Another Denver Philosophy

[Runner]

I think many players are looking forward to having Kubiak and the Denver system here. Not only is he a successful coach - and Kubiak's and Reeves' Super Bowl rings do influence the players positively - but there is another reason.

The Texans have been known for their very tough coaches sessions and training camps. The coaches thought the full contact two-a-days in the Texas heat during training camp made the team tough. The players had other ideas though - they thought it wore them down. The players were backed up on this by the strength coach - he thought our training camps were detrimental to the team's conditioning and therefore playing abilities.

Denver does training camp much differently - they have many training sessions where it's helmet only and even "Hat Days" where they can wear baseball caps instead of helmets. They do much less full contact work and more learning of the nuances of the system and how to play together. This is something that always seemed lacking to me in the Texans this year. It seems like there was always one player or another who wasn't quite in sync.

With a more reasonable training camp, the players end up starting the season much fresher - and healthier. I've heard that they continue this throughout the season; Denver has more workouts during the week in shells rather than full pads. In the best of all worlds maybe this will help veterans such as Weigert and Walker stay on the field more through less wear and tear. It should also result in a team that has more energy and plays better together. This could have a great impact on our o-line and defensive pass protection among others.

One more reason to look forward to Kubiak and next season.

[DRIFTAWAY]

agreed

[Jack Bauer]

I understand your point. I don't know that I have heard the players complaining about this, but I will take your word for it. I don't think this is why we got out of the box so slow at the beginning of the year. I can see this being a factor at the end of the year. FYI, for the two-a-days during TC, the team practiced once outside and the other session was in the training bubble.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by Zephyr

I understand your point. I don't know that I have heard the players complaining about this, but I will take your word for it. I don't think this is why we got out of the box so slow at the beginning of the year. I can see this being a factor at the end of the year. FYI, for the two-a-days during TC, the team practiced once outside and the other session was in the training bubble.

In my opinion, I think it at least affected o-line play at the beginning of the year. I don't think Riley had enough time learning the system to be comfortable in his assignments in relation to what other players were doing during pass blocking. This, in addition to his physical limitations, resulted in his poor play.

At the time, I thought that the "wearing down" factor did affect us toward the end of last year. However, I now also think Pendry's influence in the coaching also contributed to our second half slide.

[Texans_Chick]

Interesting point. I hadn't heard that.



And so much for being better in the heat helping us with Pittsburgh. (Ayyyy! I still get flashbacks!!!!)

And maybe Joppru gets out of camp this year in one piece? I feel bad for him.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

And maybe Joppru gets out of camp this year in one piece? I feel bad for him.

You and me both. If the kid didn't have bad luck, he wouldn't have any luck at all.

[Runner]

I think a lot of this has to do with the evolution of the game. There is so much money, and competition for the positions to earn that money, that the players treat the off-season differently than in "the old days".

The modern day player typically comes to camp in game shape or close to it. They work hard on their conditioning during the off-season. This is a generalization so I'm sure that exceptions could be pointed out, but I think my point is valid.

I think the players that do come in after working hard during the off-season should reap the benefits by having more time to learn the system while the others literally "work their butts off".

[TexansFanatic]

Originally Posted by Runner

I think many players are looking forward to having Kubiak and the Denver system here. Not only is he a successful coach - and Kubiak's and Reeves' Super Bowl rings do influence the players positively - but there is another reason.

The Texans have been known for their very tough coaches sessions and training camps. The coaches thought the full contact two-a-days in the Texas heat during training camp made the team tough. The players had other ideas though - they thought it wore them down. The players were backed up on this by the strength coach - he thought our training camps were detrimental to the team's conditioning and therefore playing abilities.

Denver does training camp much differently - they have many training sessions where it's helmet only and even "Hat Days" where they can wear baseball caps instead of helmets. They do much less full contact work and more learning of the nuances of the system and how to play together. This is something that always seemed lacking to me in the Texans this year. It seems like there was always one player or another who wasn't quite in sync.

With a more reasonable training camp, the players end up starting the season much fresher - and healthier. I've heard that they continue this throughout the season; Denver has more workouts during the week in shells rather than full pads. In the best of all worlds maybe this will help veterans such as Weigert and Walker stay on the field more through less wear and tear. It should also result in a team that has more energy and plays better together. This could have a great impact on our o-line and defensive pass protection among others.

One more reason to look forward to Kubiak and next season.

I always suspected this was one of the reasons the Texans suffered so many injuries during training camp. Overworking your players during camp is just plain STUPID. Thank God Capers is gone.

[Big B Texan Fan]

Originally Posted by Runner

Not only is he a successful coach - and Kubiak's and Reeves' Super Bowl rings do influence the players positively

It was Kubes and Shanny, not Kubes and Reeves.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by Big B Texan Fan

It was Kubes and Shanny, not Kubes and Reeves.

Point taken, but Reeves got one as a player (before our current players were born). I think the original post was pre-Shanahan.

[dirty steve]

Originally Posted by Big B Texan Fan

It was Kubes and Shanny, not Kubes and Reeves.

i think he was talking about the rings reeves had before he came to the broncos.

