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49ers @ Texans, 7:00 PM **Official GameDay Thread** Preseason Game 1

TejasTom

TejasTom

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KTRK (ABC, Ch. 13)
Kevin Kugler Play-By-Play
Spencer Tillman Color Analyst
Drew Dougherty Sideline

SportsRadio610 (610 AM, 100.3 FM)
Marc Vandermeer Play-By-Play
Andre Ware Color Analyst
John Harris Sideline

ESPN Deportes Houston (1180 AM)
Enrique Vasquez Play-By-Play
Gustavo Rangel Color Analyst

NFL Network re-air: Saturday 8/15, 11:00pm; Monday 8/17, 2:00am; Tuesday 8/18, 11:00pm and Thursday 8/20, 4:30am


Code: 
San Francisco                       Houston
Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan              Kevin Kugler, Spencer Tillman
KPIX (CBS/5 - San Francisco)KOVR    (CBS/13 - Sacramento)
KION (CBS/46 - Monterey CA)         KTRK (ABC/13 - Houston)WOAI (NBC/4 - San Antonio)
KSBY (NBC/6 - San Luis Obispo CA)   KVUE (ABC/24 - Austin)
KFRE (CW/59 - Fresno)               KFDM (CBS/6 - Beaumont TX)
KERO (ABC/23 - Bakersfield CA)      KETK (NBC/56 - Tyler TX)
KLAS (CBS/8 - Las Vegas)            KCEN (NBC/6 - Waco TX)
KOLO (ABC/8 - Reno NV)              KZTV (CBS/10 - Corpus Christi TX)
KCVU (FOX/30 - Chico CA)            KGBT (CBS/4 - Harlingen TX)
KBVU (FOX/29 - Eureka CA)           KXVA (FOX/15 - Abilene TX)
KMVU (FOX/26 - Medford OR)          KIDY (FOX/6 - San Angelo TX)
KVAL (CBS/13 - Eugene OR)           KPEJ (FOX/24 - Odessa TX)
KTVZ (NBC/21 - Bend OR)             KDBC (CBS/4 - El Paso)
KITV (ABC/4 - Honolulu)             WNTZ (FOX/49 - Alexandria LA)

Code: 
2015 HOUSTON TEXANS DRAFT PICKS (7)
Rd. Pick Overall   Player              Pos. Ht Wt School
1   16     16      Kevin Johnson       CB 5-11 188 Wake Forest
2   11     43      Benardrick McKinney LB 6-4  246 Mississippi State
3    6     70      Jaelen Strong       WR 6-2  217 Arizona State
5   39    175      Keith Mumphery      WR 6-0  215 Michigan State
6   35    211      Reshard Cliett      LB 6-2  222 South Florida
6   40    216      Christian Covington DT 6-2  289 Rice
7   18    235      Kenny Hilliard      RB 5-11 226 LSU

VETERAN FREE AGENT ACQUISITIONS (10)
No. Name              Pos. Ht.  Wt. Ex School Acq.
7   Brian Hoyer       QB   6-2  215 7  Michigan State UFA-’15 (CLE)
18  Cecil Shorts III  WR   6-0  202 5  Mount Union UFA-’15 (JAX)
22  Chris Polk        RB   5-11 222 4  Washington FA-’15
26  Rahim Moore       FS   6-1  195 5  UCLA UFA-’15 (DEN)
33  Stevie Brown      FS   5-11 215 6  Michigan UFA-’15 (NYG)
61  Brandon Deaderick NT   6-4  305 6  Alabama FA-’15
69  Chris Neild       DT   6-2  325 5  West Virginia FA-’15
74  Aaron Adams       T    6-5  303 1  Eastern Kentucky FA-’15
75  Vince Wilfork     NT   6-2  325 12 Miami (Fla.) UFA-’15 (NE)
85  Nate Washington   WR   6-1  183 11 Tiffin UFA-’15 (TEN)

