Bruener Article

[texasguy346]

Didn't see it posted here yet, so I thought I'd add it.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Bruener Makes Quick Homecoming To Pittsburgh

Associated Press

HOUSTON -- The trip to Pittsburgh on Saturday is just another preseason game for most of the Houston Texans. For Mark Bruener, it's a homecoming.

Bruener had typified the Steelers since arriving as a rookie tight end in 1995. Known more for his blocking than receiving, he fit perfectly into the blue-collar Pittsburgh offense built around the run.

Injuries and the salary cap caught up with him last year, and suddenly he was out of a job. The Texans, looking for experienced blocking help, gladly snapped him up.

"It's going to be different to be back playing in Heinz Field not as a Steeler," Bruener said. "I'm most excited that I'm a part of a great football team."

Bruener has looked solid throughout camp and one preseason game, in which he caught a long pass on a bootleg and carried two would-be tacklers several yards before going down. Coach Dom Capers said that catch and run, plus a punishing block on another play, earned Bruener an award the team gives for intimidation plays.

"He's done a good job all the way around," Capers said. "We really like what he's brought to our football team. You saw him compete Saturday night."

Bruener was signed as a blocker to complement Billy Miller, a more accomplished receiver. But Capers also credits Bruener with bringing "some intensity and toughness along with professionalism" to an emerging offense that's still very young at several key positions.

Bruener came away from his first game at Reliant Stadium with a favorable impression, considering the only pro fans he's known have been the famously devoted ones in Pittsburgh.

"Coming from the team I came from as far as the following in Pittsburgh, I'm very impressed with the following in Houston," he said. "It's nice to know what loyal fans you have here this early on in the franchise."

Despite the steadfast loyalty of his former neighbors back in western Pennsylvania, Bruener vows to make some inroads when he returns.

"Let's hope we can get them to root for the Texans at least this one game," Bruener said. "I'm going to bring a few Texans shirts, so maybe I can convince a few Steelers fans to root for us." ^Notes:@ New tailbacks Adam Matthews and KaRon Coleman should get plenty of work in Saturday's preseason game at Pittsburgh. The backs, signed Monday after RB Jason Anderson went down with a broken right leg last weekend, join RB Tony Hollings as the only three on the current roster who are healthy. Starting RB Domanick Davis isn't expected to play because of minor leg injuries, and backup Jonathan Wells also was sidelined in practice Wednesday. "We will keep it simple," coach Dom Capers said. ... Defensive linemen Seth Payne and Junior Ioane, both recovering from injuries, will not play Saturday.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

Bruener

 

[Nawzer]

Bruener may turn out to be the biggest aquisition for out team this season other than Robaire Smith. Although he has shown the ability to catch the ball, his biggest skill is run blocking and that is what will make the difference for our team.

 

[MarkB#1fan]

This is correct that Steeler fan's are loyal and devoted. I have been a Steeler fan for as long as I can remember. Mark Bruener was a Steeler for 10 years. I have grown to know him over the years. HE IS A EXCELLENT football player but more than that he is an OUTSTANDING GENTLEMEN. Mark is now a TEXAN , I will always be a Bruener fan. I am glad he has gone to Houston. You have a GREAT team. I am proud to support Mark and the Texans. I will be wearing my own Houston Texans T-shirt at the game on Saturday. Keep in mind, I will be taking my life into my own hands by entering Heinz field in the red,white and blue. BUT it is worth it. I hope that everyone in Houston gets to know the real Mark. You can not help but respect him. MarkB's#1fan

 

[TexanNut]

I am proud to support Mark and the Texans. I will be wearing my own Houston Texans T-shirt at the game on Saturday. Keep in mind, I will be taking my life into my own hands by entering Heinz field in the red,white and blue. BUT it is worth it. MarkB's#1fan

Okay, if we don't hear from you soon after the game, we'll all chip in for a Texans casket. Thanks for representing us at Heinz field!

 

[beerlover]

Bruener may turn out to be the biggest aquisition for out team this season other than Robaire Smith. Although he has shown the ability to catch the ball, his biggest skill is run blocking and that is what will make the difference for our team.

your forgetting about Todd Wade he is the biggest aquisition of the off season. Right tackle along with a solid cohesive front (including TE) is the key to effective run blocking. Todd Wade allowed the Texans promising young lineman Pitts & Wand to settle in their natural positions.

with the loss in free agency of Todd Wade the Dophins went shopping with their 1st round pick to find his replacement (19th overall pick Vernon Carey) if they had known about Ricky,they would of had to take a hard look @ Steven Jackson, but the point being the RT takes care of the star RB.

the Titans had felt more compelled to replace Jevon Kearse before Robaire Smith with not one but both 2nd round selections (Travis LaBoy, #42 & Antwan Odem, #57). They waited until the 3rd round before signing a true interior lineman with what was the Texans pick #71 Randy Starks.

in retrospect time will only tell the additons of Bruener & Smith are both excellent quality & valued players to the Texans, just don't forget to mention Todd Wade in the same breath, thanks

 

[Vinny]

in retrospect time will only tell the additons of Bruener & Smith are both excellent quality & valued players to the Texans, just don't forget to mention Todd Wade in the same breath, thanks

All three are big pick-ups. To me, the only guy I'm not totally sold on is Robaire Smith. Bruenner is proven and we know exactly what we get. Wade is borderline dominant at times and a superior run blocker. R Smith was always surrounded by incredible talent on the Titans line and he was the guy that the opposing teams schemed the least for. He is our third best d-lineman right now, and he will probably be fine, but if I question any of them it is him.

 

[edo783]

All three were SOLID pickups, the only issue is that Bruener probably will only be here 2 years. If Jopprue can't make it back, and that looks very doubtfull at the moment, then we will very likely take one of the top TE's on the first day (2nd or 3rd round) of the draft and have Bruener school him for a year and then he becomes a superfluous commodity.

 

[V Man]

I am sure DD is chomping at the bit because of the injury. I know I would be. With Wade and Bruener lined up on the right side, can make some really big holes to run through (maybe even big enough for my big fat slow back side to get through). :hehe:

 

[Vinny]

If Jopprue can't make it back, and that looks very doubtfull at the moment, then we will very likely take one of the top TE's on the first day (2nd or 3rd round) of the draft and have Bruener school him for a year and then he becomes a superfluous commodity.

This morning on the radio, Casserly said that Joppru will be on the field this year at some point. They just don't know why he has a swelling in the groin area. Perhaps they should keep him away from the cheerleaders?

All kidding aside that was good news.

 

[edo783]

This morning on the radio, Casserly said that Joppru will be on the field this year at some point. They just don't know why he has a swelling in the groin area. Perhaps they should keep him away from the cheerleaders?

All kidding aside that was good news.

That in deed is good news. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.

 

[Mistril48]

This morning on the radio, Casserly said that Joppru will be on the field this year at some point...

Great news.

I don't have a good feel for the radio broadcast on the Texans. Is there a regular schedule on the radio for interviews with Capers and Casserly?

 

[texasguy346]

Great news.

I don't have a good feel for the radio broadcast on the Texans. Is there a regular schedule on the radio for interviews with Capers and Casserly?

They have a segment with Capers every Monday after a game. From like 5pm to 6pm on SR610 AM. I forget what they call the segment, but basically its where callers ask the coach whatever questions they want.

 

[TexanExile]

That in deed is good news. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that this IS actually good news! Nobody knows if this guy's worth anything at this point.