Reports from OTA's

[painekiller]

Nothing much new here. (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5288)

Short summary:

Ready to get on the field.

Demeco is practicing and he thinks the business side will take of itself.

Dunta has chosen the other route, but told Kubiak he can be counted on. Rick Smith and Mr McNair handle the business side, Kubiak just works with whats here.

Okoye is healthy and ready to go.

Bush is not really installing a new system so much as changing the way it has been taught. Of course some new wrinkles will be added.

This is by far the best group of LBs the team has had since Kubiak has been here. Will play the 3 best.

Does not see us adding any new faces but who knows what a week of practice may uncover.

DE Connor Barwin and RB Jeremiah Johnson will not be able to attend until later this summer due to league rules, but does not see that as a problem for these guys.

RBs situation, told Slaton they expect him to have a big jump as a player, and if he does they will be fine. Chris Brown is healthy, and they expect to some good things from Moats. The kid from Tennessee will be here from the start of OTA, and he sees the OL improving again due to experience.

[HPF Bob]

From what I read, you can't attend OTAs if your are still enrolled in school which is why some rooks don't attend.

[Keith]

Only Dunta Robinson, Jeremiah Johnson, and Connor Barwin were no-shows, as expected, for day one of the OTAs this week. Travis Johnson was present, but injured.

Live chat transcript (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/q_and_a.asp?Q_AND_A_ID=46) with the paid writer at the official.
ben - spring, TX, US: how do the rookies look in the OTAs?

Brooke Bentley:
Hi Ben,
A lot of these rookies look that part of pros right away. Brian Cushing was the biggest linebacker on the field by far. The Texans aren't tackling right now, but Cushing looked like he wanted to lay some people out. He's going to have to work on his technique and learn the defensive schemes, but the learning curve should be steep for him. Third-round draft pick Antoine Caldwell was holding his own at center. He can play both guard or center, but assistant head coach Alex Gibbs worked him hard at center. Caldwell is sharp and he should pick up the zone scheme quickly. Tight end Anthony Hill has long arms and looks like he could develop into a good blocker. James Casey layed out to make a catch that was impressive. Defensive end Connor Barwin wasn't there because he is in school until June13. ...

[Roy P]

RBs situation, told Slaton they expect him to have a big jump as a player, and if he does they will be fine.

REALLY?!?!?

I'll take what he gave last year and be happy. Just as long as he doesn't get hurt, I'll take it.

[painekiller]

Only Dunta Robinson and Connor Barwin were no-shows, as expected, for day one of the OTAs this week.

RB Jeremiah Johnson was supposed to also miss OTA due to graduation date for Oregon? Was he there? Or just misreported?

[painekiller]

Heard from the 610am update that Diles worked at SAM with Cushing today. Have not seen any other reports of Diles to confirm or refute.

[Roy P]

RB Jeremiah Johnson was supposed to also miss OTA due to graduation date for Oregon? Was he there? Or just misreported?

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5288
Johnson can't participate either.

(on DE Connor Barwin and RB Jeremiah Johnson not being able to show up for OTAs because of their late graduation dates) “It sets them back – they miss some reps – but there’s nothing you can do. When we signed them, we understood the issue, but they’re both very smart young men. They’ll catch up. Just something you have to deal with in our league.”


I did catch this and wanted some more info...

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5290
everyone’s pretty healthy except for Chester (Pitts).

What is wrong with Chester?

[Keith]

Day 2 quotes (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5292) from Kubiak on the injuries:
(on DE Antonio Smith’s injury) “He’s had a hamstring issue for about the last two weeks, and instead of pushing him through this—we thought he might do something yesterday, but watching him work, to me it didn’t look like he was doing a lot.”

(on G Chester Pitts) “Chester had his elbows cleaned out. He had one elbow one week and the other elbow the following week, so he’s pre-cautioned. He probably will not work much at all in the OTAs – if any, there at the end. (DT) Travis (Johnson) was doing fine throughout the offseason. Last week, he started on a few different things, so he’s got to catch up physically before we let him on the field.

(on DT Amobi Okoye) “He’s been fine. He was good yesterday. He has a quad problem, actually, that has given his knee some soreness, and we feel like we’re on top of that. He’s had a good offseason, so unless he’s telling you something he doesn’t tell me, I think he’s OK.”

