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Texans random thought of the day

I was wondering what the off season schedule looked like and after googling, thought I'd post it:

OTA's : May 23, 24, 26, 31; June 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10

Mandatory Mini-camp : June 14, 15, 16

Training Camp: Saturday, August 1
 
I'm getting excited about Tyler Ervin. Miller can also catch. Having two fast options out of the backfield that can catch the ball like a WR is a luxury - and while Foster was also excellent as a pass catcher, he didn't have the home-run speed of Ervin and Milller. Can't wait to see these two in games.
 
Porky said:
I'm getting excited about Tyler Ervin. Miller can also catch. Having two fast options out of the backfield that can catch the ball like a WR is a luxury - and while Foster was also excellent as a pass catcher, he didn't have the home-run speed of Ervin and Milller. Can't wait to see these two in games.
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Another difference is how well Lamar Miller can run out of the shotgun. I think that's going to be huge.
 
Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 1h

Brock Osweiler on rookie wide receivers Will Fuller, Braxton Miller 'what quarterback doesn't like speed?'

Brock Osweiler on George Godsey 'He has a brilliant mind'

Vince Wilfork on mentoring rookie D.J. Reader 'we're going to do a lot of bonding. It's exciting.'

Vince Wilfork on right end opp. 'I think we have guys in the room that can do the job. The train doesn't stop '

Bill O'Brien on rookie minicamp 'They did a good job. The initial part is making sure they understand how we do things'

Rick Smith on rookie minicamp 'I think we've had a productive offseason. The minicamp was the beginning of that work'

Rick Smith 'If we put the work in, we have a chance to be good'

Rick Smith 'I don't use the verbiage plugging holes when I look at the roster. I think we're a better football team'

Bob McNair on the offseason moves 'I feel really good. We've gotten faster as a team. I think we'll be very competitive'

J.J. Watt on right end vacancy 'We have a good group of guys.'
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Football Outsiders' First Projection Of 2016: Where Are The Houston Texans Expected To Finish In The AFC South?
By Tim
@battleredblog on May 11, 2016, 2:00p 137


With the heavy lifting of offseason personnel acquisitions and departures done, Football Outsiders has run the numbers and given its first look at projecting 2016. Find out how the AFC South looks on Battle Red Blog.

In a considerably more data-driven fashion that Jason La Canfora, Football Outsiders has released their initial win-loss projection for each AFC team in 2016. Here's how they have the AFC South shaking out:

1. Houston Texans: 8-8 (8.0 mean wins; SOS: 25)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-9 (7.4 mean wins; SOS: 22)
3. Indianapolis Colts: 7-9 (7.1 mean wins; SOS: 21)
4. Tennessee Titans: 7-9 (6.6 mean wins; SOS: 32)

Just one game separating the division winner from the division cellar. You don't see that every day.

And how about the Colts finishing third in the division when so many are calling for Andrew Luck's return to propel Indianapolis back to the top of the AFC South? Aaron Schatz writes:

With Andrew Luck hopefully healthy for all 16 games, it sure seems as though we should go back to favoring the Colts to return to dominating a weak division. But our projection system is accounting here for the fact that the Colts' offense wasn't very good even when Luck was on the field last season. Subjectively, we might explain away Luck's Week 1-3 performance as an early-season slump, and we might explain away his Week 6-8 performance as coming back too soon from his first injury. Objectively, our projection system sees that the Colts would have finished 20th in offensive DVOA even if we only counted games with Luck in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Colts probably will have the oldest defense in the league, generally an indicator of decline. Six projected starters will be 30 or older, as will pass-rush specialist Robert Mathis and nickelback Darius Butler.
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Here's what Schatz wrote about your Houston Texans' prospects for the coming year:

