WaywardTexanFan
Waterboy
The Texans will be featured on "Inside Mini-camp" on Jun 12th at 8pm EST on the NFL Network.
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Texans Inside MiniCamp NFL Channel
- Thread starter WaywardTexanFan
- Start date
Brando
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the heads up, it's been a busy couple of days for me!
Thanks again.
Pantherstang84
@rolisrgti06
Silver Oak
All Pro
thanks for the heads up Wayward on the mini camp show. I've been wondering when our turn was coming.
maybe there will be some good video of our draft picks and the 7 on 7 drills watching Schaub should be good to watch as well.
maybe there will be some good video of our draft picks and the 7 on 7 drills watching Schaub should be good to watch as well.
alphajoker
Veteran
PapaL
Loose Screw
Thanks for adding Reputation to this user. May you be lucky enough to receive the same Reputation back in turn.
Yes it does!
Yankee_In_TX
Dance Lindsay!
Speaking of which, now that I have HD.... How many Texans games were in HD last year? ANy word on this year?
Week by week decision.
The maps I post on Thursday's from gribblenation show which networks are picking the games for HD.
Via broadcast, I remember at least two.
NitroGSXR
Super Sic #58
I have a HD tv myself but I can barely tell the difference when it comes to a football game. Seriously, I don't get the hype among it. Maybe I'm not setting it up correctly or whatsoever. Yes, the screen is slightly better but I'm just fine with watching my game via the coaxil cable from the cable provoider. I mean, it's football. I'm a HUGE fan don't get me wrong. I'm just trying to say that I probably never noticed it being in HD and when it wasn't last season. Those two games that someone above mentioned, I probably never noticed that they were in high definition. I was probably too busy screaming at David Carr or at our secondary to even notice. Am I missing something here? It's a genuine question.
BigWig
Bigimus Wigimus
Are you getting the HD programming? That would be my first question, then if you are I would also say you need to check how you have it all setup, it definitely has a difference, and analog just doesnt look right on an HDTV anyway, reall grainy if ya know what I mean!
WaywardTexanFan
Waterboy
Texans Inside MiniCamp on the NFL Channel is on now. Looking for opinions after the segment airs.
I am not familiar with NFL-Network analyst Jamie Dukes, but I was very impressed with him.
(A) He didn't bad-mouth the Texans, but did question if they had enough to be there - a playoff candidate I took that to mean. Certainly a fair question.
(B) complimented Rick Smith for the Schaub deal and pointed out the Texans only have 'bout 8-9 mil guaranteed money in Schaub. So if he doesn't work out, its not a huge investment. Good point IMO. But he thinks the Schaub pickup was a good move as it was time for Carr to move on.
(C) Seemed to think that Akoye was an excellent prospect
(D) Was not at all impressed with Marios rookie year and clearly thinks he was a mistake as when asked who he reminds him of he said Courtney Brown. Ouch ! Says he just doesn't think Mario has the quickness of Julius Peppers and is just a big, strong DE. Says he's got to hit double digit sacks this year.
(E) Because of the invetments in the DLine, he said they have to step up and be productive this year.
**
I enjoyed seeing the team for the first time in '07 - got me pretty excited for the upcoming season.
(A) He didn't bad-mouth the Texans, but did question if they had enough to be there - a playoff candidate I took that to mean. Certainly a fair question.
(B) complimented Rick Smith for the Schaub deal and pointed out the Texans only have 'bout 8-9 mil guaranteed money in Schaub. So if he doesn't work out, its not a huge investment. Good point IMO. But he thinks the Schaub pickup was a good move as it was time for Carr to move on.
(C) Seemed to think that Akoye was an excellent prospect
(D) Was not at all impressed with Marios rookie year and clearly thinks he was a mistake as when asked who he reminds him of he said Courtney Brown. Ouch ! Says he just doesn't think Mario has the quickness of Julius Peppers and is just a big, strong DE. Says he's got to hit double digit sacks this year.
