Mr. Versatility...

[jr0ck]

from here

MR. VERSATILITY: Running back Jonathan Wells went from starting running back his rookie season to special teams star in 2003. Then, last year, he re-emerged as a vital cog in the Texans’ running game, particularly in the team’s Week 4 win over the visiting Oakland Raiders when he filled in for the injured Domanick Davis.

In coaching sessions, Wells continues to impress coaches with his versatility and unselfish approach. Not only is he a proven runner, but he’s shown the ability to create holes as a fullback as well.

“When you’re looking at your gameday roster, the more those guys can do, the more valuable they become to you,” Capers said of Wells. “I think with Jonathan, you can see his experience now. He knows what his role is, and he’s doing a good job in these coaching sessions.”

im sure most of you all have read this, and i know the pads aren't on yet, but am i the only one who REALLY likes the idea of wells as a FB? as much as i like norris (pretty fierce run blocker at times and a hometown boy), i think if jonathan's blocking is close to comprable then we would have a pretty dangerous backfield. maybe the city of houston wouldn't collectively cringe at the sight of a FB draw if wells was the one getting the hand off. and having the hope that morency keeps davis fresh, we could have a three headed monster just in our backfield!!!

i do have to apologize for the amount of boredom it took to make this exciting news to me. and although discussing wells expanded role in our offense (and your percieved effects thereof) is encouraged in this thread, i will not be in the least bit offended if there is not a single reply and it dies quickly and quietly!

here's to a speedy august this year!

[Vinny]

I'm not going to accuse Jon Wells of being Stephen Davis but they are both large second day backs that most people had little faith in after their first 3 seasons. Sometimes these guys just take a few years to figure out what they can do on this level. Frank Wycheck played some Fullback/H-back before settling into TE and going on to have a nice career. Perhaps he is a late bloomer and finds a niche at fullback/H-back. I’d like to see it because unlike Davis I don’t think he is going to bust out in consecutive 1,300+ yard seasons.

[El Tejano]

Well the way I see it is Wells did many things to help this team win the games it did last season, he has athletic ability, and his pass blocking is pretty good. Last year Wells made caught a TD when we played Indy that I don't think Norris can make. Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to dismiss Norris because of what he does to our running game. I just think a guy like Wells is needed on a team also because of the contribution he makes all over the field. We can say all we want about Wells but his attitude has certainly been the one thing that has kept him on this team.

[Htown34s]

In his first two seasons, I saw Wells play without passion many times. He seems to have matured a little or gotten the message last season that he needs to perform at a high level to make a team in the NFL.

[El Tejano]

I also believe that seeing how his stock wasn't for much in the offseason and has a new found appreciation for his situation here. Like I said before, I think most of our young guys will have major Texan Pride and will ultimately be the reason why we stay good for a long time.

[jr0ck]

FB is a dying breed.

everything happens in cycles, until the dominace of the patriots the 3-4 was a "dying breed" of defense. now at least half the league has switched/incorporated it into their gameplan. in the copy-cat league of the NFL, it only takes one trendsetter...

and good points from all about our number one team player, JWells!! we didn't need to draft a bruiser because he has been here all along! it's an added bonus we know he can catch and block as well

[rittenhouserobz]

The 3-4 can be advantageous on certain downs and distances. The 4-3 can be better in other situations. The Texans do run closer to a 4-3 at times. I am just not knowledgable enough to know when.

As for Wells, I think he can be a solid RB given the right blocking scheme. I don't think he fits well with zone blocking. Maybe that is why they are trying to get a backup that is like DD.

[Double Barrel]

I like the idea of platooning Wells at FB and HB. He's got the versatility to pose a threat as both a runner and blocker, so there are many different looks we can give our offense to surprise opposing defenders.

He surprised me last year, and I hope he does it again this season.

[El Tejano]

This is true. Let's think of the scenarios. Here are some I thought of. First start off in a two back set with Wells and DD, you could go back to your I if you needed to or you could audible to line up DD in as a receiver and still pull off a run with Wells.

[wrestler4life]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

This is true. Let's think of the scenarios. Here are some I thought of. First start off in a two back set with Wells and DD, you could go back to your I if you needed to or you could audible to line up DD in as a receiver and still pull off a run with Wells.

I think it would be pretty hard for teams to scheme around the idea of having 2 backs out of the backfield that can block/catch/run screens, etc.
Should allow us to play less with 2 TE's since we have less quality depth there.

[jppaul]

I would like that arrangement. Then if Carr sees something in the defense he could flex DD out as the third reciever and we would still have a proven runner in the backfield.

[nunusguy]

The way the Texans use the FB position in their backfield, he is not a
Running Back, he is a Blocking Back. I think one could count the times
on their 2 hands that the FB ran the ball last year. I dunno...I'd be surprised if
Wells is even close to being the run blocker that Norris is ?

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

The way the Texans use the FB position in their backfield, he is not a
Running Back, he is a Blocking Back. I think one could count the times
on their 2 hands that the FB ran the ball last year. I dunno...I'd be surprised if
Wells is even close to being the run blocker that Norris is ?

Actually you could count the number or runs by the FB on 3 fingers. Norris IMO is becoming one of the better blocking FB's in the league--I doubt Wells ever gets anywhere near that good. IMO this is just an evaluation of whether Baxter is expendible as Norris' backup--my bet is Baxter doesn't make the opening day roster.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

IMO this is just an evaluation of whether Baxter is expendible as Norris' backup--my bet is Baxter doesn't make the opening day roster.

I think you are reading this situation perfect. Wells and Baxter are going after one roster spot this camp. Should be one of the more heated position battles and something tangible to focus on when the pre-season games start. Baxter has a couple thousand yards rushing at New Mexico (4.5 ypc). It should be an interesting battle because both probably won’t be on the roster on opening day. You are probably right about Wells being the favorite.

Norris is not yet Neal but he can get his block on any body type. Some guys handle big players well, and some guys can pick up smaller faster guys in space but get mowed down by power rushers. Norris can get his block on anyone. He has clearly separated himself from the pack on this one.

[beerlover]

The starters

DAVIS

MORENCY

NORRIS

The wannabes

WELLS

HOLLINGS

BAXTER

[tsip]

"Frank Wycheck played some Fullback/H-back before settling into TE and going on to have a nice career."

What about Wells at TE? He's 6'1/245, how big was Wycheck? We know
there is a lot of upside to Wells, including blocking/catching/running with
the ball plus he knows the system and has a great attitude. I know the
height may be a question mark but he's only 2" shorter than Miller and
out weighs him by 15lbs.

[TexansTrueFan]

well atleast we'll have a FB that can run and block for us, cause we never used Norris or Baxter very much anyways.

[Hervoyel]

Wells started out behind that crummy 2002 offensive line and got in everyones dog house right away. I still see people dogging him (not giving honest criticism but just basically name-calling) over that when honestly, there aren't too many backs who could have made lemonade out of those lemons. That was a crummy way to start your career IMO.

Now Wells seems to have gotten himself a whole bunch of motivation over the last couple of years and I think he makes this team. I think if they told him to convert to TE he'd still maybe make this team. Jonathan Wells has one thing going for him that you simply can't fake. He won't go away.

You've got to admire that.

[ATX]

i've always supported wells and have always said give him some time, he'll come around. last season he really stepped it up in a couple games. in addition, having wells in the backfield is big change of pace considering the other 3 rbs DD, Hollings, and Morency are smaller type backs. i like the idea of wells pounding out first downs late in the game after the opposing D chasing DD all game. Wells has 4 inches and 30+pounds on DD. if he can get that mentality of a bruising back, he'll be around for awhile.