The Texans are essentially forecast to be the roughly the same team as last year, which is enough to make them division favorites. Brock Osweiler is unlikely to be an upgrade on Brian Hoyer -- or at least, what Brian Hoyer did in the regular season. Lamar Miller is an improvement at running back, but that's balanced out by losses along the offensive line. Most of the defense returns, although the Texans have to figure out how to fill the giant hole opposite J.J. Watt caused by the departure of Jared Crick. The Texans also get a boost to their win chances in two specific games because they will face the Patriots without Brady and the Raiders in Mexico instead of Oakland.
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How's that strike you? Reasonable? Unreasonable? Too little credit for the reigning AFC South champs?
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CloakNNNdagger said:
How's that strike you? Reasonable? Unreasonable? Too little credit for the reigning AFC South champs?
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I think it's unreasonable. I'm thinking a Wildcard comes out of the AFCSouth.

I know it's a new OL, practically, but I think the addition of Miller tips the scale in favor of having a decent run game. A decent run game & our defense starting where they finished (fingers crossed, again) we've got a good chance of winning 10 games. If Brock can play like he did last year, for 16 games, we may win 12 games.

So factor out my kool-aid bias & we're looking at 9 wins minimum so we may be the wild card.
 
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thunderkyss said:
I think it's unreasonable. I'm thinking a Wildcard comes out of the AFCSouth.

I know it's a new OL, practically, but I think the addition of Miller tips the scale in favor of having a decent run game. A decent run game & our defense starting where they finished (fingers crossed, again) we've got a good chance of winning 10 games. If Brock can play like he did last year, for 16 games, we may win 12 games.

So factor out my kool-aid bias & we're looking at 9 wins minimum so we may be the wild card.
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I don't think it's unreasonable. Except the part about the giant hole created by the departure of Jared Crick. Calling it a giant hole is completely unreasonable.
 
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You can tell that Newton is getting really serious about training and proper diet in preparation for the new season!

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Derek Newton ‏@D_Newt75 May 7


Ahh Yeah... Major
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CloakNNNdagger said:
How's that strike you? Reasonable? Unreasonable? Too little credit for the reigning AFC South champs?
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Again, I'll say I think it's unreasonable.

Broncos
Chiefs
Raiders
Chargers

Packers
Vikings
Bears
Lions

Bengals
New England

Colts
Jags
Titans


Which of those teams are perfect? Broncos won the Super Bowl, Vikings won 11 games, Patriots are the Patriots. The rest of the teams are no better off than we are. Many of them worse.

Here's the Kool-Aid version

AFCSouth%202016_zpsi9hqunsk.png
 
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Leaked Oakland Raiders Draft Evaluations Includes Analysis Of Former Houston Texans
By HoustonDiehards
on May 12, 2016, 12:00p


You may have seen this pop up last week in various corners of the Internet. Someone leaked an alleged "draft book" from the Oakland Raiders' 2010 NFL Draft. I say "alleged," because you can never tell if these things are real. That said, there's nothing inflammatory or remarkable in these leaks; if they were fake, you'd expect something a little more salacious.

With the NFL Draft freshly in the rear-view, I found this pretty interesting. The layout, the comment-types, the grading systems, etc. One other interesting item within these leaks is that there are two evaluations on players who turned out to be Houston Texans. It seems as if Oakland graded one of these players higher than the Texans and one of them lower.

Garrett Graham was Oakland's 13th-rated Tight End with a 6-7 round grade. The Texans picked him in the 4th round and he reached a second contract before being cut this offseason and moving on to the loving and familiar arms of Gary Kubiak in Denver. No mention from the Raiders about his rare "feet for hands" condition, so it looks like at least two NFL teams completely missed that.

Remember Dorin Dickerson? Basically, he was the Stephen Anderson of the Texans' 2010 NFL Draft class. He was the hybrid/tweener that was going to be a huge sleeper and... well, we know how that turned out. Dickerson was Oakland's 5th-rated Tight End with a 3-4 round grade behind only Rob Gronkowski, Jermaine Gresham, Aaron Hernandez, and Jimmy Graham (wow what a TE class that turned out to be). The Texans ended up scooping Dickerson up in the 7th round. He was gone by 2011 and is currently a free agent, having had stops in Pittsburgh, New England, Detroit, Tennessee, and Buffalo.
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link
 
8-8 is a fail to me.
Os doesn't have to be a top 10 QB just better than what we had for 16 games and if he is not...fail.

