NFL.com - Bradie James will call plays on Texans' defense

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Daryl Sharpton may never become our starting ILB. However, he had his surgery the beginning of last November. Return to "trying" to return to sports may start as early as 6 months in some, but usually closure to 8 months. Typically, quad strength must be rebuilt and complete range of motion must be restored if possible. This takes a great deal of intense rehab/training. It is not unusual for a player not to be able to regain these two goals until the one year mark or longer, depending on the exact injury and surgical approach. Again, Sharpton may never have become what we expected, but we will not know for sure for quite a while longer. It certainly would not be surprising that the Texans would have no confidence in Sharpton at this point in time, if his performance were in line with a non fully-rehabbed quad tear.

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Great info.

msr

Pencil Neck, tried getting him for you, but I can't either.

MSR

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

...DeMeco was always more impressive to his teammates than Cushing was IMO. Maybe some of the fans (perhaps you are one of them ?) got pumped by his self-promotional antics, but Cushing just was not the inspirational leader in any way, shape, or form that DeMeco Ryans was for the Texans.

From 11/6/11 HoustonTexans.com

Cushing captaincy
Linebacker Brian Cushing led the Texans in tackles, again, with seven. He also wore a captain’s ‘C’ on his jersey Sunday for the first time in his NFL career. Head coach Gary Kubiak liked what he saw from Cushing, as he has all season long, and described why the third-year player earned the leadership position.

“We voted a few more captains at the midway point,” Kubiak said. “We did it off of respect to how you’re playing, and for offense, defense and special teams and Cush was a unanimous pick on the defensive side of the ball. That’s what the guys think of him and he’s bringing it every week.”

Cushing said he was surprised when he found out on Wednesday from Kubiak.

“I’m kind of a guy that I’m open-minded, I don’t really predetermine things and I just let them play out,” Cushing said. “But when he told me that and told me I was elected as a captain, like I said, I was just overwhelmed and very honored.”

Cushing was leader enough to be unanimously voted team captain.

[The Medic01]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Bradie James has not played ONE FLIPPIN down as a Houston Texan!!! Yet, you guys want to turn over the entire leadership role of our ONCE awesome defense to someone who has NOT played one second with those that made our D what is WAS last year!! Sure, he played for Herring and Wade in the past and is fam with the 3-4. Big whoopie do!! I realize some of you don't believe in loyalty and have the mindset that they can adjust to anything just because they are paid so much and because they are pro's. That's BS IMHO! It takes a long time for a good team to develope, and for players to become comfortable with the skills of their fellow teammates, esp with the one's that have been leaders!! Cush WANTED the role, said he was ready for it, so why shouldn't it be given to him? He said himself he shared the role last year with Demeco and felt he was ready. I just don't get the passion you guys have for someone who has no exp with this team.

I'm not trying to be all negative about this. I truly hope this dude is everything you guys think he is cracked up to be, JUST BECAUSE he played for Wade Phillips. I don't see it, but, I don't watch the Cowboys play either, unless they play us!!

"The entire leadership role" WHAT? we gave a player who has been in this system a long time the job of calling audibles and plays. That has nothing to do with leadership. He knows the system and it's intricacies. He knows where to put guys and if he does a good job in practices than the team will trust him to put them in the right place and if he doesn't do a good job in practice the coaches will give someone else the responsibility. It has nothing to do with leadership. Cushing is still a leader he just doesn't call the plays or get them from the sideline.

[The Medic01]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Bradie James has not played ONE FLIPPIN down as a Houston Texan!!! Yet, you guys want to turn over the entire leadership role of our ONCE awesome defense to someone who has NOT played one second with those that made our D what is WAS last year!! Sure, he played for Herring and Wade in the past and is fam with the 3-4. Big whoopie do!! I realize some of you don't believe in loyalty and have the mindset that they can adjust to anything just because they are paid so much and because they are pro's. That's BS IMHO! It takes a long time for a good team to develope, and for players to become comfortable with the skills of their fellow teammates, esp with the one's that have been leaders!! Cush WANTED the role, said he was ready for it, so why shouldn't it be given to him? He said himself he shared the role last year with Demeco and felt he was ready. I just don't get the passion you guys have for someone who has no exp with this team.

I'm not trying to be all negative about this. I truly hope this dude is everything you guys think he is cracked up to be, JUST BECAUSE he played for Wade Phillips. I don't see it, but, I don't watch the Cowboys play either, unless they play us!!

"The entire leadership role" WHAT? we gave a player who has been in this system a long time the job of calling audibles and plays. That has nothing to do with leadership. He knows the system and it's intricacies. He knows where to put guys and if he does a good job in practices than the team will trust him to put them in the right place and if he doesn't do a good job in practice the coaches will give someone else the responsibility. It has nothing to do with leadership. Cushing is still a leader he just doesn't call the plays or get them from the sideline.

