Houston Texans Pre-Season 2014 - NT Bowl 2.5...Battle For Roster Spots

[statis22]

Wade Smith has been hurt & the Texans traded for OG depth.

Something doesn't seem right, last thing the team needs is more offensive line issues.

 

[Peep Game]

Texans still have plenty of questions to be answered

Beginning with Saturday night’s game against Miami at Reliant Stadium, the Texans have a lot of questions that must be answered before preseason ends.

As they approach the regular-season opener at San Diego on Sept. 9, here are five things — good and bad — we learned about the Texans during training camp:

With the addition of receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans should improve at scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
After left guard Wade Smith underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week, there are three positions in the offensive line that must be solidified.
The competition between T.J. Yates and Case Keenum has made the backup quarterback position much stronger than last season.
Depth at linebacker, especially on the outside, continues to be worrisome.
Nobody knows when injured free safety Ed Reed will return.
Now, let’s break down what we’ve learned, starting with Hopkins.

Hopkins consistently has shown that he should be a formidable weapon in the opponent’s end of the field, especially in the red zone.

Last season, the Texans led the NFL in red-zone scoring with a success rate of 94.7 percent. But that percentage included too many field goals. They were ninth in red-zone touchdowns with a 56.1 success rate.

Quarterback Matt Schaub will need time to throw, of course. Despite problems on the right side of the line last season, the Texans surrendered 28 sacks, tied for seventh fewest in the league.

A time to step up

Smith’s knee injury means Ben Jones, who started 10 games at right guard as a rookie last season, is starting at left guard. He is being pressed by David Quessenberry, the impressive sixth-round pick. Brandon Brooks, entering his second season, didn’t start a game at right guard as a rookie, but the coaches believe he can solidify that position. Right tackle Derek Newton, forced to start last season before he was ready, should be improved because of the experience. He’s also coming off major knee surgery.

So left guard, right guard and right tackle have players who must prove themselves on a consistent basis.

Backup QB battle a plus

Something the coaches feel good about is the backup quarterback job. Yates and Keenum have done well in the offseason, camp and the preseason.

Coach Gary Kubiak said both are better than last season when Yates threw 10 passes in four appearances off the bench and Keenum was learning on the practice squad. So far, they are forcing Kubiak to keep three quarterbacks on the roster.

Linebacker is a position to watch for the rest of preseason.

Whitney Mercilus has a hamstring injury and has missed valuable playing time on the weak side. As a second-year player and first-time starter, his progress has been slowed by the injury.

Justin Tuggle, an undrafted free agent, is expected to start his second consecutive game in place of Mercilus. The emergence of Tuggle and Willie Jefferson, another undrafted free agent, has helped offset the disappointments of Sam Montgomery (third round) and Trevardo Williams (fourth).

Bryan Braman, the Texans’ best special-teams player, backs up Brooks Reed on the strong side.

Injuries are a concern at inside linebacker, where the top four — starters Brian Cushing and Joe Mays and backups Darryl Sharpton and Tim Dobbins — closed last season on injured reserve. Cushing will play against the Dolphins for the first time since suffering a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in the fifth game last season. If Cushing stays healthy, the defense should improve significantly.

As for Reed, if his rehabilitation had been going as scheduled, why would he need to return to Atlanta, where he resides in the offseason, to visit his personal rehabilitation specialist? Reed won’t go from being physically unable to perform to starting. He will have to be activated and have a couple of solid weeks of practice before he will get the go-ahead to play.

Kubiak is overly cautious with players coming off injuries. That’s why it is looking as if Shiloh Keo will start next to Danieal Manning when the Texans open the season against the Chargers.

 

[Peep Game]

I hate Brandon Harris

 

[Peep Game]

Saw both good and bad last night. The making a great stand then giving up a huge conversion thing was so familiar and aggravating. That needs to stop immediately. Can't have that linger on throughout the season and characterize this team, especially with the teams the Texans have on their schedule. I liked what I saw from Jean, Hopkins, and Martin. Jean and Martin had much more consistency than the previous game, though I hate that as big as Jean is, he still catches the ball with his body instead of his hands. Hope Hopkins' injury isn't that serious, but if it lingers, thankfully, Posey will be activated for the next game and can acclimate himself to the team.

