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First look at Rookies at Minicamp

I'm not talking about anything OB said to Andre specifically. I'm talking about this whole culture thing that he's bringing. No names, earn your number, competition at every spot, give it the ol college try...

Totally opposite from Kubiak's "handle yourself like a pro" club med training camp.

Regardless which may be what the team needs now, some are going to prefer one over the other. Like I said, Andre's been here 12 years. I have to imagine some of this feels like starting all over.

Ok. I see what you're saying.

What I'm hoping is that ob knows that guys like Andre deserve a different level of respect. I have a feeling he gets that because he did comment on Dre specifically whereas other guys like the rookies he's telling them things like shut up and learn and giving them cardboard boxes for lockers (hyperbole).

Hopefully ob, like jimmy Johnson realizes that some guys are going to have to be treated differently than others. But only when you've earned it.

Even with belichick I don't think he treats Brady like an incoming udfa. Different situation since they have rapport but still...
 
Ok. I see what you're saying.

What I'm hoping is that ob knows that guys like Andre deserve a different level of respect. I have a feeling he gets that because he did comment on Dre specifically whereas other guys like the rookies he's telling them things like shut up and learn and giving them cardboard boxes for lockers (hyperbole).

Hopefully ob, like jimmy Johnson realizes that some guys are going to have to be treated differently than others. But only when you've earned it.

Even with belichick I don't think he treats Brady like an incoming udfa. Different situation since they have rapport but still...

I get the feeling Bill has lots of layers to him . On the field it's hardcore attention to detail with fanatic zeal . Off the field , Bill has a very sick child which has taught him what's really important . He is a smart , driven man who loves football but realizes it takes support from the homefront . After the Packers won their first championship , Lombardi bought the wives mink coats . That friends is genuis .
 
Starting over is good for the soul. When I was in my late 40s, I went to night classes and got my Windows NT certification (yes, that's windows NT..LOL ) and got a new position in my company. I don't want to lose AJ, but the new coaching staff is bringing the right philosophy to this team IMO.
I don't.

I don't think of that example as starting over. You added a new (and obviously valuable) skill to the experience base you already had. You went above and beyond and were rewarded for your extra efforts with a new position. You didn't start over, you took your skills to a new level.
 
I'm quite content with Nix relating "I'm nobody."


im-nobody.jpg
 
I get the feeling Bill has lots of layers to him . On the field it's hardcore attention to detail with fanatic zeal . Off the field , Bill has a very sick child which has taught him what's really important . He is a smart , driven man who loves football but realizes it takes support from the homefront . After the Packers won their first championship , Lombardi bought the wives mink coats . That friends is genuis .
Let me take the liberty of correcting you here just as O'Brien did the Houston media in his initial presser with them when one of its members made reference to the "disease" his child had. O'Brien informed the reporter that it was not a disease/sickness, but it was a neurological disorder called lissencephaly which his son had at birth.
 
Louis Nix
(on what he’s trying to get out of rookie camp) “Just working hard and being a good teammate to everybody around. I feel like that is all you can do, just work hard.”

(on what he would like to show the coaches) “I just want to learn from whatever Coach teaches me and learn from them and do a good job at it. At this point, that’s my job.”

(on what he likes about playing in the trenches) “I’ve been playing it all my life. I don’t mind hitting the guy in front of me. I’m an aggressive guy, so it’s fun. I like playing football a lot. I’ve been playing that position all of my life, so I’m used to it.”

(on what his new Twitter handle will be) “As far as Twitter goes, nothing now. I’m leaving Twitter alone. I’m just trying to focus on me right and trying to make this team.”

(on what he would like to show out on the field today) “Just that I can work hard and be a good teammate and just be a friendly guy to all of the guys around me and we can work well together if I get the opportunity.”
(on having his contract done to where he can just focus on football now) “With or without the contract, I just want to make the team and come around and do a great job.”

(on how surreal it is to being at the stadium and starting rookie camp with the Texans) “It’s great. I’m here. I want to stay here, so it’s all about doing my job and getting everything done and doing the right things. That’s what I’m focused on right now. It will set in once I actually hit the field, if I get that opportunity. For now, I’m just another guy.”

