Dominique Barber fitting in well

[NBT]

http://cbs11tv.com:80/sports/Rookie.....2.735528.html

Glad to see the rook is doing so well. That defensive secondary is gonna be a tough one to make this year.

[KJ3]

how many safeties do we take usually? about 4 or 5?

i would say (in order)

demps
brown
earl
harrison
barber

[RunninRaven]

Has there been any reports at all of how well either of the Brandons have been doing, either from the practice squad or from OTAs so far? I mean, we drafted those guys and I have heard peep about them since, it seems.

[kravix]

Was listening to 610 this monring, and McClain was on so take this how you will. His points.

Claimed that Ray Rhodes is coaching the safeties and Hoke is coaching the CB's.
Claimed that the team is looking real hard at the Brandons to see if one of them can step up and play well.
Claimed that Barber is fitting in well and playing great football.
Demps and Brown are starters, but neither are set in stone and Earl could grab one.

\end hot air points

I havent heard much about the Brandons either. The only thing I can think of was one of the OTA recap videos from the mainsite where Kubiak talks about Mitchell really stepping his game up this year and taking advantage of the time he spent on the PS.

Harrison was a late round draft pick, but at this point I am wondering if he makes the team over UDFA Mitchell.

Demps
Brown
Earl
Mitchell
Barber

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by RunninRaven

Has there been any reports at all of how well either of the Brandons have been doing, either from the practice squad or from OTAs so far? I mean, we drafted those guys and I have heard peep about them since, it seems.

usually not a good thing to make no noise although you have to believe harrison would've seen time last year if he hadn't been sort of -stashed- onto the IR list way early in the season...

Originally Posted by kravix

Was listening to 610 this monring, and McClain was on so take this how you will. His points.

Claimed that Ray Rhodes is coaching the safeties and Hoke is coaching the CB's.
Claimed that the team is looking real hard at the Brandons to see if one of them can step up and play well.
Claimed that Barber is fitting in well and playing great football.
Demps and Brown are starters, but neither are set in stone and Earl could grab one.

\end hot air points

man, you should just say you were listening to the radio...don't envoke his name, it only gives him more power/weight/pickup lines for the girl

maybe both brandons make it and barber gets left out? those 3 seem pretty interchangeable at this point as none of them have played a down...

earl may be an x-factor this year. his age has him in the prime of his career and coming off the injury/competing for time may step up his game. saying demps isn't set in stone may be accurate, but gives the wrong impression (i guess i'm taking into account who said it) i think he's the closest to a lock for starter of any safety we have.

[Bigtinylittle]

KJ3- Don't worry. Any girl who isn't impressed because he is a Chron reporter isn't going to be impressed because he gets mentioned on sports blogs. Trust me on this.

[NBT]

I think one of the Brandon's and possibly Barber get stashed on the P.S., at least at the start. Ray Rhoades is supposed to be a good DB coach, he has a lot to work with, so maybe it is too soon to say.

I would like to know the reasoning for the thought of keeping Mithchell over Harrison. The only reason Harrison didn't make the active squad was because Stanford students got out late, so he couldn't attend OTA's, and then missed part of TC because of graduation.

Of course Rhoades must be grinning all over with all of the bodies he has to work with this summer.

[kravix]

Originally Posted by KJ3

usually not a good thing to make no noise although you have to believe harrison would've seen time last year if he hadn't been sort of -stashed- onto the IR list way early in the season...


man, you should just say you were listening to the radio...don't envoke his name, it only gives him more power/weight/pickup lines for the girl

maybe both brandons make it and barber gets left out? those 3 seem pretty interchangeable at this point as none of them have played a down...

earl may be an x-factor this year. his age has him in the prime of his career and coming off the injury/competing for time may step up his game. saying demps isn't set in stone may be accurate, but gives the wrong impression (i guess i'm taking into account who said it) i think he's the closest to a lock for starter of any safety we have.

I'm not too worried about him hogging all,or any women for that matter.

Barber could hit the PS rather than the roster, but I really dont see our staff flat out cutting a draft pick from this year, especially a pick that is working out as well as the reports say. Our staff does an excellent job of scouting and to that end they have to believe that even minor issues with a player or over depth at a position are no reasons to cut a fresh pick.

Demps can only lose his starting job at this point. I dont think we have a player with the talent level to rise above the talent and exp that Demps has. He hits good, tackles ok, is pretty good in coverage, and without his bionic arm I expect more int's from him this year. Not all probowl voting is about the most popular players, and Demps landing as an alternate really shows something.

