Tight End Play....

I realize that Billy Miller was out of the first preseason game, due to injury, but with watching Matt Murphy place pretty decent, it makes you wonder. Will the Texans look to go to their TE's more this season, and spread the opposing defense out even more. If we can have a TE, more or less Miller or Murphy match what Billy did his first year, it will take alot of pressure off the Carr-Johnson combo, and also open things up for our #2 WR's. Word has it, Murphy has looked good in camp, but just doesn't have the overall speed as Miller. Next up on needs list.........pass catching TE! But as of now, depth looks pretty good at that position.

Good article: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3310375

I am hopeful....

""He's actually a pretty unique tight end," backup quarterback Tony Banks said. "He's so big, and there are so many one-dimensional tight ends out there. Every team is trying to find a guy who can do two things. And he's able to do those things. He's able to block and catch the ball and get it down the field."
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One-dimensional TEs you say Tony, oh yea you mean like Breuner & Miller, yea
we know all about TEs like that.
C'mon Dom, put this guy in the game here in preseason and keep puttin him in and let's see what we got - could be exactly what we been lookin for ever since we used a 2 on BJ back in 2003.

well you can't say he can't make some plays while looking @ his preseason catch vs the broncos.

It would be great if Murphy develops as a good player. That would be a very good addition to our offense.

I blame play calling for the lack of production from our TEs. Why Palmer doesn't use them is a total mystery too me. Especially considering how "cutesy" our playcalling can be sometimes. Lots of dump offs to the backs, QB roll outs, and quick passes to AJ. It's all fine and dandy, but you've got to use your TEs if you're going to run those types of plays. We could get lots of production from our TEs, let's use them.

It does seem people have fallen in love with Murphy a little too quickly though. I mean, c'mon, he caught 1 pass for a TD! It was a great play, but I'm not going to jump to conclusions until I see some consistency. Let's hope Palmer learns that TEs are a good thing.

The playcalling wasnt the problem with tight ends catching the ball it was the personnel we had when we needed to pass we had miller out there and not bruener. When it was a run bruener was out there and not miller. An everydown tightend is the lynchpin this offense needs to score and score big. remember the year dom took the panthers to the championship game? Collins had a couple of good rec. but his main guy was a TE named wesley walls. when we find that player everything will be in place to post bigtime numbers. Like i said its alot harder to protect a QB when the defense already knows what kinda play we are running.

Now about Murphy, Wayyyyy to early. This guy has spent the past 2 seasons with the texans and he hasnt had more playing time? He seems llike he could be a project 2nd TE. hes gonna have to do more than 1 highlight reel catch. I feel that idf we have another Dismal year at TE that next years 2nd rounder will be a TE.

outofhnd said:

Now about Murphy, Wayyyyy to early. This guy has spent the past 2 seasons with the texans and he hasnt had more playing time? He seems llike he could be a project 2nd TE. hes gonna have to do more than 1 highlight reel catch. I feel that idf we have another Dismal year at TE that next years 2nd rounder will be a TE.

Click to expand...

Yeah, if he was really that good, he would have been starting for us by now. Especially since Juppro or whatever the guy everyone keeps talking about has been injured forever.

Chronicle had a story about him yesterday saying that the coaches and players see him doing this all the time in practice. He performs well when they put him in. He pancaked a few people out there too.

maybe he's finally got his stuff together and will have a breakout year. look at antwan peek,he's finally starting and both are in their third year. sometimes it takes a couple years to develop a player and i'm hoping this is the case here.

pre-season is all about preparation for the regular season, a chance for 1st team to get back into football shape without injurys and to see how the 2nd/3rd team players have developed. In Matt's case he proved he has developed at least to 2nd team status from 3rd team status at a minimum.

I beleive he showed that he could be the one for the Texans at TE this year. He was the games offensive MVP for the Texans, very good to see indeed

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/sports/081505_APsports_texans.html


Murphy trying to make an impression with Texans
By The Associated Press
(8/15/05 - HOUSTON) — Houston tight end Matt Murphy's ride in the NFL hasn't been a smooth one.

The seventh-round draft pick was cut by both the Texans and Detroit Lions -- only to be signed to their practice squads.

Murphy spent about two weeks on the Texans practice squad last season before making the active roster.

He saw action in eleven games -- playing mostly on special teams.

Murphy got a chance to shine on Saturday in a loss to Denver by catching a 31-yard touchdown pass when he started, while Billy Miller and Mark Bruener sat out.

Back at practice today he felt its effects as he continued to practice with the first team.

Murphy caught a couple of passes down the middle and made a big block.

He says it's funny how just one little play can make you have some confidence in yourself.

The Texans continue camp with two practices tomorrow.



Not hopping on the bandwagon, but I liked what I saw from him in the pre-season game.

I saw him miss a block on Charlie Anderson last night that would have gotten Carr killed if it was at full speed in a real game.

I think it would be a disaster if they start him. maybe put him in on 2nd and 3rd downs to get some "real" NFL experience.......................

I was at practice last night as well, I saw Matt Murphy have some really great catches and blocks. He had one that was the exact same catch from the game. As for the missed block I missed that one, but I'm sure nobody has a perfect practice. All we can hope for is him learning and getting better from going in with the first and second team during practice.

aj. said:

I saw him miss a block on Charlie Anderson last night that would have gotten Carr killed if it was at full speed in a real game.

Click to expand...

I saw that too aj., but I also saw Bruener get burnt in those drills too.

Murphy played most of the game against Denver, and his blocking looked very good to me. I have the game taped and I saw him dominate his man most of the night. If you watch the 4th and goal play, and watch Murphy, you will see that he caves in the pile. If Big Ro would have peeled off and hit Lynch, it would have been a sure TD. If you have the game recorded, rewind and watch Murphy closely each play and I'm sure you will be impressed.

Another play I suggest you watch is the little WR screen to AJ that went for 15 yards. On that play, watch the top of your screen and you will see Rivers W-I-D-E open. I'm not saying it would have went for a TD, but I know it would have went for more than 15 yards, and possibly a TD. Other than that, Rivers didn't show me much, but Murphy did every play.