Chris Palmer and Billy Miller on 790am in the 8 o'clock hour

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

Missed the 2nd of the smart mouth comment(Dukes not knowing how to use Miller no better than Palmer) , but the more a more serious answer is that tough to get playing time when you are one worst blocking TEs in the league and at least 50% of your job is to block. Miller has worked hard and is okay a pass catcher, but his total package is mediocre at best. He is getting about the right amount of time.

He doesn't belong on the roster of a good NFL team. I like him. I even have the TD against Dallas on my desktop. But, he's just very limited and isn't much of a contributor on special teams.

[throwANDREtheBALL]

The majority of the stuff I read here is WAY on one side....or WAY on the other side.

Either your like IBAR and think the TEXANS are imploding or your like VINNY and you think with time the TEXANS will win it all and everything in the organization if absolutely fine.

AND you know what, maybe one of them is RIGHT.........maybe the team is only going one way or the other.


BUT, I don't think so

First I think that IBAR has some good points and VINNY and the majority of fans have some good points.

I think that this interview shows that Palmer is feeling some heat and there may be a way to secure his job longer if he dumps the offenses problems on Capers. I think that this is pathetic, and it seems like the Front Office is playing a lot of the blame game. I think its ridiculous. And the fans that think that this is all good and we just need to start the regular season now to show everyone, well your on something. Cuz if we start the regular season with the coach and offensive co-ordinater blaming each other, we're not going to get far.

On the other hand, the Texans aren't one of the worst teams in the league and they should be improved this year, since a lot of young guys improve every season. And I'm glad that they drafted CARR and JOHNSON, we need them. No matter what offense those two knuckle heads can decide on.


But, OK, am I the only one that is still wondering what's going on with the Offensive line ? They (Front Office) stated it was top priority this offseason and they still have done squat. Whether Capers is running the ball or Palmer gets to use his supposed "wide-open" offense. Don't we need a good line for either one of those offenses ?

CARR stated that he was sick of getting hit and he wanted something done.

So instead of offering a GOOD Lineman any kind of REAL offer and actually TRYING to get one..........they play musical chairs on the line...and they sign one of the worst starting lineman in the league last year and say.........YEAH, now we're improved.

"Here you go DAVID, the line's all fixed!"


I love the TEXANS, and that's why it frustrates me so much when the guys in charge seem to be blowing one of the most important off-seasons yet.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by throwANDREtheBALL

The majority of the stuff I read here is WAY on one side....or WAY on the other side.

Either your like IBAR and think the TEXANS are imploding or your like VINNY and you think with time the TEXANS will win it all and everything in the organization if absolutely fine.

Sorry, if you regularly follow Vinny's posts there is no way you should have ever come that conclusion. Maybe in relation to IBAR who is negative for the sake of being negative, but outside of that, a serious misread of Vinny.

[Tailgate]

Believe me if the Texans front office could wave thier magic wand and give us the best O-Line in the league... THEY WOULD!

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by throwANDREtheBALL

But, OK, am I the only one that is still wondering what's going on with the Offensive line ? They (Front Office) stated it was top priority this offseason and they still have done squat.

1. changed the protection schemes
2. pursued Pace
3. signed Riley
4. tried other combinations (flopping Pitts, Wand)
5. pursuing Shelton
6. drafted Hodgdon
OH YEAH, and there's still two months of off-season to go.

[ATX]

[quote=dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by throwANDREtheBALL

OH YEAH, and there's still two months of off-season to go.

Don't remind me. can't the season just start already.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

1. changed the protection schemes
2. pursued Pace
3. signed Riley
4. tried other combinations (flopping Pitts, Wand)
5. pursuing Shelton
6. drafted Hodgdon
OH YEAH, and there's still two months of off-season to go.

Not to point out the obvious, but other than potentially #1, none of that is going to do diddly squat to help the line this year.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Porky

Not to point out the obvious, but other than potentially #1, none of that is going to do diddly squat to help the line this year.

Wow! What insight! You are one special talent scout to be able to dismiss Hodgdon before you've even seen him on the practice squad. You've already dismissed both getting Shelton and/or him being any help to the team. Somehow you know that Pitts at LT and Wand at LG won't help matters and you know that Riley won't work out- not even to add some needed depth.

I need stock tips from you!

[wrestler4life]

The only thing we can do is wait and see. If the line improves, then great, we can drop the subject. But uf not, then we can yell and scream and make smart-*** coments all we want to each other and about the staff. What good does it do know to belittle each other and our team?