Defense needs to wrap up and finish, cause they're getting the pressure, but will let the QB finesse his way out, leaving the secondary exposed. Harris is looking like a bust. i know he hasn't had a shot starting, but his decision-making just makes it easier that he won't be here next year. Keenum looked great, though I do question his depth perception on deep passes. He has a nice arm though. Yates came right back too. Good to see he didn't fold up. That Willie Jefferson dude, I want to see him play with first teamers. He is built differently for that position at 6'6" 234, and seems like he'd be a mismatch at OLB.

 

[Peep Game]

^

On the flipside, other than the gif posted in the NFL season thread, today was the first time I caught the Smith/Incognito play in full view. No wonder so many people didn't see it, that was on the same play where Cushing was repelling out the air like a SWAT member and Tanny doing all that damn scrambling. he may get suspended for one game, which is understandable.

Along with that, the injuries/etc of Reed, Foster, Mercilus, Keo rolleyes), Wade Smith, and 1 or 2 more people make this Texans/Chargers regular season opener way more interesting than I want it to be week 1. I don't know if we need Tuggle, Trevardo, and other rookies already on the field like that on MNF. Well, besides Swearinger.

Aaaaaaand just a schedule reminder for those who may not have seen it.

Didn't notice the first time I saw this, but look at all those alternating Home/Away games the first have of the season. Jesus :x

 

[DeadsetAce]

y'all got us and DEN at home this year, that's good. makes up for having to go to Baltimore and SF :x

 

[statis22]

All winnable games in my eyes.

 

[do work son]

i think houston as a whole is vastly underrating how poor the offensive line is. derek newton is a terrible right tackle in both pass and run blocking. ben jones and brandon brooks are supposed to be good run blockers, but both not very good pass blockers. we go as the offensive line goes

 

[daruma]

ninja assassin suspended for game 1

 

[Peep Game]

y'all got us and DEN at home this year, that's good. makes up for having to go to Baltimore and SF :x

Playing at BMore, meh. Playing at SF...:x

 

[Peep Game]

Antonio Smith's appeal was denied eek )

It's looking like A.J. Bouye & Willie Jefferson are pretty solid locks to make the team, and I don't mind at all, especially Jefferson.

Here are five things to watch when the Texans host the Dolphins Sunday afternoon at Reliant Stadium.

1. 1st team offense- Week 1 of the regular season is two weeks from the matchup with New Orleans, and the starters will likely play at least a half, if not longer. It will be the most we've seen of Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and company in quite some time, because they won't hit the field Thursday in Dallas. It's the final and most accurate gauge for regular-season readiness, according to wide receiver Andre Johnson.
"As the veteran guys, we know where we need to be after this game," Johnson said on Thursday. "When I walk off the field Sunday and the game is over, I want to feel a certain way and, if I feel that way, I know I’m ready to go out and play.”

2. Cooling Brees-Kubiak and several Texans defenders said New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the past decade. The Texans have seen him and the Saints three times since August of 2011, with one of those matchups happening in the regular season.
"It’s a good test to see where you where you are and a great matchup," linebacker Brian Cushing said. "To play against a guy of a caliber like that is a good judgment. At the same time, if you consider yourself one of the best, you want to compete against one of the best. That’s what we see as a defense and we know it will be a great test come Sunday.”
Brees played most of the first half a week ago Friday when the Saints hosted the Raiders. He completed 14-of-18 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown to rookie Kenny Stills.

3. Third running back-It looks like fourth-year veteran Deji Karim is in the lead for the third running back spot behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Karim will get the first crack at carries whenever Tate exits.

"We’re going to play Ben as if he’s a starter playing a half of football. He’ll probably get spelled by Deji.
Karim has led the way with 92 yards on 15 carries this August. Competing with undrafted rookies Dennis Johnson, Cierre Woodand Ray Graham, Karim has also been the most reliable running back of that foursome on special teams.

Kubiak detailed who will get the call after Tate and Karim.

"I think we need to take a hard look at Wood and Johnson the most," Kubiak said.

4. Yates and Keenum- The backup competition between third-year signal caller T.J. Yates and second-year quarterback Case Keenum will continue in Sunday afternoon's showdown with the Saints. Last week in the win over Miami, Keenum relieved Schaub, who starts. This week, Kubiak said Yates will be the first man off the bench after Schaub. From there, they will likely get equal reps.