(E) Because of the invetments in the DLine, he said they have to step up and be productive this year.
**
I enjoyed seeing the team for the first time in '07 - got me pretty excited for the upcoming season.
alphajoker
Veteran
His assessment of Mario's lack of quickness is contributed to the fact of his plantar fiscitis IMO. I liked what he did say about the Texans but I think he forgot that Mario played with that injury most of the season. He should be fine this year, and then he will see how quick he really is.
R
real
Guest
I'm familar with Jamie Dukes, and he's a joke...
the wonger need food
All Pro
Jamie Dukes is a troll.
Anyone notice how Rick Smith made a point to mention that he got here after the draft last year, when talking about Mario?
Anyone notice how Rick Smith made a point to mention that he got here after the draft last year, when talking about Mario?
This is a correct assessment - the Mario to Peppers comparisons are totally off base (have been since last year) as they are quite different players.
Even a totally healthy Mario isn't anywhere as quick and explosive as Peppers. Mario is thicker in the trunk and is more of a power DE. He has good pursuit speed to the play but does not have anywhere near the cat quick explosiveness of Peppers. Few DEs do.
I heard some fairly interesting info yesterday about how Coach Karm was the one who lobbied extremely hard for Mario just before last year's drarft. all in the context of "I've been coaching in this league for 30 years and you're going to miss out on the next Bruce Smith if you don't pick him." Hadn't heard that before and I always wondered where the Mario energy came from internally. I knew it didn't come from Kubiak, Calhoun or Sherman. I suspected Richard Smith.
I'm not expecting Mario to be a 'great' player and I doubt he will ever live up to high first round, much less #1 overall expectations. He's a good DE who at times has shown he can be distruptive but he's streaky and can disappear for long stretches -- foot considered. If he can't dominate this year (or if reports of nagging injuries linger), then we'll know...
I hope he has a good year.
Good stuff AJ.
It clearly sounds like you think the Mario pick was a big mistake ? I know you're not saying he's a bust (atleast at this point), but it sounds like you feel that he is worth nothing like the #1 overal in last years Draft ?
I didn't see the quickness last year that we'd expect for a superior pass rusher and if it doesn't somehow appear this year in a healthy Mario, I dunno how they can leave him on the weakside edge, especially in passing situations ? We know that Weaver from the stong-side can't generate real pressure.
One of the reasons I was impressed with him was that he seemed to know more about the Texans personell than just about anybody else I've heard on the national level. He had clearly done some research and knew some things about several players in detail. It was an hour-long presentation and there was some substance so it wasn't the sound-bite crap we hear all the time on ESPN.
As far as his comments on Mario, which were generally pretty dang negative, the names of VY, Bush, etc. didn't come up. In other words it wasn't in the context of we screwed-up because we passed on those guys. His remarks about Schaub, DeMeco, Akoye, Kubiak & Smith, and some others were generally positive.
You may think he's a joke, I thought he was informed, not biased but balanced in his remarks, entertaining, and certainly candid.
ccdude730
Veteran
i think mario is certainly capable of becoming a great player. most knew when he was drafted that he wasnt going to have that same kind of burst and explosion of a peppers (or freeney or any other pure pass rushing specialists). he was an incredible athlete (and raw as well) who could play any position on the dline.
i would throw out most of last season too. you had mario who couldnt practice all week to work on technique and because of that injury he couldnt explode off the line; basically he was relying on strength (and some prep work from film) which helped in containing the run game but not so much against the pass.
i was not high on reggie or vy either. IMO reggie had baggage and vy didnt seem to fit this style of offense. not trying to change the thread topic here, but just chiming with saying mario could become that great player we took at #1 overall.
i sure hope that he has a good year too!
i would throw out most of last season too. you had mario who couldnt practice all week to work on technique and because of that injury he couldnt explode off the line; basically he was relying on strength (and some prep work from film) which helped in containing the run game but not so much against the pass.
i was not high on reggie or vy either. IMO reggie had baggage and vy didnt seem to fit this style of offense. not trying to change the thread topic here, but just chiming with saying mario could become that great player we took at #1 overall.
i sure hope that he has a good year too!