[bigTEXan8]

Hey, anything to get these players moving in the right direction. Kubiak will bring a breath of fresh air into the team, get them motivated, and instill a winning attitude instead of "trying not to lose" attitude. I'm not bothered by FA like some posters have expressed, but Kubiak to me if going to be a stud. Next big coach...JM

[Double Barrel]

Good points, Runner.

I think it is a different approach, one where teamwork and being on the same page is more important than conditioning. You see walkthroughs in many different group activities, and it stresses the mental aspect over the physical. I the old regime had a lot of old school mentality about them, and it is refreshing to see Kubiak's approach, as it's more cerebral.

[Sportsfan]

Originally Posted by Runner

In the best of all worlds maybe this will help veterans such as Weigert and Walker stay on the field more through less wear and tear.

Just thought i'd point out to you, Walker is gone. Good post though. I agree.
I'm looking forward to what Kubiak brings.

[Texas]

This is a pretty good work ethic if you asked me. I mean with the full pad stuff and all alot of people were too exhausted to completely focus on everything thats going on. With relaxed days it gives you more of a free and open mind.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

Good points, Runner.

I think it is a different approach, one where teamwork and being on the same page is more important than conditioning. You see walkthroughs in many different group activities, and it stresses the mental aspect over the physical. I the old regime had a lot of old school mentality about them, and it is refreshing to see Kubiak's approach, as it's more cerebral.

Yes, it will be nice to see areas like the o-line and the secondary act in unison rather than as a conglomeration of mis-matched parts.

I think the conditioning will be there given the nature of the modern athlete. If not, I'm hoping the coaches hold the players accountable in playing time, not meaningless $500 fines or whatever.

Originally Posted by Sportsfan

Just thought i'd point out to you, Walker is gone. Good post though. I agree.
I'm looking forward to what Kubiak brings.

The original post was January 14th, it is too old for me to edit to the current status.

Thanks for the "good post". There are so many things that are more or less behind the scenes that can change for the better it boggles the mind.

[DoCRoN]

Originally Posted by Sportsfan

Just thought i'd point out to you, Walker is gone.

The original post was back in January, so we still had him at the time... just FYI

[Big B Texan Fan]

Originally Posted by dirty steve

i think he was talking about the rings reeves had before he came to the broncos.

Oh, OK. Now I get it.

[Sportsfan]

Originally Posted by Runner

Yes, it will be nice to see areas like the o-line and the secondary act in unison rather than as a conglomeration of mis-matched parts.

I think the conditioning will be there given the nature of the modern athlete. If not, I'm hoping the coaches hold the players accountable in playing time, not meaningless $500 fines or whatever.



The original post was January 14th, it is too old for me to edit to the current status.

Thanks for the "good post". There are so many things that are more or less behind the scenes that can change for the better it boggles the mind.

Haha, oops, sorry didn't even look at the date. *runs and hides like a school boy in trouble*

[Ibar_Harry]

Originally Posted by Runner

I think many players are looking forward to having Kubiak and the Denver system here. Not only is he a successful coach - and Kubiak's and Reeves' Super Bowl rings do influence the players positively - but there is another reason.

The Texans have been known for their very tough coaches sessions and training camps. The coaches thought the full contact two-a-days in the Texas heat during training camp made the team tough. The players had other ideas though - they thought it wore them down. The players were backed up on this by the strength coach - he thought our training camps were detrimental to the team's conditioning and therefore playing abilities.

Denver does training camp much differently - they have many training sessions where it's helmet only and even "Hat Days" where they can wear baseball caps instead of helmets. They do much less full contact work and more learning of the nuances of the system and how to play together. This is something that always seemed lacking to me in the Texans this year. It seems like there was always one player or another who wasn't quite in sync.

With a more reasonable training camp, the players end up starting the season much fresher - and healthier. I've heard that they continue this throughout the season; Denver has more workouts during the week in shells rather than full pads. In the best of all worlds maybe this will help veterans such as Weigert and Walker stay on the field more through less wear and tear. It should also result in a team that has more energy and plays better together. This could have a great impact on our o-line and defensive pass protection among others.

One more reason to look forward to Kubiak and next season.

I have been posting on the conditioning aspect for some time, but my concern has also been over doing it in the weight room. The type of injuries BJ suffered could have been the result of over doing it there. Glenn was another one who was having problems, but once he left the Texans I believe he was injury free. I think the coaching staff has to look at both areas very carefully. There may be more than one source of the problem.

I have often wondered if Carr was over doing it in the weight room. This might be a reason for some his throwing problems. I know all players like to be strong and buff, but that does not necessarily yield the best musscle development for what you are trying to do in the game of football.

We had a basketball program at Fresno State that had been having a lot of injury problems until Ron Adams showed up as an assistant coach. He introduced stretching, and they did a lot of it, before every playing or practicing. We had very few injuries during his era with Boyd Grant at Fresno State. I became a firm advocate of that process.

Like what you said just wanted to add some additional thoughts on this subject. 4th Qtr exhaustion could have been the reason we were seeing so many problems there. I would also wonder what our pregame warmups behind the scenes were like.