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Texans 2014 Training Camp

mussop said:
What I would love to see. Watt and Clowney outside. Line Mathews, Powell and Nix up on the line. Put Cushing in the middle. Have Swearinger play a hybrid LB that lines up over the TE and spies him all over the feild. I'm in the mood for some Madden now!
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Powe?

I'm looking forward to seeing what Matthews can bring to the table.
 
Lambert said:
I understand the differences between 3/4 DE's and 4/3 DE's and I agree that switching from a 1 gap to a 2 gap defense for the line might affect the numbers the D-line racks up, but don't you want your best players on the field at the same time? It comes down to who is the better player, Crick or Clowney? And, and you have the additional advantage of getting another great player on the field at the same time---Mercilus.
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Could you do a similar comparison regarding the differing responsibilities Cushing will have in the newer D vs the old D? I'm no further along than ILB vs OLB so an explanation of mike and sam would help as well.
 
IDEXAN said:
I dunno, I've read in multiple places that the Oilers' Robert Brazile back in the day was as responsible as LT was for the "reinvention" of the rush-backer position role in the 3-4, of course the NYC media-market would drown-out any achievements over some guy with the Oilers with one of their own media creations.
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Please forgive me, but when I see LT, I think Lawrence Taylor. Who's this LT of which you speak? (Ladamion Tomlinson perhaps?)
 
Lambert said:
I know this may sound stupid and perhaps it is, but why don't they start Clowney as a DE on the opposite side from Watt? It's his normal position; he wouldn't have to learn new tricks (coverage, setting the edge) and it would allow first round selection, Mercilus to stay at WILL. Why re-invent the wheel?
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I don't get your criticism of moving Clowney to OLBer at all, especially when the meat of your argument is to keep Mercilus at "WILL".. When Mercilus was ALSO a DE.

So if we should keep Clowney at DE and not attempt to move him to the 3-4 OLBer position, because it "wasn't his natural position", shouldn't we then move Mercilus back to the DE position? This has nothing to do with "re-inventing a wheel", but simply trying to correct a past selected player that failed at the role he was drafted to fill.

You can't argue in one breath that Clowney should stay at DE and then in another breath argue that we need to keep Mercilus at the WILL position.. it doesn't make sense.

This defense was at it's best when another college DE played pass rushing OLBer Robin to Batman (Watt) in this defense, and that was Barwin. Mercilus was drafted to replace him, but he couldn't.. hence.. insert Clowney.
 
Marshall said:
Please forgive me, but when I see LT, I think Lawrence Taylor. Who's this LT of which you speak? (Ladamion Tomlinson perhaps?)
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Why would he be talking about Tomlinson when he's talking about the development of rushing outside linebackers in a 3-4? Of course he was talking about Lawrence Taylor and Dr. Doom.
 
Lambert said:
I know this may sound stupid and perhaps it is, but why don't they start Clowney as a DE on the opposite side from Watt? It's his normal position; he wouldn't have to learn new tricks (coverage, setting the edge) and it would allow first round selection, Mercilus to stay at WILL. Why re-invent the wheel?
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Jadaveon Clowney never started in the 3-4 DE position at South Carolina.

Also, PFF doesn't use game film their grades come out entirely too quickly to get the film to them from NFL teams. At best they can get the all-22 footage the same way any regular football fan can, by having a subscription to gamepass. That footage doesn't come out until Wednesdays at the earliest.
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
I think a triple jump pass is more effective myself .
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The NFL will borrow the up and down foul from the NBA to counter this.

mussop said:
What I would love to see. Watt and Clowney outside. Line Mathews, Powe and Nix up on the line. Put Cushing in the middle. Have Swearinger play a hybrid LB that lines up over the TE and spies him all over the feild. I'm in the mood for some Madden now!
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Looks like you're in the mood for kung fu panda! :kitten:

It's gonna be interesting to see how RAC uses the players he has.
 
The title is that he left the field with a serious "inquiry" not injury. Not only that but it says it's the Battle Red Onion. Not sure how anyone could not see that it's fake and also not funny in any way.
 
Texian said:
DEs in RACs 3-4 play gap control as opposed to Wade's 3-4 of attack the football. Different assignments and responsibilities. It is something definitely worth watching.
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I doubt there's a defense in the league anymore that plays with such hard fast rules. I'm pretty sure Watt's responsibilities will be based on the situation & whatever tendencies they think they've identified.

There were plenty of times under Wade, where Jj was two gapping & still made the play in the backfield.
 
thunderkyss said:
I doubt there's a defense in the league anymore that plays with such hard fast rules. I'm pretty sure Watt's responsibilities will be based on the situation & whatever tendencies they think they've identified.

