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Who wins the last receiver spot?

El Tejano

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
I have seen alot of Starling and plays specifically ran for him this offseason so I have no reason to believe the coaches don't want him to win it. However, I will predict Sloan Thomas to win the job. Yes, he hasn't run a reverse, yes Starling looks much faster but Thomas has shown some good flashes of a nice possession receiver. Both of his catches went for first downs (Yes I count the catch in Pitt a first because it was and the refs were lying). Also I hear he has done alot more in practices than Starling has.

Who do you think wins between the two of them as this is clearly the two lead canidates in the battle and why? :boxing: :boxing:
 
Based on what I have seen on these preseason games I would have to lean on Kendrick Starling. But that doesn't mean that Sloan Thomas won't get it, but I have seen Starling more than Thomas. I hope we can keep both.
 
Based on what I have personally seen, I would favor Starling. In fact, I am thinking he becomes our punt and/or kick returner given time. That's just a guess, but I think he has the moves, speed, and skills to be a very good returner. I think if they had their druthers, Moses would be released, Starling would be the #5 WR, and Thomas the #6. I think both could develop into good WR's. Starling looks to have a little more speed, burst, and moves, while Sloan looks like a good possession receiver in the making with better than average speed. :twocents:
 
If it comes to a choice between them, Starling will probably get the nod due to the speed.
 
I think Starling looks a little closer to being there than Thomas but I also think they'll both make nice receivers given time. I look for Thomas on the practice squad and Starling to make the regular roster.
 
We have just seen a little bit of both in the two preseason games. Right now most of their body of work has been in practices which we haven't seen. Even though I am a Longhorn fan I can see that Starling has pretty special talent, so I would have to guess that he would end up with a spot on the roster if I had to chose between Starling and Thomas. However, I haven't seen how they have done in practice. Another thing distinguishing them is that Thomas has been used as a gunner on special teams while Starling has been used as a return man. Thomas has had experience at Texas returning kickoffs, but I don't know if he will get a chance to try that as a Texan.

Since AJ won't be playing against the Broncos we should get a chance to see more of these two guys, as well as Armstrong. Armstrong will now be in the starting 3 WR packages, while either Starling or Thomas will be in the starting 4 WR packages.
 
The thing I question about Starling is his hands. He's had a few get away from him that were pretty sure handed. I think either one is nice to have on our team though but I think this game will tell all. There are some pretty talented DBs on that Broncos team.
 
Another thing distinguishing them is that Thomas has been used as a gunner on special teams while Starling has been used as a return man. Thomas has had experience at Texas returning kickoffs, but I don't know if he will get a chance to try that as a Texan.
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Starling has also been used regularly as a gunner. He's also been returning kickoffs in practice and had one ko return that I can remember at Pitt. We will probably see him return more ko's against Denver. I only went to the half dozen public practices but I never saw Thomas get any work on returns. Albert Johnson was usually the other guy back there with Moses, Duff, and Starling.
 
I'd be hard pressed to put Sloan above Starling right now but it's close. The last two presesaon games are very important for these guys. Both are good young prospects. Maybe we'll keep 6 this year (and no JJ).
 
aj. said:
Maybe we'll keep 6 this year (and no JJ).
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I have been thinking this since we have been trying very hard to give every last roster player a chance at returns in camp. Looks like we have some players we may want to keep and the numbers don't jive with JJ.
 
Vinny said:
I have been thinking this since we have been trying very hard to give every last roster player a chance at returns in camp. Looks like we have some players we may want to keep and the numbers don't jive with JJ.
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Looks like Vinny and I are on the same page, said in another post, The coaches are looking for anyone who can do double duty as returner, and regular down position.
 
Why can't both Starling and Thomas make the team? They both cerainly have the potenial to be good ones. Agree with V this might mean that Moses will no longer be parting the water in Houston.
 
I think both can and will make the team. Of course this is assuming that Gaffney handles the punts, Starling the KO's, and JJ is let go. It would be great to have two young receivers to develop. I'm afraid that neither will pass waivers to make it to the practice squad if they intend to do that .
Sloan was under used at UT and Starling needs to be more focused. Starling has a lot of raw talent, and Sloan has a lot of untapped potential. Someone will have to take Bradford's burner spot next year. Both of these guys have the speed; Starling a bit more than Sloan.
 
You make alot of sense dredge. Really the Texans decision is do we keep a kick/punt returner who only does that, or do we keep two promising young receiver prospects that can eventually become starters, and if needed handle Moses' role.

Sad to say, but it looks like Moses will be on his way out.
 
So who looked the best between the two. I am talking receiving here not punt returns or kick offs. I did not get to see the whole game.
 
On the channel 13 pre-game show last night Bob Allen was talking with Charley Casserly, and they mentioned that Andre Johnson would not be playing. Casserly's response was that we would get good looks at Bradford, Gaffney, and Armstrong, and good looks at Sloan Thomas and Kendrick Starling. So if those were the first names that came to the GM's mind, they're probably the top five behind AJ.
 
Starling had a pretty good 'catch' when I believe Tony Banks threw it into the arms of a Denver player while attempting to pass it to Starling. Kendrick grabbed hold of the ball as he tumbled to the ground, and stole it from the Denver player. I can't really think of any big plays that Sloan Thomas was involved in.
 
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