Marcus Spears on 610

[jerek]

After you are done calling Wand a coward, make sure you stop by and tell Shanahan, Calhoun, and Kubiak that they are dolts when it comes to judging football talent and evaluating a player's performance in camp. For proof, you can always tell them that Joe Pendry agrees with you.

Amateurs who are evaluating players in camp from their occasional sideline view or hearsay may actually be missing what is going on. Let me give you an example.

Theoretically, say the o-line coach tells Wand to slow down and concentrate on footwork and balance and don't worry too much about the rusher - the goal is too learn how to do things right, then go full speed later in the real training camp once his fundamentals are sound. So as Wand is doing that, Peek lines up at DE, goes full speed and does his one move - the speed rush - and makes Wand look silly. Of course Wand looks bad to the casual observer, while at the same time Shanahan is saying, "Good job, Seth. That is exactly how I want your feet to move every time. Keep it up".

In this case Wand is improving and Peek isn't, because he refuses to refine or broaden his technique. Peek sure looked good in practice with no pads though!

I don't know if examples like these will ever change anyone's mind about any player - I think most posters are too smart to need to consider other viewpoints, even if our ignorant coaching staff does not share their beliefs.

I'm with Texans Chick on this one.

p.s. I'm also sorry if no one appreciates my "humor".

Good call. Which is exactly why you or anyone else who knows better than I do can feel free to discount my opinion or tell me why it's wrong. I'm not the coach and my knowledge of what goes on behind closed doors -- though probably better than most of you would expect or ever know -- is still limited. I do get a lot of information from various people who are in a position to know, and I will tend to recite that from time to time as well, and they have told me to a man that Seth Wand is struggling right now. Either way it is surely possible that we're all misinformed and frankly I hope we are. But we're all on here talking opinions -- you and TC too -- so if my opinion is that Seth Wand sucks, then feel free to tell me why I'm wrong and we'll go from there.

Look this is getting stupid, I'm going on five posts now defending my criticism of Seth Wand. TC called me on it and I admitted the Oz reference was a low shot and explained why I made it in the first place, and there you have it. I wish him all the success in the world and I hope he makes it big. My observation is that he will not, but that's a general observation, not the kind of rock solid conviction I would bet my bank account on. More of a $20 water cooler type bet. Either way, done with this topic now.

 

[TwinSisters]

but that is the nature of pro sports: we the fans call it like we see it. Frankly TC I like your writing but if there is one problem I have with any of it, it's that you tend to write only in rosy view and refuse to be critical.

O yeah! That's the spirit. HEy!! Here at HoustonTexans.com do we not only break down every single player to their last hair and breakfast... but the fans too. It's a fan, it's a zone, expect a blitz and look out for the 15 yards piling on.

So not only does Wand need the gunpowder, the fan too. I think I like it...

I am going to dispatch this over to the media department right away. Send them a little memo... little packets of gunpowder will be handed out at the gates. ( like pop rocks or something )
Every one of em will have a Texans team member's name or number on it, so that we can eat the gunpowder with them. You know... share in the experience of getting all fired up.

Next off-season hot topic: How come I got so many Carr packets and not enough Rosenfels packets? Obviously there is some type of conspiracy going on... perhaps funded by leftists revolutionaries and anti-gun nuts.

o wait.. nevermind. Gunpowder... GUN... POWDER... bad idea. Irvin and Switzer might show up and crash the gates.

 

[Runner]

I do get a lot of information from various people who are in a position to know,

Do you really think you are the only one?

leave out the homilies.

Look this is getting stupid, I'm going on five posts now defending my criticism .

I am amazed that you would say these things given the preaching you do in defense of Carr to his critics (and I'm personally not a critic of Carr). It seems you are condemning people for doing (to a much lesser extent) what you do. It can be perceived as somewhat hypocritical.

 

[jerek]

Do you really think you are the only one?

I am amazed that you would say these things given the preaching you do in defense of Carr to his critics (and I'm personally not a critic of Carr). It seems you are condemning people for doing (to a much lesser extent) what you do. It can be perceived as somewhat hypocritical.

:brickwall

Q & A #1: Yes. I am the only one on this entire board who has any ties or link to the team whatsoever. Bow to my omniscience.

Seriously though. I reneged on the homilies comment a moment after you quoted it because it was mean.

Sorry all. I am in a bad mood today. Runner and TC, truly I tend to enjoy reading your posts so I hope there was no offense in either case.

