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Texans Training Camp 2015

Seegara said:
Here comes some wild and some not-so-wild speculation: The speculative pick Louis Nix didn't work out and will be cut. Mike McFarland nudges Fido off the roster.

Lynden Trail makes the team. I'm not convinced Clowney, the biggest faux pas in the history of drafting, can come back.

With so many promising receivers, the mistake that was Jaelen Strong is trade bait.

Cliett is gone due to injury. Still, with so many talented linebackers, the mistake that was Bernardrick McKinney should be traded if possible, otherwise waived and maybe added to the PS.

Either him or Bonner.
Click to expand...

The season hasn't even started and you are already wanting to trade 3 high draft picks? Is this a joke?
 
I really, really do not want Foster jumping over anyone.

IIRC Bonner looks real good each preseason just doesn't transfer to games. Still he is signed thru 2016 and cheap.

IMO, Bullough will be a game time player, makes team. Some guys just turn it on when real whistle blows.

Yeah, yeah I know but one of these QB needs to step up and pull ahead of others real soon.

Concerning OL: if Brown goes down, Newton replaces him. X can translate to RT if emergent. Brooks of course can play LG so focus for me is Ferentz or Manz at center. White is interesting option but has done little to inspire. Interesting that while OBrien during OTAs was speaking obliquely about Nix, he often pointed to Sua'fila as one who was in great shape and making progress. I am not as concerned about this line as some.

Would it not be sweet if linebackers and corners were a strength this season? Now is safety is resolved..Brown, Moore, Hal and Ballentine? Would not be surprised if Bouye gets reps there.
 
I wonder whats up with McKinney. Barely any news about him. It's still early but sheesh I haven't read about him making a play yet.

Reading all these updates has my hyped. Thanks for the re-tweets. Can't wait for HardKnocks next week!
 
Last year:

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This year (at OTAs and TC):

200.gif






This year (regular season):

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xtruroyaltyx said:
Su'a-Filo running crossfield sprints by himself. Sweating it out.

Just saw that. Maybe he showed up out of shape.
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I'm getting the sense we have a real problem with XSF. Either he just can't get it or doesn't have the drive or ???... haven't been able to pinpoint it yet, but something's up.


G/C Ben Jones
(on G Xavier Su’a-Filo) “Xavier (Su’a-Filo) is in here. Xavier is working his butt off.
He’s going to come out, he’s still grinding. That’s part of camp, you just got to
learn how to grind.”​
 
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DX-TEX said:
The season hasn't even started and you are already wanting to trade 3 high draft picks? Is this a joke?
Click to expand...
It wasn't really a proposal as much as a prediction of some things that might happen. And not necessarily right away.
Marcus' comment isn't fit to quote.
 
Thanks Playoffs for the camp updates. These little tidbits at least give some of us a small window into what's happening down at Reliant.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
Good to hear, it was painful to see how slow this team has been, specifically our offensive skill positions...
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All reports are night and day difference in proficiency and efficiency for the offense, most all of due to the QB position. We should have access to all three hurry speeds this year with Mallyer/Hoylett.
 
Playoffs said:
I'm getting the sense we have a real problem with XSF. Either he just can't get it or doesn't have the drive or ???... haven't been able to pinpoint it yet, but something's up.


G/C Ben Jones
(on G Xavier Su’a-Filo) “Xavier (Su’a-Filo) is in here. Xavier is working his butt off.
He’s going to come out, he’s still grinding. That’s part of camp, you just got to
learn how to grind.”​
Click to expand...
Since when is playing in the NFL as a guard rocket science ? I can understand it taking a long time to master the QB position, but the
X-man is now into his second season after having a full off season to comprehend and retain his playbook.
 
IDEXAN said:
Since when is playing in the NFL as a guard rocket science ? I can understand it taking a long time to master the QB position, but the
X-man is now into his second season after having a full off season to comprehend and retain his playbook.
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I think JJ Watt shell-shocked him during his rookie season, and X has flashback every time he gets into a 3-point stance.
 
IDEXAN said:
Since when is playing in the NFL as a guard rocket science ?.
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While some may think it's just glorified wrasslin', OL in the NFL is a skill position. There are very specific alignments, angles, positioning, and timing that must be mastered at a very fast tempo. You will struggle if you, in XSF's instance, lunge; bend at the waist; or drop your head. Matching the skill set to requisite strength and understanding a high complexity offense on a read-and-react level at NFL speeds is not easy.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Su'a-Filo running crossfield sprints by himself. Sweating it out.

