Vinny
shiny happy fan
Based on Capers comments I'd say we can expect Earl to take the starting job for good starting Sunday. Earl would probably have been starting since the third game if not for his hip injury. Capers is giving Brown his respect, but I'd be shocked if he got the nod. He was horrible last Sunday.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2891376
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2891376
Texans coach Dom Capers doesn't announce lineup changes until after Friday practices, but he had high praise for Earl on Monday and seemed to be leaning toward giving a green light to the rookie, who replaced veteran starter Eric Brown in the second half of the Denver game.
"You're always looking to go with the guy who has the hot hand," Capers said. "That's what we'll evaluate on the practice field this week. Both guys will get work. We'll look at both of them and we'll make a decision.
"Every position, you're going to evaluate production and performance, and you're going to go with where the best production and performance is. That's the nature of this business, whether it's offense, defense or special teams."
The Texans selected Earl in the fourth round of this year's draft, but most observers thought he would have been taken in the second round if not for a knee injury that forced the former Notre Dame star to miss most of training camp.
Strong safety has been the most unsettled position on the team because of injuries. Brown, who started 31 of 32 games in 2002 and 2003, got the first two starts this season but missed the next three games because of a knee injury.
Earl, 23, started the Texans' third and fourth games, both wins, but a hip injury put him on the bench for the next three. Versatile defensive back Jason Simmons also made two starts at strong safety, but he has missed the Texans' last two games because of the lingering effects of a concussion suffered Oct. 17 at Tennessee. Veteran Marlon McCree also has seen time at strong safety.