Texans still looking for players to improve the roster

[South Texan]

While I agree a solid RB would be a good catch for us, I am more worried about the secondary... doesn't look like much depth there on the corners.

Anyone know much about CB Ty Law? I saw today on the NFL site that he is available.

What I don't know is how he would fit in our proposed system, and can we afford him.

Any insight from the experts on here would be much appreciated!

 

[TexanFan881]

With us cutting Wade and deciding to eat up his whole salary this year, I think that means were not looking at any big time players like Ty Law. I hope I'm wrong though but I don't think we can fit his huge contract he wants into our salaray cap.

 

[Texans_Chick]

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.

Kubiak said it in the Houston Chronicle on May 19th:

"He's more of a shifty-type runner, and that's not what we want him to do," Kubiak said of Morency. "We tell them they get one cut and then they have to get the ball downfield. He's being told a few different things than maybe he's been told in the past, but he's responded well and practiced well."

That is the only thing that has been said. The only thing. At the beginning of OTAs.

They have been looking for more runners, and I am guessing it is because they want more experience.

We shouldn't read more into it than just one article. Though I will say that Morency is not shaped like a typical Bronco back, (nor most people on earth for that matter. Fireplugs maybe)

With Morency, I would be more concerned that he has been having issues with Plantar Fascitis because sometimes that can hang on some.

Basically, the deal with the running backs is that DD would good for the offense, but hasn't been able to practice because of the knee, and we are likely to know more come training camp whether he will be OK.

Under Shanahan/Kubiak, Denver typically hasn't wanted to start rookies. Even their more talented ones have had to wait. But on the other hand, in our circumstance, we may not have a choice unless we get someone new quicklly. All the running backs are starting new with a new system, so the difference between an experienced player who knows the system isn't as great as it would be with an experienced Denver back and a rookie.

 

[Buzz]

If they want a guy who can be a backup RB, I don't think Jesse Chatman signed with a team yet. He played well for a few games when Tomlinson was out and he started for the Chargers, and didn't play much for the Saints last year. He's from Houston if I remember correctly, so I bet the Texans would be a good fit for him.

 

[Coach C.]

Morency is likely the best RB we have on the team as far as overall talent goes. He has enough speed to take some to the house and he is strong enough to shrug off tackles. He can also catch the ball well eventhough it is not a large part of his game. Problem is exactly what Kubiak said, the kid is use to being shifty. You are asking him to change what got him into the NFL and that is hard for some men to do. Morency had one week of practice before he went down with his foot so after he is healthy it should be an interesting battle for carries this year between him, DD, Antowain, and Taylor. Rhodes is not bad, but more a practice squad guy.

 

[the wonger need food]

Morency is likely the best RB we have on the team as far as overall talent goes. He has enough speed to take some to the house

When did he show this speed? I seem to recall him getting caught from behind on several runs last preseason.

 

[powerfuldragon]

Wali Lundy is our man.

 

[Bobo]

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.

This is revisionism. Wells did not start and didn't get many touches, so you can't come down on him if he didn't rack up a lot of yards. But when he did have to step in for Davis, he did very, very well. His stats, when you take everything into account, were indeed impressive.

 

[edo783]

I think everyone is a bit "Jumpy" about the RB situation, but IMO I doubt we have a real problem. Lundy or Morency or both or even the other kid (?) will be good enough and Smith will be in the mix filling in and giving veteran help and at some point DD will be back at full strength. Then we will see, but it's a just bit uncomfortable at this point.

 

[MorKnolle]

When did he show this speed? I seem to recall him getting caught from behind on several runs last preseason.

His speed isn't anything real special, but he has slightly better straight line speed than Domanick Davis. He won't break many 40+ yarders but he could churn out a few more of those than Davis if given the same number of opportunities. I really think he can turn into a better RB than Domanick as long as he can stay healthy too (he is actually older than Davis although he has much less miles on his legs).

 

[Kaiser Toro]

I think everyone is a bit "Jumpy" about the RB situation, but IMO I doubt we have a real problem. Lundy or Morency or both or even the other kid (?) will be good enough and Smith will be in the mix filling in and giving veteran help and at some point DD will be back at full strength. Then we will see, but it's a just bit uncomfortable at this point.