[GP]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Bradie James has not played ONE FLIPPIN down as a Houston Texan!!! Yet, you guys want to turn over the entire leadership role of our ONCE awesome defense to someone who has NOT played one second with those that made our D what is WAS last year!! Sure, he played for Herring and Wade in the past and is fam with the 3-4. Big whoopie do!! I realize some of you don't believe in loyalty and have the mindset that they can adjust to anything just because they are paid so much and because they are pro's. That's BS IMHO! It takes a long time for a good team to develope, and for players to become comfortable with the skills of their fellow teammates, esp with the one's that have been leaders!! Cush WANTED the role, said he was ready for it, so why shouldn't it be given to him? He said himself he shared the role last year with Demeco and felt he was ready. I just don't get the passion you guys have for someone who has no exp with this team.

I'm not trying to be all negative about this. I truly hope this dude is everything you guys think he is cracked up to be, JUST BECAUSE he played for Wade Phillips. I don't see it, but, I don't watch the Cowboys play either, unless they play us!!

I bet if it doesn't work...Cushing will be back in that role. Preseason games will give a good insight, and even after that...Wade might still have James in that role for the first few games.

Time will tell if it was the right move or not, so we have to be patient.

Cushing will adapt. He'll channel his energy into proper directions. And if James is ever hurt, we know who will step back into the role. It's good to have multiple guys who can do that.

[TdotTexas2Step]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Bradie James has not played ONE FLIPPIN down as a Houston Texan!!! Yet, you guys want to turn over the entire leadership role of our ONCE awesome defense to someone who has NOT played one second with those that made our D what is WAS last year!! Sure, he played for Herring and Wade in the past and is fam with the 3-4. Big whoopie do!! I realize some of you don't believe in loyalty and have the mindset that they can adjust to anything just because they are paid so much and because they are pro's. That's BS IMHO! It takes a long time for a good team to develope, and for players to become comfortable with the skills of their fellow teammates, esp with the one's that have been leaders!! Cush WANTED the role, said he was ready for it, so why shouldn't it be given to him? He said himself he shared the role last year with Demeco and felt he was ready. I just don't get the passion you guys have for someone who has no exp with this team.

I'm not trying to be all negative about this. I truly hope this dude is everything you guys think he is cracked up to be, JUST BECAUSE he played for Wade Phillips. I don't see it, but, I don't watch the Cowboys play either, unless they play us!!

See, the thing about loyalty is that it there are so many different directions it can go. In a sense, Wade is showing loyalty with James, he has that camaraderie there with Bradie, which is something I'm certain he'll develop with Cushing over the years.

The team (at least defensive side of the ball) and the fans also need to show that same loyalty to Wade. If he feels that having James call that plays is the best thing for the TEAM this season, then our feelings for one player shouldn't get in the way for that. No player is bigger than the team.

Cushing will get his eventually, but for now, Wade wants Cush to just be himself, while James calls the plays.

[Texecutioner]

As many people know I've been pretty critical here and there about the off season, but not with the Brady James signing. Love that move, and I also like to hear this. I think by season end if James can stay healthy that a lot of folks that weren't that happy about that signing will be pleasantly surprised. James is a strong leader and a tough player.

[CloakNNNdagger]

With Sharpton on sidelines, James shows Texans he can take Ryans’ place
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:15 pm by John McClain in General

The Texans have one new starter on the NFL’s second-ranked defense.

Unfortunately for Darryl Sharpton, he’s not the replacement for DeMeco Ryans.

Bradie James is.

Sharpton, who rotated with Ryans last season until he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon that ended his season, continues to rehab and prepare for his return in training camp.

“Last season, I felt I was playing at a high level and getting better every week,” Sharpton said after Thursday’s OTA. “It’s been really frustrating, but it’s something that’s going to make me stronger.

“(The injury) was a heartbreaker, a test of my character, but I’ve persevered in the past. I’ll continue to do my rehab and work as hard as I can.”

James, 31, played his first nine seasons with Dallas and led the Cowboys in tackles for six consecutive seasons. His head coach for 3½ seasons was Wade Phillips, Texans defensive coordinator. His linebackers coach was Reggie Herring, who has the same title with the Texans.

“I’m learning a lot from him,” Sharpton said about James. “He’s a student of the game, and he’s got a lot of experience.”

When the Cowboys didn’t invite James to return for a 10th season, he accepted an offer to be reunited with Phillips and Herring. With Ryans’ trade to Philadelphia and Sharpton’s injury, the Texans had an opening next to Brian Cushing.

James knows Phillips’ 3-4 system better than any of his new defensive teammates, who played it for the first time last year.

“It was a no-brainer for me to come here,” James said. “The job is to build on what we did last year. I’m just trying to fit in and be productive.

“This (defense) is a hard-working group that flies to the ball. They’re very hungry and not complacent about what they did last year. It’s a very confident group that needs to continue to be tenacious and dominate.”

James has finished his first six OTAs with the Texans. He’s entrenched as the starter, and his coaches have confidence in him.

“We feel like we’ve gained back what we lost with DeMeco and then some, to be honest with you,” Herring said last week. “On top of that, he knows our defense and knows how to run the show. And he brings a certain calm to our defense.”

Phillips is entrusting James (6-2, 246) with a lot of responsibility.

“The guy’s a field general, the quarterback on the (defense),” Phillips said. “He calls all the signals and all the audibles. He’s familiar with what we’re doing and how we want it done and what changes we need to make in the heat of the battle.