(on if he’s wrapped his head around the fact that he’s now in the NFL) “I wouldn’t say I’m there yet, because I haven’t had a chance to play in an actual game or anything. I’m just in the transition. That’s my mindset for now.”
(on the message from Coach O’Brien and his staff) “It’s all about just basic steps, just working hard and being a good teammate and that’s all I want to do. Those are the steps you have to take to get a chance or opportunity to play in this league or on this team. That’s what I’ll be doing.”
FB Jay Prosch
(on his first impression of Head Coach Bill O’Brien) “Definitely a straight-forward-type coach, which I really think is really great. He gets down to the point and that’s important. Overall, I think he’s a really good guy, a great coach and he’s definitely around a lot.”

(on if this is overwhelming) “I think at first it is. I’m coming from college to an NFL team and you’re expected to learn and get thrown in there but I think that’s how it’s supposed to be. Eventually you learn and get better and better as you go and then it’s your job and it’s normal.”

(on what he knows about the offense) “I really don’t know that much about it yet. Like I said earlier, we’re just starting to dig into it, just scratch the surface and really learn the basics. I’m just trying to get better and become a better teammate and really just work hard.”

(on what he can show the coaches or his teammates over the next couple of days) “We’re not padded or anything like that so I just think work ethic is going to be a huge thing. Get after it and finish is definitely something I think will stand out among different guys. How fast you are, how fast you can learn what they’re trying to teach you and adapt and coachability.”

(on the tattoo on his right bicep) “That’s an iris. My mom’s name was Iris. She passed away in September 2012, when I first got to Auburn. It’s just kind of a thing for me, a reminder of her and that she’s with me.”

(on if he thinks about his mother when he delivers a blow with his right arm) “I don’t know if I can say that. But she’s definitely a big part of my life and I definitely keep her in my prayers and on my mind a lot.”
 
Yup and regardless of being able to see that others may have needed reining in it still feels like undeserved punishment to be thrown into the remedial all is one class when you have been doing your crap correctly the whole time.

Anyone committed to winning and with the humility required to part of a team's success won't be threatened by someone building that precise culture... It is possible that AJ no longer shares those values. If he does, then he will be fine adjusting to the changes.
 
Well, I'd say that Kubiak's "handle yourself like a pro" approach actually worked fine for Andre. He is a pro and has always taken care of his business like one when it came to football so it must suck for him to have to be on a team that's got to go back to this kind of approach in order to get everyone on the same page.

Yup and regardless of being able to see that others may have needed reining in it still feels like undeserved punishment to be thrown into the remedial all is one class when you have been doing your crap correctly - AND consistently at a very high level - the whole time.

Agreed. I think you both have nailed it.
rep to you both

what is the form of gov't where everything is for the state and individual accomplishments are rarely recognized? oh yeah, Communism.
 
Don't you just wish these "journalists" interviewing the rookies would come up with more thoughtful or original questions, instead of "do you know you are in the NFL now", or "what do you think of coach O'brien" ? And then when the rookies hook up with the vets, it's going to be "were you impressed with JJ Watt", etc ? C'mon people, surely you can ask better questions than that ?
 
Don't you just wish these "journalists" interviewing the rookies would come up with more thoughtful or original questions, instead of "do you know you are in the NFL now", or "what do you think of coach O'brien" ? And then when the rookies hook up with the vets, it's going to be "were you impressed with JJ Watt", etc ? C'mon people, surely you can ask better questions than that ?

Well, they did ask Nix about his new Twitter handle... :ok: :littlelol:
 
James Palmer @JPalmerCSN
With Nix missing 2 days to attend his graduation, O’Brien jokingly said Bill Kollar will find a way to catch him up. #Texans

O’Brien was asked about DE Jeoffrey Pagan. Said Pagan had “a little bit of an injury coming out of Alabama.” But said he’s doing fine.

