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Texans random thought of the day

In all seriousness...the 2018 NFL Draft could be a banner draft for QB's and OL. If RS had any foresight, he might have tried to trade back in the 2017 NFL Draft to stock up on some picks in 17 as well as 2018. Instead, the Texans are staring down the barrel of no OL, 1 WR, no TE's and no RD1 or RD2 picks in 2018. Hey RS....I'm proud of you!!!
 
EVOLVIST said:
Random thought: Andy Jones gets the nod over Riley McCarron for McCarron's lack of a Wikipedia page.
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He was claimed then released then claimed again by the Texans. It was probably his size and vertical (41 1/2) not his speed (4.55) that may have attracted the Texans. He looked great in OTAs and the first two weeks of TC and a chance of making the Cowboys. But he was a catastrophe when the light came on during the preseason games. He had 3 drops in the preseason, including a potential touchdown against the Seahawks (could be his smaller hands 9 1/4"). Of course, Rick always likes the PR underdog feel good story the Andy Jone brings. McCarron has been lauded by Welker, O'Brien and even Bilichick as potentially a Welker double. The Texans probably are hoping he can take some pressure off of Hopkins on the other side. Without solid "hands," he is unlikely to make it as a reliable outside receiver.......but even less likely as a slot, which we are in such great need. The choice over McCarron for me is a head scratcher, and wouldn't be surprised if Texans screw around too long, we will see him end up with the Patriots.

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Longshots: WR Andy Jones Has Small School Background, But Big Potential
Tuesday, June 21, 2016 3:47 PM CDT
By David Helman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer


Name: Andy Jones
Position: WR
Height/Weight: 6-2/214
College: Jacksonville (Fl.)

College Career: Jones might come from the most unheralded background of any of this year’s undrafted players. Jacksonville operates at the FCS level of college football and doesn’t offer athletic scholarships. Jones actually had to go to nearby Gainesville, Fla., to attend the Florida Gators’ annual Pro Day. He turned heads once he got there, though, with a solid 4.50 40-yard dash and an amazing 41.5-inch vertical jump. He totaled 144 receptions for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns during his career – including 60 catches for 890 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2015 season.

Spring Synopsis: Jones was clearly seen as a high priority after the NFL draft, as he got the largest signing bonus of any Cowboys undrafted free agent at $15,000. At various times throughout the offseason program, he showed exactly why. Jones has the size and athleticism to create mismatches in the secondary, showcased by several impressive grabs during OTAs and minicamp. By the end of the spring, he earned several opportunities to work with the first-team offense – due to the fact that Dez Bryant sat out of offseason practices.

How He Makes It: The back end of the wide receiver depth chart looks wide open, which is great news for all of the young receivers on the Cowboys’ roster. Jones is going to have his work cut out for him, but his size and athletic ability compare favorably to anyone he’ll be going up against. What might help Jones even more is if the Cowboys opt to keep six receivers on their 53-man roster. That hasn’t typically been the case in recent years, but perhaps Jones can be convincing enough to merit an extra spot.

How He Doesn’t: The back end of the depth chart is wide open, but it’s fair to say there is a hierarchy in place – and it might work against any of the newcomers. The top trio of Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley is already set. That likely leaves two spots to be decided between Brice Butler, Devin Street, Lucky Whitehead and then the rookies. Now, Jones clearly has impressive raw athleticism, but the coaching staff has shown a penchant to trust in more experienced players. On top of that, Jones is less likely to make an impact on special teams than others – like Whitehead, for instance. That could work against him when it comes time to make roster cuts.
 
Tyler Ervin Turned to Shane Lechler for Help

When Ervin entered the off-season, he was struggling to understand the punt return game at the NFL level. In college, he had two punting styles to worry about -- the end over end and the normal spiral that many are accustomed too. The plan was always for Ervin to be the returner entering his second season, so he knew he needed help. He turned to veteran punter Shane Lechler.

As Lechler put it, he tested Ervin and pushed him hard with his punts, kicking every type of punt that NFL punters use during the game.. Ervin worked with Lechler off and on to pick his brain and understand the punting game and the different rotations of the ball to better prepare himself for the return job.

This season Ervin has been much more comfortable catching and returning punts and still leans on Lechler during the season to get him ready for game situations.
 