[ocd]

Originally Posted by Ibar_Harry

What happened on the Radio is very interesting, because if you remember it was said that Capers had to go tell Palmer to change what was happening with the blocking because David was getting killed. It sounded like Carr talked to Casserly and Casserly talked to Capers. Also, McNair had his two cents worth in there. Now, we have Palmer saying its Capers problem, because he's doing what Capers wants.

There is something wrong and if you can't smell it then so be it. I will state again, given Capers propensities why pick David Carr and Andre Johnson. They are not the offensive style of players he wants to utilize. Its interesting because others are beginning to see that Capers is really a liability for Casserly in that they are not on the same page. Casserly believes in procurring the best athlete available at the time of the draft, but Capers I really don't believe understands how to use that talent unless it's earmarked for the defense. I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer is gone before the start of the season. Why, because comments like he made on the radio will not sit well with Capers. If you want further insight go read the article from Seattle on Sharper. There is a tone in that article that is more than just sour grapes. I've said for a long time that I don't believe Capers has the respect of his players, and the more I read, hear and see, I think that is true. Obviously many of you feel differently and that is your right just it is my right to say this is the way I feel. Again, I hope I'm absolutely wrong, but there are a lot of little things popping up which make you wonder what is really happening on the inside.

I've said it before and now I'll say it again...you are correct sir! I agree with your entire post except for the part about Palmer being gone BEFORE the season.

Now for my comments...Boring and bad football do not sell tickets nor do they help you get on national television. McNair will make some changes soon if some changes aren't made soon...get it?

[ocd]

Originally Posted by atxcoolguy

"given Capers propensities why pick David Carr and Andre Johnson. They are not the offensive style of players he wants to utilize ." Classic Ibar Hating

Capers knows what he's doing.

So what's your point Ibar?

Sounds to me like you just don't like Ibar

The Boselli, Hollings, and Joppru injuries slowed down our progress, but it'll work out soon.

This truly is the best part of your post. My question is WHEN will it workout? We've done nothing about finding a replacement for Boselli. You get your linemen from the draft and every rookie coach in the NFL knows that. Our first year we took Pitts and Weary, both projects and guards at that. Next is Wand. Unless he either becomes a technician or an angry white male, look for high sack numbers again. Then we take Hodgdon for center. Pitts and Hodgdon will work out for us. But that's it. We haven't even added any level of depth that our beloved 1994 Oliers would've been proud of.

Joppru...tight end...whatever. Billy Miller and the Lakers rule!

And Hollings. He's been replaced because he will get hurt before the first game and then Davis and Morency will never look back so you got one.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by ocd

Pitts and Hodgdon will work out for us. But that's it.

Pretty good prognostication skills there--Wand will never work out anywhere on the OL (I'm betting you are wrong here) and Hodgdon is a success (hopefully you are right on this one) before we get to see him make one snap in training camp much less a real game.

[Texans Pride]

no post here

[Ibar_Harry]

This year's draft is a classic demonstartion of the points I have been trying to make about AJ and Carr. I'm going to begin by talking about the number 1 draft pick of the Texans. People were howling, because we did not take the gentleman from Texas. We didn't take him, because he did not fit into the scheme that Capers is employing and he knew that the gentleman's talents would be a waste in our system. I can not disagree with that and I think they made a very good choice based on what they are planning to do with the defense. Again, no problem it makes perfect sense.

Now, lets contrast that with the drafting of David. Is David a skilled player and was he one of the best out there at the time. Yes, but the question is and was he the player who would best fit into our offensive scheme and I think the answer is no. Now, why do I say that. Because David is known as a passer and never has been know for skillfully handing off the ball. He's known for his laser like passes and the ability to throw it far and deep. Capers on the other hand is really wanting to run the football. Except for Mr. B the O-linemen they have picked up have been known for their run blocking ability and not pass blocking skills. That includes Wiegert and Wade. Bruener is known for his run blocking ability and not his receiving ability. Now most of us would say if BJ had not been a hospital case we might be saying something very different about the TE position even though they often commented on his ability to block. Even when they look at AJ they are thinking about his blocking ability. He is unusually strong for a WR and they often comment about how well he blocks for the run.

AJ is a massive talent, but are we really doing any thing with his talents to spring the man open. I think the answer is no. The one game he went wild in was a fluke in that they let David and AJ play and the line was able to give David the protection and time to find AJ. The Vikings defense was not known for its strength and it almost cost them the game. It did give us a glimpse of what might happen if David is protected and has time to find AJ or the other Texan's receivers.