Just saw that. Maybe he showed up out of shape.
Click to expand...

Playoffs said:
I'm getting the sense we have a real problem with XSF. Either he just can't get it or doesn't have the drive or ???... haven't been able to pinpoint it yet, but something's up.


G/C Ben Jones
(on G Xavier Su’a-Filo) “Xavier (Su’a-Filo) is in here. Xavier is working his butt off.
He’s going to come out, he’s still grinding. That’s part of camp, you just got to
learn how to grind.”​
Click to expand...

Well, OB did say that 97.5% showed up in great shape. I was wondering who the 2.5% was.
 
I'm pretty sure X is part of the 3% that showed up to camp out of shape (failed conditioning test) and that's why he's doing conditioning drills
 
Playoffs said:
While some may think it's just glorified wrasslin', OL in the NFL is a skill position. There are very specific alignments, angles, positioning, and timing that must be mastered at a very fast tempo. You will struggle if you, in XSF's instance, lunge; bend at the waist; or drop your head. Matching the skill set to requisite strength and understanding a high complexity offense on a read-and-react level at NFL speeds is not easy.
Click to expand...

Well, if was a case of him just not getting it, he'd be out on the field with the rest of them learning how to get it. Instead, he's over on another field by himself running gassers.
 
It's weird. I thought I'd read that X was in great shape this off season. It might've been one of Pats Tweets, but still
 
Brandon420tx said:
I'm pretty sure X is part of the 3% that showed up to camp out of shape (failed conditioning test) and that's why he's doing conditioning drills
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I'm not convinced that this is what is going on. The majority of the time when there has been a failed conditioning test when training camps open across the NFL, these players are placed on the "non-football injury list."
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I'm not convinced that this is what is going on. The majority of the time when there has been a failed conditioning test when training camps open across the NFL, these players are placed on the "non-football injury list."
Click to expand...

What do you suspect is going on?
 
Makes me wonder if he passed the conditioning test, but came back over the target weight they assigned him in OTAs?
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I'm not really sure. But on the surface, it does not sound as though the reason would be due to a medical issue of poor conditioning or injury.
Click to expand...

The only reason left would be that the new O-line coach saw some things in OTA's that he didn't like, hence the Adams acquisition before camp.
 
Brisco_County said:
The only reason left would be that the new O-line coach saw some things in OTA's that he didn't like, hence the Adams acquisition before camp.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure you relate Adams' acquisition to a problem with Filo...........we were in need of OL (especially tackle) personnel before TC. And as an aside, Adams does not really fit the typical LG profile............6'7" and 305 lbs.
 
Thanks for the correction. Regarding Su'a-Filo, there will be a lot of questions for O'Brien if he's not working with the 1's today. It would be interesting to see if Hard Knocks picks it up.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
I'm not really sure. But on the surface, it does not sound as though the reason would be due to a medical issue of poor conditioning or injury.
Click to expand...
It appears to me that it could be that X hasn't learned his playbook or isn't being a good teammate. Running gassers is usually a form of punishment.
 
Playoffs said:
While some may think it's just glorified wrasslin', OL in the NFL is a skill position. There are very specific alignments, angles, positioning, and timing that must be mastered at a very fast tempo. You will struggle if you, in XSF's instance, lunge; bend at the waist; or drop your head. Matching the skill set to requisite strength and understanding a high complexity offense on a read-and-react level at NFL speeds is not easy.
Click to expand...
I'm not for a moment demeaning the position, but on the other hand he's a guy who has already played 4 years of major college ball in the PAC-12 so he's not a novice to all of this. He even played LT for a year, the most challenging position in the OLine.
 
IDEXAN said:
I'm not for a moment demeaning the position, but on the other hand he's a guy who has already played 4 years of major college ball in the PAC-12 so he's not a novice to all of this. He even played LT for a year, the most challenging position in the OLine.
Click to expand...

OL in college is frequently "bigger/stronger guy wins". In the NFL, they're all big and strong, so technique matters. OL in the NFL is martial arts, frankly. And you don't get better at it without lots of practice. Maybe he had some exposure in the Pac-12, but it's doubtful he had the same sort of training he'll get in the NFL.

Of course, that means he should have been scouted better.
 
