got to worry about ourselves.” (on how nice it is to have the troops out watching practice) “Very nice, good to see them. The trip I made this summer was special to me. Anytime I see those guys around town, I invite them out to practice all the time, so good to see them out.” OLB Connor Barwin: Spoiler (on changing positions every year for the past few years) “Yeah, it’s been interesting, but I think this is the one right here. It took a while for me to find it, but I think outside linebacker is the position I’m going to play for the rest of my career probably.” (on what seems right about playing outside linebacker) “It’s just the ability to do different things. I think I can rush the quarterback but I think I can play first and second down, beat up on tight ends a little bit. I can drop in coverage and cover tight ends and running backs.” (on his thoughts after the game against New Orleans) “The good thing about this defense is like I said from the beginning, it puts people in positions to make plays. You saw we bent a little bit here and there, but at the end of the day people stepped up and made plays. That’s the good thing about this defense.” (on having the troops out to watch practice) “It’s a great thing. They do so much for us and we provide them with the entertainment to take their minds off what they’re doing. It’s a give-and-take relationship. We give some, they give some and vice versa.” (on putting a smile on the troops’ faces) “Absolutely, I’m happy to put a smile on anybody’s face. That’s what he live for.” (on how much the navy means to his home town of San Diego) “We’re always grateful for what they do for us and in return we give them a little bit of entertainment to take their minds off of what’s going on in their lives. I’m happy to be a part of that and put a smile on people’s faces for a short while.” (on getting a routine down for the game on Saturday) “It’s real important. This is the biggest preseason game. This is where the starters play the majority of the game. We’re treating it just like a game week. We got a lot of respect for the 49ers and the organization and we’re looking to prove the next week that we can play in this League because that’s what it’s all about.” (on if the Saints would’ve scored on the first drive of the game if it was against last year’s Texans defense) “I hope not. I was still playing last year on that first drive. No, I think there’s a different mindset. The culture’s starting to change a little bit. People need to step up and make plays and that’s how you get a good defense.” (on how much he’s expecting to play on Saturday) “I’ve heard I think we’re going to go most of the game or three quarters, something like that. We know we’ll play more than we did. We’ll play into the second half.” RB Arian Foster Spoiler (on having the troops out to watch practice) “It’s a great thing. They do so much for us and we provide them with the entertainment to take their minds off what they’re doing. It’s a give-and-take relationship. We give some, they give some and vice versa.” (on putting a smile on the troops’ faces) “Absolutely, I’m happy to put a smile on anybody’s face. That’s what he live for.” (on how much the navy means to his home town of San Diego) “We’re always grateful for what they do for us and in return we give them a little bit of entertainment to take their minds off of what’s going on in their lives. I’m happy to be a part of that and put a smile on people’s faces for a short while.” (on getting a routine down for the game on Saturday) “It’s real important. This is the biggest preseason game. This is where the starters play the majority of the game. We’re treating it just like a game week. We got a lot of respect for the 49ers and the organization and we’re looking to prove the next week that we can play in this League because that’s what it’s all about.” WR Andre Johnson Spoiler (on his assessment of training camp) “I think it went good. I wish I could have been out there more, barring an injury or whatever. I think it went good. I think this team is very focused at a being a great football team this year. We’re expecting a lot out of each other and we’re just going to keep working.” (on if the team was getting into a groove in the last game) “I think the biggest thing is that we want to improve every week that we touch the field. That’s something that we stress to each other before the game and once this season started. Even in training camp, every time we touched the field, we needed to improve as a football team. That’s the mindset every time we come out here and touch the field.” (on if this year is the best opportunity the Texans have ever had) “We said that last night. We said that the year before that. All that doesn’t matter unless you go out and win games. That’s the biggest thing right now is just going out winning. We just have to take it one game at a time and our main focus right now is getting ready for September 11. That’s what we’re trying to do. We have 16 games to play and we’ll see what happens during those 16 games.” CB Johnathan Joseph Spoiler (on if he’s healing okay) “Absolutely. Things are moving fine, right on schedule where we wanted to be. I’m looking forward to practicing and playing Saturday.” (on how much the injury has set him back) “It really hasn’t set me back because just being a veteran you understand your position and understand what’s asked of you to do. Getting mental reps is a big part of the game as well because most of the game is mental itself.” (on how important the game on Saturday is for him) “I think it’s a big game because I haven’t played yet in my first preseason game. You always want to shake off the rust a little bit.” OLB Brooks Reed Spoiler (on if Clay Matthews is a role model for him) “I’ve been watching him ever since he started. I watch film on him and he’s a great player.” (on what player he wants to emulate) “Clay Matthews, he’s the best in the League, DeMarcus Ware. I watched a lot of Cowboys film during the lockout because that’s the defense they ran a year prior.” QB Matt Schaub Spoiler (on the third