"What I hope to do is, when Matt does leave the game, whatever is left, I hope to split the time," Kubiak said. "But T.J. Will be the second guy to go.”
Through a pair of preseason games in 2013, the two have battled evenly. Each player has completed exactly 66.7% of his passes, and both have tossed a pair of touchdowns. Keenum has thrown for 40 more yards (275 to 235) while Yates' quarterback rating is a shade better at 112.5 to 108.0

5. Clean Bill of Health- In this game, you won't see Foster, defensive end Antonio Smith, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, left guard Wade Smith and safety Ed Reed. Punter Shane Lechler may, or may not, punt. That's six starters who will be out because of injury, suspension or return from injury.

 

[Peep Game]

Brandon Harris is gonna find himself as a wasted 2nd round pick on another team, but that was such a BS PI call on him. Also, Not sure how a TD is called when McCain is holding the guy up while Swearinger blasts him, causing him to drop to his knees outside the endzone and drop the ball. But whatever. Guys need to avoid those types of situations during the regular season.

 

[Peep Game]

Texans waive 11 players, including QB McGee, RB Graham

The Texans placed 11 players on waivers Monday. They must make three more roster moves by Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline to reach the required 75.

Offensive players placed on waivers were quarterback Stephen McGee, running back Ray Graham, tight end Adam Schiltz, fullback Zach Boren, offensive tackle Nick Mondek and guard Bryan Collins.

Defensive players on waivers were end Earl Okine, inside linebacker Ja’Gared Davis, inside linebacker Elliot Coffey and cornerback Travis Howard. The Texans also waived punter Andrew Shapiro.

The Texans will reduce their roster to 53 and sign eight practice squad players after the last preseason game at Dallas on Thursday night.

 

[Peep Game]

Roster should be currently at 75 right now after these 3 moves:

Waived/Injured (players who will revert to injured reserve if they aren't claimed on waivers)
DE David Hunter - University of Houston player who struggled through injuries last season. Sprained his left ankle.
WR Mike Smith - Rookie out of Connecticut, waived with a left knee injury.

Injured Reserve
WR Alec Lemon - Lemon made some noise in the preseason, but the receiver room is full and he never really had a shot to make the active roster. The fact that the Texans placed him straight on IR, instead of waiving him injured, means they had some concern he could be claimed while going through waivers. Good sign for Lemon.

Lemon dropped a wide open TD, then made up for it. Good sign that he can rebound, but like the above said, WR is pretty jammed, especially with Posey apparently coming back before D Rose.

 

[Peep Game]

John McClain is a pile of company man nothing, but his 53 man roster prediction is pretty spot on (even if a bit obvious)

John McClain’s projected 53-man roster for the Texans

OFFENSE (24)

Quarterbacks (3): Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, Case Keenum.

Running backs (3): Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Deji Karim.

Fullback (1): Greg Jones.

Tight ends (3): Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham, r-Ryan Griffin.

Receivers (5): Andre Johnson, r-DeAndre Hopkins, Keshawn Martin, DeVier Posey, Lestar Jean.

Linemen (9): Duane Brown, Wade Smith, Chris Myers, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton, Ben Jones, Ryan Harris, r-David Quessenberry, r-Brennan Williams.

DEFENSE (26)

Linemen (6): J.J. Watt, a-Antonio Smith, Earl Mitchell, Jared Crick, Terrell McClain, Tim Jamison.

Linebackers (10): Brian Cushing, Brooks Reed, Joe Mays, Whitney Mercilus, Darryl Sharpton, Tim Dobbins, Bryan Braman, r-Willie Jefferson, r-Trevardo Williams, r-Sam Montgomery.

Cornerbacks (5): Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brice McCain, Brandon Harris, r-A.J. Bouye.

Safeties (5): Danieal Manning, Ed Reed, Shiloh Keo, r-D.J. Swearinger, Eddie Pleasant.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Kicker (1): Randy Bullock.

Punter (1): Shane Lechler.

Snapper (1): Jon Weeks.

a-Antonio Smith won’t count against the roster until he’s reinstated from his suspension on Sept. 10.

r-rookie.