Long live Seth Wand. May he go on to be a HOFer. I will be back to remind you all of this thread if he does not.

Going. To. Eat. Lunch. Now.

 

[Hulk75]

Yet another thing someone would never say to a player's face. Check

They would not say anything to them, they would ask for his autograph instead. Kind of funny right.

 

[srstex]

If we look back in Chesters second year the team cut the sack total in half, so the coaches change systems and left tackles and you saw what happened, and then last year 3 players split time at left takle. Pitts is the one for the team, Wand needs to go with Riley-anywhere but here.
As for the Carr bombs, when Banks broke his hand on a helmet, Carr came in from his injury, and fisrt play RAN for over 20 yards, guts Carr has, time he does not. As the o-line goes, so goes the offense.

 

[Runner]

:brickwall

Q & A #1: Yes. I am the only one on this entire board who has any ties or link to the team whatsoever. Bow to my omniscience.

Seriously though. I reneged on the homilies comment a moment after you quoted it because it was mean.

Sorry all. I am in a bad mood today. Runner and TC, truly I tend to enjoy reading your posts so I hope there was no offense in either case.

Long live Seth Wand. May he go on to be a HOFer. I will be back to remind you all of this thread if he does not.

Going. To. Eat. Lunch. Now.

We're good.

I think I'll go run a few miles.

 

[jerek]

They would not say anything to them, they would ask for his autograph instead. Kind of funny right.

I wouldn't even recognize Seth Wand let alone ask for his autograph if I did. I'm not sure where you were going with that one, Hulkster.

Yeesh, where was the Koolaid parade back when Vincemania was in full force and I was sticking up for Davey on a daily basis? I throw one flying elbow Seth Wand's way and everyone is all over my jock like white on rice.

I guess I could be annoyed but it's kinda refreshing to see the renewed enthusiasm round these parts.

I need football.

 

[Double Barrel]

They would not say anything to them, they would ask for his autograph instead. Kind of funny right.

Unless it's Joe Texan. He'll call out a player and then ask for an autograph!

Just ask Buchanan at the All Access event. Joe Texan asked him if he was going to suck again this year, and P.Buch replied that it was all the coaches faults and the scheme was lousy. True story, and funny as all get out.

Speaking of Wand, I met him at the All Access thing, and shook his hand (nice guy, too). His grip basically swallowed my hand, and I've got pretty good sized hands. Not like the bear paws of Wand, though. That guy is humongous. I sincerely hope he has an excellent year, for both his career and the fate of the Texans.

 

[jerek]

Unless it's Joe Texan. He'll call out a player and then ask for an autograph!

Just ask Buchanan at the All Access event. Joe Texan asked him if he was going to suck again this year, and P.Buch replied that it was all the coaches faults and the scheme was lousy. True story, and funny as all get out.

Speaking of Wand, I met him at the All Acces thing, and shook his hand (nice guy, too). His grip basically swallowed my hand, and I've got pretty good sized hands. Not like the bear paws of Wand, though. That guy is humongous. I sincerely hope he has an excellent year, for both his career and the fate of the Texans.

Hahaha. All of you seem to know this Joe Texan guy better than I do. You're not the first I've heard mention him. The same Joe Texan I see occasionally on this board?

 

[Hulk75]

I wouldn't even recognize Seth Wand let alone ask for his autograph if I did. I'm not sure where you were going with that one, Hulkster.

Yeesh, where was the Koolaid parade back when Vincemania was in full force and I was sticking up for Davey on a daily basis? I throw one flying elbow Seth Wand's way and everyone is all over my jock like white on rice.

I guess I could be annoyed but it's kinda refreshing to see the renewed enthusiasm round these parts.

I need football.

Guess I should have put the thing up, my bad .............Now you were not the only one sticking up for Carr during the draft, I had headaches fighting those people off.

"Goose-fra-baaaw".......................

 

[Hulk75]

Unless it's Joe Texan. He'll call out a player and then ask for an autograph!

Just ask Buchanan at the All Access event. Joe Texan asked him if he was going to suck again this year, and P.Buch replied that it was all the coaches faults and the scheme was lousy. True story, and funny as all get out.

Speaking of Wand, I met him at the All Access thing, and shook his hand (nice guy, too). His grip basically swallowed my hand, and I've got pretty good sized hands. Not like the bear paws of Wand, though. That guy is humongous. I sincerely hope he has an excellent year, for both his career and the fate of the Texans.