O’Brien says rookies are not in NFL shape. Added it’s not their fault, they’ve been training 4 the combine drills and not the NFL. #Texans

O’Brien calls his staff a “staff of really good teachers.” #Texans

O’Brien says communication isn’t where you want it to be on the field with the rookies just yet. Says it’s fun watching them work on it.

Former Rice kicker Chris Boswell had appendectomy recent so he can’t kick full tilt yet. Will do more during OTAs. #Texans

#Texans rookie RB Alfred Blue had only 209 carries at LSU. Averaged pretty much 6 yards a carry while there.

#Texans rookie NT Louis Nix left this afternoon before practice to go back to South bend to attend his graduation from Notre Dame.

Extended Cut: NT Louis Nix III -- "Rome wasn't built in a day."

Former Rice kicker Chris Boswell on kicking competition


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Tania Ganguli ‏@taniaganguli
#Texans rookie camp is closed to the public

O'Brien seemed much more willing to talk about players today now that we weren't all asking about Clowney. #Texans

"If a guy has a chance to walk with his graduating class ... it’s important to let him do that" OB on Louis Nix, III, who left to go to South Bend for graduation. #Texans

O'Brien says conditioning isn't where it needs to be because they've been doing shuttle runs, 40 yard dashes,broad jumps,vertical jumps #Texans

O'Brien is asked if the rookies are in NFL shape. He says no. Says it's not their fault. #Texans

O'Brien says the rookies get tested on a lot constantly. Xs and Os, knowledge of teammates, knowledge of the organization, etc. #Texans

Chris Boswell had an appendectomy recently and hasn't been able to kick fully yet, O'Brien said. #Texans

#Texans LB Max Bullough answered every question about going undrafted with a variation of "it doesn't matter how we got here." Was suspended for Rose Bowl.
Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock
Labhart did go on to say that he's just really trying to be "Travis Labhart". Prides himself on all aspects of being a WR, not just 1 phase.

Asked Travis Labhart if he studied Wes Welker in this offense, he said yes, because he's one of the best at what he does.

Max Bullough struck me as a man of few words, that has a point to prove. His growth is worth watching. #Texans

Nwachukwu said he just really enjoyed the environment & guys in "this" locker room when I asked what led to him turning down other offers.
Context on last tweet: Other NFL teams reached out to Nwachukwu last season to try & "steal" him off the #Texans practice squad. Denied 'em

Nwachukwu said that you can't be around guys like Brian Cushing and not take your body serious.

WR EZ Nwachukwu has been taking advantge of the NFL weight room. Told him he looked like he gained 5 lbs of muscle. #Texans
PDS ‏@PatDStat
FYI asked Louis Nix, III if the "III" is required on his name. "I'm the third and that's my name." (with a smile) #Texans
Coyle says he wakes up every morning and sees NRG Stadium out his hotel room window and realizes the opportunity he has.

Rookie TE ChrisCoyle called the attention to detail that TE coach John Perry expects from the position group a good thing to have.

"He knows his football.." Nwachukwu on O'Brien. "When he comes up at talks to WRs or TEs, I want to go hear what he is saying." #Texans

Nwachukwu said there is little carry over from last year's offense to Bill O'Brien's offense for the WR position. #Texans

Nwachukwu mentioned more that one time that Savage has "a lot on his plate" for a rookie quarterback in this system. #Texans

Nwachukwu on Savage "He is spinning as much as anyone that has thrown it to me before." #Texans
 
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I worry about Nix. Finding guys our size with the want to & ability to do what needs to be done on a football field ain't easy. I didn't know he dropped 30 lbs for the combine.... That's impressive, same as Clowney (losing weight, Clowney only dropped 10 lbs), that's work ethic & knowing you've got to take it to the next level.

He's an "athletic" 330... & I love the attitude he's bringing... so far, so good, fingers crossed.
 
James Palmer ‏@JPalmerCSN
Rookie G Xavier Su'a-Filo on #Texans rookie camp: "You can definitely tell who wants to be here & who doesn't. And what it takes to be here."

