Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Most Compelling Position Battle?

Vote:

  • Running Backs, including but not limited to the mystery of the "H-back"

    Votes: 18 25.7%
  • Interior OL

    Votes: 20 28.6%
  • WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE

    Votes: 6 8.6%
  • Cornerbacks who look like safeties

    Votes: 6 8.6%
  • Defensive. Freaking. Tackle.

    Votes: 4 5.7%
  • Kickers of Hopes and Dreams

    Votes: 15 21.4%
  • TIMEKILLER, YOU FOOL!!! You forgot to mention:

    Votes: 1 1.4%

  • Total voters
    70
What do you have your eye on? Which player specifically do you think rises up the depth chart and has a significant impact?

The RB situation is about as non-bleak as it's ever been between Foster, Tate and Slaton with Moats and JJohnson at their tails.

The Interior OL has an overload of players including a few TT.com whipping boys.

The glut of WR/TE that has almost a comical feel to it, certainly 8 of each won't fly with a 53 man roster.

Shaking out CB depth, does KJ start from day 1? If there is, WHO is the odd man out? Is any CB skilled enough to slide to FS?

DT, the ever churning, ever sucking, boiling hot maelstrom of pain....

and last but for the love of Pantera, NOT least:

Brown v. Rackers
 
Most compelling would either be interior OL or K.

Should be interesting to see who comes on top out of Brisel, Meyers, Studdard, Caldwell, and the Smiths.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see a surprise at S. That'd probably be my candidate for a darkhorse like Troy Nolan or Dom Barber.
 
I vote interior OL, there's a glut of once-upon-a-time starters competing and it seems like the jobs are truly up for grabs at this point. After that I'm interested to see if long time Texan and all around good guy Kris Brown gets knocked off by Rackers, and if there are any shake-ups at the FS position.
 
Last edited:
I voted WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE because I have no idea what will happen with the lower tier guys at those positions.
 
I'm most interested in how our talent-rich WR/TE pool is allocated. Jacoby scared the bejeezus out of defensive secondaries, he needs to see the field more.
 
Interior OL for me. We don't know who any of the 3 starters are going to be except probably Myers, but even then he may have hot competition from the start. We've got what, 8 or so players for 3 positions?
 
Will Ben Tate get over his hamstring in time to make an impact?

Is Steve Slaton going to be the Slaton of 2008 or 2009?

Is Arian Foster really going to be penciled as the starter in week 1?

Is Ryan Moats out on his ass?

These questions and many more in the next episode of Soa-- er, The Texans RB Corps!
 
I voted this too cause I think we are VERY deep at both position with high quality players. Gonna be good.

I also like seeing this: WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE




Hey guys! Guess what the Texans 2011 and 2012 drafts will look like!

WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TEWR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TEWR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TEWR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/WR/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE/TE
 
I don't know if we will be happy with the results, but I think FS may be the most compelling. Between Wilson, Barber and Nolan.
 
There ain't nothing more fun to watch than a nice competition among the big nasties in the trenches. Interior Oline get's my vote. IMO, it was one of the biggest problems during last season.

I'd lean towards FS for the 2nd most important.

I think we've got decent talent at WR, TE, and RB to work themselves out fairly easy. The talent at G and C are the big ? for me.
 
Cornerback for sure. Lost our #1 cornerback to ATL. We have a 1st round rookie, 6th round rookie, two 2nd year guys, a 7 year vet, a prommising oft injured corner, and a ex-starter who might not make the 53 man squad.
 
Who called me a fool?!?!?! Show yourself!!!

I went with Running Back. The Texans almost went 1st round with a guy who looks promising: Ben Tate. The 2nd rounder has a lot of nice tangibles and great college production so guessing he's a real baller wouldn't be much of a stretch. Steve Slaton at least PHYSICALLY looks like Stevie Wonder again and with no f'ed up nerves in his neck looks to rebound after a pitiful sophomore effort. If he's hungry, there's PLENTY on his plate. Oh and that guy who looked like a real RB after watching Slaton implode, Moats justifying his journeyman status and Chris Brown...well...Browning it up? Arian Foster, a big ol' hammer to swing into tiring defenses.

