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49ers @ Texans, 7:00 PM **Official GameDay Thread** Preseason Game 1
- Thread starter TejasTom
- Start date
Hervoyel
BUENO!
I don't yet agree with your point about Blue. I think this year (early this year) we will learn definitively whether Blue has a chance to be anything more than a "good backup/3rd down type RB" but he's done some nice things in a limited role. We'll know much more once he's started for a couple of weeks.
It's too soon to say he can't be a starter though. He might completely blow up this year for all any of us knows. I can't look at Alfred Blue's highlights from the first preseason game and say I don't see real potential there.
TexansFight
Veteran
How many teams have a below average set of RBs like the Texans do? The Cowboys come to mind and not many others. That is the set of teams to compare them to. Minnesota wouldn't be in the market for Ray Rice even if he didn't beat his wife.
What's important is the pattern and history of the Texans. They don't take chances on guys with any history of trouble. You miss out on a lot of potential good players and guys who have turned their lives around and can serve as leaders on the team. I am a Christian and my faith is the most important thing in my life. Rick has openly said his Christian faith is important to him. I wish he would incorporate the Christian concepts of forgiveness and giving second chances to players seeking redemption.
Jay Prosch rules!!!!
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
I'd say that the Cardinals quailfied before they signed Chris Johnson, and then they still qualified.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Well, you are moving the goalposts on your argument. Ray Rice is better than a lot of the starting RB's in this league. He is better than all of the backup RB's in this league. There are a handful of teams set at stud RB that wouldn't have a need to look at Rice. But any GM worth his salt would look for an opportunity to upgrade if possible. This isn't about the desperate only teams. Ray Rice as a footballer player is good skills/great value this year. So why hasn't any GM pulled the trigger?
Just look in our own division. Jax is starting Toby Gerhart who has as many yards in his 5-year career as Foster had in one season. Tits are starting a second-year guy in Sankey that had a very Alfred Blue like season last year. Colts are starting a 32-year old Gore that has a decade of NFL mileage on his body. You're telling me that Ray Rice would not be a better option for ANY of these three teams? And this is just in the AFC South.
And as a Christian, that is a pretty unbiblical thing to do, calling out McNair on his supposed unchristian-like behavior in a public setting. Pot meet Kettle on incorporating Christian concepts. (And yes Mods, that is all I will say about Bible stuff so no policing needed).
TexansFight
Veteran
What I have said is that I would like to see the Texans incorporate forgiveness and offer guys who have earned it second chances. That's it. I have a lot of shortcomings as a person and don't mean to judge them. I am just frustrated with Rick's horrible drafts and poor performance in general.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Breaking down Texans’ snap counts, playing-time percentages against 49ers
Posted on August 17, 2015 | By Aaron Wils
The Texans naturally placed a heavy emphasis on resting key starters, including defensive linemen J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork and cornerback Johnathan Joseph while injured players Arian Foster (groin surgery), Xavier Sua-Filo (foot-ankle), outside linebacker Rashard Cliett (torn anterior cruciate ligament), tight ends Anthony Denham and Ryan Griffin, safety Lonny Ballentine and linebacker Jeff Tarpinian missed the game. They primarily wanted to evaluate younger players.
Here’s a breakdown of the Texans’ snap counts on offense and defense:
Offensively, the leaders in playing time were:
Offensive linemen James Ferentz (62 snaps, 75 percent of offensive snaps), Greg Mancz (58 snaps, 70 percent), Kendall Lamm (46 snaps, 55 percent), Cody White (46 snaps, 55 percent), tight end Khari Lee (41 snaps, 49 percent), quarterback Tom Savage (41 snaps, 49 percent), tight end Mike McFarland (34 snaps, 41 percent), quarterback Ryan Mallett (33 snaps, 40 percent), offensive lineman Aaron Adams (31 snaps, 37 percent), wide receivers Keith Mumphery (28 snaps, 34 percent) and EZ Nwachukwu (27 snaps, 33 percent), offensive tackle Derek Newton (25 snaps, 30 percent), guard Brandon Brooks (25 snaps, 30 percent), center Ben Jones (25 snaps, 30 percent), running backs Kenny Hilliard (24 snaps, 29 percent) and Chris Polk (24 snaps, 29 percent), wide receivers Jaelen Strong (22 snaps, 27 percent), Keyshawn Martin (22 snaps, 27 percent) and Damaris Johnson (21 snaps, 25 percent).
