vinny, aj, cnd what's going on
 

Guys the houstontexans.com website is saying they just signed FA Spears OT played for Giants and a WR from the Jets??

But my question is 'WHY'? The young guys that have gone through minicamps must not have impressed much if they are still adding what looks like at best is training camp fodder. Where am I missing the boat?

Also this year the Texans only get to take 80 men(I think) to training camp plus the NFLE exemptions = 88 men. Texans currently have 94 men not counting TCharles WR NFLE IR or T Stevens RB NFLE IR on their roster. To me that means they have to release 6 more before TC begins.

current roster
12 WR
18 OL 7 OT 6 OG 5 C (INCL PITTMAN)
5 TE
8 RB/FB 4 RB 4 FB
4 QB

11 DL 4 DT 7 DE
15 LB 8 OLB 7 ILB
10 CB
7 S

2 P
2 K

As far the WR, they always bring in guys around camp that are released. I'm sure he is a long shot, but the scouts must see something in him, and want to give him an opportunity. Competition is good, not bad.

As far as the Tackle, I saw that in the paper. My take is that this means that they are more convinced that Wand will be the starting LT. If Wand starts, they don't really have an experienced true tackle as a backup. Not sure he is a lock to make the roster, but they might consider using him as a backup at RT and LT, instead of trying to swing Pitts and Weigert from the guard spots out to tackle. He's also a very experienced vet, and may be able to share some tricks of the trade with the young guys. I see it as a major plus.

Of course, I may not count since I'm not Vinny, AJ, or CND :popcorn:

I don't think it "means" anything really (not in July). Waiver pick ups and such are guys you look at for reserve spots and if a guy can play, he can play, and the OT is a vet so that is a good thing. You bring in guys who you think can play and let the competition sort itself out. Competition is a good thing.

I have the same question and nobody answered his question. If there is a limit to the number of people that can go into the training camp why are they picking up all of these people and how do they evaluate them before the training camp? He's asking, "don't they have to let people go before the training camp? Have they decided not to keep some of the rookies without even getting a shot at the training camp?

There is plenty of room for the rookies. I'll find the camp number unless someone beats me to it but I think its around 80. This is the time (off-season) when you try to find solid players who you hope can either make the team or at least give your reserves some solid competition to get better. The Texans have a grade on all the players on the NFL. It's not like they are an unknown.

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

I just went to players and I counted 95 people on the Texans list. Because of eye sight I might have miscounted by one or two, but it seems to me there are more people on the list than you think. Again, what does that mean? Must we get rid of people before the start to TC?

Is this guy sort of Greg Randall-ish as far as playing ability? If he is then thats great news (as a backup)

He's built like Chester Pitts and is likely the kind of guy who can displace Washington in our rotation since he can play Tackle/Guard and Washington is a Center/Guard. We have ex-Centers on our roster with Brown and Weary and I think they are ready to be front line subs in the NFL. I could see Sears displacing Washington when it is all said and done.

Just an early guess.

So if Wand is ready to go against San Diego as a starter, could McKinney be seen as our "weak link" among starters? That would be an amazing 2 year turnaround considering he was likely our best lineman in 2002.

In the new zone blocking scheme, will this help Mckinney against the bigger, stronger DTs like Stroud and Henderson? I just remember last year people saying how he was being manhandled by them because he wasnt strong enough.

Also, how much of a transition will it be in game situations? Things look a lot better against teammates so will the line be a little clumsy for a few games as the players gel against new opponents?

This season has me very excited about what the offense can do if it stays healthy. I hope Carr can live up to expectations and prove doubters wrong.

I think that there are dates during and after camp and preseason to get to the 53 man roster. It is something like one day in the middle or towards the end of camp and then one after the 2nd preseason game and then you have to get the 53 man roster a couple of days after the final preseason game.

I dont believe that there is limit on the # of people you can bring to camp, but coaches want to get a better look on players at positions they need depth and experience so they cut a couple of players before camp even starts.

Dont worry about it...

Spears has been a bulwark of the dominant Chief's OL for years. He basically can play it all at the G and T positions. The Chiefs fans for the most part are lamenting his departure and also feel that he still has gas in the tank. He should be a solid OL backup.

I think for the most part, you have to look at how many WR on our roster at this time that are just not going to make the team. There are really alot of WR fighting for that fourth spot so you may see the majority of them let go. The probably signed this WR just to look at him and I am sure he will be gone also, keep in mind there is probably one too many TEs and LBs on our team that we may see go.

Good question. I couldn't find the info on NFL.com , but here is an old ESPN.com article that verifies the training camp roster limit at 80.
I know that the NFL Europe players get roster exemptions, so that may explain why there are 10 or so more players over the roster limit. The remaining 5 or 6 guys over the limit I'm not so sure of. Maybe guys like Seth Payne and Ramon Walker aren't counted because they finished the season on the IR list? If I come across any additional info on this, I'll let you know

Texans sign OT Marcus Spears
 

Spears link
HOUSTON - The Houston Texans signed free agent offensive tackle Marcus Spears.

Spears (6-4, 320), an 11-year veteran, spent the past seven years in Kansas City. Spears played in 79 games, starting 18 as a Chief.

Spears was drafted by Chicago in the second-round from NW Louisiana St. in 1994. He played in nine games over three years for the Bears.


training camp body?

Spears will be fighting with Garrick Jones for the ninth and final OL spot on the roster

Actually I'm much more inclined to think that he is fighing for Todd Washington's Veteran reserve role on the team. A lot of people just pencil in Washington but I wasn't too impressed with him last season. We have other guys who can play Center in a reserve role (Brown and Weary were both College Centers), but Spears can play Guard and Tackle, something the lead-footed Washington cannot do.

Really the bottom line to this acquisition is for us to look at the IR list over the last two years for our team and especially the injury list for our Oline in the first year when we spent some good money on very excellent OTs.

I am sure the Texans do not want to repeat that process this year during camp as this should be our best offensive year and as a team. So we see a guy on the waiver wire who is an above average to good OT and we sign him to strengthen our depth and to increase the level of competition. I think it was a good pick up.

I don't think Brown or Weary played very much at center in college, and they also haven't much center in the NFL. Have either of them snapped the ball once in a regular season NFL game? It will be interesting to see how many snaps Weary and Washington (and maybe Brown) get at center in training camp and the exhibition games. That should give us an indication of who is getting the most attention at backup center.

Weary played Center his entire Jr year at TN (I was living in Tennessee at that time) and if you look at most of the draft recaps he is listed as a Center. For instance at drafthistory.com he is listed as a C there too (for some reference). Weary also played some Defensive Tackle, but he was a Guard for the most part. Excellent athlete for a big man (wrestler).

They have Weary listed as a Center in Madden, too.