I think the Colt's "draft luck" owes a lot to their ability to assess their top talent's abilities, and they have shown the willingness to intentionally tank to fix a problem.

Manning worked the NFL to go to Indy. I am willing to bet his desire to go to Indy did not happen in a vacuum - I would bet that folks in Indy had some behind the scenes recruiting going on. No one forces the issue to go to Indy because they always wanted to live in Indy or work for Bob/Jim Irsay.

When Manning was obviously at the end of his career and it was doubtful that his age and health would allow him to regain his previous form. Luck was going to be available in the next draft, so they let Manning go and muddled around, finally moving Curtis Painter (a 2009 6th round pick) into the starting role - ever hear from Painter again? Problem solved - the Colts had assured the tank job, they "sucked for Luck" and got rewarded.

If the Colts know/strongly suspect that Luck's career is in jeopardy, and if past history is any guide, they will go out of their way to tank at least enough to nab one of the top 4 QB's coming out (since they will be competing with the Jets, 49'ers and Browns for a QB).
 
Flyingfish said:
I think the Colt's "draft luck" owes a lot to their ability to assess their top talent's abilities, and they have shown the willingness to intentionally tank to fix a problem.

Manning worked the NFL to go to Indy. I am willing to bet his desire to go to Indy did not happen in a vacuum - I would bet that folks in Indy had some behind the scenes recruiting going on. No one forces the issue to go to Indy because they always wanted to live in Indy or work for Bob/Jim Irsay.

When Manning was obviously at the end of his career and it was doubtful that his age and health would allow him to regain his previous form. Luck was going to be available in the next draft, so they let Manning go and muddled around, finally moving Curtis Painter (a 2009 6th round pick) into the starting role - ever hear from Painter again? Problem solved - the Colts had assured the tank job, they "sucked for Luck" and got rewarded.

If the Colts know/strongly suspect that Luck's career is in jeopardy, and if past history is any guide, they will go out of their way to tank at least enough to nab one of the top 4 QB's coming out (since they will be competing with the Jets, 49'ers and Browns for a QB).
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How did Peyton work the NFL to go to Indy? He was drafted #1 by them with a pick they earned. Eli was a totally different scenario in SD/NYG
 
Flyingfish said:
I think the Colt's "draft luck" owes a lot to their ability to assess their top talent's abilities, and they have shown the willingness to intentionally tank to fix a problem.

Manning worked the NFL to go to Indy. I am willing to bet his desire to go to Indy did not happen in a vacuum - I would bet that folks in Indy had some behind the scenes recruiting going on. No one forces the issue to go to Indy because they always wanted to live in Indy or work for Bob/Jim Irsay.

When Manning was obviously at the end of his career and it was doubtful that his age and health would allow him to regain his previous form. Luck was going to be available in the next draft, so they let Manning go and muddled around, finally moving Curtis Painter (a 2009 6th round pick) into the starting role - ever hear from Painter again? Problem solved - the Colts had assured the tank job, they "sucked for Luck" and got rewarded.

If the Colts know/strongly suspect that Luck's career is in jeopardy, and if past history is any guide, they will go out of their way to tank at least enough to nab one of the top 4 QB's coming out (since they will be competing with the Jets, 49'ers and Browns for a QB).
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That also is not how I remember that happening - 2011 they signed Manning to a new contract, but he was out the entire year with a neck injury which is why Painter started. Not a lot of planning for Luck there.

Their intention was to have PM as their QB for another 5 years...
Then he had the neck surgery, and missed the 2011 season...
And so begins the suck for Luck saga... Draft Luck/Release Manning
 
Mike Sando, ESPN.com‏Verified account@SandoESPN

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Aack. My bad. I did some online research and you are correct that it was Ryan Leaf that did not want to go to Indy (#1 pick) and told them (through his agent) that he would not play for the Colts. Based on a lot of behind the scene stuff, Indy then selected Peyton over Leaf.

As I read online, Indy knew that PM had his neck operated on in May, but they franchised him and then signed him in July; However, they did not put any real QB talent to back him. Indy's 2011 QB lineup (with PM out with neck surgery) was Painter, Orvlosky and Collins. When PM finally announced he could not go in 2011 and he had another surgery in September, everyone wondered if he would ever play again.

