On the health of our Texans players:

[gtexan02]

OT Charles Spencer was out of the training room and on the practice field today:

(on what T Charles Spencer did) “He did everything that doesn’t pertain to where he may end up getting tangled up with somebody. So he’s making great progress. We’ll see how he comes out of it this weekend. Hopefully everything’s OK.

(on what it means to T Charles Spencer to be back on the field) “Well, first off, he’s very excited, you know. He’s as upbeat as I’ve seen him in the last year and a half, and I think he looks really good, too. He’s got his body weight down. He’s part of the team again, so to speak. He’s out of the training room, so, you know, it’ll just be interesting to see how he holds up. You know, hopefully we walk out of here this weekend and we say, ‘Gollee, everything went fine. The knee didn’t swell,’ then we move on to the next step. So we’ll see.”

Matt Schaub is looking 100% again:

[(on QB Matt Schaub) “He looked good, you know. We were just talking about him. He hasn’t been around noise or around piles or around contact, that type of stuff, but he looked very comfortable and just make sure I keep people away from him, you know, but I thought he threw the ball really well.

Fred Weary appears to be poised to make a full comeback

(on his approach with G Fred Weary) “Well, we’ve got to get Fred totally healthy right now. That’s the key, and he’s very close, you know. We’re hoping that maybe, definitely training camp is what we’re looking for, but we feel good about the idea that he will be 100 percent very quickly or, of course, we probably wouldn’t have done it. But we’re expecting him to be back.”

(on G Fred Weary coming along so well) “Well, it was a clean break, so they felt like he had a very good chance at coming back quickly, but Fred’s an awful hard worker, too, so that’s added to it.”

Sounds like guys are working hard to get back as fast as possible. An update on Dunta will be nice.

PS: Please NO ONE post a thread saying "Wow, we sure seem to be healthy this preseason" because thats what started the onslaught last year

[DiehardChris]

On 610, Matt and Rich were both at the workout this morning, and Matt said Spencer is still running with noticeable limp. If it wasn't Friday, that would ruin my day.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by DiehardChris

On 610, Matt and Rich were both at the workout this morning, and Matt said Spencer is still running with noticeable limp. If it wasn't Friday, that would ruin my day.

IMO the fact he is out on the field in any capacity should brighten your friday

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

IMO the fact he is out on the field in any capacity should brighten your friday

The fact that there are three fine girls about to pick me up is about to brighten my Friday.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by DiehardChris

On 610, Matt and Rich were both at the workout this morning, and Matt said Spencer is still running with noticeable limp. If it wasn't Friday, that would ruin my day.

I think they said he's probably going to have a noticeable limp for the rest of his life. They were also talking about how he's probably going to slide inside and hopefully can use more brains + knowledge of the game (of which he has none) to work the line rather than brute force and athleticism.

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by b0ng

I think they said he's probably going to have a noticeable limp for the rest of his life. They were also talking about how he's probably going to slide inside and hopefully can use more brains + knowledge of the game (of which he has none) to work the line rather than brute force and athleticism.

Is there anyway you can back that statement up or are you just assuming Charles Spencer is dumb? I have never read anything nor heard that Spencer doesn't have a knowledge of the game.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Is there anyway you can back that statement up or are you just assuming Charles Spencer is dumb? I have never read anything nor heard that Spencer doesn't have a knowledge of the game.

He doesn't really have any knowledge on the pro-game because he's only played in 2 games his whole career. You can't assume that a guy like that, who has had to sit out for a few years is going to have a plethora of knowledge on how to play a demanding spot like offensive lineman. It's just not going to happen.

You can only gain experience by playing the game, not by being injured. This is what I implied by my statement.

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Is there anyway you can back that statement up or are you just assuming Charles Spencer is dumb? I have never read anything nor heard that Spencer doesn't have a knowledge of the game.

Originally Posted by b0ng

He doesn't really have any knowledge on the pro-game because he's only played in 2 games his whole career. You can't assume that a guy like that, who has had to sit out for a few years is going to have a plethora of knowledge on how to play a demanding spot like offensive lineman. It's just not going to happen.

You can only gain experience by playing the game, not by being injured. This is what I implied by my statement.

You still gain knowledge of the game by being on the sidelines. Maybe not as much, but you still do. Ask Schaub.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by GuerillaBlack

You still gain knowledge of the game by being on the sidelines. Maybe not as much, but you still do. Ask Schaub.

Are you expecting Charles Spencer to be an even better lineman than he was 2 years ago?

[ObsiWan]

Article on Spencer's return in Yahoo Sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

HOUSTON (AP)—The start of Houston Texans minicamp on Friday was more than just a practice to Charles Spencer.
The 6-foot-4, 338-pound offensive lineman took the field with his team for the first time since breaking his left leg nearly two years ago, a severe injury that doctors thought could end his career.
It’s a minor miracle that he’s even playing again, but Spencer’s goal now is earning back his job.
“I’m taking it day by day. I ain’t rushing nothing,” Spencer said. “I’m excited to show these coaches what I can do.”
Ephraim Salaam has started at left tackle in all 30 games since Spencer’s injury. The Texans used their first-round pick this year on tackle Duane Brown and coach Gary Kubiak said Brown is the front-runner to take over position this season.