There were plenty of times under Wade, where Jj was two gapping & still made the play in the backfield.
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On 3rd and long he'll be rushing the passer.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
Why would he be talking about Tomlinson when he's talking about the development of rushing outside linebackers in a 3-4? Of course he was talking about Lawrence Taylor and Dr. Doom.
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Great. I'm so used to being a generation behind, I didn't think he could possibly be talking about Taylor.
 
Texian said:
On 3rd and long he'll be rushing the passer.
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Yes, exactly the problem. He'll be 2 gapping on almost every first and second down (or like some else posted when the coaches think there might be a pass).

Remember the days when JJ would disrupt running plays in the backfield? They will be few and far between in the new system which is designed to have the back half make plays.

The new system might just make for an overall better defense but it WILL hurt JJ's stats and thereby his future earnings and chances for the HOF.
 
Playoffs said:
Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith


Color me surprised.

And fwiw, somebody else will need to pick up the slack on practice reports for the next few days as I'm bedridden with back problems and the iPad ain't gonna cut it. :tiphat:
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DX-TEX said:
Man I have a bad back and it sucks, get well.

This would be a good time for some of you technology afraid people to get on twitter. You don't have to make comments. Just start an account and follow some people. that is how I started
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two posters with bill obrien avatars, two posters with bad backs.

:toropalm:

this is gonna end badly for BOB.
 
My guess is watt will look even better with a better defense around him. Go back and listen to wade. A lot of the plays he made were outside of the scheme.

Watt is so smart and he watches so much film. He picks up on tendencies and small give aways or 'tells' from the offense. A lot of what watt did was him going rogue in a sense.

Wade said he had to learn to let jj do jj. Let's not act like it's a forgone conclusion that that watt won't be watt anymore. Richard Seymour did fine in this defense and watt is better.

But really, as much as I want watt to be great, it's about the team.
 
Gotta Know said:
Remember the days when JJ would disrupt running plays in the backfield? They will be few and far between in the new system which is designed to have the back half make plays.

The new system might just make for an overall better defense but it WILL hurt JJ's stats and thereby his future earnings and chances for the HOF.
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Yes, Wade's system was an attack the football and disrupt the play. RAC's system is a protect your area and maintain. Two very different philosophies. Requiring different personnel. The success of RAC's defense is more dependent on the LBs and Wade's is more dependent on the front line. Wade's 3-4 was really more of a 5-2.
 
Gotta Know said:
Yes, exactly the problem. He'll be 2 gapping on almost every first and second down (or like some else posted when the coaches think there might be a pass).

Remember the days when JJ would disrupt running plays in the backfield? They will be few and far between in the new system which is designed to have the back half make plays.

The new system might just make for an overall better defense but it WILL hurt JJ's stats and thereby his future earnings and chances for the HOF.
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That contradicts what RAC himself has said about how he'll play JJ. I read it on the mothership so look it up if ya wanna but it was along the lines of "When you have a player that can do what he does, you let that player do what he does"

This man has a clue:

xtruroyaltyx said:
My guess is watt will look even better with a better defense around him. Go back and listen to wade. A lot of the plays he made were outside of the scheme.

Watt is so smart and he watches so much film. He picks up on tendencies and small give aways or 'tells' from the offense. A lot of what watt did was him going rogue in a sense.

Wade said he had to learn to let jj do jj. Let's not act like it's a forgone conclusion that that watt won't be watt anymore. Richard Seymour did fine in this defense and watt is better.

But really, as much as I want watt to be great, it's about the team.
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Yeah, the team to be great too.
 
Richard Seymour was fantastic playing for the Pats and Watt is a better player. I know every coach has a system but great coaches adapt to the strengths of his players. Chances are RC is just a tad crafty and will figure out how to best use the beast that is JJ Watt
 
Playoffs said:
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...-JJ-Watt/80aa6fab-afaf-499f-9b42-4198412777d6
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RAC does a great job of coach speaking there.


“I see putting J.J. on the field and letting him make the plays that he’s been making because I have not seen a defense yet that did not use playmakers," Crennel said. "If you’ve got a playmaker, you’re going to use the playmaker. J.J. is a playmaker."
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Kinda does the JJ Walker. Talks a whole lot but doesn't really say anything.
 
Watt is going to have more team-oriented responsibilities under Crennel and less freedom. Wade's defense, philosophically and functionally, was predicated on allowing players to make plays individually. Essentially, every play, Watt's responsibility was to beat the Oline into the backfield and pursue the ball.

As a result, the defense was exposed to draws and screens. Also, there was a predictability with the defense that caused it to be impotent against well-coached offenses with good QBs.

I don't think a Texan defensive lineman was ever called for defensive holding in those three years. Under Crennel, that will change. There will be times when Watt's job is to occupy blockers, creating a playmaking opportunity for a linebacker or defensive back. Of course that won't always be the case. Even though Watt will be asked to occupy blockers and not attack sometimes, he will likely make more plays in downfield pursuit and also batting balls, breaking up screens, etc... as a result. If he plays on the defensive line most of the time, though, his sack numbers won't approach 20 again... which is fine with me if the defense (as a whole) is successful.
 
