banned1976
sleeper mode
My balls are starting to tingle. Football season is upon us. Guess what happens when the first kickoff of a new NFL season leaves the kickers foot?
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Texans random thought of the day
- Thread starter Wolf
- Start date
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
From Peter King's MMQ:
FMIA: 2020 NFL Training Camp In A Pandemic—A Day In Life Of Texans
Opening night: one month from tonight. The Houston Texans likely will be significant underdogs at Super Bowl champion Kansas City, and rightfully so. But the important thing in 2020 is something else, on the weekend we passed 5 million documented COVID-19 cases as a country. It’s actually whether Houston-Kansas City, and the 268 NFL games after that, will be played.
“I believe Week 1 will happen,” J.J. Watt told me the other day. “I’m optimistic.”
I think so too. There’s good reason to be optimistic, at least for this season to kick off. The NFL Players Association reported that as of Thursday, 56 players had tested positive for the virus, including pre-camp and daily testing once camp started; the majority of those players returned to their teams, virus-free. But the key, obviously, will be how players handle more post-training-camp freedom once they’re in regular-season mode.
More about a new twist, a potential COVID-19 kitchen cabinet for Roger Goodell, later in the column. On Thursday, I spent the day virtually with the Houston Texans, to see what a team is going through to prepare for a most unusual season. Talk about enlightening. My day included learning about facial-recognition software, John Lewis, Rock The Vote, a schedule accommodating five distinct teams-within-a-team, the mental guilt of players and staff about bringing the virus into a team, what the biggest adjustment to COVID camp is for a head coach, one hour (just one hour) spent together as a team all day, and a rookie from Penn State who seems pretty wise.
THE REST OF THE STORY
FMIA: 2020 NFL Training Camp In A Pandemic—A Day In Life Of Texans
Opening night: one month from tonight. The Houston Texans likely will be significant underdogs at Super Bowl champion Kansas City, and rightfully so. But the important thing in 2020 is something else, on the weekend we passed 5 million documented COVID-19 cases as a country. It’s actually whether Houston-Kansas City, and the 268 NFL games after that, will be played.
“I believe Week 1 will happen,” J.J. Watt told me the other day. “I’m optimistic.”
I think so too. There’s good reason to be optimistic, at least for this season to kick off. The NFL Players Association reported that as of Thursday, 56 players had tested positive for the virus, including pre-camp and daily testing once camp started; the majority of those players returned to their teams, virus-free. But the key, obviously, will be how players handle more post-training-camp freedom once they’re in regular-season mode.
More about a new twist, a potential COVID-19 kitchen cabinet for Roger Goodell, later in the column. On Thursday, I spent the day virtually with the Houston Texans, to see what a team is going through to prepare for a most unusual season. Talk about enlightening. My day included learning about facial-recognition software, John Lewis, Rock The Vote, a schedule accommodating five distinct teams-within-a-team, the mental guilt of players and staff about bringing the virus into a team, what the biggest adjustment to COVID camp is for a head coach, one hour (just one hour) spent together as a team all day, and a rookie from Penn State who seems pretty wise.
THE REST OF THE STORY
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
OT Antonio Garcia visited the Texans yesterday. He was a 3rd round pick in 2017 for the Pats. But shortly thereafter in TC, he developed pulmonary emboli in both of his lungs. His 2017 season was lost. Since then, he bounced around the League. He was suspended 4 games last season for PEDs infraction. As promising as he was originally, he has yet to play in an NFL game.
Yea I remember him from the '17 Draft, but didn't know he was from the area (his birthplace).
The fella has had a rough go of it the last couple of years but with his physical disability wonder about the wisdom of his willingness to have another go at in these times of the COVID-19 ?
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Former Raiders and Sam Houston State DT P.J. Hall visited the Texans this afternoon. This former 2018 2nd round pick was cut recently by the Raiders after he failed a physical with the Vikings, nullifying an attempted trade. Hall can play NT in a 3-4.
Can he pass a physical?
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
He can if the signing team wants him to.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
What I've found out is that he came into the Raiders camp overweight. Then when he underwent his Eagles trade physical, he failed not because of a medical condition, but because of a poor level of conditioning. There has never been a question as to his outstanding talent, but there have been quite a few questions as to his work ethic. In college, he was overwhelmingly dominating......on his talent alone. In the NFL, he has tried to continue on talent alone, without seriously putting in the work to maintain and advance his trade. This early in his career, there is a decent chance that these latest events could have given him a hard wake up call. He could be someone to take a low risk flyer, on the cheap.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Cushing and Watt may hopefully be incentive for him.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
Hopefully,
Hall has real talent, lets hope Weaver and company can bring out his best.
