First look at Rookies at Minicamp

[kiwitexansfan]

Here's my blog post with a brief snapshot of now, with a few minicamp thoughts thrown in and bonus terrible photoshop:

The answer to most things 2014 Houston Texans

If you have any questions rookie or vet minicamp, please ask, and I'll check back to answer. I didn't break down stuff too specifically because I think a lot of that stuff is overblown, especially this early when they aren't doing a ton. You know, the old WOW this guy, that guy had a bad day stuff.

Thanks for the Post TC, that was some HORRIFIC photoshopping.

You said that the players who need to step up got extra attention. Was there anyone who was getting extra attention that surprised you?

Say were any of the UDFA getting more focus than you would of thought?

 

[Double Barrel]

Thanks for the Post TC, that was some HORRIFIC photoshopping.

hehe, sad part is there are already tons of images she could have used.

Elephino

[IMGwidthsize=300]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/220/b/1/the_great_elephino_by_ritter99-d5ad9zc.jpg[/IMG]

 

[kiwitexansfan]

hehe, sad part is there are already tons of images she could have used.

Elephino

[IMGwidthsize=300]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/220/b/1/the_great_elephino_by_ritter99-d5ad9zc.jpg[/IMG]

Now that is quality right there.

That is an offense I can get behind.

WAIT: That photoshop lacks Hippo.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Try this:

 

[Double Barrel]

Now that is quality right there.

That is an offense I can get behind.

WAIT: That photoshop lacks Hippo.

I never heard hippo added to the joke.

The "classic" version:

 

[kiwitexansfan]

I never heard hippo added to the joke.

The "classic" version:

Wasn't familiar with the source material.

 

[Texans_Chick]

I want it to be a Helephino, not an Elephino.

We are not British.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Try this:

That would work.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Thanks for the Post TC, that was some HORRIFIC photoshopping.

You said that the players who need to step up got extra attention. Was there anyone who was getting extra attention that surprised you?

Say were any of the UDFA getting more focus than you would of thought?

Mercilus and Clowney were getting an earful. So was Savage. But in a good way, like we need to get you up to speed fast way.

 

[Playoffs]

...I didn't break down stuff too specifically because I think a lot of that stuff is overblown, especially this early when they aren't doing a ton. You know, the old WOW this guy, that guy had a bad day stuff.

Enjoyed the update, Steph.

I've been holding off on the Paul Dunn prejudgements, but you just spilt the milk.

Are you seeing any of this 7 Characteristics of the Relationship-Driven Coach from OB's staff?

And don't think I didn't catch the bit about "heavy ball"... I played some golf and those were 3 & 4 club winds.


Also, this looks a bit dachshund to me...

[IMGwidthsize=450]http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/286/c/e/rhinophant_by_dwarf4r-d6qacab.jpg[/IMG]

 

[drs23]

Mercilus and Clowney were getting an earful. So was Savage. But in a good way, like we need to get you up to speed fast way.

Thank you much. AGAIN!

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Mercilus and Clowney were getting an earful. So was Savage. But in a good way, like we need to get you up to speed fast way.

Mercilus was at Rookies minicamp?

Didn't realise some of our vets were there.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Mercilus was at Rookies minicamp?

Didn't realise some of our vets were there.

Nah, that was from the early vet camp. But same earful.

I really like how hands on Mike Vrabel is with all the linebackers. Very specific instruction. Mix of hilarious sarcasm and praise, but mostly specific comments about technique.

 

[IDEXAN]

Here's my blog post with a brief snapshot of now, with a few minicamp thoughts thrown in and bonus terrible photoshop:

The answer to most things 2014 Houston Texans

If you have any questions rookie or vet minicamp, please ask, and I'll check back to answer. I didn't break down stuff too specifically because I think a lot of that stuff is overblown, especially this early when they aren't doing a ton. You know, the old WOW this guy, that guy had a bad day stuff.

Very good, thanks TC !

 

[Playoffs]

John Harris Rookie Review: Offense

It was only three days, but for some Houston Texans rookies, it was the most important three days of their young professional careers. Rookie minicamp concluded last Sunday and it’ll be the last time the full squad isn’t together until the end of the season.

With middle school style lockers in the middle of the locker room and 72 hours to prove what they can do, some youngsters made a significant impression on the coaching staff and to the throng of media in attendance. A pair of rookies came to Houston with nothing but a tryout and left with a contract and a shot at training camp.

But let’s focus on some math: prior to the draft, the Texans roster included 66 veterans. There were 46 participants last weekend, including eleven on a tryout basis. The team can only take 53 players into the first week of the season.

Two plus three, carry the one, add the five and well, that math doesn’t add up to much opportunity.

Sure, the team is allowed to keep eight on the practice squad, but the reality of the situation for the rookies is that a handful will have a shot and few will be Houston Texans this fall. That said, there were some who opened eyes throughout the weekend. As such, this is part one of our look at the rookie mini-camp, focusing on the offensive side of the ball.


Quarterback
Considering there was only one quarterback in attendance and he was the team’s only quarterback drafted, former Pitt signal caller Tom Savage wasn’t under the same pressure as others. That said, he was arguably under the biggest microscope. But with quarterbacks coach George Godsey able to spend time with Savage, and only with him, the 6-4, 228 pound gunslinger soaked in the knowledge all weekend.