If you want to throw in Vonta Leach looking to be a bigger cog in the system again, James Casey still looking to put a stamp somewhere and any trickery we might get to talk about but never see like Trindon Holliday taking a reverse or some screens RB just might make a damn big turnaround. ssssssssssssssssssSSSSSSSSSSSSSSpecially if the OL battle results in some upgrades.
 
I don't know if we will be happy with the results, but I think FS may be the most compelling. Between Wilson, Barber and Nolan.

db's for sure. Texans have to sort out the cb's first - Kareem, Quin, Reeves, McCain, McManis, Molden, Bennett & Parson. Safety, other than Pollard (starting SS) you have Wilson challenged by Barber, Nolan plus possiblity of one or two of the cb's moving over.
 
Cornerback for sure. Lost our #1 cornerback to ATL. We have a 1st round rookie, 6th round rookie, two 2nd year guys, a 7 year vet, a prommising oft injured corner, and a ex-starter who might not make the 53 man squad.

Maybe for the nickel and dime CB,s, but the 2 starters are penciled in already. Honestly, I don't see who could offer up stiff competition for CB #1 or #2. #3 and #4, maybe.
 
Maybe for the nickel and dime CB,s, but the 2 starters are penciled in already. Honestly, I don't see who could offer up stiff competition for CB #1 or #2. #3 and #4, maybe.

I suspect you are correct but I just can't figure out Reeves and the coaches. Reeves has the physical tools to be a #1. Somehow they can't bring it together.
 
I suspect you are correct but I just can't figure out Reeves and the coaches. Reeves has the physical tools to be a #1. Somehow they can't bring it together.

True, I don't really understand his situation either. I think he could be really good by just learning to play the ball rather than patty-caking the WR when the ball is in flight. But, me being just a fan, I reckon there might be more to it from a coaches perspective. Maybe little Gibbs just wants his own crew?
 
Why does the DT battle matter? Regardless of who starts they're all going to play and whoever is playing better will get more snaps than the others. Thats not really a battle for a starting spot, its more of a battle for a higher percentage of snaps.

The interior o-line battle will be a dog fight though. I really don't think the offensive staff has any preconceived ideas about who the starting unit will be week 1 and Studdard-Myers-Caldwell is just a formality because someone has to be with the 1s and those 3 finished the year strong. Its the same reason Foster is running with the 1's at RB, he probably won't finish preseason as the starter but he was the last guy to prove he could produce so he's the 1st stringer.
 
Interior O-line easily gets my vote.

  • It's to determine starters.
  • Most moving parts in terms of players (Myers, Smith, Brisiel, Studdard, Caldwell, White).
  • There's three positions involved.
Finally, it's my personal belief is that the resolution of this battle will have more of an impact than any other position. Depending on how well the coaches evaluate and choose, that impact could be positive or negative.
 
Actually I'm going to narrow it farther than the poll, Wade Smith who I project to left guard. I expect him to be a significant improvement over Studdard which will allow more action to the left of the line. Studdard may even improve behind Smith.
 
The most compelling for me is the battle (or survivor of injuries) at the RB position. If this team puts forward an actual real running game that has to be accounted for, those "missing games" needed to get into the play offs will come.
 
Interior O-line easily gets my vote.

  • It's to determine starters.
  • Most moving parts in terms of players (Myers, Smith, Brisiel, Studdard, Caldwell, White).
  • There's three positions involved.
Finally, it's my personal belief is that the resolution of this battle will have more of an impact than any other position. Depending on how well the coaches evaluate and choose, that impact could be positive or negative.
Great post, I agree. You forgot Smith2, though. I think we drafted him with the intention of him competing to start.
 