DocBar said:
It appears to me that it could be that X hasn't learned his playbook or isn't being a good teammate. Running gassers is usually a form of punishment.
Click to expand...
As OBrien bragged about X's conditioning and that he was in town while Nix was neither, I see this as something else also.


Sua'fila was considered by many as second best OG coming out. I and others I trust were surprised he was there at our pick in second.
 
badboy said:
Sua'fila was considered by many as second best OG coming out. I and others I trust were surprised he was there at our pick in second.
Click to expand...
Yeah, LZ had him as his 4th best OL overall.

For a OG after Martin, I liked Bitonio but was not unhappy with X. Bitonio had the temperament.
 
Playoffs said:
While some may think it's just glorified wrasslin', OL in the NFL is a skill position. There are very specific alignments, angles, positioning, and timing that must be mastered at a very fast tempo. You will struggle if you, in XSF's instance, lunge; bend at the waist; or drop your head. Matching the skill set to requisite strength and understanding a high complexity offense on a read-and-react level at NFL speeds is not easy.
Click to expand...

may also e a conditioning issue. if he's tired, he'll try to cheat; lunge, nend at the waist, drop his head, hang his hands out, reach, take short steps..
 
What's happening at left guard for Texans?
Tania Ganguli, ESPN Staff Writer

His first day of practice with the Houston Texans served as a wake-up call for offensive lineman Jeff Adams. He was a brand new tackle, designated to the scout team after being claimed off waivers on August 31 of last year, thrown right into a practice against J.J. Watt.

"You have to be really technically sound because he’s going to take advantage of it [if you aren't]," Adams said. "You can’t get down. The guy’s the best player in the league and you really have to be technically sound, working hard. You have to keep working, keep grinding. He makes you grind it out and you’ve really got to focus in if you're going to beat him."

In his time since then, Adams has mostly been a tackle for the Texans, but so far in training camp he has been working with the first-team offensive line as its left guard. I asked Texans coach Bill O'Brien if Adams is an option to start at left guard and O'Brien said, "Yes."

The Texans' plan heading into this offseason was to shift Ben Jones from left guard to center and then promote Xavier Su'a-Filo to a starter. Su'a-Filo was the Texans' second pick in the 2014 draft, the player they took 33rd overall, one pick after the Vikings took quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Last season, Su'a-Filo moved around a lot on the line and dealt with a back injury late in the season. So far in training camp, Su'a-Filo has been working with the second group and he was spotted after practice yesterday doing some extra running. It's possible his job is really in jeopardy, but it's also possible the Texans are sending him a message.

Either way, it's giving Adams an opportunity to make himself more valuable to the team. The Texans went light on offensive linemen last year and part of what they ask of the players they keep is that they are versatile enough to check several boxes.

"The benefit of playing multiple positions, you learn the offense better," Adams said. "You know what the guard’s doing, what the center’s doing. That helps you at the tackle position, helps you at the guard position. It’s just a better understanding. You can work faster, make quicker decisions. That’s extremely valuable to any player that’s trying to develop."​
 
I used to think it was so odd that guys in the nfl had such suspect technique. Until I got to college...then I understood.
 
I heard Vince Wilfork is dominating tonight in practice. Also heard Kevin Johnson picked off Mallet and Mckinney is looking good against the run at inside linebacker.
 
First look video: Night practice highlights<--- clicky

Trying bunched format. Let me know if the usual spaced version is preferable...?
(will be updating this post until practice ends)


Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli
Third team offense gets a touchdown by Prosch. Then we have a little skirmish to finish things off.
Really sloppy red zone/goal line period right now from second and third team offenses. Two fumbled snaps. One fumble by Prosch.
Jeoffrey Pagan seems to have hurt his knee. Didn't see what happened there.
It's Hoyer day today. We're about to see some 1s vs 1s. #Texans
Don't see Reshard Cliett, who suffered a knee injury yesterday. Lonnie Ballentine is also not working. #Texans