Miller has to be better than Blue or ...fail

Crick does not leave great hole but do we have player that equals his production? We don't know yet.

I think we will be better at all of these.
 
Leah Still My Dad's Getting Married Today!!


5/13/2016 10:54 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF


051316-leah-still-kaltura-1080x608.jpg

LISTEN UP!Instagram
Prepare for a cuteness OVERLOAD!!!

Here's Leah Still announcing to all of NYC ... that her father, Devon Still, is getting married today!!!

#MostAdorableThingEver!!!

The Houston Texans defensive end is tying the knot to his longtime girlfriend Asha ... and it's all going down at the NYC Public Library -- a historic landmark and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

We're told the guest list is around 200 and will include several of Devon's NFL friends -- including Pro Bowler Carlos Dunlap. In fact, Bengals defensive lineman Brandon Thompson is one of his groomsmen.

Of course, Leah is the flower girl!!

BTW, we're told the couple waited 2 years to get married ... until Leah was healthy enough to walk down the aisle. Amazing, right?!

Congrats!!!!


The wedding happened yesterday as planned............and little Lea danced the night away with Mom and Dad..........:clap:
 
10 players poised to make their first Top 101 in 2016
https://www.profootballfocus.com/bl...-who-could-crack-their-first-top-101-in-2016/

6. Jadeveon Clowney, OLB, Houston Texans
After playing just 146 snaps in 2014, Jadeveon Clowney was essentially a rookie last season, increasing his workload to 573 snaps. Obviously he needs to stay on the field, and being significantly limited by injury thus far in his career has been an issue for a player drafted No. 1 overall, but Clowney’s play on the field in 2015 was a huge step in the right direction. He was a solid pass-rusher, notching five sacks, three hits, and 22 hurries. Where he really stood out, however, was against the run. Making 15 tackles resulting in a defensive stop on 211 snaps in run defense, his 7.1 run-stop percentage was the 10th-best among all 3-4 outside linebackers. If he can stay healthy, he can be a player similar in production to Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs, and finally live up to his draft status in 2016. — Gordon McGuinness, @PFF_Gordon

Key Stat: Clowney was eighth among all 3-4 OLBs after Week 10 in total pressures from the right side of the defensive line.
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HOUSTON TEXANS
Texans' Demps: 'I'm just hungry man' (includes video)
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 08:48PM


HOUSTON (KTRK) --Texans safety Quintin Demps is entering his ninth NFL season and understands all the hard work that goes into a season, before the season. The Texans have made some key additions to their roster, and the hope is, that it translates to wins.

"It's going to be a big year. We made some big moves this offseason," says Demps. "Everybody is excited, but we must come together and gel, and not play off paper but play off tape."

We caught up with Demps at the Wendel D. Ley Track and Holloway Field at University, after he worked out at the Texans facility. Demps continues to put in the extra work.

"I'm just hungry man. Like Bill O'Brien always says, you can't work less the older you get, you gotta work more," says Demps. "The grind is the fun part. It takes a different animal to say that. The hard work is the fun part because you know it pays off. You kind of feel good when you know you are outworking everybody.

If life of an NFL player isn't busy enough, Demps and his wife are expecting their 4th child soon. "Fatherhood is the greatest thing ever. Just having my kids love me no matter what. Bad game or good game, it is the same appreciation."
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Houston Texans OTAs: Players to Watch Heading to 2016
Patrick Starr
11:19 AM


Players to watch for the Houston Texans with OTAs set to start in less than a week.

With OTAs arriving in less than a week, the Houston Texans will have the soft opening to their 2016 season. The team will hit the field for the first time as a unit, with 90 players working towards training camp. The practices will be in helmets, shorts, and shirts, with no contact. Geared to getting players back on a football schedule and working them into peak shape for the season, it is the start of some football news.