Looking forward to Jefferson, Bouye, and Pleasant's play once the regular season kicks off. All. Most. Here.

 

[do work son]

please never let brandon harris play. ever.

 

[Peep Game]

Case-Jean! Case-Jean! Case-Jean!

 

[Peep Game]

Will have some pics and other stuff later, but I will say watch out who ends up on IR, cause that's mostly to stash guys without putting them on the practice squad or cutting them

Texans waive NT Chris Jones and RB Dennis Johnson; Ed Reed to come off PUP list

The Texans hope to sign Dennis Johnson (2 and Chris Jones to the practice squad. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)

Now that preseason is over, the Texans have turned their attention to San Diego and the regular-season opener that’s part of ESPN’s Monday night package.

The Texans won’t announce their cuts until Saturday, although it’s known that nose tackle Chris Jones and running back Dennis Johnson were waived today. Both are expected to be signed to the eight-player practice squad if they clear waivers.

Coach Gary Kubiak went over his injury list during his regular news conference.

Kubiak said the Texans will make a decision on free safety Ed Reed Monday or Tuesday. Reed received injections in his hip last week. It’s hard to imagine Reed going from PUP to starting against the Chargers. Reed will not be placed on regular-season PUP that would require him to miss the first six games.

Kubiak said left guard Wade Smith, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, is expected to return to practice next week and could play against the Chargers.

Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and running back Arian Foster, neither of whom played in preseason because of injuries, will be ready for the Chargers.

Foster is a proven veteran, but Mercilus is a first-time starter.

“We didn’t want to bring back Whitney too soon and risk the (hamstring) injury getting worse,” Kubiak said. “He’s been working hard to come back.”

Foster has been practicing hard, too.

“I don’t think Arian will be a 30-carry guy opening night,” Kubiak said.

Because they’re playing at night in San Diego, the weather won’t be an issue for players playing for the first time.

Two rookies — offensive tackle Brennan Williams (knee) and outside linebacker Trevardo Williams (ankle) — have injury issues coming out out the victory over Dallas that gave the Texans a 3-1 preseason record. Williams’ knee is such an issue he could be placed on injured reserve.

 

[Peep Game]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand more cuts

The Texans placed 15 players on waivers today, reducing their roster to 60. They have to make seven more moves today to get down to the required 53.

Offensive players placed on waivers were running back Dennis Johnson, tight end Jake Byrne, fullback Tyler Clutts, receiver EZ Nwachukwu, center Alex Kupper, receiver Andy Cruse, tackle Nate Menkin and guard Tyler Horn.

Defensive players waived were nose tackle Chris Jones, inside linebacker Mike Mohamed, inside linebacker Cameron Collins, safety Jawanza Starling, safety Ohrian Johnson, end Keith Browner, end Delano Johnson.

The Texans can sign as many as eight players to their practice squad once they clear waivers.

Of the last seven moves to be made, expect some to be placed on injured reserve. Two rookies — offensive tackle Brennan Williams (knee) and receiver Alan Bonner (hamstring) — are candidates.

Four undrafted rookies — running back Cierre Wood, outside linebacker Willie Jefferson, linebacker Justin Tuggle and cornerback A.J. Bouye — have made the roster.

 

[Peep Game]

Final Cuts:

Texans cuts: RB Deji Karim, RB Dennis Johnson, FB Tyler Clutts, WR Andy Cruse, WR EZ Nwachukwu, OL Tyler Horn, OL Nate Menkin, OL Alex Kupper, TE Jake Byrne, DL Cameron Collins, DL Keith Browner, DL Delano Johnson, DL Chris Jones, DB Jawanza Starling, DB Elbert Mack, DB Orhian Johnson, DB Roc Carmichael, Mike Mohamed

Placed on injured reserve: WR Alan Bonner, T Brennan Williams, OLB Trevardo Williams

Injury settlements: DL Daniel Muir, David Hunter, WR Mike Smith

Most significant move: Three draft picks were placed on injured reserve -- outside linebacker Trevardo Williams, offensive tackle Brennan Williams and receiver Alan Bonner. Bonner, a sixth-round pick, wasn't healthy at all throughout training camp, Brennan Williams, a third-round pick, had a knee injury that kept swelling any time the Texans tried to test it and Trevardo Williams, a fourth-round draft pick, had the kind of camp that just showed he wasn't ready. Once the pads came on, he slipped below Justin Tuggle and Willie Jefferson, two undrafted free-agent rookie linebackers who both made the 53-man roster. The Texans released a fourth draft pick -- nose tackle Chris Jones, who they want to place on the practice squad if he clears waivers. That's four drafted Texans who won't be on the opening active roster.

