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Texans 2014 Training Camp

The Pencil Neck said:
Yeah.

We need some guys to "get it" and "get it" really, really good or we're in for a long season with that OL.
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We have four young players that we need to show something in the preseason games : Will Yentman, OT (4th yr) ; Mike Ferrell, OT (2nd yr) ; Alex Kupper, OG (2nd yr) ; and Sam Longo, OG/OT (R). Of these, Longo is an unknown diamond in the rough but possibly has the highest up side.
 
I know this may sound stupid and perhaps it is, but why don't they start Clowney as a DE on the opposite side from Watt? It's his normal position; he wouldn't have to learn new tricks (coverage, setting the edge) and it would allow first round selection, Mercilus to stay at WILL. Why re-invent the wheel?
 
Lambert said:
I know this may sound stupid and perhaps it is, but why don't they start Clowney as a DE on the opposite side from Watt? It's his normal position; he wouldn't have to learn new tricks (coverage, setting the edge) and it would allow first round selection, Mercilus to stay at WILL. Why re-invent the wheel?
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Because there are 4-3 DEs and there are 3-4 DEs and they usually have different types of responsibilities.

A 4-3 DE is an edge rusher; a 3-4 DE is usually a two-gap run-stuffer. 3-4 DE's are generally bigger, stronger guys and not fast guys. You want Clowney in a rush position and in this defense, that's the OLB.

There's already been some concern that JJ Watt won't be used to the best of his abilities in this 3-4.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
Because there are 4-3 DEs and there are 3-4 DEs and they usually have different types of responsibilities.

A 4-3 DE is an edge rusher; a 3-4 DE is usually a two-gap run-stuffer. 3-4 DE's are generally bigger, stronger guys and not fast guys. You want Clowney in a rush position and in this defense, that's the OLB.

There's already been some concern that JJ Watt won't be used to the best of his abilities in this 3-4.
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Does anyone else think this is absolutely asinine? I'm not directing this towards you Mr. Pencil Neck, but are we really questioning a proven DC and his utilization of Watt? RAC might just paint his masterpiece in Houston with the foundation he has. Of course, it's all "wait and see" at this point.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
Because there are 4-3 DEs and there are 3-4 DEs and they usually have different types of responsibilities.

A 4-3 DE is an edge rusher; a 3-4 DE is usually a two-gap run-stuffer. 3-4 DE's are generally bigger, stronger guys and not fast guys. You want Clowney in a rush position and in this defense, that's the OLB.

There's already been some concern that JJ Watt won't be used to the best of his abilities in this 3-4.
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I understand the differences between 3/4 DE's and 4/3 DE's and I agree that switching from a 1 gap to a 2 gap defense for the line might affect the numbers the D-line racks up, but don't you want your best players on the field at the same time? It comes down to who is the better player, Crick or Clowney? And, and you have the additional advantage of getting another great player on the field at the same time---Mercilus.
 
Lambert said:
I understand the differences between 3/4 DE's and 4/3 DE's and I agree that switching from a 1 gap to a 2 gap defense for the line might affect the numbers the D-line racks up, but don't you want your best players on the field at the same time? It comes down to who is the better player, Crick or Clowney? And, and you have the additional advantage of getting another great player on the field at the same time---Mercilus.
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Mercilus a great player? I guess he could become that, but he's got to get a lot better.

Clowney isn't big enough to play 34 de regardless of scheme, IMO. He's a big guy, but ideally you want those guys at least in the 290 range. He'd be miscast there.

Now, they could have gone 43, but if they did that Mercilus still may not start.
 
I don't think it's asinine, but I'm not concerned. Seymour was a great player for rac. I think watt is better than him. I'm not sure exactly what he'll look like, but I think watt is still going to be dominant. Maybe even more so with clowney out there with him and an over (hopefully) improved defensive scheme.
 
You guys need to be more positive. The DL will be the strongest part of the team. Watt made his name lining up anywhere. Add Clowney and subtract the stubborn Wade defense? I'm really excited.
 
Lambert said:
I understand the differences between 3/4 DE's and 4/3 DE's and I agree that switching from a 1 gap to a 2 gap defense for the line might affect the numbers the D-line racks up, but don't you want your best players on the field at the same time? It comes down to who is the better player, Crick or Clowney? And, and you have the additional advantage of getting another great player on the field at the same time---Mercilus.
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You want your best players in the best positions to make plays. Crick is going to be a better scheme-fit at that DE position than Clowney is. Clowney is just too light to play that position the way RAC wants it played... but Clowney is athletic enough and the right size to play OLB in this defense.