There will be plenty of discussion on players and ongoing situations for the Texans, but we are highlighting our early names to watch when OTAs arrives.

Specialty
Nick Novak will have to be solid all camp to keep rookie Ka’imi Fairbairn from taking his job. With new kick off rules and longer extra points that went into effect last season, a good field goal kicker's premium is going up. It is Novak’s job to lose and, with real competition in camp, it will be a key story to watch.

Quarterback
There is no secret that Brock Osweiler will be the main attraction when OTAs kickoff and the Texans will finally have direction on who will be the starter at QB week one of the football season, with no questions asked. The two previous years, there were always questions on who would it be, Osweiler has no one looking over his shoulder so the Texans have all reps to give to him to get this offense running in a hurry. Expect some learning to take place but this is Osweiler’s team and it starts this coming week.

Running back
Big signings come with big expectations and Lamar Miller will be at the forefront to watch on the grass. How the Texans plan to use Miller will be a work in progress but him getting acclimated to the team's offense will be priority number one. It will be the first time since 2009 that the Texans arrive to camp without Arian Foster and it opens up the new era for the Texans backfield highlight, Miller.

Wide Receiver
There will be new shiny players in the position group but Jaelen Strong has everything in front of him to get all the playing time he wants. With no real, solid option opposite of DeAndre Hopkins, Strong showed last season that, if given a chance on the field, he can make plays. Strong has an off-season mishap clouding his status moving forward but that should not be enough for the Texans not to give him the opportunity to become an important part of the offense.

Tight End
The Texans are depending on Ryan Griffin to be healthy and productive when he arrives. It will be his third season in the offense and expectations will continue to escalate. The coaching staff will give Griffin the first crack to take over the starting tight end spot but he is going to have to show consistency as a player. It is about finishing catches and that is the one spot in which he needs to improve.

Offensive Line
In what could turn out as one of the best stories in Texans history, David Quessenberry can return to the team after battling cancer into remission and potentially lock down a roster spot when the season arrives. It has been over three years since he has played in a football game since he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and now he is set to be back on the field. Healthy and back to his playing weight, Quessenberry has to get back to football and show what he was in his rookie season, a versatile interior lineman who can play all three spots. The concern is that he has been out of football so long but if there is anyone who can defy the odds, it is Quessenberry.

Defensive Line
The team is still searching for depth on the defensive line and Devon Still comes to mind as a player who could lock up a spot with solid play. Still played often his first two seasons in Cincinnati and was part of a defensive line rotation that was solid. Sitting out last year to help his daughter through her fight with cancer, Still has to prove he can get back to the level of play he demonstrated with the Bengals. As a former second round pick, Still could be a low cost and low risk addition who could prove big if he can make an impact to take over the defensive end spot.

Linebacker
One of the most athletically gifted players on the roster, Reshard Cliett is coming off a torn ACL, but has been working since last season to get back to full strength. If Cliett can come back strong, he could be an instant upgrade for special teams plus depth for the inside linebacker spot. Cliett could also be a piece for the defensive in nickel and dime defensive sets, but him getting back to where he was to start camp last year is the early goal.

Cornerback
The former first round pick Kevin Johnson was beat up by season's end, with a broken foot and wrist which required surgery. Johnson had his moments where he showed he can some top end skill, along with some head scratching moments which could have been due to the injuries through which he played. With Kareem Jackson and Johnathan Joseph the go to starters, Johnson needs to elevate his play to ensure the Texans have three able cornerbacks. The year two jump is always an important one for NFL players and now it is Johnson’s turn.

Safety
Lonnie Ballentine oozes talent but after suffering a severe injury to his knee, he has not been able to shake the injury bug. The Texans like what Ballentine brings and if they can get him into the middle of the field on the defense with his length and speed, the team could be in better shape. It has all been about health for Ballentine and he has some work to do to shake that tag.
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PapaL said:
Akeem Hunt must not realize that we drafted a better version of him to take his job. But lets see how this plays out...gotta love a guy with confidence.
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Better?