Onward and upward: A.J. Bouye, a cornerback out of UCF, made the roster as an undrafted rookie. He didn't have a flashy college career, but he came into Texans camp determined to prove he belonged. He's one of four undrafted rookies who made the team -- the most the Texans have ever had. Bouye got the nod over Roc Carmichael, a third-year cornerback out of Virginia Tech, who spent most of last season on the roster, but inactive for games.

What's next: Having kept three quarterbacks as expected, the Texans still have a decision to make on their order. Case Keenum and T.J. Yates battled throughout training camp and the preseason for that right. Yates is the incumbent and played well, especially after being pushed by Keenum. Keenum also had a strong preseason. His final game featured a mixture of great plays and poor ones. Of course, if the Texans need either one to play during the regular season, that will mean something happened to Matt Schaub and it won't be a good sign for the team.

 

[Peep Game]

Here's the practice squad guys. Most of them expected. They put Roc Carmichael on there though. I didn't know a player you drafted 2 years ago and actually was on the main roster could be sent to the practice squad . Should've sent Harris there instead, but oh well.

Roc Carmichael, seven others signed to Texans’ practice squad

Eight players who were placed on waivers in the two roster reductions have been signed to the Texans’ practice squad.

Added to the practice squad on Monday were cornerback Roc Carmichael, defensive end Keith Browner, fullback Zach Boren, center Alex Kupper, receiver Andy Cruse, inside linebacker Mike Mohamed, receiver EZ Nwachukwu and running back Ray Graham.

Players have to clear waivers to be signed to the practice squad. They don’t count against the 53-man roster. Other teams can sign them off practice squads if they place them on the roster.

Nose tackle Chris Jones, a sixth-round pick, and running back Dennis Johnson, an undrafted free agent, would have been candidates for the practice squad, but they were claimed by other teams.

 

[Peep Game]

TEXANS, LB BRIAN CUSHING AGREE TO SIX-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION - The Houston Texans re-signed linebacker Brian Cushing to a six-year contract extension Tuesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Financial terms of the deal are unknown at this time.

Cushing was entering the final season of the five-year contract he signed as the Texans’ first-round draft pick in 2009. The timing of the extension is important, as general manager Rick Smith has a policy against in-season contract negotiations.

The Texans found out what life was like without Brian Cushing when he went down with an ACL tear in Week 5 of the 2012 season. The teams’ defense allowed 25-plus points in five of 11 regular-season games without Cushing last season.

To free up $5.5 million, the Texans restructured receiver Andre Johnson’s contract.

Johnson will receive $5.5 million of his $10.5 million salary as a bonus. His base salary will be $5 million. (Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

 

[Peep Game]

^Yessir

Was listening to the radio the other day and I'm guessing some Titans reporter or affiliate called in. He was mostly just talking ****, but one thing I found hilarious was him saying that he wouldn't take any more 3 Texans defensive player over Titans defensive players. That's hilarious to me cause I don't even think Titans' fans themselves can name many players on that entire team, much less one side of the ball.

 

[Peep Game]

Basically And the guy said it with such belief and conviction too

 

[Peep Game]

Welp....

From BattleRedBlog:

David Quessenberry Breaks Foot, Out For Season

One of the Texans' sixth-round picks from the 2013 NFL Draft has been lost for the season after suffering an injury in practice. Does this affect the Texans' offensive line?

There had been a solid amount of positive press about Quessenberry throughout the preseason, and the uncertainty surrounding Wade Smith's health makes this an even bigger downer. While Ben Jones would have probably started at left guard if Smith can't go in San Diego next week regardless of Quessenberry's availability, it's a shame that Quessenberry isn't going to be able to work and practice like the Texans had hoped throughout the season.

Here's hoping he gets healed up quickly and is ready to compete for a starting gig in 2014.