UDFA: Okay DraftMasters, who ARE these guys?

[ObsiWan]

Here is the Texans' list on undrafted free agents:

• LB Mister Alexander, Florida State
• G Howard Barbieri, Rutgers
• FB Justin Bartlett, Carroll-Montana
• LB Bryan Braman, West Texas A&M
• LB Steven Friday, Virginia Tech
• DE John Graves, Virginia Tech
• P Brett Hartmann, Central Michigan
• T Peter Hendrickson, Tulane
• WR Lestar Jean, Florida Atlantic
• WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon
• DE Zane Parr, Virginia
• FB Zach Pauga, Colorado State
• S Maurice Rolle, Louisiana-Lafayette
• CB Jason Teague, Texas Christian
• WR Terrence Toliver, Louisiana State

From... http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/pos...ans-undrafteds

[HuttoKarl]

someone named their son "Mister"....hilarious.

[Wolf]

AJ has a links on all of them for an "one shopping" experience
http://www.examiner.com/houston-texa...ed-free-agents

UPDATE: July 28 - Hagan, Taylor and Morris are not on the list of signings posted on the Texans official website.

Instead of simply passing on a list of names, let's dig a little deeper and see what we can learn about this newest group of Texans rookies:

Mister Alexander (6-3, 242), LB, Florida State. Alexander is a 2006 graduate of Aldine Eisenhower and is looking forward to playing in his hometown (yourhoustonnews.com)
Howard Barbieri (6-5, 304), C/G, Rutgers. Barbieri walked on at Rutgers, redshirted, and eventually played every position on the offensive line for the Scarlet Knights (espn.com)
Justin (Bubba) Bartlett (6-1, 246), FB, Carroll College - Helena Montana. Bartlett played tight end for the NAIA national champion Saints which should help him over the next few weeks because Gary Kubiak likes him some pass catching fullbacks. (carroll.edu)
Bryan Braman (6-6, 240), OLB, West Texas A&M. Braman is getting a second chance at football thanks to Wade Phillips and Bobby King. (amarillo.com)
Steven Friday (6-4, 250), OLB, Virginia Tech. Friday, who experienced a life changing event during his high school years, will most likely get backup reps at outside linebacker in the Texans 3-4 (hamptonroads.com)
John Graves (6-3, 283), DL, Virginia Tech, It will be a Hokie reunion at Reliant Park when Graves and Friday join Xavier Adibi, Duane Brown and Roc Carmichael who are already in the house. Graves, who is characterized as a quiet leader, is working toward his third college degree and has expressed aspirations of someday working for the FBI. (washingtonpost.com)
Darian Hagan (6-0, 180), CB, California. If the name sounds familiar it's might be because his father, Darian Sr., helped Colorado win a national championship in 1990. (denverpost.com)
Brett Hartmann (6-4, 227), P, Central Michigan. The Texans don't have a punter under contract so I guess it's probably a good idea to sign one. Hartmann was a three year starter at punter for the Chippewas and was named their special teams player of the year in 2010. (cmuchippewas.com)
Pete Hendrickson (6-8, 310), OT, Tulane. Hendrickson has good upper body strength and a long wingspan but is a "right tackle only" kind of player according to NFL scout Chris Landry. (nola.com)
Terrence Toliver (6-4, 212), WR, LSU. "Being labeled immature kept him out of the draft, but 126 receptions at 14.4 yards per and 12 touchdowns (career) with very good size should get him into a camp. One false move, though, and he's gone." (nfl.com) Toliver, a Hempstead native, is thrilled to be with the Texans. (nola.com) But the Aggies weren't thrilled watching Toliver wreck their secondary during the Cotton Bowl.
Lestar Jean (6-3, 215), WR, Florida Atlantic. Jean is tall and physical but not a great downfield threat. He posted huge numbers during his senior season and was voted All Sun Belt Second Team in a coaches poll. (si.com) (nfldraftscout.com)
Jeff Maehl (6-1, 190), WR, Oregon. The first team All Pac 10 receiver looks pretty good on these YouTube highlights.
Darius Morris (6-4, 325), G, Temple. Morris lists his athletic ability and strength as his biggest strengths. (newerascouting.com)
Zane Parr (6-4, 281), DE, Virginia. Parr passed up his final year of eligibility at Virginia but still went undrafted. (washingtonpost.com)
Zac Pauga (6-1, 246), FB, Colorado State. A fullback from Colorado State? What are the odds? A match made in heaven for Gary Kubiak and the half-dozen other Rams alums hanging around Reliant Park. (coloradoan.com)
Maurice Rolle (6-0), 190), S, Louisiana-Lafayette. Rolle was named Co-Sun Belt Player of the Week for his play against Arkansas State last season. (scout.com)
Adrian Taylor (6-3, 311), DT, Oklahoma. The Mansfield Texas prep star is having a string of bad luck with injuries, suffering a broken ankle during his junior year and a torn achilles last season. (dallasnews.com)
Jason Teague (6-2, 184), DB, TCU. Tall and rangy, Teague was named Second Team All Mountain West last season by the coaches. I'd expect him to back up at free safety in training camp and preseason.