The physical tools were evident from the first throw. I wasn’t here to see David Carr live, but I’ve seen every quarterback since and there’s no question that Savage has..

Running back
The only two running backs in attendance were sixth rounders Alfred Blue and Jay Prosch. Non-rookie Toben Opurum injured his leg, in some capacity, at some point on the first day, so for the majority of camp, the two sixth rounders handled all of the reps. Prosch was able to show his athleticism as he did at the Senior Bowl, but his impact won’t really be felt, figuratively and literally, under the pads go on.

The surprise, so to speak, was Blue. I’ve seen him dozens of times at LSU but this past weekend...

Wide receiver
When I planned out this piece, the first name that came to mind was Lacoltan Bester, the former Oklahoma Sooner wide receiver... the impression he made, catching nearly everything near him, bought him the rest of the summer and potentially a practice squad spot...

The other receiver that made a significant impression over the weekend was EZ Nwachukwu. The former Aggie spent last season on the Texans practice squad, which gave him the opportunity to participate in the rookie minicamp.

He was fantastic. He caught everything thrown his way, often climbing the...

Tight end
The tight end position is sort of like a Las Vegas casino/restaurant buffet: so many different options, and it’s just a matter of how hungry you are. Or what you’re looking for, I suppose.

Former Iowa star C.J. Fiedorowicz caused the biggest stir among those watching practice, but I kept a close on eye on former Arizona State star Chris Coyle and Utah hybrid Y/H-back Anthony Denham. Coyle seemed much more comfortable as the Y-tight end than Denham. Coyle’s blocking technique was good and his overall fundamental level was high. But Denham has athleticism the other two don’t...

Offensive line
Without pads and the ability to be physical, as per the NFL’s CBA, there’s not a lot to go on other than physical impressions. But former Bloomsburg star Matt Feiler made one on me. He’s a house. This guy is massive. He had some strong moments at the Shrine Bowl and it was a surprise that he didn’t get drafted. There is plenty of opportunity at right tackle in Houston, especially with the questionable health of Brennan Williams.

The other right tackle candidate that will have a chance to push to make the roster is former South Dakota State standout Bryan Witzmann. I heard O’Brien praise Witzmann during the Saturday practice and trust me that...

 

[76Texan]

I think our TE Corp has a good chance to be better than last year since we had injuries across the board in 2013.

I like the guy(s) we might put on PS more than the ones from last year, and it's not just because of optimism around this time of year.
It's understandable that Supernaw got cut.

 

[Playoffs]

John Harris Rookie Review: Defense

In this second part of our series looking at the Texans Rookie minicamp, I’ll take a look at the defensive side of the ball. Let me preface all the comments with this quick story.

When I was a freshman in college, we had a massive, hulking veteran running back on the roster. Suffice it to say on first glance, I was a bit intimidated. Let’s be honest, I hit anything that moved and thinking about hitting him shook me just a bit. When I made a comment to one of the seniors on the team, without missing a beat, he said “looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane”. I thought it was sort of a mean assessment.

Until the pads went on three days later.

It was at that particular point that I understood the true value of a player wearing pads or without. He ran upright, slow and scared. He wasn’t the hammer I thought originally he was. Instead, he wore a bullseye as a target.

The point?

It's difficult to gauge the full value of the defensive rookies until we see them put the pads on against the veterans. The most telling aspect of a defensive player is how violent he is, gory though that may be to say. But that doesn’t mean that certain rookies didn’t make their presences known over the weekend.

Here’s a look at a few standouts on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive line

Just as on offense, the Texans signed a defensive player after his tryout over the weekend, Julius Warmsley of Tulane... got a lion's share of the instruction from DL coach Bill Kollar. He impressed enough to sign a deal and compete further.


Linebackers
Other than Jadeveon Clowney, the linebacker that made the most significant impression on everyone in and around the Texans’ facility last weekend was former Michigan State ILB Max Bullough. Each and every year, there’s a handful of players that don’t get drafted and it makes no sense why they weren’t selected. In 2014, it was... Shayne Skov... and Bullough. By signing Bullough they got an eleventh draft pick, to be honest.

Bullough can play. He has a designated skill set as a B-gap to B-gap run-plugging linebacker on first and second down, at worst. Maybe he’s only a first down player, but throw in special teams and Bullough has a great shot of making an impact on this team from day one...

The other linebacker’s name that I heard, literally, more often than not, during the weekend was former Nebraska star defensive end Jason Ankrah. I can’t tell you how many times I heard linebackers coach Mike Vrabel say “good job, Jason” over the two days of practice. He’s a former defensive end transitioning to outside linebacker and that move won’t be easy. But he’s a stout 262 pounds and will be solid against the run....

Secondary
...
But the third player I was stoked to see in Houston was former North Dakota State star Marcus Williams. The Bison were clearly the best team in FCS for the past three years and... Williams was a big factor in that success...

He was motivated by the draft slight, yet honored that Houston made the call... Williams won’t unseat Kareem Jackson or Jonathan Joseph and he’ll have to fight to make the roster, but there isn’t much proven depth behind the starting duo. The addition of Hal and Williams to the cornerback corps will make for interesting camp watching in a few weeks and months.