Training Camp: Offensive Line

[Rey]

Originally Posted by NastyNate

You are mistaken, Norris was taking first team reps the other day.

That's why I said quite a bit and almost exclusively.

I have not been out there at all but everything I've heard and read has said he's been getting a bunch of first team reps.

Matter of fact there is a poster in this thread that has him as a starter on their depth chart based on something they saw.

All I'm saying is that guys who take reps with the first team offense have a good shot at making the roster.

[Rey]

Texans special on channel 13 right now!!!!!

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Rey

I wouldn't be surprised if Brooks earns a starting job in pre season when the games begin.

His greatest attribute is his physicality and ability to move/punish people.

You can't fully display that in any form of practice.

I think if he has a basic understanding of the plays he'll be able to showcase himself.

If he gets out there and is visibly out physical-ing the guys on defense it's going to be hard to keep that out of the line up.

I agree. I'm not sure how quickly it will take place, but Brooks will be the RG. Honestly, I think the only thing holding him back is the knowledge and experience of the playbook. IMO, he's already surpassed Caldwell from the limited amount I've seen of him.

I know I seem to be doggin Caldwell quite a bit. I actually think he's a good dude. It just takes that certain mean streak to play in the trenches. I don't think he has it.

[IDEXAN]

Originally Posted by Rey

His greatest attribute is his physicality and ability to move/punish people.

Honestly, what do you base that on ? Did you see him play in college, or have you seen him extensivily in the TC this summer ?
He's big, we know that, but just size alone doesn't = physicality and an ability to move/punish people.
Please elaborate ?

[Rey]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

Honestly, what do you base that on ? Did you see him play in college, or have you seen him extensivily in the TC this summer ?
He's big, we know that, but just size alone doesn't = physicality and an ability to move/punish people.
Please elaborate ?

Yes I've seen a few clips/games of him in college. But you can also read scouting reports and when all of them are unanimous on one aspect, it's likely true.

It's pretty much common knowledge that Brooks is a people mover.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

Did you see him play in college, or have you seen him extensivily in the TC this summer ?
He's big, we know that, but just size alone doesn't = physicality and an ability to move/punish people.
Please elaborate ?

I've seen plenty of Brooks in college.
He's big, strong. He can move laterally, he's really quick for a guy that size.
He has 34" arms. He uses his hands well to block or redirect (Many of these factors no doubt played into Kubiak's thinking that Brooks might be able to handle the OT position in the future - He had said that much during camp.)

In Brooks' thread, I think I had mentioned that he can even hold off a DT easilly (in the Shrine game) with one outstreched hand while waiting for the second O-lineman to take over so he can get to the second level.

http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/sho...t=91698&page=5

Start with post #81

...

If he can maintain a good playing weight and progresses "normally", I think he has a really bright future.

[GlassHalfFull]

Our Offensive Line is not offensive. Thank god. I remember the days when it was.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Must be why I always say O-line, the other just sounds wrong.

[IDEXAN]

When asked about the combination of Butler and Caldwell after the morning practice, coach Gary Kubiak said, “They’re doing a good job. They’re being pushed really hard. Brooks and Smith are pushing Caldwell. Newton’s pushing the heck out of Butler. It’s going to be a tough call. I couldn’t make that call today.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...d-right-guard/
*********************************************
The HC says it's too close for him to call at RT ? So is there really a 50/50 chance Newt starts in Reliant vs the 'Phins next month ?

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

When asked about the combination of Butler and Caldwell after the morning practice, coach Gary Kubiak said, “They’re doing a good job. They’re being pushed really hard. Brooks and Smith are pushing Caldwell. Newton’s pushing the heck out of Butler. It’s going to be a tough call. I couldn’t make that call today.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...d-right-guard/
*********************************************
The HC says it's too close for him to call at RT ? So is there really a 50/50 chance Newt starts in Reliant vs the 'Phins next month ?

Yeah, this is something I was saying before TC. I think Newt's development is what helped to push Winston out the door. I think they see Newton as The Guy on the right side and Butler as the swing guy.

And I'm really happy to see that Smith is still in the running at RG. I had high hopes for him when he was drafted. Of course, I had high hopes for Caldwell when he was drafted and I've got high hopes for Brooks now.

Hopefully, we're set at G for a long time.

[GP]

Originally Posted by IDEXAN

When asked about the combination of Butler and Caldwell after the morning practice, coach Gary Kubiak said, “They’re doing a good job. They’re being pushed really hard. Brooks and Smith are pushing Caldwell. Newton’s pushing the heck out of Butler. It’s going to be a tough call. I couldn’t make that call today.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...d-right-guard/
*********************************************
The HC says it's too close for him to call at RT ? So is there really a 50/50 chance Newt starts in Reliant vs the 'Phins next month ?

Here's today's Texans depth chart (8/8/12):

WR1 Andre Johnson--Keshawn Martin--Lestar Jean--Juaquin Iglesias--Jerrell Jackson

LT Duane Brown--Andrew Gardner--Nathan Menkin

LG Wade Smith--Kasey Studdard--Cody White

C Chris Myers--Ben Jones--Cody Wallace--Thomas Austin

RG Antoine Caldwell--Brandon Brooks--Shelley Smith

RT--Rashad Butler--Derek Newton--Nick Mondek

TE--Owen Daniels--Garrett Graham--Logan Brock--Phillip Supernaw

WR2 Kevin Walter--Bryant Johnson--DeVier Posey--Jeff Maehl--Trindon Holliday--Mario Louis

QB Matt Schaub--T.J. Yates--John Beck--Case Keenum

RB Arian Foster--Ben Tate--Justin Forsett--Jonathan Grimes--Davin Meggett

FB James Casey--Derrell Smith--Moran Norris

The left side of the line looks very thin after we get past Duane Brown (LT) and Wade Smith (RG).

