Official 2012 Training Camp Thread

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Not without suffering post traumatic stress symptoms.

I don't remember the 2006 camp as being that bad. There was still a lot of hope that Kubiak would turn Carr around. The Texans had just had their best draft in franchise history (Williams, Ryans, Spencer, Winston, Daniels). I look back and remember a lot of positives, which coming off a 2-14 season can be hard to find. I felt pretty upbeat watching that camp.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Over the course of camp, both Martin and Posey have had some flashy days, not flashy days. Posey's size is nice, and Martin has played both in the slot and outside. Next week Kubiak says he's going to try to settle down the WR position so the quarterbacks can get work with the same guys more.

Think Martin may get on the field quicker because he fits the slot role more than Posey and has been working special teams. But both Posey and Jean have had their moments.

Don't think anyone can over emphasize any one or two days. I think this competition is wide open. This preseason will be very interesting.

Went to camp this morning, today the offense looked much sharper than yesterday. As TC said, both KMart and Posey have had flashy moments. Martin made a really nice grab to open the scrimmage session and Posey made a sweet snag on a bomb down the left sideline from Yates (I think) to end the practice session.

Back to the WR plays. It's not like the DBs got beat badly; the DBs were step-for-step with K-Mart & Posey but they made the catches anyway. If these two guys continue to improve one of them may just supplant KW in a year or so. Perhaps before this year is done.

Maybe it's familiarity with what's coming, but the defense seems to stuff nearly every running play. I think during the early scrimmage (when they were on the north end of the field) Forsett got blown up in the backfield - drawing Oooooo's from the bleacher crowd. I know, TC, guys in shorts... don't be too impressed or depressed.

Going back on Monday...

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by Texn4life

Just to kind of add to that as well Nate, if you look at their last 2 full years in college Posey bettered Martin in yards and YPC.

Martin: 2010- 32 rec 394 yards 12.3 YPC
2011- 66 rec 777 yards 11.9 YPC
Posey: 2009- 60 rec 828 yards 13.8 YPC
2010- 53 rec 848 yards 16.0 YPC

This isn't to say that Posey has more big play potential, but just to say to not discount his ability to make plays down the field. It can be argued Posey played with the poorer passer as well in college.

Will be nice to see both in a full stadium. Unlike some of the WRs they've tried to develop, they aren't small school guys or development guys. Kubiak needs them to be ready quickly, and both look better in training camp than they did in minicamp.

I wouldn't be too up or too down on any of these guys. There's going to be mistakes because this system demands a lot of the WR position, but there's been plenty to be encouraged about with these guys.

And as an aside, the running back group has looked beastly. Wrap those guys in bubble wrap right away.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I don't remember the 2006 camp as being that bad. There was still a lot of hope that Kubiak would turn Carr around. The Texans had just had their best draft in franchise history (Williams, Ryans, Spencer, Winston, Daniels). I look back and remember a lot of positives, which coming off a 2-14 season can be hard to find. I felt pretty upbeat watching that camp.

I didn't see a pre Shaub training camp but did see Schaub's first year . I'm curious to see how Kubiak has grown as a coach . I get the feeling they brought in 100% grade A football players who are good for Kubiak's style .

[Texn4life]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

And as an aside, the running back group has looked beastly. Wrap those guys in bubble wrap right away.

Speaking of running backs...... Does Arian look any quicker or faster than last year? It looked to me that he was a tad faster last year than his rookie year. Is he still doing the speed training in the offseason with his brother? It really seemed like to me the work he put in with him paid off.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I don't remember the 2006 camp as being that bad. There was still a lot of hope that Kubiak would turn Carr around. The Texans had just had their best draft in franchise history (Williams, Ryans, Spencer, Winston, Daniels). I look back and remember a lot of positives, which coming off a 2-14 season can be hard to find. I felt pretty upbeat watching that camp.

Maybe I just was getting crushed with blog commenters. The David Carr reclamation project was something that zero fans had any patience with, and that whole stupid off-season was Bush/VY bleh combined with Mario Williams toe issue that came up in camp, then plantar fasciitis.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by Texn4life

Speaking of running backs...... Does Arian look any quicker or faster than last year? It looked to me that he was a tad faster last year than his rookie year. Is he still doing the speed training in the offseason with his brother?

I don't know what his workouts entail but I know he works out with his brother.

I'm not sure about being any quicker. Last year he had all those hamstring issues. Year before he had a clean camp with Tate having more issues.

He, Tate and Forsett just look season ready right now. Just fun to watch Foster pick his spots, has great patience finding blocks and then gliding to a different gear when he sees open space. I think Foster and Martin have the most distinctive running styles in camp. Martin has an interesting suddenness to his runs, like video game stuff.

[The Medic01]

Off the subject of WRs how does the OLINE look?

[Houston_Fanatic]

Is Bullock hurt? He wasn't wearing pads yesterday and didn't kick.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by The Medic01

Off the subject of WRs how does the OLINE look?