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CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
dream_team
Hall of Fame
Texans sign PJ Hall. So let's hope for the best! If anything, a low risk gamble. Don't know details of contract.
Texansballer74
The Marine
I was just about to post this
badboy
Hall of Fame
High ankle sprain?
badboy
Hall of Fame
Hey that's "sexual Chocolate" to you! Lol Man I liked that guy coming out of Notre Dame and mocked him to Texans. He only brought his girth with him and minimal effort.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
I liked Nix too and thought we got him at great value in the 3rd round. Didn't work out. I thought it was worth the risk.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
He is neither signed, nor has he officially passed a Texans physical.
*************************************************************************
Roundup: Texans to sign former Raiders DT P.J. Hall
Published: Aug 13, 2020 at 07:52 AM
Kevin Patra
Around the NFL Writer
After a whirlwind week, P.J. Hall finally landed in a new home.
The Houston Texans are signing Hall, the defensive tackle's agency, Enter Sports Management, announced Thursday morning.
Hall started 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season before the team planned to cut him a week ago. The Minnesota Vikings then stepped in and sent a conditional pick to the Raiders for Hall's rights. A failed physical, however, scuttled the deal, shipping him back to Vegas, where he was ultimately released.
A week later, Hall has landed in Houston.
The 2018 second-round pick out of Sam Houston St. joined the Raiders after excellent college production and had superior athletic testing.
The pro production, however, didn't always match the potential. Last year, he compiled 1.5 sacks and 26 tackles with three QB hits in 16 games.
With the Texans, Hall could battle to help replace D.J. Reader along the defensive line after the veteran left via free agency. Second-round pick Ross Blacklock is penciled in as a starter, but Hall could give Houston some cover if the rookie isn't ready from the get-go.
*************************************************************************
Roundup: Texans to sign former Raiders DT P.J. Hall
Published: Aug 13, 2020 at 07:52 AM
Kevin Patra
Around the NFL Writer
After a whirlwind week, P.J. Hall finally landed in a new home.
The Houston Texans are signing Hall, the defensive tackle's agency, Enter Sports Management, announced Thursday morning.
Hall started 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season before the team planned to cut him a week ago. The Minnesota Vikings then stepped in and sent a conditional pick to the Raiders for Hall's rights. A failed physical, however, scuttled the deal, shipping him back to Vegas, where he was ultimately released.
A week later, Hall has landed in Houston.
The 2018 second-round pick out of Sam Houston St. joined the Raiders after excellent college production and had superior athletic testing.
The pro production, however, didn't always match the potential. Last year, he compiled 1.5 sacks and 26 tackles with three QB hits in 16 games.
With the Texans, Hall could battle to help replace D.J. Reader along the defensive line after the veteran left via free agency. Second-round pick Ross Blacklock is penciled in as a starter, but Hall could give Houston some cover if the rookie isn't ready from the get-go.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Last year also, Gruden complained that Hall came in overweight. This is apparently a discipline problem. He will have either learned a lesson with his most recent rejection.............or I'm pretty sure that O'Brien will take a large piece of his behind before he is released.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Last season, Hall logged a not too shabby overall PFF grade of 70..............one of the 2 top graded Raiders defensive players. If he takes his role seriously, he has great potential in Houston. The Raiders run a 4-3 defense. Hall came from and excelled in a 3-4 defense in college (Sam Houston State). I believe Hall is more likely to be able to reach his greatest potential under a Weaver-schemed 3-4 defense.
Surprise? Mo Hurst and P.J. Hall are PFF’s Highest-Graded Raiders on Defense
RAIDERSBEAT.COM JANUARY 3, 2020
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Oakland Raiders 2018 season grades: DT P.J. Hall
by Sanjit T.1 year ago Follow @Sanjit__T
In our latest Oakland Raiders season grades, we take a look at DT P.J Hall, who was a 2nd round pick for the Raiders in 2018.
P.J. Hall was drafted with the 57th pick in the 2018 draft, which was very surprising, as almost no Raiders fan knew who he was. Hall spent his college career playing at Sam Houston State, an FCS school. Coming out of Seguin High School, Sam Houston State was Hall’s only scholarship. In fact, Max Preps had him ranked as the 5,231 ranked player in the country, and outside of the top 500 for Texas players alone.
