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2017 Houston Texans Official OTA's, Minicamp, and Training Camp Thread

Have you heard that about anyone? McCarron maybe? He's our future slot

Pretty sure I've seen mentions of Ervin in that light, destroying LBers mainly.

Heard McCarron doing well too.

Pretty sure Miller has had some props too.
 
Maybe borts just isn't that good.

And why couldn't Rodgers have worked on his throwing motion while playing?

Just because he may not have been as good right away doest mean playing earlier hinders him from getting where he is.
The explanation by the football people (QBs, QB coaches, etc.) is that in the heat of battle, it's very easy to revert to the old habit; much like cigarette smoking and pressure.

Phil Simms, in his book, said it took him some years (while playing) before he was able to correct it.
When you look at his stats, you can see that he was much more consistent in the second half of the year. (I meant to say the second half of HIS CAREER..)

....
QBs' numbers normally decline in the later years of their long career, not so with Simm.
 
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I thought Lamm was replacing Brown at LT for now?...
Haven't heard a whole lot. Read one comment that Lamm and Clark were taking a beating from our defense. I think I read a comment that Lamm was taking snaps at RT, for now. From this I assumed Clark was taking the snaps at LT. But not a lot of comment on the makeup of the OL at this point.
 
Not what I heard on the radio this morning.

Matter of fact the hosts (who are there watching camp) made a point to say he's getting an inordinate amount of reps with the first team. They said from the amount of reps he is getting with the first team it's obvious They are trying to bring him along quickly and that he's not being treated like the typical back up as far as reps are concerned.

This came from John Lopez and Cody Stoots.

As I said earlier I've heard some conflicting stuff so if you've heard or read otherwise please share.
Asked McClain how many reps Watson is getting with the ones on his Facebook chat yesterday. He said that he is almost exclusively with the twos and threes but is getting a ton of reps bc they have enough space at the Greenbriar to keep everyone on the field.

I haven't heard about a ton of first team reps for Watson, but id sure like to know how he does. A lot of his big plays that I hear about are to the second team receivers.

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21 observations from #TexansCamp: Day 6
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/a...mp-Day-6/715264e5-d0c2-4bbc-9860-65b20fa8552a

5. One of my favorite moments of practice was a Deshaun Watson throw down the field to rookie receiver Riley McCarron. We were all standing at the top of the bleachers in the end zone, opposite the Sports Performance Center. That’s been my perch since the first day of camp. So, we were standing nearly directly behind the offense when Watson was taking reps. I love being up there because I can see nearly everything. The offense was working away from us as Watson dropped to throw. When he let the ball go, it didn’t look, at first, like it was going to anyone. He just seemed to be throwing into a vast, blank open space. Then, out of nowhere (or so it seemed), McCarron moved right into the space and made the catch for a first down. To see that ball just headed for nothing-land, then to have McCarron darts in to make the catch, was really cool. it epitomized the “throwing a guy open” concept that analysts talk about all the time in reference to quarterbacks.

8. Running back Akeem Hunt in 1-on-1s is about as slippery as anyone that I’ve seen. He’s so tough to cover and there are probably only two guys that have covered effectively in 1-on-1s during practice. That should really come as no surprise to those that watched Hunt make significant plays for this offense in 2015 and 2016.

10. Cunningham’s not, seemingly, the traditional type of 3-4 linebacker but you can see flashes of his speed out on the field at times. He can cover some serious ground as he drops in coverage but also chasing ball carriers in the run game. He made a few plays running guys down from behind, where it appeared there was room to run and he made the play. I often wonder how defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel will employ his services as a rookie and beyond.

12. Savage actually had three successful drives up and down the field. One of those drives got a major boost from a long run from Lamar Miller that had shades of Miami 2015 against the Texans when he got loose in the secondary on that forgetful afternoon. With that run, it only took the offense three plays to score a touchdown.

15. I liked the command that Savage had throughout the drive and the way that he’s taking charge at the line of scrimmage and decision making. He’s processing a lot of information quickly and concisely. I don’t think he or any of the quarterbacks threw any interceptions on Tuesday in any team or group drills. That’s a great step for all three signal callers.
 
Haven't heard a whole lot. Read one comment that Lamm and Clark were taking a beating from our defense. I think I read a comment that Lamm was taking snaps at RT, for now. From this I assumed Clark was taking the snaps at LT. But not a lot of comment on the makeup of the OL at this point.
Clark has been taking most of the LT reps, Lamm the RT.
 