Continue reading on Examiner.com A closer look at the Texans 18 undrafted free agents - Houston Houston Texans | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/houston-texa...#ixzz1TWx68ZXm

[Smokedawg]

Terrance Toliver was the # 1 wr coming out of high school, but waited behind Doucet, Byrd, and Lafell. Then the VERY inconsistent play by his QB Jefferson his stats struggled. Watch some of his highlights on youtube he is big, strong, and fast.

[Ole Miss Texan]

The only two I'm real familiar with are Jeff Maehl and Terrence Toliver. Both SOLID additions to our team. Several of my mocks had us taking Maehl in the later rounds and one had Toliver. I think really highly of Maehl and think he's going to REALLY REALLY contribute on this team. Will seemlessly take over Anderson's role but he can stretch the field better as well as being more dangerous after the catch.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by HuttoKarl

someone named their son "Mister"....hilarious.

Just as an FYI. Throughout HS and college, he was labelled an "Intimidator."

As for his name, his father, Brent Alexander, chose it because Mister abbreviated is MR, something Brent determined would stand for "Mentally Ready."

But Alexander got teased a lot as a youngster because of his name.

"I didn't like all the razzing and all the joking," he said.

link

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by HuttoKarl

someone named their son "Mister"....hilarious.

That is so funny. Maybe I'll change my name to Mister Ole Miss Texan so nobody gets confused. lol

[TexansSeminole]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Just as an FYI. Throughout HS and college, he was labelled an "Intimidator."

link

There is not much in video regarding Mister. As a FSU fan, I can probably give you more insight into this guy than anyone else on this board.

Mister was mostly a special teams player until last year, Mark Stoops' first year as defensive coordinator at FSU. He started at strongside linebacker and played up on the LOS alot. He was invaluable from an energy standpoint, always getting his teammates excited. He's also a "yessir", "nosir" kind of guy.

Mister is a fantastic tackler and a big hitter. He's a big guy who hits with that extra bit of force that you don't see very often. His weaknesses are in coverage and in change of direction. He could compete for a backup spot as an inside linebacker with the Texans IMO.


Here's the hit he put on Virginia's Perry Jones.

From CND's article:

"He's a freak athlete," quarterback Christian Ponder said. "He's so explosive and he's so big."

Ponder even offered his sympathy for Jones, saying, "I felt bad for that guy on Virginia. That was ridiculous."

[Wolf6151]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

Here is the Texans' list on undrafted free agents:

• LB Mister Alexander, Florida State
• G Howard Barbieri, Rutgers
• FB Justin Bartlett, Carroll-Montana
• LB Bryan Braman, West Texas A&M
• LB Steven Friday, Virginia Tech
• DE John Graves, Virginia Tech
• P Brett Hartmann, Central Michigan
• T Peter Hendrickson, Tulane
• WR Lestar Jean, Florida Atlantic
• WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon
• DE Zane Parr, Virginia
• FB Zach Pauga, Colorado State
• S Maurice Rolle, Louisiana-Lafayette
• CB Jason Teague, Texas Christian
• WR Terrence Toliver, Louisiana State

From... http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/pos...ans-undrafteds

Tolliver, is 6'05 with good speed and might take a yr. to develop but has great potential to become a very good #2.
Friday, has great size and speed for the WOLB position and is a pass rush specialist, he might take a yr. to develop as well.
Maehl, should be a good possession receiver with great hands.
Barbieri, I don't know anything about him but Rutgers produces good O-linemen.

[badboy]

Tolliver has the skills but needs a dose of maturity. Could be that long shot that makes the team with lower end of WRs battling each other.

[keyser]

Hmmm. These three from AJ's list don't appear on the Texans' list. None of them are the top tier UDFAs, but I'm curious why they didn't show up.

• Darian Hagan (6-0, 180), CB, California. If the name sounds familiar it's might be because his father, Darian Sr., helped Colorado win a national championship in 1990. (denverpost.com)
• Darius Morris (6-4, 325), G, Temple. Morris lists his athletic ability and strength as his biggest strengths. (newerascouting.com)
• Adrian Taylor (6-3, 311), DT, Oklahoma. The Mansfield Texas prep star is having a string of bad luck with injuries, suffering a broken ankle during his junior year and a torn achilles last season. (dallasnews.com)

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by TexansSeminole

There is not much in video regarding Mister. As a FSU fan, I can probably give you more insight into this guy than anyone else on this board.

Mister was mostly a special teams player until last year, Mark Stoops' first year as defensive coordinator at FSU. He started at strongside linebacker and played up on the LOS alot. He was invaluable from an energy standpoint, always getting his teammates excited. He's also a "yessir", "nosir" kind of guy.