When I first watched Hall’s college tape, shortly after the 2018 NFL Draft, I was surprisingly impressed by versatility. In college, he lined up almost everywhere on the defensive line. His junior season in college, he played the 5 technique, lining up as a 3-4 DT. However, his senior season was much different. Hall played in a two-point stance as a stand-up 3-4 OLB about 70% of the time.
The play that really impressed me was one in which he lined up as a 3-4 OLB on the left side of the LOS. The opposing team ran the ball to the opposite side of Hall, behind the Left Tackle. The running back broke loose and had a clear path to the end zone. Hall, who was about 5 yards behind the back, sprinted and chased him down. Hall has that type of speed.
Expectations
Coming into the year, a second-round pick is expected to start. He doesn’t have to be the best player on the team, but at a minimum, he should be a good role player who can contribute. We should also see improvements throughout the season.
Personally, the biggest concern for me was if he’d be able to adapt to the game speed of the NFL and continue making plays. I wanted to see if Hall would be able to contribute in the run game as well as if he’d be able to get pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Reality
Considering the season in whole, P.J. Hall was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 13th best rookie defensive linemen vs. the run, with a grade of 70.8. However, when considering the fact he had a more significant learning curve over other rookies, mainly because he came from an FCS school, I decided to look at the second half of P.J. Hall’s seasons.
Now, although Hall did not record a sack in his rookie season, he really stepped up the second half of the year. After Week 9, he was able to get 11 quarterback pressures and 3 quarterback hits to go with many stops in the run game. P.J. Hall was an absolute monster in the second half of the season.
Considering Weeks 9 through 17, Hall had the 3rd best run grade amongst all rookie defensive linemen, with a grade of 77.1. That grade puts him ahead of players such as Daron Payne, De’shawn Hand, Marcus Davenport, Vita Vea & Bradley Chubb. Hall also had the 7th best overall grade considering Weeks 9-17.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Surprise? Mo Hurst and P.J. Hall are PFF’s Highest-Graded Raiders on Defense
RAIDERSBEAT.COM JANUARY 3, 2020
************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************
Oakland Raiders 2018 season grades: DT P.J. Hall
by Sanjit T.1 year ago Follow @Sanjit__T
In our latest Oakland Raiders season grades, we take a look at DT P.J Hall, who was a 2nd round pick for the Raiders in 2018.
P.J. Hall was drafted with the 57th pick in the 2018 draft, which was very surprising, as almost no Raiders fan knew who he was. Hall spent his college career playing at Sam Houston State, an FCS school. Coming out of Seguin High School, Sam Houston State was Hall’s only scholarship. In fact, Max Preps had him ranked as the 5,231 ranked player in the country, and outside of the top 500 for Texas players alone.
When I first watched Hall’s college tape, shortly after the 2018 NFL Draft, I was surprisingly impressed by versatility. In college, he lined up almost everywhere on the defensive line. His junior season in college, he played the 5 technique, lining up as a 3-4 DT. However, his senior season was much different. Hall played in a two-point stance as a stand-up 3-4 OLB about 70% of the time.
The play that really impressed me was one in which he lined up as a 3-4 OLB on the left side of the LOS. The opposing team ran the ball to the opposite side of Hall, behind the Left Tackle. The running back broke loose and had a clear path to the end zone. Hall, who was about 5 yards behind the back, sprinted and chased him down. Hall has that type of speed.
Expectations
Coming into the year, a second-round pick is expected to start. He doesn’t have to be the best player on the team, but at a minimum, he should be a good role player who can contribute. We should also see improvements throughout the season.
Personally, the biggest concern for me was if he’d be able to adapt to the game speed of the NFL and continue making plays. I wanted to see if Hall would be able to contribute in the run game as well as if he’d be able to get pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Reality
Considering the season in whole, P.J. Hall was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 13th best rookie defensive linemen vs. the run, with a grade of 70.8. However, when considering the fact he had a more significant learning curve over other rookies, mainly because he came from an FCS school, I decided to look at the second half of P.J. Hall’s seasons.
Now, although Hall did not record a sack in his rookie season, he really stepped up the second half of the year. After Week 9, he was able to get 11 quarterback pressures and 3 quarterback hits to go with many stops in the run game. P.J. Hall was an absolute monster in the second half of the season.
Considering Weeks 9 through 17, Hall had the 3rd best run grade amongst all rookie defensive linemen, with a grade of 77.1. That grade puts him ahead of players such as Daron Payne, De’shawn Hand, Marcus Davenport, Vita Vea & Bradley Chubb. Hall also had the 7th best overall grade considering Weeks 9-17.