Actually, the Giants started that season 6-2 going into the bye week, then went 4-4 in the second half of the season, including losing 2 of their last 3 games.
I stand corrected about the strong finish by the Giants. I thought I recalled them finishing strong that season. I do now recall them losing to the Pats prior to the playoffs that season.
Exactly. Watson is also drafted into a pretty good situation. Dak Prescott was drafted into a great situation. My thing is you can not be scared to toss any player you think will be good to the wolves.
There is no right or wrong way it just depends a lot on the situation and team.
 
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I stand corrected about the strong finish by the Giants but I still feel it is best to finish a season strong before heading into the playoffs.

Agreed. I don't care about the record, as long as the team is firing on all cylinders going into the playoffs.
 
Actually, the Giants started that season 6-2 going into the bye week, then went 4-4 in the second half of the season, including losing 2 of their last 3 games. Ironically, the last game of the regular season was a loss to the Patriots. They (in general, Eli in particular) literally got hot in the playoffs.
I thought I remembered the Giants finishing strong that season but I was wrong.

I researched finishing strong before the playoffs. I stand corrected.

https://www.si.com/2014/12/11/nfl-postseason-momentum-myth
 
Asked McClain how many reps Watson is getting with the ones on his Facebook chat yesterday. He said that he is almost exclusively with the twos and threes but is getting a ton of reps bc they have enough space at the Greenbriar to keep everyone on the field.

I'm not too concerned about the number of snaps he's getting with the ones now. I'd imagine he's behind the first team right now & they don't need to be held back right now.

Here in the next few weeks I'd expect his snaps with the ones will increase if the Texans want to start him soon.
 
So they told him to play qb carousel with hoyer and mallet? They told him to get rid of Fitz for his NE retreads?
Personally, I think Smith likes Mallett's big arm (and O'Brien, too.)

It's quite likely that Smith talked up Mallett to the McNairs.

Knowing McNair's wish to find a "franchise QB", it wouldn't surprise me that/if McNair said go ahead, give the kid a chance.
 
Personally, I think Smith likes Mallett's big arm (and O'Brien, too.)

It's quite likely that Smith talked up Mallett to the McNairs.

Knowing McNair's wish to find a "franchise QB", it wouldn't surprise me that/if McNair said go ahead, give the kid a chance.
Plus at the time most people knew what they had in Hoyer, but the only thing going for Mallet was that he was an unknown that maybe if given the chance would have been better than Hoyer.
 
Personally, I think Smith likes Mallett's big arm (and O'Brien, too.)

It's quite likely that Smith talked up Mallett to the McNairs.

Knowing McNair's wish to find a "franchise QB", it wouldn't surprise me that/if McNair said go ahead, give the kid a chance.

I agree with your premise. Just not sure that they were overly invested in Mallett from the beginning. If they thought he was anything more than just "intriguing" they would have paid NE their asking price to get him into OTAs and training camp. As it was, they gave up a 7th on the last week of camp (IIRC), which doesnt scream confidence.
 
Do you have a source (article or team source)? Id be very interested in getting an insider understanding on the team.

You really believe BOB wanted Os?

Os was a directive from McNair to Ricky to find a QB. Ricky found a QB but failed (Again) at his job.
 
You really believe BOB wanted Os?

Os was a directive from McNair to Ricky to find a QB. Ricky found a QB but failed (Again) at his job.

No, I dont believe that Os was BoB's first choice, but I also dont believe that he wasnt consulted and eventually agreed.

Notice that the above sentence explicitly states that these are my *beliefs* and arent presented as if it is fact. The statement from you that I quoted was given as if it were fact, but in fact it is just supposition.

Do you have any training camp updates to share in the Offseason thread?
 
I agree with your premise. Just not sure that they were overly invested in Mallett from the beginning. If they thought he was anything more than just "intriguing" they would have paid NE their asking price to get him into OTAs and training camp. As it was, they gave up a 7th on the last week of camp (IIRC), which doesnt scream confidence.
That's likely true.

But there's no coincidence that the guys that were brought in before any season all had experience in the EP system, from Fitz, to Hoyer, Mallett, and Osweiler.

That supposedly help implement the system, but none of them panned out. I put a lot of those "failures" on O'Brien.
 
That's likely true.

But there's no coincidence that the guys that were brought in before any season all had experience in the EP system, from Fitz, to Hoyer, Mallett, and Osweiler.

That supposedly help implement the system, but none of them panned out. I put a lot of those "failures" on O'Brien.

Totally agree. If Savage becomes a competent QB with a full training camp and Watson develops, Ill change my mind about BOB's abilities as a QB evaluator/offensive guru, but right now there really isnt a lot of evidence that he is anything special in that regard.
 
