Archive for the ‘2011’ Category
August 10th, 2011
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The Houston Texans Preseason is rapidly approaching. Monday night the Texans will take the field against the New York Jets and I have to admit...this is the first Preseason in which I am actually pretty excited about.
Some of the excitement might have to do with the fact that the Owners nearly ripped football from our grasps, yet to have it triumphantly return in mid-July in full force. Some might also have to do with the fact that there are some high expectations, but the biggest thing I am looking forward to is the competition at some of the positions and seeing some of the surprises that might lay in store for the Texans this Preseason.
Remember what surprised us last Preseason? ARIAN FOSTER.
So - as fans - what do we have to look forward to this Preseason?
1) The 2nd and 3rd Running Back Competition
Word from people who have been able to be at camp is that Steve Slaton is back. He's making smart-quick cuts, lost a few pounds and holding onto the ball. Derrick Ward is coming off of a solid 2010 season serving as a back-up to Arian Foster and Ben Tate has returned from missing his entire rookie season last year. These guys should see a lot of time throughout the Preseason and it should be a pretty fierce competition to win the 2nd and 3rd back spot, since more than likely...there won't be a fourth.
2) The Fullback Competition
The Fullback competition should also be exciting with James Casey getting a chance to show what he can do in an almost H-Back position that would make the Texans offense even more powerful. On the flip side, newly acquired Fullback Lawrence Vickers brings the power and the pain to lay some line backers out and open up holes. The Fullback battle should also be fun to watch. My guess is that they will both have strong Preseasons and since they both have so much to offer in different ways - they'll both make the team. Sorry Anthony Hill...
3) The New Defense
Switching over to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense won't be an easy transition, but it will be fun to watch. We'll get to see more of the starters than usual during the Preseason as they adjust to the new system. Seeing Mario Williams rush from a mobile outside linebacker spot and how DeMeco Ryans handles his comeback from the achilles injury will be two notable items on most fans' check lists, but there is so much more to watch too. Word from Camp is that Rookie defensive end, JJ Watt, is phenomenal. He has a motor that never stops and has been spending practice throwing tackles out of the way to get to the quarterback. It will be awesome to see how he can do that against other teams.
The Texans secondary will also have a lot to see. From the new guys Danieal Manning and Jonathan Joseph to seeing Glover Quin adjust to being a safety to the competition for the 2nd corner and backup secondary positions, the battles here could get pretty heated. Look for Quin to have a solid Preseason and to see quite a bit of time. HSB favorite - Troy Nolan - should also see a substantial amount of time at safety and turn a few heads. I expect Kareem Jackson to not do much and most likely lose his starting position to either Allen or Harris.
It's going to be a fun Preseason, so buckle your seat belts and get ready!
Some of the excitement might have to do with the fact that the Owners nearly ripped football from our grasps, yet to have it triumphantly return in mid-July in full force. Some might also have to do with the fact that there are some high expectations, but the biggest thing I am looking forward to is the competition at some of the positions and seeing some of the surprises that might lay in store for the Texans this Preseason.
Remember what surprised us last Preseason? ARIAN FOSTER.
So - as fans - what do we have to look forward to this Preseason?
1) The 2nd and 3rd Running Back Competition
Word from people who have been able to be at camp is that Steve Slaton is back. He's making smart-quick cuts, lost a few pounds and holding onto the ball. Derrick Ward is coming off of a solid 2010 season serving as a back-up to Arian Foster and Ben Tate has returned from missing his entire rookie season last year. These guys should see a lot of time throughout the Preseason and it should be a pretty fierce competition to win the 2nd and 3rd back spot, since more than likely...there won't be a fourth.
2) The Fullback Competition
The Fullback competition should also be exciting with James Casey getting a chance to show what he can do in an almost H-Back position that would make the Texans offense even more powerful. On the flip side, newly acquired Fullback Lawrence Vickers brings the power and the pain to lay some line backers out and open up holes. The Fullback battle should also be fun to watch. My guess is that they will both have strong Preseasons and since they both have so much to offer in different ways - they'll both make the team. Sorry Anthony Hill...