Bottom to top:



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 43s

Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Johnathan Joseph, Brian Cushing, Brandon Brooks, Elbert Mack, Shiloh Keo, Will Yeatman, Lonnie Ballentine, andConor Bofeli, all were DNP in practice today.



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 1m

New RB William Powell really struggled catching the ball in drills. Dropped a few passes in practice.



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 1m

Havent mentioned him much, but Anthony McClung flashed a few times today. When the ball is in his hands, he's shifty. Broke CBs ankles today



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 1m

Texans OL could be decent if David Quessenberry & Cody White were healthy. Xavier, David & Cody can all play most OL positions.



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 14s

O'Brien / Dunn really toying with the O-line to see what they can do w/ talent & lack of depth. XSF has played every position.



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · now

Brandon Harris is now taking reps with the 2s outside in base defense, while Johnathan Joseph is out.



Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock · 1m

Xavier Su'a-Filo working with the 1s at RG & Alex Kupper seeing time at backup Center. AJ Bouye starting outside w/ Kareem in base. (No JJo)
 
dalemurphy said:
Watt is going to have more team-oriented responsibilities under Crennel and less freedom. Wade's defense, philosophically and functionally, was predicated on allowing players to make plays individually. Essentially, every play, Watt's responsibility was to beat the Oline into the backfield and pursue the ball.

As a result, the defense was exposed to draws and screens. Also, there was a predictability with the defense that caused it to be impotent against well-coached offenses with good QBs.

I don't think a Texan defensive lineman was ever called for defensive holding in those three years. Under Crennel, that will change. There will be times when Watt's job is to occupy blockers, creating a playmaking opportunity for a linebacker or defensive back. Of course that won't always be the case. Even though Watt will be asked to occupy blockers and not attack sometimes, he will likely make more plays in downfield pursuit and also batting balls, breaking up screens, etc... as a result. If he plays on the defensive line most of the time, though, his sack numbers won't approach 20 again... which is fine with me if the defense (as a whole) is successful.
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If Crennel is just going to trot out the defense that he ran under the Patriots it's not going to take long for it to get figured out and beaten. I hope that a coach with his tenure and resume would be smarter than that.
 
Foster, AJ and Cushing practicing today. The question remains if their return heralds a temporary show and/or a return to anywhere close to preinjury performance.
 
The Texans have brought in undrafted rookie CB Junior Mertile (nice size at 6'1" 197).

Interesting background info:

There were 32 teams at Junior Mertile's Florida International Pro Day, but none to see him.
Everyone wanted a look at his best friend, safety Jonathan Cyprien, who eventually went in the second round to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sensing the audience, Mertile, a receiver-turned-corner, ripped off a sub-4.4 40-yard dash. He fielded some calls and got invited to some tryouts. He let his hopes get up. He started working out at a nearby training facility in Boca, Fla. that partnered with former Giant Sam Madison, now an intern on the coaching staff, who helped Mertile round out his technique as a cornerback.

But then, those same 32 teams all passed on him again in the NFL Draft.

"I got down on myself," Mertile said. "I told myself I failed my goal."

Two days after the draft, Mertile said he went to church to pray and consider his situation -- what he was going to do and how he was going to make it to the NFL.

By the time he got home, he had a tryout scheduled with the Giants.

"I got the call to come out for a tryout and they said if I do good, I can get a contract and stay with the team," he said. "I said 'alright, I'm going to come here and outshine everybody.'"

NY Giants head coach Tom Coughlin on the last play on the pass caught by tight end Brandon Myers, 'I hope so. Nice adjustment. When (Eli) threw it, he threw it obviously where the defender wasn’t, which made him really make a very...I thought it was a radical adjustment because of the wind and he made the catch there. It was good. Better yet though, he reacted the way he should react as he read the coverage'. The objective is to get the ball to a certain point for a field goal. They got it there, so now what am I going to do? Change the objective? Change the game? Change the rules? I don’t usually do that.'


The book on Mertile has always been that if he can focus on one position, really learn the mechanics, there is a high ceiling. He played receiver at Florida International, but switched to cornerback to help fill some team needs and emerge from the shadow of T.Y. Hilton, his friend and former teammate who now plays receiver for the Colts.
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THE REST OF THE STORY
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
The Texans have brought in undrafted rookie CB Junior Mertile (nice size at 6'1" 197).

Interesting background info:


THE REST OF THE STORY
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Not a lot of info on him, but seems like the Giants fans like him...or at least didn't think he was terrible.

Good height, good speed. Raw...Switched to corner in college. Has shown a knack for making plays...getting INT's...getting his hands on some balls...
 
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