Training Camp 2018

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

I had a dream a couple of nights ago where Deshaun just ran wild. He'd get the snap and stand there for a moment and wait for the play to unwind a bit, see his opening and just take off. It was like fun football where there's one 12 year old with the body of a 15 year old who is just miles and miles ahead of all the other kids and is almost literally a man among boys. We've all seen this, I'm sure. That was Desahaun. But it was the NFL. But it was a dream.

Speaking of dreams, how 'bout that Manziel kid, huh? I certainly hope the Cowboys don't find a way to scoop him up.

Obviously injury concerns make it impossible for a guy to run all the time, but it is amazing the NFL tries to remove the most effective play in college football (QB run). Most NFL coaches would rather fail with accepted practices than risk failing with unaccepted ones. I guess if you fail with accepted practices you just show up as a retread with a new job elsewhere. So they all play in the same sandbox waiting on someone else to take the chances.

Then once one guy is praised for creativity they all copy it. We'll have 10 teams running RPOs this year after Folkes did it last playoffs. It's a copycat league.

I was shocked at the amount of creativity O'Brien showed with Watson last year and I was shocked how little the Watson led offense resembled the Savage/Mallett/etc ones we previously saw. Maybe O'Brien was so willing to lose this job he got very brave with what he'd try last year.

[Arky]

Harris notes, Aug 5:

-- Wide receiver DeAndrew White made the best catch I’ve seen him make in team drills early in practice. He skied above the defensive backs on a route down the middle of the field for a catch on a throw from quarterback Brandon Weeden.

-- Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had another solid day kicking field goals. He made five of eight through the Arena League posts (i.e. tight sticks) and missed only one on the NFL sticks. He seems more consistent the more that he’s kicked these past two weeks.

-- During the past two weeks, tight end Jordan Akins may not have dropped one pass during a team drill. At least, not that I remember. All the tight ends have caught it extremely well, which is great to see. Akins can also get himself open in a hurry as well. He beat a linebacker in man coverage for a quick pitch and catch from Weeden early in team drills.

-- Rookie Justin Reid came up with the first interception of the day on the very first play of team drills. He was patrolling the middle of the field and read the errant throw perfectly to put himself in position to make the pick.

-- I’ve written “4 to 15 - complete” a lot this week, in particular... and those have been in a variety of ways as well. That would be No. 4 Deshaun Watson and No. 15 Will Fuller V, in case you didn’t know my shorthand.

-- Quarterback Brandon Weeden honed in on receiver Sammie Coates earlier in training camp, but on Sunday, he had Braxton Miller in his sights. During team drills, Miller had consecutive catches on throws from Weeden.

-- On one of the final plays of that drill, safety Treston Decoud came up with a diving interception, the second of the day for the defense.

-- I’ve gotten a ton of questions every single day about defensive end J.J. Watt. People have surmised, erroneously, that something must be wrong because I haven’t mentioned him in the Harris Hurry-up much at all. So, let me cool everyone’s jets a little bit - Watt is fine, has been fine and has been as good as ever in training camp. We good now? Okay, great.

-- Watching him work his pass rush moves in one-on-ones, it’s so...man, what’s the right word...surgical. His hand placement, his body positioning and his feet are all in sync when he rushes the quarterback and that makes it so tough to block him one-on-one. He’s given the Texans tackles some lessons that can only make them better in 2018 and beyond.

-- If there’s one thing I knew about rookie Duke Ejiofor coming out of Wake Forest, it was that he was a skilled pass rusher. He certainly hasn’t disappointed in that category this camp in my opinion. He used a maneuver off the edge today that looked like something straight out of an “And 1” mixtape. By the way, “And 1” is basketball. Never seen any edge rusher try anything like that.

-- The more that I watch the Texans edge rushers, the more I’m convinced that hands and hand usage are more important than anything other asset, including speed, burst or power. If a rusher can throw hands accurately, properly and precisely, he’ll win a significant number of reps. Just one man’s opinion.

