Kaiser Toro
Native Mod
I went to my first TC session today. Woke up at 4:45 am this morning, hit the road at 5:30 and was in the facility at 7:50 am. Got back around 2 pm and took a nap.
These are not all 100% of my observations as my buddy, Lucky and Double Barrell were there with me so I cannot say they are not influenced.
The morning practice was a lot of 11 on 11. I mostly watched the WRs and the RBs.
WR
AJ has to stop catching the ball with his shoulder pads and chest as this is year 5.
Mathis stood out today as a WR. Not that he was doing anything miraculous, but mostly behind the backdrop in dealing with staying healthy and the logjam at WR. In my opinion the guy I saw today was how I wanted to see him develop as a speed guy in this type of system as he blew past the CB a couple times on a deep pattern. The first time he was underthrown and just waited for the ball to go into his bread basket, not good. However it was the second time that made us smile as he was underthrown again but made the adjustment to come back to the ball. Although he did not do a great job of using his body in a box out type way, I was pumped that he learned from the previous situation, but who knows if that will scale into a game time situation. But that is what practice is all about. His hands were better than I imagined as he reached out to catch some balls that were not on the numbers. Our WRs were not good today (outside of a TD catch by AJ that was a bit acrobatic) so this may have helped Mathis in my eyes as well.
Jacoby is what I expected and has been written by many. He also had a deep pattern where he blew by Fred Bennett, but that ball was not there. He also had an opening in the end zone from about 20 yards but Sage just overthrew him. From my vantage point it almost looked like Jones had alligator arms on the play as well.
Walter was unimpressive to me as he dropped some balls, that were in tight spots, but I expect him to be a chain mover and did not see a hint of a chain mover today.
McCardell better get well if he intends on being on the Texans roster, because at this point I think we really need his hands. As Lucky pointed out Jerry Rice was cut when Kubiak was the OC for the Broncos, so Kubiak will retain those who will add value to this team.
RB/FB
Green is who I thought he was - in excellent shape and looks it to. He just has that look of a great RB with his fluidity, his vision and demeanor out there.
Dayne looks like he is in the best shape I ever recall seeing him in.
Gado looks good as well.
I do not see Lundy or Walker making the 53. It does make me wonder what kind of shape Taylor was in since everyone looked crisp.
I like our FB's a lot. Leach is the starter, but I sure did like watching Abbatte out there with his reckless and relentless fortitude in executing his charge - find your man, stick your helmet in his chest and take him to the ground. He scrapped with Danny Clark one time, tried to take Babin down and another time lost his helmet. I really am not sure if I just am blinded by his energy and his story, but his attitude and hustle seem to be contagious, well at least to this fan
Some other random thoughts-
Stanley and Turk both took snaps as the holder for Kris Brown.
Brown is awful.
Schaub does not have a laser for an arm, but he places the ball well and actually goes through progressions.
Zach Diles is a fireplug. Did not do much, but I would hate to be on the recieving end of a hit.
Mario was exlcusively at RDE not strong side or weakside. Mario got chewed out (I am assuming by Franklin because it was not Smith or Bush) due to over running a play. This did happen a number of times last year as I recall.
Dunta looks good. He was the one guy that looked to ooze swagger, which is something I want from my top CB.
DC Richard Smith was working the WRs in a breakout situation. It looked like he was trying to explain techinque on jamming, but it really looked like he was trying to teach them how to hold. Regardless I like when coaches share best practices with other units.
These are not all 100% of my observations as my buddy, Lucky and Double Barrell were there with me so I cannot say they are not influenced.
The morning practice was a lot of 11 on 11. I mostly watched the WRs and the RBs.
WR
AJ has to stop catching the ball with his shoulder pads and chest as this is year 5.
Mathis stood out today as a WR. Not that he was doing anything miraculous, but mostly behind the backdrop in dealing with staying healthy and the logjam at WR. In my opinion the guy I saw today was how I wanted to see him develop as a speed guy in this type of system as he blew past the CB a couple times on a deep pattern. The first time he was underthrown and just waited for the ball to go into his bread basket, not good. However it was the second time that made us smile as he was underthrown again but made the adjustment to come back to the ball. Although he did not do a great job of using his body in a box out type way, I was pumped that he learned from the previous situation, but who knows if that will scale into a game time situation. But that is what practice is all about. His hands were better than I imagined as he reached out to catch some balls that were not on the numbers. Our WRs were not good today (outside of a TD catch by AJ that was a bit acrobatic) so this may have helped Mathis in my eyes as well.
Jacoby is what I expected and has been written by many. He also had a deep pattern where he blew by Fred Bennett, but that ball was not there. He also had an opening in the end zone from about 20 yards but Sage just overthrew him. From my vantage point it almost looked like Jones had alligator arms on the play as well.
Walter was unimpressive to me as he dropped some balls, that were in tight spots, but I expect him to be a chain mover and did not see a hint of a chain mover today.
McCardell better get well if he intends on being on the Texans roster, because at this point I think we really need his hands. As Lucky pointed out Jerry Rice was cut when Kubiak was the OC for the Broncos, so Kubiak will retain those who will add value to this team.
RB/FB
Green is who I thought he was - in excellent shape and looks it to. He just has that look of a great RB with his fluidity, his vision and demeanor out there.
Dayne looks like he is in the best shape I ever recall seeing him in.
Gado looks good as well.
I do not see Lundy or Walker making the 53. It does make me wonder what kind of shape Taylor was in since everyone looked crisp.
I like our FB's a lot. Leach is the starter, but I sure did like watching Abbatte out there with his reckless and relentless fortitude in executing his charge - find your man, stick your helmet in his chest and take him to the ground. He scrapped with Danny Clark one time, tried to take Babin down and another time lost his helmet. I really am not sure if I just am blinded by his energy and his story, but his attitude and hustle seem to be contagious, well at least to this fan
Some other random thoughts-
Stanley and Turk both took snaps as the holder for Kris Brown.
Brown is awful.
Schaub does not have a laser for an arm, but he places the ball well and actually goes through progressions.
Zach Diles is a fireplug. Did not do much, but I would hate to be on the recieving end of a hit.
Mario was exlcusively at RDE not strong side or weakside. Mario got chewed out (I am assuming by Franklin because it was not Smith or Bush) due to over running a play. This did happen a number of times last year as I recall.
Dunta looks good. He was the one guy that looked to ooze swagger, which is something I want from my top CB.
DC Richard Smith was working the WRs in a breakout situation. It looked like he was trying to explain techinque on jamming, but it really looked like he was trying to teach them how to hold. Regardless I like when coaches share best practices with other units.
.
Must have missed me, the horns were in the shope. I pretty much second everything KT said. Also liked Bennet's play at DB. He is small, but covered well.
