Houston Texans Thread 2018 Vol. Destroy & Rebuild - Preseason

[Peep Game]

No Brock Osweiler, no problem. There's no way in hell we could have entered this season with that bum on the roster, and thank God we got rid of him. I don't mind Savage starting the season off, cause he's looked better, did most of the practicing with the ones, and Watson is the future, and doesn't need to be rushed in, though based on our line situation, his mobility may be able to counter the OL flux. There were so many injuries during the preseason, that the final roster seemed to come down to who's healthy. Wasn't surprised at Bruce Ellington making it, as he showed exactly what you need in a person opposite Hopkins and in the slot. Sucks that Akeem hunt was cut, as he was better than Tyler Ervin, and did so much aiding during Hurricane Harvey. But with Ervin being a draft pick and Hunt not, I'm sure we all could have seen that coming. On the flipside, I was surprised by the KJ Dillon cut, but you have to be on the field to get PT and improve, and he didn't do that. With that however, we finally say goodbye to Lonnie Ballentine almost 4 years with the Texans, and I remember him being on the field at most 4 times. Would have liked him to become that "next Richard Sherman" like people started pegging him as, but they finally had to let that go. I heard his name brought up in the news ONCE this entire year. Some weird stuff. Also glad they moved forward with Fairbairn over Novak. Sure, Novak set records in points here, but you have a problem with your kicker is doing that in the first place. Combine that with him having a weak leg anyway, that's a move you have to make. Really pumped for this season after sending that loser Brock to Mars where he belongs. Another season of having a top defense, and anticipating having more than adequate QB play has me really looking up I don't expect this season to be a complete hamstrung chore to watch these games as it was last season.

Practice Squad

@do work son statis22 @deandre hopkins bonafide hustla @jewbacca2 @HTownsOwn84 @Tony $now @timelessflight @Mercurial @skrew713 @blackxme @sole searchin @bravo @slimk4 @dline59 ​

 

[Peep Game]

The up-to-date 53 man roster as of an hour ago:

OFFENSE (26):
Quarterback (2): Tom Savage, Deshaun Watson.

Running Back (6 5): Lamar Miller, D’Onta Foreman, Tyler Ervin, Alfred Blue, Jordan Todman.

Fullback (1): Jay Prosch.

Wide Receiver (4 5): DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, Bruce Ellington, Andy Jones.

Tight End (3): C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson.

Offensive Line (9): Nick Martin, Chris Clark, Kendall Lamm, Greg Mancz, Jeff Allen, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Breno Giacomini, Julien Davenport, Kyle Fuller.

DEFENSE (24):
Defensive Line ( 8 ) J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Christian Covington, D.J. Reader, Joel Heath, Carlos Watkins, Brandon Dunn, Ufomba Kamalu.

Inside Linebacker (5): Brian Cushing, Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham, Dylan Cole, Brian Peters.

Outside Linebacker (2): Whitney Mercilus, Brennan Scarlett.

Cornerbacks (5): Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Kevin Johnson, Treston Decoud, Marcus Burley.

Safety (5): Andre Hal, Corey Moore, Eddie Pleasant, Marcus Gilchrist, Kurtis Drummond.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3):
Kicker (1): Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Punter (1): Shane Lechler.

Long Snapper (1): Jon Weeks.

Dee Virgin was waived to make room for Marcus Burley (played with Seahawks and Browns). It's also looking like Duane Brown will miss the 1st game, so he doesn't count against the roster number.

 

[Peep Game]

6 Texans keys to victory over Jacksonville

Tom Savage protects the ball
It seems elementary. The quarterback has to take care of the football and not give the defense opportunities to take it back. Yet Brock Osweiler couldn’t ever figure that out in his one year in Houston, which is why Savage is at the controls now.
Savage has one career INT in 92 passes in his two seasons of appearing in games for Houston. He’s been known for his proper decisions. As long as Savage can avoid the strip sack or the stare-down interception, he’ll be fine. The Jaguars do have an aggressive defense with some playmakers, so caution is paramount.


J.J. Watt plays like J.J. Watt
Another self-evident key, but also a significant one. J.J. Watt makes his triumphant return to Houston after missing almost all the 2016 season with a back injury.

Aside from Watt being one of the best players in the league, he has a distinct matchup advantage against the Jacksonville offensive tackles. The Jaguars start rookie Cam Robinson at left tackle. Robinson could be a good one, but Watt has a major advantage with his blend of power, quickness and technical savvy. An early sack or a big tackle-for-loss like the one pictured above from the preseason will set an important tone.