Bro that is the funniest thing I have heard in a while, dude that must have been side splitting...........

 

[Texans Horror]

Speaking of Wand, I met him at the All Access thing, and shook his hand (nice guy, too). His grip basically swallowed my hand, and I've got pretty good sized hands. Not like the bear paws of Wand, though. That guy is humongous. I sincerely hope he has an excellent year, for both his career and the fate of the Texans.

I had the same impression of him. I couldn't get my fingers around the palm of his hand to shake it. Even better, my wife, who is shorter than me, later confided "He doesn't seem that big." I nearly fell out of the chair. The guy's a monster and a behemoth.

To add to it, I have also heard references to his "baby fat" and to him being "doughy." Man, I wish I was that slim. This guy is just all muscle and mass and has continued to "bulk up." I really do feel sorry for anybody who has to go up against the Missouri Monster this year.

 

[jerek]

I had the same impression of him. I couldn't get my fingers around the palm of his hand to shake it. Even better, my wife, who is shorter than me, later confided "He doesn't seem that big." I nearly fell out of the chair. The guy's a monster and a behemoth.

To add to it, I have also heard references to his "baby fat" and to him being "doughy." Man, I wish I was that slim. This guy is just all muscle and mass and has continued to "bulk up." I really do feel sorry for anybody who has to go up against the Missouri Monster this year.

That was one of my first impressions when meeting most of the O-line. They all look like a bunch of lards on TV, but when you meet them up close they are freakin jacked, and quite trim as well.

Moran Norris takes the cake though. We used to call that dude Tricep. His arms are bigger than my head and I am a hat size 8.

 

[Texans Horror]

http://www.houstontexans.com/fan_zone/messageboards/showthread.php?t=23323&page=12

Post 234. Reservoir Dogs are bigger in Texas.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Ouch. Forgive me if I call it like I see it, or if my poor attempt at humor doesn't sit well with you. I wouldn't necessarily call any one a coward to their face (not that I would be afraid to say that to Wand or anyone else, if that is what you are implying, rather I would typically abstain out of basic courtesy) but that is the nature of pro sports: we the fans call it like we see it. Frankly TC I like your writing but if there is one problem I have with any of it, it's that you tend to write only in rosy view and refuse to be critical.

I think it is completely possible to be critical of someone or something without being overly personal. It is not very fashionable in this day and age, because our society revels in kicking people when they are down and dragging people down when they are up. Thanks for backing off some of what your wrote.

I would love to see in depth critical reviews of stuff without it getting personal. Usually, I see people getting personal in their criticism when they have little of substance to say about a situation. If you don't like Wand or whoever, back it up with facts, if not, I am just not very interested.

As for my overly rosy view, maybe I am not as ugly or dismissive (and making stuff up) as some in my assessments of things, but I ain't named Polly Anna either--I think if you have seen enough of what I've written here, you've seen some fairly critical stuff.

As for what has been written in the blog so far, I just don't have much reason to be critical of what the team is doing right now because I agree with the direction we are going and am in wait and see mode.

 

[Double Barrel]

Hahaha. All of you seem to know this Joe Texan guy better than I do. You're not the first I've heard mention him. The same Joe Texan I see occasionally on this board?

yep, same Joe Texan.

The one and only (with two members of the Texans Demolition Crew):

Another funny thing is that button they gave us at the All Access event. It said "I'm A Texan". But of course, Joe marked out the "A" and replaced it with "Joe", so his button said "I'm Joe Texan".

You can see him in action here, for the 2005 Ultimate Fan Contest. Interestly enough, our very own Texans Chick is on there, too!

Bro that is the funniest thing I have heard in a while, dude that must have been side splitting...........

Without a doubt, he was proud of himself. His persona is not an act. He calls it like he sees it. I bet P.Buch will remember that conversation, though!

 

[nunusguy]

Speaking of Wand, I met him at the All Access thing, and shook his hand (nice guy, too). His grip basically swallowed my hand, and I've got pretty good sized hands. Not like the bear paws of Wand, though. That guy is humongous. I sincerely hope he has an excellent year, for both his career and the fate of the Texans.

He's a real class guy, and very thoughtful. I know for a fact that he made a
very generous charitable contribution to his hometown HS in Springfield, Mo.
And its not like he was a first rounder who got a multimillion dollar signing bonus - he was taken in the third round.