I think Akeem is saying he doesn't believe that guy is better & demands a trad... sorry, that's Bradford. Akeem welcomes the challenge.
 
Veteran safety James Ihedigbo 'would love to play for Texans'
By Aaron Wilson
May 19, 2016
James Ihedigbo spent the past eight years establishing his reputation as a hard-hitting safety with a nose for the football.

He intercepted eight passes over the last three seasons and forced eight fumbles, starting for the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.

Now, the Houston resident and former Pro Bowl alternate is eyeing his next NFL opportunity. And he's interested in playing for a team with the potential to compete for the Super Bowl.

"I want to play for a contender, a team that's not rebuilding and is ready to win now," Ihedigbo said. "With my skill set and being in multiple Super Bowls and AFC championships and big-time playoff games and knowing what it takes to win, I want to go to a team that can compete.

"I've had a lot of conversations with teams. When the time is right, I want to sign with the right team in the right situation. They know I have a lot of energy and a lot of ball left in me."

And Ihedigbo views his hometown team, the Texans, as an ideal situation for him.

"I would love to play for the Houston Texans," Ihedigbo said. "I think it's a great fit. It could be a great fit for both of us. I could definitely add to an already stout defense."
Ihedigbo, 32, works out alongside several Texans players during the offseason at IX Innovations in Houston.

"I'm in phenomenal shape," Ihedigbo said. "I went from a playing weight of 223 pounds down to 215. I'm just keeping lean muscle and flying around. I'm running really well and working on my speed work. I'm in great shape."

In 15 games and eight starts last season for the Lions, Ihedigbo recorded 63 tackles, one interception, one sack and three forced fumbles. The previous year, Ihedigbo had 71 tackles, a career-high four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

In his final season with the Ravens in 2013, Ihedigbo started every game and had a career-high 101 tackles and 11 passes defended with three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He won a Super Bowl championship with the Ravens in 2012 and started in a Super Bowl loss for the New England Patriots in 2011.

"Every opportunity I've had in this league, I've made the best of it," said Ihedigbo, a former undrafted free agent from the University of Massachusetts who began his career with the New York Jets. "My first year in Detroit, I had seven turnovers myself for the No. 2 ranked defense. We got off to a slow start last year, but I was still very productive. I think my track record is turning the ball over and being disruptive. That's something I can take pride in.

"I had some great collisions with Adrian Peterson, one of, if not the best backs in the NFL. Playing him twice a year, I had some big hits on him. I feel like I have a lot of football left in me. I can bring a great impact into teams. You can see what I do on tape."
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His injury history is surprisingly limited....and basically concentrated in the 2014 season where he suffered a neck injury which led to 3 missed games, a back spasm that he woke with one morning that cost him one practice, and a minor knee sprain which never cost him practice or game time. Actually an amazingly sparse injury history for a player at his position..........and the violence with which he plays the game. I believe he would be a great addition to this team if the cost was right..........and it looks like he would be willing to give us a "home town discount."
 
Veteran safety James Ihedigbo 'would love to play for Texans' I say Kick the tires. Test drive it and it looks ok for a used safety, haggle a deal, if not walk away, nothing ventured nothing gained.
 
So ..he has been FA since end of last season, wants to play in Houston and he is not signed already..maybe age is an issue or our DBs are better than some think? Sort of like the replace Crick argument..
 
Vince Wilfork feeling 'really good' entering 13th season
By Aaron Wilson

May 20, 2016
Vince Wilfork legged out a double during Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt's recent charity softball game at Minute Maid Park, coasting into second base standing up.

One of the largest players on the roster and around the NFL, the massive nose tackle flashed mobility and appears to be in good shape heading into his second season with the Texans.

"It's just work, work, work," said Wilfork, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. "I've been training for a while. At this point in my career, I feel really, really good. You have to stay sharp. You have tools. You have to be able to use the tools. I have a lot in my tool box.


