Some notes on the team

[painekiller]

Pitts was on 610am. There are a couple interesting notes from this interview.

Pitts was asked about which O'Lineman would be a surprise, his answer is Butler. Pitts said Butler has gained a lot of weight (now 310 to 315lbs) and has the best technique of all the tackles. Butler seems like a nice waiver find.

When asked about Caldwell, Pitts admits that Caldwell has to the talent to eventually replace him at LG. That statement means to me that Caldwell is going to push someone in the middle and be pushing to start soon. (Before next season).

The other night I was watching the Texas v Rice game. It had a new meaning for me. I wanted to watch Thor, and was I surprised when he line up at QB in the goal line offense. And he also seemed to be Rice's goal line RB.

I wonder if the team will give him some shots at the RB position. If so then we can let a guy like Brown go. I am also wondering if he gets a shot at long snapping.

Another spot for him maybe the up back on punting teams, then a direct snap for a fake?

Pitts had a lot of nice things to say about Cushing and how the other teams are going to have to run to the weak side because of his ability to play at the line of scrimmage.

Boy this is a long week.

[HPF Bob]

Denver's offense has often utilized FB/TE hybrids for wham blocking and short routes. One of their favorite stunts is to put the back in motion, then have him move towards the line, then flare out along the LOS for a short pass. It's hoped the receiver gets lost by the defense who won't send anyone out to cover him because they are selling out to stop the run or get to the QB. This is used in goalline and short yardage packages.

It would not shock me at all if Kubiak intends to use Casey this way.

[NBT]

Good to hear that Rashad Butler is over that medical problem that was causing him to lose weight. If both Butler and Caldwell do well, that will really flesh out the O'line for us. Great news for a long season.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by NBT

Good to hear that Rashad Butler is over that medical problem that was causing him to lose weight. If both Butler and Caldwell do well, that will really flesh out the O'line for us. Great news for a long season.

Yep. It's unlikely all 5 of those Oline starters will remain healthy and start all 16 regular season games this year just as they did in 2008. But with Butler at
swing-tackle & Caldwell able to play any of the 3 interior line positions, that's some serious insurance.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Pitts was on 610am.

The other night I was watching the Texas v Rice game. It had a new meaning for me. I wanted to watch Thor, and was I surprised when he line up at QB in the goal line offense. And he also seemed to be Rice's goal line RB.

I wonder if the team will give him some shots at the RB position. If so then we can let a guy like Brown go. I am also wondering if he gets a shot at long snapping.

Another spot for him maybe the up back on punting teams, then a direct snap for a fake?

Casey could have been the starting QB if he had stayed at Rice for another year. He was used more as a FB than a RB in college. I don't think Casey will have any bearing on whether Brown stays or goes in any way. Even if Casey ligns up as a RB/FB it will more likely be in specific sets. I hate to use the term gadget play...but it would be a gadget play. From everything the Texans and Casey have said they just want him to focus on being a TE right now. I've seen several quotes from Casey about how difficult learning the playbook is. I heard him on the radio the other day and that was all he talked about....how much he was struggling with the playbook. You would think it wouldn't be a problem for a Rice guy....but it made me wonder just a little.

Pitts had a lot of nice things to say about Cushing and how the other teams are going to have to run to the weak side because of his ability to play at the line of scrimmage.

Great to hear Chester rave about Cushing. He sounded sincere in the interview...even talked about how you could just see a difference between him and a guy like Babin on the practice field.

I'm not sure teams are going to change their whole game plan to run away from Cush, but Mario seemed to be a little undisciplined at times against the run last year. With Cush and Smith on the opposite side he could get more stuff his direction....I'm not worried though. It will just lead to more Jamaal Lewis like rag dolls.

[nunusguy]

I watched my USC-Penn State Rose Bowl game recording again this past week and there was quite a few plays where the Trojans had Cushing up on the los over the TE. Guess that's part of the plan that the Texans may incorporate in our defense ?
Speaking of Cushing, neither he or Barwin or Caldwell (our top 3 picks) have been signed to a contract. And neither has key verteran DeMeco. I dunno,
but I would have thought atlest one or two of those guys would have been signed by the time we were within just a week of TC ?

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I watched my USC-Penn State Rose Bowl game recording again this past week and there was quite a few plays where the Trojans had Cushing up on the los over the TE. Guess that's part of the plan that the Texans may incorporate in our defense ?

This is from a coaching clinic or something Pete Carrol did on the 4-3 under scheme. I'm pretty sure it's been up here before...but it's a good read with it sounding like we will use a lot of the same philosophy.

http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.co...z_schemes.html

[Bigtinylittle]

It will be fun to see the 4-3 under. It will be even more fun if it actually works.

[NBT]

Why wouldn't it work? With Frank Bush & Bill Kollar running it, (and teaching it!)

[Nconroe]

ESPN has a preview, prediction at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=435...goryid=2459789 from yesterday

The analysts are predicting Texans to be 4th in the division in 2009. So, I think I am drinking the juice right now and totally disagree with these guys.

On 610 , maybe Wednesday afternoon, they interviewed someone from FootballOutsiders.com who said Texans had sixth hardest schedule in 2009 and therefore would still not have a great year into the playoffs.

Guess we'll have to prove these guys all wrong.

[painekiller]

What did they say about us the year we went 2-14?

The national press IMO has no clue about this team.

We have AJ, OD, Mario, Ryans, Schaub, Slaton, Winston, Pitts all playing at or near Pro Bowl level.

The Titans best player is in Washington, the Jags should be recovered from the injuries, but....

And then we have the Colts, Dungy is gone and I think that will have an effect, but they still have Peyton.

Yes we have a hard schedule but we have a ton of young talent.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

The national press IMO has no clue about this team.

Tell me about it !
This past week ESPN has had a show called "SportsNation" on from 4-5 local
time subing for the vacationing "Around the Horn" & "PTI" and the guy on the show said in so many words in one segment that the most boring, uneventful game the NFL could schedule would be the Lions vs the Texans.
That's of course not just clueless, its very insulting. Just one more reason to
enjoy and savor in our success, when that finally does arrive.

[coloradodude]

We are taking the division this year. The only team I'm concerned about NOW are the Titans due to the relationship between Fisher and McNair.

Fisher may be angry and that worries me...hopefully, he gets depression instead. That's an ugly thing to say so I kind of apologize.

[NBT]

They said it on the ESPN video. 8-8 is NOT Great! We just have to go out and show those E. coast talking heads that they don't know jack!......errr, the Texans.