-- When I watch tackle Kendall Lamm during one-on-ones, he seems so much more patient in his approach. He doesn’t overreact and gets himself in proper position with his feet to stave off the opposing rusher. Now, he has to put it all together in these preseason games to show how far he’s progressed.

-- Interior lineman Zach Fulton is one strong SOB. I really love to watch him in the run game, but he’s so strong in pass protection that he can hold up against nearly anything an interior D-Lineman throws at him. I’m a big fan and hope that he continues that play that way on into the season and beyond.

-- The final period of the day was more 11-on-11 and the highlight was a defensive one - rookie Andre Chachere came down with the defense’s third pick of the day. I’m anxious/excited to see what the former San Jose State Spartan does in these next few preseason games.

-- Offensive lineman Anthony Coyle and defensive Kingsley Opara each caught a punt from Shane Lechler to ensure that the team would have the night off prior Monday’s full day off. It may not sound like much, but a 90+ minute meeting during training camp after a grueling two hour practice is no bueno. I can tell you from personal experience that a night away from meetings is the best thing ever in training camp (relatively speaking). Justifiably, the team went crazy when Opara sealed the night off with his catch.

Well, that’s it for today, folks. One more practice on Tuesday, a trip to Kansas City on Wednesday, Preseason game number one on Thursday and home to Houston on Friday (early morning). Can’t wait to see this team in game action very soon. See ya on Tuesday with more from West Virginia.

[Arky]

Harris notes, Aug 7:

Well, the Texans time at the Greenbrier in 2018 has come to an end. The team will hop on a plane for Kansas City on Wednesday for preseason game number one. As such, the team did more in the way of preparation for the Chiefs so there’s not a ton to report on Tuesday’s practice specifically. So, I figured with my last Harris Hurry-up from West Virginia, I’d give you some final one sentence quick hitters from this camp.

-- It did this man’s (and many others as well) heart good to see J.J. Watt healthy again.

-- Cornerback Kevin Johnson seemed to have 2017 in the rear view mirror and is ready to get back to his old self this year.

-- Quarterback Deshaun Watson was not held back one bit in camp and that...was...awesome.

-- I found out that linebacker Brian Peters can hold his breath under water for three minutes and thirty-five seconds...WOW!

-- Defensive linemen like All-Dressed chips that apparently you can only get in Canada and if you don’t bring them to training camp, you’ll catch some flak as Christian Covington found out.

-- This rookie class has been all kinds of impressive up here at the Greenbrier.

-- People still don’t believe me that rookie tight end Jordan Thomas was a wide receiver at Mississippi State in 2017.

-- Running back Lamar Miller cut some weight before camp and it has paid off in terms of explosiveness and burst in all that he does.

-- Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins is as fun to watch as ever.

-- On Draft Night 2016, after Will Fuller V was drafted, Hopkins said no more double teams and if Will continues his ascent, he’s going to create a definite conundrum for NFL defenses.

-- Guard Zach Fulton is one strong dude and his presence will certainly help the run game in 2018.

-- I’m not sure I’ve seen either rookie tight end - Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas - drop a pass in camp.

-- Somehow, someway, safety Tyrann Mathieu will always be around the ball, no matter what.

-- And, by the way, Mathieu playing catch with kids during a break in practice might be my favorite moment of the entire training camp.

-- Linebacker Zach Cunningham creates so many opportunities scheme-wise for defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel due to his speed and athleticism........................

[nunusguy]

Anybody on this Board planning on attending any of the TC sessions they are having here in Houston with the first one being held this morning ?
If you do go please report back.

[Arky]

Harris notes, Aug 14:

The 49ers are coming. The 49ers are coming!! But, they’re not here just yet, so the Texans had one final practice before Kyle Shanahan’s group arrives at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Here’s the Harris Hurry-up from Tuesday’s workout.

-- Early in camp, defensive back Johnson Bademosi knocked passes away with regularity. He did that again today, matching and mirroring the route of the receiver before knocking away the pass on an out route.