I know that Earl was highly touted by Kubes going into last year. I kind of expect him to start over Brown this year. At this point it is a matter him proving it, which I think he will by the end of TC.

Originally Posted by NBT

I think one of the Brandon's and possibly Barber get stashed on the P.S., at least at the start. Ray Rhoades is supposed to be a good DB coach, he has a lot to work with, so maybe it is too soon to say.

I would like to know the reasoning for the thought of keeping Mithchell over Harrison. The only reason Harrison didn't make the active squad was because Stanford students got out late, so he couldn't attend OTA's, and then missed part of TC because of graduation.

Of course Rhoades must be grinning all over with all of the bodies he has to work with this summer.

We have'nt head hardly anything about Harrison. There isnt anything to say that he would have made it farther than PS last year had he not been stashed on IR. He could be quietly knocking the socks off the coaches right now, but Kubes did make comments about Mitchell and how well he is performing and how he liked the kids spirit after being on the PS last year and stepping up his game to compete this year.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by kravix

We have'nt head hardly anything about Harrison. There isnt anything to say that he would have made it farther than PS last year had he not been stashed on IR. He could be quietly knocking the socks off the coaches right now, but Kubes did make comments about Mitchell and how well he is performing and how he liked the kids spirit after being on the PS last year and stepping up his game to compete this year.

I got the impression that Kubiak was answering Megan Manfull's question about Mitchell. Not that he was touting Mitchell over Harrison. Megan was getting info for her article and the camera happen to trying to get Kubiak's post practice statement. Megan pretty much cut him off to get her stuff.

After the video was over I knew what story was going to be on chron.com, and it was. I would not read to much into Kubiak's statements.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by kravix

....player with the talent level to rise above the talent and exp that Demps has. He hits good, tackles ok, is pretty good in coverage, and without his bionic arm I expect more int's from him this year.

Just because this bugged me last year. Demps had some really nice BIG hits last year, but I thought his Tackling was horrible. There were many times that he let a player pick up extra yards because he tried to lay a big hit and didn't wrap up. I thought he missed some tackles as well. I don't think he has great hands either.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I assume some of these problems could have been from his injury....he did appear to be in the right position most of the time, and I think his experience level was good to have in the backfield. Unless someone explodes in training camp I expect him to start....and I have no problem with him being the starter either. I think he is a capable S. I just disagree with some people on how good he is.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by kravix

I'm not too worried about him hogging all,or any women for that matter. I think all he can do is HOG women hahahasnork

We have'nt head hardly anything about Harrison. There isnt anything to say that he would have made it farther than PS last year had he not been stashed on IR. He could be quietly knocking the socks off the coaches right now, but Kubes did make comments about Mitchell and how well he is performing and how he liked the kids spirit after being on the PS last year and stepping up his game to compete this year.

last year?! jason simmons, michael boulware, von hutchins all got playing time and i know harrison would've been in there before they started pulling people off the street!

Originally Posted by papabear

Just because this bugged me last year. Demps had some really nice BIG hits last year, but I thought his Tackling was horrible. There were many times that he let a player pick up extra yards because he tried to lay a big hit and didn't wrap up. I thought he missed some tackles as well. I don't think he has great hands either.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I assume some of these problems could have been from his injury....he did appear to be in the right position most of the time, and I think his experience level was good to have in the backfield. Unless someone explodes in training camp I expect him to start....and I have no problem with him being the starter either. I think he is a capable S. I just disagree with some people on how good he is.

totally agree but i have to believe some of the tackling/interception dropping issues will get fixed without the steve austin arm. he did seem to be in position to make plays but i see what you see in demps. he's good, just not all that great.

[Bigtinylittle]

I am very leery of reading too much into Kubiak's comments about players. I think he makes a lot of them just to psych players up/increase camp competition, etc. Grain of salt. Remember, last year he was touting how wonderful Charlie Anderson's play was. But by the start of the regular season, Anderson was third string, and now he can't even make the team. Did Anderson's wonderful play suddenly disappear? Or was Kubiak just sending messages to the players? My money is on the latter.

[nunusguy]

I dunno, but I'm still trying to understand why we didn't use our 6th (or 7th)
round pick on a pass-rusher who might have the potential to develope as
the kind of edge-rusher we need opposite Mario on third-downs (or other passing situations) ? Apparently the Texans felt there was just a total absense of pass-rushing talent out there at that stage of the Draft ? This Barber kid may be a good prospect, but we've already got all kinds of similar type players on our roster, while at the same time we've got a real unfilled need for a weakside edge-rusher.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I am very leery of reading too much into Kubiak's comments about players. I think he makes a lot of them just to psych players up/increase camp competition, etc. Grain of salt. Remember, last year he was touting how wonderful Charlie Anderson's play was. But by the start of the regular season, Anderson was third string, and now he can't even make the team. Did Anderson's wonderful play suddenly disappear? Or was Kubiak just sending messages to the players? My money is on the latter.

iirc, anderson bailed to miami after last season was over. also he came in and played situational downs and i thought he did look good. i think it was him who knocked the hell out of jay cutler...