Why else would we use the #1 pick in the Draft on a DE if he didn't appear to have the pass rushing potential of a Peppers or Freeney ? And without the natural quickness & explosiveness of those great pass rushers, he doesn't have that potential.
If you go back and review Bob McNairs comments, that's what he thought he was getting for his money.
Without those skills, Mario can't be an impact player, can't be a special player.
Now he may be a competant run stopper who gets a few sacks, but that is not a "great player".
R
real
Guest
That's not true....
There have been PLENTY great pass rushers and great DE's that didn't have the burst of Freeney or Peppers...
And just because he doesn't have the same skills as a Freeney or Peppers does not in any way shape or form mean Mario can't be an impact player...that's silly...
ccdude730
Veteran
agree with you xtruroyaltyx and just to add on to what you said, a great burst is definately a plus when you look at peppers. but on the other hand - look at freeney who has problems defending against the run. teams like to run to his side because of his quickness off the line and inability to contain plays, but that doesnt take away from his game because he is still someone you have to account for on every play.
technique, strength, awareness, etc are all imporant
technique, strength, awareness, etc are all imporant
I watched the mini camp series last night on NFL Network and I know not everyone was able so I will give some updates.
Overall it seemed that the network showed alot of our second stringers but the few times they showed the first string they looked good
I saw Jacoby Jones make several good catches deep down the field, he only dropped one that I saw. Matt wastes no time to get rid of the ball, when his back foot hits he is throwing. they showed some 7 on 7 drills and the defensive end was coming down on him boom to the outlit like it was nothing. He seemed to know where everyone was which was nice to see.
On the offensive line with the first string I saw Flanigan and Sallam running (sorry if i did not spell right). I was wondering about Black.
On defense i saw Amobi next to mario wich kind of surprised me i thought they were going to split them up. it is hard to tell much about the defense with out pads but everyone seemed to be flying to the ball. Clark was running with the second team, and i could not tell who was on the weak side. i believe it was orr on the strong.
Kevin Walter has good hands i saw him pluck a few balls out of the air on stride. Come to think of it everyone i saw was catching on full stride Matt has great touch and accuracy from what i can tell. Kevin does seem a little stiff to me not real krisp in his route running. i am no coach or anything and i know he is a big guy. He went across the middle a few times and looked great.
I also saw owen daniels grab a nice Ball on a tight end streak again in full stride.
as a whole the team looked good and i did not see to many mistakes. they all look like they are working hard and they seem to know there assignments from what i saw at least.
Any way hope i was able to give sompeople some insite if they dont have NFL Network.
Go Texans
Overall it seemed that the network showed alot of our second stringers but the few times they showed the first string they looked good
I saw Jacoby Jones make several good catches deep down the field, he only dropped one that I saw. Matt wastes no time to get rid of the ball, when his back foot hits he is throwing. they showed some 7 on 7 drills and the defensive end was coming down on him boom to the outlit like it was nothing. He seemed to know where everyone was which was nice to see.
On the offensive line with the first string I saw Flanigan and Sallam running (sorry if i did not spell right). I was wondering about Black.
On defense i saw Amobi next to mario wich kind of surprised me i thought they were going to split them up. it is hard to tell much about the defense with out pads but everyone seemed to be flying to the ball. Clark was running with the second team, and i could not tell who was on the weak side. i believe it was orr on the strong.
Kevin Walter has good hands i saw him pluck a few balls out of the air on stride. Come to think of it everyone i saw was catching on full stride Matt has great touch and accuracy from what i can tell. Kevin does seem a little stiff to me not real krisp in his route running. i am no coach or anything and i know he is a big guy. He went across the middle a few times and looked great.
I also saw owen daniels grab a nice Ball on a tight end streak again in full stride.
as a whole the team looked good and i did not see to many mistakes. they all look like they are working hard and they seem to know there assignments from what i saw at least.