Mister is a fantastic tackler and a big hitter. He's a big guy who hits with that extra bit of force that you don't see very often. His weaknesses are in coverage and in change of direction. He could compete for a backup spot as an inside linebacker with the Texans IMO.


Here's the hit he put on Virginia's Perry Jones.

From CND's article:

Another source of info from last winter:

He impressed defensive coaches as a freshman in 2006, but tore the meniscus in his right knee the second week of practice. A year later, he was making the transition to linebacker when he tore the ACL in his left knee in the opener against Clemson and missed the rest of the season. That injury continued to limit him in 2008; he played only once, against North Carolina State.

Three years. Two games. Zero tackles. But he didn't question his ability.

Finally last season, he showed why. Virtually injury free, he not only played special teams but filled a role as a third-down rush specialist. He had five sacks, second on the team, and 17 tackles.

By the end of spring, it was clear his role would expand further. The coaches named him most improved linebacker and voted him to get the "big hitter" award. When Nigel Carr left the team after multiple felony charges, Alexander was assured of starting.

"I've told a lot of people, 'Don't be surprised when Mister comes out there and kicks some heads off,' " said former FSU star and Bucs rookie linebacker Dekoda Watson, who was Alexander's roommate. "He's fast, he's athletic and he's a smart, smart guy."

•••

So far, Alexander has 21 tackles, three for a loss, and has forced one fumble with a crushing hit on Virginia running back Perry Jones that FSU recovered and quickly converted into a touchdown for a 10-0 lead.

"I felt bad for that guy at Virginia. That was ridiculous," fifth-year senior quarterback Christian Ponder said.

Another Alexander hit knocked Wake Forest starting quarterback Tanner Price out of the game with a concussion. Though he suffered a slight concussion himself in the Virginia game, Alexander returned last week against Miami and had four tackles in the 45-17 rout.

Though quiet and unassuming, Alexander has tried to mentor some of the younger linebackers.

"It's the first time I've ever seen Mister talking to freshmen or underclassmen," senior middle linebacker Kendall Smith said. "I'm proud of him."

Ponder also stressed how much he has seen his classmate mature off the field, taking more accountability for his actions (such as his arrest early last month for failing to appear in a case stemming from driving without a license; he didn't know he had to go to court and when he learned of a warrant, he turned himself in promptly).

"He's just really grown," Ponder said. "We see him making plays left and right on the field. I'm excited where he's going."

link

[HuttoKarl]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Another source of info from last winter:

link

OK...I'm a Mister fan....from "mentally ready" to the heart the guy shows...hope he can earn a roster spot.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Adrian Taylor NT is sort of an interesting pick.

Worrisome injury history. Damaged 2 discs while weightlifting in 2006...."seemingly" fully recovered. Dislocation/fracture (like Barwin) in 2009. Achilles tendon tear last year.

Besides that, he has been likened to Johnny Jolly (not for his drink). He is a true 2-gap.

Full recovery from previous injuries and durability will be the main questions.........if he even passes his medical. If he does, will need time for development.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by HuttoKarl

someone named their son "Mister"....hilarious.

A buddy and I play a game every draft. We look for the guy with the most "interesting name."

The overall co champions are Taco Wallace and Frosty Rucker.

Last year's award winner was Baltimore's 3rd rounder, OT Jah Reid. Honorable Mention went to Minnesota' s 6th rounder, S Mistral Raymond.

[ESAD2-14]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Just as an FYI. Throughout HS and college, he was labelled an "Intimidator."

link

We got our very own "Boy named Sue."

[Señor Stan]

http://blog.houstontexans.com/2011/0...-stands-at-16/

Recap of Texan UDFA with Youtube clips.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

Here is the Texans' list on undrafted free agents:

• LB Mister Alexander, Florida State
• G Howard Barbieri, Rutgers
• FB Justin Bartlett, Carroll-Montana
• LB Bryan Braman, West Texas A&M
• LB Steven Friday, Virginia Tech
• DE John Graves, Virginia Tech
• P Brett Hartmann, Central Michigan
• T Peter Hendrickson, Tulane
• WR Lestar Jean, Florida Atlantic
• WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon
• DE Zane Parr, Virginia
• FB Zach Pauga, Colorado State
• S Maurice Rolle, Louisiana-Lafayette
• CB Jason Teague, Texas Christian
• WR Terrence Toliver, Louisiana State

From... http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/pos...ans-undrafteds

He said draftmaster

The two VA TECH players Friday & Graves should make it on special teams alone & develop @ their natural positions in Wade Phillips 3-4. Friday is a high motor OLB while Graves can play the 5 technique. I fully expect Maehl to make Texan roster, replacing David Anderson, better length/hands, will lay his body on the line. Toliver will be on the practice squad, as will NT Adrian Taylor, Oklahoma who is a beast but always inactive. Hartman could make the team if he's the only punter left? If the Texans don't resign Leach one of the FB's, Pauga would be my favorite to make it. One or two of the rest could have a breakthrough camp you just never know so it will be interesting.