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Texans still looking for players to improve the roster

Texans34Life

Texans34Life

I BLEED TEXANS!
Sat, 15 Jul 2006 07:46:18 -0700

Sports Xchange reports the Houston Texans still would like to add a veteran running back and fullback into the mix by training camp, but they have yet to make any major moves.
 
We need a veteran RB really bad because if DD gets hurt we don't have much behind him. We have Wali Lundy and I hope he will be able to have a great year, but I think it's a little far fetched for me to think a rookie 6th round pick can come in and be very effective right off the bat. We don't need to be using Smith as a full time backup and Morency's problems adapting to the offense so far this offseason is the reason why we are looking at players not on the team to be a backup in the first place. We have a good situational back in Antowain Smith, but we don't need to be using him every down and DD has had his problems with injuries and we need to be secure at backup RB.
 
I keep forgetting we have Antowain Smith now but another vet running back would not hurt at all. I have lost interest in the whole Bennett thing at this point, the Saints hold the upper hand in that deal whoever they make a deal with.
 
Not really interested in getting a veteran running back. Antowain Smith in spot duty is enough for me. Between Morency, Lundy, and Chris Taylor I think we have more than enough talent. Chris Taylor is right now a darkhorse pick for me, I have seen the kid work and he reminds me of a Priest Holmes type of guy. He is unherald, but has loads of talent and just needs to get the opportunity to show it. He should look great in preseason if he keeps up the work. I would like to see us get a young veteran corner to help in the secondary.
 
Agree on Taylor. I wrote this on June 8 :
For those looking for an early sleeper, look no further than Chris Taylor. The 6-0, 224-pound running back out of Indiana is taking full advantage of a nicked up running back corps and made several impressive runs during full-team drills. Taylor has good size and adequate speed and could be one of those guys who really benefits from the Texans’ new system.
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I also wrote this in the aftermath af that article amid accusations of overhype:
Chris Taylor is impressive in the context of Jason Anderson being impressive two years ago .... just trying to point out new guys who make you go hmmmm on the sideline. I wasn't the only observer who noticed him.
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IMO I don't see the Texans being able to pick someone up until TC cuts start happening, unfortunely that means leftovers that could'nt make their first teams roster or their pratice squad. Anybody know on any RB's on the cap bubble or have those players be cut aready?
 
Coach C. said:
Between Morency, Lundy, and Chris Taylor I think we have more than enough talent.
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May very well be, but more importantly does Kubiak & Co. really feel that way ? Even though they took Mario with the #1 and not Bush, its been widely reported that they wanted to move back into the first round (using their #2 and another pick), to get Laurence Maroney, a back they liked a lot who ran with the ZB scheme in college at Minnesota. Of course the Pats moved too quick for them to pull off a trade.
Then all the ongoing talk about getting Bennent from the Saints, you've got to know that Kubiak is not totally comfortable with the status quo of his running back situation here even though some of the additions may have impressed him in the mini-camp practices, not to mention the element of the added uncertainty of DDs return this year.
 
AJ I remember that. Chris has slightly more than adequate speed. I dont know if you were close enough on the runs he made to hear Dunta and Peek talking about how damn fast the kid is. He is also quite strong. I think we have a some quality RBs they are just young. I will take young talent over a castaway vet right now. I really do want that extra corner though.
 
Yeah, slightly more than adequate is probably about right. He has good burst and is a good receiver which will help. He doesn't have take-it-to-the-house breakaway speed though. He ran 4.53 and 4.55 at his Pro Day on turf which was a disappointment since he had run high 4.4's in the past. He's a no-nonsense workhorse type that could could see a lot of action in preseason.

I was standing on the sidelines at the practice facility when I made those observations and was close enough to hear more than I needed to hear, but I didn't pick up on the particular conversation you're talking about.

His Pro Day results: CHRIS TAYLOR ran between 4.50 and 4.55 in the 40... some watches had him as fast as 4.48 and 4.53 on both runs… 4.22 short shuttle… 6.96 in the 3-cone… 11.20 60-yard… 34” vertical… 9’7” broad jump… also completed 15 reps of 225 pounds… weighed in at 511, 222 pounds… has been timed in the 4.45 range several times in the past… his straight-line speed will capture the attention of teams, but he needs to continue working on his flexibility, change-of-direction and hands… just over 20 teams were represented at this workout… all times were recorded on an indoor, AstroTurf-type surface, which scouts recognize as being faster than average… although none of the times listed would be adjusted.
 
aj. said:
Yeah, slightly more than adequate is probably about right. He has good burst and is a good receiver which will help. He doesn't have take-it-to-the-house breakaway speed though. He ran 4.53 and 4.55 at his Pro Day on turf which was a disappointment since he had run high 4.4's in the past. He's a no-nonsense workhorse type that could could see a lot of action in preseason.