Any way hope i was able to give sompeople some insite if they dont have NFL Network.
Go Texans
Porky
Hall of Fame
Ya, I tend to agree. I think I might have missed some of the WR stuff, but overall I agree. I am going to repost here what I just put in the HPF thread as it fits here as well -
I watched the NFL Network mini-camp special on the Texans last night, and I rewound a few of the plays to check out who was in there, and also to watch both the defense and the offense. It's hard to concentrate or focus on both sides of the ball at once. Mckinney was definetely working at first team LG, and Salaam was for sure at LT. I have no idea where Pitts was. It might have simply been an excused absence, so I don't want to read too much into it, but I don't recall seeing Pitts anywhere.
A couple of real quick observations, and take it fwiw, because I saw a handful of plays without pads via the TV, so lol, it's not worth a lot - but here is what I noticed - It's apparent that Schaub gets rid of that ball in a hurry, and knows where he is going with it. On one play, two guys were really pressuring him, and he quickly found his checkdown and delivered it on target. Once he plants his back foot, that ball is gone. I see very little in the way of indecision on his part.
Green looks like the real deal, and had a couple of nice plays where he made one cut and was gone. Dayne and Gado also had some nice plays. I couldn't really see the WR's real well, but they did run a reverse for Jacoby Jones, so look for that somewhere down the road.
On D, it looked to me like Omobi has a really quick first step. It's hard to tell for sure with no pads, but I think he has a very bright future. I still saw Mario get tied up and not dominate and just be pushed out of the play, but again, no pads, so let's see what happens. But, Okoye definetely looks to have a quicker first step.
Lastly, they had an interview with Schaub. A really nice moment was when they asked him what the strength of the offense is. My jaw dropped open when he said the offensive line. He was really pumping them up, and saying what a a great unit it is, and that he is looking forward to working with them. I LOVED the way he came off at that moment. I hate to use the L word, but that was real leadership. Instead of tearing down the unit, he was really lifting them up. This line is going to want to block for this man! That 30 seconds was worth the whole hour to me, and was worth the price of admission.
I watched the NFL Network mini-camp special on the Texans last night, and I rewound a few of the plays to check out who was in there, and also to watch both the defense and the offense. It's hard to concentrate or focus on both sides of the ball at once. Mckinney was definetely working at first team LG, and Salaam was for sure at LT. I have no idea where Pitts was. It might have simply been an excused absence, so I don't want to read too much into it, but I don't recall seeing Pitts anywhere.
A couple of real quick observations, and take it fwiw, because I saw a handful of plays without pads via the TV, so lol, it's not worth a lot - but here is what I noticed - It's apparent that Schaub gets rid of that ball in a hurry, and knows where he is going with it. On one play, two guys were really pressuring him, and he quickly found his checkdown and delivered it on target. Once he plants his back foot, that ball is gone. I see very little in the way of indecision on his part.
Green looks like the real deal, and had a couple of nice plays where he made one cut and was gone. Dayne and Gado also had some nice plays. I couldn't really see the WR's real well, but they did run a reverse for Jacoby Jones, so look for that somewhere down the road.
On D, it looked to me like Omobi has a really quick first step. It's hard to tell for sure with no pads, but I think he has a very bright future. I still saw Mario get tied up and not dominate and just be pushed out of the play, but again, no pads, so let's see what happens. But, Okoye definetely looks to have a quicker first step.
Lastly, they had an interview with Schaub. A really nice moment was when they asked him what the strength of the offense is. My jaw dropped open when he said the offensive line. He was really pumping them up, and saying what a a great unit it is, and that he is looking forward to working with them. I LOVED the way he came off at that moment. I hate to use the L word, but that was real leadership. Instead of tearing down the unit, he was really lifting them up. This line is going to want to block for this man! That 30 seconds was worth the whole hour to me, and was worth the price of admission.