Defensively, the leaders in playing time were:
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (29 snaps, 71 percent), nose tackle Louis Nix (20 snaps, 49 percent), nose tackle Christian Covington (20 snaps, 49 percent), outside linebacker Carlos Thompson (19 snaps, 46 percent), cornerback Darryl Morris (19 snaps, 46 percent), strong safety Eddie Pleasant (19 snaps, 46 percent), defensive end Tevita Finau (19 snaps, 46 percent), inside linebacker Mike Mohamed (19 snaps, 46 percent), inside linebacker Benadrick McKinney (18 snaps, 44 percent), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (18 snaps, 44 percent), outside linebacker Lynden Trail (17 snaps, 41 percent), linebacker Max Bullough (17 snaps, 41 percent), safety Stevie Brown (16 snaps, 39 percent), safety Andre Hal (16 snaps, 39 percent), defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan (15 snaps, 39 percent), cornerback Charles James (15 snaps, 37 percent), outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown (15 snaps, 37 percent), linebacker Justin Tuggle (14 snaps, 34 percent), safety Corey Moore (13 snaps, 32 percent), cornerback A.J. Bouye (13 snaps, 32 percent) and safety Rahim Moore (13 snaps, 32 percent).
Posted on August 17, 2015 | By Aaron Wils
The Texans naturally placed a heavy emphasis on resting key starters, including defensive linemen J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork and cornerback Johnathan Joseph while injured players Arian Foster (groin surgery), Xavier Sua-Filo (foot-ankle), outside linebacker Rashard Cliett (torn anterior cruciate ligament), tight ends Anthony Denham and Ryan Griffin, safety Lonny Ballentine and linebacker Jeff Tarpinian missed the game. They primarily wanted to evaluate younger players.
Here’s a breakdown of the Texans’ snap counts on offense and defense:
Offensively, the leaders in playing time were:
Offensive linemen James Ferentz (62 snaps, 75 percent of offensive snaps), Greg Mancz (58 snaps, 70 percent), Kendall Lamm (46 snaps, 55 percent), Cody White (46 snaps, 55 percent), tight end Khari Lee (41 snaps, 49 percent), quarterback Tom Savage (41 snaps, 49 percent), tight end Mike McFarland (34 snaps, 41 percent), quarterback Ryan Mallett (33 snaps, 40 percent), offensive lineman Aaron Adams (31 snaps, 37 percent), wide receivers Keith Mumphery (28 snaps, 34 percent) and EZ Nwachukwu (27 snaps, 33 percent), offensive tackle Derek Newton (25 snaps, 30 percent), guard Brandon Brooks (25 snaps, 30 percent), center Ben Jones (25 snaps, 30 percent), running backs Kenny Hilliard (24 snaps, 29 percent) and Chris Polk (24 snaps, 29 percent), wide receivers Jaelen Strong (22 snaps, 27 percent), Keyshawn Martin (22 snaps, 27 percent) and Damaris Johnson (21 snaps, 25 percent).