I was standing on the sidelines at the practice facility when I made those observations and was close enough to hear more than I needed to hear, but I didn't pick up on the particular conversation you're talking about.

His Pro Day results: CHRIS TAYLOR ran between 4.50 and 4.55 in the 40... some watches had him as fast as 4.48 and 4.53 on both runs… 4.22 short shuttle… 6.96 in the 3-cone… 11.20 60-yard… 34” vertical… 9’7” broad jump… also completed 15 reps of 225 pounds… weighed in at 511, 222 pounds… has been timed in the 4.45 range several times in the past… his straight-line speed will capture the attention of teams, but he needs to continue working on his flexibility, change-of-direction and hands… just over 20 teams were represented at this workout… all times were recorded on an indoor, AstroTurf-type surface, which scouts recognize as being faster than average… although none of the times listed would be adjusted.
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One of the things I find interesting is the difference in "speed" between 40yd. times and actual game time speeds. What I mean is that some players run very fast 40's but aren't nearly as fast when all the equipment is added and some guys are, or seem, as fast with the pads added. In y'all's opinion, is there a distinct difference between the two and, if so, just how important is that difference? I've seen many RB's and WR lacking "breakaway" speed do exactly that and break one for long yardage.
 
DocBar said:
One of the things I find interesting is the difference in "speed" between 40yd. times and actual game time speeds. What I mean is that some players run very fast 40's but aren't nearly as fast when all the equipment is added and some guys are, or seem, as fast with the pads added. In y'all's opinion, is there a distinct difference between the two and, if so, just how important is that difference? I've seen many RB's and WR lacking "breakaway" speed do exactly that and break one for long yardage.
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I think this is pretty much a fallacy. If a guy is fast, he's fast with or without
pads. Same goes for those who aren't fast: its silly to think that some players "bump up their speed whne they put the pads.
I suspect the distinction is more between flat speed or top end speed vs. quickness or explosiveness.
 
nunusguy said:
I think this is pretty much a fallacy. If a guy is fast, he's fast with or without
pads. Same goes for those who aren't fast: its silly to think that some players "bump up their speed whne they put the pads.
I suspect the distinction is more between flat speed or top end speed vs. quickness or explosiveness.
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I dunno, but those are good points you made. I wasn't really talking so much about the difference between quick and fast, though. Some guys that don't run quick times seem to be "as fast as they need to be" when on the field. They find another gear when being chased. Jerry Rice is the 1st name that comes to mind.
 
yeah its an acceleration thing, for some it only shows on short runs, like emmit smith , he could accelerate on a 20 yard burst, but ran out of nitrous after that. come to think of it, barry sanders often ran out of gas 40 yards down the field. but on short runs he looked alot faster
 
TK_Gamer said:
yeah its an acceleration thing, for some it only shows on short runs, like emmit smith , he could accelerate on a 20 yard burst, but ran out of nitrous after that. come to think of it, barry sanders often ran out of gas 40 yards down the field. but on short runs he looked alot faster
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It's a fast-twitch thing. There was an interesting study done at the '68 Olympics. They had a bunch of athletes compete in OTHER sports just to get some test data. One interesting thing was that the olympic lifters (even the really huge superheavyweights) had a much faster 10-20 yard burst than even the guys that trained in the 40. They didn't have the technique for coming out of the blocks, but because OL training emphasizes quick burst/explosiveness, they could FLY out of the blocks. And then totally run out of gas. :)

For me, the 40 time is interesting to look at but for a RB, I'd prefer having that initial burst into the hole. Most RB's don't break a 20+ run more than 10-15 times a year. If you can average getting 4-5 yards a carry but only have a max run of 15 yards, I'd prefer that to someone who breaks a 40 yarder every 30 touches and only gets 2-3 yards per carry on the other attempts. So running for 40 yards is usually irrelevant and unnecessary for a RB.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
It's a fast-twitch thing. There was an interesting study done at the '68 Olympics. They had a bunch of athletes compete in OTHER sports just to get some test data. One interesting thing was that the olympic lifters (even the really huge superheavyweights) had a much faster 10-20 yard burst than even the guys that trained in the 40. They didn't have the technique for coming out of the blocks, but because OL training emphasizes quick burst/explosiveness, they could FLY out of the blocks. And then totally run out of gas. :)

For me, the 40 time is interesting to look at but for a RB, I'd prefer having that initial burst into the hole. Most RB's don't break a 20+ run more than 10-15 times a year. If you can average getting 4-5 yards a carry but only have a max run of 15 yards, I'd prefer that to someone who breaks a 40 yarder every 30 touches and only gets 2-3 yards per carry on the other attempts. So running for 40 yards is usually irrelevant and unnecessary for a RB.
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yeah i agree, that and avoiding that first hit, or avoiding the full brunt of the first hit, e. g emmit smith , priest holmes
 
TK_Gamer said:
yeah i agree, that and avoiding that first hit, or avoiding the full brunt of the first hit, e. g emmit smith , priest holmes
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Exactly.

