Training Camp Thread

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I haven't seen him yet this year. Does anyone know whether he has put on a little but more muscle?

I think it was McClain who asked Kubes about that....he said he's in good shape this year and that he just thinks Walker is one of those guys who is just a little thick in the mid-section. In other words he doesn't have ripped abs, but he's worked hard and he's in good shape.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Walker is very fluid, with great vision and no hesitation in his game. He seems to have the ability to instantly cut back without losing any speed, and he seems to have a good idea of when to do it. I think that's what will help him stick in the league, and that's why I really enjoy watching him run.

Yep, good eye. I think he does that better than anybody on the team (backfield).

I noticed that Kubiak said that this year he has put behind him the problems that Kubiak mentioned last year. Kubiak never got too specific about them, but I wonder whether part of it was that Walker didn't really want to hit the weight room seriously.

I think it was attitude mainly. The whispers I heard were that he came in with a I'm-from-Notre-Dame-and-my-caca-don't-stink attitude. I think Kubiak gave him an attitude adjustment by cutting him and then either before or after the recall, finally convinced him that he was going to have to put in lots of work to make it in this league.

I think a lot of whether he stays or goes will depend on what Mr. Gibbs thinks of him.....

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by papabear

I believe he was in the 4.7 range. 40's are so overated.

Mid 4.6's might be closer, but in paid in the open he was gone, just like Jerry Rice another "slow" player.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Mid 4.6's might be closer, but in paid in the open he was gone, just like Jerry Rice another "slow" player.

That kinda sets up my point. Whether he ran a 4.65 or a 4.73 makes a big difference in some peoples opinion (not saying you PK), even though if two guys ran a 40 yard race that would be damn close....close enough to not matter 99% of the time on the football field.

People point to Walker's 4.55 forty time as someone who will have a hard time in the NFL at RB, but if he had run a 4.48 you might not here it quite as much. In either case the difference is only a step or two. Granted, that might be the difference in a 12 yd gain vs. taking one to the house, but that difference in the 40 time can come down to who spent the most time with a good track coach working on technique.....and have absolutely nothing to do with how fast they they play with pads on when its gametime.

I'm not trying to pick a fight with bigtiny. Guys like Walker slide every year apparently because of their forty time so it appears to be a big deal to NFL teams as well...it just doesn't make sense to me in a lot of cases. Teams do need some kind of baseline to judge these guys on. I think a lot of it is they want to see how committed the kids are. In other words, who put the work in to get ready and how they handle themselves in that environment.

[Arky]

Day 5 pics:

http://www.chron.com/sports/photogal...AMP_DAY_5.html

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by papabear

People point to Walker's 4.55 forty time as someone who will have a hard time in the NFL at RB, but if he had run a 4.48 you might not here it quite as much. In either case the difference is only a step or two. Granted, that might be the difference in a 12 yd gain vs. taking one to the house, but that difference in the 40 time can come down to who spent the most time with a good track coach working on technique.....and have absolutely nothing to do with how fast they they play with pads on when its gametime.

100% agree

[jaimeg]

What's with all the love for Darius Walker?????

When I said he would emerge as the man at running back (thread a couple months back) there was no love.

[KJ3]

i don't think anybody expects darius walker to be "the man" for us but i think everybody can see what he did in a limited role last year was fairly decent even though the expectation of him was...just about nothing. really though, the only reason he got a shot was injuries to green, dayne and taylor. also because echemandu couldn't hold onto the ball 10 times in a row haha...but as a 3rd down type i wouldn't mind hanging on to him.

[barrett]

Regarding Walker, in all the positives mentioned I have not even heard the one thing that set him apart from our backs last year...he can catch the ball.

We are running a west coast offense after all. Because of this I think a lot of his chances rest more on whether Slaton can pass block and help in the passing game rather than on whether Brown is healthy. We have a coach who loves the screen pass so much we were throwing it to Ron Dayne last year. We have a number of decent runners if they are healthy, but I think the back who can contribute the most on 3rd down could be the safest back on the roster.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

What's with all the love for Darius Walker?????