Defensively, the leaders in playing time were:
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (29 snaps, 71 percent), nose tackle Louis Nix (20 snaps, 49 percent), nose tackle Christian Covington (20 snaps, 49 percent), outside linebacker Carlos Thompson (19 snaps, 46 percent), cornerback Darryl Morris (19 snaps, 46 percent), strong safety Eddie Pleasant (19 snaps, 46 percent), defensive end Tevita Finau (19 snaps, 46 percent), inside linebacker Mike Mohamed (19 snaps, 46 percent), inside linebacker Benadrick McKinney (18 snaps, 44 percent), defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick (18 snaps, 44 percent), outside linebacker Lynden Trail (17 snaps, 41 percent), linebacker Max Bullough (17 snaps, 41 percent), safety Stevie Brown (16 snaps, 39 percent), safety Andre Hal (16 snaps, 39 percent), defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan (15 snaps, 39 percent), cornerback Charles James (15 snaps, 37 percent), outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown (15 snaps, 37 percent), linebacker Justin Tuggle (14 snaps, 34 percent), safety Corey Moore (13 snaps, 32 percent), cornerback A.J. Bouye (13 snaps, 32 percent) and safety Rahim Moore (13 snaps, 32 percent).
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Correct. It's silly to say Rice would not be an addition within the top 2 on just about every team unless you believe (a) his last season is now his top performance level or (b) teams have washed their hands of him.
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Watching the game now. Hoyer looked good. I give him credit for the throw to shorts. Not sure about the zip everyone is talking about, but the placement was perfect. He also did a good job of holding guys in their zones.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
It is their job to USE judgement, not pass judgement. The margin needed to get an NFL camp invite is razor thin so using judgement can be confused with passing judgement.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
They HAVE given second chances, but NOT made excuses. See Cushing.
In your opinion, what has Ray Rice done to "deserve" a second chance?
I listened all last week as most of the radio personalities stated their opinion that the Texans should bring in Ray Rice. I think they're just adding fuel to the fire, because everyone knows we won't. Still, they opined that it would be a good thing as Ray Rice would be a great spokesman, with a "learn from my mistake" slant on domestic abuse.
I disagree. First, if Ray Rice wants to be the face of "Men against domestic abuse" then he needs to do it & let the football thing take care of itself. Has he donated to any organizations, has he made any appearances, has he done anything other than beg for an NFL job to show he's contrite? That he's changed? That he deserves anything?
& you may be lucky enough to have never experienced it. Most people may be lucky to have never experienced it, but they "always" say they changed. & they usually do, until the next time. I personally think it's a disgrace the way we handle domestic abuse in this country. The Ray Rice case is a prime example of what is wrong. "The victim didn't want to press charges" or "the victim pleaded for leniency." Duh... this is the reason women are so scared to begin with. They know they'll have to die before anyone is interested in taking appropriate actions. This is why it's so hard for women to get out of abusive relationships to begin with.
If Ray Rice was out there making a spectacle of his "mistake." If he was out there speaking in his community against domestic abuse. If he was out there volunteering in one of the many domestic abuse projects, then I wouldn't have a problem bringing him in for a looksee. But just because Arian got hurt (no one was talking about bringing him in before that).... it's just wrong, regardless your religious affliction.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
Nope. Bad apples who REMAIN bad apples are detrimental to the locker room and to winning. It is NOT a recipe for success.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
How close is he to that 1800 carry mark from another thread?
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
When it comes to the second chance thing and the Texans', I think people have already made up their minds according to their own biases. I think we've had plenty of cases where the Texans have taken a shot on guys with various about their character... Bryan Braman, Cush, etc.
With Ray Rice, I don't know that he's still got "it" as a player. I don't know that his last season wasn't the sign of him going down the tubes play-wise, and that he's not completely washed up. I would suspect that NFL GMs have a lot more information about Ray Rice and what he's been up to off the field, and how things are going in his life, than any of us civilians do. It may be that he's being black-balled, it may be that there are more skeletons in that closet waiting to come out if he tries to return, I don't know.
