Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

Roster Moves, Ruud and White signed, Holliday gone

Hookem Horns

Texans Talk Bartender
Staff member
Señor Stan;2032943 said:
Ruud was a solid pro with the Bucs...hope he's got something left in the tank
As someone who follows the Bucs I will say no. However maybe Wade can work his magic with him.
 

Rey

Guest
Forsett will likely return kicks.

I'm guessing Martin, keo and Forsett will be considered for punts.
 

Playoffs

Hall of Fame
In 2011, Barrett Ruud rated 48 out of 51 ILBs with minimum 25% snaps. He was pretty equally poor in all areas, though better in pass rush.

In 2010, Ruud was 49th out of 50 ILBs, but with a middle-of-the-pack cover grade.

In 2009, Ruud was top 10 in coverage.

--stats from ProFootballFocus
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Chron-dot-com blurb...
When Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he wasn’t happy with Trindon Holliday’s punt and kickoff returns, he meant it.
Holliday was placed on waivers today when the Texans also placed inside linebacker Brian Cushing on injured reserve.
To replace Cushing, the Texans signed eight-year veteran inside linebacker Barrett Ruud, a former second-round pick in 2005. Ruud will provide depth behind starters Bradie James and Tim Dobbins.
Now what was that someone was saying about Kubiak sticking too long with his little "experiments"??
 

GP

Go Texans!
Maybe Keyshawn if they feel comfortable with him holding onto the ball.

We can have any warm body returning kickoffs to just kneel the ball in the EZ and we'd be better off than what Holliday did.
Absolutely 100% agree here.

Kneel the ball unless you're on the 1 or beyond.

And Martin hasn't been the WR I thought he would be this year, so might as well get him some reps as KR and PR.

LeStar Jean...when is he returning? After the bye week hopefully.
 

Hervoyel

BUENO!
In 2011, Barrett Ruud rated 48 out of 51 ILBs with minimum 25% snaps. He was pretty equally poor in all areas, though better in pass rush.

In 2010, Ruud was 49th out of 50 ILBs, but with a middle-of-the-pack cover grade.

In 2009, Ruud was top 10 in coverage.

--stats from ProFootballFocus
Hopefully that was because he was in a bad scheme and on a bad team.

That's all we can do at this point is hope. It's entirely possible that he was ill-suited to what those defenses we're trying to do with him. Look at what our questionable pile of talent turned into when the right man for the job put them all in their correct roles. I doubt that the Texans would have signed him if they didn't think he would be any help at all or if Wade didn't think he could work with his remaining skill set.
 

GP

Go Texans!
Chron-dot-com blurb...
Now what was that someone was saying about Kubiak sticking too long with his little "experiments"??
He never liked Holliday anyway. It was a Coach Joe pick, and Coach Joe will never have a pick again because Coach Joe will probably be fired after this season, unless Kubiak can't find it within himself to do so...he has trouble letting go of coaches, and Coach Joe is as sentimental of a situation as ANY.

But yeah, Kubiak HAD to let Holliday join the 53 based on the preseason fireworks and Holliday promptly screwed it up.

Kubiak had no real personal ties to the guy. It was a Coach Joe project all the way. Had we not needed the extra roster spot, Holliday survives another week here. With how Forsett was returning the kickoff last Monday night...it sort of was a foreshadowing of what Kubiak ended up doing today.

Kubes needed the extra spot AND it was an easy and clean way to get rid of Holliday at the same time.
 

djohn2oo8

All Pro
That's all we can do at this point is hope. It's entirely possible that he was ill-suited to what those defenses we're trying to do with him. Look at what our questionable pile of talent turned into when the right man for the job put them all in their correct roles. I doubt that the Texans would have signed him if they didn't think he would be any help at all or if Wade didn't think he could work with his remaining skill set.
Agree. Wade plays to his players strengths.
 

LikeMike

Veteran
I´m sad that the Holliday experiment didnt pan out - but cutting him is totally understandable. Please don`t let Manning return any kicks - he is too valueable. Let Martin and Forsett battle it out.

As for Ruud - I´d say a typical Texans signing. Low price, mid level promise - should see the field some. He won`t be Cushings replacement - he will be Dobbins replacement and at that, I trust Wade.

Now next weeks game is the most important yet (yeah, I did it ;-). Let`s kick some Packer ass...
 