I am for the most part in this camp. However, I do feel that Morency earns the position mid way through the season.

 

[TexanFan881]

I think everyone is a bit "Jumpy" about the RB situation, but IMO I doubt we have a real problem. Lundy or Morency or both or even the other kid (?) will be good enough and Smith will be in the mix filling in and giving veteran help and at some point DD will be back at full strength. Then we will see, but it's a just bit uncomfortable at this point.

When we would end up having our rookie 6th round pick, disapointing 2nd year 3rd round pick, a veteran situational back not suited to be a feature back, and an undrafted free agent be in our starting RB competition, yes we do have a problem.

 

[MorKnolle]

When we would end up having our rookie 6th round pick, disapointing 2nd year 3rd round pick, a veteran situational back not suited to be a feature back, and an undrafted free agent be in our starting RB competition, yes we do have a problem.

I agree to an extent, but at the same time Terrell Davis started as a rookie 6th rounder (1117 yards and 7 TDs as a rookie), then Olandis Gary came in and started the last 12 games of his rookie year as a 4th round draft pick (1159 yards and 7 TDs, filled in after Terrell Davis got injured), Mike Anderson stepped in as a rookie 6th round pick and started from the 2nd game on (1487 yards and 15 TDs), Clinton Portis started from day 1 as a 2nd round pick and put up 3099 yards and 29 TDs in two years, and Tatum Bell made a pretty nice impact in his 2nd year after being taken in the 2nd round (921 yards and 8 TDs splitting carries with Anderson), so Kubiak's system has been able to find many diamonds in the rough to plug into their running game. I'm fully confident that they will find a way to put up a solid running game. Adding a better RB could definitely take our running game to the next level, but I'm still confident we will have a solid running game with our current stable of RBs.

 

[infantrycak]

I am for the most part in this camp. However, I do feel that Morency earns the position mid way through the season.

Are you predicting an injury or suggesting Morency is going to do so well he gets the starting nod from a healthy DD?

If it is the latter, we need to bet a dinner at the Black Lab or something (actually you can make it Castle Hill).

 

[Kaiser Toro]

Are you predicting an injury or suggesting Morency is going to do so well he gets the starting nod from a healthy DD?

If it is the latter, we need to bet a dinner at the Black Lab or something (actually you can make it Castle Hill).

Been on record after the draft that I feel that way. Hardly quantifiable, just a feel that he earns it straight up by week 9. Not familiar with the Black Lab. Castle Hill Austin?

 

[GP]

Basically, the deal with the running backs is that DD would good for the offense, but hasn't been able to practice because of the knee, and we are likely to know more come training camp whether he will be OK.

I saw a video interview of DD, and he was saying how he didn't have swelling after a walk-through (or some sort of low-level practice routine).

Then, I read a report somewhere that stated he couldn't finish a walk-through (or some sort of low-level practice routine) without the knee getting swollen and/or fluid on it. That he had to stop.

That's not good.

My guess: DD sits out the entire season...if our coaching staff is smarter than the previous staff.

Get this guy a year of complete rest, or he'll be ruined forever. RBs already have a short lifespan, I'd lose a year to get 4-5 years in return.

 

[Runner]

I saw a video interview of DD, and he was saying how he didn't have swelling after a walk-through (or some sort of low-level practice routine).

Then, I read a report somewhere that stated he couldn't finish a walk-through (or some sort of low-level practice routine) without the knee getting swollen and/or fluid on it. That he had to stop.

That's not good.

My guess: DD sits out the entire season...if our coaching staff is smarter than the previous staff.

Get this guy a year of complete rest, or he'll be ruined forever. RBs already have a short lifespan, I'd lose a year to get 4-5 years in return.

I've heard some of the same things. I don't know about sitting out a whole year though - if it's that bad would he ever come back?

Even good running backs can have short careers - I hope we aren't seeing an abrupt end to DD's. I'd much rather have him on the field this year and next year and...

 

[El Tejano]

Sometimes a good player goes down for a year and a great player comes out of it by making the most of a situation ie...Bledsoe and Brady.

 

[edo783]

The question in my mind is; why is he having trouble on what was/should be a fairly routine proceedure? Is something else going on? Surgury didn't go well? Something doesn't pass the smell test for me at this time.