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I dunno, but I'm still trying to understand why we didn't use our 6th (or 7th)
round pick on a pass-rusher who might have the potential to develope as
the kind of edge-rusher we need opposite Mario on third-downs (or other passing situations) ? Apparently the Texans felt there was just a total absense of pass-rushing talent out there at that stage of the Draft ? This Barber kid may be a good prospect, but we've already got all kinds of similar type players on our roster, while at the same time we've got a real unfilled need for a weakside edge-rusher.

tommy blake was the big name that i can remember, but i'm sure that there were a few guys we could've taken a stab at over alex brink. i'm willing to let kubiak have his guy as a project, but it does seem like the pick could've gone towards filling out the team's weaknesses instead of filling out the team's need of a 3+ year project

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I dunno, but I'm still trying to understand why we didn't use our 6th (or 7th)
.

Here's my theory on it: We have three guys who are pretty well established as QB's....with our two backups having shown that they can start a few gamed and get their team wins. Since an undrafted free agent QB can choose where to go most of them would probably stay away from us unless they had no other options because they have zero chance of making the roster.

You always want to have QB on the practice squad, and it's great if you have one you think might have a chance to develop into something one day. By drafting Brink the Texans assured themselves that they had a QB that they saw SOMETHING in....even if it was only a little something. A pass rushing DE who went undrafted would probably have the Texans pretty high on his list since that position was widely regarded as a need, and one we didn't fill in the draft.

The other part of it is that Rosey is on the last year of his contract. Gray only signed a one year deal if I remember correctly. That means both of them could be gone after the season is over. I think there's a pretty good chance that happens too. By taking Brink they might give themselves a little insurance heading into next year by having another QB besides Schaub who know our system.

[da Bull]

Another twist to that same thought pattern: I believe Rosie has 2 yrs. left (08 & 09) that being said he may still have value when teams see what they have in training camp. In that case, you need a starter and 2 backups who at least understand the system (via Mini-camp, OTAs and some portion of training camp). Better No. 3 is someone you saw potential in rather than just someone off the street (Boyd).

Besides, the Texans showed "class" with Carr via the release rather than a trade (for a late round pick) to a crappy team he wouldn't have had a chance with. So, maybe they do a similar thing with Rosie; potential starter + 2 years remaining on his contract = value. In that case the 7th (Brink) may turn into greater value (2-4 for Rosie) in someone you've had time to evaluate regarding starting potential. They pretty well know what they have in Gray and by the end of training camp Brink too. ......just a thought.

[KJ3]

great post papabear. great insight. there's no rep system so i just have to say it over and over again. great post. great insight.

so...

we really held out for a 2nd around d-day for rosenfels. if someone offered a 3rd this year around week 5 do you take it (assuming at this point schaub is healthy)? would you take a conditional 3rd that moves to a 2nd based on his play? if someone offered a 2nd in preseason do you look past schaub's proneness to injury or freak accidents and take it? does brink or grey give you enough to pull the trigger on a deal?

i'm with papabear in the thought that rosenfels probably moves on after his contract expires (which i'm almost positive is this year dabull)

[kravix]

Rosenfells is signed through the 2009 season, so he has 2 years left to go. (According to our benefactor Keith and his unofficial salry info)

I agree that when his contract is up he will go to FA looking for a place that will give him a start, if he doesnt find that I wouldnt be suprised to see him back here.

I really think that Kubes carries 3 QB's on the roster and 1 on the PS this year. As long as Schaub is healthy both Grey and Sage are up for trade IMO. If Schaub goes down, even for a game then Sage would probably be locked in the rest of the season.

I doubt that the team moves Sage for less than a 2. To me he would be available from now until the day that Schaub gets hurt, be it TC, Preseaon, or Reg Season.

[KJ3]

you're absolutely right. 4 year, 7 mil deal inked on 3/13/2006.

i could've sworn i read something about how this was his last year which fueled the "sage to minnesota" rumors...totally wrong.

[NBT]

For my money Sage is worth far more to the Texans than a 3rd round draft pick would garner. Of course Sage would like to start somewhere, so If someone offered that, I'm sure we would do the honorable thing.