Why so many votes for the freakin kicker? I understand it might be an important position competition given last years FAIL, but most compelling? Geez, I think I'd rather watch an underwater basket weaving competition.
 
Why so many votes for the freakin kicker? I understand it might be an important position competition given last years FAIL, but most compelling? Geez, I think I'd rather watch an underwater basket weaving competition.

OK, I'll make the argument. But for KB's poor kicking last year the Texans are in the playoffs (yes there are other but for scenarios but that is one). Texans make the playoffs and no pink soap, no whining about extensions and if there is any cheapskate talk it is even more ridiculed. I find that pretty compelling.
 
Why so many votes for the freakin kicker? I understand it might be an important position competition given last years FAIL, but most compelling? Geez, I think I'd rather watch an underwater basket weaving competition.

I think last year's FAIL, plus the inability to change midseason, plus the challenge of an established vet in Rackers gives it a little go but I too am surprised it's taken this many votes out of the list.

I certainly don't think it's as interesting as Slate 'n Tate with a little Bananas Foster!!
 
Why does the DT battle matter? Regardless of who starts they're all going to play and whoever is playing better will get more snaps than the others. Thats not really a battle for a starting spot, its more of a battle for a higher percentage of snaps.

The interior o-line battle will be a dog fight though. I really don't think the offensive staff has any preconceived ideas about who the starting unit will be week 1 and Studdard-Myers-Caldwell is just a formality because someone has to be with the 1s and those 3 finished the year strong. Its the same reason Foster is running with the 1's at RB, he probably won't finish preseason as the starter but he was the last guy to prove he could produce so he's the 1st stringer.

I wish so badly that this were true. The reality is, if that were true, DelJuan would have been getting more snaps in both '08 and '09.

Okoye is most likely going to get the most snaps. What I would love to see is that the rotation is good enough that he gets considerably less snaps and becomes more effective against the pass because he'll have more gas in the tank.
 
I don't know if we will be happy with the results, but I think FS may be the most compelling. Between Wilson, Barber and Nolan.

I guess I don't find it compelling as much as we'll settle for what we've got on depth and starting.Personally on Barber and Nolan I think the coach speak
is getting to some people.

My only real hope at the spot is that Nolan is better than his selection spot says.

Why does the DT battle matter? Regardless of who starts they're all going to play and whoever is playing better will get more snaps than the others. Thats not really a battle for a starting spot, its more of a battle for a higher percentage of snaps.

The interior o-line battle will be a dog fight though. I really don't think the offensive staff has any preconceived ideas about who the starting unit will be week 1 and Studdard-Myers-Caldwell is just a formality because someone has to be with the 1s and those 3 finished the year strong. Its the same reason Foster is running with the 1's at RB, he probably won't finish preseason as the starter but he was the last guy to prove he could produce so he's the 1st stringer.

I dunno about playing better but, aside from Mitchell being everything advertised I don't see any of them making a big splash. Who can get excited about 6 3 gap DTs battling it out?

I do agree the OL battle will be interesting. I'm just hoping we put Studdard to the rear of the pack and find out the best place for Smith on the OL. I also hope Shelly Smith makes a big impression, kid was off the charts at the combine.

Really I think the most COMPELLING position battle is at RB. Can Slaton regain his rookie form and show no side effects from injury? Can Tate press Slaton and Foster for PT? The kid has serious skills. Can Foster continue his small impressive run at the end of the year?

Really I could care less about Moats. IMO the guy is on the way out. Not that he's a bad person or player, but he doesn't bring anything aside from experience to the table over any of the first three. I just think if this team can keep running the ball consistently it helps out this team in so many ways.
 
Really I could care less about Moats. IMO the guy is on the way out. Not that he's a bad person or player, but he doesn't bring anything aside from experience to the table over any of the first three. I just think if this team can keep running the ball consistently it helps out this team in so many ways.

Health? Just saying...


I agree with you though...
 
Back
Top