Coleman has "mixed emotions" over switch...

[scourge]

I cant blame him, but anyways, not sure if this had been posted, but...

from espn.com

HOUSTON (AP) -- Marcus Coleman admits his emotions were "kind of mixed" when the Houston Texans switched his job title to safety by drafting hotshot cornerback Dunta Robinson with the 10th overall pick.

On the field Monday for the first time since getting the news last month, though, the eight-year veteran pronounced himself fully committed to learning the position and helping revive a defense that ranked next-to-last in 2003.

"I knew at some point in my career I was going to move," said Coleman, who turns 30 next week. "Everybody has their own timeline, their own kind of plan. I'm just a year earlier, and it's really not a big deal. They need me in that position and think it's an upgrade, so I'll gladly move back there."

Coleman talked at length about his new duties as Houston's starting free safety, but he declined to discuss his misdemeanor drunken driving charge stemming from a minor one-car wreck May 6, leaving that to his attorneys.

On Monday, he was committed to relearning the position that made him a high school star in Dallas and then at Texas Tech.

During the first of 19 spring coaching sessions, Coleman spent nearly two hours of practice adjusting to his new job, including making defensive calls to get teammates positioned correctly in front of him.

"Once you get back there a couple of times you get the feel of everything, seeing everyone move around as opposed to just one or two guys," Coleman said, referring to "the island" of being a cornerback isolated on a receiver.

"It'll be an ongoing process, but Marcus is a good athlete and has the size and ball skills and most of the things you look for in a free safety," said Texans coach Dom Capers. "It went well for the first day with Dunta Robinson at right corner and Marcus at safety, so it's a good start."

The addition of Robinson and Coleman's move mark two of five positional changes on defense.

Left outside linebacker Kailee Wong moves to the other side to make room for either first-round draft choice Jason Babin or second-year player Antwan Peek. Linebacker Charlie Clemons no longer is listed on the roster and is expected to be a released just one year into a four-year contract, impairing the Texans' salary cap by $975,000 this season.

Also, the Texans landed former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Robaire Smith in free agency. He'll start at defensive end in Houston's 3-4 alignment.

On offense, things were much more businesslike. Right guard Todd Wade, Houston's other major free agent plum from the Miami Dolphins, is the only major newcomer.

"We're not going to have to trot rookies out there to start the season," said quarterback David Carr, who was one of a bevy of rookies to struggle through the Texans' inaugural 2002 season. "I feel comfortable with everyone in the huddle. I've started games with those guys." Notes
Every veteran attended the voluntary workout except for OG Milford Brown, who was on bereavement leave. ... The Texans, who had the league's longest injured reserve list last year, welcomed most of them back to the practice field. Among them were CB Aaron Glenn, DE Gary Walker and QB Tony Banks. The biggest question mark for the upcoming season is DT Seth Payne, who the Texans are hopeful -- but not sure -- will be recovered from multiple left knee surgeries.

[Keldar]

The biggest question mark for the upcoming season is DT Seth Payne, who the Texans are hopeful -- but not sure -- will be recovered from multiple left knee surgeries.

Yikes,.............uh, did I say yikes? I meant Uh-Oh, Yikes!!!!!

[infantrycak]

Left outside linebacker Kailee Wong moves to the other side to make room for either first-round draft choice Jason Babin or second-year player Antwan Peek.

This was the line I found most interesting--sounds like Wong is penciled in on the right and Babin and Peek are fighting out the left--kind of thought Babin had the left with Peek still fighting at right.

As for Payne, what did you expect? He is going to be the biggest question mark until he appears in full contact drills or a game--neither of which is likely to happen until pre-season. For injury updates, I would like to hear something about Walker, Wright and Faggins.

[aj.]

Yeah, they talked about Babin at LOLB last week during rookie minicamp.

Here's the Chronicle's version of the Coleman story. In this article it sounds more like mixed emotions are past tense and that he's dealing with the transition just fine. Hopefully he'll pick up the "calls" with no trouble.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printsto...sports/2575576

[texan279]

IMO Coleman should be thrilled. He gets to move to a position that will prolong his career a bit and gets to stay on the team. If he wasn't as talented as he is he could have been benched or cut.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by texan279

IMO Coleman should be thrilled. He gets to move to a position that will prolong his career a bit and gets to stay on the team. If he wasn't as talented as he is he could have been benched or cut.

Seems from the article aj posted that he is taking it just fine, but it is understandable if he is a little disgruntled. He is in a contract year. He just watched basket fulls of cash get thrown at every warm CB free agent this off-season and instead he is being put into a position where his current salary is already over franchise level.

[El Tejano]

I really like the way Capers handled this, telling Coleman face to face that he could play 3 or 4 more years at corner but it is what the team needs right now. To me that says, I am not putting you hear because I don't think you can play corner...It says I am putting you hear because you CAN play corner AND you are good enough to make the transition.

Now lets take for example Marlon Mcree, or any of the other young FS we have back there at this time. If these guys step up and actually earn the starting j, now we have a guy that can take back his CB role should Dunta not pan out or even allow Dunta to replace Glenn should he ever retire soon, or if one of our starting CBs goes down with injury we have a proven man at corner.

This will prove to be one of the best moves our defense has made.

I also like the move of Wong to the right side because now people will not be able to run at us over there with ease like they did last year.

[Chance_C]

In this article it sounds more like mixed emotions are past tense and that he's dealing with the transition just fine

I read the article in the chronic also. It was worded almost the same, at least the first part of it. I got the feeling that the mixed emotions were past tense in both articles.

I also think he will do a fine job at safety for us.

[Blake]

He is a great athlete and will thrive at the S position.

[SBTexans08]

I sure hope Seth Payne gets better quickly. Those last words in the article didn't sound too good.

[edo783]

That, IMO, is the only spot for any real concern that we have this year (baring a rash of injuries). Every other position on defense and offense is fairly solid. Could allways upgrade some, but overall, pretty solid. If Seth is unable to be productive we will adjust, but it will not be as strong of a d-line as it could/should be. The starting units are both good to very good and the depth for both sides of the ball looks reasonable. Should be a fun year to watch.

[texman8]

On 610 sports radio, Cp said Payne should be ready by first or second week of training camp.

[Fiddy]

Originally Posted by texman8

On 610 sports radio, Cp said Payne should be ready by first or second week of training camp.

I doubt that seriously, and even if he was they probably will play it safe and hold him out of contact drills

[infantrycak]

I have no problem with Deloach, but he does not have the size to play NT.

FYI--DeLoach (6'2") is 5 lbs bigger than Smith (6'4"), 10 lbs bigger than Walker (6'2") and 12 lbs bigger than Payne (6'4")--the better statement is he just isn't as good.

[rittenhouserobz]

Deloach is just not the same as Payne. Maybe Deloach will have improved this year.

[Dilbert R.]

Nobody is the same as Payne in my book. IF he comes back hard, and ready to go, we are in for a great season.

[keyfro]

the thing about payne isn't that he's that big...it's that when he's on the field he plays like a big bully on the playground...he's aggressive...mean...he's a defensive lineman...deloach has the size and a little aggression but not like payne does