The suck was on at that point. Watching any of those Colt games would make you wonder how Painter even got in the NFL to start with. By choosing not to have a viable back up QB, the Colts started the season 0-13, and it was truly a tank job. Getting Luck assured that PM was done in Indy (cut in 2012), so the "suck for Luck" assessment by their FO paid off.

If they know/suspect that Luck is now damaged goods that may never recover to his previous form, I will not be surprised to see them take a dive, again, since the 2018 QB crop is deep.
 
infantrycak said:
Swap Lechler out with just about any other punter and we're youngest.
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Assume a 53-man roster and Lechler just turning 41 last month, replacing him with a 24 year old punter makes it 25.58 years. You'd have to go with a rookie punter to get as young as the Browns.
 
Almost as important to me is how many sacks our front 7 has. We have three total [one by Kareem Jackson and two by McKinney] while we have given up 13. Only two games but honestly who thought Watt and Clowney would go into game 3 with no sacks?
 
sandman said:
Assume a 53-man roster and Lechler just turning 41 last month, replacing him with a 24 year old punter makes it 25.58 years. You'd have to go with a rookie punter to get as young as the Browns.
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Okay, you'd have to throw in replacing Joseph... kinda like now
 
badboy said:
Almost as important to me is how many sacks our front 7 has. We have three total [one by Kareem Jackson and two by McKinney] while we have given up 13. Only two games but honestly who thought Watt and Clowney would go into game 3 with no sacks?
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True, but we know both of them can suddenly get a rash of 'em.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:



Rick, I didn't see it before............and so far I still don't see it.
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That number is bogus. It is not base salary, cap hit or cash received. And it's 1st year of an intentionally cap front loaded contract. Change 'roster' to 'signing' and he wouldn't appear in the list even though the money wouldn't change a penny.
 
Hopkins is a confusing player. He could catch all those passes from Brock that were nowhere near him. He had to literally make circus catches, but he can't catch a ball that hits him in the hands. Maybe after all these years with multiple QBs throwing to him he isn't used to it. I don't know, but hopefully he will learn how to catch a ball that hits him in the hands again.
 
TexansBull said:
Hopkins is a confusing player. He could catch all those passes from Brock that were nowhere near him. He had to literally make circus catches, but he can't catch a ball that hits him in the hands. Maybe after all these years with multiple QBs throwing to him he isn't used to it. I don't know, but hopefully he will learn how to catch a ball that hits him in the hands again.
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Maybe the thumb injury from camp is still effecting him. It seems like he's using his body to catch the ball more then in the past
 
otisbean said:
Maybe the thumb injury from camp is still effecting him. It seems like he's using his body to catch the ball more then in the past
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Same impression I gave............been having balls bounce off his chest...............but he hasn't been on the Injury Report all week (not that you can always trust the report).
 
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CloakNNNdagger said:
The Texans rank 27th in red-zone scoring after finishing 31st last season. They've converted 1/3 of their red-zone visits for TDs.
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Gonna take off my negative hat for a minute.

I have a feeling we are going to get much better in the red zone.

Not predicting more trips to the red zone, but when we get there I think we will capitalize on it.

Fewer field goals in the red zone.

:coffee:
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
The Texans rank 27th in red-zone scoring after finishing 31st last season. They've converted 1/3 of their red-zone visits for TDs.
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I'd imagine that will improve with D'Onta Foreman getting more carries along with Duane Brown back in the fold at left tackle. We need that power running game to guide us in those short-yardage situations.

Deshaun Watson can also make big plays inside the red zone but I'd question some of O'Brien's playcalling down there. It didn't seem like he dialed up anything creative late in that game against the Patriots, in particular. Lamar Miller up the gut? Really? I've met Lamar Miller before and he's a really small dude. With one yard on the line we've got to give that rock to a power back.
 
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infantrycak said:
Despite the fact the best short yardage backs have been smallish - Payton, Smith, Holmes, LT... Miller's problem is he just isn't that good.
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He looked pretty good against the Texans... that's why he's a Texan now. He's being used totally different with a sub par OL. He's not a power 3 down back, no matter how badly he wants to be one. I really thought he could handle it, but he's not getting any help from OL or coach

His running it up the guy should be a surprise, not a staple
 
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