Training Camp Report

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by WMH

Don't want to over-react after 2 days of camp, but as you stated it is going to be real hard to continue to count on AJ if he can't stay on the field. Rick Smith has shown that he has no qualms about cutting the "stars" of the franchise, and this might be another notch on the bedpost.

The sad thing is, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be OK with that, provided we had someone that develops or we aquire another legitimate #1. AJ has been my fav since he arrived, but it seems as if he is holding them back from getting another top end WR. When is enough.....enough?

Food for thought....sadly

More food for your thought, It is rumored that Mike Wallace is on the trading block for a 2nd and a 5th round pick. Or the Sportsradio 610 guys, asked "would you" with a Wallace for Tate trade right now?

If AJ plays in 12+ games including the playoff, then I think we are OK.

[chuck]

Nice work PK, thanks.

The organization has made some questionable draft day decisions but those involving Duane Brown and JJ Watt were plainly not among them. I never foresaw Brown becoming the anchor that he is and an elite LT, nor did I have the slightest inkling that Watt would be very good much less the best player on a pretty damn good defense.

If anyone has any insight on what Mercilus is up to at these practices I'd love to hear it.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by chuck

If anyone has any insight on what Mercilus is up to at these practices I'd love to hear it.

Mercilus, is very quick. He will benefit greatly from playing next to/ behind Watts. In the 2 on 2 drill today, Watts destroyed the two OL guys, and I believe it was Mercilus, had a free shot at the ball. Mercilus did not show me any pass rush moves other than speed.

Mercilus is still raw and will need time to grow. We have 5 young OLB (Barwin, Braman, Reed, Mercilus, and Nading) right now so I am not concerned about us having any trouble there.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by chuck

If anyone has any insight on what Mercilus is up to at these practices I'd love to hear it.

They had a replay of the past years "Kraft Fight Hunger" bowl on one of the local Houston cable channels couple weeks ago which featured Illinois vs UCLA and I got to watch Mercilus.
As advertised he's very athletic and truly does have a nonstop motor as he appears to be hustling on every play. He was very strong on rushing plays and made several tackles behind the los and also got a sack and many hurries even though UCLA had 2 & 3 men blocking him on every passing play. Plus the guy seems to be an enthusiastic teammate as the camera caught him jumping up and down on the sideline several times when his offense made a long-play and was right in the middle of the celebration at the end of the game with the Illinois win.

[nunusguy]

I went to practice this morning and for the first time ever I was disappointed in the experience, but actually for a good reason I suppose because it was the largest crowd I've ever seen at any Texans' TC practice including past years when I've attended on weekends. In past years there'd be places where you could get with maybe a small cluster of other fans, say 10 or a dozen, and watch certain drills with good visibility and even almost a sense of intimacy. Not this morning ! As they say, we are the victims of our own success.
And call me an alarmist if you want, but the situation with AJ is really a big deal because I have doubt about us being able to count on him again to be there for us in most of the games of a season ? Groins don't go away without rest, and I mean lengthy rest, not a week or 10 days. And this comes right out of the blocs, just the second session of TC. And what kind of injury could be next ?
I sure hope I'm wrong about this ?

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

More food for your thought, It is rumored that Mike Wallace is on the trading block for a 2nd and a 5th round pick. Or the Sportsradio 610 guys, asked "would you" with a Wallace for Tate trade right now?

If AJ plays in 12+ games including the playoff, then I think we are OK.

The Steelers may be willing to let Wallace play out his final year then let him walk as UFA next year. Could get them a compensatory pick in 2014 plus allows them to keep him on the roster one more season.

I would love for the Texans to acquire Wallace this month, and giving up Tate or that pick combo would be ok (would prefer to give up the picks though). The real problem comes when trying to fit Wallace into the cap, one which will also need to find room for Duane Brown, Connor Barwin, and Matt Schaub, among others.

[barrett]

Wallace isn't going anywhere unless the new team can give him the huge new deal Pittsburg won't. We can't do that even if we were willing to give up the picks.

[Keith]

Yeah, sad but true.

To lighten the mood, hear Jerrah talk about the 'glory hole' days of the Crackwagon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1del...e_gdata_player

[WMH]

Originally Posted by barrett

Wallace isn't going anywhere unless the new team can give him the huge new deal Pittsburg won't. We can't do that even if we were willing to give up the picks.

Yep, while it is an interesting thought, but a move for Wallace would force another MAJOR chop off the roster. Shoot, I don't know that we could get his $2.7MM tender under the cap, and still have flexibility during the season for the vet min. guys that will be coming in to fill in for injury.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

The Steelers may be willing to let Wallace play out his final year then let him walk as UFA next year. Could get them a compensatory pick in 2014 plus allows them to keep him on the roster one more season.

I would love for the Texans to acquire Wallace this month, and giving up Tate or that pick combo would be ok (would prefer to give up the picks though). The real problem comes when trying to fit Wallace into the cap, one which will also need to find room for Duane Brown, Connor Barwin, and Matt Schaub, among others.

I agree with this, I was only relaying the radio talk show banter.

[Nconroe]

fwiw, I'm not panicking on WR's, atleast not yet.

I think we got a good group of 10 WR in TC already.

And I don't think AJ is hurt bad and I think KW is a reasonable 2.

And we have other excellent TE and RB receiving options as well.

All receivers drop a pass once in a while and everyone gets a ding once in a while.

A slight groin pull can be gone in a day or two as well, just depends.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

fwiw, I'm not panicking on WR's

I am and I gotta think the Texans are also concerned and would use maybe up to a mid-round pick to trade for a vet WR before the season starts, though I have no idea who that might be in terms of a fit for our offense ? Would a potential trade include somebody like Tate as rumored ? Good question ?

[nunusguy]

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that he hopes injured wide receiver Andre Johnson could return to the field next Monday.
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/ar...a-4a26d8964cfa

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I am and I gotta think the Texans are also concerned and would use maybe up to a mid-round pick to trade for a vet WR before the season starts, though I have no idea who that might be in terms of a fit for our offense ? Would a potential trade include somebody like Tate as rumored ? Good question ?

In a worse case, I see them waiting for any vets that might be on the trading block to be released, and then signed to a team friendly contract. If you trade for a guy then you assume their contract and with our cap space being tight, I don't see them taking on anybodies else's dead weight.

Every year some veteran WR is cut and they can pick up someone. Remember there are now 3 other teams running very similar styles of WCO. That just adds to the pool.

Right now I think they want a vet for leadership in camp, not necessarily to make a big splash during the season.

I saw talent in our young WR, just no history.

[Nconroe]

Rick Smith was on 610 radio TC coverage this morning talking about WR with Mark Vandermeer and all.

what I think I heard said in general:

Rick thinks the injury to Andre is nothing much at all, nothing to worry about.

They are comfortable with the 11 WR guys in camp now and will be tough to cut down to 5 or 6 on final 53 man roster.

The WR's who are most consistent and help them win the most will be the ones they keep on 53 man squad. ( I guess this is the out for bringing in someone else if makes sense).

You like to have mix of experience and new people for depth, not always the perfect mix, nothing decided yet, still very early.

They covered all the other typicl WR topics, almost every WR in TC mentioned, Who looking good, so forth.

Separately Devier Posey had several exceptional catches yesterday we are told, against JJ, so some good WR info in the news.

Jonathan Joseph apparently spent time with young WR's after practice showing them tips on how to recognize defense and get open.

I hope to go see practice Friday and watch these guys for myself if I can get a reasonable place to watch from, seems lots fans at practice this year.