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Training Camp Practice Updates - 2011

ha funny my twitter feed was full up of good plays by the secondary today (alot more than any other day) & then i see kubiak basically saying they were terrible today
 
gary said:
Great day at practice. I was brought into the VIP area and Bob McNair came over to me. He asked me for my prediction and I said 11-5. He said what can we do about the 5 games. I said forget the 11&5. 19&0. He got hysterical. Neil Rackers gave me his football and I had an in depth conversation with Spencer Tillman from channel 13 about the three four defense and Wade Phillips. Tillman shared his thoughts about how he has been listening to player and coach communication and also how the players comprehend the new scheme as well as the new language. Spencer told me that it is about much more than just putting pressure on the QB. We spoke a little bit about JJ Watt and what he brings to the team and the new system. He really likes Mr. Watt and I happen to like Spencer even though some of you don't but I must say he is very honest about the Texans and has a lot to say. I called his name as he was passing by in the V.I.P. area and he turned around and came right over to me then we stated chatting away like we have known each other for years so I admire him for taking all that time to chat with me. All and all I had a great time and I'll try to upload some photos to this thread depending on how they turned out when I see them.
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Very cool. Thank you for posting.
 
gary said:
Great day at practice. I was brought into the VIP area and Bob McNair came over to me. He asked me for my prediction and I said 11-5. He said what can we do about the 5 games. I said forget the 11&5. 19&0. He got hysterical. Neil Rackers gave me his football and I had an in depth conversation with Spencer Tillman from channel 13 about the three four defense and Wade Phillips. Tillman shared his thoughts about how he has been listening to player and coach communication and also how the players comprehend the new scheme as well as the new language. Spencer told me that it is about much more than just putting pressure on the QB. We spoke a little bit about JJ Watt and what he brings to the team and the new system. He really likes Mr. Watt and I happen to like Spencer even though some of you don't but I must say he is very honest about the Texans and has a lot to say. I called his name as he was passing by in the V.I.P. area and he turned around and came right over to me then we stated chatting away like we have known each other for years so I admire him for taking all that time to chat with me. All and all I had a great time and I'll try to upload some photos to this thread depending on how they turned out when I see them.
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Way to go Gary!! I'd rep you but I don't see where you asked Uncle Bob why he isn't a member of our message board. Golden opportunity and you let it slide by. That's not like you Gary.
:D
 
ObsiWan said:
Way to go Gary!! I'd rep you but I don't see where you asked Uncle Bob why he isn't a member of our message board. Golden opportunity and you let it slide by. That's not like you Gary.
:D
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I'll ask him tomorrow if he is out there. He should only read this MB anyway.
 
SheTexan said:
All our players need to take some DANCE classes!!! First thing you learn is to STRETCH before practice or performing!! The # of "hammy" injuries is alarming to me, and I don't think the 100 degree weather is the main problem either. Maybe a contributor, but not the reason. Keeping their legs in shape should have been a #1 priority during the holdout!! JMO!!

Do you guys remember the time when some of the Oilers took dance classes? There were some pretty funny pics out there during that time.
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Hamstring injuries occur because a force was imposed on the muscle that it couldn't handle and the fibers tear as a result. Its not related to flexibility. Dancers, gymnasts and martial artists all experience muscle pulls and strains despite impressive levels of flexibility.

Athletes experiencing heat stress, fatigue and dehydration experience reduced performance, I think the heat is definitely a contributing factor
 
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gary said:
I'll ask him tomorrow if he is out there. He should only read this MB anyway.
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Maybe he shouldn't! He only wants people who blow sunshine up his ass, aka yes men. But all in all, really cool Gary. Spencer Tillman sounds like a really cool cat. Keep up the great work for us!
 
Porky said:
Maybe he shouldn't! He only wants people who blow sunshine up his ass, aka yes men. But all in all, really cool Gary. Spencer Tillman sounds like a really cool cat. Keep up the great work for us!
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Yea, I thought you guys would like a little inside scoop from Tillman. It was interesting to hear what he focuses on as a reporter during practice and like him or not he sure will tell it like it really is.
 
otisbean said:
Hamstring injuries occur because a force was imposed on the muscle that it couldn't handle and the fibers tear as a result. Its not related to flexibility. Dancers, gymnasts and martial artists all experience muscle pulls and strains despite impressive levels of flexibility.