The question for me is whether to move Reed into the middle and put Mercilus on the other side across from Clowney. A lot of that question depends on how Tuggle steps up and how healthy Cush is but a lot also depends on whether either Mercilus or Clowney can cover someone out of the backfield.

I'm really hoping that Mathews or Pagan can take over that LDE spot. I think that Pagan, at 310#, is more of what they're looking for size-wise from that position.

But let's wait and see some snaps with some fake bullets and see if RAC is even moving in the direction we think he's moving.
 
xtruroyaltyx said:
Clabo looks like he can barely walk?

Why did we sign him?
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That crack(head) medical team the Texans are fielding strikes again!!

Ya know, with all of the glaring things the medical team has botched/missed, I think this could be the one area where the "Mr. McNair is cheap" :tinfoil:'rs might actually have a valid point. And not having enough Juggs Machines...:kitten:
 
bOODRO87 said:
Does anyone else think this is absolutely asinine? I'm not directing this towards you Mr. Pencil Neck, but are we really questioning a proven DC and his utilization of Watt? RAC might just paint his masterpiece in Houston with the foundation he has. Of course, it's all "wait and see" at this point.
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DEs in RACs 3-4 play gap control as opposed to Wade's 3-4 of attack the football. Different assignments and responsibilities. It is something definitely worth watching.
 
Texian said:
DEs in RACs 3-4 play gap control as opposed to Wade's 3-4 of attack the football. Different assignments and responsibilities. It is something definitely worth watching.
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Definitely worth watching, but Crennel can definitely make do with what he has. I mean, LT virtually reinvented the OLB position in a 3-4 under Crennel. I'm comfortable with his ability to do the same with a similar game-changer in Watt.
 
Maybe one day the Texans will have both a good offense and defense at the same time. For a while we rode the offense in Schaub's good years, right now we have to ride the defense. If the Texans do 8-8 or better this year, it'll be because of the defense.
 
I don't believe Watt will care about how many sacks he gets if the defense is doing it's job and the Texans are winning football games. I do think Crennel is a great DC, so I'm not really worried about one player not racking up stats as long as the defense is doing what it's supposed to do.
 
I think they signed Clabo because he's a scrappy vet. If you watched him last year, he's one of those guys that is constantly getting mauled and pushed back into the pocket but he resets and holds on for dear life.

He reminds me of when Salaam was rotating with Brown and every time he was in there you thought "Oh my god, he's getting killed.".

In other words... yeah, the depth on the offensive line is scary unknown.
 
b0ng said:
I don't believe Watt will care about how many sacks he gets if the defense is doing it's job and the Texans are winning football games. I do think Crennel is a great DC, so I'm not really worried about one player not racking up stats as long as the defense is doing what it's supposed to do.
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Oh, he'll care!
 
Heard on the NFL Network tonight, that there could be, a possibility that Clowney and Watt could combine for up to thirty sacks.
 
DocBar said:
Does Watt get the sack or does the OT/G? Maybe Watt can create a whole new stat for this. He could be our generation's Deacon Jones!!!:peek:
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lol that would be great. When my buddy(a chiefs fan) told me how RACs DEs play, I was upset. But, Watt is too much of a beast, to just hold up OL for the LBs
 
Clowney suited up for practice today. Not sure how much he'll participate...

Do not rush him back, Kap.
 
DocBar said:
Definitely worth watching, but Crennel can definitely make do with what he has. I mean, LT virtually reinvented the OLB position in a 3-4 under Crennel. I'm comfortable with his ability to do the same with a similar game-changer in Watt.
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I dunno, I've read in multiple places that the Oilers' Robert Brazile back in the day was as responsible as LT was for the "reinvention" of the rush-backer position role in the 3-4, of course the NYC media-market would drown-out any achievements over some guy with the Oilers with one of their own media creations.
 
Playoffs said:
Clowney suited up for practice today. Not sure how much he'll participate...

Do not rush him back, Kap.
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I figure they want to get him some reps before Saturday to see if they can start him.

IDEXAN said:
I dunno, I've read in multiple places that the Oilers' Robert Brazile back in the day was as responsible as LT was for the "reinvention" of the rush-backer position role in the 3-4, of course the NYC media-market would drown-out any achievements over some guy with the Oilers with one of their own media creations.
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Yeah, Dr. Doom is/was very underappreciated outside of Houston.
 
disaacks3 said:
I figure they want to get him some reps before Saturday to see if they can start him.