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PDS ‏@PatDStat
First player to practice and on the field working today? Tom Savage.

Alfred Blue catches the football like a wide receiver. Easy to see why the offensive staff liked his skill set. #Texans

Tom Savage is comfortable 20 yards in. Ball still coming out with a purpose in his intermediate game. #another strong day. #Texans

Andre Hal looked much better today. Played better in press coverage. Interested to see what happens when the WRs are bigger. #Texans

Nathan Slaughter (WTAMU) caught the ball well today. Quick in and out of breaks and has good get up an go speed after the catch. #Texans

Clowney has showed a nice progression in two days. Especially in his technique. There has been emphasis on working his hands. #Texans

At 6-5 Clowney moves like a WR off the edge. Players his size should not be able to move as easy as he can. #Texans

Really like how Clowney has looked his first two days. He is like a sponge asking questions to Crennel and Vrabel when he can. #Texans
 
Rookie G Xavier Su'a-Filo on #Texans rookie camp: "You can definitely tell who wants to be here & who doesn't. And what it takes to be here."

Is he talking about anybody in-particular?
 
Sure, but he won't be saying who that is.

There are guys who show up to NFL camps and just tap out -- sometimes before the tough stuff even begins.

That's why I think some of our vets will be out of a job. Really like Austin Brown..
 
The rookies were squashed into the middle of the locker room, occupying temporary blue metal lockers away from the walls where veterans get to be. Some, like fourth-round quarterback Tom Savage, have to share a locker.

This is great. Love the attitude behind making them earn their lockers.

When the team used to have those All Access events during the off-season, they were after the draft and the rookies already had the permanent lockers. The higher picks even had the the nice engraved name tags on them, iirc. What a world of difference from O'Brien's approach.
 
This is great. Love the attitude behind making them earn their lockers.

When the team used to have those All Access events during the off-season, they were after the draft and the rookies already had the permanent lockers. The higher picks even had the the nice engraved name tags on them, iirc. What a world of difference from O'Brien's approach.

Yeah, but do you really think the top picks have a chance of not making the team? I would say every player drafted from Clowney to Blue are guaranteed making the team no matter how bad they look during this process.
 
Yeah, but do you really think the top picks have a chance of not making the team? I would say every player drafted from Clowney to Blue are guaranteed making the team no matter how bad they look during this process.

Not DB, but obviously those guys "should" make the team. The key is making sure they realize they have the same amount of experience as everyone else in the Rookie MC so they need to come in, work hard, and earn everything they get. I think its very possible some of the rookies in the past were coddled way too much.

I'm also excited about seeing OB develop our young offensive players better than what Kubiak has done in the past. I know he's a good offensive mind, but the lack of development by our young guys on that side of the ball was obvious. Arian was an exception, but most of the young skill position players never quite saw the necessary improvement. I'm excited to see what he can do.
 
Jayson Braddock ‏@JaysonBraddock
Lonnie Ballentine / Alfred Blue / Jay Prosch should all play pivotal roles on special teams & contribute on offense or defense 2nd.

#Texans committed late picks primarily for special teams. The new staff is treating Special Teams like it's suppose to be, which is 1/3 of the game

Yes, Ballentine was drafted mostly for STs. No value for Keo RT >>>>>>please tell me u think we got people to take Keo's spot on the 53?

The 6'4 safety, Theo Alexander transitions slow & his backpedal is way too high.

Marcus Williams & Junior Mertile were the most fluid & technically sound CBs that I saw out there. #Texans

I love watching DBs, their footwork, transition, breaks is the most artful part of football to me. Could watch them all day, everyday.

Good as usual, but dropped 1 Savage pass & Max Bullough played tight coverage on 1 >>>>>>>>>>how did C.J. Fiedorowicz look today?

Clowney reacted quick enough to get in front of the tight end & had a Savage pick 6 bounce off both his hands. Great play from JD. #Texans

Most exciting play of the day came when Clowney dropped & I believe it was Max Bullough w/ inside coverage, Clowney broke on Savage pass...