GP

Go Texans!
That's all we can do at this point is hope. It's entirely possible that he was ill-suited to what those defenses we're trying to do with him. Look at what our questionable pile of talent turned into when the right man for the job put them all in their correct roles. I doubt that the Texans would have signed him if they didn't think he would be any help at all or if Wade didn't think he could work with his remaining skill set.
And also never underestimate the power of "new beginnings" that this can have on castoffs like Ruud.

He comes into a thriving defense, and he will be full of newly found confidence as he steps onto the field. Getting beat down on bad teams can affect players. I am not sayig Ruud is all-world now that he gets here, but he might surprise people and even motivate guys around him.

The culture here, due to Manning, Cushing, JJo, Watt, Smith, and many others...coupled with Wade's crew on the sidelines, it can do wonders for a new guy coming in here.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
In 2011, Barrett Ruud rated 48 out of 51 ILBs with minimum 25% snaps. He was pretty equally poor in all areas, though better in pass rush.

In 2010, Ruud was 49th out of 50 ILBs, but with a middle-of-the-pack cover grade.

In 2009, Ruud was top 10 in coverage.

--stats from ProFootballFocus
That's all we can do at this point is hope. It's entirely possible that he was ill-suited to what those defenses we're trying to do with him. Look at what our questionable pile of talent turned into when the right man for the job put them all in their correct roles. I doubt that the Texans would have signed him if they didn't think he would be any help at all or if Wade didn't think he could work with his remaining skill set.
He was battling through some injuries with the Titans and the Seahawks.

http://www.macsfootballblog.com/2012/04/seahawks-lb-barrett-ruud-recovering.html

He only played some ST for the Saints.
Zero snaps in the first 2 games.
2, 5, and 19 in the following 3 games.

It remains a mystery why the Saints traded for him (probably for a conditional pick), then released him, and why the Texans signed him.
 

buddyboy

Rookie
He never liked Holliday anyway. It was a Coach Joe pick, and Coach Joe will never have a pick again because Coach Joe will probably be fired after this season, unless Kubiak can't find it within himself to do so...he has trouble letting go of coaches, and Coach Joe is as sentimental of a situation as ANY.

But yeah, Kubiak HAD to let Holliday join the 53 based on the preseason fireworks and Holliday promptly screwed it up.

Kubiak had no real personal ties to the guy. It was a Coach Joe project all the way. Had we not needed the extra roster spot, Holliday survives another week here. With how Forsett was returning the kickoff last Monday night...it sort of was a foreshadowing of what Kubiak ended up doing today.

Kubes needed the extra spot AND it was an easy and clean way to get rid of Holliday at the same time.
This is how rumors get started. I'm interested to see if this is simply your speculation stated as fact, or if you have any sort of quote or proof that this is/was, indeed, Kubiak's mentality regarding Holliday.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
Sad to see Holliday go, I thought he had a chance at being a really special returner. But I understand this move because Trindon simply wasn't producing.

I expect to see Forsett as the KR and Martin as the PR.
 

kiwitexansfan

Hall of Fame
Ruud is a great guy, a real Texans character guy.

I've heard him on the radio a lot when in Nebraska and was always impressed.

He is pretty football smart and will be able to pick the system up well.

This far into the season you cpuld do worse than bring a guy like that in.
 
He never liked Holliday anyway. It was a Coach Joe pick, and Coach Joe will never have a pick again because Coach Joe will probably be fired after this season, unless Kubiak can't find it within himself to do so...he has trouble letting go of coaches, and Coach Joe is as sentimental of a situation as ANY.

But yeah, Kubiak HAD to let Holliday join the 53 based on the preseason fireworks and Holliday promptly screwed it up.

Kubiak had no real personal ties to the guy. It was a Coach Joe project all the way. Had we not needed the extra roster spot, Holliday survives another week here. With how Forsett was returning the kickoff last Monday night...it sort of was a foreshadowing of what Kubiak ended up doing today.

Kubes needed the extra spot AND it was an easy and clean way to get rid of Holliday at the same time.
Interesting. I always thought that Holliday was a Kubiak/Rick Smith experiment. That's the kind of thing they've always done.

Regarding Coach Joe: Man, it's tough. The last original Texan. Hate to say it, but, it's time for a change. Maybe Kubiak has tasted success and realizes that hard decisions can often lead to success and brings in another ST coach.
 

