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State of the O-line
- Thread starter jradMIT
- Start date
badboy
Hall of Fame
I have never heard that before..wow..have you ever actually tried that? You might consider getting a trade mark cause I bet some others will use it.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Texans tackle Chris Clark looks for improvement after surgery
Aaron Wilson
Updated 2:12 pm, Monday, July 17, 2017
Tackle Chris Clark has been an integral part of the Texans' 'plug and play' offensive line.
Tackle Chris Clark has been an integral part of the Texans' 'plug and play' offensive line.
Whenever the Texans have needed veteran blocker Chris Clark to step in along the offensive line, he's been their top insurance policy.
Clark filled in capably when three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown tore his quadriceps tendon.
And he became the Texans' starting right tackle when Derek Newton tore both patellar tendons last season against the Denver Broncos.
Although Clark didn't grade out as highly as the past when he started 14 games at left or right tackle last season, he held up solidly overall.
Entering the second year of a $6 million contract, Clark has made a full recovery from an offseason shoulder cleanup procedure.
Now, Clark is hoping for a better season as the Texans prepare for training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.
"Me, personally, I want to be a better leader," Clark said. "I want to be better than I was last year. I feel there's always room for improvement."
A former undrafted free agent from Southern Miss, Clark has played in the NFL for seven seasons.
He's drawn praise from Texans coach Bill O'Brien for his work as a backup and a starter.
"Chris Clark has brought leadership, he's brought toughness," O'Brien said during the season. "Just a very professional guy, really enjoy coaching him. Can't say enough about him and what he's done to help our team."
Following the Texans' offseason practices, Clark was upbeat about the prospects of improving an offense that struggled frequently last season.
"It's looking good," Clark said. "I'm loving the way we're moving together, moving the ball. The things we're doing as an offense, it's looking really promising. We still have to put it together at training camp."
One of the Texans' biggest shortcomings as a team last season was a moribund red-zone offense. The Texans finished 31st in the league in red-zone scoring.
"We work at it every day to put us in better position to make sure we're better in the red zone," Clark said. "It's all about touchdowns, not field goals. The field is more condense. You don't know if it's Blitz Zero or dropping eight. You have to work at it to get better."
Clark was complimentary of quarterbacks Tom Savage and Deshaun Watson.
Savage has been installed as the starter. Watson is the Texans' first-round draft pick from Clemson.
"Tom is looking good, looking real sharp, ball is on point," Clark said. "He's in control of the huddle. I'm proud of Deshaun. He was a winner in college. We're looking for him to bring those type of qualities here."
**********************************************************************************************************
Furthermore, Clark was never on the Injury Report for a shoulder problem.....................for an an elbow, a hip, and an ankle multiple times, yes.................a shoulder no. A shoulder "clean out" could mean at very least a procedure such as an A-C joint excision or a labrum debridement. Which shoulder has never been identified. But any degenerative shoulder injury is not a good thing in a swing tackle.
Aaron Wilson
Updated 2:12 pm, Monday, July 17, 2017
Tackle Chris Clark has been an integral part of the Texans' 'plug and play' offensive line.
Tackle Chris Clark has been an integral part of the Texans' 'plug and play' offensive line.
Whenever the Texans have needed veteran blocker Chris Clark to step in along the offensive line, he's been their top insurance policy.
Clark filled in capably when three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown tore his quadriceps tendon.
And he became the Texans' starting right tackle when Derek Newton tore both patellar tendons last season against the Denver Broncos.
Although Clark didn't grade out as highly as the past when he started 14 games at left or right tackle last season, he held up solidly overall.
Entering the second year of a $6 million contract, Clark has made a full recovery from an offseason shoulder cleanup procedure.
Now, Clark is hoping for a better season as the Texans prepare for training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.
"Me, personally, I want to be a better leader," Clark said. "I want to be better than I was last year. I feel there's always room for improvement."
A former undrafted free agent from Southern Miss, Clark has played in the NFL for seven seasons.