And I took a quick glance at some stats and most RB's are doing good to get 3-5 20+ yard runs in a season. That makes the 40 time even less applicable in most cases.
 
I think running stride (or length of stride, to be more specific) has something to do with it too, but not to disagree with what's been said.
 
TK_Gamer said:
I agree on that one, I didnt know he was available?
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Henry has not shown himself to be anything with real "potential." His stats are at best average, he has been involved with substance abuse and has a fairly extensive injury history. That's just what we need.......a mediocre, cripple, druggy. What do you think Mr. McNair?

will be showcased in preseason for trade purposes
**********************************************************

It's one thing to bring in a rookie running back that draws comparisons to some of the greatest backs in NFL history. It's quite another to bring in a guy who careened down the draft boards due to an injury at his pro day, a bit of a perceived attitude problem, and a general inability to push away from the table. That doesn't mean LenDale White is no good. It means that he's no lock to be good. And since Chris Brown and Travis Henry are pretty much locks to be about average, the Titans look unlikely to have a particularly good group of running backs this year.

fox sports
 
I noticed today that Jonathan Wells is still floating out there. Hasn't been picked up by anyone. Any chance we go with a (semi) proven commodity?
 
I'll be glad when this site finally starts showing the depth chart again. On Ourlads they are still not Showing Chris Taylor on our depth chart. Yet eyeryone is talking about him. What is the real dope?

Michael Bennet, I saw somewhere, was traded to the Rams, I think it was.

What is wrong with Dominick Davis' knee? What is taking it so long to recuperate?
 
NoBullTexan said:
I'll be glad when this site finally starts showing the depth chart again. On Ourlads they are still not Showing Chris Taylor on our depth chart. Yet eyeryone is talking about him. What is the real dope?

Michael Bennet, I saw somewhere, was traded to the Rams, I think it was.

What is wrong with Dominick Davis' knee? What is taking it so long to recuperate?
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As reported previously, the Saints have received offers from several teams which they say have been inadequate to consumate a trade. The Rams are one of those teams.
 
Capster67 said:
I noticed today that Jonathan Wells is still floating out there. Hasn't been picked up by anyone. Any chance we go with a (semi) proven commodity?
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Not a chance they bring back Jonathan Wells, he does not fit a zone blocking scheme, he is not better in any way than what we already have on the team, and they wouldn't have let him go in the first place if they wanted him.
 
MorKnolle said:
Not a chance they bring back Jonathan Wells, he does not fit a zone blocking scheme, he is not better in any way than what we already have on the team, and they wouldn't have let him go in the first place if they wanted him.
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I , for one, would love to Wells on our team again
 
MorKnolle said:
Not a chance they bring back Jonathan Wells, he does not fit a zone blocking scheme, he is not better in any way than what we already have on the team, and they wouldn't have let him go in the first place if they wanted him.
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I do not agree with this. Who says that he does not fit a zone blocking scheme? Hasn't that been the only scheme that the Texans have run recently? And didn't he step in and have some REALLY great yardage days when DD went down?
 
ensign_lee said:
I do not agree with this. Who says that he does not fit a zone blocking scheme? Hasn't that been the only scheme that the Texans have run recently? And didn't he step in and have some REALLY great yardage days when DD went down?
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You are correct. The failure to re-sign Jonathan Wells is something only Kubiak Kool-Aid drinkers would dare defend. Wells helped the Texans win one of their two games last year when he gained 88 yards, scored two TDs and added 33 yards through the air. Wells has proved he can get it done off the bench. This excuse about "he doesn't agree with the system" is simply a smoke screen used to cover every bad decision Kubiak has made.
 
Stephen Davis is a free agent, but he would have the same problem as our other Davis. Of the guys available, TJ Duckett is probably the best fit here, as he already plays in a similar system.
 
ensign_lee said:
I do not agree with this. Who says that he does not fit a zone blocking scheme? Hasn't that been the only scheme that the Texans have run recently? And didn't he step in and have some REALLY great yardage days when DD went down?
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What we were running is not a real ZBS. I always liked Wells very much too, and even thought we did better overall as a team with him than DD (for some reason that I won't get into right now), but Wells is not a true ZBS RB. If we had brought in another HC who doesn't use it (exclusively anyway), I would have been really pulling to keep Wells around, but Kubiak it is :yahoo: and we've gotta do this thing all the way.
 
we will prolly have to wait for the waiver/fa casualties to pop up during camp when they make the big roster adjustments, some good veteran talent usualy leaks out then. remember we dont need a 30 carry back, about 15 to 20 carrys should do.
 
