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Alfred Blue- Resigned
- Thread starter BigWig
- Start date
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
I'm with you. But familiarity & pass protection.
The Texans striving annually for mediocrity.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
So Gains is striving for mediocrity?
AngryNateFTW
Veteran
Dang, he resigned? We just re-signed him yesterday. Bummer. 
bah007
Hall of Fame
Blue is insurance in case Foreman doesn't come back the same and neither of these UDFAs is good enough to play.
I think we're in a pretty tough spot at RB. We haven't used Miller correctly and we're still entirely too dependent on him. If he went down our run game would be screwed.
I think we're in a pretty tough spot at RB. We haven't used Miller correctly and we're still entirely too dependent on him. If he went down our run game would be screwed.
PolarBear
Noob
I agree that Blue is insurance.
Why ANYONE would think that Foreman would 'come back the same' after an achilles tear is beyond me...if they look at both history and CnD's comments on this topic.
Why ANYONE would think that Foreman would 'come back the same' after an achilles tear is beyond me...if they look at both history and CnD's comments on this topic.
Señor Stan
El Guapo
Porky
Hall of Fame
In fairness, I thought Blue looked pretty darn good at times last year and he's a contributor on 4th down as well. I am good with this move, particularly given Foreman's situation and the fact they didn't grab one in the draft.
I've been more critic than fan, but for a 6th rd choice, he's delivered. It's not like he was a top 10 pick or something.
Not to veer off into the weeds, but I've been thinking about the Jordan Akins selection. My totally wild guess is that it might be an indicator that the offense is going to try and spread the defense out. Instead of trying to beef up and run people up the gut, maybe it's going to look a little more like the run and shoot with one back, 3/4 wides and/or a TE who basically is one and let Watson do his thing without a "real" TE on the field.
If that's the case, it might help the running game. Blue is a bit of a banger I suppose but I think he can work in space....and that's where Miller is by far at his best. Maybe, just maybe Billy finally recognized that fact and is gearing the offense around a more wide open spread em out concept designed to take advantage of both Miller and Watson's abilities.
I've been more critic than fan, but for a 6th rd choice, he's delivered. It's not like he was a top 10 pick or something.
Not to veer off into the weeds, but I've been thinking about the Jordan Akins selection. My totally wild guess is that it might be an indicator that the offense is going to try and spread the defense out. Instead of trying to beef up and run people up the gut, maybe it's going to look a little more like the run and shoot with one back, 3/4 wides and/or a TE who basically is one and let Watson do his thing without a "real" TE on the field.
If that's the case, it might help the running game. Blue is a bit of a banger I suppose but I think he can work in space....and that's where Miller is by far at his best. Maybe, just maybe Billy finally recognized that fact and is gearing the offense around a more wide open spread em out concept designed to take advantage of both Miller and Watson's abilities.
Bulls on Parade
2017 Astros: Earn It!
If we have the lead late in the game and all we need is a first down to win the game. Just like we had against the Patriots and Seahawks on the road last year. And it's a 3rd and 1 and only one freakin' yard is all that stands in our way of securing a huge road victory.
I want a running back that can pick up that one yard to lead the team to a huge win. Please no more of Bill O'Brien calling for a Lamar Miller run up the gut (stuffed again!) and then we punt on 4th down, our defense shits the bed, per usual against Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, and we end up losing in the final minute of the game.
I'd have rather signed Adrian Peterson to be honest.
Washed up or not. I believe he can convert those first downs.
Give us that one yard gain in situations like I mentioned.
All of a sudden a couple of stupid losses last year turn into wins this year.
I want a running back that can pick up that one yard to lead the team to a huge win. Please no more of Bill O'Brien calling for a Lamar Miller run up the gut (stuffed again!) and then we punt on 4th down, our defense shits the bed, per usual against Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, and we end up losing in the final minute of the game.
I'd have rather signed Adrian Peterson to be honest.
Washed up or not. I believe he can convert those first downs.
Give us that one yard gain in situations like I mentioned.
All of a sudden a couple of stupid losses last year turn into wins this year.
Scooter
Funky
Blue is competent. To me that means more for a #3 runningback than experimental. He seems to get a little better with the rock each year, but most importantly he can do what is needed in all facets of the position. He can safely carry the ball in all situations, he can pass protect, he's solid on special teams and he'll catch what is thrown to him. Nothing special or glorious, but it's hard to knock what Blue brings while going gaga for our other specialist acquisitions who may not even make the squad. If we're going to praise Gaine for his focus on special teams and versatility, re-signing Blue for pennies is obvious.
There were some really good running backs drafted so I expect some decent ones to get cut. Hopefully we can grab one or two. Washington drafted a RB high (Guise) I hope they cut Perine. He didn’t look great last year but he’s got a lot of talent.