Dutchrudder

Hall of Fame
Interesting. I always thought that Holliday was a Kubiak/Rick Smith experiment. That's the kind of thing they've always done.

Regarding Coach Joe: Man, it's tough. The last original Texan. Hate to say it, but, it's time for a change. Maybe Kubiak has tasted success and realizes that hard decisions can often lead to success and brings in another ST coach.
This really should have no bearing on whether or not to keep the guy. Either he does well or he doesn't. Right now it appears that he's not getting the job done and we need to shuffle things up. I'm not in favor of firing him right now, because I have no idea what the alternative is. If there is a college ST coach that could leave his post right now, then I might be willing to jump on it, but I kind of doubt that. We shall see, but maybe taking away Holliday and Keo will change things up enough to motivate the special teams players.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
Hilliday did real well returning against the other guys 2nd and 3rd stringers in pre-season, but couldn't cut it against the real guys. To bad for him, but I ain't sorry to see any non-performer go.

As to these other signings, they are debth so I think it's a bit hard to say anything. But like Herv said, I'll just have to trust Wade to work his magic.
 
This really should have no bearing on whether or not to keep the guy. Either he does well or he doesn't. Right now it appears that he's not getting the job done and we need to shuffle things up. I'm not in favor of firing him right now, because I have no idea what the alternative is. If there is a college ST coach that could leave his post right now, then I might be willing to jump on it, but I kind of doubt that. We shall see, but maybe taking away Holliday and Keo will change things up enough to motivate the special teams players.
I didn't say that was a reason to keep him. I was just stating a fact. He's been here since Day One. He's seen the building of a franchise.

But, yeah, I agree. He's gotta go.
 

silentassassin

Waterboy
unsubstantiated rumor. it's likely marciano wanted him, but to say it was solely joe's pick is an opinion that's being presented as fact.
It's a stretch. But listening to Kubiak everytime he fielded questions during the preseason about Holliday, he didn't seem as excited as everyone else about the possibility of him being on the team. He always followed up positive points about Holliday with things about him having to be able to play within the offense or showing more.
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
Ruud is only 29 years old, and started falling off 2 years ago at age 27. Did he have an undisclosed injury? Did he just forget how to diagnose plays and tackle? Seems kind of odd, if you ask me.
 

Grid

All Pro
Like anything in life, you can get burnt out. That may be the case with Ruud. He was on some bad teams for a long time. And who knows what went on in the locker rooms.

What I know is that he is coming into the ideal situation that any defensive free agent would want to come into. A dominant defense, for a superbowl contending team, coached by one of the greatest defensive minds in the business, who has a "play to your strengths" mindset with his players.

Everyone on our defense has bought into what wade phillips is selling. When Ruud comes in..he is going to be surrounded by guys who are of one mind. They will be confident and they will welcome him as a teammate.. they will expect his best, and he will give it because he is gonna be drinking the koolaid too.

Personally.. im excited. Ruud used to be a pro bowl caliber ILB. We KNOW he had that ability in him. If he still has it.. this is the scenario that will bring it back to the surface.
 

eriadoc

Texan-American
In looking at the timeline, it looks like he may have been caught up in the housecleaning that went on once Chucky was fired. Maybe he just hasn't caught on with a new defense yet.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Ruud is only 29 years old, and started falling off 2 years ago at age 27. Did he have an undisclosed injury? Did he just forget how to diagnose plays and tackle? Seems kind of odd, if you ask me.
Several injuries in the last few years.

I've already posted a link somewhere.
 

Wolf6151

All Pro
Cutting Holliday was a good move but I don't understand picking up Ruud, a guy who's obviously not that good and this will be his 4th team in 3 yrs.. Guys like Bentley, Adibi, and Louiseau are all available and have played well for us in the past. Louiseau and Adibi are still young too.
 

nflnutswife

Veteran
I'm gonna hope and pray this Ruud kid has a spark left in him! Our team better inject some Houston Texans PRIDE in him quick!
 

Rey

Guest
It's a stretch. But listening to Kubiak everytime he fielded questions during the preseason about Holliday, he didn't seem as excited as everyone else about the possibility of him being on the team. He always followed up positive points about Holliday with things about him having to be able to play within the offense or showing more.
I could have sworn I heard Kubiak say that Joe petitioned to draft him...
 
Top