Both AJ and Carr represent substanital monetary investments by the ball club, but it looks like the Texans are drastically under utilizing those assets. If you honestly look at this from an investment prospective, you really have to ask what is going on. You could have a much stronger defense if you hadn't spent so much on Carr and AJ. Again, I firmly believe we are not even close to utilizing the talents of Carr and AJ, or for that matter, any other receiver on the Texans ball club. What is the proof, the O-line.

Again I will state as I have before that the injuries in year 2 set this ball club back big time and I believe Capers felt that rebuilding the defense was his number 1 priority. We did not have enough draft picks to do both. Therefore, the defense comes 1st and that's what you are seeing.

My one hope is that players like Wand and some of the other young FA's and NFLE players produce a couple of unexpected surprises and our O-line suddently blossoms because of it. It truely would be a miracle and I think we would all be happy campers. I predicate what I say on the belief that the O-line is still the one piece of the puzzle preventing the Texans from going to a higher level. Again I will say that Casserly believes in drafting the best Athlete and that doesn't work with Capers as the head coach, because he does not seem to relate to the offensive side of the ball and does not have a strong enough assistant coach to stand up and say what's wrong.

[dalemurphy]

Ridiculous. As I posted yesterday, lots of successful coaches with a run-dominated offensive philosophy have drafted and utilized top tier QBs. You don't need to throw the ball 40 times in order to get value at the Qb position:

Troy Aikman
Drew Bledsoe
Steve McNair
Ben Rothlisberger... are a few examples of high first round picks that were selected by teams with head coaches who believe in pounding the rock. Each of them were successful in that framework and led their team to very successful seasons.

Also, the truth is that statistically we are not a run dominated team. Our run to pass ratio is in the middle of the NFL. Thank god we don't have Mike Martz coaching this team but someone that understands the value of the running game.

Finally, the assumption that DJ wasn't drafted because he doesn't fit into our system is unfounded. By the way, 14 other teams passed him up as well... Including KC (editting- it was Carolina not KC who took him), who runs a 4-3, was in desperate need of a LB, and then drafted a SS that they plan to convert to LB while leaving DJ on the board. So obviously there were concerns about DJ outside of his ability to play in a 3-4.

[texasguy346]

KC took DJ, but both Carolina and NO passed on him. Carolina took Thomas Davis the SS that they may use some at LB. I'm sure thats who you meant.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by texasguy346

KC took DJ, but both Carolina and NO passed on him. Carolina took Thomas Davis the SS that they may use some at LB. I'm sure thats who you meant.

yeah, I'm sorry. The point is still valid, though. Even more so, since one should respect the opinion of Fox and staff in terms of identifying defensive talent.

Thomas Davis was actually introduced as a LB when he was chosen... I think it's pretty clear they plan to put him there.

[texasguy346]

Vinny posted an article in a different thread about Fox and the Panther's thinking about using TD as a SS during 1st and 2nd down, and then having him play as a LB on 3rd down in passing situations. He's got a chance to play either position, but he might end up being the best option they have at OLB. If he does end up as an OLB then the Panthers will have one very fast set of LBs.

[Vinny]

If Mark Fields Hodgkin's disease recurrence will put him on the sideline this season, Davis will start for him. That is looking likely.

[Ibar_Harry]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

Ridiculous. As I posted yesterday, lots of successful coaches with a run-dominated offensive philosophy have drafted and utilized top tier QBs. You don't need to throw the ball 40 times in order to get value at the Qb position:

Troy Aikman
Drew Bledsoe
Steve McNair
Ben Rothlisberger... are a few examples of high first round picks that were selected by teams with head coaches who believe in pounding the rock. Each of them were successful in that framework and led their team to very successful seasons.

Also, the truth is that statistically we are not a run dominated team. Our run to pass ratio is in the middle of the NFL. Thank god we don't have Mike Martz coaching this team but someone that understands the value of the running game.

Finally, the assumption that DJ wasn't drafted because he doesn't fit into our system is unfounded. By the way, 14 other teams passed him up as well... Including KC (editting- it was Carolina not KC who took him), who runs a 4-3, was in desperate need of a LB, and then drafted a SS that they plan to convert to LB while leaving DJ on the board. So obviously there were concerns about DJ outside of his ability to play in a 3-4.

On paper the balance of passing to rushing might be close, but when you consider that 86 of the 286 passes completed by the Texans last year were thrown to the backs, I think you have to back off on balance. I'm sorry, but we are primarily a run dominated offense and if Capers had his way it would be even more so, but the health of his running backs prevented it from being even more one sided.