No, I dont believe that Os was BoB's first choice, but I also dont believe that he wasnt consulted and eventually agreed.

Notice that the above sentence explicitly states that these are my *beliefs* and arent presented as if it is fact. The statement from you that I quoted was given as if it were fact, but in fact it is just supposition.

Do you have any training camp updates to share in the Offseason thread?

So when McNair gives a directive you don't think BOB follows it?

# BOB starting/not playing Savage in the playoffs after he had said Savage gave the team its best chance to win.
 
That's likely true.

But there's no coincidence that the guys that were brought in before any season all had experience in the EP system, from Fitz, to Hoyer, Mallett, and Osweiler.

That supposedly help implement the system, but none of them panned out. I put a lot of those "failures" on O'Brien.

I can't fault him too much for Osweiler. That was a QB whom at given the chance to get his starting spot back after Savage got his concussion Osweiler gave lip to OB about it and didn't want to go in. Osweiler wasn't good on the field or between the ears.

Fitz had his best year with OB. Hoyer proved to be everything we thought he was. And Mallett couldn't use an alarm clock.

I can only fault him for a lot of those failures if he told Rick and McNair that he could win a Superbowl with them. He did win with that mediocre lot. And Hoyer is now starting in San Fran with an offensive coach"genius" in Mini Shanny.

He shares the responsibility with Rick Smith equally, and I would even say has less responsibility compared to Rick Smith because of the Osweiler fiasco and IR'ing Savage year before last when he didn't need to be. Plus, the "rumor" is that OB wanted Garrapolo and Rick messed that up with Filo.

So yea i blame Rick more than OB. But that doesn't mean OB gets a pass. They are joined at the hip.
 
So when McNair gives a directive you don't think BOB follows it?

# BOB starting/not playing Savage in the playoffs after he had said Savage gave the team its best chance to win.

Im sure McNairs directives are generally followed, but Im not arguing that point. My argument is that you habitually present your opinion as fact.

On a training camp note, I heard that Watson went against the first team D for a bit this morning. Anyone hear how that went?
 
Today, as concerns the QBs.

Patrick Starr stated in a podcast that Watson was improving each day and again "never makes the same mistake twice." In the next breath, he states that today he repeatedly goes off his reads and takes off with the ball. He also stated that there is no way that Watson is 6'.

Regarding Savage, he stated that Savage is impressively accurate and through OTAs through today, he does "not remember more than POSSIBLY 1 interception". He said that although Watson has improved his arm strength with improved foot work, he will never attain Savage's arm strength.
 
Today, as concerns the QBs.

Patrick Starr stated in a podcast that Watson was improving each day and again "never makes the same mistake twice." In the next breath, he states that today he repeatedly goes off his reads and takes off with the ball. He also stated that there is no way that Watson is 6'.

Regarding Savage, he stated that Savage is impressively accurate and through OTAs through today, he does "not remember more than POSSIBLY 1 interception". He said that although Watson has improved his arm strength with improved foot work, he will never attain Savage's arm strength.

I don't actually trust O'Brien not to bench Savage anyway if he struggles behind a bad OL and an injured WR corps.

Watson is a winner and does stuff when the chips are down. The chips in practice are not down.
 
Today, as concerns the QBs.

Patrick Starr stated in a podcast that Watson was improving each day and again "never makes the same mistake twice." In the next breath, he states that today he repeatedly goes off his reads and takes off with the ball. He also stated that there is no way that Watson is 6'.

Regarding Savage, he stated that Savage is impressively accurate and through OTAs through today, he does "not remember more than POSSIBLY 1 interception". He said that although Watson has improved his arm strength with improved foot work, he will never attain Savage's arm strength.

TY Doc. I think in the Pat Star podcast he was saying that there was no way that Watson was 6'2", but I was only listening with a cursory ear.

I heard him say the same thing about Savages accuracy, but from multiple other sources, I heard that today was a very off day for Savage with a lot of inaccuracy and trouble moving the first team. Not sure what to believe on that. Its kinda why I suspect that Pat Star has a man crush on Savage.

EDIT: The podcast was for the first week of TC. Savages day today would not have been in there.
 
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You really believe BOB wanted Os?

Os was a directive from McNair to Ricky to find a QB. Ricky found a QB but failed (Again) at his job.

Osweiler was a classic exercise in futility. No one sat down and met with the guy eye to eye. Out of panic and desperation total disregard of his scouting report. O'brien gave the proverbial thumbs up after hastily watching four games before rushing out the door to attend Wisconsin Pro Day. Not your textbook example of how to sign a QB.
 
So when McNair gives a directive you don't think BOB follows it?