PDS ‏@PatDStat
Some scrapping going on but couldn't see who it was.
Offense has had three fumbles in goal line period.
One for Mallett and one for Savage.
Fumbled snap for Mallett. In goal line period.
Benardrick McKinney is showing something today. All over the field.
McKinney all over Prosch. Causes the fumble Bullogh recovers.
Offense taking it to the defense with back to back TDs. Brooks vs Wilfork is something to see.
Blue down. Looks like a cramp.
Vince just blasting the offensive line. Cush cleans up Hilliard. Run defense has some potential.
Tom Savage just put a ball on the line to Nwachwku. With some zip. #Texans
Mallett makes a strong throw to the sideline. Puts his fake guns into his holster while talking to the defense with a big smile on his face
Alan Bonner sighting out of the slot. Puts the brakes on and out runs the defense.
Titans moving on from Nate Washington is the Texans gain. Still can go, adds another dimension to the offense.
Nate Washington with a nice reception from Hoyer. Went up and out jumped a defender.
Rahim Moore can scoot. Adds definite speed to the secondary.
Eddie Pleasant not shying away from contact today either.
Hilliard not shying away from contact. Looks to run over defenders.
McKinney likes this full pads thing. Not turning down any contact out there.
Mercilus just wrecked Newton into Hoyer. Play blown dead.
Rahim Moore lowers the hit on Hilliard. Gets Cushing excited in the process.
Tom Savage with a nice throw to Strong. Right over the top of the defender.
Pettinato with the pass deflection at the LOS.
Jaelen Strong is here. Nice route and ball from Mallett there.
Bullough looking spry today. Taking on lead blockers in a hurry.
Cam McLeod worked over Brandon Brooks. Nice little pass rush move. #Texans
Ben Jones stood out in pass pro. Newton and Brown also doing what they do. #Texans
Ben Jones once again controlling Wilfork. #Texans
Damaris Johnson shaking and baking making people miss in open field. #Texans
Trail not much upper body strength to get offensive tackles off is him. #Texans
Lynden Trail eaten up on his two pass rushes. Little hand game to his pass rush. #Texans
Cody White doing work. Nice pass set.
Duane Brown rolls up Mercilus on his pass rush.
Ben Jones holding his own vs Vince is pass pro.
Charles James and Jaelen Strong locking up on the far field. James is a scrapper. They were working on blocking.
Benardick McKinney shining early. Playing downhill non-stop and attacking the ball. In his element. #Texans
Mercilus just runs over Khari Lee to make a play. Lee finding out what NFL speed is. #Texans
McKinney playing downhill. Filling nice on the backside gap to get Grimes. #Texans
Vince dominating early. One arms Blue in the hole, Cush and Mo clean up.
#Texans going inside drill right now.
Hilliard shakes Cushing in mid route to get open for an easy catch. #Texans
McKinney having some slight issues in pass coverage. #Texans
Kevin Johnson intercepts Mallett. #Texans
McKinney showing some good work on pass pro vs the back. #Texans
Cushing runs right through Grimes in pass pro drills. #Texans
McFarland with a nice route and catch. Soon after Mercilus with nice coverage on Graham. Gets finger tip on the pass. #Texans
Andre Hal with some nice coverage on Denham. Knock the ball loose in mid catch. #Texans
Feiler just eliminating the defensive end that time. Two good back to back plays for him. #Texans
Matt Feiler pancaking defenders. Just mashing folks. #Texans
Mumphery drops a pass right in his hands from Mallett. #Texans
Darryl Morris sticking Blue in run support. #Texans
Offense guts the defense with a Blue run. Defense doing push-ups. #Texans
Watt and Newton already gettin after it. Good early contact today. #Texans
#Texans rolling right into 11 v 11.
Hoyer day today. #Texans
#Texans going through special teams work.

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL
Texans first-round draft pick Kevin Johnson with an alert reaction for an interception tonight at camp with his parents watching on sideline

Dale Robertson ‏@sportywineguy
Bullock kicking. Leg has looked strong. Contract year for him. Pressure's on.
Last night Texans practice Bum Phillips came out to watch Texans new defensive coord. Guy named Wade. Special memory.
Battle Red Wagon won the tailgaiting contest today. Served ribeyes, green beans and apple cobbler.
At this exact moment, Mallett looks sharper than Hoyer.
Nice pick in passing drill by KJ2. A star is born? He's looking very solid.