preseason game being the most important) “We view it as a regular season game. We prepare much the same as we would schedule-wise and practice-wise we would our reps and how we go about our business on a weekly basis. We treat it just like a regular season game and go out there with our full game plan and get after it.” (on if the team will throw the ball less because the Texans will be running the ball so much) “If that equates to making a run at a championship; whatever it takes. We’re fortunate. It’s a good situation to have a multitude of backs back there that can come in and play at a high level and we have a lot of confidence in each one of them. It’s exciting to watch them run and protect and catch the ball out of the backfield because they all possess those skills to be a complete back. So it’s a lot of fun to have them back there because it takes a lot of pressure off the passing game.” (on if 2011 presents the Texans’ best opportunity to win the AFC South) “I think it’s as good as any. With each year, we get more confident at what we’re doing and better at what we’re doing and keeping everyone together and the continuity on our team, as far as offense goes, with all the personnel that we have, I think it will only mean good things for us as long as we play consistently good week-in, week-out.” (on if the Texans offense progressed during training camp despite nagging injuries) “Yeah, I think we’ve progressed really nicely. Obviously, just starting out without the offseason together and meeting with coaches; I think with every team you’ll find it just wasn’t pick up where you left off the first day. We grew into things and guys really progressed well. The young guys came on really quickly and picked things up. So far, it’s been a nice progression but we just need to keep taking those steps to get better and improve on what we did the week before.” (on if the team is now getting into a normal pattern after playing two games in five days) “I sure hope so. Last week was a quick turnaround from one week to the next, so it will be nice to get into a normal game week because we’ll treat this week just like the regular season.” (on getting more players on the field, healthy) “The goal for every training camp is you want to get to the regular season with as many guys healthy and ready to go as possible and to avoid any serious injuries. I feel like we’ve been able to do that for the most part so far but we just need to keep working and keep getting better and keep playing hard.” DE J.J. Watt Spoiler (on how soon he got a scholarship at Wisconsin after joining the team as a walk-on) “I had to sit on the scout team for a year because of the transfer rule because you can’t play for a year. So I was on the scout team. As soon as that year was over, they gave me a scholarship before my first year as a starter.” (on if there was ever a point where he told himself, “I know I’m good enough now.”) “No. I’ll never say that. You’re never going to be good enough. There’s always going to be someone better. For me right now, it’s Antonio Smith. He’s a great player. As you move up the ladder, you just want to keep having higher and higher goals. At some point, you want to be the best ever to play your position. That’s all we’re working for every single day we’re out here.” (on what Draft Day was like for him) “Unbelievable. It was a very emotional day for my family because when I left Central Michigan (University), my parents had to be willing to pay my tuition at Wisconsin. That’s $20,000 out of their pocket that they weren’t expecting to have to pay. So that day was very emotional because everything worked out. It easily could have gone the other way where my gamble (leaving a scholarship at Central Michigan to walk on at Wisconsin) didn’t pay off, but it paid off in a big way. That was a very, very proud moment for me because my parents raised me to always work hard and that paid off big-time.” (on the months leading up to the Draft, being tested by NFL teams) “Yeah, it’s fun. It was a lot of fun. It’s a chance for you to show what you have and that’s the thing; whether you’re a highly-recruited guy, not highly-recruited guy, that was a time for every team to get their look at you and you could show them if you’re a good player or not. So it was fun.” (on what the Texans said to him when he was drafted) “They said, ‘How would you like to be a Texan?’ I said, ‘I would love it.’ (I talked to) Mr. (Rick) Smith. I talked to Coach (Gary) Kubiak. I talked to Coach (Wade) Phillips, Coach (Bill) Kollar, everybody. It was a very, very, very good phone call.” (on where his love of the game come from) “I think I just try and keep perspective on it. Playing in fifth grade, that was the first time I ever played football and you watched Monday Night Football and now I’m out here playing on Monday Night Football and you just always have to remember all the people who wish they could do what we do. That’s one thing I do; whenever I’m having a down day or a day when I’m not feeling my best I think, I mean, I look at these guys (USO troops who were at practice) right here, these guys in the Army and the Navy. How badly to they wish they could play in the NFL. I have it good. I have it easy. I’m very fortunate and I get to play a game that I love and that’s something I very, very much enjoy doing.” (on how much the Texans defensive rookies have bonded) “I think we’re definitely bonding. If Brooks (Reed) gets a sack and comes off the field, I want to be the first one to congratulate him. Especially this year with the lockout, we’re going through something that nobody’s gone through before. It’s good to be with those guys and especially guys you like. Those are the guys that work hard and it’s fun to play with them.” (on how well he knows OLB Brooks Reed) “Well, I trained with Brooks (Reed) for the Draft, so I’ve been him since about January. We’ve had a lot of fun together, a lot of good memories and we’re going to create a lot more here.” (on the common ground between him and OLB Brooks Reed) “He’s a hard worker and I try to be a hard worker myself. It’s