He's drawn praise from Texans coach Bill O'Brien for his work as a backup and a starter.
"Chris Clark has brought leadership, he's brought toughness," O'Brien said during the season. "Just a very professional guy, really enjoy coaching him. Can't say enough about him and what he's done to help our team."
Following the Texans' offseason practices, Clark was upbeat about the prospects of improving an offense that struggled frequently last season.
"It's looking good," Clark said. "I'm loving the way we're moving together, moving the ball. The things we're doing as an offense, it's looking really promising. We still have to put it together at training camp."
One of the Texans' biggest shortcomings as a team last season was a moribund red-zone offense. The Texans finished 31st in the league in red-zone scoring.
"We work at it every day to put us in better position to make sure we're better in the red zone," Clark said. "It's all about touchdowns, not field goals. The field is more condense. You don't know if it's Blitz Zero or dropping eight. You have to work at it to get better."
Clark was complimentary of quarterbacks Tom Savage and Deshaun Watson.
Savage has been installed as the starter. Watson is the Texans' first-round draft pick from Clemson.
"Tom is looking good, looking real sharp, ball is on point," Clark said. "He's in control of the huddle. I'm proud of Deshaun. He was a winner in college. We're looking for him to bring those type of qualities here."
**********************************************************************************************************
You've got to be kidding!
Furthermore, Clark was never on the Injury Report for a shoulder problem.....................for an an elbow, a hip, and an ankle multiple times, yes.................a shoulder no. A shoulder "clean out" could mean at very least a procedure such as an A-C joint excision or a labrum debridement. Which shoulder has never been identified. But any degenerative shoulder injury is not a good thing in a swing tackle.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Well then...that certainly explains the turnstile effort from last season. Looking forward to a healthy and All-Pro effort in camp so the teams RT dilemma is no longer the weak spot on this OL. In the event the right shoulder was not the only problem...I'm glad the team has Giacomini, Lamm and potentially Mancz in the mix to win the starting RT spot.
All sarcasm aside, if Clark and Allen can perform at the top of their game then the right side is set and the depth chart should be pretty special. Personally, I think the OL will be a game of one-up-manship during camp since several players will be vying for starting positions and roster spots. Nothing like healthy competition to get the best out of players.
On a side note...I certainly hope Savage helps make whichever players makeup the OL this season look much batter than BO did.
All sarcasm aside, if Clark and Allen can perform at the top of their game then the right side is set and the depth chart should be pretty special. Personally, I think the OL will be a game of one-up-manship during camp since several players will be vying for starting positions and roster spots. Nothing like healthy competition to get the best out of players.
On a side note...I certainly hope Savage helps make whichever players makeup the OL this season look much batter than BO did.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
If you are speaking of Clark, keep in mind that the exact side of shoulder injury/surgery has not been reported. If it is the right shoulder, and he is going to be named the right tackle, then that would be especially concerning.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Lets not put that on Savage. I know you're extremely in love with the kid but he's not going to make any offensive linemen better. He couldn't do that in his few starts. What he really needs to work on is reading the defense better.
Texansballer74
The Marine
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Obviously not. An injury that requires surgery is a significant injury.
From the 2016 NFL Injury Report Policy:
"The Practice Report is expected to provide clubs and the public an accurate description of a
player’s injury status and his level of participation during the practice week. All players who
have significant or noteworthy injuries must be listed on the Practice Report, even if the player
takes all the reps in practice, and even if the team is certain that he will play in the upcoming
game. This is especially true of key players and those players whose injuries have been
covered extensively by the media.
Significant or noteworthy injuries include, but are not limited to, injuries that cause the player
to miss a game or prevent the player from finishing a game. If a player has multiple significant
or noteworthy injuries, all such injuries must be reported.
A player who (A) misses a game due to injury, or (B) does not finish a game due to injury, or
(C) suffers a significant or noteworthy injury without missing or failing to finish a game must be
included on the Practice Report each day of the following week (i.e. for a Sunday game, he
must be listed on the Practice Report on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). If a team has a
bye the following week, the player must be listed on the Practice Report in the week preceding
the team’s next game."