UNDRAFTED ROOKIES (16)
No. Name             Pos. Ht. Wt. Ex School Acq.
6   Chandler Worthy  WR   5-9 173 R Troy CFA-’15
8   Will Johnson     P    6-2 206 R Texas State CFA-’15
40  Kurtis Drummond  S    6-1 208 R Michigan State CFA-’15
43  Corey Moore      S    6-2 206 R Georgia CFA-’15
44  Carlos Thompson  OLB  6-5 243 R Mississippi CFA-’15
47  Lynden Trail     OLB  6-7 269 R Norfolk State CFA-’15
49  Tony Washington  OLB  6-4 247 R Oregon CFA-’15
62  Chad Slade       G    6-5 315 R Auburn CFA-’15
63  Kendall Lamm     T    6-6 305 R Appalachian St. CFA-’15
64  Jasper Coleman   DE   6-4 290 R William & Mary CFA-’15
65  Greg Mancz       C    6-4 301 R Toledo CFA-’15
66  Joseph Treadwell T    6-5 324 R Louisiana-Monroe CFA-’15
86  Khari Lee        TE   6-4 235 R Bowie State CFA-’15
89  Mike McFarland   TE   6-5 252 R South Florida CFA-’15
96  Dan Pettinato    DE   6-4 277 R Arizona CFA-’15
98  Cam McLeod       DE   6-5 282 R Ohio CFA-’15

Flip Card

Officiating Crew: Jeff Triplette
 
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First Glance: Texans vs. 49ers

The Texans first preseason game is Saturday evening at NRG Stadium against San Francisco. There are thousands of details to watch, but here are five of which I'll keep tabs. I'm excluding the most obvious one, which is the competition to start at quarterback between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett. We're all watching that.

1. The Comittee: With Arian Foster out due to injury, the Texans now lean on the likes of Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and Kenny Hilliard. I want to see what sort of order those four are given reps, and also what that quartet is able to accomplish.

Even before the Foster injury, we'd been told the offense was going to look differently than it did last year. Now though, it will likely change a bit more.

Blue went through an offseason in which he worked out with Adrian Peterson and his trainer, in addition to the daily sessions with the team's strength and conditioning staff. Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle wrote about it and we'll see whether or not the bulked-up Blue takes a step forward from his rookie season.

Grimes has consistently contributed to the squad on special teams, but with Foster out he's seeing more time running the ball.

"He’s a guy that really knows our offense well," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He plays a lot on third down, but now with Arian out, he’s playing more on first and second down in certain packages. Really dependable guy."

Polk has explosion and elusiveness, while Hilliard has been a power back that's finished with spurts of controlled violence.

2. Pass Catchers: Who catches the passes from Mallett and Hoyer will be intriguing. The wide receiver position is as competitive a group on the team. Third-year standout DeAndre Hopkins is locked in at the top spot and will see plenty of passes come his way in 2015.

Behind him, veteran additions Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts, III have both been extremely impressive throughout OTAs, minicamp and training camp. Third-rounder Jaelen Strong has had ups and downs throughout camp, but the rookie is extremely promising.

Those are four names, but a group of eight others are fighting tooth-and-nail for what will likely be a fifth and final wideout spot on the roster. Veterans Damaris Johnson and Keshawn Martin, Alan Bonner, rookie fifth-rounder Keith Mumphery, former Aggies EZ Nwachukwu and Travis Labhart, along with Jace Davis and Chandler Worthy are all in the mix.

Producing on Saturday night and in each of the three remaining preseason games could be a deciding factor in who stays, who's a practice squadder, and who goes.

3. In the right corner: The cornerback competition mirrors the receiver one in a lot of ways. Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson are proven starters. The team invested its first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest. A.J. Bouye, Jumal Rolle, Darryl Morris each made significant contributions in 2014. Charles James has been a shining light at times in camp.

Let's see what Johnson does in his first NFL action. He's not backed down from any challenges so far, and he described what he's done well, and what he wants to improve.

“I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of breaking down the ball and playing my game," Johnson said. "Some things that I want to work on is coming out of my breaks and driving my eyes on the receiver because it makes that much of a difference with the separation aspect.”

4. Inside Job: Brian Cushing looks more like the ferocious, game-changer at inside linebacker that he was in 2011. Knee injuries and the rehab from them in the 2012 and 2013 seasons robbed him of his physicality. But this winter and spring, the seven-year veteran was able to work out and train at full force, and it's shown on the field throughout camp.

"This is the best I have felt in a while," Cushing said. "I don’t have to overcome anything or rehab, but I can just go full force right into practice and work on football, which I haven’t been able to the last couple of camps.”

Still, don't expect to see too much of Cushing on Saturday night. Instead, behind him and Mike Mohamed, a group of Benardrick McKinney, Max Bullough, Justin Tuggle, Jeff Tarpinian and Akeem Dent are all in contention to make an impact.

Bullough spent the bulk of his 2014 as a rookie on the practice squad before getting a taste of game action late in the regular season. O'Brien has repeatedly praised the former Michigan State Spartan's preparation and play, saying he looks like "one of the more improved guys."

5. 3rd in Line: Tom Savage will play quite a bit tonight at quarterback. In last year's preseason opener, he looked all the part of a rookie in very limited duty. But a year in the system and a much improved game have seen the former Pitt Panther taking steps forward.