Kendall Lamm and Breno Giacomini take care of business
No Duane Brown means Lamm takes over at left tackle and newcomer Giacomini will man the right side. Both were up-and-down in the preseason. They’ll need to be up for Jacksonville, which features a very good edge tandem in Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue.

The Jaguars also have a great deal of speed at linebacker. If Lamm and Giacomini can engage them in space and keep them from using that speed against Lamar Miller and the run game, that’s a huge feather for Houston’s offensive hat.

Convert on special teams
Despite having arguably the best punter in NFL history in Shane Lechler and the league’s second-leading scorer at kicker in Nick Novak, the Houston special teams struggled last year.

Lechler is back, but Novak has been replaced by Ka’imi Fairbairn. One of the reasons why is kickoffs and Fairbairn’s ability to help out the shaky coverage units by producing more touchbacks. Those coverage units must show better lane integrity and better ability to get off blocks, too.

Then there are the Texans return units. Getting a big return from Jordan Todman or Tyler Ervin to help give Savage and the offense a shorter field would really fire up the NRG crowd as well as facilitating an easier score.

Force Blake Bortles into mistakes
Jacksonville’s quarterback nearly lost his job this summer, and kept it only because backup Chad Henne wasn’t any good either. Bortles has had major problems with his accuracy, decision-making and ball security.

He’s really struggled in his six career starts against the Texans. Bortles has completed just over 53 percent of his passes, throwing six TDs to eight INTs. He’s also been sacked 24 times in those six games — all Houston victories.

Stop Leonard Fournette
Jacksonville used the No. 4 overall pick on running back Leonard Fournette. The LSU product is a physical runner with fast feet for his size, and he was a big play waiting to happen in college. He was also a runner who needed an initial hole to thrive.

That’s where the likes of D.J. Reader at the nose tackle spot and Benardrick McKinney and Brian Cushing at linebacker behind him come into play. Keeping Fournette from getting a full head of steam and hitting the hole hard is imperative, as is not missing that first tackle opportunity. - Texans Wire

 

[Peep Game]

@finessesosa

The Texans have brokered injury settlements with safety Lonnie Ballentine and cornerback Denzel Rice, removing them from injured reserve.

Since the Texans drafted the former Memphis standout as the final pick of the draft and Mr. Irrelevant in the seventh round, injuries have derailed his career.

 

[Peep Game]

 

[Peep Game]

Terrible o-line play, penalties by the defense causing them to stay on the field after stops, and upwards of 5 concussions. This game was miserable, and we have a game in 4 days. I don't even know how the roster will look due to concussion protocol, but if they can simply win, that would right this early wrong due to the Titans and Colts also losing.

 

[daruma]

it's going to be a long season.

 

[Peep Game]

 

[Peep Game]

It's looking like we may have at least 1 TE playing on Thursday. Evan Baylis is supposed to be listed as active. But there's a chance we realistically will run consistent plays with 0 TEs. Should be fun

 

[Peep Game]

His 3rd concussion in possibly 2 years. Have no problem with this at all

 

[Peep Game]

This looks fantastic

 

[bonafide hustla]

This past draft was the year to get a TE. Hopefully this year's class is decent.

CJ done

 

[Peep Game]

Couple rookies being thrown in the fire tonight. Decoud, Kyle Fuller, Cunningham, and Watkins are all playing tonight, and Cunningham is starting next to McKinney

 

[Peep Game]

 

[Peep Game]

I could tell early on that Watson was being hamstrung by the play-calling. he was standing in the pocket for quite awhile and it was very clear he was told not to run unless it's pure desperation, and thankfully Watson's natural instincts kicked in for the only TD of the game. Hindsight is 20/20, but I bet BOB most def wishes he just gave the starter job to Watson from the start so he could have already been prepared with the first team. Minus some lapses by the defense drawing penalties, they played pretty much exactly how they need to. It was a complete 180 from the last game. They showed fire and never let up, from Kareem's leading to Clowney's INT return all the way to Watt demolishing the Bengals guard. These injuries suck, on top of JJoe and Kevin Johnson going out. Good rebound win regardless.

Also, Cushing was going to be phased out anyway, but his suspension basically speeds it up. Cunningham looked great tonight and better than he had the entire preseason.

We're also supposed to be working out Gary Barnidge this week. I said months ago he should have been brought in, as he was more of a cap casualty for the Browns more than being a bad player. He's 31, but was still very productive in his last year with the Browns, and still better than any of the TEs on our roster.

 

[statis22]

vrabel should be fined 15k every time he makes clowney drop into coverage.

 

[Peep Game]

vrabel should be fined 15k every time he makes clowney drop into coverage.