Today, Clowney pressed the man off the line tight w/ great tech, passed him off in coverage & came back down to underneath responsibility.

When Clowney dropped into coverage yesterday he'd get twisted up & looked awkward, stuck w/ the initial route to long & left opening in zone

Vrabel showed Clowney how to press TE w/ the off arm yesterday & slow the route to drop w/ coverage. Today, he looked natural w/ great techique

So far, that's what you're seeing in Clowney. He's not acting entitled, he's hungry for knowledge & soaking up coaches tips & asking questions

When it comes to Clowney's development in coverage, I don't want to see Rome built in a day, I want to see bricks getting laid, though.

I mentioned yesterday that Mike Vrabel is camping out in JD's hip pocket & giving instructions after every rep, especially coverage reps.

While Clowney still has a long way to go as a coverage LB, his growth from day 1 to day 2 was impressive. Day 1 looked like Ray Charles

I didn't want to be overly critical of JD Clowney dropping in coverage yesterday, due to it being his first time.

JD Clowney is erasing doubts quickly

I REPEAT, it's day 2 of rookie Mini-Camp. I'll report as things develop & today wasn't a great day for young Tommy.

At Pitt, Savage struggled throwing into traffic. Definitely was the case today as 3 passes could of easily been INTs.

This isn't Pitt anymore, a pass that sails high in the NFL gets returned for 6. Slightly behind, gives the DB a play on the ball.

Routinely passes were slightly high, behind, or in front. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but QBs have to fit the ball in tight windows.

Tom Savage showed more today, in the way of his flaws, then I saw on day 1. The inconsistency from his game film definitely showed up today.

But, I can only report what I see & leave it to the fans to overreact or take it in stride as a developing process.

I've been debating how to critique Tom Savage. It's only day 2 of rookie mini-camp & I don't want fans to read too much into criticism.

I know it's late, but let's talk some Houston #Texans Rookie Mini-Camp Day 2
 
Bullough is a vocal leader but with him being a rookie I like his "go out and let my play talk for me" approach. If he makes the 53 (which I believe he will) he will be vocal and basically a field general making sure everyone is in position pre-snap. This Defense is looking nasty.
 
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--http://blog.chron.com/

SOTT--Rookie Mini-Camp: Day Two Review
 
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--http://blog.chron.com/
 
Bullough is a vocal leader but with him being a rookie I like his "go out and let my play talk for me" approach. If he makes the 53 (which I believe he will) he will be vocal and basically a field general making sure everyone is in position pre-snap. This Defense is looking nasty.

I'm rooting for this guy.
 
I don't care at all that O'Brien doesn't say a lot and is very vague. He has always struck me as a guy who keeps things under control and doesn't allow any nonsense so it's a good thing for him to be that way as that is his style that I think will work for him no matter where he coaches.

I hated it with Kubiak, because Kubiak always did such silly things throughout games and was so conservative when it came to trying to win. The locker room seemed like it was full of nonsense and the results showed constantly. Kubiak sounded so foolish in his press conferences and just didn't seem like he had the answers other than his same ole same ole approach instead of being able to adjust to new challenges. Capers was very similar to me as well.
 
Perused a few other vids while there. I see Nix has "earned" his name on his locker already. But not the vets? Hmmm......:kitten:

That's not his locker. That's a temporary locker. The rookies all have their number and name on a temporary locker. NOT on the "real" lockers that the vets use.
 
Reporter: "How's the #1 Draft Pick, Lawrence Taylor v.2, greatest pass rusher in the game Clowney coming along?

Obrien: "The rookies are being coached well. They've got a lot thrown at them, and they've been quite attentive."

I like his tone so far, but we see if it's for real when the vets get here. O'brien seems to have a hard direction he wants this team to flow in, and it's gonna be interesting to see how the vets push against his margins.
 
Reporter: "How's the #1 Draft Pick, Lawrence Taylor v.2, greatest pass rusher in the game Clowney coming along?

Obrien: "The rookies are being coached well. They've got a lot thrown at them, and they've been quite attentive."