 

[hollywood_texan]

I would love to see in depth critical reviews of stuff without it getting personal. Usually, I see people getting personal in their criticism when they have little of substance to say about a situation. If you don't like Wand or whoever, back it up with facts, if not, I am just not very interested.

Actually, I don't see people getting too personal about the players, they are just passionate in about describing what they see. However, I see more of people on this board making it personal between other people on this board. For example, one person commented that one of my postings was "twisted". Or, I can't wait to prove you wrong so I can throw it in your face, that seems to always be a recurring theme.

We are way more personal in our discussion among ourselves than we are about the players. Just my perspective.

Even though there are times when there are personal attacks on players, I really don't care. First, they make millions. Second, they play a violent sport, so if they can handle that, they can handle someone posting something on a message board.

As for personal attacks on this board, I really don't care about that either. What is said on this board is similar to what happens on the field. When the play or game is over, time to just hang out and have a laugh.

IMO, you really shouldn't take anything too seriously on this board. Learn some other points of view, be passionate about it, and move on. I think that is the point of message board, just to get it all out there.

 

[jerek]

As for what has been written in the blog so far, I just don't have much reason to be critical of what the team is doing right now because I agree with the direction we are going and am in wait and see mode.

Frankly I would be searching long and hard to come up with negatives about the Texans at this point in time as well. This is the first time since inception that I can remember loving our every offseason move. I simply cannot point to any one personnel decision we've made in this offseason and say "I don't like that." It is wait and see right now and the anticipation is killing me. As much as I may not think highly of some of our players, I would readily agree that it's hard to be too hard on just about anyone at this point.

 

[Texans_Chick]

Actually, I don't see people getting too personal about the players, they are just passionate in about describing what they see. However, I see more of people on this board making it personal between other people on this board. For example, one person commented that one of my postings was "twisted". Or, I can't wait to prove you wrong so I can throw it in your face, that seems to always be a recurring theme.

We are way more personal in our discussion among ourselves than we are about the players. Just my perspective.

As for personal attacks on this board, I really don't care about that either. What is said on this board is similar to what happens on the field. When the play or game is over, time to just hang out and have a laugh.

IMO, you really shouldn't take anything too seriously on this board. Learn some other points of view, be passionate about it, and move on. I think that is the point of message board, just to get it all out there.

A true personal attack against another message board member is against the terms of service for participation. The reason for this is that it is no fun looking for actual information about the team, when the topic turns too much to the members being goofy and nasty about stuff.

Some MB are fun to visit because you get something out of it, and some MBs are a joke because anything thoughtful gets drown in a sea of ugliness. For a sports MB, the Texans MB is first rate and I'd like to help keep it that way.

Even though there are times when there are personal attacks on players, I really don't care. First, they make millions. Second, they play a violent sport, so if they can handle that, they can handle someone posting something on a message board.

That is an interesting ethical system you have there. It's OK to say ugly things about people if they are rich and play a violent sport? Why don't you just spill beer on their pregnant wives while you are at it?

I betcha if you got to know some of these players, maybe played golf with them or hung out, you would just see them as people.

Usually such personal attacks: 1. take away from the point you are trying to make because people only see the venom and not the substance; 2. are often used as a substitute for logic and reason and actually knowing what you are talking about; 3. result in trollfests because people start talking more about tone of comments instead of actual football stuff; 4. sometimes stem from jealousy and insecurity and just plain maliciousness and attention-seeking.

I am always looking for reasoned points of view that may be different than mine. What bugs me is when people use personal attacks on players as a shorthand for not actually saying anything of substance.

My system is easy. I am a fan. If someone is on my team, I will root for them until they are not on my team any more. If they are not playing the way I would like, I like to try to find out why. I am not sure why I am supposed to take joy in figuring ways to slag people on the team I root for.

 

[GP]

You seem to be the angry one. In addition, making some reference to my dating life in high school is irrelevant to Carr, which is my point. You even go further to say Carr has everything I want. You are taking personal swipes at me and I simply expressing my point of view on Carr's play.

My point was an analogy how Capers was the same way as Carr and Capers was tossed. Why not explain that one?

Look I am sure Carr is great person from everything I have read and is a committed family guy. Which I think is a lot more admirable in life than being successful in the NFL.

But there are subtle truths to life. You either win or you don't. You have heard this one, "nice guys finish last." Both of those items are so true to the NFL.

No one, and I mean no one, gets to be successful in life at that stage by just being a good person. That is how the world works, like it or not.

