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Hebron "Loni" Fangupo, DT

76Texan said:
I've been watching a bunch of Fangupo's games (10) and it's still difficult to place him, partly because of the injury.

Early in the season, he was new to the system and didn't start the first 3 games.
Then he injured his ankle after one or two plays in game 5 against Utah St.
He played in game 6 but was injured again (same left ankle) in game 7 against Oregon St. (after about 9 snaps). He was inactive in game 8 against Idaho.
He came back against TCU and played pretty well after the first two series when he looked a little tentative.
Against the next 3 opponents, he played less than 1/2 the snaps (due to the rotation and a big lead).

I don't think he ever played more than 1/2 the game in any of those 10 games .

He looked better in the limited time at NT.

But then again, he did line up against some pretty good RT (some were drafted and some were signed as UDFA), and perhaps the Centers are usually smaller and don't quite have the arm length of the OTs ???
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I am a BYU fan and watched all the games. I wouldn't take Fangupo lake of penetration/sacks against him much. BYU's 3-4 scheme is for the linebackers and safeties to make plays. The D-line is to force people outside and occupy blockers. As a run-stopping NT he should be effective- but if he does more than that I will be surprised.
 
Qman said:
I am a BYU fan and watched all the games. I wouldn't take Fangupo lake of penetration/sacks against him much. BYU's 3-4 scheme is for the linebackers and safeties to make plays. The D-line is to force people outside and occupy blockers. As a run-stopping NT he should be effective- but if he does more than that I will be surprised.
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Oh, I like Fangupo alright, and I understand that BYU played a 2-gap 34 scheme.
I think he has the quickness to play in Wade's one-gap scheme and could be effective in the pass rush more than some think, including you :)

My main concern is the left ankle, especially for a big man like him.
 
76Texan said:
Oh, I like Fangupo alright, and I understand that BYU played a 2-gap 34 scheme.
I think he has the quickness to play in Wade's one-gap scheme and could be effective in the pass rush more than some think, including you :)

My main concern is the left ankle, especially for a big man like him.
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Agreed on all points.

Fangupo also played some 5 tech at BYU...I liked the quickness and burst he showed on tape...
 
76Texan said:
Oh, I like Fangupo alright, and I understand that BYU played a 2-gap 34 scheme.
I think he has the quickness to play in Wade's one-gap scheme and could be effective in the pass rush more than some think, including you :)

My main concern is the left ankle, especially for a big man like him.
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Key to left ankle will be aggressively rounding his body weight down to a number he can be more explosive & still maintain strength. I'm sure Texans have an ideal weight parameter in mind already they can work with once they get him into camp. He must be smart, work hard & pick up what Texans expect from him while staying healthy @ same time to have any shot here.
 
“I’m excited to compete with a top-notch offense and defense,” Fangupo said. “I’m ready to learn all I can from coaches and players, and I believe being able to compete with such great players can help my game tremendously.”

Fangupo played on BYU’s rushing defense, ranked 19th nationally, and that experience will serve as preparation for working to make the Texans roster.

“I’m excited to get to Houston and work hard,” he said. “I will do everything in my power to learn the plays and be physically fit.”

The Texans recently lost first-round draft pick Mario Williams and replaced the defensive lineman with Whitney Mercilus. While the Texans will not need defensive help immediately, Fangupo looks for a chance to impress the coaches during upcoming rookie camps.

“I can’t speak to what chances I have to play, because honestly, that will be up to the coaches,” he said. “I can say that I will take care of the things I am in control of. I will give all my effort towards the workouts, plays and studying film. I want to make the most of the opportunity that God has given me.”

http://universe.byu.edu/index.php/2012/05/15/byu-free-agents-sign-for-upcoming-nfl-season/
 
Something is going to have to give on that d line.

Going to be another fierce battle there come camp.
 
If they keep seven down linemen on the roster I like his chances. If they only keep six, his primary competition should be Tim Jamison. If he can pass rush his chances are much better... versatility is big on Phillips' defensive line.

Cody, Mitchell, Watt, Smith, Crick, Jamison...

Crick will make the roster... he adds rotational depth at 5 technique (base 3-4) and at 3 technique (nickel 4-2-5)...they used Jamison in this role as well as Mitchell late in the season. If Fangupo can compete at 3 technique then he becomes more than just the third NT. If he can rotate at 5 technique even better, then Jamison becomes superfluous.

I dislike small, quick defenses...I prefer beef.
 
I'm going to dislike seeing bulman go. I like the energy he played with and he was a good fit in the defense.

But at least he'll be there on speed dial if we have injuries.
 