“You need a signal-caller that helps everybody, and Bradie does that. He can tell everybody, ‘Hey, this is where we’re playing. I cover this guy; you cover that guy. The safety’s got him.’

“He knows the whole defense. A lot of players know their own position, but Bradie knows the whole defense. I don’t see much difference in him than a year and a half ago.”

That’s when Phillips was fired as Cowboys coach midway through the 2010 season.

Phillips and Herring recommended James to coach Gary Kubiak.

“He’s just what Reggie and Wade said he was,” Kubiak said. “He’s a leader, a very sharp guy. He knows our defense inside out. He’s got very good movement skills, and he fit in with the group right away.”

Meanwhile, Sharpton (5-11, 230) rides a stationary bike on the sideline during practice while James impresses his teammates and coaches.

“It obviously hurts him,” Phillips said about Sharpton not being able to participate in OTAs. “Being out there watching and being in the meetings is one thing, but being out on the field and doing it is something else.

“Some guys can watch and play, and other guys can’t. He played real well for us last year, and we’re hoping he comes back.”

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by TejasTom

Pencil Neck, tried getting him for you, but I can't either.

MSR

Got him

Great info on Sharpton, it also doesn't help that Sharpton is a bit undersized and his game revolves around his speed and quickness. Hopefully Sharpton makes a full recovery and this is a moot point. But I'm begining to have doubts.

[drunkcookie]

Originally Posted by SheTexan

Bradie James has not played ONE FLIPPIN down as a Houston Texan!!! Yet, you guys want to turn over the entire leadership role of our ONCE awesome defense to someone who has NOT played one second with those that made our D what is WAS last year!! Sure, he played for Herring and Wade in the past and is fam with the 3-4. Big whoopie do!! I realize some of you don't believe in loyalty and have the mindset that they can adjust to anything just because they are paid so much and because they are pro's. That's BS IMHO! It takes a long time for a good team to develope, and for players to become comfortable with the skills of their fellow teammates, esp with the one's that have been leaders!! Cush WANTED the role, said he was ready for it, so why shouldn't it be given to him? He said himself he shared the role last year with Demeco and felt he was ready. I just don't get the passion you guys have for someone who has no exp with this team.

I'm not trying to be all negative about this. I truly hope this dude is everything you guys think he is cracked up to be, JUST BECAUSE he played for Wade Phillips. I don't see it, but, I don't watch the Cowboys play either, unless they play us!!

You're a little jacked up right now, i know, but i believe your emotions have led you to be confused about what leadership is...

Leadership is not "calling plays" and "calling audibles"... Leaderships is setting an example for your teammates by playing your ass off.. leadership is demanding more from your teammates... It's helping them after they screw up, whether that's getting in their face or saying "we're gunna go out there and do it right next time, forget about it!"... It's cracking a joke at an unexpected time if the team is playing too tight...

Some teams have offensive linemen that are leaders, WRs, defensive linemen, DBs...are they all calling the plays and audibles? Hell, sometimes leaders are injured and on the sideline all year and still get out there and lead their team/offense/defense every game...

And what's with the emphasis on "ONCE" awesome defense? Do we suck already because Bradie James will be calling all of the plays? Seems to be a smart decision to me...

[281]

Originally Posted by TejasTom

Pencil Neck, tried getting him for you, but I can't either.

MSR

... a bit off topic, but what does "msr" mean?

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by 281

... a bit off topic, but what does "msr" mean?

must spread reputation

[gary]

James is back in a system he knows very well and a much better overall defense than Dallas has he just might be a Pro Bowler this year.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

I don't think there's anything very intellectually demanding about being the defensive captain or calling defensive signals for the defense

Sorry, but that's just incorrect. Especially at the NFL level. If anyone could do it, there wouldn't be this big fuss about how well B.James handles the role.

I think you are selling it waaaaay short. There is not a whole lot of thinking to call the plays out in the huddle (on either side of the ball), but just like the QB the defensive signal callers have to make adjustments to what they see when the opposition comes to the line. It's a chess match.

Defenses make almost as many audibles and adjustments as offenses do. In fact, some defenses make more adjustments than some offenses.

I'm not sure you understand what you're talking about when you say something like what I quoted above. It's actually completely wrong.

[Quick II Draw]

Football players, especially MLBs, have always been known for their intellectual rigor

[281]

Originally Posted by Scooter

must spread reputation

i figured it out on my own about an hour after i posted lol... thanks anyway!

[SCOTTexans]

Originally Posted by badboy

Bolded is perfect statement. IMO, Cushing is a throwback to great players and LBs who just want to play every minute & hit somebody. Any touchy feelings will not be seen by fans.

If Cushing really wants to be the Signal caller on the defense, He will need to study his azz off, know the system and beat james out of the signal calling job.

But right now Cushing can just get everyone pumped up by hitting the crap out of offenses and lead as a example of a Destroying machine

Example

Ray Lewis - Vet that know the Signals, but is starting to lack physically
Terrell Suggs -The dominating machine

In my opinion both are leaders, their doesn't have to be just one