Sweet, please do. Looking at those KHOU videos, it looks like there were a lot of people out there today. Mario looked like the heat was getting to him. Welcome to Houston, Mario. In the interview, he seemed a little shocked at how hot it was. Those of us who have lived here all these years are pretty much used to it. DD looked good. Knee looked good, but maybe not 100% yet. AJ had some nice catches. Looked like they were running lots of crossing routes which would seem to play right to his strength, which is running after the catch. He's going to be hard to bring down.
I think the fans want something to get excited about. Is that OK. Nobody realistically believes that this team will win 8 with the SOS we have. The owner made the right move in hiring proven winners. This team will be a winner in time. I love getting excited about this team. Between last season and my ex, I'm needing some good news like you wouldn't believe.
I can't wait to see what Mario can do. He's going to have a huge chip on his shoulder he should dominate from the start. I wanted the Bush or Vince bad but I'm over it, I'm excited about finally having somebody to watch on defense. I'm thinking they can get back to 7-9. I'm happy we got Kubiak I'm curious to see what Carr can do he has a heck of an arm just never was allowed to throw the ball down field last season. *I got my Cowboy's Texan tickets a few nights back. Just win that one and Ill be happy
I went to the practice today, but I got there late so I didn't really seen anything good. I didn't get great pictures, the one's posted above are a lot better. But I do have some video clips I'll be posting up later. It was fun, but it was very hot, and they make it worse by charging you 3.50 for a bottle of water. I didn't get any good autographs from the players, only Sage Rosenfels who I didn't know before today. But I did get to meet some of the Texans Cheerleaders, and the Twins are hotter in real life.
Looks like Ryans is turning some heads in camp. McClain was saying yesterday that everyone is real impressed with him and he thinks he will be the starter at MLB. Texans put faith in Ryans Rookie displays lots of potential at middle linebacker By DALE ROBERTSON LINK The prospect of having an undersized rookie start at middle linebacker this season should make the Texans cringe. Except for one thing. Last season an undersized rookie started at middle linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, who weren't seen cringing until they had lost the Super Bowl. No, Lofa Tatupu couldn't beat the Pittsburgh Steelers by his lonesome. But the USC product had a good-enough season on Seattle's behalf for everyone in Houston to keep an open mind about DeMeco Ryans, a Tatupu type who lined up in the middle Monday morning. "Ideally, it's nice to have a veteran in that position," said defensive coordinator Richard Smith, who is quick to remind observers that Ryans isn't ensconced in the middle. "But if the cards are dealt another way, that's all right, too. Right now the position is competitive. We moved him to the 'Mike' today. You never know what might happen tomorrow. Everybody's trying to earn a position." The job isn't too big for the rookie, Smith said. "We're really pleased with what we saw in the minicamps and offseason work. DeMeco is very knowledgeable and was obviously well-coached in college. ... We think his movement skills are perfect for the position. He's smart. He'll handle it. He upgrades the athletic ability at the position." Defying conventional wisdom, the Seahawks had reached the same conclusions last summer about Mosi Tatupu's son and look how nicely things panned out. Like Tatupu, Ryans comes from a college football colossus, Alabama. He knows what big games in front of big crowds are all about, so he's prepared for the NFL, as was Tatupu. Also, Ryans and Tatupu weigh about the same (close to 240 pounds). And although Ryans lost points with the pickiest draft analysts because he's short for an NFL linebacker, he's 6-1, which makes him two inches taller than Tatupu. The Texans love Ryans' intelligence and athleticism. They have concluded there's only one question about the man they made the first pick of the second round of the draft: Can he handle calling the defensive signals and still play instinctively? Smith will spend the preseason ferreting out the answer. "As with anything," Smith said, "he's going to learn with experience and game-time situations. If he can, it's a bright spot for the organization." Ryans' intelligence isn't at issue. He made the Southeastern Conference's Academic All-Conference team in his last two seasons at Alabama. Texans coach Gary Kubiak calls Ryans studious in the classroom and accountable on the field. "The kid loves to play," he said. " If you could see him in a meeting room and the way he goes about his business for