Dude got hurt in practice today per Scurfield's Tweet

Nick Scurfield‏@NickScurfield

Rookie NT Hebron Fangupo got hurt at practice today. Kubiak said he "got rolled up in a pile." No word on extent of injury
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HOU-TEX said:
Dude got hurt in practice today per Scurfield's Tweet
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McClain says he was "carted off", but that doesn't mean it's serious...

I think that's about standard for leg injuries...Like with Andre last year...

Hopefully he will be ok...I'd like to see him make the roster and get some burn this year if he is good enough...
 
20120521_texans-otas_btc_06.jpg
 
No "live contact" during 3rd phase OTA's.............down by "friendly fire?":kitten:

on NT Hebron Fangupo going down and what happened to his knee) “Don’t know. It got rolled up in a pile. That’s the biggest thing when you come out here for the first day, having competitive-type practices, guys are a little exciting so you’ve got to calm them down but hopefully he’ll be okay.”



(on what kind of injury NT Hebron Fangupo had) “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I know they took him in but he did walk off the field.”
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link

This is his LEFT knee........same side as his previous ankle fractures.
 
Stephanie Stradley ‏@StephStradley


Kubiak: Fangupo hope to be back next week. Holding out Sharpton right now, will be ready for camp. #TexansOTA
 
The Texans had an injury scare on the first day of organized team activities (OTAs) Monday when rookie nose tackle Hebron Fangupo got rolled up in a pile and appeared to injure his knee.

It turns out the injury was not serious, and Fangupo, an undrafted free agent from BYU, should be back on the field soon.

“Loni’s fine,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday. “He’ll miss the rest of this week, and we’re hoping maybe he’s back next week. So we got a little lucky. Had a pile out there, but we’re much better today as far as staying off the ground. He’s going to be OK.”

Fangupo, 26, is one of four nose tackles on the Texans’ roster. Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell both played in all 16 games last season. They’re now joined by Fangupo and undrafted rookie David Hunter from Houston.
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http://blog.houstontexans.com/2012/05/22/texans-get-good-news-on-rookie-nt-hebron-fangupo/
 
Opportunity knocks for rookie NT Hebron Fangupo
Name game: Big opportunity awaits rookie NT Hebron Fangupo

Texans nose tackle Hebron Fangupo gets his nickname, “Loni,” from Hepeloni. It’s the Tongan version of his first name, which he says is a Biblical site in Jerusalem where the prophet Abraham was buried.

Fangupo’s friends, family, coaches and teammates call him Loni. But his name on the Texans’ roster, per Fangupo’s request, is listed as Hebron.

Why?

“My boss-slash-wife prefers Hebron,” Fangupo said on Wednesday.

Asked about Texans head coach Gary Kubiak seeming to prefer Loni, Fangupo smiled and quipped, “I don’t go home to Coach.”

Moments earlier, Fangupo had explained his name (pronounced HEE-brawn) to a group of reporters at Reliant Stadium as “like LeBron, but Hebron.”

Name intrigue aside, Fangupo (6-0, 319) is a 27-year-old undrafted rookie from BYU with a big opportunity on his immediate horizon. With two preseason games remaining, he and Earl Mitchellare only healthy nose tackles currently on the Texans’ roster. Starter Shaun Cody is sidelined by a back injury. Sonny Harris is headed for injured reserve because of a triceps injury.

“I’ve been taught ever since I got to college, when you get the opportunity, take it,” Fangupo said. “I never wanted to take opportunity in this fashion, to happen in this way. Because going through camp, you build a relationship with every man you’re going through drills with, and you tend to care for them. I personally actually pray for each one of them every day.

“This opportunity coming, I’m not going to take it as like jumping in to take (Harris’) spot or anything. I’m coming in and I hope to get the opportunity to make the Texans fans proud, myself proud, the coaching staff proud, especially my wife back home – for this opportunity to provide for her. So I prayed for that opportunity every day, but I never wanted it to come in this fashion. One promise I will make is I’ll hold the point and I’ll do my best out there...”
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read more: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...Fangupo-/e99e2dec-e978-4b5c-b177-676ca7b163bf
 
I'm not expecting Hebron Fangupo to become the next Tony Siragusa over night but hopefully he will be as good as I think his potential ceiling actually is.
 
Wow, Alameda Ta'amu cut after only 1 season. I remember some folks were high on him as a mid round pick for the Texans. I wish Fangupo all the best, hope he makes it.
 
Wolf6151 said:
Wow, Alameda Ta'amu cut after only 1 season. I remember some folks were high on him as a mid round pick for the Texans. I wish Fangupo all the best, hope he makes it.
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Yep, he's a nice kid. Gotta love that he walked away from the Trojans.

And Steelers play-by-play guy is going to love saying Fangupo!
 
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