infantrycak
Hall of Fame
We do know he said we didn't have a slot receiver on the team
True although at the time I figured he was talking about among WRs other than AJ/Hopkins - i.e. Martin and Posey (don't remember who else).
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We do know he said we didn't have a slot receiver on the team
I think he could. Have also always wondered why he couldn't move into a Shannon Sharpe role. But there's no indication that's what OB wants in a slot. He seems to be looking for Welker/Edelman types.
I think he could. Have also always wondered why he couldn't move into a Shannon Sharpe role. But there's no indication that's what OB wants in a slot. He seems to be looking for Welker/Edelman types.
Which makes me further question his ability as a coach. I've seen it said in this very thread, that a good coach takes what he's got and adjusts his offense/defense to their strengths. Don't really see O'Brien doing this
...well except for his use of Arian Foster.
That might be but he is savvy enough to know where dead spots are in zone coverages and get open in them. He's also still bad-ass enough to beat or out-muscle anybody's #3 CB or safety - aren't those guys responsible for covering the slot WR in man coverages?
In my mind, moving AJ to the slot could be a plus, not a minus.
...or do you think he's not even that good any more?
For me it is not what the position is worth but what could AJ do in that position. He would brutalize defenders and be that eat up clock, move the chains, get a 3rd and long into a first down, save the QB's butt we need. A speedster that can catch (no DJ) opposite Nuk to open deep combined with Foster to keep LBs up close allows AJ to chew up yards. Even better it makes the deep threat with Mallett a Superman Punch. If it is all about a ring with AJ and all about his production with OBrien, a reworked contract based on productivity is a natural.I agree. I think AJ would be a great weapon as a slot Shannon Sharpe type player. I think the problem comes down to money. How much is slot receiver worth? 6 mll per year? 6.5? If so, would Andre be willing to take such a large paycut without any realistic chance at a championship? Not sure. And, if you are the Texans, can you justify the size of that contract for that role?
Glad I don't have to make those types of decisions!
Even against slower LBs and CB #3, Doc?Since having his hamstring tendon clipped, he has lost explosiveness and ability to stop and start and cut on a dime when running at any decent pace. His moves are those of a wily veteran doing his thing in a more open space where he can make slower, wider or softer turns and changes of direction. I don't really see him being successful in the slot role at all.
Since having his hamstring tendon clipped, he has lost explosiveness and ability to stop and start and cut on a dime when running at any decent pace. His moves are those of a wily veteran doing his thing in a more open space where he can make slower, wider or softer turns and changes of direction. I don't really see him being successful in the slot role at all.
Are you really saying that AJ has become a slow, white dude?
Even against slower LBs and CB #3, Doc?
All explosiveness or just the level of explosiveness that we expected from young Andre?
I mean, O.D. was basically a slot receiver in the previous offense. Do you not think A.J. no longer has the physical tools to make those sorts of moves?
Are you really saying that AJ has become a slow, white dude?
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Correct and for good reason. Not many players would want to play for an organization that throws the greatest player in franchise history under the bus. It's best for the Texans to keep their side of it out of the media.
Which makes me further question his ability as a coach. I've seen it said in this very thread, that a good coach takes what he's got and adjusts his offense/defense to their strengths. Don't really see O'Brien doing this
...well except for his use of Arian Foster.
Did you also further question Kubiak's HC abilities after his rookie season of failed challenges/poor clock management?
Since having his hamstring tendon clipped, he has lost explosiveness and ability to stop and start and cut on a dime when running at any decent pace. His moves are those of a wily veteran doing his thing in a more open space where he can make slower, wider or softer turns and changes of direction. I don't really see him being successful in the slot role at all.
:vincepalm:
Further question? 9-7 as a rookie HC not good enough for you with 2-14 inherited talent and very little help from the draft? Did you also further question Kubiak's HC abilities after his rookie season of failed challenges/poor clock management?
Let's see how many free agent players who don't want to play for this organization sign up this year.
Didn't seem to faze Jackson or Newton and they know more about this organization than you or I. You don't think they know both sides of the story?
And I doubt they will be the last to sign this year.
I think maybe AJ let his pride override his good judgment. Offered a chance to work less, take fewer hits? I'd be all over that if I were him. Couple more million and ride off into the sunset.
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9-7 with Kubiak's assembled talent since, as you rightly pointed out, his first draft didn't add anything outside of Alfred Blue.
I'm sorry but I couldn't resist.
I just hope AJ doesn't read that and go all
on me.
A bit premature, don't you think?
Let's see how many free agent players who don't want to play for this organization sign up this year.