What Savage needs is a fair chance. He's not going to get that in Houston. He also needs to speed up his progressions which can only be done with more playing time. Which he's not going to get in Houston. His ability to read defenses is fine. Imho
badboy
Hall of Fame
I need to complain about recent eye exam. Dr said vision is good. This article indicates I am totally blind. Can Clark be better? Sweet Jesus he has to be!! No one had any idea he had surgery? At no point, he nor team said "hey he/I stunk but he/I played with injury so don't think too bad of him/me. Ok Chris go play like NFL tackle and get an extension. I will be rooting for you and Allen and Duane Brown, Watt, Chris Johnson, Clowney oh all right..I will be praying for entire team!!!
OB is putting his job on the line... how he feels about Savage getting a fair shake will be readily apparent once the season starts
Kubiak gave up his job over his belief in Schaub. If OB feels strongly about Savage he'll do the same. If he feels stronger about his job he'll roll with the flow
Wouldn't that depend on how they lost those games?
If Savage sucked in all four games then he should be replaced.
Now whether Savage gets replaced by Watson or Wheeden could be up for debate. O'Brien isn't a big fan of rookie QBs.
Savage will probably be pulled quick, mainly because it's what O'Brien does.
Texansballer74
The Marine
He would've gotten a fair shake if he could stay healthy.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Define fair? You've decided that whatever the Texans do is wrong (and of course St. OB won't be responsible). Hasn't even happened yet. Is that fair?
I think this has been exaggerated quite a bit. I believe O'b will be here as long as he wants to be here. Kubiak would be here, if he wanted... I truly believe that. But he & McNair weren't working towards the same goal. Kubiak decided not to see things McNair's way & McNair let him go.
We could go 0-16, but if O'b & Smith are working together to get better, he'll be the Texans HC in 2018, the final year of his contract.
I think it depends on where the rest of the division is. If we're within a game or two of 1st place, he may get as many as six games. But probably won't make it past the bye week.
But this isn't something unique to the Texans. This is the way the NFL works. Had Tom Brady played well, but the Patriots went 1-3, Drew Bledsoe would have been inserted as the starting QB when healthy.
Had the Cowboys started the season 3-4, regardless how well Dak played, Tony Romo would have started week 8.
Like those two, Tom Savage isn't the kind of guy who can win the starting job by being ok. He's got to perform in those moments that wins games.
TexanBorn51
All Pro
19 more days just can't wait. The OL and the entire team are going to surprise with big wins. Go Texans Go !
WTF?
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Now from the "glass half-full" perspective...how does all this play out if the Texans are playing winning ball and are in possession of first place? And, it's not just the defense making this happen...what now?
If Savage is playing well, not holding the team back, he'll get a chance to prove himself in the playoffs. May even earn himself a franchise tag for 2018.
After going back and study the game film, I have to say I disagree about X looking like a star in the making.
He does have good fundamental core strength, but he's not too agile and whatever weight he was playing at.
For him to be splitting time with Aboushi in quite a number of games doesn't help your point either.
The Texans were lucky to have AO as the swing guard last year.
X doesn't connect on the second level well enough (Brandon Brooks was much better).
To me, the reason the Texans O-line was regarded as above average last year was Brown and Aboushi.
If, as JB pointed out (I haven't checked) , Allen can play better at LG, I think it's better for X at RG.
He can really punch somebody in the mouth like Brooks does.
Perhaps he's not quick enough to pull the way they like to pull Allen to the left, then that makes some sense.
I hope that either Martin lives up to his draft position or Mancz gets better.
If the Center doesn't give ground in the middle, the RG can do his job better.
The Texans ran a gamut of blocking schemes that still has a good bit of the gap/zone scheme under Kubiak's later years with the Texans, but of a different mix, more gap than zone.