Amber Abdullah could be a cut as well since the lions drafted Kerryon Johnson
Maybe we should sign Peterson if no one else becomes available. I know he’s old and not the same player anymore but like was mentioned earlier, if miller goes down, ouch!
Amber Abdullah could be a cut as well since the lions drafted Kerryon Johnson
Maybe we should sign Peterson if no one else becomes available. I know he’s old and not the same player anymore but like was mentioned earlier, if miller goes down, ouch!
Bulls on Parade
2017 Astros: Earn It!
Porky, I'm just not feeling any excitement over re-signing Alfred Blue. He's 27 years old. A career 3.6 yards per carry back with five years NFL experience (less than 2,000 combined rushing yards). His overall production has been a disappointment to be honest.
A couple nice special teams plays notwithstanding, and a few nice rushes and Touchdowns, along with his cool HBO Hard Knocks appearances, and I really can't think of much he's done while with the Houston Texans. I can visualize his impact plays quite easily by memory. There are other backs out there that can give us just as much if not much more.
Blue had a nice game in the 34-6 loss we had against the Steelers. 16 carries for 108 yards (6.8 yards per carry). Otherwise his total ypc would have been a lot worse.
I hate having to force myself to like these type of re-signs.
You have to point out his best performances to justify it.
A couple nice special teams plays notwithstanding, and a few nice rushes and Touchdowns, along with his cool HBO Hard Knocks appearances, and I really can't think of much he's done while with the Houston Texans. I can visualize his impact plays quite easily by memory. There are other backs out there that can give us just as much if not much more.
Blue had a nice game in the 34-6 loss we had against the Steelers. 16 carries for 108 yards (6.8 yards per carry). Otherwise his total ypc would have been a lot worse.
I hate having to force myself to like these type of re-signs.
You have to point out his best performances to justify it.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
Last year was some of the hardest running I'd ever seen out of Blue and under hardly optimal circumstances. I'm not married to the idea of keeping Alfred Blue but in a world with Arian Foster as our starter he was a clear drop-off. In a world with Lamar Miller starting for us he's no drop-off at all. Longest carry from scrimmage for Blue was twice as far as Miller toted the rock on the ground.
Foreman isn't coming back and if he does we won't be seeing the player we lost. Sad but true. He's in the "Tony Boselli/Bennie Joppru/Charles Spencer" zone now (sadly).
Foreman isn't coming back and if he does we won't be seeing the player we lost. Sad but true. He's in the "Tony Boselli/Bennie Joppru/Charles Spencer" zone now (sadly).
Scooter
Funky
I don't want to defend him too heavily because I don't think Blue's a great runningback, but what part of O'Brien's offense has lead you to believe in a successful rushing attack? Shirley it's not the scheme or offensive line.
Bulls on Parade
2017 Astros: Earn It!
Our running game, and offensive line for that matter, will look much better with a healthy Deshaun Watson running the offense. That I can assure you.
The problem is those short-yardage situations like I mentioned before. We either need O'Brien to trust Watson with audibles or to run the plays himself (let him have the ball in his hands to win the game). Stupid play calling lost us a couple games last year that we should have won.
Alfred Blue performing well or not, we'll suck if #4 isn't healthy and on the field. Like I mentioned, Blue had a nice game against the Steelers late last year in a game we got blown out 34-6. So Blue can break off all the big runs he wants. It means little to me if we're getting blown out 34-6.
Where is Blue when we need him on a 3rd and 1 to win the game at Foxborough and at Seattle? Put Blue in there when the pressure is high. When games are on the line!
People talk so much crap about Adrian Peterson losing a step and being washed up. The dude is going to Canton, Ohio for the Pro Football Hall of Fame! A 4.8 yards per carry player. He can likely pick up one yard with the game on the line.
Scooter
Funky
I'm not sure what stance you're taking on keeping Blue.
bah007
Hall of Fame
Agreed. I like the player, but the minute I heard achilles tear I just struck him off the roster an assumed he'll never contribute again. Sad, but there it is.
jradMIT
Veteran
Blue is a competent backup and a good ST contributor, with the state of the ST's its hard to conclude he doesn't have value. He's a backup but primarily his worth comes from his 4th down work, I actually like the move because it gives the team flexibility to cut him but at the same time you know what your gonna get, like it was said the drop off between Miller and Blue is not large so in a pinch he will do if need be. Like others Foreman is at best a question mark right now, at worse, cross a line through his name.
It appears so.
I'm willing to give him a full draft class and a couple of yrs before making that call. You?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
That was my plan. Looked like you jumped the gun
I have no problem with this. We are very weak at RB. At least he knows scheme. Nick Chubb in Round 2 4th pick would have looked good in a Texans uniform but Ricky tried to cover up Brock like a kitty covers its &%$ and gave away our pick to save money for what??? More money in McNair's pocket does not help the Texans win games. Maybe cleared cap space but for what to resign JD? Give me another player any day.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Blue was very serviceable last season when his numbers was called. He ran hard behind that terrible line.
