The cuts, final roster, practice squad 2015

[Arky]

Texans’ practice squad includes Zac Dysert, Max Bullough, Chandler Worthy, Kurtis Drummond, Kenny Hilliard

The Texans have signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Zac Dysert to their practice squad.

Dysert broke most of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s passing records at Miami of Ohio.

He was drafted in the seventh round by the Broncos two years ago. He was beaten out during the preseason by Trevor Siemian, a rookie from Northwestern, for the Broncos’ third quarterback job.

Wide receiver and return specialist Chandler Worthy has also joined the Texans’ practice squad.

Inside linebacker Max Bullough has been signed to the Texans’ practice squad along with safeties Kurtis Drummond and Corey Moore and defensive end Dan Pettinato. All of the players were with the Texans during training camp.

The Texans also signed former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad and offensive guard Karim Barton. Barton is a 6-foot-, 313-pound former Browns offensive guard from Morgan State.

Tomlinson is known as a strong blocking tight end who played collegiately at Texas-El Paso who caught 59 career passes for 547 yards and touchdowns. Tomlinson went to Klein High School where he was a two-year starter in football who also was on the basketball team and a member of the National Honor Society.

Tomlinson was an All-Conference USA honorable mention selection two seasons ago who caught 30 passes for 304 yards.

The Texans also signed running back Kenny Hilliard, their seventh-round draft pick from LSU, to the practice squad.

The Texans can sign up to 10 players to the practice squad under the NFL collective bargaining agreement.

Although undersized, Worthy has 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash and was an accomplished return specialist and wide receiver at Troy University.

“I just look at it like a blessing,” Worthy said. “They gave me the opportunity to stay and get better and continue to grow. I’m able to play a game I love on a team where I have pretty good relationships.

“The team kind of told me my weaknesses and what I need to work on. They told me they see the potential of what I can be. I need to work on the little things and correct them and continue to improve.”

aaron.wilson@chron.com
twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL

[popanot]

I'm surprised they cut Brown, somewhat surprised they cut James. I thought Brown played well enough and showed enough promise to at least keep him on the roster and see if he develops. James seemed to be a good ST player and could provide spot duties at CB if in a bind. I would have gambled KMart's spot and/or the now available 3rd QB spot for either of those guys.

As it is, I'm surprised a lot of these guys are deciding to sign with other teams. I know these are fringe players, but could there be something more to it (like BOB is a complete arse away from the HBO cameras)?

[WMH]

Vic Carucci ‏@viccarucci 3m3 minutes ago
Hearing #Bills offered a better deal to Matt Cassel than #Texans w bonus structure that could potentially recoup most of lost pay.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by popanot

As it is, I'm surprised a lot of these guys are deciding to sign with other teams. I know these are fringe players, but could there be something more to it (like BOB is a complete arse away from the HBO cameras)?

I wondered about this, too. Might be one or more of these:

1. That yep, OB is a complete arse away from the cameras. These guys may have been led on or promised something right up until the day they were cut.

2. The players may have realized that signing with the Texans PS was a dead end. Could be a coach (for example, Vrabel seems somewhat difficult to work with) or the depth at their position that may have encouraged them to seek employment elsewhere.

3. I believe PS guys can make more than the minimum. If a team offers you say, 10K more to be on their PS, you probably take it. Plus, it's nice to feel wanted.

4. The Hard Knocks factor. These guys got excellent exposure to the other 31 teams which allowed them to be showcased league wide. Along with James, Nix and Brown who cut bait, I think EZ is now on the Dolphin PS. So, that's (at least) four who migrated to another team which has to be a Texans record....

[popanot]

Originally Posted by Arky

I wondered about this, too. Might be one or more of these:

Yeah, I'm sure there is more to it than just BOB being an arse.

[barrett]

James signed with the Ravens. The DBs ahead of him there have major injury history increasing his chances of making the 53. These guys who are trying to catch on a roster will do anything to make it. They don't care if coach is nice, they care if they make the NFL.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Arky

..........4. The Hard Knocks factor. These guys got excellent exposure to the other 31 teams which allowed them to be showcased league wide. Along with James, Nix and Brown who cut bait, I think EZ is now on the Dolphin PS. So, that's (at least) four who migrated to another team which has to be a Texans record....

I forgot about Ferentz (Broncos) so that's 5 migrations. I was actually somewhat pleased to see him (Ferentz) go - letting him hang around always smelled of "buddy move" to me...