I've been a HUGE fan of Domanick Davis.

I have heard whispers from very reliable sources that his knee is in pretty bad shape, and that it's not looking good.

This is no bull. And I'm not a DD basher.

So, "Yeah," Kubiak and Co. are very desperate for a RB that they feel offers the starter quality we need. I envision Antowain Smith getting cut the instant we secure a free agent RB that Kubiak feels can make the team. Otherwise, Smith might make the team just on luck alone.
 
TK_Gamer said:
yeah its an acceleration thing, for some it only shows on short runs, like emmit smith , he could accelerate on a 20 yard burst, but ran out of nitrous after that. come to think of it, barry sanders often ran out of gas 40 yards down the field. but on short runs he looked alot faster
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But after 40 yards, Berry had juked the opposing defensemen twice each...
 
gpshafer_1976 said:
I have heard whispers from very reliable sources that his knee is in pretty bad shape, and that it's not looking good.
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This makes me very, very sad. I really want Domanick to pull through.
 
If DD is really in bad shape, then we've got troubles.

I think that people will find that Morency will fit the ZBS that we will now run with surprising efficiency. In watching him do his thing at OSU, he was very quick to the hole and a slashing/one cut type of runner.

I'm not sure why he hasn't been as productive or gotten as many touches here with the Texans, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him become another one of those "no-name" backs who in the Bronco system turns into a 1,000 yard rusher.

Go Texans
 
Historyhorn said:
If DD is really in bad shape, then we've got troubles.

I think that people will find that Morency will fit the ZBS that we will now run with surprising efficiency. In watching him do his thing at OSU, he was very quick to the hole and a slashing/one cut type of runner.

I'm not sure why he hasn't been as productive or gotten as many touches here with the Texans, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him become another one of those "no-name" backs who in the Bronco system turns into a 1,000 yard rusher.

Go Texans
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Supposedly Morency has done poor adjusting to the ZBS so far and that's the reason we need to look at a solid backup RB. He'd have to improve a lot quickly to make your assumtion right. Hopefully you are right though. I think Wali's the backup and Chris Taylor and Morency are close and that Morency is going to have to pick up his game.
 
Historyhorn said:
I think that people will find that Morency will fit the ZBS that we will now run with surprising efficiency. In watching him do his thing at OSU, he was very quick to the hole and a slashing/one cut type of runner.
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The problem has been that he hasn't been one cut and go. He has been trying to make several moves and that seems to have POed Kubes a bit from what some folks have said.
 
What is the difference between the zone blocking Kube's runs and what we used last season? No one and I mean no one has been able to explain. I know the new one uses smaller linemen, but are blocking responsiblities the same? I have trouble getting excited but I know Kubes was successful @ Denver with that offense.
 
Meloy said:
What is the difference between the zone blocking Kube's runs and what we used last season? No one and I mean no one has been able to explain. I know the new one uses smaller linemen, but are blocking responsiblities the same? I have trouble getting excited but I know Kubes was successful @ Denver with that offense.
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Half of the problem with our past system is we didn't have people that properly fit it, i.e. guys like Todd Wade and Victor Riley as our starting OTs. I think Morency will develop into a good ZBS RB, he danced around too much last year but that is something that can be fixed when Morency gets more than one week of OTAs to work on the offense. I think he can be as good of a RB for our system than Domanick Davis and he doesn't have the chronic knee problems at this point in time.

ensign_lee said:
I do not agree with this. Who says that he does not fit a zone blocking scheme? Hasn't that been the only scheme that the Texans have run recently? And didn't he step in and have some REALLY great yardage days when DD went down?
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Wells had 4 games of over 50 rushing yards last year, with a season high of 87 yards on 28 carries, hardly impressive stats. For all the talk about Morency dancing too much when he runs and does not fit a zone blocking scheme, Wells dances even more and he weighs 40 lbs. more (i.e. should run with power, which he doesn't), and is slower.
 
I think we have to remember that VMo was a rookie last year and he had some good games once he decided how he was going to play. In the preseason he was the only bright spot we had.
 
El Tejano said:
I think we have to remember that VMo was a rookie last year and he had some good games once he decided how he was going to play. In the preseason he was the only bright spot we had.
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I think he'll pan out as well. Although I'd still be keeping an eye out for a good RB to pick up. I don't think DD will be ready to go. If he is, I just don't see him being reliable at all. :brickwall
 
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