Didn't seem to faze Jackson or Newton and they know more about this organization than you or I. You don't think they know both sides of the story?
And I doubt they will be the last to sign this year.
I think maybe AJ let his pride override his good judgment. Offered a chance to work less, take fewer hits? I'd be all over that if I were him. Couple more million and ride off into the sunset.
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Feb 19, 2013A History of NFL Slot Receivers: Are They Playing with Fire in Today's League?
By Ty Schalter , NFL National Lead Writer
The Slot is an open invitation for AJ, at his age, especially with his height and with his long history of severe knee and ankle injuries, to assure him an even more shortened career than what he may now be expected to have. There is no doubt that the slot is a relatively more dangerous wide receiver position to play, one that specifically carries a high injury risk to the lower limbs in general.
Feb 19, 2013
Not for a discussion of the talent on the team in 2014 which was the topic.
The Slot is an open invitation for AJ, at his age, especially with his height and with his long history of severe knee and ankle injuries, to assure him an even more shortened career than what he may now be expected to have. There is no doubt that the slot is a relatively more dangerous wide receiver position to play, one that specifically carries a high injury risk to the lower limbs in general.
Perhaps i misperceived a criticism?.. I thought Obsiwan suggested that enthusiasm for Obrien's coaching ability should be tempered, because of a failure to draft well in 2014. Perhaps not?
I was actually addressing SteelB's dismissing the talent that was already here - even though they finished 2-14 in 2013. He thinks that's who we were. I think that year was an injury-caused abberation.
But, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have yet to see anything in O'Brien to get overly excited about. For example, Kubiak's first draft - 2006 - was the bomb.
Mario, DeMeco, O.D., Eric Winston... all studs or at least solid starters. And you could say that David Anderson was a decent contributor (although it still chaps my hide that we passed on M. Colston to take him)
O'Brien's first draft, not so much. Only A. Blue could be considered a decent contributor and maybe Fiedorowicz.
I will allow that it's early in their careers and the 2014 draft class may all end up being studs. But not yet.
In fairness, we have only heard one side of the story. And that's Andre's side. Smith and O'Brien appear content to let the organization take the PR hit and move on. Maybe O'Brien said, "Andre, I think you are a great man and still have something left in the tank but with Hopkins' ascension and our desire to utilize the TE and slot a little more next season you may only get 40 catches." At that point Andre laughs and demands to be traded or released.
Because everything the team knows that we don't says he is not going to do better and then throw in the whole cap cost..sounds like pretty solid football.That doesn't even make sense football-wise. Why would you even want for a guy that has 112, 109 and 85 catches the last 3 years (1598, 1407, 936 in yards BTW), with virtually no QB, for the most part, to be limited to 40 catches? That's just dumb football.
I was actually addressing SteelB's dismissing the talent that was already here - even though they finished 2-14 in 2013. He thinks that's who we were. I think that year was an injury-caused abberation.
But, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have yet to see anything in O'Brien to get overly excited about. For example, Kubiak's first draft - 2006 - was the bomb.
Mario, DeMeco, O.D., Eric Winston... all studs or at least solid starters. And you could say that David Anderson was a decent contributor (although it still chaps my hide that we passed on M. Colston to take him)
O'Brien's first draft, not so much. Only A. Blue could be considered a decent contributor and maybe Fiedorowicz.
I will allow that it's early in their careers and the 2014 draft class may all end up being studs. But not yet.
That doesn't even make sense football-wise. Why would you even want for a guy that has 112, 109 and 85 catches the last 3 years (1598, 1407, 936 in yards BTW), with virtually no QB, for the most part, to be limited to 40 catches? That's just dumb football.
I was actually addressing SteelB's dismissing the talent that was already here - even though they finished 2-14 in 2013. He thinks that's who we were. I think that year was an injury-caused abberation.
But, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have yet to see anything in O'Brien to get overly excited about. For example, Kubiak's first draft - 2006 - was the bomb.
Mario, DeMeco, O.D., Eric Winston... all studs or at least solid starters. And you could say that David Anderson was a decent contributor (although it still chaps my hide that we passed on M. Colston to take him)
O'Brien's first draft, not so much. Only A. Blue could be considered a decent contributor and maybe Fiedorowicz.
I will allow that it's early in their careers and the 2014 draft class may all end up being studs. But not yet.
Seems like a fair assessment. Except the Kubiak lead Texans finished 2-14. So that's who they were. Where we disagree is you think Kubiak is a better HC than BOB. (I could be wrong) I think BOB is a better HC than Kubiak as a rookie compared to Kubiak after 8 yrs on the job.