 

[AFD1717]

I was really hoping Davis would have about 2200 all purpose yards this year to go with Mario's 15 sacks so that we could really thumb our nose at the "Should have taken Bush" crowd. Now I'm afraid that even if Davis plays, he won't be 100%.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

Are you predicting an injury or suggesting Morency is going to do so well he gets the starting nod from a healthy DD?

If it is the latter, we need to bet a dinner at the Black Lab or something (actually you can make it Castle Hill).

*********************

I wouldn’t bet the farm on either of them. Neither can be expected to return with any semblance of predictability. Morency with his plantar fasciitis may not be able to return with the repeated trauma as a RB, and if he returns may not be able to go full speed without reinjury. DD, after continued swelling and tenderness 7 months post “clean up arthroscopy” may very well be looking at return to the knife. This chronic postop problem can be from particles left behind from the original surgery, chondromalacia, extended meniscus tear, tendinitis or osteoarthritis from cartilage worn down to bone.........none of these problems are particularly desireable for any RB that plans to return to duty in the near future. For that matter, depending on the exact underlying problem, the status of simply “returning,” period, comes into question. I hope that both make that great turnaround, but I personally am very guarded about the when's and if's surrounding their returns.

 

[Bobo]

My guess: DD sits out the entire season...if our coaching staff is smarter than the previous staff.

A.) If the coaching staff had any inkling of this being possible before draft day, then they are far from being smart. B.) Is Shane Mack available?

 

[HOU-TEX]

Maybe we can lure Bettis out of retirement, or Earl for that matter.:brickwall

 

[El Tejano]

This sounds bad and is going to hurt this team if we don't get something done right away.

 

[TexanFan881]

Chris Brown! Chris Brown! Please, LenDale, do good so we can get Chris. We need him more than the Titans!

 

[El Tejano]

Hey the Titans owe us for the Babin deal.

 

[nunusguy]

Here's what puzzles me about the way Kubiak has handled the RB situation.
Maybe he didn't take Bush, but he must have had enough concerns about DD and the position that, by most reports, he wanted to move back into the 1st round and get Laurnece Mahoney. Ok, he didn't move fast enough to beat the Pats who took the Minnesota RB at 21, so get a back a little bit later in the Draft. But wait all the way to the 6th round to get that back ?
I loved DeMeco in the 2nd and think taking the 2 OLineman with our third round picks was great. But did we really need to use our 4th rounder on another TE after getting Putzier in FA. And especially after almost moving up
to the first round and probably use our 2 and one of the 3s to get Mahoney.
It seems like by the time you get to the 4th round, you finally get a RB. I don't get it ?

 

[Runner]

Here's what puzzles me about the way Kubiak has handled the RB situation.
Maybe he didn't take Bush, but he must have had enough concerns about DD and the position that, by most reports, he wanted to move back into the 1st round and get Laurnece Mahoney. Ok, he didn't move fast enough to beat the Pats who took the Minnesota RB at 21, so get a back a little bit later in the Draft. But wait all the way to the 6th round to get that back ?
I loved DeMeco in the 2nd and think taking the 2 OLineman with our third round picks was great. But did we really need to use our 4th rounder on another TE after getting Putzier in FA. And especially after almost moving up
to the first round and probably use our 2 and one of the 3s to get Mahoney.
It seems like by the time you get to the 4th round, you finally get a RB. I don't get it ?

Good question - maybe the simple answer is......they made a mistake. Then again maybe they are confident Davis will be ready. Maybe the RBs we have will do the job. Maybe...


We may have to wait for some hindsight to answer this one.

 

[infantrycak]

by most reports, he wanted to move back into the 1st round and get Laurnece Mahoney.

The Texans weren't trying to get Maroney, they were trying to move up to 26th to get DeAngelo Williams ahead of the Panthers. The Bills out bid them for the pick to move up and take McCargo.

 

[TexanFan881]

Man if we had DeAngelo Williams right now we would be sitting pretty. Looks like we need him more than we need DeMeco right now.

 

[El Tejano]

Not true. When rebuilding your defense needs to be in order. Our LBs is just as bad when it comes to depth. The Demeco pick was the right pick after we couldn't draft back up into the 1st.