I like his tone so far, but we see if it's for real when the vets get here. O'brien seems to have a hard direction he wants this team to flow in, and it's gonna be interesting to see how the vets push against his margins.

You think that Clowney is LT 2.0? I hope so, but really?
 
Reporter: "How's the #1 Draft Pick, Lawrence Taylor v.2, greatest pass rusher in the game Clowney coming along?

Obrien: "The rookies are being coached well. They've got a lot thrown at them, and they've been quite attentive."

I like his tone so far, but we see if it's for real when the vets get here. O'brien seems to have a hard direction he wants this team to flow in, and it's gonna be interesting to see how the vets push against his margins.

My thoughts as well. The rooks don't know any better, it's all new to them.

The vets are a whole different story. It's been lingering in the back of my mind if that's not got some bearing on AJ's stance. I understand the not winning history but I've strongly considered that if was status quo still AJ would have shown day 1 and we'd not heard a peep. Certainly just a supposition on my part but I do feel strongly about it.
 
Lots of similarities to this team and Post Holmgren Seattle....I think we're gonna be better than everyone thinks & we're gonna be pleasantly surprised by Savage...
 
My thoughts as well. The rooks don't know any better, it's all new to them.

The vets are a whole different story. It's been lingering in the back of my mind if that's not got some bearing on AJ's stance. I understand the not winning history but I've strongly considered that if was status quo still AJ would have shown day 1 and we'd not heard a peep. Certainly just a supposition on my part but I do feel strongly about it.

i don't think it's gonna be as much a problem as you guys think it will be. Lets scroll down the vets who matter that are still here from last year.

Foster
Meyers
Brown
AJ
Cush
Watt
J-jo
K-jax


Of that group, Foster is the only guy who might try to buck..& given his season last year, off-season & unfriendly team contract I'd say it's more likely that he doesn't go against the grain with this new regime...especially a regime that's likely going to feature him.

Yes, you've got the AJ situation still looming, but BOB & him have already talked, AJ doesn't really have any leverage & it'd be very uncharacteristic for AJ to carry this any further than he's already done.

Furthermore, all these guys were here last year, I'm sure they're all tired of the losing. It would behoove all of them to get on board & try something they have either never known in the pros or just try something that's different from the last 8 years.
 
Yeah, but do you really think the top picks have a chance of not making the team? I would say every player drafted from Clowney to Blue are guaranteed making the team no matter how bad they look during this process.

It's the mentality behind the philosophy, like no logos on helmets, no names on jerseys, no individual awards in the hallways.

Of course top picks will make the team, but instead of just bestowing them with "perks", they are entering the locker-room like the rookies they are and there is no sense of entitlement.

Instead of some trainer taking a rookie like Clowney and saying "here is your locker", he will feel like he earned it when he finally gets that space.

It is a fundamental attitude shift from the previous regime, and that's the main thing I get from it.
 
It's the mentality behind the philosophy, like no logos on helmets, no names on jerseys, no individual awards in the hallways.

Of course top picks will make the team, but instead of just bestowing them with "perks", they are entering the locker-room like the rookies they are and there is no sense of entitlement.

Instead of some trainer taking a rookie like Clowney and saying "here is your locker", he will feel like he earned it when he finally gets that space.

It is a fundamental attitude shift from the previous regime, and that's the main thing I get from it.

It's the difference between giving your kid a car (for example, applies to anything really) and making him earn some or all of the money to buy it on their own. It's the difference between seeing rookie players appreciate something they understand the cost of vs. seeing rookie players come in and assume they have already earned it. People take care of things that they appreciate the value of. They'll earn their spot and fight to keep it.
 
Here's my blog post with a brief snapshot of now, with a few minicamp thoughts thrown in and bonus terrible photoshop:

The answer to most things 2014 Houston Texans

If you have any questions rookie or vet minicamp, please ask, and I'll check back to answer. I didn't break down stuff too specifically because I think a lot of that stuff is overblown, especially this early when they aren't doing a ton. You know, the old WOW this guy, that guy had a bad day stuff.
 
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