Head Coach Gary Kubiak
(on the depth at tackle behind Rashad Butler and Derek Newton) “Well, right now that would be a little scary because those guys are young. I think (Andrew) Gardner does some good stuff. The young kid (Nathan) Menkin has done some good stuff as well as the kid from Purdue (Nick Mondek) that we drafted. They’ve got talent, but obviously they have a ways to go. We’re holding our breath that all three of those guys can stay healthy, but you have to have players that can be flexible too. Maybe Brandon Brooks, at some point, is a flexible player because he’s obviously has the size and the feet to play outside too.”

HT.com

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by Texn4life

Like I said you're really comparing apples to oranges in terms of the type of receivers they are. Martin's movements and change of direction are more sudden than Posey, so yeah he'd definitely fit better in the slot. The measurables that you mentioned indicate that.

I was comparing apples to apples, you said something along the lines of "big play potential". I see Martin having that in our system more so than Posey because of his YAC ability and just because of his strengths aligning with the lack of depth in the slot position. I can see the argument for Posey's vertical threat in our naked boot plays. Just one man's opinion.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

Hey Texans Chick or anyone else that's been to Training Camp, I'm looking for some opinions on Garrett Graham-TE. How's he looked so far? I can't help the feeling that if I'm Kubiak, it's time to stick your foot in Graham's ass for motivational reasons. With Dreesen gone it's time for Graham to step up or go bye bye. Thanks.

From HT.com this morning:

Kubiak
(on TE Garrett Graham) “I think he’s one of the more improved players on our team right now. He really has grown up from last year. He’s healthy and performing well. He’s got a big role on this team with Joel (Dreessen) missing and he’s shown that he’s going to be able to handle that. After a week, I’ve been impressed.”

[CloakNNNdagger]

Here are Kubiak's extensive comments from this morning's practice.

[Texn4life]

Originally Posted by NastyNate

I was comparing apples to apples, you said something along the lines of "big play potential". I see Martin having that in our system more so than Posey because of his YAC ability and just because of his strengths aligning with the lack of depth in the slot position. I can see the argument for Posey's vertical threat in our naked boot plays. Just one man's opinion.

Gotcha, and you have valid points for Martin making big plays EARLIER than Posey because Martin is a natural fit in the slot. Both will have opportunities to make big plays at some point in their careers here. That's the key thing.

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by Texn4life

Gotcha, and you have valid points for Martin making big plays EARLIER than Posey because Martin is a natural fit in the slot. Both will have opportunities to make big plays at some point in their careers here. That's the key thing.

Indeed, at the very least, several receivers HAVE to step up. We've got 2 proven wide receivers on this team and a bunch of unknowns as it stands. I hope they all stick.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by Houston_Fanatic

Is Bullock hurt? He wasn't wearing pads yesterday and didn't kick.

Nothing mentioned by Kubiak on that yesterday. Today he kicked.

[DX-TEX]

AlanBurge "Schaub's been with Keshawn Martin for 7 days. Watching that kind of come together & get better each day has been exciting for me." - Kubiak about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

So Schaub and Martin are developing a chemistry already? Combine that with what Steph said about Martins running ability being similar to Arians....drool.....

[NastyNate]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

I don't know what his workouts entail but I know he works out with his brother.

I'm not sure about being any quicker. Last year he had all those hamstring issues. Year before he had a clean camp with Tate having more issues.

He, Tate and Forsett just look season ready right now. Just fun to watch Foster pick his spots, has great patience finding blocks and then gliding to a different gear when he sees open space. I think Foster and Martin have the most distinctive running styles in camp. Martin has an interesting suddenness to his runs, like video game stuff.

I definitely got that impression. It was only one practice that I was able to view, but he didn't seem to have to build up speed, he just plants his foot and he's already in second gear. Something very visible in his talent, I think he will be a big asset to the slot game this year.

[Porky]

(on the tailback competition) “I think it’s the best group I’ve ever been around as a coach because of how they’re playing, not because of their names. It’ll be interesting to see. I think Arian (Foster) and Ben (Tate) have had an excellent camp. They’re pushing each other to a level that they don’t even understand what they’re doing to each other, but it’s going to be great for both of them and their career and great for our team.”

Kubiak quote there - Man that excites me. We have crazy good depth and when you have two guys as good as Tate and Foster, that competition can only bring out the best in each. Is there a better group at RB in the league? If not, I want to know who is. LOVE it!

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Porky

Kubiak quote there - Man that excites me. We have crazy good depth and when you have two guys as good as Tate and Foster, that competition can only bring out the best in each. Is there a better group at RB in the league? If not, I want to know who is. LOVE it!

Well at least some folks considered them number one mid last season - Link

#2 lost their #2. #3 has shown no faith in their #2. #4 had their #2 fail a conditioning test. And frankly #5 was a joke.