A muscle that is dehydrated and/or fatigued can't produce as much force, I think the heat is definitely a contributing factor
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It is strange, but there are some investigators who have tried to show that dehydration has nothing to do with muscle cramping/injuries (CLICK THIS ARTICLE), pointing out a false premise to begin with that if this were not so, all muscles of the body would cramp. They try to explain the entire mechanism on muscle fatigue-related factors alone.

However, physiologically, dehydration and accompanying electrolyte imbalance, by its very well establish effect on muscle function, would provide create a perfect local environment to enhance the probability of cramping/injury when combined with muscle-fatiguing exercise.

Indeed, muscle cramping/injury can occur with fatiguing exercise without dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, but it is much more likely to occur, progress and re-occur in their presence.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
It is strange, but there are some investigators who have tried to show that dehydration has nothing to do with muscle cramping/injuries (CLICK THIS ARTICLE), pointing out a false premise to begin with that if this were not so, all muscles of the body would cramp. They try to explain the entire mechanism on muscle fatigue-related factors alone.

However, physiologically, dehydration and accompanying electrolyte imbalance, by its very well establish effect on muscle function, would provide create a perfect local environment to enhance the probability of cramping/injury when combined with muscle-fatiguing exercise.

Indeed, muscle cramping/injury can occur with fatiguing exercise without dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, but it is much more likely to occur, progress and re-occur in their presence.
Click to expand...


Interesting.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
It is strange, but there are some investigators who have tried to show that dehydration has nothing to do with muscle cramping/injuries (CLICK THIS ARTICLE), pointing out a false premise to begin with that if this were not so, all muscles of the body would cramp. They try to explain the entire mechanism on muscle fatigue-related factors alone.

However, physiologically, dehydration and accompanying electrolyte imbalance, by its very well establish effect on muscle function, would provide create a perfect local environment to enhance the probability of cramping/injury when combined with muscle-fatiguing exercise.

Indeed, muscle cramping/injury can occur with fatiguing exercise without dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, but it is much more likely to occur, progress and re-occur in their presence.
Click to expand...

I saw that article, and I agree with you. I'm a competitive beach volleyball player and playing in the Texas heat is horrible. I fatigued and cramp so much quicker than when playing in San Diego. There's another article I read that disucsses fatigued induced motor control issues causing cramps (I'll post if I can find it). I would bet this could be contributory to pulls and strains as well. Shirley Sahrmann discusses looking for weak synergistic muscles when injuries occur. I wouldn't be suprised to see weak gluteals in the athletes with hamstrings issues. The glutes should be the primary hip extensor, and if it isn't up to snuff the hamstrings are forced to take more of the load. An overloaded hammy is an injury waiting to happen.
 
otisbean said:
I saw that article, and I agree with you. I'm a competitive beach volleyball player and playing in the Texas heat is horrible. I fatigued and cramp so much quicker than when playing in San Diego. There's another article I read that disucsses fatigued induced motor control issues causing cramps (I'll post if I can find it). I would bet this could be contributory to pulls and strains as well. Shirley Sahrmann discusses looking for weak synergistic muscles when injuries occur. I wouldn't be suprised to see weak gluteals in the athletes with hamstrings issues. The glutes should be the primary hip extensor, and if it isn't up to snuff the hamstrings are forced to take more of the load. An overloaded hammy is an injury waiting to happen.
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I would have training camp where it's cooler . I've read if you lose 10% of your water you lose 30% of your energy . That means you can lose focus and so on .
 
otisbean said:
I saw that article, and I agree with you. I'm a competitive beach volleyball player and playing in the Texas heat is horrible. I fatigued and cramp so much quicker than when playing in San Diego. There's another article I read that disucsses fatigued induced motor control issues causing cramps (I'll post if I can find it). I would bet this could be contributory to pulls and strains as well. Shirley Sahrmann discusses looking for weak synergistic muscles when injuries occur. I wouldn't be suprised to see weak gluteals in the athletes with hamstrings issues. The glutes should be the primary hip extensor, and if it isn't up to snuff the hamstrings are forced to take more of the load. An overloaded hammy is an injury waiting to happen.
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I can see the glutes having several different effects on potential hamstring injuries.......the one you mentioned........as well as the combination of strong glutes, strong quads with the weak hamstrings in the middle.


In a related post, this was my answer in another thread to DoubleBarrel's question "Can you really tear a hamstring from just sprinting?":


That is one of the classic activities that can lead to a hamstring tear. Your muscle is trying to contract while another force (the ground, another player, etc.) is forcing the muscle in the opposite direction. This leads to severe opposing tension on the muscle, and depending on the force, it can result in tearing of various degree.

