On their little pregame practice Harris was talking about Stroud looking good throwing on the run off the bootleg, running for a few first downs. That it was clear they were incorporating it, the bootleg.
I love John Harris as analyst before he went to work for the Texans, but since he got that gig he has basically been a pr mouth piece for the team.
Yeah, as much as I'm starved for football reporting by this point in the offseason, I have to make myself either not read his stuff or read it and pretend like he's just a homer fan who happened to get into the team practices. Every year he talks about how positive things look and I get my hopes up about players that turn out to be nothing. It's not to say that this team this year might not surprise, but I can't trust what he says and have to take everything with a huge grain of salt.
I find him to be extremely annoying the way he hypes every player like they're going to be a future hall of famer. I take any of his analysis with a grain of salt and prefer to ignore him altogether. EDIT: I didn't even read RunninR's comment until after posting this. I guess I'm not alone.
He gives good information but you have to do so much work to cross reference information with other sources because he tends to sugarcoat things or just not mention bad plays or traits of the players. His Harris 100 and other formats where he isn’t representing the Texans, he does a much better job of presenting the information more objectively.
I’ve hung out with him a few times, his knowledge is pretty remarkable, and just seems to know about every player, college too. Pretty impressive. But you are totally right, he sugarcoats Texans stuff. Which is why his 100 and college analysis are better IMO. He’s a little more honest in person, or when you ask him questions that show you have an inkling of knowing what you’re talking about. Nice guy too.
Stock rising LBs Henry To’oto’o and Blake Cashman WR Tank Dell DT Hassan Ridgeway DT Kurt Hinish RB Mike Boone Stock falling LB Christian Kirksey: Kirksey has missed the past week and a half of practice while he recovers from a hamstring injury. The veteran linebacker played middle linebacker last year, but will likely play outside linebacker this season with Denzel Perryman’s emergence as the mike. Before his injury, Kirksey was moving around at all three linebacker spots in camp. But the best ability is availability and he hasn’t been out there. The issue with Kirksey is the Texans could save $5.2 million on their salary cap by cutting him. And other linebackers like Cashman and To’oto’o have emerged in his absence. At the same time, Kirksey could be valuable. Kirksey, who finished third on the Texans with 124 tackles, was one of the leaders on the team last year. He’s been at every practice cheering his teammates on. And he provides insurance and depth for injuries. Perryman hasn’t played a full season yet in his eight-year career. When asked about Kirksey, Ryans said he hoped the veteran could return in a couple of weeks. RB Dare Ogunbowale Offensive line depth: It’s almost unfair to put the blame on backup tackles Austin Deculus and George Fant. Deculus has practiced at left tackle in training camp, while Fant has practiced at right tackle. Yet, when the coaching staff decided to sit Laremy Tunsil, they switched Fant and Deculus. Fant played left, while Deculus played right. They had some troubles early on. Deculus allowed a 15-yard sack against C.J. Stroud on the fourth play of the game. And Fant allowed a pressure on the next play (Stroud avoided it and scrambled for 4 yards). “We had a couple of guys moving around today,” Fant said. “I think we were solid, trying to jump in and play to the best of our ability. But I think we are making steps to get to where we need to get to.” But the Texans offensive line must be better as they deal with injuries to right tackle Tytus Howard and swing tackle Charlie Heck. Both should return early in the regular season, as neither was placed on the IR. But it underscores the fact that the Texans have a depth issue. Ryans was asked whether they might pursue a tackle in free agency. “With our offensive line, it’s just going back to work,” he said. “We go back on the practice field and we get right back at it, and each day it’s striving to improve on your past performance. We just get back to work. There’s nothing else to it.” Thomas Booker IV: Booker is another player who hasn’t practiced all camp as he deals with an injured hand. Though Booker can play inside and out, other defensive tackles have emerged like Hinish and Ridgeway. Roy Lopez has also had a great camp. And Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins are locks to start for the Texans. It’s unclear when Booker will return to the field. But the 2022 fifth-round pick has fallen far in the depth chart since training camp began, and will have a ways to go when he does return.