# BOB starting/not playing Savage in the playoffs after he had said Savage gave the team its best chance to win.

I think they played Os in the playoffs to create potential trade value. Didn't work.
 
Osweiler was a classic exercise in futility. No one sat down and met with the guy eye to eye. Out of panic and desperation total disregard of his scouting report. O'brien gave the proverbial thumbs up after hastily watching four games before rushing out the door to attend Wisconsin Pro Day. Not your textbook example of how to sign a QB.

You were right about Os. What are your thoughts on Watson?
 
Today, as concerns the QBs.

Patrick Starr stated in a podcast that Watson was improving each day and again "never makes the same mistake twice." In the next breath, he states that today he repeatedly goes off his reads and takes off with the ball. He also stated that there is no way that Watson is 6'.

Regarding Savage, he stated that Savage is impressively accurate and through OTAs through today, he does "not remember more than POSSIBLY 1 interception". He said that although Watson has improved his arm strength with improved foot work, he will never attain Savage's arm strength.

Talk about a baseless criticism.

I remember this one Texans QB who led the league in passing one year. Pretty sure he had nothing close to Savage's arm strength.
 
Talk about a baseless criticism.

I remember this one Texans QB who led the league in passing one year. Pretty sure he had nothing close to Savage's arm strength.

Yeah but it's still better to have a strong arm
 
You were right about Os. What are your thoughts on Watson?
O'Brien is a pro set offensive minded coach he prefers his QB to operate from the pocket. Watson is a spread option QB who determines his pass and WR before the snap and if it's not there he tucks and runs. What could go wrong? Watson's scouting report questions his abilities to read a defense, go through progressions and make quick good decisions, high completion % based on short quick passes, accuracy for intermediate and longer passes is questionable, arm strength is questionable. Surrounded by enormous amount of talent at Clemson. Frail body type won't make a living running the ball in the NFL, highly suspect to injury when he does. 17 INTs BIG ?
 
O'Brien is a pro set offensive minded coach he prefers his QB to operate from the pocket. Watson is a spread option QB who determines his pass and WR before the snap and if it's not there he tucks and runs. What could go wrong? Watson's scouting report questions his abilities to read a defense, go through progressions and make quick good decisions, high completion % based on short quick passes, accuracy for intermediate and longer passes is questionable, arm strength is questionable. Frail body type won't make a living running the ball in the NFL, highly suspect to injury when he does. 17 INTs BIG ?

You forgot that he's a winner on the biggest stage
 
Yeah but it's still better to have a strong arm

Pretty sure that Savage is known for having a much higher than average velocity. Not being able to throw it as hard as Savage doesn't mean one doesn't have a strong arm. Of course, I may have missed the thread where we talked about all of the throws that Watson can't make.
 
O'Brien is a pro set offensive minded coach he prefers his QB to operate from the pocket. Watson is a spread option QB who determines his pass and WR before the snap and if it's not there he tucks and runs. What could go wrong? Watson's scouting report questions his abilities to read a defense, go through progressions and make quick good decisions, high completion % based on short quick passes, accuracy for intermediate and longer passes is questionable, arm strength is questionable. Surrounded by enormous amount of talent at Clemson. Frail body type won't make a living running the ball in the NFL, highly suspect to injury when he does. 17 INTs BIG ?

Now tell us your opinion on Blake Bortles :truck:
 
....Watson is a spread option QB who determines his pass and WR before the snap and if it's not there he tucks and runs.

.....Watson's scouting report

questions his abilities to (1) read a defense, (2) go through progressions and (3) make quick good decisions,

high completion % based on short quick passes,


accuracy for intermediate and longer passes is questionable,

arm strength is questionable.
Hmmnnn.....can u support the claims you make above?

B/c I'm pretty sure they already been disproved in other threads.
 
Proven college players don't always translate to the NFL. How many times have we seen this in the NFL to still be trying to talk our way around it?

We'll know if Watson is good or not soon enough.
 
Hmmnnn.....can u support the claims you make above?

B/c I'm pretty sure they already been disproved in other threads.
Yes. I don't know about disproved but the Kool Aid drinkers have already made excuses for them, yes they have. I do believe those Kool Aid drinkers debunked the Brock Osweiler scouting report also.
 
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After arguing about the more positive camp reports of Ervins ability to get seperation, there is this today...

8. Running back Akeem Hunt in 1-on-1s is about as slippery as anyone that I’ve seen. He’s so tough to cover and there are probably only two guys that have covered effectively in 1-on-1s during practice. That should really come as no surprise to those that watched Hunt make significant plays for this offense in 2015 and 2016.

Gonna be some tough cuts in the backfield.
 
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