It can also occur when the quads are too much stronger than the hamstrings (the hammy should be no less than 60% the strength of the quad). Not warming up and having the hamstring unstretched commonly will put the hamstring at risk. Dehydration can also put the hamstring significantly at risk in that this condition leads to cramping which is contraction (shortening) of the muscle. Anything that shortens this muscle will encourage the stronger opposing muscle group (in this case the quad) to unnaturally force a re-stretch, and thus a tear. There are several other factors that can come into play, but you get the idea.
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Honoring Earl 34 said:
I would have training camp where it's cooler . I've read if you lose 10% of your water you lose 30% of your energy . That means you can lose focus and so on .
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Not to answer for Otisbean, but when you lose overall body energy (total body fatigue), you lose some neuromusclar COORDINATION. This type of discoordination can lead to all sorts of muscular injuries.........with the muscles yinging when they should be yanging.:)
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Not to answer for Otisbean, but when you lose overall body energy (total body fatigue), you lose some neuromusclar COORDINATION. This type of discoordination can lead to all sorts of muscular injuries.........with the muscles yinging when they should be yanging.:)
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I was just giving my lecture I used when I was coaching ten year olds playing soccer in August .
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I can see the glutes having several different effects on potential hamstring injuries.......the one you mentioned........as well as the combination of strong glutes, strong quads with the weak hamstrings in the middle.


In a related post, this was my answer in another thread to DoubleBarrel's question "Can you really tear a hamstring from just sprinting?":
Click to expand...

Weakness in the posterior chain is REALLY bad for sprinting athletes, honestly for all athletes in general. Whenever I work with athlete I usually program exercises in a 2:1 ratio in favor of the posterior chain (glutes, hammys, and calfs). I never do quad work in isolation and never utilize the leg press. One of the fastest ways to pull a hamstring is to train using the leg press and leg curl machine as primary exercises.

For all you that have kids that are athletes, teach them to deadlift and KB swing. It's funny, I constantly hear people say "you cannot coach speed", and that's false. Any athlete can run faster if they train correctly. Running faster is all about increasing ground reaction forces and you can absolutely do that if you train properly. Develop the posterior chain, correct any muscle imbalances, and develop explosiveness and you will run faster and also help prevent pesky injuries in the process.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Not to answer for Otisbean, but when you lose overall body energy (total body fatigue), you lose some neuromusclar COORDINATION. This type of discoordination can lead to all sorts of muscular injuries.........with the muscles yinging when they should be yanging.:)
Click to expand...

Great quote! Neuromuscular coordination is key to elite performance and injury prevention. Anything that disrupts it must be accounted for: dehydration, fatigue, ect...
 
gary said:
I just don't see Mitchell being just a training camp wonder and that's all. Both Cody and Mitchell seem to be rather small for an NT upon first glance at them but Earl still has the edge there he does really well at staying low to the ground and using his quickness at the point of attack which is a huge plus for him. These are not games that count though so let's hope he does this well when facing the rest of the NFL. We'll see.
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Where's our updates??? C'mon guys, we're depending on you!
 
otisbean said:
Weakness in the posterior chain is REALLY bad for sprinting athletes, honestly for all athletes in general. Whenever I work with athlete I usually program exercises in a 2:1 ratio in favor of the posterior chain (glutes, hammys, and calfs). I never do quad work in isolation and never utilize the leg press. One of the fastest ways to pull a hamstring is to train using the leg press and leg curl machine as primary exercises.

For all you that have kids that are athletes, teach them to deadlift and KB swing. It's funny, I constantly hear people say "you cannot coach speed", and that's false. Any athlete can run faster if they train correctly. Running faster is all about increasing ground reaction forces and you can absolutely do that if you train properly. Develop the posterior chain, correct any muscle imbalances, and develop explosiveness and you will run faster and also help prevent pesky injuries in the process.
Click to expand...

Yay! Woot! Well said! I couldn't rep ya or I would have. My philosophy exactly except that I use OL lifts instead of kettle bells -- not that I'm against kettle bells.
 