a very good quality we share. And obviously we try and stay cool in this heat.” Jonathan Joseph returns to practice expects return on Saturday vs 49ers Spoiler Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who missed the first two preseason games with a groin injury, returned to practice on Monday at the Methodist Training Center. The former Cincinnati Bengals starter is expected to make his Texans debut on Saturday at San Francisco. “He looked great during camp, and obviously the groin has held him up a little bit,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “He was back out today. We’ll pick it up each day with him and hopefully he’s ready to carry his load on Saturday night, but he needs to play. It’s very important. “At the same time… I don’t think you throw him out there and play him three quarters. We’ll see how he practices throughout the week.” A sixth-year veteran, Joseph said that he doesn’t think the injury set him back because he was able to take mental reps from the sideline. “Things are moving fine, right on schedule where we wanted to be,” he said. “I’m looking forward to practicing and playing Saturday... You always want to shake off the rust a little bit.” Troops at practice The Texans had about 25 troops from the USO as guests at practice on Monday. Players, assistant coaches, Kubiak, general manager Rick Smith, vice chairman Cal McNair and chairman Bob McNair greeted them individually after practice as they walked off the field. Several players signed autographs and posed for pictures in addition to thanking the troops for their service. “We’re always grateful for what they do for us, and in return, we give them a little bit of entertainment to take their minds off of what’s going on in their lives,” Foster said. “I’m happy to be a part of that and put a smile on people’s faces for a short while.” Health check Along with Joseph, running back Derrick Ward (concussion) and wide receiver Paul Williams (hamstring) also returned to the field for the Texans’ light, no-pads practice on Monday. Inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans sat out with a sore shoulder, but Kubiak said he isn’t worried about the two-time Pro Bowler’s recovery. “I think it’s just taking some time,” Kubiak said. “It got really swollen on him and (he’s) just getting the flexibility back and going through the rehab process. We were being smart last week. Today, we didn’t do much at all. It’ll be day-to-day with him, but I don’t have any doubt that he will be back sometime soon.” Wide receiver Lestar Jean also was not on the field Monday. The promising undrafted rookie from Florida Atlantic injured his shoulder against the Saints on Saturday. “He’s got a pretty banged up shoulder,” Kubiak said. “They’re in an evaluation process right now. You’re not going to see him out here in the next couple days, but we should know more here toward the end of this week.” Quotable “If that’s what the head man says, that’s what the head man says. I’m a chess piece. If Bobby Fischer tells me to go, I’m gonna go.” - RB Arian Foster, on head coach Gary Kubiak saying that the Texans’ starters will play for three quarters against San Francisco http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...Saturday/661646ff-0f45-4c95-a9d0-3b6703cf29ba Can Houston's RBs play special teams? by Paul Kuharsky Spoiler Arian Foster and Derrick Ward will be members of Houston’s 53-man roster. Ben Tate is close to a sure thing now that the team has finally gotten to see last year’s second-round pick really run in game action. Steve Slaton is only a couple of years removed from a 1,000-yard season. The team is also high on Chris Ogbonnaya. Four of those guys could be on the opening day roster. But to be the third or fourth guy, Tate and Slaton will have to find special-teams roles to stick. Ogbonnaya’s roster candidacy would be keyed on great special-teams ability. “That could be something that separates them when it’s all said and done,” Gary Kubiak said.”Really you would like every guy other than your starter to contribute on special teams. That’s not always the case. Derrick worked on special teams last year but didn’t do much. But definitely you’d like your three and four to do quite a bit.” Slaton was the team’s primary kick returner last season. He’s listed as the fourth-stringer at the spot on the team’s most recent unofficial depth chart. Odds are he’ll need to cover or block, not return, to be a special-teamer going forward. If the first five running backs on the Texans are healthy, it might be the deepest single position in the division right now. But I welcome you to propose other candidates below. http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/26821/can-houston-rbs-play-special-teams
CBS announced its announcer pairings for this season. Here are the crews: Jim Nantz//Phil Simms Greg Gumbel//Dan Dierdorf Ian Eagle//Dan Fouts Marv Albert//Rich Gannon Kevin Harlan//Solomon Wilcots Bill Macatee//Steve Tasker Spero Dedes//Steve Beuerlein Don Criqui//Randy Cross With the departure of Gus Johnson, newly hired Marv Albert slides into the #4 slot. http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_sports/release?id=29014 CBS also released the announcers for the first three games of the season. Wk 1 Colts @ Texans -- Greg Gumbel//Dan Dierdorf Wk 2 Texans @ Dolphins -- Ian Eagle//Dan Fouts Wk 3 Texans @ Saints -- Greg Gumbel//Dan Dierdorf http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_sports/release?id=29015 Not bad for the Texans with the #2 team twice and the #3 team once.
Albert's a pretty darn good football announcer... good grab for CBS (although he was doing a great job for westwood 1's radio coverage. Wonder if he's still going to do that as well). I expect a lot of Eagle/Albert/Gumbel this season... not a lot of Nantz. And hopefully not much of Criqui (how long has he been at this now?)
"It’s a great thing. They do so much for us and we provide them with the entertainment to take their minds off what they’re doing. It’s a give-and-take relationship. We give some, they give some and vice versa.”
