Kasey Studdard to Start for Injured Pitts on Friday

Keith · #1 08-21-2008, 12:03 AM

From the Mothership:

Quote:

Second-year pro Kasey Studdard will get his turn in the starting lineup on Friday, stepping in for left guard Chester Pitts who is nursing a sore ankle. Pitts rolled his ankle last week and should be fine before the regular season. More than anything, coach Gary Kubiak wants to give Studdard the opportunity to prove himself as a starter.

“We know he’s a player,” Kubiak said. “He is vastly improved, one of the most improved players we’ve had around here going into his year two. ...

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/St...?story_id=4537

Arky · #2 08-21-2008, 06:17 AM

Should be interesting to watch.

I posted this on another message board but I went back and reviewed the DVR'ed (better) Saints version of the game from NFLN and on the Texan drive that started the 4th quarter, there was some excellent blocking on the right side from White (C), Studdard (RG) and Frye (RT). Those three were just owning their counterparts on a couple of plays, especially the Slaton 10 yd TD run. All three really showed me something on that drive....

nero THE zero · #3 08-21-2008, 10:03 AM

Should be interesting to see how he performs. He is one of the players who was consistently singled out as an ill fit for the ZBS. So, it's nice to see him step up and prove those people wrong. But, it's not the offense that I'll be focusing on in this game. I am really itching to see the defensive line do something. All through camp we have heard about how they have improved, yet that hasn't manifested itself on the field. I am really looking forward to them, and the front 7 as a whole, stuffing the Cowboy's running game.

Nconroe · #4 08-21-2008, 12:57 PM

so, Eric Winston will be the old man on the OL this Friday. That is a lot of changes in OL for one year, hope it turns out well. I too hope to see the DL start to show what we expect of them this year.

coloradodude · #5 08-21-2008, 01:40 PM

Intersting.

Taylor ran better to the right side but Slaton ran better to the left. Now we have Studdard stepping in for Pitts. Duane Brown has been very impressive in pre-season with the pass rush and in run blocking. I was counting on Pitts being there to really see how well Slaton could do against the Cowboys run D because they are pretty decent.

Well, let's see what we got. Schaub needs to keep his eyes in the back of his head wide open.

popanot · #6 08-21-2008, 02:16 PM

How many false-starts or holding penalties will it take before Studdard replaces Pitts for good? Just saying...

Keith · #7 08-21-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popanot

How many false-starts or holding penalties will it take before Studdard replaces Pitts for good? Just saying...

You know, this is the sort of thing I wondered when I saw this news.

Yeah, Pitts has a "sore ankle", but what if this is underscoring something Gibbs is wanting to see, working Studdard with the 1's? What if Pitts isn't fitting what Alex Gibbs is wanting with the new scheme (speculation here, nothing I've heard specifically)? Then it stands to reason that Kubiak is going to let Gibbs get and try what he wants, especially in the preseason.

I dunno... I'm probably reading too much into it as I'm known to do from time to time.

nunusguy · #8 08-21-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

He is one of the players who was consistently singled out as an ill fit for the ZBS.

If Studdard can succeed here, it effectively rebutts the presumption that athleticism is necessary to play in the ZBS.

coloradodude · #9 08-21-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunusguy

If Studdard can succeed here, it effectively rebutts the presumption that athleticism is necessary to play in the ZBS.

I've never understood that line about athleticsm. You run 6 yards one way, turn either left or right, and then run 4 more. Watch. The max run by most of our O linemen is about 10 yards per play. If one of RB's breaks a big run to the outside then more but so does every scheme.

I do think the guards need to be quick though when they initially pull.

cadams · #10 08-21-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradodude

I've never understood that line about athleticsm. You run 6 yards one way, turn either left or right, and then run 4 more. Watch. The max run by most of our O linemen is about 10 yards per play. If one of RB's breaks a big run to the outside then more but so does every scheme.

I do think the guards need to be quick though when they initially pull.

i think you are right, it is more about quickness