Official Texans @ Chiefs Fake Game Thread, 8/9/2018

[Keith]

The long wait has ended. Kickoff at 7:30pm tonight.

Won't get a long look at the starters, some maybe not at all, but of all the things to watch, I think I am most intrigued by the OL changes.

[Keith]

O'Brien opts to punt on 4th-and-1 at midfield to start a preseason game.

Field position battle already. Dig in.

[Arky]

A couple of good runs by L Miller and then a dud on 3rd down.

Verlander getting rocked. 6-0 Mariners in the top of the 2nd inning.

[Keith]

Touchdown Texans, Weeden to rookie TE Jordan Akins. Drive significantly aided by disinterested Chiefs defense and their penalties. Still, good to see a TD for a TE in the endzone.

7-0 Texans

[Arky]

Quick pass from Weeden to rookie Jordan Akins (C Florida) gives the Texans an early 7-0 lead.

2:22 left in the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

Coates seems like he has an idea of what he's supposed to be doing out there.

Pass protection was damn near respectable with the first team. Not exactly a group of maulers, but when Deshaun can run around some that will open up some running lanes I think.

[Arky]

Weeden finds Akins again for the TD. 14 yards.

Texans 14, Chiefs 0

11:04 left in the half.

[Keith]

What in the name of Owen Daniels is going on up there?

TWO first half touchdowns to a tight end? Obviously, this is not in the Texans' regular season playbook.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

What in the name of Owen Daniels is going on up there?

TWO first half touchdowns to a tight end? Obviously, this is not in the Texans' regular season playbook.

The ghost of Joppru.

[Arky]

Chiefs hit a nice pass play for 24 yards for a score with 1:09 left in the half.

Texans 14, Chiefs 7

[Arky]

Fairbairn tacks on a 31-yard FG.

Texans 17, Chiefs 7

7:54 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Chiefs add a FG to start the 4th qtr.

Texans 17, Chiefs 10

[Arky]

Texans hang on with a goal line stand.

Final score:

Texans 17, Chiefs 10

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Some new blood makes things interesting. Pope looks good - maybe further along than Ervin....

[Keith]

Forget for a moment that guys from both teams who won't make their 53 each had failed fourth down attempts deep in the redzone… it was enjoyable seeing a happy Texans sideline after that goalline stand, especially Romeo Crennel. Glad he's back.

Weeden did well. The OL had some bright spots. TEs were involved. Webb is an interesting option with his feet (did I also see him playing special teams??). A few good takeaways in an otherwise forgettable first preseason game. Texans overall seemed to play with a little more heart and deserved the (albeit officially meaningless) win.

[barrett]

The 4 game preseason schedule is a total waste if you aren't an owner looking to sell full price tickets for pretend product.

The entire game told us we have a competent backup QB and RB. That is nice. I'd imagine you could have figured out the same thing without playing this game.

[nunusguy]

Yea I thought the rookie TE was pretty impressive, wonder if he can block ?
And how about the local kid from Alief who played his college ball at Wake Forrest ? Ejifor was a very determined edge-rusher who might end up being a
real coup for a 6th rounder ?

[Arky]

OT Martinas Rankin (Miss St.), #Texans 3rd-round pick

I was wondering what happened to this guy but a search turned up the answer:

Martinas Rankin was the only offensive lineman the Houston Texans selected in the 2018 NFL Draft after a busy free agency period in which the team attempted to address the several deficiencies in that position group. Although it has not been publicly declared what position at which the Texans planned to play Rankin, many projected the 6’5”, 310 lb. rookie lineman to make an immediate impact.

That impact is much, much less likely to materialize in 2018 now. Unfortunately, Rankin suffered a foot injury in rookie minicamp that required surgery.
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Mark Berman
@MarkBermanFox26
OT Martinas Rankin, #Texans 3rd-round pick, who suffered a foot injury in rookie minicamp, recently underwent surgery and is expected to be ready for the regular season.