(on DT Travis Johnson not being on the field) “It’s not good. He needs to be out there. He needs to be out there helping the football team and he’s got a long, long way to go as a player, but he’s got issues, so we’ll get the issues solved and then we’ll let him get out there and compete.”

[painekiller]

Day 2 quotes (http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5292) from Kubiak on the injuries:(on DT Amobi Okoye) “He’s been fine. He was good yesterday. He has a quad problem, actually, that has given his knee some soreness, and we feel like we’re on top of that. He’s had a good offseason, so unless he’s telling you something he doesn’t tell me, I think he’s OK.”


Not sure what Okoye is telling the coaches/trainer but he told Anna Megan he was not well on the Chron.com. Link to video (http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid823425601?bclid=769464594&bctid=23745811001)

This might not be anything, but than again a player telling the reporters he is not well and not relaying to the coaches his issues concerns me.

[NBT]

If it is just a pull and not a tear, he should be able to work his way through it. I like his reaction to coach Kollar, too.

[Roy P]

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5295

On Glover Quinn

"He’s a big, thick, good-looking kid. He moves around well. From the tape, we know he’s not afraid to hit. So we’re encouraged by him.”

I think Molden is hurt and if Dunta pouts about the Tag, we are going to have Reeves, Bennet, and Quinn at Nickle.

[NBT]

Premature.............but, he may be the hitter we've been loking for in the secondary.

[jppaul]

After watching the kid for several years I can tell you hE is not that

[NBT]

Why? He looks like the real deal. Is it that he talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk, or what?

[nero THE zero]

John Harris says from watching film on the guy that he hits like a ton of bricks and is a prime candidate to move to safety if the Texans so wish.

[Keith]

More good news about Glover from today's practice, picked off his fourth INT today after three his first week. The flip side here though is that Moulden is still not where he needs to be, but the team sounds optimistic he'll be ready for training camp.

Head coach Gary Kubiak
(on CB Glover Quin) “He just seems like he makes a play every day. He’s got a knack for getting his hands on the ball and when he does, he tends to come up with it. So he’s doing a lot of good things. He’s getting a great deal of reps because of (CB) Dunta’s (Robinson) situation, so, good chance for him to help the team quickly.” ...

Defensive backs coach David Gibbs
(on the interceptions CB Glover Quin is getting) “He took last week off. He had three his first week, he didn’t get any last week. I think he slept through all three days and got one today. But the other two rookies are doing good, too—(CB Brice) McCain and…I can’t remember my other guy’s name right now. But he’s doing good, so we’ll see what happens.”
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5315

Health report: The only Texans to sit out of practice on Monday were wide receiver Jacoby Jones and defensive tackle Travis Johnson. Last week, Jones bruised his tailbone at home and is expected back any day. Johnson has been sidelined for all of OTAs with a hamstring injury.
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5316

From last week...
Strong safety Dominique Barber got his first taste of starting duties this week, taking reps with the first team in place of Nick Ferguson. ...

“Yeah, I’ve noticed a difference,” head coach Gary Kubiak said of Barber. “I think he’s more comfortable in what he’s doing. (Defensive backs coach) David (Gibbs) yesterday flipped him, told Nick, ‘Hey, I’m going to work Dominique with the first group, see how he responds.’ So he got some reps with the first group. You know, it’s a great opportunity for him.”
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5310

[Nconroe]

Seems to be quite a few stories about our RB's coming out of OTA on official site, so don't worry. And FB options. no more red zone troubles? hmm? was it maybe play calling and clock management also in the red zone. I guess experience of coaches might be getting better as well.

[nunusguy]

“Well, the reason I think the secondary is going to be better is for three things,” Ferguson said. “Frank Bush is our defensive coordinator. We have David Gibbs as our coach. And the acquisitions we made in the offseason. Antonio Smith will give us some pressure. Hopefully, the quarterbacks throw some balls off the wrong foot and give us an opportunity to get interceptions. And Brian Cushing . He’s going to allow us to do so many things with our defense.
I don’t know if we’re going to do this, but this personnel allows you to do 4-3 or 3-4 types and really keep the offense guessing. It’d be great for the defensive backfield. We’d have more opportunities for interceptions.” http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5321
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I like the sounds of that.