[WMH]

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 1m1 minute ago
Texans signed DT Brandon Dunn to active roster off Bears' practice squad, per source

[popanot]

Originally Posted by WMH

Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 1m1 minute ago
Texans signed DT Brandon Dunn to active roster off Bears' practice squad, per source

Someone hurt of ineffectiveness? I'm actually surprised we're not raiding more practice squad's with the lack of overall talent and depth this team has. WTH, I can't imagine our 40th best player on down is any better than taking a flyer on a PS player.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by popanot

Someone hurt of ineffectiveness? I'm actually surprised we're not raiding more practice squad's with the lack of overall talent and depth this team has. WTH, I can't imagine our 40th best player on down is any better than taking a flyer on a PS player.

Saw where Crick pulled up lame on Monday, but that's a DE spot, not DT/NT. The Wilfork experiment hasn't exactly yielded the results we had hoped, that's for sure.

Saw this a few minutes ago, guess that means Washington/Shorts are getting in better shape:

Daniel Gotera ‏@DTGoteraKHOU 5m5 minutes ago
#Texans have waived WR Chandler Worthy

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Arky

4. The Hard Knocks factor. These guys got excellent exposure to the other 31 teams which allowed them to be showcased league wide. Along with James, Nix and Brown who cut bait, I think EZ is now on the Dolphin PS. So, that's (at least) four who migrated to another team which has to be a Texans record....

Nix and Brown were claimed thru waivers. They didn't have much choice.

James probably saw the depth in Bmore vs Houston, and figured he'd have a better chance to get a game check with them. EZ as well.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by WMH

Nix and Brown were claimed thru waivers. They didn't have much choice.

James probably saw the depth in Bmore vs Houston, and figured he'd have a better chance to get a game check with them. EZ as well.

Doh! You're right. I believe Ferentz was also waiver wire....

Still, I can't recall a year where Texans have been "raided" so much... mostly due to Hard Knocks, I suspect...

[chuck]

The idea that the Texans coaches are difficult is absurd to me. Other than Seattle every other team in the league has coaches that are verbally extremely demanding, who get in your face, yell, curse, etc. Even palm licker was and is like that away from the cameras.

So if players don't like being coached they can go to Seattle and participate in meditation sessions or they can play croquet on the lawn of an old folks' home.

Losing pretty good players that our guys have cut is surely a sign that the Texans are turning the corner in terms of talent. We still need a quarterback and the OL depth is bad but we're getting to the point where most of the Texans starters would start for any good team.

[WMH]

FWIW -
Field Yates ‏@FieldYates 5m5 minutes ago
Source: DT Louis Nix failed his physical with the Giants. He goes back to the waiver system.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by chuck

The idea that the Texans coaches are difficult is absurd to me. Other than Seattle every other team in the league has coaches that are verbally extremely demanding, who get in your face, yell, curse, etc. Even palm licker was and is like that away from the cameras.

So if players don't like being coached they can go to Seattle and participate in meditation sessions or they can play croquet on the lawn of an old folks' home.

You have a point - especially with the younger players. When Vrabel says, "Get off the field, Trail", he's being pretty harsh on the young guy... Perhaps Mr. Trail is not doing his job correctly and Vrabel is tired of putting it up with it. OTOH, how do you think "Get off the field, Cushing" would fly with Brian Cushing? Coaches should be allowed to coach (with passion) but there will always be "good coaches" and "bad coaches" (yes, even at the pro level)....

As an aside, I quit my last real job after 6 months because I had a gung-ho boss (actually he wasn't a "boss" more like a group leader) some 15 years my junior. I'd come to work, do my job and, IMO, be productive yet he always found a reason to "push" me. Just never pleased. Not his fault, I suppose, he was wired that way. I had come from a laid-back corporate environment where I was given the latitude to work on my own and was quite productive....It was a professional atmosphere, IMO, encouraging what-can-you-do-to-help.. So, working for said boss was like getting kicked back to being a no-nothing 18 year old just starting out in the real world. So I quit, left the job.... told his boss I can't work with him. Been self-employed and loving life ever since... So, I would encourage anybody employed in a less than satisfying environment to GTFO and find something else...

Losing pretty good players that our guys have cut is surely a sign that the Texans are turning the corner in terms of talent........

Woah, that sounds almost like an indirect compliment to the Texans organization? You feeling OK, chuck?