Today Jon Gruden and Chris Mortensen from ESPN was at practice getting their game notes ready for Monday night. Bob was not there but I did talk to Jon some about the team and he told me every year for awhile now he has been counting on the Texans to break through just like the rest of us. He gave me a chuckle when he said he really likes coach Phillips and the news guys and he feels Gary has a good handle on the offense. But he just would not predict anything about the Texans because every year he has been wrong so far. LOL. I took pictures with several players as well as coach Gruden. He placed his Super Bowl ring on my finger to snap a photo which was a great thrill for me but he is not the first person to do that in my life as I have had other ex NFL greats place their Hall Of Fame and Super Bowl rings on my finger before. Ryan who is the head of security for the Texans and a great friend of mine told me next summer I'll help him with security. He will tie me up in a lifeguard chair in the corner of the field and give me a bullhorn to blow if I see trouble. Mario Williams was signing for a group of kids and he saw me and left them and came over to me. I was so surprised. He was as nice as he could be and we talked SB. I'll be posting photos shortly so stay tuned to see Ryans, Williams, and others. What a great two days I have had at practice.
 
gary said:
Today Jon Gruden and Chris Mortensen from ESPN was at practice getting their game notes ready for Monday night. Bob was not there but I did talk to Jon some about the team and he told me every year for awhile now he has been counting on the Texans to break through just like the rest of us. He gave me a chuckle when he said he really likes coach Phillips and the news guys and he feels Gary has a good handle on the offense. But he just would not predict anything about the Texans because every year he has been wrong so far. LOL. I took pictures with several players as well as coach Gruden. He placed his Super Bowl ring on my finger to snap a photo which was a great thrill for me but he is not the first person to do that in my life as I have had other ex NFL greats place their Hall Of Fame and Super Bowl rings on my finger before. Ryan who is the head of security for the Texans and a great friend of mine told me next summer I'll help him with security. He will tie me up in a lifeguard chair in the corner of the field and give me a bullhorn to blow if I see trouble. Mario Williams was signing for a group of kids and he saw me and left them and came over to me. I was so surprised. He was as nice as he could be and we talked SB. I'll be posting photos shortly so stay tuned to see Ryans, Williams, and others. What a great two days I have had at practice.
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Where's the "Green-with-Envy" smiley?
And let me know if you need someone to help you with that lifeguard job. You know, someone to make sure you have fresh batteries for the bullhorn, keep you supplied with water... stuff like that.
:)
 
A few random notes from practice this morning:

The roof at Reliant Stadium was open this morning. You can count on it being closed on Monday night.
Trindon Holliday, Steve Slaton, Paul Williams, Johnathan Joseph, Antonio Baker and Jonathan Weeks all began practice on the exercise bikes and didn't participate
Arian Foster, Ben Tate and Steve Slaton worked by themselves at the far corner of Field 3. Foster and Tate were running and later came back to the main practice field with ice on the hammys. Gary Kubiak said today that all the hamstring injuries to the RBs are Grade 1, which is the least severe. The Texans are being extra conservative with these injuries.
Johnathan Joseph was held out for what Kubiak described as a tight grion. It doesn't appear serious.
Jason Allen took Joseph's reps.
Heard in the crowd: "Jeff Maehl looks like a high school kid"
Reggie Herring worked with the linebackers on various pressures, stunts and drops during individual drills. Cushing and Barwin were working on stunts. As far as the outside LBs, sometimes you'd see them bring Barwin and drop Mario or vice versa, and sometimes they'd bring both while Cushing and DeMeco dropped. There are many different combos on LB movements and that's an exciting aspect of Wade's defense.


Continue reading on Examiner.com Texans training camp notes: Friday, August 12 - Houston Houston Texans | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/houston-tex...ing-camp-notes-friday-august-12#ixzz1UwB3a9Xc
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Aj's notes from friday
 
wow hulk wade again

I didn't see exactly what happened and only caught the tail end but backup OLB Brian Braman either missed an assignment or was mixing it up with someone and Wade Phillips got in his face big time. "Get in the huddle!" screamed Phillips.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Texans training camp notes: Friday, August 12 - Houston Houston Texans | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/houston-tex...ing-camp-notes-friday-august-12#ixzz1UwBdM5tF
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Interesting dime package work today. One set had two safeties deep (Nolan, Barber) with another safety (Demps) lined up about 7-8 yards deep with three corners (Molden, Harris and McManis).
What was very interesting was the blitzes and pressures out of the dime set. Created confusion in the offensive backfield, no doubt.
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Some notes on individual players from this morning's (8/13) practice. Really, pretty much a walk-through considering that there's a game on Monday.