I think some serviceable backs will surface but then again we might find a real good one in camp.

 

[Titan "Tack" Fan]

Man if we had DeAngelo Williams right now we would be sitting pretty. Looks like we need him more than we need DeMeco right now.

DeAngelo is a BADASSSSS. Wow i love watching that guy play football. If he was on USC he would have done the same things that Reggie did. But he ran behind the O-Line at MEMPHIS. Imagine if he had the O-Line Reggie did..........................

 

[TexanFan881]

He was the right pick after we couldn't trade back into the first round. But I sure would have liked to see DeAngelo in a Texans uni right now. We wouldn't be talking about trading for Michael Bennett or Chris Brown because we'd have a late first round draft pick who should've been a top 10 pick. I love the Demeco pick but I like DeAngelo a lot too and I think we are fine at LB with Greenwood, Cowart, Rainier, Orr, and Wong (if he comes back). I don't think our LB corps is as bad as a lot of people make it out to be. There was no RB worth the #33 pick but there was one worth it at #26.

 

[TexanFan881]

DeAngelo is a BADASSSSS. Wow i love watching that guy play football. If he was on USC he would have done the same things that Reggie did. But he ran behind the O-Line at MEMPHIS. Imagine if he had the O-Line Reggie did..........................

Exactly how I feel. Talking about him know really makes me wish we had him and he was on my fantasy football team lol

 

[nunusguy]

The Texans weren't trying to get Maroney, they were trying to move up to 26th to get DeAngelo Williams ahead of the Panthers. The Bills out bid them for the pick to move up and take McCargo.

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. It still begs the same question, if Kubiak was concerned enough about the RB situation to make it a top priority and nearly move up into the first round to get one of the top tier backs, then after not doing so why all of a sudden make drafting a RB an incidental priority and wait until the next to last round of the whole Draft in the second day to take a back ?

 

[infantrycak]

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. It still begs the same question, if Kubiak was concerned enough about the RB situation to make it a top priority and nearly move up into the first round to get one of the top tier backs, then after not doing so why all of a sudden make drafting a RB an incidental priority and wait until the next to last round of the whole Draft in the second day to take a back ?

I don't think it was made an incidental priority at all. The main point of the draft is to add talent. Ryans was viewed by many as 1st rounder. Winston and Spencer were both also value/talent picks and at positions of undeniable need. The 1st time you can really say things got iffy was in the 4th. The only RB's taken in the 4th were Leon Washington at #20 who is not considered an every down RB and PJ Daniels at #35 who is also not considered starter quality. Sometimes the chips just don't fall so you get everything you want.

 

[MorKnolle]

The Texans weren't trying to get Maroney, they were trying to move up to 26th to get DeAngelo Williams ahead of the Panthers. The Bills out bid them for the pick to move up and take McCargo.

I think they prefered Maroney to DeAngelo but would have taken either one available, and either way They were trying to send their 2nd and 4th to the Bears to move up and grab a RB but the Bills offered a 2nd and 3rd and jumped in front of us. As much as I like Demeco I would have given him and Owen Daniels up for DeAngelo Williams or Laurence Maroney.

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. It still begs the same question, if Kubiak was concerned enough about the RB situation to make it a top priority and nearly move up into the first round to get one of the top tier backs, then after not doing so why all of a sudden make drafting a RB an incidental priority and wait until the next to last round of the whole Draft in the second day to take a back ?

After the big 3 RBs (Bush, Maroney, and DeAngelo) there obviously weren't any RBs that they valued over Demeco Ryans, so they took Ryans, and after Addai and LenDale White there weren't any standout RBs, and by the 4th round pick there weren't really any RBs left that stood out over the others. I'm not sure why they drafted Owen Daneils there (I would have gone for a DB first), but I don't think any of them available are much, if any, better than Lundy.

 

[GP]

Been on record after the draft that I feel that way. Hardly quantifiable, just a feel that he earns it straight up by week 9. Not familiar with the Black Lab. Castle Hill Austin?

While a lot of people here were bashing Morency, wondering why he hadn't performed as expected or hoped for, I had attributed his sub-par showings with what I believe to be a situation of "waiting his turn."