Mancz did an admirable job as a first-time starter, but he needs help in passing situation. But they all do, except for Brown and Aboushi (not that they are totally clean.)
The Texans need to cement that Center post, whether with Mancz improving or Martin taking over.
That would allow the guards to help out the OTs once in a while more often.
What people may not realize is that Myers spent more time helping out the guards (rather than the other way around with Mancz; Ben Jones was in the middle.)
But it was Mancz's first year; he should improve (by how much, nobody knows, but I have to give him a lot of credit.)
He might turn out to be a steal like Myers; but for now! he still looks like a cross between Ben Jones and what's his name Caldwell something that the Texans drafted in the third (who didn't pan out well even though he was pretty good in the SEC - but I wasn't too sure about him but some thought he was going to be an immediate upgrade over Myers.)
I agree with all that 76 but didn't Myers play mostly center and Jones mostly guard until Myers left? You're giving the impression Myers played mostly at guard. And I think Mancz was mostly helping X which put more of a strain on the RG. But the line has to have cohesion with each shifting depending on what the defense does
You want to take turn and do a play by play, starting with game 12 or something?
I can do 2 drives, and you can do the next two drives, and so on.
No, I've given my impressions, you've given yours. We disagree. No need to micro analyze points we most likely won't agree on.
It's not a matter of opinions.
How often X connects on the second level is fact.
How many times he pulls vs. Allen is also fact.
Black and white.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Oline should be better simply by being together a year. Martin will make line better regardless where he plays even if a backup. Foreman and whomever ends up as starter at QB should make Oline better. Hopefully, OBrien will use L. Miller better. Savage should be comfortable with TEs and Hopkins which makes Oline better. Lamm at Right Tackle will make Oline better. Wow..I may have talked myself into a Super Bowl...nah
I stated what I remember. I don't care to go back & watch it again. Feel free to list your play by play if you wish.
In the Loop guys are not painting a pretty picture of the OL right now.
Apparently Clark and Lamb are getting burned...often.Who would have suspected???
The OL showed the ability to block at times and look ready to go in an upward trajectory the rest of training camp. No one doubts that they work hard.
-texans reporter
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
In the Loop guys are not painting a pretty picture of the OL right now.
Apparently Clark and Lamb are getting burned...often.
I'd honestly be more concerned if our defense couldn't handle the OL minus Duane Brown. Not expecting to hear good things about Olinemen going against Watt/Clowney/Mercilus and company.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Sounds just like last year.In the Loop guys are not painting a pretty picture of the OL right now.
Apparently Clark and Lamb are getting burned...often.
Uncle Rico
Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
I don't think any offensive line in the league can block this front 7 healthy. I'm glad though, whip their ass, help them up and then whip their ass some more. You would think by sheer volume of asswhips they would get better. Hopefully.
badboy
Hall of Fame
yeah Bluto kept coming back each week for one from Popeye.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I would tether my enthusiasm about our front 7 at this point, in that they are going against nothing short so far of a patch quilt rag tag OL.
cuppacoffee
Resident Grouch
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Sounds like a description I've heard commonly over the years about a player..............just before he is released.
Seegara
Guitar Picker, Dog Lover, Woodworker
The OL will get to where they hold their own with our defensive personnel, but when they face different guys using different schemes/techniques they will look mediocre again. Whoever ends up at QB might make them look better, but they won't be any better.
Uncle Rico
Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...en-texans-offense-cant-block-jadeveon-clowney
Cup isn't always half empty Doc. While they may be facing subpar competition, talent is talent and I think it's going to be Purple People Eater type stuff we see this year, but then again my cup is half full.
Offensively? Now that's another story.
TheRealJoker
Hall of Fame
This. The Seahawks Oline has been bad since they traded Max Unger for Jimmy Graham. Their front 7 is still dominant.
badboy
Hall of Fame
"The OL showed the ability to block at times and look ready to go in an upward trajectory the rest of training camp. No one doubts that they work hard."Sounds like a description I've heard commonly over the years about a player..............just before he is released.
Block at times? Whut?