The crazy thing Bull was when Watson did play Miller still didn't run the ball well and efficient. He caught the ball well.
The crazy thing Bull was when Watson did play Miller still didn't run the ball well and efficient. He caught the ball well.
ubecool454
Veteran
Well Alfred Blue is never going to be a superstar RB but he makes up for it by being their best special teams player.
dream_team
Hall of Fame
He’s being brought in to compete for the 3rd string running back. I think he’s a fine 3rd RB that will play a lot of STs. I don’t understand the fuss about signing him, especially since we can still cut him at any time.
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
I’m fine with the signing and understand the fuss.
There’s a chance blue could be kept over a guy who people think is better or have greater upside because the coach likes him or feels comfortable with him.
That level of comfort could also lead to not seeking better and/or keeping other guys from getting the chance because of lack of reps.
But I’m fine with the signing because I just don’t think we have much back there, Lamar Miller included.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
But part of the reason we don't have much back there is signing guys like Blue.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
They spent a 4th rounder on the position in 2016 and a 3rd in 2017. They signed Lamar Miller to a big FA contract in 2016. They are allocating quite a bit of resources to the position but have not "hit" on it for a variety of reasons discussed a lot on this forum.
Hopefully with DW4 healthy and better OL play... and a lot of luck on the injury front for the RBs we look to have a much improved running game.
Number19
Hall of Fame
And part of the reason we don’t have much back there is because of our offensive line. We have addressed this defenciency and we can hope for better results.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Huh?
Half ass addressed
Number19
Hall of Fame
This is only an opinion expressed by some Texans’ fans. You can only do so much in one year. Gaines came in and cleaned house. No matter what he did within the broad confines he had to work within, somebody is going to be displeased it’s not enough. As fans we have to wait and see what the results are. At this point we really have no idea if it was only half-assed. It may turn out to be full-assed.
Bunch of backups gotten on the cheap.
Number19
Hall of Fame
But are they better than what we had last year? If the overall results make for better offensive line play and a better run game, then this past off season will have been a success and something positive to build on going forward.
Hard to be much worse, I just hope they can keep Watson healthy.
Number19
Hall of Fame
Do we have, a rare, consensus on this?
Texansballer74
The Marine
There's no convincing Steel period. He's going to stick to his backup rant for the entire season.
You are right about waiting and see, as well as this bunch can be a vast improvement from last season offensive line play.
And guess what a lot of teams have backups who have become solid starters for their team. But in that dudes eyes, since it's the Texans. They are failures
dwight pugoy
Waterboy
Blue never really established an MO you know.... Is he a bruiser or a wait for a hole and hit it. Why he seems slow sometimes.
Wrong
They had the cap space to sign proven OL and chose to sign backups instead. (On the cheap) Tell me what is wrong in this statement.
Texansballer74
The Marine
How am I wrong. They went after Solders and he chose the Giants. Good lord dude you're stubborn as hell. Lol
@nd place loser. Should've offered him the most $$$$ if they really wanted him.
Have you ever seen mgmt put up an offer to hire somebody knowing that offer wont be enough just so they can say We made an offer and he/she chose xyz company?
BTW, I'm not the only one being stubborn here. But I do have 15 yrs worth of history to judge the Texans org by. Generally when the $$$$$ gets to the top tier the Texans are out. But hey, they can always say they gave signing xyz player their best try.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Yes sir gotcha. But please don't bring up the 2nd place Jaguars ever again. You lose credibility when you don't actually use this chain of thought when hyping up them. Don't hype up the Vikings ever again either
Texansballer74
The Marine
Delete
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I've got to jump in on this one. Jacksonville was pretty much floundering after their initial short-term success but they finally got smart and landed a winner in Coughlin. He has done a remarkable job in getting this team on track and another solid off-season and draft has made them that much tougher. This teams success simply comes down to Bortles for 2018. Coughlin's biggest job is coming up next season when contract money becomes a real issue.
Vikings screwed the pooch. They had a great OC who might've been lost regardless of the effort put forth to retain him. They had their "Franchise QB" in Case Keenum, who helped them have a tremendous season while winning over the Vikings locker room and fans. They could of re-signed CK for a song compared to the guaranteed money they gave Kirk Cousins....a QB who suffers badly on the big stage and moments. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings have a step-back kind of season and if Cousins doesn't light-it-up, the fans are going to turn on him fast.
It will be fun to see how Keenum performs in Denver. Nice to see the team go out and get him some weapons to optimize his chances at success in 2018.
