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Houston Texans Official OTA's and Minicamp Thread


There's a logjam at RB that's worse than at WR. Right now we have Miller, Blue, Grimes, Hunt, Hilliard, and Ervin. If we keep three on the depth chart, the two we can't cut are Miller and Ervin (can't put a 4th rounder on the practice squad). That leaves Blue, Grimes, Hunt, and Hilliard to compete for one spot. Hunt is the same type of back as Ervin, so he's destined for the practice squad. But since Hilliard's bruising style of running distinguishes him from the others, I'm interested in his development the most.
 
Brisco_County said:
There's a logjam at RB that's worse than at WR. Right now we have Miller, Blue, Grimes, Hunt, Hilliard, and Ervin. If we keep three on the depth chart, the two we can't cut are Miller and Ervin (can't put a 4th rounder on the practice squad). That leaves Blue, Grimes, Hunt, and Hilliard to compete for one spot. Hunt is the same type of back as Ervin, so he's destined for the practice squad. But since Hilliard's bruising style of running distinguishes him from the others, I'm interested in his development the most.
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I have a feeling Ervin is going to surprise some folks. Blue might have the edge over the other names you mentioned, but only because he has time in the system and he does well on special teams.

I also think they'll keep four RBs.
 
eriadoc said:
I also think they'll keep four RBs.
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That may be a luxury they can't afford. But my question is who's gonna come in when it's 3rd or fourth and short and we need a big back to pound it up the middle for a yard or two ? I dunno but don't see a back on the roster who fills that role ?
 
IDEXAN said:
That may be a luxury they can't afford. But my question is who's gonna come in when it's 3rd or fourth and short and we need a big back to pound it up the middle for a yard or two ? I dunno but don't see a back on the roster who fills that role ?
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We'll keep either Blue or Hilliard for this role, but not both. Hilliard is still eligible for the PS.

Although it's possible we could not carry a RB for this role at all. If we carry a FB on the final 53, couldn't he also be used in this role when the occasion calls for it? Using a FB to run the ball - who could imagine such a thing?
 
Number19 said:
We'll keep either Blue or Hilliard for this role, but not both. Hilliard is still eligible for the PS.

Although it's possible we could not carry a RB for this role at all. If we carry a FB on the final 53, couldn't he also be used in this role when the occasion calls for it? Using a FB to run the ball - who could imagine such a thing?
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You are right about that and they did have Prosch run the ball a couple times last year so maybe that's how Billy will continue to roll when it comes to needing a short-yardage back.
 
IDEXAN said:
You are right about that and they did have Prosch run the ball a couple times last year so maybe that's how Billy will continue to roll when it comes to needing a short-yardage back.
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I like Prosch but he has some competition in camp this year with Vainuku who may be a more versatile FB. Should be an interesting battle to follow in TC this year.
 
TheRealJoker said:
This may surprise some of you but Lamar Miller is a better short yardage back than Alfred Blue... a lot of RBs are actually.
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Size is no indicator of short yardage ability ,but people might be surprised to see Blue is listed at 222 and Miller is listed at 225 on the Texans depth chart.
 
powda said:
Size is no indicator of short yardage ability ,but people might be surprised to see Blue is listed at 222 and Miller is listed at 225 on the Texans depth chart.
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The difference is Miller has great vision feel for finding creases in congested areas. Blue vision/feel = avg at best.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Since when is Blue a good short yardage back?

Blue needs to get a lot better or we do not need him on the roster. He needs to have a breakout training camp.

At this point I cannot imagine a situation where we are in short yardage situation and someone thinks..."ya know what we need to do here...Give it to Blue!!!!"
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Blue is a good no yardage back, when no or negative yardage is needed he's your guy....
 
dream_team said:
In the last 6 games of the season, Blue was averaging 4.6 yards/carry. Jussayin.
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I think Blue will be just fine. I was as frustrated with him as anyone & I've yet to see anything special about him.

But if the OL does it's job, Blue will get what's given & fight for a little more. As long as he's not the best we got, I don't have a problem carrying him on the 53.
 
dream_team said:
He'll be fine as a backup. And like others said, teams don't trade for backup RBs.
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They will if he's a quality backup that some team thinks he will help them... ala Sproles to the saints and (was it Turner to the Falcons?)

edit: Tolbert?
 
infantrycak said:
Or backup to the backup to the backup.

Just a hunch, I think the 1st 3 are Miller, Ervin, Hunt. Blue and Hilliard are fighting to convince them to carry 4.
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No Grimes? I think Hunt is a long shot to make the team. Ervin & Hunt seem like the same type of player to me.
 
I think grimes is the third best back on the team. He's a better runner and receiver than blue. He blocks well too and is a good special teams player.

If I were the Texans I would consider carrying the udfa rookie fb over one of the rb's as well.
 
gonna be some interesting cuts this year... Grimes is someone that will struggle to make the 53
 
Glad someone pointed out big doesn't equal good short yardage back.

Vision, decisiveness and explosiveness are good attributes in that role.

I like Grimes for his well rounded skillset. Block, run, catch, pass....
 
kiwitexansfan said:
Glad someone pointed out big doesn't equal good short yardage back.

Vision, decisiveness and explosiveness are good attributes in that role.

I like Grimes for his well rounded skillset. Block, run, catch, pass....
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Pretty much what they drafted B. Miller for... and he's bigger and faster
 
JB said:
They will if he's a quality backup that some team thinks he will help them... ala Sproles to the saints and (was it Turner to the Falcons?)

edit: Tolbert?
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Please never again mention Blue in the same sentence as Sproles or Turner..

Think more Matt Asiata (MIN) Andre Williams (NYG) Bishop Sankey (TEN) ..nobody trades for theses guys
 
PapaL said:
I'll take asiago cheese over Blue.
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Don't disparage a good blue cheese (my favorite). I don't think they're related to Alfred. They have some stank on them, something never said about him.

Total aside - had a blue cheese bison burger that was fantastic today. Perfectly cooked.
 
battleredready said:
Trade Blue.

There I said it.

Been wanting to say it a good while. Now we have enough talent he REALLY won't be missed.
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I've been saying that! It would be nice to have another Foster-Tate like tag team again. (Healthy versions) And, I have a feeling we may have one in Lamar and one of the other three not named Alfred Blue.

I know everyone is probably already tired of hearing this, but I hope we address the TE end position next.
 
6th Round. Blue was never meant to be anything other than a backup. The amount of touches he got the last two years, and lack of production (outside of a few games) as a starter, were absolutely not his fault. He wasn't going to become The Guy just because Foster couldn't stay on the field. The coaches and FO failed to invest in anything other than late rounders and JAG's behind Foster these last few years. Blue was asked to do something that was not in his capability to do.
 
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