Morency, to me, seems like a guy who has his head on straight. He is talented. He is smart. He's actually a little more mature because he's older than most guys in his draft class. With that age, and with that talent, comes the idea of character.

In my eyes, Morency will not show us the "goods" until DD is out of action. Last year, DD was in and out. There was never a chance for him to be "the guy." The spot, under Capers' regime, was always given to the incumbent...just as it was for all positions with Capers.

I don't think Morency was intentionally holding anything back out of respect for DD, etc., but I think that subconsciously he wasn't able to run with 100% focus and concentration because he knew as soon as DD was healthy, it was DD's rock again.

Bledsoe/Brady was mentioned earlier. I think it might hold true for DD/Morency. I think we have a guy in Morency who is (A) Talented, (B)Mature, and (C)Ready after a year of NFL experience under his belt.

I, too, agree with Kaiser that Morency wins out about mid-season. That's "if" he is healthy. But, the thing about Kubiak's offense is that he always wants a full roster of backs whom he can plug onto the field at a moment's notice.

One thing's for sure: If our running game is ANYTHING less than what we've been used to (for our team) then we are realllllllllllllllllllly going to hear the boos and the "Why, oh why, didn't you draft Reggie Bush?" cat calls from the haters.

Without a good running game, we're in real big heap'uh trouble.

 

[HOU-TEX]

Man if we had DeAngelo Williams right now we would be sitting pretty. Looks like we need him more than we need DeMeco right now.

I'm not sure I would've given up Demeco for a running back. IMO RB's are expendible (yes there are some exceptions). They don't have the NFL life like LB's do. If not this year you will eventually see that Demeco was the right choice. Don't give up on RB just yet. Coach K will find one, heck he might even already be on the roster.

 

[infantrycak]

As much as I like Demeco I would have given him and Owen Daniels up for DeAngelo Williams or Laurence Maroney.

It would have been Demeco plus Winston to move up for DeAngelo and even more for Maroney.

 

[MorKnolle]

It would have been Demeco plus Winston to move up for DeAngelo and even more for Maroney.

If that was the case we would have gotten the trade, we were offering our 2nd and 4th, but Buffalo jumped in with a 2nd and 3rd so Chicago took their deal. If we were offering a 2nd and 3rd we would have been the ones making the trade, and then we would have given up Ryans and Spencer or Winston, which I'm not sure I would give up, but Daniels and Ryans I likely would give up in a heartbeat.

 

[nunusguy]

After the big 3 RBs (Bush, Maroney, and DeAngelo) there obviously weren't any RBs that they valued over Demeco Ryans, so they took Ryans, and after Addai and LenDale White there weren't any standout RBs, and by the 4th round pick there weren't really any RBs left that stood out over the others. I'm not sure why they drafted Owen Daneils there (I would have gone for a DB first), but I don't think any of them available are much, if any, better than Lundy.

OK, your explanation (and Infantrycak basically says the same thing) makes perfect sense.
The only remaining thought I have about this subject is, I wonder if there's any chance they wanted to get one of the 2 remaining "big 3 RBs" to pacify
those numerous Texans' fans who were frustrated about the Bush snub ?
And I'm getting more and more convinced as more time passes from Draft Day
back in April that the Texans snubed Bush because he's an NFL prima donna
waiting to happen and would not be consistant with the Texans' persona,
not because he wasn't at the top of the Texans' Draft Board.

 

[cincyTEXAN]

DeAngelo is a BADASSSSS. Wow i love watching that guy play football. If he was on USC he would have done the same things that Reggie did. But he ran behind the O-Line at MEMPHIS. Imagine if he had the O-Line Reggie did..........................

imagine if he didn't play in the conference USA

 

[NoBullTexan]

You guys will count your blessings once you see Demeco on the field and the difference he will make for our defense.

 

[threetoedpete]

You guys will count your blessings once you see Demeco on the field and the difference he will make for our defense.

Well you won't have to wait long NO BUll. the first one out of the nfl box is the waterbug, Westbrook. Then Addai, GrandMa & Ronnie Brown...we'll see. If the kid's still standing...I'll buy you a coffee & Kolache. The kid steps up he'll be on the inside track for ROY honors.