3) The New Defense
Switching over to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense won't be an easy transition, but it will be fun to watch. We'll get to see more of the starters than usual during the Preseason as they adjust to the new system. Seeing Mario Williams rush from a mobile outside linebacker spot and how DeMeco Ryans handles his comeback from the achilles injury will be two notable items on most fans' check lists, but there is so much more to watch too. Word from Camp is that Rookie defensive end, JJ Watt, is phenomenal. He has a motor that never stops and has been spending practice throwing tackles out of the way to get to the quarterback. It will be awesome to see how he can do that against other teams.
The Texans secondary will also have a lot to see. From the new guys Danieal Manning and Jonathan Joseph to seeing Glover Quin adjust to being a safety to the competition for the 2nd corner and backup secondary positions, the battles here could get pretty heated. Look for Quin to have a solid Preseason and to see quite a bit of time. HSB favorite - Troy Nolan - should also see a substantial amount of time at safety and turn a few heads. I expect Kareem Jackson to not do much and most likely lose his starting position to either Allen or Harris.
It's going to be a fun Preseason, so buckle your seat belts and get ready!
The Houston Texans Preseason is rapidly approaching. Monday night the Texans will take the field against the New York Jets and I have to admit...this is the first Preseason in which I am actually pretty excited about.
Some of the excitement might have to do with the fact that the Owners nearly ripped football from our grasps, yet to have it triumphantly return in mid-July in full force. Some might also have to do with the fact that there are some high expectations, but the biggest thing I am looking forward to is the competition at some of the positions and seeing some of the surprises that might lay in store for the Texans this Preseason.
Remember what surprised us last Preseason? ARIAN FOSTER.
So - as fans - what do we have to look forward to this Preseason?
1) The 2nd and 3rd Running Back Competition
Word from people who have been able to be at camp is that Steve Slaton is back. He's making smart-quick cuts, lost a few pounds and holding onto the ball. Derrick Ward is coming off of a solid 2010 season serving as a back-up to Arian Foster and Ben Tate has returned from missing his entire rookie season last year. These guys should see a lot of time throughout the Preseason and it should be a pretty fierce competition to win the 2nd and 3rd back spot, since more than likely...there won't be a fourth.
2) The Fullback Competition
The Fullback competition should also be exciting with James Casey getting a chance to show what he can do in an almost H-Back position that would make the Texans offense even more powerful. On the flip side, newly acquired Fullback Lawrence Vickers brings the power and the pain to lay some line backers out and open up holes. The Fullback battle should also be fun to watch. My guess is that they will both have strong Preseasons and since they both have so much to offer in different ways - they'll both make the team. Sorry Anthony Hill...
3) The New Defense
Switching over to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense won't be an easy transition, but it will be fun to watch. We'll get to see more of the starters than usual during the Preseason as they adjust to the new system. Seeing Mario Williams rush from a mobile outside linebacker spot and how DeMeco Ryans handles his comeback from the achilles injury will be two notable items on most fans' check lists, but there is so much more to watch too. Word from Camp is that Rookie defensive end, JJ Watt, is phenomenal. He has a motor that never stops and has been spending practice throwing tackles out of the way to get to the quarterback. It will be awesome to see how he can do that against other teams.
The Texans secondary will also have a lot to see. From the new guys Danieal Manning and Jonathan Joseph to seeing Glover Quin adjust to being a safety to the competition for the 2nd corner and backup secondary positions, the battles here could get pretty heated. Look for Quin to have a solid Preseason and to see quite a bit of time. HSB favorite - Troy Nolan - should also see a substantial amount of time at safety and turn a few heads. I expect Kareem Jackson to not do much and most likely lose his starting position to either Allen or Harris.