"Savage is getting better, he really is," O'Brien said. "I think he’s made a lot of strides from his first year. He’s another guy, you know I thought, we had a 50-play scrimmage the other night with some of the younger guys in the bubble, and I thought he did some decent things in that scrimmage."

The second-year signal-caller will get ample reps in the second half against the 49ers. Look to see how his command of the offense has grown from last August to now.​



What the 49ers injury report means for playing time vs. Texans

The NFL preseason does not have a formal weekly injury report like the regular season, but Thursday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula provided some details on who will not be traveling with the team. Tomsula ran down a list of ten players who will stay in Santa Clara... I thought I would run down who benefits from each absence:

WR Dres Anderson: Reports had him doing some solid things in training camp before a muscle strain slowed him down over the last week of practices. His roster chances took a big hit with that absence, and barring a huge comeback soon, the team might take their time getting him back and try and slip him to the practice squad. DeAndrew White is the biggest beneficiary, although he seemed to be moving ahead of him even before the injury.

LB Nick Bellore: He is viewed by special teams coach Thomas McGaughey as a potential core special teams option. He can play some inside linebacker, but his role in 2015 would be Blake Costanzo or Kassim Osgood in nature, all special teams. I'm not sure what his illness that has him on the Active/Illness list, but if he can be 100 percent by the end of camp, I think he could still make the roster, even without a single game of preseason action. He also could be a roster cut meant to be brought back after Week 1 when his full salary is no longer guaranteed. Younger players shining on special teams benefit from his absence.

WR Bruce Ellington: A muscle strain has cost him the last week of practice. The biggest beneficiaries at wide receiver would be Quinton Patton, Jerome Simpson and DeAndrew White. The biggest beneficiaries on special teams are Jarryd Hayne and DeAndrew White. Ellington is going to make the roster, but it does allow Hayne and White to get even more playing time at a multitude of positions.

RB Kendall Hunter: He has gotten a lot work in individual drills, but his recovery from a torn ACL has kept him out of team drills. Tomsula has talked about having him on a rep count, and has said he will get in the preseason at some point. Tomsula has been effusive with praise for Hunter, but it is really hard to tell where he stands in the running back competition. His absence means more opportunities for Mike Davis, Kendall Gaskins and Jarryd Hayne.

C Daniel Kilgore: He remains on the PUP list as he rehabs his ankle injury from last season. There is no word on when he will get off the injury list, as GM Trent Baalke said they would assess him over the course of a few weeks to decide what's next. Odds right now seem pretty good he opens the season on the Reserve/PUP list, but we'll find out in a couple weeks. In the meantime, Joe Looney is the biggest beneficiary, moving into the starting lineup at center. Marcus Martin is also getting center reps, but is currently the starting right guard. Ian Silberman has gotten a good number of center reps, and Dillon Farrell was the third string center last year.

OLB Aaron Lynch: He opened training camp on the NFI list, but was removed quickly thereafter. He dealt with back and hamstring injuries this spring, which cut into his conditioning. He has been doing a lot of individual work lately, but no team drills. If I had to guess, I'd predict he joins team drills this coming week, but we'll see. He will make the roster, but in his absence, Corey Lemonier is getting starting snaps opposite Ahmad Brooks. Additionally, Eli Harold, Marcus Rush and new addition Shawn Lemon get more work.

WR DeAndre Smelter: His presence on the NFI list was entirely expected coming off a late 2014 torn ACL. He will likely remain on the NFI list into the season. His absence benefits guys like DeAndrew White and the other young wide receivers, but it has changed nothing at this point.

DB Jimmie Ward: The 2014 first round pick has been doing a lot of individual and conditioning work, but has yet to get back into team drills following a followup surgery on his foot last fall. Tomsula has had praise for his progress, but until he gets back into full team drills, it is hard to not be skeptical about what the foot injury could mean. Tramaine Brock has worked over the slot in Ward's absence, and Dontae Johnson has been the first cornerback off the bench when the team moves into the nickel. The entire cornerback depth chart behind Brock, Johnson and Shareece Wright get extra work in a variety of roles while Ward remains sidelined.

ILB Philip Wheeler/ILB Michael Wilhoite: Wilhoite opened camp on the NFI list with a muscle strain, while Wheeler suffered his muscle strain midway through camp. Their collective absences resulted in the addition of Steve Beauharnais to the roster. Wilhoite's absence moved Nick Moody into the starting lineup opposite NaVorro Bowman. Shayne Skov and Desmond Bishop have both received extra opportunities as well.​
 
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10 Deep: Houston Texans Open the Preseason

State of the Texans gives the ten things they will be watching for the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers...