With Ray Rice, I don't know that he's still got "it" as a player. I don't know that his last season wasn't the sign of him going down the tubes play-wise, and that he's not completely washed up. I would suspect that NFL GMs have a lot more information about Ray Rice and what he's been up to off the field, and how things are going in his life, than any of us civilians do. It may be that he's being black-balled, it may be that there are more skeletons in that closet waiting to come out if he tries to return, I don't know.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
I see him at 1430 rushing attempts and 369 receptions.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Considering steelb's mancrush Jerry Jones hasn't brought him in with both his history of affinity for troubled players and the hot mess they have at RB says a lot. A LOT. And IMHO it has nothing to do with being able to carry the rock.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
That probably is too close after the Reed fiasco. They're probably holding their breath with Wilfork, but he's someone you have to root for.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Ok I'm finally watching the game and people are complaining about the short throws, but all I see are short routes being run and three and five step drops except once on third and long.
And I see some of these throws are designed throws. Little hitches and stuff.
Looks like the coaches wanted to see mallet and the potential slot type guys and how well they could move the chains/sustain drives.
And I see some of these throws are designed throws. Little hitches and stuff.
Looks like the coaches wanted to see mallet and the potential slot type guys and how well they could move the chains/sustain drives.
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Texans have a good roster.
Going to need they key pieces to be big though.
Going to need they key pieces to be big though.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Fair enough. IMHO this is a matter of collusion by owners to set a precedent to players who engage in this type of activity. It has nothing to do with McNair's faith or Smith's competence.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Exactly. They had something they wanted Mallett to work on, and they made him work on it.
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
I'm still not liking how mercilus deals with olinemen. Still lacks the buzz saw gene.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I think the biggest improvement we can make is getting PAST the chains on third down by whatever hook or crook. I got so tired of being a yard short after third down.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
Is it like pink shoe day? You have to do it while ignoring blue...
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
I think that center just learned a lesson about leverage. HANDS INSIDE the shoulders or you get stood up and driven back.Nah we're good...
Nitrofish
Let The Big Fish Eat!
Defenders know where the 1st down marker is too, so of course they are going to cover that. You see it thrown short so much because it is less risk to throw it short and hope your man can make the 1st guy miss than try to force it over the line where all of the defenders are IMO.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
That's not today's NFL. Landry used to go ape on receivers who cut their routes before the marker. Today, that's the norm.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
That was always one thing I HATED about Madden, his whole "if you've got to get to the X yard line for a first down on third down, why are you throwing it short of that?" That's like, why would you ever throw a screen?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I think you have to remember about the older coaches - Landry, Madden, etc. - the WRs weren't trucks back then for the most part. You really couldn't plan on the bulling past many folks. They didn't have a 30 lb advantage like AJ often does.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
Yeah, but he continued to say that long after the idea of throwing short and getting a little YAC for the first down was a thing. It irritated me. ESPECIALLY when I was playing Madden and threw a short pass and didn't make the first down, that's when it REALLY pissed me off.
But Andre Johnson misses 1000 yards or Arian misses three games, & they're washed up. Lost a step. & we need to get while the getting is good.
Doesn't make sense sometimes.
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
No, because you're trying to look into the future and figure out what's going to happen. Different people are going to read the tea-leaves different ways, some people will go with their hearts, some people their guts, and some people will try to come up with some sort of scientific metrics, but in the end, it's just reading the future.
I mean, it may be nothing more complicated than Ray Rice is an asshat and no one likes him and no one wants him on their team. I don't know.
I see what you're saying. & I wasn't aiming that at you. Just jumping off a point you brought up.
Some of these same guys who are talking about Andre & Arian being on the downside of their career, using their age as the primary metric, are the same guys who are saying we need to bring in the just as old Ray Rice.
I was the main one banging the dink & dunk drum. But after back & forth with TK and others, I conceded that, as you said, having Mallett work on 'touch' throws was the game plan for him all along.
Marshall
Not pretty, but ALIVE!
You have to adjust for your personnel. Some can get YAC and some can't. You have to adjust if they can't.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Jayson Braddock @JaysonBraddock 4h
Finished the 1st half of the Texans first preseason game. The following are notes based on the 1st HALF solely....