THE REST OF THE STORY
banned1976
sleeper mode
I just can’t...I just can’t bring myself to take 2020 seriously anymore. And I’m not even going to try and pretend. Whatever comes of the NFL season, it’s going to be a weird bastardized version of what we’re used to. Hats off to those of you who are putting on a brave face in front of it all, but this year is completely fucked
Good for you... some of us like sports entertainment enough to even re-watch games where we know the outcome
I've never felt so disinterested as an NFL fan, including when the Oilers moved to Tennessee, as I do this year. Oddly enough, I'm morbidly curious to see how the Bill O'Brien Experiment turns out, even though he has a million and one built in excuses for failure.
banned1976
sleeper mode
I heard this morning that the Cubs and Cards are going to be playing 7 inning games this weekend. Maybe the NFL will implement some 3 quarter games this season. Every possession starts at the 43 yard line. If a tie game at the end of the 3rd quarter, the two long snappers line up at the 50 and the snapper that pees the farthest into a cup nets the win for their team. One lucky fan gets to be the official cupholder.
austins23
Hall of Fame
I'm betting on Weeks every time, he's money!!
Texansballer74
The Marine
Texansballer74
The Marine
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
David Steinmetz went unclaimed off waivers from the Texans.
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
That's a pretty accurate description of how I feel. It's a funny thing watching this site over the years I've been here. This is another Xerox copy of every offseason.
How enthusiastic was anyone after kc? It was all negative and rightly so. Then, after a handful of months and missing our sport, folks are renewed and desperate for the season...
There's hope.
I've been there to and make no mistake, I will be watching and rooting for our guys. I just dont have the same devotion or zest on the team I used to.
I dont expect, after years, obrien will suddenly pull a rabbit out of his hat. If he could of he would of done it by now. It doesn't help that we're trading off marquee players for pennies on the dollar.
At the end of the day, I guess I dont have much hope in a different outcome as long as OB is here. I've seen enough. The potential for an abbreviated or lost season also remains.
For those of you still diehard and optimistic, I envy you. Maybe if ob gets fired I'll rejoin your ranks. For now, I'd only call myself a casual fan.
It's entertainment, but the outcome of games no longer determine my week
How on earth did you come to the conclusion that he was referencing fans in the stands?
banned1976
sleeper mode
I was very excited about watching Wes Craven’s 1972 film The First House on the Left last night. It was entertainment but I was extremely disappointed. Me watching that movie again is like me watching the Texans play football. They both qualify as entertainment but neither have the ability to excite me...and the endings are always the same. It’s still Wes Cravens movie and the Texans are still coached by Bill O’Brien.
I'm just saying for yrs people like Cowherd have said fans in the stands dont matter we're gonna find that he's an idiot.
1/3 of the revenue begs to differ and in addition to that, the kneelers will turn off a significant number of the fan base. So bottom line is revenue is going to be less and the players are going to suffer.
It's really the players choice and they've obviously made their decisions so now they are going to have to live with the consequences of their decisions.
In a way I kind of admire them.
You're basing this off what happened (in your mind?) a few years ago. It's different now, surely even you sees that
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
From what I've been told by a Cowboy source is that he was drafted mostly for the possibility of contribution as one of the gunner roles on STs. He was told that he needed to build up his body, because his 245 lb on a 6'5" frame coming out of college would not allow him to successfully transition to a DE/OLB role...........in the past year, he did not work on building himself up and has remained at his college weight.
Here is a Draft Profile by 3 analysts that reflects why the Cowboys ultimately decided to abandon the project:
ANALYST'S REPORTS
Crabbs Solak Marino
- First Step Quickness –He has a fair release off of the football but his general burst doesn't really overwhelm offensive tackles off of the edge. He accelerates with long strides and ability to open up around the edge is where he's able to gain some ground and beat sets.
Hand Technique/Length –His placement is pretty shoddy, he's often wide and late with his hand strikes, which allow offensive linemen to set their hands cleanly onto his chest. His extension skills are poor due to upper body strength and he's whitewashed as soon as the hook is set.
Pass Rush Counters –He has a poor habit of stopping his feet when his up-field charge is initially countered. Doesn't really offer pop through his hands or the precision to be able to create separation for himself. His usage has robbed him of a chance to really develop here.
