Top Stories Houston http://www.topstorieshouston.com What is going on in Houston Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:45:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 3 Things to Be Excited About During Texans Preseason 2011 http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/08/3-things-to-be-excited-about-during.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/08/3-things-to-be-excited-about-during.html#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:26:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=105220c71e1ccdbb9140ae3747893e10
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!
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/7862816611363254575/comments/default 0 3 Things to Be Excited About During Texans Preseason 2011 http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/08/3-things-to-be-excited-about-during.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/08/3-things-to-be-excited-about-during.html#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:26:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=105220c71e1ccdbb9140ae3747893e10
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!
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/7862816611363254575/comments/default 0 Google Street View: Guy Flipping Off Camera in Austin http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/view-larger-map.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/view-larger-map.html#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:58:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=337bb10616c0ab5e44fabb76b22d86a5

View Larger Map
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/1764972229379204147/comments/default 0 JJ Watt Fishing on NFL Films "Everything to Prove" http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/jj-watt-fishing-on-nfl-films.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/jj-watt-fishing-on-nfl-films.html#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:07:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=4d7afce7840c6565e2c8ccc18cd80e2e
Texans rookie JJ Watt appears quite a bit in this week's episode that gets a first hand look at some r and r time. Their competitive spirit is shown off as we get a behind the scenes look at the group on a fishing trip in Boca Raton.

Click to Check out the episode
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/5086883514516625114/comments/default 0 Face It – The Texans Won’t Get Nnamdi http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/face-it-texans-wont-get-nnamdi.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/face-it-texans-wont-get-nnamdi.html#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:36:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=0ec891ffd6caf5ed674f8e21289ac9c0
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.
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/7105860679070040907/comments/default 0 Houston Texans hold team workouts despite the NFL lockout http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/houston-texans-hold-team-workouts.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/07/houston-texans-hold-team-workouts.html#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:17:00 +0000 Trey http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=ec4d74c5b017fb7f4afeee8ca0188d84

I had heard the tale of the Texans players holding their own mini-camp last week, but this is the first time I have had a chance to see the Texans practice footage. Good to know the guys are hard at work...and look good.
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/1961714690607398611/comments/default 0 Lockout May Help Schaub Become the Leader He’s Needed to Be http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/lockout-may-help-schaub-become-leader.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/lockout-may-help-schaub-become-leader.html#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:11:00 +0000 Trey http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=5479fbeaa46b6f7321174c496cee0b54
There may be a really good positive that comes out of this for the Texans and Texans fans however. The lockout may force Matt Schaub to become the team leader that he is needed to be, have the other players learn to look to him and have the fans see his leadership in action.

If there is one thing that many fans agree on is that we don't see enough of Schaub showing passion and leadership on the field during games. I've always felt like he is being a leader, but we just can't see it through the TV. When I explain this to people, they just don't buy it.

Maybe this will help...

This week Schaub has organized three mini-camp days bringing 35+ players together to practice as they would if coaches were involved. Schaub led the team and the offense, while DeMeco Ryans led the defense in drills. On Sports Radio 610, John McClain stated that it looked exactly like a mini-camp would've with coaches leading me to believe that "Coach" Schaub did a hell of a job getting these guys together. It was also mentioned that at the beginning of the lockout, Schaub sent letters to all of his teammates letting them know what they needed to do during this confusing time.

Also to be noted - somehow Ryans got a hold of the 3-4 playbook that the Texans Defense will be moving to. I won't ask how he got it because players and coaches cannot have interaction with one another, but that is a critical move in the guys getting some work in the new system.

If anything - I'm going to look at the positives that come out of the lockout...and Schaub taking a stronger step forward in his leadership role is HUGE!
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/4485588876464794801/comments/default 0 Football Cops Official Trailer Featuring Eli and Peyton Manning http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-official-trailer.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-official-trailer.html#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:46:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=0c4f11efccccee8f1826ebf70b92b4de

Yesterday the behind the scenes footage from Eli and Peyton Manning's project Football Cops was released leaked and for good reason. The official trailer for the Direct TV series has been added to YouTube and is quite funny. Good to know the Manning's are up to no good during the lockout.

For more info on Football Cops, visit http://www.FootballCops.com
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/5916665649502786209/comments/default 0 Football Cops Starring the Manning’s Coming Soon http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-starring-mannings-coming.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-starring-mannings-coming.html#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:48:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=521e3cf99b5a5700f7e9378cabb8250a
Peyton and Eli Manning are slated to star in Football Cops, an action-packed drama about two former pro football players who bring their unique brand of law enforcement to one of the country's toughest neighborhoods.

While we aren't sure what exactly this project is, it has been confirmed that it is NOT a commercial. Described a "drama" I'd put my money on it being a comedic series of videos. We will just have to wait and see. Until then, check out the leaked behind the scenes video from Football Cops featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/9100648631145645184/comments/default 0 Football Cops Starring the Manning’s Coming Soon http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-starring-mannings-coming.html http://www.houstonsportblog.com/2011/06/football-cops-starring-mannings-coming.html#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:48:00 +0000 Trey H http://www.topstorieshouston.com/?guid=521e3cf99b5a5700f7e9378cabb8250a
Peyton and Eli Manning are slated to star in Football Cops, an action-packed drama about two former pro football players who bring their unique brand of law enforcement to one of the country's toughest neighborhoods.

While we aren't sure what exactly this project is, it has been confirmed that it is NOT a commercial. Described a "drama" I'd put my money on it being a comedic series of videos. We will just have to wait and see. Until then, check out the leaked behind the scenes video from Football Cops featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.
]]> http://www.houstonsportblog.com/feeds/9100648631145645184/comments/default 0