I hated that. But unlike when they were having Mario Williams do it, Clowney has the athleticism to make up for it

 

[daruma]

hope jjoe and kevin johnson are okay. good W.

 

[Peep Game]

Greg Mancz proves an upgrade in somewhat improved offensive line performance

The Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals have two very bad offensive lines. This is a fact that was evident through much of Thursday Night’s low-scoring affair.

However, in comparison to last week’s ten sack disaster, the Texans offensive line played several levels above an awful week one performance. Indeed, the team only gave up three sacks on the night, all coming in the first half. Some of that can be placed on Deshaun Watson’s athleticism and escapability saving potential sacks on plays where Tom Savage likely would have been brought down. But some was due to a personnel changes.

The Texans opened the game with two changes on the starting offensive line from the Jacksonville disaster. Chris Clark vaulted Kendall Lamm to start at left tackle: neither are good players, but Clark’s experience just gives him an edge. He wasn’t good last night, but he was not the abomination that Lamm was against the Jaguars.

The other change was forced out of necessity but one the Texans may have made anyway. Jeff Allen suffered an ankle injury last week and was replaced at right guard by Greg Mancz. Mancz, the Texans starting center last year, entered this season as the primary backup across the interior of the offensive line after a strong season last year, excelling as a pass protector but limited in the run game. However, many had concerns over how the former Toledo Rocket would cope at guard, a position Mancz hadn’t played since 2013.

Last week, Mancz stepped in at left guard initially for the horrendous Xavier Su’a-Filo, coping admirably before Allen’s injury shifted him to the right side. He displayed solidity at both spots, proving an upgrade over both starting guards. He continued this fine form last night in a strong performance, impressing particularly as a pass blocker for Deshaun Watson and forming a good partnership with new 2017 starting center (and the Texans best offensive lineman) Nick Martin.

Jeff Allen is overweight and clearly struggles to move, inhibiting his ability to be effective in either the run game or when protecting his quarterback. He looks uncomfortable on the right side; Allen played more left guard in his previous home in Kansas City. This is not a new issue. In his first season with the Texans last year he similarly struggled. The inability to move means pulling Allen is a futile venture, limiting what the Texans can do with their run game. Mancz does not have this problem. Agile and athletic enough to pull effectively, his best play last night came on a run to the left side where he sealed off the defender to the inside, allowing the running back to get to the edge, nearly springing D’Onta Foreman for a big run.

This is not to say Mancz is perfect. He has flaws, largely in the run game, but he is a huge upgrade over either Su’a-Filo or Allen in pass protection. Based on their early season work, as a run-blocker also. expect to see the Texans stick with him at right guard even when the latter is healthy. That is the right decision. Allen should get an opportunity at left guard: if he is more comfortable in that role then let him play there, and do not hesitate to bench Su’a-Filo, who is looking more and more like a huge bust after being selected No. 33 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. Even without Duane Brown, this offensive line still has upside and some potential.

Greg Mancz fantastic block on the edge and kept chugging down the field looking for work.

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) September 15, 2017

PFF graded Greg Mancz as the Texans third worst player last night, but watching the game that feels like an injustice. Mancz struck me as the Texans clear second best lineman after the outstanding Martin, and the team would be wise to stick with him. - TEXANS WIRE

 

[Peep Game]

hope jjoe and kevin johnson are okay. good W.

welp

Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
49 mins ago - View on Twitter
Texans CB Kevin Johnson suffered a sprained MCL and is expected to miss four to six weeks, pending further testing, per source.

 

[Peep Game]

Texans sign wide receiver Cobi Hamilton to practice squad

The Texans signed former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cobi Hamilton to the practice squad, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly. Hamilton played collegiately at Arkansas. He's a former Cincinnati Bengals sixth-round draft pick. He's also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers.Hamilton caught 17 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns last season in 11 games with eight starts for the Steelers. A native of Texarkana, Texas, Hamilton was an All-Southeastern Conference selection at Arkansas as a senior when he caught 90 passes for 1,335 yards and five touchdowns.

Texans to sign offensive tackle Jah Reid

The Texans are signing former Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jah Reid, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly. Reid is a former starter for both teams. He's a former Ravens third-round draft pick from Central Florida. Reid worked out for the Texans on Friday along with several other players. He was the only lineman invited to audition. - CHRON

 

[Peep Game]

Houston Texans NFL Trade and Roster Rumors: Team Works Out Five Tight Ends

With C. J. Fiedorowicz on injured reserve list, and both Ryan Griffen and Stephen Anderson placed in the league's concussion protocol, the Houston Texans just don't have enough healthy bodies at the tight end position.