It's going to be a fun Preseason, so buckle your seat belts and get ready!
Some of the excitement might have to do with the fact that the Owners nearly ripped football from our grasps, yet to have it triumphantly return in mid-July in full force. Some might also have to do with the fact that there are some high expectations, but the biggest thing I am looking forward to is the competition at some of the positions and seeing some of the surprises that might lay in store for the Texans this Preseason.
Remember what surprised us last Preseason? ARIAN FOSTER.
So - as fans - what do we have to look forward to this Preseason?
1) The 2nd and 3rd Running Back Competition
Word from people who have been able to be at camp is that Steve Slaton is back. He's making smart-quick cuts, lost a few pounds and holding onto the ball. Derrick Ward is coming off of a solid 2010 season serving as a back-up to Arian Foster and Ben Tate has returned from missing his entire rookie season last year. These guys should see a lot of time throughout the Preseason and it should be a pretty fierce competition to win the 2nd and 3rd back spot, since more than likely...there won't be a fourth.
2) The Fullback Competition
The Fullback competition should also be exciting with James Casey getting a chance to show what he can do in an almost H-Back position that would make the Texans offense even more powerful. On the flip side, newly acquired Fullback Lawrence Vickers brings the power and the pain to lay some line backers out and open up holes. The Fullback battle should also be fun to watch. My guess is that they will both have strong Preseasons and since they both have so much to offer in different ways - they'll both make the team. Sorry Anthony Hill...
3) The New Defense
Switching over to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense won't be an easy transition, but it will be fun to watch. We'll get to see more of the starters than usual during the Preseason as they adjust to the new system. Seeing Mario Williams rush from a mobile outside linebacker spot and how DeMeco Ryans handles his comeback from the achilles injury will be two notable items on most fans' check lists, but there is so much more to watch too. Word from Camp is that Rookie defensive end, JJ Watt, is phenomenal. He has a motor that never stops and has been spending practice throwing tackles out of the way to get to the quarterback. It will be awesome to see how he can do that against other teams.
The Texans secondary will also have a lot to see. From the new guys Danieal Manning and Jonathan Joseph to seeing Glover Quin adjust to being a safety to the competition for the 2nd corner and backup secondary positions, the battles here could get pretty heated. Look for Quin to have a solid Preseason and to see quite a bit of time. HSB favorite - Troy Nolan - should also see a substantial amount of time at safety and turn a few heads. I expect Kareem Jackson to not do much and most likely lose his starting position to either Allen or Harris.
It's going to be a fun Preseason, so buckle your seat belts and get ready!
With the lockout seeming like it is all but over, the anticipation for the Texans' moves in free agency grows. Going into free agency there are three truths that we all know are Texans necessities.
1) Get a Veteran Corner
2) Get a Huge Nose Tackle
3) Get a Solid Field Stretching Deep Threat Receiver
While many people seem to be on the Nnamdi Asomugha train, I can't honestly sit here and think there is a chance in hell he will come to the Texans. Will Bob McNair and Rick Smith make an offer? Absolutely, but I don't think it will be enough to bring Nnamdi to Houston. Although last year he had many words of support for Rookie Kareem Jackson (almost mentor-like) and as much as he seems like a perfect fit here, it's just not likely and I don't want to get my hopes up.
It's much more realistic to imagine we'll be able to bring in Jonathan Joseph or a Cromartie (god forbid). Either would be solid plusses on the field though. Early in the lockout, many people were touting Champ Bailey, but that seems to have quieted quite a bit. My speculation is because
Regardless, we are in this mess because Rick Smith didn't pay attention to the sharpee text written on the shoes of Dunta Robinson. At the time I thought it was a classless move and blasted "get him outta here," but now I am certainly eating those words and wishing that I had a genie bottle to make a wish that he never left. You're welcome Falcons.