Spencer showed the same potential when the Texans drafted him in the third round in 2006. He was the Texans’ starting left tackle for the first two games of 2006, but was injured in the third quarter of his second game, Houston’s 43-24 loss to Indianapolis on Sept. 17.

Once he was able to run again, Spencer had to overcome the fear of re-injuring it.
“For a while, I was kind of half-stepping,” he said. “What can I do? How fast can I come back? Once you get over that hump, that was probably the biggest thing, just trusting it.”
Spencer joined some teammates for running and conditioning drills about a month ago. He was so eager to test his leg, he had to hold himself back.
“I was flying up and down the field,” he said.
The time out gave Spencer a new, humble perspective. He was a star in college, an All Big East selection in his junior and senior seasons. In the pros, he’s just another player fighting to stay on a roster.
“It’s a business and everybody is replaceable,” Spencer said. “If you don’t prepare yourself as being the best, or being elite, then you’re replaceable. I have to approach that every day.”

Mods: Please move if you think this needs to be in its own thread.

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Are you expecting Charles Spencer to be an even better lineman than he was 2 years ago?

Better in some areas, yes. Condition wise I would say no, but knowledge on the game (like what certain DLineman will do), yes.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by GuerillaBlack

Better in some areas, yes. Condition wise I would say no, but knowledge on the game (like what certain DLineman will do), yes.

Well that is your opinion and you are certainly most welcome to it. If Charles Spencer was able to attend practices and do drills for the last 2 years I could see your point of view. But he hasn't, and I don't think watching + discussing the game is as helpful to a lineman as it is a QB.

The fact of the matter is, he hasn't played in 2 years. That's 2 years of real live gametime experience that he's missed out on. I think to expect him to come back and be able to hold down his position while getting used to using his leg again is asking a whole lot from the guy. He might be a really smart guy, and he could easily be a great football mind, but right now I'm not going to say that he's gained a lot more knowledge on being an offensive lineman because he just doesn't have the game experience to back that claim up.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Are you expecting Charles Spencer to be an even better lineman than he was 2 years ago?

Yes actually I do. Not only do i expect him to be better but I am sure the fact that a hungry player like that eager to get on the field will be pushing everyone on the line. If he's is healthy and ready to go by TC IMO neither Guard position is completely safe. Salaam might even watch out as backup at LT or starting nod. The staff I think took into account this was best case scenario in choosing Brown with the 1st pick.

Brown seems like a smart kid and having a guy like Spencer as opposed Salaam nipping at your heels is way bigger motivation.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Yes actually I do. Not only do i expect him to be better but I am sure the fact that a hungry player like that eager to get on the field will be pushing everyone on the line. If he's is healthy and ready to go by TC IMO neither Guard position is completely safe. Salaam might even watch out as backup at LT or starting nod. The staff I think took into account this was best case scenario in choosing Brown with the 1st pick.

Brown seems like a smart kid and having a guy like Spencer as opposed Salaam nipping at your heels is way bigger motivation.

Well have at ya then. I'm expecting Spencer to back-up any Oline spot except Center to be honest. I think until he proves that he can move around again on his bum leg, that he's probably going to be behind Salaam in the depth charts at the tackle position but he could rise up. I don't expect him to make any starts whatsoever, and only see limited amounts of snaps as a backup until he gets his feet under him more as the season goes along.

I hope yours come true, but I don't think guys come off of 2 year long rehab stints to go to the Pro Bowl.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by b0ng

If Charles Spencer was able to attend practices and do drills for the last 2 years I could see your point of view. But he hasn't, and I don't think watching + discussing the game is as helpful to a lineman as it is a QB.

What makes you think he hasn't been able to attend meetings and practices? Players aren't banned from the facility for being on IR--they just can't actually suit up and practice.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

What makes you think he hasn't been able to attend meetings and practices? Players aren't banned from the facility for being on IR--they just can't actually suit up and practice.

I addressed the "meetings" part by saying that discussion + watching might not help him as much as a QB who is sidelined.

I think not being able to "suit up and practice" is a little bit bigger deal than some are letting on.

[brakos82]

Maybe the curse is almost over...

[Maddict5]

adibi pulled his hammy.. not serious but..

[GuerillaBlack]

Damnit...

He'll be alright.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Well have at ya then. I'm expecting Spencer to back-up any Oline spot except Center to be honest. I think until he proves that he can move around again on his bum leg, that he's probably going to be behind Salaam in the depth charts at the tackle position but he could rise up. I don't expect him to make any starts whatsoever, and only see limited amounts of snaps as a backup until he gets his feet under him more as the season goes along.

I hope yours come true, but I don't think guys come off of 2 year long rehab stints to go to the Pro Bowl.

I think you're looking too much into it. I never said anything about being pro-bowl bound. Just if he's healthy and ready to go I'll expect that to drive up everyone else because a player that hungry will be pushing to earn a starting spot.