[Read bottom to top]:
********************************************
Texans defense in the 1st half:
Base 3-4 -17 times
Nickel - 2 times
Big Dime - 4 times (3 CBs 3 Ss)
Didn't run little dime (4 CBs 2 Ss)
Funny response from Mallett today as well. Was asked what he hoped to improve on. Said to go 11 of 11 instead of 10 of 11. Message sent.
Knock was that he can't pass short or intermediate so he throws short to intermediate and completes 10 out of 11.
Thought it was funny that Mallett changed his game to prove a point, IMO. Threw safe, high % passes like Hoyer & Fitz did / does.
Greg Mancz is a guy I'm intrigued to continue watching as the preseason progresses. He has a comfort to his duties. Should develop nicely.
Kendall Lamm struggled at LT. He was the 3rd option behind Duane Brown & Derek Newton at LT. Not a good day for him.
Keith Mumphery looked as he did when he first arrived to camp. Comfortable. Moment didn't seem to big.
Jeff Adams was better at RT than LG IMO. Looked more natural. Lost on 1 play but seemed as if OLB pulled either mask or pads to get off feet
Corey Lemonier seemed to give a lot of the Texans OL and TEs issues with his length. Fiedorowicz adjusted accordingly though.
On the OL the best player is Brandon Brooks. He's special. It's not even close. May be the best OG in the NFL. Not stated as rhetoric.
I keep wanting to say James Ferentz can't be a starting C because of his size but he keeps anchoring down. Had some miscues in this game too
Ben Jones was bad at LG. I mean bad. Brutally bad.
Mike McFarland was a camp standout before the pads came on & looked fluid catching but Khari Lee stole the show in the blocking element.
Yes, because he played on the same line as both. Other words appear in sentences.
Derek Newton played impressively well at LT. Not to say he struggled at RT, just surprised of his ability at LT.
Against the 49ers Damaris played fast. Killed a seam that wasn't thrown his way & shook a safety out his shoes.
Damaris Johnson has been the forgotten man. He had similar issues last year that Bonner is this year. Practice didn't translate to game time
Alan Bonner didn't play in the game at the same speed he did in practice. He's in his 3rd yr & won't get a pass for missing his first two.
Cody White isn't the same guy who was in camp last year before the injury. He's struggling bad. Almost got Mallett killed.
Jared Crick sheds blocks as if it's just a matter of when he wants to do it. He's been hidden in Watt & Suh's shadow for a long time.
Mercilus has become a technician. Everything Vrabel has taught him he's obviously absorbed it all in.
Kourtnei Brown added an element of speed, agility and motor to the OLB group that was missing with Clowney out. Pleasant surprise.
Johnson had 1 pass he didn't turn & play but it was due to playing off the WR's eyes. WR never located the ball.
Kevin Johnson doesn't look like a rookie. Even against speed, easily stays in stride, seems to know what's coming before it happens.
Lynden Trail was decent in coverage but has to become more technique savvy. Carlos Thompson can set the edge but didn't show more than that.
Just like in college, McKinney was lost in pass coverage & swimming when he had to pick up the RB out of the backfield.
At ILB Mike Mohamed was head & shoulders ahead of the rookie McKinney. Which is to be expected in the 1st preseason game.
IMO, there is a huge gap between Covington & Nix and Christian is the one leading it.
The same between Finau & Pagan. Tevita is disruptive.
Following Watt, Wilfork & Crick there were 2 DL that stood out drastically. Christian Covington & Tevita Finau.
Finished the 1st half of the Texans first preseason game. The following are notes based on the 1st HALF solely....
[Read bottom to top]:
********************************************
Texans defense in the 1st half:
Base 3-4 -17 times
Nickel - 2 times
Big Dime - 4 times (3 CBs 3 Ss)
Didn't run little dime (4 CBs 2 Ss)
Funny response from Mallett today as well. Was asked what he hoped to improve on. Said to go 11 of 11 instead of 10 of 11. Message sent.
Knock was that he can't pass short or intermediate so he throws short to intermediate and completes 10 out of 11.