Joe (Marciano) and our team, he's like a seven- or eight-year veteran already." Take it in stride Ryans doesn't appear to be stressed by the responsibility he might be asked to bear. "It's a little harder," he said. "In college everybody turned to the sideline and got the signals. Here, one person gets them and relays to the defense. "I did it in high school. For me, it's like going back to high school a little bit." All things being equal, Ryans admits he prefers being the middle to the flanks, but he'll go where he's put. After his NFL career officially began on his 23rd birthday — with the opening of his first training camp Friday — he seems excited just to walk onto the field every morning, despite the heat and drudgery. "I think it was hotter in Alabama," he said, flashing a smile you'll see often. "I'm just glad I have the opportunity to come out here and compete for a starting job. I'm trying to get better, to hone my skills. I like the middle, but it doesn't matter. I feel blessed to have the opportunity. "A lot of people wish they could be in your shoes. Honestly, I don't think I could have ended up in a better place." Ryans grew up near Tuscaloosa, Ala., breathing in the Alabama football tradition from the day he was old enough to know what a football was. The Texans couldn't be more different. Ryans is taken by the newness of everything, not the least of which is Kubiak's coaching staff. Looking to break out The NFL's 32nd franchise has only known defeat in its four seasons. Ryans sees a role in changing that. "I'm in a place where I have a chance to prove something," he said. "Other teams have had the great players who paved the way. Now I've got a chance to be one of those for this organization. "Here we're a new team with new coaches that's up and coming. I like that. It's a way to establish our own tradition and get things going in the right way. It's time to put the bad seasons behind us." The Seahawks put their bad seasons — close to three decades worth — behind them with the arrival of Tatupu, who was also a second-round pick, taken 45th. Informed of the parallels between the two of them, Ryans said: "You know, I hadn't thought about that. But I'd like to go to the Super Bowl, too." He might be getting ahead of himself, but the Texans have to appreciate his thinking.
Good article, ima. Everyone's talking about how Super Mario is going to wreak havoc, but I think DeMeco Ryans is also going to be fun to watch on D. He's very disciplined and should be a great change from the solid but unspectacular LBs we've had in the past.
That top picture where Mario is throwing Seth Wand around like a rag doll looks like he is about 1.5 seconds from giving David Carr the "I could kill you if I want" hug.
Just saw on espn that Wali Rainer will be out for the season with a broken ankle. Just checked quick but I couldn't find a link. Does this make Ryans the starter even if they didn't want him to be?
The article I linked above mentions it, but I must have not pasted it. Click on the link and scroll down to the bottom.
Heat of battle Rookie offensive tackle Charles Spencer and veteran defensive end Jason Babin got into a fight, but they weren't involved in a drill. They were standing to the side, and Spencer slapped Babin, and they got after it, but it was quickly broken up. "It was hot, and we'd been going at it (in drills), and it's just one of those things that happens," Babin said. "It only lasted about 10 seconds. We were too tired to even cuss." They were even more tired when they went at it briefly a second time. chron.com
Thats hilarious. Reminds me of when we used to get into fights during practice. I had my fare share of scraps during practice and games.
For those interested, there is a video of a T-MAC interview on the Texans website. He says he was there to recruit Mario.
Look at the first team the four Preseason games will be the tell tell signs of how the Texans will do this season the first team when the Oilers were a Playoff team except for the last Preseason game they might play the first half of the first quarter. A bad omen is when it is half time like last year Texans and your first team Defense is giving up points to the other teams second and third team offence. Preseason games 1-3 If Carr is still playing in the 2nd quarter that can be a bad sign that means their not executing their plays very well like last year if he appears in the third quarter we will be 2-14 again. Preseason game 4 the score at halftime will give us an idea of how the team is doing if the Texans are winning or the score is low that is a good sign if we are losing by more then 10 points then it could be a very bad omen.
Good. Nothing wrong with fighting at practice, it's all part of the game. There should be more of it. I want these guys to be nice and salty when the first game against Phili gets here.