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
beerlover
Hall of Fame
very nice
Schaub = Brees
see no reason why the Texans cannot match the Saints turnaround last season this team finally seems to have its leader with enough talent to push for
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I know you had a disclaimer about no pads, but wanted to add that they technically aren't allowed to do any pushing as all this is supposed to be no contact.
drewmar74
disgruntled
Man, you said a mouth full. I watched the show last night and after seeing Matt it was hard not to get excited for the upcoming season. I know that we're just in June and a lot of guys look great in practice and choke in a game. But its nice to go into camp and the season with a sense of unfettered optimism. Dude's got great touch on the football and I actually saw him complete some stuff over the middle. Can't remember the last time I saw that.
I was so shocked that I pooped myself a little bit. Great moment, though. Great moment.
R
real
Guest
When you practice without pads the Offense will always look better. Defensive linemen apply a little pressure but basically let the offensive lineman block him most times when they're running drills without pads on. That's just how it is.
If he approachs Reggie White in production, I will be more than satisfied.
And you'rs saying White didn't have impressive quickness/explosiveness because honestly I can't remember ? Didn't see him play that much, but I certainly know he was a great one.
I dunno how a player can be a premiere edge rusher in the todays NFL without those natural physical traits ?
I expected Julius Peppers or Jason Taylor or Bruce Smith and instead we may have gotten an oversized Russel Maryland, who had a reasonably good but unremarkable NFL career.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Exactly--it is all about knowing assignments and nothing to do with physical confrontation.
Porky
Hall of Fame
Okay, makes sense. I think we need to see him in some pre-season games at full health to get a better idea of what kind of progress he is making. I am with AJ though. I don't see Peppers in him. He doesn't have that kind of suddeness or first step. If anything, I see a poor man's Reggie White, who was an inside presence and then some. I could see him being a dominant DT with some bull like collapsing of the pocket. Can you imagine Williams and Okoye at full maturity at DT. One using his quickness and first step to penetrate, and the other serving as a giant bull with great speed to close on the QB or ball carrier. Unreal. Never happen though, because you aren't going to spend the #1 overall on a DT, and it would be a PR disaster.
R
real
Guest
Honestly I'd rather have a DE who is more complete rather than one who is strictly an edge rusher...
Look at guys like Freeney or Kearse...or any other DE who's specialty is the speed rush...Those guys may have a couple good seasons, and rack up a lot of sacks; but look at guys like Reggie White and Strahan...Those guys we waaaay more complete and their impact along the D-line was greater....
If we picked a DE like Freeney #1 overall that would be incredibly un-smart IMO.....While I think Peppers is a better athlete than Mario, I don't know if, in the long run, he'll prove to be a more dominant force because of that advantage. You really have to go back and look at some plays on Mario last year....They had a little show on NFL network a little while ago showing the good, bad and ugly of VY,Bush, and Mario...They showed one play where Mario litterally picked up the OT, drove him down the line and made the tackle on the opposite side by throwing the tackle into the RB...He had more plays that I didn't catch during the season, but was pretty amazed at when they broke the film down...
But I can totally understand skepticism about the Mario pick, and I can totally understand why someone would be a little more hesitant after his rookie season.
I like Mario and I don't think he'll be good--I think he's going to be great. He's a good kid and I really can't see him not responding well to coaching. He seems like he has his head on straight for the most part. He has all the physical tools...Strength, Speed...Although he doesn't have (or didn't have, I supect we see a quicker Mario this upcoming season) the initial burst of a Freeney, that doesn't mean he can't get just as many sacks. Mario has enough speed that as an OT, you have to respect his speed moves, and he has enough strength that if you're caught off-balance he'll embarass you. Not to mention he has the ability to shut down the weakside running game.
I'm not trying to convince you Mario will be a beast (though I think he will), rather than saying don't condemn him just yet...I think he'll show why he was the # 1 overall...
