Some encouraging news on Brooks!

[CloakNNNdagger]

(on if RG Antoine Caldwell isn’t available then having G Brandon Brooks play) “He’s made progress. He’s made a lot of progress. He’s a better player now than he was when we left camp. He’s lighter. He’s worked really hard at his trade. We’re probably not going to know until he gets thrown in the spot, that type of thing. Is that this week? I don’t know. He’s disappointed he’s not part of what’s going on right now. He hasn’t been suiting, and that’s a good thing. That means he’s working hard to get ready to play.”

link

[Playoffs]

Next man up!

[Insideop]

I wonder how many pounds he's lost? I know they wanted him to lose some weight to improve his endurance, but to me, he never looked "over weight" or out of shape in the photos and footage I've seen of him.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Insideop

I wonder how many pounds he's lost? I know they wanted him to lose some weight to improve his endurance, but to me, he never looked "over weight" or out of shape in the photos and footage I've seen of him.

At the combine, he weighed in at 346. He was told to lose weight before OTAs. He came in at 352. Kubiak was upset. They wanted him at 330.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Insideop

I wonder how many pounds he's lost? I know they wanted him to lose some weight to improve his endurance, but to me, he never looked "over weight" or out of shape in the photos and footage I've seen of him.

Agree, he didn't look overweight in all the games I watched him play in college and he didn't look overweight in PS either.

But if he can keep it down further, he will be all the better on cut blocks, on pulls and on the second level.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Insideop

I wonder how many pounds he's lost? I know they wanted him to lose some weight to improve his endurance, but to me, he never looked "over weight" or out of shape in the photos and footage I've seen of him.

He didn't look out of shape, but when you are that big you will get fatigued faster than if you lose some weight. 330 is plenty big enough.

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by Rey

He didn't look out of shape, but when you are that big you will get fatigued faster than if you lose some weight. 330 is plenty big enough.

Yes, I realize that, but how much has he lost? Is he staying in the "doghouse" because he isn't losing the weight, or has he lost the weight and it's just a numbers game now with Jones and Caldwell ahead of him? To me, he has more upside than Jones because of his athletic ability and size, but was behind Jones in actual development as a player due to Jones playing in the SEC and Brooks playing at Miami (Ohio). My guess is we won't see him this year unless there is an injury situation, like Caldwell now, or we wrap up the division early and Kubes starts playing a lot of the 2nd and 3rd string late in the season.

[HOU-TEX]

IIRC, last week Kubiak said he'd lost about 15 lbs. I'm not sure where his actual weight is now though

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

IIRC, last week Kubiak said he'd lost about 15 lbs. I'm not sure where his actual weight is now though

Judging by what the article posted further up said, that must be the weight they wanted him to target.

[beerlover]

Texans have learned not to throw a rookie into the fire until ready. Brooks is a talent who has to develop & cover his assignments. I can't see him beating Jones out, unless of another injury. Caldwell has been an under performer, but in his defense he seems constantly hampered by nagging injury's & his natural position is Center which he played well @ Alabama. Brooks can play RT too if his weight drops so he can maintain his stamina, which has been the real issue.

[Goldensilence]

Good news on Brooks in that he seems to be catching on far as weight and game speed. I didn't think he would likely be ready for a starting spot this season, but physically the guy has the tools you want in dominant guard. It's good to hear he's eager to get on the field and hasn't been happy about being unsuited on the sidelines. While he might have the frame of a RT, I just don't get why people would even consider the idea if he hasn't even learned to play G at the NFL level yet.

Jones was a great draft pick and with his experience in the SEC and some big time DTs he is probably more ready to play.

I feel good about those two moving forward overall.

I've always felt a bit bad for Caldwell, guy was an All-American center and when Myers caught on at center FT (also got some much better guard play) he was shifted to G. I think he's probably a better fit at center and if he's a FA this next year it wouldn't surprise me to see him sign elsewhere to try and move back to C.

[ItsMyFault]

Does this mean Caldwell is already ruled out for Monday's game?

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Regarding Brooks, I have some question for the FO.
They drafted him at that weight, right?
They knew what they're getting.
It wasn's his fault for being at that weight (whatever he was playing in college at).

But as a mid-round draft pick, the Texans "have the right" to say that if you want to get on the field (instead of being a career back-up), we want you to loose some weight.

Another team, like New Orleans, for example, with Carl Nicks at some 343 lbs at Guard, may not having much problem with Brooks' weight.
But of course, since we're a zone blocking team, so we want our guys to be as fit and trim as possible.

I guess the biggest question I would have is what weight he played at Miami (OH) vs what he showed up to TC as. Which is what I think is the problem is and why he was in the doghouse a bit.

Originally Posted by 76Texan

I like Ben Jones for the long term, but I think Caldwell has been progressing OK, except for the injuries.

He came back last year and played quite solidly when Brisiel was out.
And now he has another setback.

An O-lineman who cannot stay on the field may not earn much as far as contract goes. Who knows, he may very well resign with us next year. I wouldn't mind that.

We both agree on Ben Jones being more long term and with Wade Smith's contract coming up soon could be transitioning both G positions. Question for Caldwell is going to be does he want to compete for a possible G position or find another team where he could go back to C. If he resigns I don't see a big cap hit.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

link

How is not suiting up a good thing? If he was working hard, would he not be in uniform getting some plays? I think Brooks is in Kubes dog house for eating too much kibbles and bits. Gary is throwing him a bone but with little meat on it.

Brooks and Posey need to bring it next season.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by badboy

How is not suiting up a good thing? If he was working hard, would he not be in uniform getting some plays? I think Brooks is in Kubes dog house for eating too much kibbles and bits. Gary is throwing him a bone but with little meat on it.

Brooks and Posey need to bring it next season.

With Caldwell already playing with a bum ankle after playing through bilateral high ankle sprains last year, Brooks is obviously Kubiak's next man up and will likely be used sooner than later.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

With Caldwell already playing with a bum ankle after playing through bilateral high ankle sprains last year, Brooks is obviously Kubiak's next man up and will likely be used sooner than later.

Yep, I want him on the field & against Jets may be good for him. He has had time to get into NFL shape.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by badboy

How is not suiting up a good thing? If he was working hard, would he not be in uniform getting some plays? I think Brooks is in Kubes dog house for eating too much kibbles and bits. Gary is throwing him a bone but with little meat on it.

Brooks and Posey need to bring it next season.

Make him more hungry?

Errrh, bad choice of words!

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by badboy

How is not suiting up a good thing?

Not suiting up wasn't a good thing. His being pissed off about not suiting up was a good thing.

[GP]

He has to develop a mean streak like Duane Brown possesses.

The game might be too big for him right now, so he has to flip a switch and own the moment if he gets it. My fear is that he has the size and the basic skill set...but lacks the snap-to-snap killer instinct due to his age and inexperience in the NFL.

IF he can find that inner badass, he is going to straight up MAUL opposing linemen. Teams would freak out if they had to face a line of Duane Brown, Wade Smith/Jones, Myers, Jones/Brooks, and Newton. That's almost criminal.

[Wolf6151]

CND, Thanks for the story and link. That's some excellent news. I'm glad to hear that Brooks sounds mad about not suiting up and sounds like he's got a good work ethic going on so that he can get out there. He'll make some mistakes in the beginning but that's just part of learning and growing into the position. Hopefully he can get some playing time soon and get those rookie mistakes out of the way this year because I firmly believe that Brooks is the future of the RG spot for the Texans.


I just wish I had as much confidence in Newton at RT. We'll see.