JJ Watt - Seems just a little quicker, stronger, and more energetic than anyone else on either side of the line. Coming from Wisconsin, you would think he would have to adjust to the searing heat. Not so. Regarding rookies, we've heard the term "pro ready" tossed around here before. Looks like Watt really does fit that description.

Brian Cushing - I can't help but say that Cushing looks smaller than before. Also, he looked lost in zone coverage at times. It was a walkthrough without real hitting, so put this in perspective.

DeMeco Ryans - Also looked smaller than I've seen him in awhile. Seems ahead of Cushing and the other ILBs in pass coverage.

Connor Barwin - Barwin looks huge. But still very fluid. I think Connor could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Brooks Reed - Rookies were hurt the most by the lack of offseason workouts and camps. A guy changing positions, like Reed, is really setback. Brooks looks lost at times, stiff as well. I don't expect much from him this season.

Kareem Jackson - Still the starting LCB. Will he stay there once Joseph comes back from injury? Did a nice job of blanketing Dreessen. Had a more difficult time with Kevin Walter.

Mario Williams - Saw him drop into coverage a few times. Won't surprise me if the Texans don't show that look more in the preseason.

Tim Dobbins - Good size and moves around pretty well. Running 2nd team, and could become the top ILB off the bench.

Quinton Demps - Demps caught my eye from the start, working with the D-line in pass rush drills prior to practice officially starting. Demps took some snaps at nickel LB and returned a kickoff, as well. I think he makes this team as the top safety off the bench. Demps probably would have started on many Texans teams in the past.

Matt Schaub - Nails. Wrap him up, put him to the side, and break him out on opening day.

Matt Leinart - Been getting rave reviews, but I see a lot of checkdowns and hesitancy. Don't be surprised to see Leinart take a few sacks against the Jets.

TJ Yates - Let me say that I do see the talent. He has the best arm on the team and can thread a needle if he can see the play. Usually, TJ looks lost, hesitant, and inaccurate. He needs reps and Yates is getting a ton in practice. At least a year away from giving the Texans anything.

Javarris Williams - Almost as squatty as Ryan Moats. That's really all I've got.

Lawrence Vickers - Got a few carries in single back sets. Didn't look too bad, and actually turned the corner on a sweep.

James Casey - Looks like the starter at FB. Gives the Texans so much versatility, as the defense really won't know where he will line up. Caught everything today and was uncoverable by the LBs. Along with Connor Barwin, gets my preseason Breakout Player of the Year award.

Kevin Walter - Looks great. Quicker than I've seen him, may have lost weight. Very much in sync with Schaub.

Lester Jean - Just keeps making circus catches. Has the body and the hands to be a WCO receiver. I'm officially on his bandwagon.

Jeff Maehl - Reed thin, but has more explosiveness than you'd think. Ran past fellow rookie Brandon Harris on a go route, but Yates missed him.

Not much on the linemen, because it's really tough to evaluate them in this setting. Really, a listless practice. Hopefully, a day off the practice field on Sunday makes them fresh on Monday night. Can't wait for some football, even if it's preseason.
 
Lucky I really think Casey will have a notable season. He is going to cause headaches for coordinators.

Leave a lb in and he has the advantage in passing game but can also block. Put a db in him and he will have an advantage blocking but can hold his own running routes on passes.
 
Lucky said:
Some notes on individual players from this morning's (8/13) practice. Really, pretty much a walk-through considering that there's a game on Monday.

JJ Watt - Seems just a little quicker, stronger, and more energetic than anyone else on either side of the line. Coming from Wisconsin, you would think he would have to adjust to the searing heat. Not so. Regarding rookies, we've heard the term "pro ready" tossed around here before. Looks like Watt really does fit that description.

Brian Cushing - I can't help but say that Cushing looks smaller than before. Also, he looked lost in zone coverage at times. It was a walkthrough without real hitting, so put this in perspective.

DeMeco Ryans - Also looked smaller than I've seen him in awhile. Seems ahead of Cushing and the other ILBs in pass coverage.

Connor Barwin - Barwin looks huge. But still very fluid. I think Connor could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Brooks Reed - Rookies were hurt the most by the lack of offseason workouts and camps. A guy changing positions, like Reed, is really setback. Brooks looks lost at times, stiff as well. I don't expect much from him this season.