Flexibility –He does not showcase a lot of tilt or ability to drop his pad level off the edge and get himself under the pads of his blockers. Struggles to turn tight corners because he doesn't have the necessary mobility to catch the feet on steep angles.
Run Defending –Plays the point of attack too soft, in part due to lean frame and in part due to poor separation skills to get himself stacked and gain control of the blocker. His hand shedding techniques lacks the power needed to quickly shed hands off his chest and get into pursuit.
Competitive Toughness –He gets stuck onto blocks with too little of resistance. He's pretty narrow framed and functional strength isn't an asset that he can lean on with any level of consistency at this point. Effort and hustle to work back down the field are positives that flash.
Tackling –Lengthy tackle radius will offer some bonus challenges along the LOS but generally speaking he doesn't have explosive burst to close down or overwhelming power/strength to wrap with authority. His mobility offers him the chance to mirror and extend a head up scenario.
Lateral Mobility –He's pretty fluid to cross face of blockers as a slashing defensive lineman or as a crash down defense. His ability to collect himself is admirable, particularly for a player with his size, length and step width. Can be slippery and shows some good range through gaps to redirect.
Stand Up Ability –He has played stand-up before and with his frame and functional strength it will be optimal to his projection to place him here with regularity. Doesn't have any notable experience working as a stand-up cover linebacker and his role is best suited slashing forward.
Football IQ –His versatility played well at Oregon but realistically it did him a disservice as a pro prospect, given the necessary jumps he now needs to make regarding his pass rush plan, his play at the point the point of attack and his consistency with his hand strikes.
BEST TRAIT – Lateral Mobility
WORST TRAIT – Pass Rush Counters
BEST FILM – Stanford (2018)
WORST FILM – Washington State (2018)
RED FLAGS – None
Jalen Jelks presents as a difficult study, considering his play usage put him in a lot of undesirable looks as an interior lineman. Jelks has requisite length to be a factor on the outside and provides enough range and mobility, but his general lack of shedding techniques and counters pose legitimate threats to him being able to transition successfully to a stand-up role as an outside linebacker off the edge. He will need to add mass as well.
ROUND GRADE: Seventh Round
badboy
Hall of Fame
Rookie year 2019 Dallas "injured" Jelks for season and was not allowed to practice with team. I think it would be interesting if our coaches could help him. I am a bit surprised that Dallas wanted him as gunner as he ran 4.92 40.
Info from ESPN, PFF and Roto and Oregon Ducks: the two seasons he started and had 22.5 tackles for loss. His Senior year he had 27 run stops best in all Pac 12 and his 41 QB pressures were second best. That's pretty good for a 3-4 DE but I would not play him there often.
Dane Brugler said in college Ducks lined him up primarily over the tackle and often at Nose due to his quick twitch. Problem seems to have been if he didn't win with it, he didn't have power to avoid being washed up in the block.
Every evaluation I saw agreed he has length 34 5/8 inch arms, flexibility and good motor. As junior in 2017 he had 7 passes defended which catches my attention. He also did a locomotive of Max Scharping in 2019 Senior Bowl.
Worth a look see? Panthers thought so and signed him today.
Info from ESPN, PFF and Roto and Oregon Ducks: the two seasons he started and had 22.5 tackles for loss. His Senior year he had 27 run stops best in all Pac 12 and his 41 QB pressures were second best. That's pretty good for a 3-4 DE but I would not play him there often.
Dane Brugler said in college Ducks lined him up primarily over the tackle and often at Nose due to his quick twitch. Problem seems to have been if he didn't win with it, he didn't have power to avoid being washed up in the block.
Every evaluation I saw agreed he has length 34 5/8 inch arms, flexibility and good motor. As junior in 2017 he had 7 passes defended which catches my attention. He also did a locomotive of Max Scharping in 2019 Senior Bowl.
Worth a look see? Panthers thought so and signed him today.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
I had Jelks in one of my mocks.
Worth kicking the tyres on this guy.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
The Panthers have a roster of notoriously non-existent [not just poor] pass rush. They can afford wasting time in trying to evaluate and trying to train a player with questionable NFL potential........they are desperate and essentially have nothing to lose. The Texans have much more potential on their present roster.........certainly enough that they would want to make better use of their limited time before the season begins to try to concentrate that time towards developing players whose potential they are already well familiar with and feel comfortable with.
BTW, size and strength as a pass rusher in the NFL matters.........Jelks unbelievably did not take that seriously..............a worrisome red flag in itself.
Texansballer74
The Marine
We heard you Lima Charlie aka loud and clear.