When I said he would emerge as the man at running back (thread a couple months back) there was no love.

You where right and my opinion was wrong. I miscalculated the young mans heart. He wants to be here and play. And he is proving it everyday in practice.

[cadams]

i have liked the kid since he came out of college. i was really glad the texans signed him out of college, and was disappointed he didnt get more playing time last year. that said, he is probably going to always play a reserve role if everyone is healthy. i think slayton can be special, and can be an everydown back at some point.

[coloradodude]

Originally Posted by papabear

I believe he was in the 4.7 range. 40's are so overated.

That's correct and he entered the league at 206. I'm thinking Walker's in good company especially if he's picking up the nuances of the ZB scheme. Also, I like his game speed.

[painekiller]

Just a quick note from practice today. Eric Winston, who has had a heck of a camp BTW, walk the gauntlet today and signed every kids and adults balls ..., whatever they had to be signed. He was hot tired and sweaty yet he never once acted like he was in hurry. That is the kind of thing that I have seen from him the last two years. I am proud he is a Texan.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Just a quick note from practice today. Eric Winston, who has had a heck of a camp BTW, walk the gauntlet today and signed every kids and adults balls ..., whatever they had to be signed. He was hot tired and sweaty yet he never once acted like he was in hurry. That is the kind of thing that I have seen from him the last two years. I am proud he is a Texan.

He's just trying to prove that cavemen really do know how to read and write


It's good to hear stuff like this. I have never been a big autograph hound, but for a kid it can be a huge deal.

[Arky]

re: Winston

He does the Hustle just like we do...

[Arky]

Day 6 pics:

http://www.chron.com/sports/photogal...AMP_DAY_6.html

[kravix]

Watch the video recap of today on the mainsite. Early in the video it show Brisiel man handling Weaver. The next part shows him holging up against a LB I think, he was rocked back on his heels a bit but didnt give much ground.

Just an interesting tidbit. I have my doubts that anyone is going to take that spot from him, he is also taking reps a C as the backup. He makes the team regardless I think, but I really believe his is our starter on day 1.

[coloradodude]

How does Duane Brown look? I imagine confused at times but is holding his own? Has he stood out yet?

How about Slayton? Same questions and one more. How does he look physically? Solid or fragile?


Thanks

[Bigtinylittle]

I haven't been to camp this year, so I will just tell you what I have read elaswhere.

1. Brown has been doing best against the speed rush. He seems to handle it well. He has struggled, though, against the bull rush. Also, for some reason unknown to me, he came to camp somewhat pudgy. I imagine he has probably lost some of that weight already. I also read that as expected he has been outstanding at getting to the second level, something I'm sure is making Gibbs very happy.

2. Slaton is definately the best back the Texans have for widening the field, something which is even more important in a Gibbs type scheme than it is in a power scheme. He's not even close to being the best back in camp, though. That would be Green. IF Green stays healthy, he should be every bit as good as he was at the beginning of last year. As for Slaton, I am expecting him to get on the field as a change of pace back even at the beginning of the season. I really think he will fulfill the Reggie Bush role for us, for a lower round cost and a heck of a lot less money. It's not even inconceivable that he could be more effective than Bush-- almost as fast, with a lot less dancing. I think Bush's biggest problem is that all his life he has gone for the homerun on every play. I'm really hopeful that Slaton won't have that problem.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

How does Duane Brown look? I imagine confused at times but is holding his own? Has he stood out yet?

How about Slayton? Same questions and one more. How does he look physically? Solid or fragile?


Thanks

In the 11 on 11 drills it is sometimes hard to watch him due to the confusion of bodies and speed those men move at.

But the other day Walker had a huge cutback run where he started to the right, one or two steps and planted hard and cut back to an open backside that was sealed off perfectly by young Mr. Brown.

Now during 1 on 1 drills, he does well on some plays and he gets blown up on some others. But I do not remember anyone going through him, to his inside yes, not as much to his outside, and never over the top.

He is learning, and they are pushing his body and his mind hard. And Ephram has been helping the youngster.