If AJ and the Texans can't come to terms on this issue then send AJ to Cleveland for whatever they can get...Browns have the money, a need at WR and AJ likes Johnny F. No need to play games, Texans don't want to pay AJ at current terms and AJ doesn't want to take a decrease/deferment at this point. This is all about the business. /story
Did anyone else notice the Eagles suddenly have almost no wide receivers (Maclin going to KC) and a **** ton of cap space? Could that be what the break through was on the Mallett negotiations?
hhhmmmm......
I think O'Brien is too smart for his own good. Kubiak was smart enough to know Carr wasn't the answer and gave two 2nds for Schaub (best backup at the time and knew his (Kubiak's) system in MARCH to make sure he (Schaub) was in OTAs, mini-camps, T/C, and everything so he'd be ready opening day.
O'Brien had a chance to pick up Mallet, a guy that had four years in his system meaning he'd be lightyears ahead of all the other QBs on the roster, for a 3rd (if we can believe the rumors) in time for camp so he could be ready opening day and just flat let the opportunity go right through his fingers.
And now Mallet could (hopefully not) get away from him altogether.
Sorry that doesn't sound smart to me.
Did anyone else notice the Eagles suddenly have almost no wide receivers (Maclin going to KC) and a **** ton of cap space? Could that be what the break through was on the Mallett negotiations?
hhhmmmm......
If AJ and the Texans can't come to terms on this issue then send AJ to Cleveland for whatever they can get...Browns have the money, a need at WR and AJ likes Johnny F. No need to play games, Texans don't want to pay AJ at current terms and AJ doesn't want to take a decrease/deferment at this point. This is all about the business. /story
The Slot is an open invitation for AJ, at his age, especially with his height and with his long history of severe knee and ankle injuries, to assure him an even more shortened career than what he may now be expected to have. There is no doubt that the slot is a relatively more dangerous wide receiver position to play, one that specifically carries a high injury risk to the lower limbs in general.
Feb 19, 2013
I think O'Brien is too smart for his own good. Kubiak was smart enough to know Carr wasn't the answer and gave two 2nds for Schaub (best backup at the time and knew his (Kubiak's) system in MARCH to make sure he (Schaub) was in OTAs, mini-camps, T/C, and everything so he'd be ready opening day.
O'Brien had a chance to pick up Mallet, a guy that had four years in his system meaning he'd be lightyears ahead of all the other QBs on the roster, for a 3rd (if we can believe the rumors) in time for camp so he could be ready opening day and just flat let the opportunity go right through his fingers.
And now Mallet could (hopefully not) get away from him altogether.
Sorry that doesn't sound smart to me.
I thought all the talk about AJ in the slot was message board speculation.
Can't recall the Texan org. ever offering that up. Entirely possible that I missed it though. Could have been used as a third down specialist, just make the first down. Kinda like Daniels was used. It's fairly obvious we haven't replaced Daniels yet. Reduced role = reduced contract. AJ wouldn't / couldn't accept the reduced role. Speculation...I know...but that is what MB posters do,
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If you go back and look at the season, that's pretty much what AJ was anyways. A possession receiver. Go back and look at our wins, save for the first Indy game, his numbers show possession receiver type numbers. He also had 3 fumbles.
Dianna Marie Russini @NBCdianna · 3m 3 minutes ago
Apparently Johnson has no trade partners, so I'm told he is getting released. #Texans
Dianna Marie Russini @NBCdianna · 5m 5 minutes ago
Houston's Andre Johnson will be getting cut today per sources #Texans
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Short of him being picked up by Seattle or NE, i think AJ's gonna be real disappointed with his options.
Short of him being picked up by Seattle or NE, i think AJ's gonna be real disappointed with his options.
Maybe/ Maybe not. He'll surely be disappointed if he was looking for 10-11 mil/yr. though.
I think if he's truely wanting out to compete for a championship and he's willing to take less, he's only got a few options as it is..Seattle & NE. But if he thinks he's gonna be able to compete for a championship & get 8-9 million or more and be somewhat of a feature guy he's got none....Maybe Indy. But with them opting not to bring back Reggie Wayne, i can't see them willing to pay him that much...Might as well keep Wayne if that's the case....after all those guys are about the same age anyway.
I thought all the talk about AJ in the slot was message board speculation.
Can't recall the Texan org. ever offering that up. Entirely possible that I missed it though. Could have been used as a third down specialist, just make the first down. Kinda like Daniels was used. It's fairly obvious we haven't replaced Daniels yet. Reduced role = reduced contract. AJ wouldn't / couldn't accept the reduced role. Speculation...I know...but that is what MB posters do,
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