So calm down and relax.

And remember this when Kubiak benches Carr, it won't be personal, it will be business! Just as my discussion of Carr.

I'll explain it in one sentence, void of emotionalism:

Carr submitted to his head coach's gameplan and he paid for it for four years, but Carr was given control of the playcalling for the first half of the Cardinals game last season and set the place on fire (grabbing a Texans record points in a half, if I'm not mistaken?), but then control of the playcalling was given back to Capers at the half and the team bogs down the rest of the game...as it always has under Capers.

I think that pretty much explains why one guy is gone and one guy remains.

See how easy it is to post something void of emotion, and then to have it absolutely shine like gold?

 

[hollywood_texan]

Deleted.

 

[hollywood_texan]

Deleted.

 

[hollywood_texan]

Deleted.

 

[the wonger need food]

I'll explain it in one sentence, void of emotionalism:

Carr submitted to his head coach's gameplan and he paid for it for four years, but Carr was given control of the playcalling for the first half of the Cardinals game last season and set the place on fire (grabbing a Texans record points in a half, if I'm not mistaken?), but then control of the playcalling was given back to Capers at the half and the team bogs down the rest of the game...as it always has under Capers.

I think that pretty much explains why one guy is gone and one guy remains.

See how easy it is to post something void of emotion, and then to have it absolutely shine like gold?

During that game, they ran offtackle (mostly left) just about every play. Carr passed for under 100 yards and no TD's. Arizona adjusted at halftime.

Carr has played basically 1 really good half (v. Minnesota in '04) his entire career. Is 4 seasons of futility all coaching and schemes? We'll certainly have that answer in '06.

 

[GP]

During that game, they ran offtackle (mostly left) just about every play. Carr passed for under 100 yards and no TD's. Arizona adjusted at halftime.

Carr has played basically 1 really good half (v. Minnesota in '04) his entire career. Is 4 seasons of futility all coaching and schemes? We'll certainly have that answer in '06.

Here's the link to the Arizona game (play-by-play): http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay/NFL_20051218_ARI@HOU

IMO, it's not a matter of whether Carr passed his way to those 1st half 24 points...or whether he handed the ball off and the running game gets the credit. It's an issue of calling the "right" plays at the right time, and it was Carr at the wheel of the first half doing just that. He's the guy who knows his team, knows it's abilities better than anyone, and he called (in my opinion) the right plays at the right time to throw the Cardinals off their game.

I have not recounted the entire play-by-play...but I felt by scanning through it, it looked like there was a lot of sacks and maybe hurried passes in the second half...as opposed to a more balanced run-and-pass attack in the first half. Again, I haven't devoured the play-by-play yet. But, the fact is that Carr was leading the charge in the first half as requested by Mcnair/Reeves.

Four years of bad coaching? Yep. Except for one half.

 

[Hulk75]

During that game, they ran offtackle (mostly left) just about every play. Carr passed for under 100 yards and no TD's. Arizona adjusted at halftime.

Carr has played basically 1 really good half (v. Minnesota in '04) his entire career. Is 4 seasons of futility all coaching and schemes? We'll certainly have that answer in '06.

Wow , why in the heck is he still here.

 

[blockhead83]

I just wanted to chime in and say that David Carr hasn't been mediocre solely because of poor o-line play. Also, the offensive line's pitiful play can be attributed to more than bad coaching and lackluster schemes. The fact of the matter is David Carr's success, or lack there of, is tied to that of our offensive line, and vice versa in the sense of pass protection.

It's been said a number of times in the past few years that even a good quarterback would struggle behind our line; Probably, but I think even the great evaluator, Kubiak himself, has attributed some of our sack numbers to David's inept awareness of the pocket. The talent on our offensive line isn't that bad, IMO, guys like Wand have great measurables. As a matter of fact, David Carr is phenomenally talented too, but it just so happens that neither entity has translated those measurables to the field in 4 seasons. Kubiak and the new staff seem to believe that the talent is indeed here, and that it can indeed be made into a successful offense. Kubiak has plenty of experience with successful offenses and his job depends on our offensive, and in particular David Carr's, transition so I tend to think he's right at this juncture.

So a quick summerization: David Carr and our offensive line have both sucked for four years which can ,to some unknown extent, be attributed to poor coaching. They both appear to have talent based on their measurables and college careers. Kubiak thinks he can make them achieve their potential despite their inability to do it previously. Let's kick back and enjoy.