"You have to be able to stay sharp, stay focused, keep your mind clear, take care of your body. At this time of year, you're strengthening and working on the little things. Once the season comes, you won't have that time because the guns are firing. I've been working my tail off trying to stay sharp."

Wilfork clogged up the middle of the Texans' third-ranked defense last season, occupying blockers and allowing teammates to rack up tackles.

Although Wilfork started every game, he recorded 22 tackles for his lowest career total when he played in every game. Wilfork grew more effective and active during the second half of the season and the Texans finished ranked 10th against the run after a sluggish start for the defense as they went 2-5 in the first seven games.
Wilfork didn't need to undergo any offseason surgeries and is healthy. A former Patriots first-round draft pick from Miami entering his 13th NFL season, Wilfork has 639 career tackles, 16 sacks and three interceptions.

In the second year of a $9 million contract that includes $5 million guaranteed, Wilfork is slated to start again in the Texans' 3-4 defensive scheme.

"When I look at our team defensively, we have guys who can move around and that puts a lot of stress on offenses," Wilfork said. "And we like it like that. Our playbook is open to moving guys around. I'm pretty sure the only guy that doesn't get moved around is me, but that's a good thing. I have great teammates and guys who are willing to learn and are passionate about what they're doing and want to win."

Wilfork is upbeat about the Texans after an offseason where they overhauled their offense, including signing quarterback Brock Osweiler to a $72 million deal, running back Lamar Miller to a $26 million contract, offensive guard Jeff Allen to a $28 million deal and drafting wide re-ceivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller.

"Very excited this offseason about the draft picks and free agents we brought in," Wilfork said. "We have something to be excited about it. We're working hard and looking forward to it. Everything looks good on paper, but you have to prepare and put it together in game situations and practice. As of right now, it's just a building block for us.

"The new players we brought in, I'm very, very excited. We made certain moves to better our football team. I think we did that, on paper, but it all comes back to can we put it together as a team on the field. With the group of guys we have, the coaching staff we have, the type of organization we have, the type of community we have backing us, I think we can. But it's going to take hard work and dedication. I think we have the guys who are willing to do that."

The Texans drafted a potential successor to Wilfork in the fifth round when they tabbed Clemson nose tackle D.J. Reader. Reader is a 6-3, 330-pounder who's being mentored by Wilfork.

Reader's father, David Vernon Reader, Sr. died of kidney failure two years ago.

"I got a chance to meet him and just hearing his story and just watching him play in college, I'm looking forward to it," Wilfork said. "A lot of people go through things in life. He's a young man who went through something in life. I kind of put him in the same shoes as myself when I was in college.

"I think we're going to have a lot of bonding that we can do with one another, especially be-cause he's a nose tackle. I'm here to teach in every way I could, in any capacity. It's all about winning."
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This article was much more complimentary of Wilfork's performance last year than what I saw. After his Achilles rupture, I believe that the Patriots had the correct approach........put him at DE (where he definitely thrived). The difference in position is where I believe the contrasting performances stemmed from.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
This article was much more complimentary of Wilfork's performance last year than what I saw. After his Achilles rupture, I believe that the Patriots had the correct approach........put him at DE (where he definitely thrived). The difference in position is where I believe the contrasting performances stemmed from.
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Thanks for the article. However, I was hoping to hear something a little more tangible, like weight loss. I'd have liked to have heard that he felt he could have done better & focused his work outs on being better.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
This article was much more complimentary of Wilfork's performance last year than what I saw. After his Achilles rupture, I believe that the Patriots had the correct approach........put him at DE (where he definitely thrived). The difference in position is where I believe the contrasting performances stemmed from.
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Wilfork would look pretty good at DE. I expect him to spend some time there this yr.
 
infantrycak said:
Why would he look good at DE? He's a 340 lb chunk of space eating NT. Don't understand why some of you want to move him.
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2 yrs ago Belichick played Wilfork at DE the majority of the time and he performed better than he did at NT last yr. You seem to be caught up in size instead of looking at how Belichick most effectively used him.
 
