Mini-camp

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

McClain (take that FWIW) has covered all his bases by saying he will start behind Greenwood but if he comes on fast will compete with Diles. Thanks Captain Obvious.

LOL.

The best way to get news on minicamp is to check out HT.com and see if the Chronicle increases their coverage.

I don't have access to minicamp, so I will be like the rest of the people digging through the tea leaves of whatever comes out of camp.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

LOL.

The best way to get news on minicamp is to check out HT.com and see if the Chronicle increases their coverage.

I don't have access to minicamp, so I will be like the rest of the people digging through the tea leaves of whatever comes out of camp.

Come on TC. You can't throw your weight (figuratively speaking) around to get in there and be our information pipeline? JK, you do more than enough around here.

[nunusguy]

We got a draftee coming down here from Minnesota & another from the Pac NW & no telling who else from another cold/cool weather climates to go thru mini-camp in 90+ degrees to include that good old Gulf Coast humidity.
So we're talkin 100+ heat-index this weekend. Welcome to Houston guys !

[Mr PC]

Originally Posted by Porky

But couldn't you disguise the zone/man part of it while still lining up over the oppostions best WR rather than play one side of the field? I mean you could still go into a zone from that right? I'm not arguing just asking. I'm simply trying to figure out what perceived advantage it is for the Dback to line up on one side only. Simplicity? I really don't know, but it's something that keeps bugging me about our system.

I know the New Orleans Saints do the same thing with their secondary. They had one very good CB who played on the left side and one very poor CB who played on the right, and it did not matter which side the dangerous WR was on. This made it very easy for defenses to pick on J. David. Basically, for the Saints M. McKenzie was DRob, and J. David was Faggins. I think Smith's defensive approach is intriguing and promising, but it fails when you have obvious discrepancies between players. However, if you have two OLBs with roughly the same size and ability, it doesnt matter which side the offense lines up on. Same being true for cornerbacks. Bennett and Molden will need to elevate their game to the same level as Robinson for the diabolical "vanilla strategy" to be effective.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Well mini-camp starts today. I was going to ask again if anyone could get tickets and watch this weekend, but seeing as Texan Chick doesn't have access I have given up on that dream.

About the secondary though, I think Atlanta may play a similar scheme with their corners. I could be completely wrong because I havn't watched them a lot- it could have been a one time thing. But I do remember trying to watch how Chris Houston was playing ('07 rookie cb) and he mostly stayed on one side regardless of what receiver was over there.


I don't know a lot about the schemes in the secondary- I think this one has its pros and cons. The one good thing I see about leaving your best CB on one side, even if the best WR isn't over there, is because he (theoretically) can completely shut down that side of the field, or 30% of it. This allows the rest of the DB's to focus on the other side of the field and we may be able to get 1 more DB in that space to cause trouble.

[Da_General]

Originally Posted by TexansMVP

Yea I agree. They are very fast and are constantly update the website at HT.com. I've been thoroughly impressed throughout the past year.

Too bad the site STILL crashes my computer every time I visit.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Porky

I like the 4/3 defense, but don't really care for our implementation of it in some cases. Why not put your best corner on the offenses best WR? Instead they play a side. Well duh. If I am the O-coord, all I have to do is make sure my #1 lines up on the opposite side. Seems pretty dumb to say the least.

It could be a case where certain players are stronger on certain sides. Instead of making our best CB play all over the field, which let's the offense dictate where our DB will line up, the coaches might choose to establish that we have one part of the field well defended by playing to his strengths. Rare is the CB that can play both sides equally effective.

I'm not sure, but maybe this is the case.

[Andrew6]

I heard on the radio that Brown will be the starting Left Tackle as of right now.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Andrew6

I heard on the radio that Brown will be the starting Left Tackle as of right now.

Looks like it's sink or swim time, but I'm not going to read too much into a mini-camp practice in May.

Here is a blog from the texans site with the news.

I found the following especially noteworthy:

Brown worked with the first team for much of practice, facing off against defensive end Mario Williams (who looked even quicker and more aggressive than he did last year).

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Andrew6

I heard on the radio that Brown will be the starting Left Tackle as of right now.

