Casey vs. Dreesen

[Roy P]

Well, no pressure on Casey to do anything other than heal his knee. Dreesen should be okay in this offense. Many of us thought he'd be able to put up big numbers if OD wasn't ahead of him, so now he'll get his opportunity. Just like Ryan Moats, Dreesen will have a shot to make his case.

Kubiak has stated we may just stick with what we've got this week. I'm of the mindset that perhaps getting Joe Klopfenstein on this roster, might not be a bad idea.

[NBT]

Remember how after the draft, a lot of us were carping about drafting two tight ends, and there won't be enough balls to go around. How quickly ones impressions change. Wish we had OD and Casey for this week, but Kubiak said (on 610), we will do the best we can against Indy with what we have, and look around the league to see if there are any FA TE's out there. Hurry up and get back Casey. We are going to need you.

[chuck]

So with OD out for the year and Casey out for at least this game the team is left with Dreesen and Hill and whoever they bring in off the street, which will be whoever the Broncos have cut last. Bob, help us out here.

I think that those of us who've been wanting to see the Texans spread the field more both to disguise their plays and to find better running lanes might get what we wished for, for better or for worse. No one spreads the field and runs the ball like the Indianapolis Colts, so why the hell not give them back some of their own?

If the Texans do spread out to run as well as pass this is going to really stress-test the blitz pick up abilities of the RBs, and even if they bunch I would expect the TEs to miss all sorts of blocking assignments so Schaub's going to have to know exactly where the hot read is at all times.

This will be a very interesting game.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by chuck

No one spreads the field and runs the ball like the Indianapolis Colts, so why the hell not give them back some of their own?

This is somewhat off topic, but i hear this a lot...the Colts run two TE sets very often. I'm not saying the Colts don't spread the field, but they run behind 2 TE's all the time. Off course one reason the Colts are so good is that Manning audibles to whatever play will work best depending on what the defense is showing, including shifting formations if necessary.

One thing i hope to see from the D this week is showing different looks pre-snap, and then shifting after Manning starts doing his song and dance.

I have no worries about Dreesen. He's capable of contributing in the passing game. Sure he's might not be as dangerous as OD, but they want be able to ignore him. He's been aroud this team enough to know his assignments, so that shouldn't be a huge concern.

[kravix]

I know Hill was drafted as a blocking TE, which they have not used just as Bruenor was rarely used, however he may have decent hands. At this point it doesnt matter where he was drafted, all that matters is that he produces.

Can he help the run game?

Can he get open and catch?

Cab he get open?

Not many 4th+ rounders contribute, on a consitent basis, so we will see this week what he can do. (Do not spout off exeptions to this, becasuse that is what they are. For every player that excells from the 4th+ rounds 100's fail)

Casey was a multi pos guy at Rice, and had he stayed in he would be the starting QB this year. OD was a former QB, which is one of the reasons that he is able to find the seam, lets hope that "Thor" can step up and show those same skills.

I believe that TE's are pretty interchangable in out off, just as RB's are, so Dreesen, Hill, or Casey may step up and have the same type of season that OD has been having. It is not always about the player, sometimes it is about where the def is playing, and from what we have seen defences are playing Dre as much as possible.

[Big Texas]

I agree in part that it is about how the defenses are playing him. However, this guy has not only been CONSISTENTLY finding the open area but he has been making some fantastic catches. He has also been making the necessary adjustments after the catch to pick up the first downs, quite frequently.

IMO, this guy is an earned probowler, not just a product of the system. Casey may have good hands but how good is he at finding the open area? Dreesen is not as athletic. I don't want this to seem like a negative post. I am just saying OD should be given more credit for his play this year than "he is just a product of the system, and can easily be replaced by one of the other TEs on our team".

[NBT]

Casey, like OD, is a former QB, so he should be able to find the zones pretty well. Dreeson and Hill will have to hold the rope for the TE's this weekend. Hope they are up to it.

[Fonz the Boss]

Casey, Dreesen, and Hill will be the reason that OD never gets paid what he wants in Houston. Thats because they will prove that anybody that gets plugged in there will get similar production.