Reports from OTA's

[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/St...?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/St...?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/St...?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/St...?story_id=5321
****************************************
I like the sounds of that.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

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/St...?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/St...?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.