On one hand, horrible visions of Victor Riley flash before my eyes- handing over the LT spot to him despite performance.

Having said that, for Kubiak to make that kind of statement, he and Gibbs must be thrilled with the kid and immensely confident in his ability- that's very encouraging.

[TheRealJoker]

We'll find out a lot about Brown in the first 5 games. Road visits to the Steelers, Tacks, and Jags are going to be big tests for the OL. Plus Brown is gonna have to face Terrell Suggs and Dwight Freeney at Reliant Stadium.

If he gets through those first 5 games and holds his own he's our guy for the next decade imo. But realistically, the most important thing is that those first 5 games dont break his will, that's a tough stretch for any LT much less a rookie.

The toughest one imo will be against the Steelers opening day. I remember YTF posting about how much trouble he had against the Kansas zone blitz defense in their bowl game last season. The Steelers are undoubtedly going to throw some exotic coverages at Brown and see how handles it.

[TheRealJoker]

Is there a place where I can find the depth chart for minicamp?

[ObsiWan]

Interesting that there were no words on what Anthony Weaver looked like or whether Ahman Green was 100%.

They talked about Spencer, C. T., Schaub, Weary, even Dunta. There were words about all the starters that were injured last year. No interview with or words about Weaver or Green.

But its still early. Maybe tomorrow.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

On one hand, horrible visions of Victor Riley flash before my eyes- handing over the LT spot to him despite performance.

Having said that, for Kubiak to make that kind of statement, he and Gibbs must be thrilled with the kid and immensely confident in his ability- that's very encouraging.

I doubt Kubiak or Gibbs will actually "handing over the LT spot" to Duane Brown if he can't handle it. Salaam is still there. Spencer is healthy and can compete. Frye was brought in last year so he could take a shot at it....

IMO, Brown is being given a shot early on to see how much he can absorb. HT.com sez he was thrown in opposite Mario to see what the youngster brings to the team.

If he's in over his head, Gibbs won't start him.

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

Interesting that there were no words on what Anthony Weaver looked like or whether Ahman Green was 100%.

They talked about Spencer, C. T., Schaub, Weary, even Dunta. There were words about all the starters that were injured last year. No interview with or words about Weaver or Green.

But its still early. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm interested about Weaver as well.


Chris Brown did say this little snippet when asked about splitting carries...

“We plan on controlling the clock and running the ball, so there will be plenty of runs to go around between me and Ahman (Green). We’re going to get the job done.”

I do like our RB's going into training camp. I wish somehow we could keep all 5 of them. Sounds like Brown brings experience with the ZBS where Ahman was with the Green Bay system we're departing from. Taylor fits the one cut and go north style, Slaton will be on the team, and I think Walker has performed well.

All I know is that with Taylor and Walker being undrafted rookie fa's (from the past) I think their salaries are next to nothing!! Slaton's shouldn't be too bad with him being a 3rd rd pick and viewed as a 3rd down back.

[GuerillaBlack]

I still say release Abbate and Cook and label Chris Taylor has a FB.

[ObsiWan]

NFLN just showed a video snippet from Texans' minicamp. Man, Spencer is huge. They showed a little clip of Schaub handing off to Green who didn't look the least bit gimpy.

Eisen asked Solomon Wilcox about what to expect from V.Young this year - yes, the media's love affair with VY continues - and Wilcox said that Young has to improve because the Titans are in a tough division... okay, that's the Captain Obvious part...

here's the kicker, Wilcox said, "...the Houston Texans are getting better. I don't see them at the bottom of the division. I see them maybe challenging for a 2nd place finish."

Respect. It IS coming.

[GuerillaBlack]

NFL.com should have the video up soon.

[gtexan02]

Slaton also ran a ZBS in college, so thats a big plus for him too

[ObsiWan]

The HT.com vids from day one of minicamp are up on the Texans TV page.

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv/

you'll know which one to click

one of the vids address the players who were injured last year. And I finally got to see Ahman Green. Looks good, sounds ready to play. They also interviewed Schaub, Spencer (man, that dude's HUGE), C.T., and Dunta.


Man its good to see the guys on the field again.