Kareem Jackson - Still the starting LCB. Will he stay there once Joseph comes back from injury? Did a nice job of blanketing Dreessen. Had a more difficult time with Kevin Walter.

Mario Williams - Saw him drop into coverage a few times. Won't surprise me if the Texans don't show that look more in the preseason.

Tim Dobbins - Good size and moves around pretty well. Running 2nd team, and could become the top ILB off the bench.

Quinton Demps - Demps caught my eye from the start, working with the D-line in pass rush drills prior to practice officially starting. Demps took some snaps at nickel LB and returned a kickoff, as well. I think he makes this team as the top safety off the bench. Demps probably would have started on many Texans teams in the past.

Matt Schaub - Nails. Wrap him up, put him to the side, and break him out on opening day.

Matt Leinart - Been getting rave reviews, but I see a lot of checkdowns and hesitancy. Don't be surprised to see Leinart take a few sacks against the Jets.

TJ Yates - Let me say that I do see the talent. He has the best arm on the team and can thread a needle if he can see the play. Usually, TJ looks lost, hesitant, and inaccurate. He needs reps and Yates is getting a ton in practice. At least a year away from giving the Texans anything.

Javarris Williams - Almost as squatty as Ryan Moats. That's really all I've got.

Lawrence Vickers - Got a few carries in single back sets. Didn't look too bad, and actually turned the corner on a sweep.

James Casey - Looks like the starter at FB. Gives the Texans so much versatility, as the defense really won't know where he will line up. Caught everything today and was uncoverable by the LBs. Along with Connor Barwin, gets my preseason Breakout Player of the Year award.

Kevin Walter - Looks great. Quicker than I've seen him, may have lost weight. Very much in sync with Schaub.

Lester Jean - Just keeps making circus catches. Has the body and the hands to be a WCO receiver. I'm officially on his bandwagon.

Jeff Maehl - Reed thin, but has more explosiveness than you'd think. Ran past fellow rookie Brandon Harris on a go route, but Yates missed him.

Not much on the linemen, because it's really tough to evaluate them in this setting. Really, a listless practice. Hopefully, a day off the practice field on Sunday makes them fresh on Monday night. Can't wait for some football, even if it's preseason.
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I really think KJ's abilities will be best served as a nickle corner. Your post seems to confirm.
 
Here is me and my friend Ryan.
8132011230.jpg
 
Lucky said:
Some notes on individual players from this morning's (8/13) practice. Really, pretty much a walk-through considering that there's a game on Monday.

Brian Cushing - I can't help but say that Cushing looks smaller than before. Also, he looked lost in zone coverage at times. It was a walkthrough without real hitting, so put this in perspective.

DeMeco Ryans - Also looked smaller than I've seen him in awhile. Seems ahead of Cushing and the other ILBs in pass coverage.

Connor Barwin - Barwin looks huge. But still very fluid. I think Connor could be on the verge of a breakout season.

Brooks Reed - Rookies were hurt the most by the lack of offseason workouts and camps. A guy changing positions, like Reed, is really setback. Brooks looks lost at times, stiff as well. I don't expect much from him this season.

Mario Williams - Saw him drop into coverage a few times. Won't surprise me if the Texans don't show that look more in the preseason.

Tim Dobbins - Good size and moves around pretty well. Running 2nd team, and could become the top ILB off the bench.

Quinton Demps - Demps caught my eye from the start, working with the D-line in pass rush drills prior to practice officially starting. Demps took some snaps at nickel LB and returned a kickoff, as well. I think he makes this team as the top safety off the bench. Demps probably would have started on many Texans teams in the past.

Lawrence Vickers - Got a few carries in single back sets. Didn't look too bad, and actually turned the corner on a sweep.

James Casey - Looks like the starter at FB. Gives the Texans so much versatility, as the defense really won't know where he will line up. Caught everything today and was uncoverable by the LBs. Along with Connor Barwin, gets my preseason Breakout Player of the Year award.
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must spread rep
:o/

Two things.
1. The LBs worry me. Most are at new positions, learning new responsibilities. That could mean a lost split second thinking before reacting. That's pretty much all it takes to get you beat in this league. I wonder if the 1's will get more P/T in pre-season to make the adjustment.

2. Vickers was brought in to be the Leach-replacement-unit. Casey isn't giving up his spot with the 1's w/o a fight. So we're either keeping two FBs or four TEs depending on how Casey is listed. If that happens, what other position will we be cut short? QB maybe... and stash T.J. on the practice squad??
 
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