[edo783]

I like the sounds of that.

Me to. I also liked the quote from Cushing about how he has no friends on the field. Seems like he is intense like a LB should be. Kind of like back in the 60's when they asked Ray Nitchkie why he played so hard in practice and he answered "Blood makes the grass grow".

[nunusguy]

Sizing up Okam: Big Frank Okam has been taking advantage of a huge opportunity during OTAs, getting added reps with defensive tackle Travis Johnson on the sidelines.
During the offseason, Okam struggled with his weight, entering the strength and conditioning program at 365 pounds. He has gotten down to 339, which is paying dividends on the field.
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5323

[NBT]

I am keeping my fingers crossed on big Oak. We really need that big run stuffer in the middle this year, and hopefully he can be the one to do it.

[nunusguy]

(on if next week’s mini-camp will be different from OTAs) “I made a decision in the last couple of days. There are about 30 veteran players that are going to be here working out with (head strength and conditioning coach) Ray (Wright) and not practice. I’m going to practice all the young players. We are going to go back and start over from Day 1 when we came out here and really catch these young men up – catch (Connor) Barwin up; catch (Jeremiah) Johnson up. All the players will be here, but only certain guys will be on the field.”
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5333
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I think they should rename the upcoming weeks practice the "Connar Barwin mini-camp". Kubiak mentioned wanting to get Jeremiah Johnson (who like Barwin couldn't report before next week either) indoctrinated to, but Barwin is the key guy who they are really looking to get up to speed. There's gonna be a lot of pressure on our 2nd round pick (and the coachs), to be a productive player as early as this fall. They desparately want to get some help for Mario on pressuring the QB.

[papabear]

(on if next week’s mini-camp will be different from OTAs) “I made a decision in the last couple of days. There are about 30 veteran players that are going to be here working out with (head strength and conditioning coach) Ray (Wright) and not practice. I’m going to practice all the young players. We are going to go back and start over from Day 1 when we came out here and really catch these young men up – catch (Connor) Barwin up; catch (Jeremiah) Johnson up. All the players will be here, but only certain guys will be on the field.”
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5333
****************************************
I think they should rename the upcoming weeks practice the "Connar Barwin mini-camp". Kubiak mentioned wanting to get Jeremiah Johnson (who like Barwin couldn't report before next week either) indoctrinated to, but Barwin is the key guy who they are really looking to get up to speed. There's gonna be a lot of pressure on our 2nd round pick (and the coachs), to be a productive player as early as this fall. They desparately want to get some help for Mario on pressuring the QB.

I doubt Barwin is the whole reason for doing it this way. It actually makes sense to me. The veterans don't need this as much as the young guys...and your going to lose their attention if your installing things in baby steps for the young guys. It makes a lot more sense to spend extra time with the rookies now so that they can be more prepared for the real training camp. The vets will probably benefit from the extra time with in the wieight room more

[painekiller]

The vets will probably benefit from the extra time with in the wieight room more

Plus during the Kubiak era, our guys have started the season with heavy legs. This year the core of the team has playbook down, so why wear them out before the season starts.

This is Kubiak learning from his mistakes, and he is looking for a fast start, IMO.

[Nconroe]

These are meant to be mandatory. And the first that was seen of Conner Barwin, JJ the RB, and Rex Grossman. Apparently Conner and JJ were both the quickest on their side of the ball today and Conner showed stronger in drills than most, so a good start. Rex improved as practicer went on, so far, so good.

[nunusguy]

Apparently Conner and JJ were both the quickest on their side of the ball today and Conner showed stronger in drills than most, so a good start.

But put an asterick next that. The core of the team, the starters plus some other vets (30 in all) weren't even on the field and Barwin and JJ had fresh legs since it was their first day and most of the others on the field had been here thruout the OTAs.
Barwin said his first day went well and he said he proved he deserved to be on the field in the NFL, but I dunno maybe he didn't know the only other players out there were other rooks like him and scrubs. I mean I'm glad he's finally here, but contrary to what he might think he proved nothing yesterday.