The right side of the line looks stout in both the 1st and the 2nd string positions.

Will Kubiak let the 2nd string LT and 2nd string LG take over if Duane Brown or Wade Smith gets hurt in a game...or will he plug in either Brandon Brooks or Newton over to the left side instead???

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by GP

Will Kubiak let the 2nd string LT and 2nd string LG take over if Duane Brown or Wade Smith gets hurt in a game...or will he plug in either Brandon Brooks or Newton over to the left side instead???

If Brown is hurt, I think Butler slides over to LT and Newton comes in at RT. If Wade Smith gets hurt...I'm not sure. Could be Brooks, or it could even be Ben Jones. Don't see Studdard making the team.

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by Lucky

If Brown is hurt, I think Butler slides over to LT and Newton comes in at RT. If Wade Smith gets hurt...I'm not sure. Could be Brooks, or it could even be Ben Jones. Don't see Studdard making the team.

If Wade Smith gets hurt I hope they move Shelley Smith in there. I think he'd be better than Studdard. He was on IR all last year so I hope he gets a chance this season. Like PN said "I had high hopes for him when he was drafted."

[Rey]

Originally Posted by Lucky

If Brown is hurt, I think Butler slides over to LT and Newton comes in at RT. If Wade Smith gets hurt...I'm not sure. Could be Brooks, or it could even be Ben Jones. Don't see Studdard making the team.

At the end of the day it comes down to getting your best guys on the field.

If Brooks, smith and Caldwell are the three best guards on the team then two of them will be on the field together.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Insideop

If Wade Smith gets hurt I hope they move Shelley Smith in there. I think he'd be better than Studdard. He was on IR all last year so I hope he gets a chance this season. Like PN said "I had high hopes for him when he was drafted."

First, I think a blocking sled would be better than Studdard. But, I don't know where any hopes for Shelley Smith stem from. He's never played in a regular season game, and he's only played against scrubs in the preseason. I think Smith is preseason roster filler at this point, with the Texans moving on with guys like Brooks, Jones, and Mondek.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Lucky

First, I think a blocking sled would be better than Studdard. But, I don't know where any hopes for Shelley Smith stem from. He's never played in a regular season game, and he's only played against scrubs in the preseason. I think Smith is preseason roster filler at this point, with the Texans moving on with guys like Brooks, Jones, and Mondek.

The hope for Shelley Smith comes from the fact that he's been in a zone-blocking system for a long time and he's the sort of athletic, agile sort of player that this system is built for.

From prior to his senior year:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/855288.html

He could flourish with the right team and the right system. He might not be a bulldozer for a power-running team, but with his great quickness and athleticism he’d be perfect for a West Coast offense. He didn’t allow a sack last season and has the feet and movement to handle interior pass rushers at the next level. Most importantly, he’ll be great for teams looking make things happen on the outside with the ability to move fluidly when he’s on the move. Going into the season, he’s projected to be a fifth rounder in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Sometimes it takes offensive linemen time to mature and develop. But when we drafted him, I had hopes that he'd be a backup for a few years and then develop into a starter. I'm still hoping that he shows some improvement and starts to pressure for a starting job.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

The hope for Shelley Smith comes from the fact that he's been in a zone-blocking system for a long time and he's the sort of athletic, agile sort of player that this system is built for.

I guess what I'm saying is that I haven't seen anything from Smith on a NFL field to get excited about. He's in his 3rd year, and he's not competing for a starting job. Smith is competing for his NFL life. If he has the athleticism and agility he's purported to have, now is the time for Smith to show it. I'm not holding my breath.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I guess what I'm saying is that I haven't seen anything from Smith on a NFL field to get excited about. He's in his 3rd year, and he's not competing for a starting job. Smith is competing for his NFL life. If he has the athleticism and agility he's purported to have, now is the time for Smith to show it. I'm not holding my breath.

I don't think that's so much different than what I'm saying. I had hopes for him when he was coming in and now it's time for him to show it. If he doesn't, he's gone.

[IDEXAN]

Originally Posted by Lucky

at this point, with the Texans moving on with guys like Brooks, Jones, and Mondek.

From what I've seen of Jones, he's an even more unlikely ZB prospect than Brooks, but he does have multiple-years starting experience in triple A competition (SEC). Now Mondek does look the part of a zone-guy and I'm hoping we get a good look-see during the preseason ?

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

I don't think that's so much different than what I'm saying. I had hopes for him when he was coming in and now it's time for him to show it. If he doesn't, he's gone.

I think we've even cut him a time or two, iirc.

*edit* Nevermind. We just waived him to sign to PS

08/30/2011
Placed on the reserve/injured list: WR Devard Darling, WR Lestar Jean, G Shelley Smith, G Kasey Studdard.

10/05/2010
Signed G Shelley Smith to the practice squad. Release WR Bobby Williams from the practice squad.

10/02/2010
Waived G Shelley Smith. Signed LB Isaiah Greenhouse to the active roster.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I guess what I'm saying is that I haven't seen anything from Smith on a NFL field to get excited about. He's in his 3rd year, and he's not competing for a starting job. Smith is competing for his NFL life. If he has the athleticism and agility he's purported to have, now is the time for Smith to show it. I'm not holding my breath.

Smith keeps his head on a swivel and clocks the defender.

http://youtu.be/bLtxMzOxuYE

Smith gets to the front side shoulder and seals his guy inside.

http://youtu.be/pbgQ0ezDIyA

Smith gets to the second level and seals the 'backer.

http://youtu.be/-T1uTSklLK4