1. Fundamentals
As much as some don’t feel this is important, having players in all three phases of the game do their jobs is important to the coaching staff. Executing their game plan and general tackling and blocking are simple tasks the Texans need to be good at. The particulars of route running, run fits, and coverage will all be under a microscope to ensure the team is understanding what is being coached.

Week one of preseason should be met with responsible expectations but the fundamentals of the game should be priority number one for the team.

2. The Quarterback Situation
All three quarterbacks should play with the mystery starter not being named until the first snap of the game. All signs are pointing to Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett getting equal work on game day. Tom Savage should get some snaps too, but how everything is split up will be the topic of discussion when Saturday arrives.

It is tough to see a real decision on the outcome of the quarterback situation occurring at this point, especially with the possibility of either Mallett or Hoyer not getting work with the first team offense.

3. Lynden Trail and Jason Ankrah
The defense is looking for a fourth outside linebacker for the season and both Jason Ankrah and Lynden Trail share the first spot in line to take over those duties. Ankrah is more NFL ready, with his size and strength, and his progression on his pass rushing ability will be evaluated. The converted defensive end is learning the position but outside linebacker is the position of need for the defense.

As for Trail, he is a raw prospect who shows flashes of being a player in whom the Texans might want to invest their time. Trail’s biggest pitfall right now is his lack of strength at the point of attack, which makes blocking him easy at times. With his frame at 6'7", Trail is going to have to show he can play low and with some explosion on Saturday.

The position is up for grabs but it could be a position that the team looks for help filling as the preseason progresses.

4. The Running Back Situation
Alfred Blue will start with the first team and will probably be limited to keep him as fresh as he can be for the season. The likes of Jonathan Grimes, Kenny Hilliard, and Chris Polk will get the work to prove they have what it takes to make the 53-man roster. Grimes and Polk are similar with their skill set, while Hilliard gives the offense a good runner between the tackles. There is reason to believe that only three of these running backs will be on the roster along with Arian Foster as the season approaches, with one left on the outside looking in.

5. Alan Bonner
The Texans know what they have with Keshawn Martin and Damaris Johnson, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Alan Bonner so that the team get a good gauge of what he can do. Bonner will be looked at early at kick returner and possibly return some punts while getting work at the slot wide receiver position. His history with the team is well documented and now is the time for Bonner to show he has what it takes to stick on this team. His talent level was never the issue, it was his lack of health that caused questions on if he can handle the NFL game.

6. Andre Hal
This is the chance for the converted safety to take over the starting spot next to Rahim Moore. With some live action his way over the past weekend against the Washington Redskins, Andre Hal will get a real test on how far how he has come in his development against San Francisco on Saturday. Hal will get the first crack to win the position and with a thin safety depth chart, if the second-year player can pan out, that would help the team immensely.

7. Offensive Line Depth
The front line starters are not in question but the depth is and this will be an early snapshot on what the Texans really have at the position. Offensive linemen like Aaron Adams, Jeff Adams and Cody White have to prove their worth by showing they can play multiple positions and that they can handle being key reserves for the season. Matt Feiler and Bryan Witzmann will also factor into the conversation and get their fair share of work.

8. Brian Cushing
Don’t expect Brian Cushing to get much work but in limited work, watching him move will be something to monitor. He has not missed a day of OTAs, mini camp, or training camp and the early results have been positive for the veteran presence. Even if Cushing does not make a tackle, seeing him move at ease in game situations would be a good start in what the team is optiministic will be a bounce back season.

9. The Drafted Rookies
If an NFL team is depending on rookies to make a difference in year one, outside of the first round selection, that roster might have some issues. There are some rookies from the drafted class who could push for time on the field because they could help make a difference.

  • Keith Mumphery appears to part of the depth chart at wide receiver. Also expect him to help in the return game.
  • Jaelen Strong has had a solid camp and will be the break for Nate Washington and DeAndre Hopkins on the outside.
  • Christian Covington is looking to be the change up on the defensive line and is considered an option for sub package pass rushing situations.
  • Kenny Hilliard has been getting more work with the absence of Arian Foster. He has been tough to bring down between the tackles.
  • Kevin Johnson is buried on the depth chart but with his skill set, he could easily slide into the third cornerback position to help out in nickel and dime situations.
10. Sleepers for Game Day
There have to be Texans who most fans do not realize that are even on the team.