-- Receiver Braxton Miller can absolutely lose coverage in one-on-ones, especially inside the numbers. He did that today to get wide open for a completion.

-- Receiver Will Fuller V is still fast and he went by a couple of Texans defensive backs in one-on-ones. I just want one day of my life to be as fast as Will.

-- Fellow receiver Sammie Coates got loose downfield as well during one-on-ones.

-- I spent a decent majority of practice watching the Texans outside linebackers. It hit me how truly youthful that group is as I watched them during individual period. Brennan Scarlett is the grizzled veteran (without Whitney Mercilus today) and he’s only going into his third year.

-- Speaking of Scarlett, he made an excellent play on a wide run to his side. He was put in conflict yet still ran down the ball carrier in the backfield. Going back to watch the KC game, Scarlett was a major problem and he’s done nothing but get better.

-- For all the great things that Deshaun Watson does as a quarterback and all of his assets, one that’s not often discussed is his quick release. He can reload and release with the best of them and he showed that on a throw to rookie tight end Jordan Akins during team drills. Ball was on the money, too.

-- Watching DeAndre Hopkins do his work is a joy. On one route against Johnathan Joseph, J-Jo was in perfect position matching Hop’s cut perfectly. But, Deshaun Watson threw the ball higher than usual and Hopkins went up and snatched it out of the air for a catch.

[Arky]

Harris notes, Aug 16:

Day two of joint practices between the 49ers and the Texans didn’t bring with it any, uh, shall we say fireworks, but it was another excellent day of work against a quality NFC opponent. Here is the Harris Hurry-up, the last one of the year (**sheds tear**)...

-- Receiver DeAndre Hopkins was back at practice today and made his presence known immediately. He hauled in a one hander on a throw from Deshaun Watson that set the crowd off in the far corner of the Houston Methodist practice facility (video at link). 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who’s going to be a star in this league, was in perfect position, but Watson fit the rock into a spot where only Hopkins right hand could make the catch. It did. He did. Vintage Hopkins.

-- A few reps later, Will Fuller V ran a brilliant route to get wide open for a catch at the goal line for a touchdown.

-- I tried to catch a little bit of everything today so I didn’t see entire drill periods (until the final situational work). That said, there was a pass rush period where the Texans defensive line really took over and dominated the entirety of the drill.

-- One of the guys that I keep telling myself to talk about is defensive tackle Angelo Blackson. He got a ton of heat on Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in preseason game one and that’s what he’s done this entire camp. Today, during a pass rush drill, he threw a spin move that got him clean past a 49ers interior lineman. He’s played the run well. He’s gotten pressure on the quarterback. He’s done a solid job this camp.

-- Yesterday it was J.J. Watt; today it was rookie Duke Ejiofor. Watt planted rookie tackle Mike McGlinchey yesterday back on his wallet in a run block drill, while Ejiofor did a similar thing today during a pass rush drill to a 49ers offensive tackle.

-- Overall, I thought there were more running lanes today for the Texans running backs. Yesterday, it seemed to be heavily clogged inside, but today, there were plenty of holes in the interior for the Texans backs to find running room.

More at link....

[Arky]

3rd round pick OT Martinas Rankin is off the PUP list and has been moved to the active roster.

----------------------------------------------------

Texans have signed CB Bryce Jones and waive-injured CB Josh Thornton. Jones went to school at Akron and was with the Texans a bit last year.

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Houston Texans depth chart --- (PDF download)

[Arky]

The cuts - rumors, tweets, etc. Some will be re-signed to the practice squad:

Ben Heeney
Shane Lechler
Terry Swanson
Treston Decoud
Jordan Coyle
Kingsley Opara
Andre Chachere
Nick Rose
Stephen Anderson
Cory Moore
Quan Bray
Jester Weah
Lavon Coleman
Jaryd Jones-Smith

Edit: and Braxton Miller

[Arky]

Darius Kilgo
David Quessenberry
Bryce Jones
Kennan Gilchrist

[Arky]

Jay Prosch
Dee Virgin
Josh Keyes

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

Jay Prosch
Dee Virgin
Josh Keyes

Prosch got cut? Do we have another FB I don't know about or are we going with an H-Back/extra TE?