I am thankful Wilfork took second base standing up; if he had slid, an earthquake like none seen before would have split this nation in two with California and the western half of US disappearing into the sea. I did hear that shortly after OTAs, Wilfork will do a charity wrestling match versus one of the robots from Pacific Rim. Winner gets free barbque for a month at JJ Watts. HEB hooked him up with a couple of cows and Blue Bell kicked in fifty gallons of ice cream.
 
Here's a name you've probably not heard before.

Texans lineman Karim Barton not sleeping on plans for life after football
By Aaron Wilson

May 22, 2016
The value of a good night of sleep, proper nutrition and planning ahead for life after football hasn't escaped the reach of Texans reserve offensive lineman Karim Barton.

The 6-3, 313-pound native of Jamaica and former Morgan State standout started making rest a bigger priority when he was an undrafted rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles while playing for former coach Chip Kelly.


The Eagles closely monitored their players' sleep patterns, trying to identify which players were dealing with sleep deprivation and hoping to upgrade reaction time, mental alertness and muscle recovery. Barton wore a heart rate monitor and had his weight and hydration levels checked regularly. The NFC East club also used a software program to try to boost the amount and quality of sleep the players were getting.

With the Texans, Barton has taken advantage of the use of a team nutritionist with an emphasis on healthy smoothies, carbohydrates, vegetables and protein.

"Getting the proper amount of sleep and eating right are so important," Barton said. "You never want to take a shortcut with those things as a professional football player."
And Barton interned this spring with Mattress Firm in Houston for six weeks, participating in team meetings and interviewing his teammates about the importance of rest.

Barton, 24, is planning ahead for potential career opportunities when he's done playing football while also training for his second season with the Texans.

"It was a great experience just to learn how much the company has grown to where it is now and where they're looking to go in the future," Barton said. "It was phenomenal to see the mattress business and how it works. I'm narrowing down what I want to do and taking down internships to find my avenue for where I really want my life to go after football. I can't put my finger down and say if this is where I want to put my passion behind it, but it was a great experience and really neat to see how their business works.

"Why not take advantage of every opportunity? I worked on a few of their campaigns. It was cool to sit in on their meetings, working on a blog post and it was definitely neat speaking on the benefits of sleep when it comes to being an NFL player. I saw firsthand how a marketing department accomplishes things."

Barton spent his first season with the Texans on the practice squad, toiling in practice against the first-string defense to help them get prepared for games. He also gained valuable experience and coaching from offensive line coach Mike Devlin.

"I'm very excited, coach [Bill O'Brien] continues to preach about us being the best teammates we can be and the best players we can be, and I'm focused on my job," Barton said. "I learned a lot from the vets and the leaders of the offensive line. It''s all about work and letting your work do the talking. Coach Devlin, as a former player, preaches the same thing about how you don't gain respect by talking. You earn respect by the work that you put in.

"I just take it one day at a time. Just like the experience at Mattress Firm was new to me, when I first came here and I took every opportunity one day at a time, I try not to look too far ahead in anything I'm involved with."

Barton plans to return to his homeland of Jamaica in June after the Texans' full-team minicamp.

"Mattress Firm is helping to support a charity down there where I help the kids down in Kingston, Jamaica," Barton said of plans for a donation of 2,500 calculators to students on behalf of his foundation. "I haven't been back to Jamaica in 11 years. I can't wait to get down there to help out."
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steelbtexan said:
2 yrs ago Belichick played Wilfork at DE the majority of the time and he performed better than he did at NT last yr. You seem to be caught up in size instead of looking at how Belichick most effectively used him.
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You do know that Wilfork had his worst year as a Pro last year? His production was down 50%.
 
Texian said:
You do know that Wilfork had his worst year as a Pro last year? His production was down 50%.
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My theory is this was because he spent to much time on the field, particularly at NT. Hopefully Reader can help out with taking some of the load off of Wilfork.
 
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