At Defensive Tackle, Haloti Ngata is available, but I don't see the Texans landing him. He is going to be really hard to obtain, so I would support the decision to forgo pursuing him despite the fact that he is an excellent lineman. Aging Richard Seymour should also be available and looking to go to a much better team than the Raiders in the twilight of his career. At 32, he will be looking to land a role with a team he can spend the next 3 to 4 years winning with...perhaps in a 3-4 defense. If the Texans pursue a DT, my money is on Seymour.
At Wide Receiver, there are a plethora of guys available. Some aged vets and a few young, loud mouthed solid contributors. It would be a gamble to go with Plexico Burress, but who knows if he still has it. He's expressed interest in coming to the Texans, which is a new thing to hear from free agents, but would Smith and McNair be willing to take that gamble? If they did, he COULD pay off pretty heftily on the other side of Andre Johnson. As much as I would like to see that, however, if it were my team I'd do what it takes to retain Jacoby Jones and then pick up another free agent who requires less money. A Donte Stallworth, Kevin Curtis, Lance Moore or Sims-Walker. If the Texans go this route - my money is on Curtis or Moore.
Overall - when this lockout business is all said and done, it will be a fast paced and very interesting free agent blitz. I'm really looking forward to it.
PS - Texans Free Agent Sleeper: Safety Eric Weddle. He'd be an immediate impact.
1) Get a Veteran Corner
2) Get a Huge Nose Tackle
3) Get a Solid Field Stretching Deep Threat Receiver
While many people seem to be on the Nnamdi Asomugha train, I can't honestly sit here and think there is a chance in hell he will come to the Texans. Will Bob McNair and Rick Smith make an offer? Absolutely, but I don't think it will be enough to bring Nnamdi to Houston. Although last year he had many words of support for Rookie Kareem Jackson (almost mentor-like) and as much as he seems like a perfect fit here, it's just not likely and I don't want to get my hopes up.
It's much more realistic to imagine we'll be able to bring in Jonathan Joseph or a Cromartie (god forbid). Either would be solid plusses on the field though. Early in the lockout, many people were touting Champ Bailey, but that seems to have quieted quite a bit. My speculation is because
Regardless, we are in this mess because Rick Smith didn't pay attention to the sharpee text written on the shoes of Dunta Robinson. At the time I thought it was a classless move and blasted "get him outta here," but now I am certainly eating those words and wishing that I had a genie bottle to make a wish that he never left. You're welcome Falcons.
At Defensive Tackle, Haloti Ngata is available, but I don't see the Texans landing him. He is going to be really hard to obtain, so I would support the decision to forgo pursuing him despite the fact that he is an excellent lineman. Aging Richard Seymour should also be available and looking to go to a much better team than the Raiders in the twilight of his career. At 32, he will be looking to land a role with a team he can spend the next 3 to 4 years winning with...perhaps in a 3-4 defense. If the Texans pursue a DT, my money is on Seymour.
At Wide Receiver, there are a plethora of guys available. Some aged vets and a few young, loud mouthed solid contributors. It would be a gamble to go with Plexico Burress, but who knows if he still has it. He's expressed interest in coming to the Texans, which is a new thing to hear from free agents, but would Smith and McNair be willing to take that gamble? If they did, he COULD pay off pretty heftily on the other side of Andre Johnson. As much as I would like to see that, however, if it were my team I'd do what it takes to retain Jacoby Jones and then pick up another free agent who requires less money. A Donte Stallworth, Kevin Curtis, Lance Moore or Sims-Walker. If the Texans go this route - my money is on Curtis or Moore.
Overall - when this lockout business is all said and done, it will be a fast paced and very interesting free agent blitz. I'm really looking forward to it.
PS - Texans Free Agent Sleeper: Safety Eric Weddle. He'd be an immediate impact.
Posted in 2011, asomugha, corner back, defens, free agent, free agents, Houston, lockout, nnamdi, texans, wide receiver
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