  • Corey Moore has been getting better at safety week to week.
  • Chad Slade is a right guard who has plenty of experience in the run game and has been learning the ways of the Texans.
  • Chandler Worthy is a speedy wide receiver who can return kicks and punts.
  • Anthony Denham is an athletic tight end with one year underneath his belt. His athleticism for the position is hard to look past.
  • Max Bullough has a chance to lock down a key roster spot but it starts with his work on special teams
  • Greg Mancz was a center that the Texans liked coming out of Toledo and, now completely healthy, he has the size to make a difference at center.
  • Michael McFarland is listed at 6'5" and 252 lbs., but he looks much taller than that. He is an imposing target and seeing him in a game setting will be the true test for the raw prospect.
  • Carlos Thompson is a defensive end conversion now playing outside linebacker, his physcial traits and his production during camp have opened some eyes.
 
Don't live in the Houston area and not spending $99 on NFL Game Pass when I have NFL Sunday Ticket. I'll record the re-air tonight.
 
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I don't live in Houston either. I'll listen to it on 610 over the internet. Then I'll watch it next with my brother who's recording it today. :) I'm excited to see what the QB and RB positions are going to show us.
 
Playoffs said:
First Glance: Texans vs. 49ers...
Those are four names, but a group of eight others are fighting tooth-and-nail for what will likely be a fifth and final wideout spot on the roster. Veterans Damaris Johnson and Keshawn Martin, Alan Bonner, rookie fifth-rounder Keith Mumphery, former Aggies EZ Nwachukwu and Travis Labhart, along with Jace Davis and Chandler Worthy are all in the mix.
Click to expand...
I've got Mumphery on my final 53. But looking it over, I realized I hadn't addressed kick return duties. And Mumphery was the only player on my 53 who could likely perform in this capacity. Before Foster went down, I was thinking Polk might figure into this, but now, if he is #2 behind Blue, I calculate this is less likely. So will we go into the season with only one kick returner on the squad? With Polk available for emergency duty?

I have three slots which are not firmed up and I'm figuring two will go to a DB and/or a LB who makes the team primarily for special teams play. That leaves one slot that I figure has to go to a second kick returner.

Kershawn Martin could still make the team in this capacity. But Alan Bonner has a strong possibility of taking this job from him. I like a look see at Worthy for the job, but he has already blown one kick off in the end zone right in front of OB, who, reports say, just glared at him for several minutes.

But one of this group should make the squad on the basis of kick return duties, making six wide receivers to make the final 53.
 
I'm not in Houston, either. But I'm not in the US. The game is coming on tonight at 2:00am. My wife will probably be asleep. So, I'll watch it with her on Gamepass first thing tomorrow morning.

Hopefully, our internet will be working.
 
Isn't Carlos Thompson the one they showed getting man handled multiple times against the Redskins? He looked small and overpowered.

Maybe he can be a specialist or something.
 
I wonder if whoever starts @ QB for us will look better than he actually is due to the depleted Niner roster - especially on defense.
 
is it possible to see the game for free on nfl network? last year I remember the preseason games were free but this year I can't find any link
 
Playoffs said:
The Texans game will replay on NFL Network tonight at 11:00PM CDT
Click to expand...

that's not an option :)
Game is starting at 2AM here, I'll be damned if I have to wait another second to get me some football.
even if it's preseason crap :)

btw, whenever I can figure out how to give you rep you will get an AMEN for that squirrel ;)
 
I'm stark raving amused that Playoffs and Obsi have both seperately had those memes lying in wait for six months now independant of one another.

Because football.
 
With no game-planning and vanilla looks I'm not expecting much other than getting looks at our young guys.

If I had to predict the QBs I think it'll be Savage>Mal>Hoyer.

I'll be focused on our rookies and roster bubble guys.
 
You would think that channel 13's pregame show could synch the voices with the lips..........again like watching a poorly dubbed Japanese movie............and this time it's not on a Spanish version station.
 
We ought to look good going against a Niners team with:
- a rookie head coach
- an iffy QB (sometimes he shines, sometimes he's meh)
- a ravaged defensive squad (NFL network just said 8 starters have departed)
- only a couple of real weapons on offense Anquan Bolden and Vernon Davis (three if you count an aging Reggie Bush)

They still have studs in the O-line though.

Be interesting to see how long they leave Watt in the game to chase down Kaepernick.
 
Is it just me or does this happen to everyone? As soon as the broadcast starts it suddenly sounds like my TV's sound is coming across a pair of soup cans connected by a string?
 
New drinking game:
Everyone take a shot whenever a commercial with J.J. Watt in it comes on.

Whose in!?!

edit: the count is already two
:D
 
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