I know he has to keep a 4 minute interview short and sweet, but as a former QB coach you would think he'd have a better answer than that.
If the interview was any longer, he probably would have filled out the rest of it with variations of "he's a good young kid" and "we think he has alot of ability".
A report from Texans Training Camp: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=6191 OTAs Day 11: Tate (hamstring) gets on the field By Nick Scurfield June 3, 2010 For the first time in organized team activities (OTAs), rookie running back Ben Tate participated in individual and 7-on-7 drills with his Texans teammates on Thursday. The second-round draft pick out of Auburn sat out the first 10 OTA practices because of a hamstring injury. "It's about time," Tate said afterward. "It felt pretty good. I'm just getting back into the mix, trying to stay on top of everything. My main thing is just to not make mistakes… You might know the plays, but it's always going to be different once you go out there and hit the field." Texans coach Gary Kubiak was encouraged by Tate's participation and said that he expects Tate to be "full-go" on Tuesday when the Texans begin their final week of OTAs. That would give Tate three full OTA practices and three days of mini-camp (June 14-16) before the Texans break for training camp, which starts on July 30. "We've put him through all of the walkthroughs (before Thursday) just to check his hole cards, so to speak, seeing if he's keeping up with what we're doing," Kubiak said. "I think he's been doing that. Now we'll find out physically, but players know he's here to help them. He's got some ability. We've just got to get him up to speed with everybody else." The 58th overall pick in this year's draft, Tate is the highest-drafted running back in Texans history. With that distinction comes high expectations that he can help improve a running game that ranked 30th in the NFL last season. "It's tough, because you definitely want to come out and prove yourself to these guys," Tate said of what it was like to miss so many practices. "You're a high-round pick, so you definitely want to come out and show that you deserve to be here. It's just (about) showing them that I'm going to work hard and I'm going to earn everything." Quin, Nolan stand out As he did on Wednesday, Kubiak pulled the Texans' coaches off the field for much of Thursday's practice to let the players work by themselves in competitive goal-line, two-minute and other team situations. "We had some pretty good days this week," Kubiak said. "Once again covering some situational football, and (we) had some guys doing some really great things. Guys that stood out today: (Cornerback) Glover Quin and (free safety) Troy Nolan are really standing out and doing some really good stuff." Nolan, a seventh-round draft pick last year out of Arizona State, missed his entire rookie season with a hand injury. He has been getting reps with the second-team defense during OTAs. Quin was one of the Texans' top rookie performers last season as a fourth-round pick out of New Mexico. Practicing like a pro Kubiak has been impressed with the way Quin has practiced on a daily basis, and he emphasized that to the team during a lengthy discussion after practice. "I said, ‘Last year at this time, we had a fourth-round draft choice who was just trying to figure out what we were doing, and he started 12 games,'" Kubiak said. "‘That's what the game's about: If you step up and do it, you're going to play.' I told them there are examples all around you; he's a great one, so pay attention." Kubiak singled out first-round pick Kareem Jackson and third-round pick Earl Mitchell as rookies who could be early contributors in 2010. "We've got a long, long way to go," Kubiak said. "Obviously, our number one (Jackson) has been very impressive. Our three (Mitchell) has been very impressive, too. He's going to help us and push some people up front." That's what he said "Golly, it's nice. It's like December in Houston." - Texans coach Gary Kubiak, on the uncharacteristically cool weather at practice on Thursday "No, I think it's great to have it here because it's great for our fans locally. For a player to go and sleep in his own bed if he's responsible enough and then come in the morning for two-a-days, I think that's a big plus, too. I like being here. Obviously, we battle the heat, but our guys have done a good job with that. I think it's good for the city that we're close. I've enjoyed it; I think it's been really good." - Kubiak, a Houston native, on if he would ever push for moving training camp to another site "You definitely want to come in and uphold that tradition, so I definitely think about it. It's something that's on my mind. Everything in my mind is that I'm going to uphold that tradition and just keep working hard." - RB Ben Tate, on the tradition of running backs at Auburn, which has produced NFL players including Bo Jackson, Stephen Davis, Rudi Johnson, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and Ronnie Brown
Good for him. By my count that puts the number of signed players on the Texans roster at 80. From now on anymore signings will require the Texans to let go somebody else.
Holliday has signed. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/14/texans-sign-trindon-holliday/ I read on Yahoo that McMannis has signed as well. We have a TON of good talent from this draft, let's get them all in and start competing!
http://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL Texans waived RB Ryan Moats today according to John McClain. Not really a big suprise with the Texans depth at the position. Steve Slaton, Arian Foster, and Ben Tate will likely be the three running backs on the roster barring injury. Jeremiah Johnson and Chris Henry will battle for a spot on the practice squad.
that's somewhat surprising about Moats. I can understand it, but i thought they'd keep him around through training camp
meh, it's pretty certain who is in the 3 running back rotation already. No point of keeping Moats around if he had no shot to compete
I wasn't really surprised by the move to be honest. Texans need the roster space since their draft picks are starting to sign and are officially counting toward the active roster. Also, since the Texans are carrying a long snapper, two kickers, and 6 tight ends so that doesn’t allow you have to have much roster flexibility. This gives Moats a chance to find a team where he might stick because he wasn’t going to here. There are better backs on the roster with more upside not to mention have cheaper salaries.
there are backs with more potential, however a lot of that is unproven and/or coming off injuries. But yeah, he was the odd man out.
The next move I like them to make is releasing Andre Davis and Jacque Reeves. Both are going be making around $4 million dollars if they make the roster and they are not worth nearly that. Davis is at best going be the 5th receiver and Reeves is at best the nickel or dime back. The cornerback position is full of young players but between Quin, Jackson, Molden, McCain, and McManis, I think they will be okay.
Quin and McCain are 2nd year players and the rest have yet to even take a NFL snap. Reeves is the vet and I wouldn't mind keeping him just from an experience point of view. Wouldn't mind releasing Davis though, especially since Holliday will hopefully take over at KR.
I can see them wanting a veteran but I wouldn't pay Reeves $4 million dollars for that role. I don't think Reeves as bad as some people but I don't think he is worthy of the money he is getting. I guess let them going through camp and see who the best is. Personally, I think Brice McCain is the perfect nickel back because of his speed and quickness. I was reading the AFC South blog on ESPN and Kubiak said Brice McCain, Fred Bennett and rookie Sherrick McManis are contenders to be the third corner on the field. I was surprised he didn't mention Reeves. As for Andre Davis, he is as good as gone IMO. He has been terrible the last two years on both special teams and as a receiver. I don't care how terrible of a receiver Trindon Holliday is because all he should be doing is returning and kicks.
He signed an 4 year deal worth $16 million in 2008 with $8 million guaranteed so he already has got all the guaranteed money. As a result, the Texans won't have to eat no money if they cut him. Jacques Reeves signed an 5 years, $20 million deal with $8 million guaranteed in 2008. The same thing with Reeves. He has already earned has earned his guaranteed money the first 2 years so the Texans don't have any to pay him any more if they cut him.
ProFootballTalk Texans fourth-rounder Darryl Sharpton signs four-year deal with $534K bonus, per league source. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/11/texans-ink-darryl-sharpton/
Owen Daniels signs tender Adam_Schefter It's not the long-term deal he wanted but it's not bad. Texans TE Owen Daniels signed his $3.168 million tender today.