Thought it was funny that Mallett changed his game to prove a point, IMO. Threw safe, high % passes like Hoyer & Fitz did / does.
Greg Mancz is a guy I'm intrigued to continue watching as the preseason progresses. He has a comfort to his duties. Should develop nicely.
Kendall Lamm struggled at LT. He was the 3rd option behind Duane Brown & Derek Newton at LT. Not a good day for him.
Keith Mumphery looked as he did when he first arrived to camp. Comfortable. Moment didn't seem to big.
Jeff Adams was better at RT than LG IMO. Looked more natural. Lost on 1 play but seemed as if OLB pulled either mask or pads to get off feet
Corey Lemonier seemed to give a lot of the Texans OL and TEs issues with his length. Fiedorowicz adjusted accordingly though.
On the OL the best player is Brandon Brooks. He's special. It's not even close. May be the best OG in the NFL. Not stated as rhetoric.
I keep wanting to say James Ferentz can't be a starting C because of his size but he keeps anchoring down. Had some miscues in this game too
Ben Jones was bad at LG. I mean bad. Brutally bad.
Mike McFarland was a camp standout before the pads came on & looked fluid catching but Khari Lee stole the show in the blocking element.
Yes, because he played on the same line as both. Other words appear in sentences.
Derek Newton played impressively well at LT. Not to say he struggled at RT, just surprised of his ability at LT.
Against the 49ers Damaris played fast. Killed a seam that wasn't thrown his way & shook a safety out his shoes.
Damaris Johnson has been the forgotten man. He had similar issues last year that Bonner is this year. Practice didn't translate to game time
Alan Bonner didn't play in the game at the same speed he did in practice. He's in his 3rd yr & won't get a pass for missing his first two.
Cody White isn't the same guy who was in camp last year before the injury. He's struggling bad. Almost got Mallett killed.
Jared Crick sheds blocks as if it's just a matter of when he wants to do it. He's been hidden in Watt & Suh's shadow for a long time.
Mercilus has become a technician. Everything Vrabel has taught him he's obviously absorbed it all in.
Kourtnei Brown added an element of speed, agility and motor to the OLB group that was missing with Clowney out. Pleasant surprise.
Johnson had 1 pass he didn't turn & play but it was due to playing off the WR's eyes. WR never located the ball.
Kevin Johnson doesn't look like a rookie. Even against speed, easily stays in stride, seems to know what's coming before it happens.
Lynden Trail was decent in coverage but has to become more technique savvy. Carlos Thompson can set the edge but didn't show more than that.
Just like in college, McKinney was lost in pass coverage & swimming when he had to pick up the RB out of the backfield.
At ILB Mike Mohamed was head & shoulders ahead of the rookie McKinney. Which is to be expected in the 1st preseason game.
IMO, there is a huge gap between Covington & Nix and Christian is the one leading it.
The same between Finau & Pagan. Tevita is disruptive.
Following Watt, Wilfork & Crick there were 2 DL that stood out drastically. Christian Covington & Tevita Finau.
kiwitexansfan
Hall of Fame
if we get a 2nd half analysis like that it would be appreciated. Nice to hear from people with far more time and expertise on these things.
One stand out point is Brooks being considered our best OL over Brown and possibly best OG in league
One stand out point is Brooks being considered our best OL over Brown and possibly best OG in league
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I hope the Texans wrap him up before the season begins.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Brown/Newton are the best OT combo in the league, and Brooks is close to tops at his position. I've heard worse things said about the Texans OLine over the years.
Will be nice if BJones does settle well into his natural position, leaving LG as the only question mark on the line.
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Braddock claims that Crick is on a par with Watt & Suh and Brooks is the best OG in the league!?
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Brooks is in the conversation.
Oftentimes Braddock will make some "scouting" observation to O'Brien and coach looks at him like, huh???
kiwitexansfan
Hall of Fame
I read that as no one understands how good Crick is because his linemates get all the attention, but he is really good. Not that he was as good as thoes guys.