The Texans walked away with a 13–9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, but they will have to address this issue soon because they are taking on the New England Patriots on Sept. 24.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have brought in Gary Barnidge, Gavin Escobar, Larry Donnell, MyCole Pruitt and David Johnson for workouts on Friday, and they are reportedly interested in Jacob Tamme and Brian Parker as well.

Wilson said the team will sign Pruitt to the practice squad and he will get the chance to make the active roster if he impresses in practice. However, the most interesting name on the list is Barnidge.

The former University of Louisville standout was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He was used mainly as a backup tight end and he was a valuable contributor on special teams as well during his stint with the club.

Barnidge got his big break when he joined the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and he had the best season of his career in 2015. However, the team released him last April after they drafted David Njoku. The tenth-year pro is still productive and he can certainly help the Texans if they sign him.

Escobar is actually a former second-round pick, but he has failed to live up to his draft status. He couldn't carve out a role with the Dallas Cowboys during his four seasons with the team, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs last March. Unfortunately, the Chiefs released him earlier this month and now he's a free agent once again.

Donnell used to be a member of the New York Giants and he joined the Baltimore Ravens this summer. However, he failed to make the final 53-man roster.

Johnson used to be a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2011, and he's still a productive player. He rejoined the Steelers last March, but he was cut earlier this month. - THE CHRISTIAN POST

 

[Peep Game]

Vinnie Ronca @PFF_Vinnie·Sep 15

Benardrick McKinney continues to produce as a pass rusher. Ranked 4th among ILBs last year w/ 22 QB pressures. Already has 5 through 2 games

Vinnie Ronca @PFF_Vinnie·Sep 15

The #Texans offense gave up 15 total pressures vs. CIN, which is 19 fewer than they gave up in week one.

Vinnie Ronca @PFF_Vinnie·Sep 15

Jackson led the team with his 92.3 run defense grade, but had just a 40.7 coverage grade. Gave up 4 catches on 6 targets for 112 yards.

Vinnie Ronca @PFF_Vinnie·Sep 15

Highest graded #Texans defenders vs CIN:
J.J. Watt-88.8
Zach Cunningham-83.4
Eddie Pleasant-83.2
Christian Covington-82.1
D.J. Reader-80.4

Vinnie Ronca @PFF_Vinnie·Sep 15

Highest graded #Texans off. players vs CIN:
Nick Martin-82.4
Lamar Miller-76.2
D'Onta Foreman-72.0
Deshaun Watson-70.2
Kyle Fuller-65.4

PFF HOU Texans @PFF_Houston·Sep 15

Lowest Graded #Texans in Week 2:
G - Xavier Su'a-Filo: 31.7
T - Chris Clark: 34.8
G - Greg Mancz: 35.1
WR - Braxton Miller: 38.7

 

[Peep Game]

Rick Smith's draft strikes again, as Jaelen Strong is released, and they pick Andy Jones back up

 

[Peep Game]

HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) – The Texans might be getting injured wide receiver Will Fuller back than originally expected. On Monday Fuller returned to the practice field after having missed most of the preseason and the first two weeks of the regular season with a collarbone injury.

Fuller broke his collarbone back on August 2nd during a trainingcamp practice and was expected to miss 2-3 months. Fuller was not placed on the IR or the PUP list to start the season which indicated a strong possibility he would be ready to return before.

The return to practice for Fuller comes on the same day the Texans released former third-round pick Jaelen Strong. The Texans also added wide out Andy Jones to the roster.
Fuller is now in his second season with the Texans after being the team’s first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. Fuller finished 2016 with 47 catches for 635 yards and two touchdowns.

The Texans held their availability prior to Monday’s practice. There is no update on Fuller’s potential status for Sunday’s game against the Patriots.

Texans safety Eddie Pleasant stepped in at cornerback

When the Texans lost cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and Johnathan Joseph to injuries against the Cincinnati Bengals, they had to significantly adjust their personnel groupings.

That meant inserting newly signed cornerback Marcus Burley into the game along with shifting veteran safety Eddie Pleasant to cornerback.

Pleasant had never played the position before except in practice.

Both defensive backs held up well during the 13-9 win. Pleasant had three tackles and one pass defensed.

"It's different," Pleasant said. "I messed around with it a little bit in practice. DB is DB. Run, cover and tackle is our motto. That's what coach JB [John Butler] harps on. If you can run, cover and tackle, they should be able to put you anywhere on the field."

Joseph will return this week from a shoulder injury. Johnson, though, is out four to six weeks with a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.

"That's big, a big loss for us," Pleasant said. "Great player, great guy, great competitive spirit, someone we love having out there. We need him out there, can't wait to get him back."