Yeah, Dr. Doom is/was very underappreciated outside of Houston.
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When I was a kid my mom knew all those guys, we were at a bar-b-q once and he picked me up and I rode around on his shoulders, lol
 
DX-TEX said:
dave zangaro ‏@dzangaro
clowney will play and start saturday.
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Surprise!
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Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith
Jadeveon Clowney hopes to play Saturday in #Texans' preseason debut at Arizona. #NFL
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Color me surprised.

And fwiw, somebody else will need to pick up the slack on practice reports for the next few days as I'm bedridden with back problems and the iPad ain't gonna cut it. :tiphat:
 
Playoffs said:
Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith


Color me surprised.

And fwiw, somebody else will need to pick up the slack on practice reports for the next few days as I'm bedridden with back problems and the iPad ain't gonna cut it. :tiphat:
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I was wondering where my camp updates were.

Feel better man. Thanks for all you've been doing.
 
Playoffs said:
Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith


Color me surprised.

And fwiw, somebody else will need to pick up the slack on practice reports for the next few days as I'm bedridden with back problems and the iPad ain't gonna cut it. :tiphat:
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Man I have a bad back and it sucks, get well.

This would be a good time for some of you technology afraid people to get on twitter. You don't have to make comments. Just start an account and follow some people. that is how I started
 
Not familiar enough with this guy as a newer follow, but...

Will Grubb @grubbreport
Case Keenum had a terrible day. Threw three picks, one of them a pick six. He triple pumped on one leading to a pick from Andre Hal. #Texans
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Listed as a 610AM guy, but still grain of salt IMO.
 
Playoffs said:
Not familiar enough with this guy as a newer follow, but...

Will Grubb @grubbreport


Listed as a 610AM guy, but still grain of salt IMO.
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Guess we can add that triple pump to the highlight tape...right after the 20 yard sacks.
 
Some of yall just don't get it. Keenum will take us to six straight superbowls and win them all. His passing yardage will have to be measured in light years. We'll all be worshiping his statue in the U of H stadium.

The koolaid smilie is red for a reason, you know. :koolaid: Go Keenum!
 
Keenm is the next UH legend to take us to the promise land, like Olajuwon before him.

:koolaid:
 
PapaL said:
Guess we can add that triple pump to the highlight tape...right after the 20 yard sacks.
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In a couple of years kids playing QB all over the country will be adding the triple-pump to their bag of tricks. It will become a signature move.

I expect the Case Keenum McFarlane Toys action figure to feature a button on his back that when pressed will triple-pump the ball while scooting back across the surface he's standing on at least 20 "in scale" feet.
 
Hervoyel said:
In a couple of years kids playing QB all over the country will be adding the triple-pump to their bag of tricks. It will become a signature move.

I expect the Case Keenum McFarlane Toys action figure to feature a button on his back that when pressed will triple-pump the ball while scooting back across the surface he's standing on at least 20 "in scale" feet.
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I think a triple jump pass is more effective myself .
 
Playoffs said:
Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith


Color me surprised.

And fwiw, somebody else will need to pick up the slack on practice reports for the next few days as I'm bedridden with back problems and the iPad ain't gonna cut it. :tiphat:
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You're a tough act to follow, dude.
Rest up, get better.
 
Playoffs said:
Brian T Smith @chronbriansmith


Color me surprised.
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If McClain reports or gives a opinion on something, go ahead and expect the exact opposite to take place. For a "local reporter", that guy is so out of touch with the team that plays in his own backyard I put his reporting/opinion below national pundits who don't even follow this team on a regular basis.. it's sad.

He needs to go ahead and retire so this city can get some fresh blood in there to take his place... somebody who actually has relevant sources and isn't just pulling outdated opinions/guestimations out of their rear end. You know, somebody who can actually break a story and report news about the team every once in awhile.

Why would the Texans suit up Clowney on a Thursday practice if they weren't thinking about playing him in Saturday's preseason game? Did he just suit up for a rookie player's card shoot that we didn't hear about? McClain :vincepalm:

P.S.

Hope you get well, your reports have been greatly appreciated.
 
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The Pencil Neck said:
Because there are 4-3 DEs and there are 3-4 DEs and they usually have different types of responsibilities.

A 4-3 DE is an edge rusher; a 3-4 DE is usually a two-gap run-stuffer. 3-4 DE's are generally bigger, stronger guys and not fast guys. You want Clowney in a rush position and in this defense, that's the OLB.

There's already been some concern that JJ Watt won't be used to the best of his abilities in this 3-4.
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What I would love to see. Watt and Clowney outside. Line Mathews, Powell and Nix up on the line. Put Cushing in the middle. Have Swearinger play a hybrid LB that lines up over the TE and spies him all over the feild. I'm in the mood for some Madden now!
 
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