1:57 PM - Jun 12, 2018 · Houston, TX

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Rankin’s versatility across the offensive line at Mississippi State was a key attribute Bill O’Brien and Brian Gaine have mentioned lusting for in their revamp of the offensive line. Houston’s game plan for addressing the team’s glaring holes there was to acquire as many big, talented, and versatile linemen as possible, presumably with the notion of lining up the best five linemen against the Patriots on September 9th.

Injuries are not just a physical issue; they curtail the learning process, especially in young players, because the player misses the on-field application of everything learned in the playbook and film room. In two separate tweets, however, John McClain echoed the team and head coach’s high expectation for Rankin this season.


John McClain
✔
@McClain_on_NFL
Texans are happy with progress rookie OT Martinas Rankin is making after undergoing recent surgery on his foot, an injury suffered in the rookie minicamp. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the season.

1:57 PM - Jun 12, 2018

John McClain
✔
@McClain_on_NFL
Bill O’Brien said after the first day of minicamp he’s got high hopes for OT Martinas Rankin, a third round pick who’s recovering from foot surgery.

1:59 PM - Jun 12, 2018
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If the offensive line is going to feature four new starters (as O’Brien has suggested), it would be ideal if the Texans could come into the regular season and be comfortable blocking as a unit. Continuity across the offensive line is crucial to better blocking, and Rankin’s injury already threatens that.

The Texans may have erred in not targeting guys like Nate Solder and Andrew Norwell in free agency, but they’ll make it work with what they have. With all the weapons the Texans have on offense, opposing defenses should still be wary of overcommitting to pressuring Deshaun Watson.

As of today, I predict a Julien Davenport-Senio Kelemete-Nick Martin-Zach Fulton-Seantrel Henderson starting offensive line when the Texans take the field Week 1 against the Patriots. Hopefully Rankin can rotate in and become a steady contributor, if not a starter, as the season progresses.

Are you worried about Martinas Rankin’s injury? Does it change your outlook for the Texans this year?

[nunusguy]

If the offensive line is going to feature four new starters (as O’Brien has suggested), it would be ideal if the Texans could come into the regular season and be comfortable blocking as a unit. Continuity across the offensive line is crucial to better blocking, and Rankin’s injury already threatens that.

The Texans may have erred in not targeting guys like Nate Solder and Andrew Norwell in free agency, but they’ll make it work with what they have. With all the weapons the Texans have on offense, opposing defenses should still be wary of overcommitting to pressuring Deshaun Watson.

As of today, I predict a Julien Davenport-Senio Kelemete-Nick Martin-Zach Fulton-Seantrel Henderson starting offensive line when the Texans take the field Week 1 against the Patriots. Hopefully Rankin can rotate in and become a steady contributor, if not a starter, as the season progresses.

Are you worried about Martinas Rankin’s injury? Does it change your outlook for the Texans this year?
*****
It's well known that the Texans aggressively pursued signing Soldier but he chose to remain in the northeast for family reasons. His son has cancer and is being treated at a hospital in the northeast and his in-laws also live in that region so he signed with the Giants instead of the Texans.
Re Martinas - he missed all of the OTAs which puts him way behind so it may be overly optimistic to expect him to help us in 2018.
On the plus side, the OLine looked descent in limited action in the preseason opener on Thursday.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

*****
It's well known that the Texans aggressively pursued signing Soldier but he chose to remain in the northeast for family reasons. His son has cancer and is being treated at a hospital in the northeast and his in-laws also live in that region so he signed with the Giants instead of the Texans.
Re Martinas - he missed all of the OTAs which puts him way behind so it may be overly optimistic to expect him to help us in 2018.
On the plus side, the OLine looked descent in limited action in the preseason opener on Thursday.

Yep. Rankin is on the PUP list so I'm not sure if he is coming off of it any time soon or perhaps becomes midseason elegible - not sure how all that works. It would be nice if he is back at some point to get a taste of playing in the NFL and not miss the whole year over some minor (I believe) foot surgery....