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

Prosch got cut? Do we have another FB I don't know about or are we going with an H-Back/extra TE?

Sounds like no more dedicated FB. Yes, an opening to carry an extra TE....

Add to cuts:

Ibraheim Campbell
Mason Gentry

Lookin' like Gaine don't mess around....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

Sounds like no more dedicated FB. Yes, an opening to carry an extra TE....

Add to cuts:

Ibraheim Campbell
Mason Gentry

Lookin' like Gaine don't mess around....

I didn't watch enough preseason to know if any of our TEs are made for that kind of role. I know Griffin isn't. Is Akins? Who's our 3rd guy? Do we have a blocking first TE who can lead up in the hole.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

I didn't watch enough preseason to know if any of our TEs are made for that kind of role. I know Griffin isn't. Is Akins? Who's our 3rd guy? Do we have a blocking first TE who can lead up in the hole.

I dunno. I'm thinking Prosch didn't get that many snaps per game anyway and wasn't really a standout on ST. I reckon they are just going to wing it without a FB - more rollouts for Watson, stuff like that...

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I dunno. I'm thinking Prosch didn't get that many snaps per game anyway and wasn't really a standout on ST. I reckon they are just going to wing it without a FB - more rollouts for Watson, stuff like that...

That's all well and good until you have to run for a yard. The best zone read offenses in college that run their QB all day with no concern for his health still struggle on the goal line because they can't block inside with a FB.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

That's all well and good until you have to run for a yard. The best zone read offenses in college that run their QB all day with no concern for his health still struggle on the goal line because they can't block inside with a FB.

Two words: JJ Watt.

[Arky]

Final roster breakdown. Slide show of the 53 who made the team at the bottom.

Notable cuts not mentioned so far:

Chad Slade
Matt Lengel
Ufomba Kamalu
Kyle Fuller
Joe Webb III

Notables off the bubble (made the team):

Tyler Ervin
Kurtis Drummond
Aaron Colvin
Alfred Blue
Sammie Coates
Peter Kalambayi
Jermaine Kelly
Kendall Lamm
Greg Mancz
Troymaine Pope
MyCole Pruitt
Vyncint Smith
Kayvon Webster
Deshaun Watson (j/k)

[Arky]

Well, it seems the Texans were not done.

Kurtis Drummond, MyCole Pruitt and Troymaine Pope are out.

Waiver wire pickups - safety AJ Moore (Pats), CB Natrell Jamerson (Saints) and RB Buddy Howell (Dolphins) are in.

Practice Squad:

The Houston Texans signed OLB Davin Bellamy, CB Andre Chachere, C/G Kyle Fuller, T Roderick Johnson, NT Darius Kilgo, TE Matt Lengel, G/T Chad Slade and WR Jester Weah to the practice squad.

And I'm hearing Joe Webb is back on the active roster....

[Keith]

Interested in Buddy Howell. Cutting Pope was a bit sad until I heard this news.

Braxton Miller was a 3rd round experiment that failed. Sucks, but it happens. Could've been worth giving it one more year, but eh.

Glad Chachere is back. Might be something there.

Picking up a Pats cut just days before the team plays the Pats... not surprising. What would be surprising is if this player is still on the roster a couple weeks from now.

No fullback is an interesting call, so we'll just have to wait to see how the team handles some of those short yardage situations. Iirc, Prosch just got a new contract recently.

Some of this back-roster churn can be expected with the GM transition. And if Gaine and O'Brien have their direction "aligned", well, time to see if it comes together.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Keith

Picking up a Pats cut just days before the team plays the Pats... not surprising. What would be surprising is if this player is still on the roster a couple weeks from now.

Not to be outplayed, apparently the Patriots hosted a workout for TE Stephen Anderson, a recent cut of the Texans.


NFL teams are extremely paranoid.