ReliantTexan
Waterboy
Mario played through Plantar Fascilitis last season so that's why he wasn't very explosive and sudden on the line. I play volleyball with a woman who has it and she said it's basically like carpal tunnell in your foot and that it's painful when you push-off or make sudden movements.So with that being said can you really judge him after only one season.
Mario has a good head on his shoulders, and that's as an important of a quality as any other.
He stays in the play and pursues. We probably would not have won the Indy game if Mario didn't force the fumble at the beginning. That put us in position to go up 14-0.
I tend to agree with xtruroyaltyx. I think Mario is going to be a great player. Maybe not HoF like some of the players mentioned, but very few players can be in that position. However, I think Mario will improve, and we will see his true self this season, which will be a force to be reckoned with, IMO.
He stays in the play and pursues. We probably would not have won the Indy game if Mario didn't force the fumble at the beginning. That put us in position to go up 14-0.
I tend to agree with xtruroyaltyx. I think Mario is going to be a great player. Maybe not HoF like some of the players mentioned, but very few players can be in that position. However, I think Mario will improve, and we will see his true self this season, which will be a force to be reckoned with, IMO.
rickyb
Scarlet is hot.
Hopefully this helps. None of this is sarcastic, just direct, as direct can only help.
1. Make sure you have HD programming. You will need an HD converter from the cable company. The "regular old" cable box will not do.
2. Make sure you are watching an HD channel. Even with the shiny new HD cable box, not all channels are HD.
3. Make sure you have the cable guy hook up the HD converter ("cable box") to your HDTV. It is possible to incorrectly connect the two such that you will not be able to view HD programming.
HDTV is absolutely a beautiful thing. If you are not counting blades of grass in the turf stuck in the RB's facemask, then you are not watching HD. You paid for that pretty HDTV, now make sure you can take advantage of your investment. (And yes, non-HD programming on an HDTV is a bit grainy. Maybe that is because we have all become spoiled by HD.)
Good luck.
Rick
C
Ckw
Guest
I think the whole grainy image on non-HD channels has to do with the size of most HD televisions. I understand projections have been popular for quite sometime, but it has been with the HD boom that 40" and above televisions have become the norm. You take a low resolution image, put it on a big screen, and what do you get?
As far as hookups, make the job as easy as possible for you. Go out and pick yourself up an HDMI cable. It's one cable that transmits both digital video and digital audio. Most televisions made within the last three years have the connection, and they are fairly affordable.
texasguy346
Mod Squad
I noticed they had Charlie Anderson running with the first team defense. Perhaps it was a reward of sorts for his work during the offseason or perhaps Barber wasn't available on that day.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
I noticed that myself. I think it was obvious that Orr was out of sorts in the 4-3 last season. Isn't Barber going to be more of a passing situation LB?
rickyb
Scarlet is hot.
Big, big fan of HDMI. I've invested in the firm that owns the patents, the specification, and makes the chips. Of course, chips are being beat down in general...and this is not an investing board so I'll pipe down. HDMI = awesome.
Best,
Rick
texasguy346
Mod Squad
That's very possible. If that turns out to be the case & Anderson really is showing the ability to be a first stringer then that's great for our defense. I've always liked Anderson for the energy & enthusiasm he seems to bring to the field. In the past he's been more of a ST standout, but hopefully this season he'll emerge as a defensive presence if given the chance to start.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
I hope he works out as well. Anybody with my last name has to be a BA. lol, jk.
I guess we'll get a better look when they strap on the pads.
R
real
Guest
I thought Anderson deserved to start last year. I saw him make a lot of plays in pre-season.
michaelm
vox nihili
Maybe.. but doesn't it also =HDCP ([SIZE=-1]High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) more or less?
You don't always find HDCP with HDMI, but in many, or most cases, you do...
Are you able to make recordings from your HDMI? That's an honest question, because I know more than one person who can't. Their problems were last year, to be fair, so maybe things are improved by now. I haven't used mine yet, but I have a pretty simple setup with only a cable box, and TV at the moment. The copyright issues I heard of made me skeptical...
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