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL
Alfred Blue scored and grabbed his leg. Taken in on cart.
RB Alfred Blue taken off on cart.
Fight time at goal line but it didn't even last as long as Ronda Rousey title fight.
TE Mike McFarland, undrafted rookie from South Florida, continues to make impressive catches. He's 6-5, 252.[he is 6'6 1/2"]
Coaches have got to like the way C Ben Jones has controlled NT Vince Wilfork tonight.
Second year DB Andre Hal is lining up at safety next to Rahim Moore. Hal had excellent offseason and is off to a good start in camp.
Shane Lechler is still booming punts even though he turns 39 Friday. This is his 16th camp.
Mark Owen, part of Seal Team 6 that killed Bin Laden and rescued Captain Phillips, gave a riveting speech to Texans today. Invited by OB.
DE Jeoffrey Pagan has knee issue. RB Chris Polk still has hamstring problem.
Having officials here keeps players on their toes.
Offense worked on short passes and screens in this drill. Nothing beyond 5 yards.
Texans wearing pads for first time. Practice more lively for fans.
Texans have first night practice in 4 years. Last time Bum Phillips was here riding n a golf cart.

Brian T. Smith ‏@ChronBrianSmith
Tom Savage has been wearing virtual reality-type goggles during camp.
Prosch TD off right side, followed by a five-second skirmish in end zone.
Mallett ran to the goalpost and back. O'B favors no one.
Mallett fumbled snap at 2.
Real football under the lights. Prosch fumble-- https://vine.co/v/eHdZUIM9bA7
Alfred Blue, who took first-team reps today, stayed down for a bit after TD and lightly limped off field.
Blue TD with 1s vs. 1s
Hoyer's improving as the sun disappears.
Strong with a nice 15-yard out and Mallett drills him. #Texans
Hoyer throws low on outside timing route to Hopkins. Shades of early Fitzpatrick last year. #Texans
J.J. Watt is running a half lap, which means he sort of messed up. End times. #Texans
Some 1s still in when Mallett takes over. O'B likes the mix and match. #Texans
Hoyer running 1s. More Jeff Adams at LG. #Texans
Undrafted rookie TE Mike McFarland has made several sharp catches, including one just caught from Savage.

Will Grubb ‏@GrubbReport
Louis Nix III just sitting on the trainers table. Had been practicing but doesn't look like he's going back out there.
 
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Good news on Ben Jones. If it's one thing he has over his predecessor it's size and overall bulk. Myers might have been more agile and fluid, but he was always a bit undersized by modern standards. Of course, that's not counting the mental part of the game that Myers was excellent at.
 
John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL
RB Alfred Blue had a cramp when taken off.

OB said if they had to play now Nate Washington would probably start opposite DeAndre Hopkins.

Willie McGinest, at practice for NFL Network, is being inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame Wednesday. OB asked him to speak to team.

OB on Su'a-Filo, who's 2nd team at LG: "I like him. He's working hard. I want to see him improve."​

Brian T. Smith ‏@ChronBrianSmith
Nate Washington would be #Texans' No. 2 receiver if season started today. But still very early, O'Brien said. Strong is making progress.

Arian was getting some rest today, O'Brien said. Normal situation. #Texans

Tom Savage has been wearing virtual reality-type goggles during camp.​

Deepi Sidhu ‏@DeepSlant
Tom Savage has been wearing goggles with a built-in camera so coaches can see what he's looking during practice.​

PDS ‏@PatDStat
Whitney Mericlus said the defense made too many mistakes today. Wasn't happy with the performance. #Texans​

Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli
O'Brien says right now their top two receivers are Hopkins and Nate Washington.

Willie McGinest also spoke to the team this afternoon. #Texans

"I believe in Xavier," O'Brien says. Says he wants to see him continue improve. #Texans​

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL
Tom Savage on virtual reality goggles: 'It's beneficial. It reads where your eyes are. I know I look like a complete idiot, but it works.'​

PDS ‏@PatDStat
Quick thought. Benardrick McKinney plays violent. Downhill in a hurry and not scared of contact.​
 
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So tonight's winners would include Benardrick McKinney, Ben Jones, and Whitney Mercilus... with honorable mentions to Rahim Moore and KJ2.
 
Playoffs said:
Matt Hammond @MattHammondShow
Rahim Moore: Texans offense is "way better" than it was with Fitz. "They weren't crisp enough, fast enough. Now? It's a whole new ballgame now."​
Click to expand...

Damn...tell it like it is Rahim, tell it like it is!
Good to read that stuff about McKinney. the WR spot may be the toughest to trim down this year. How about the couple of lines about Feiler pancaking dudes? That's a plus. The Oline needs some depth, good depth.

Playoffs, big thanks to you for all the updates. Very much appreciated!
 
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