Some notes on the team

papabear · #1 07-24-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Pitts was on 610am.

The other night I was watching the Texas v Rice game. It had a new meaning for me. I wanted to watch Thor, and was I surprised when he line up at QB in the goal line offense. And he also seemed to be Rice's goal line RB.

I wonder if the team will give him some shots at the RB position. If so then we can let a guy like Brown go. I am also wondering if he gets a shot at long snapping.

Another spot for him maybe the up back on punting teams, then a direct snap for a fake?

Casey could have been the starting QB if he had stayed at Rice for another year. He was used more as a FB than a RB in college. I don't think Casey will have any bearing on whether Brown stays or goes in any way. Even if Casey ligns up as a RB/FB it will more likely be in specific sets. I hate to use the term gadget play...but it would be a gadget play. From everything the Texans and Casey have said they just want him to focus on being a TE right now. I've seen several quotes from Casey about how difficult learning the playbook is. I heard him on the radio the other day and that was all he talked about....how much he was struggling with the playbook. You would think it wouldn't be a problem for a Rice guy....but it made me wonder just a little.

Quote:

Pitts had a lot of nice things to say about Cushing and how the other teams are going to have to run to the weak side because of his ability to play at the line of scrimmage.

Great to hear Chester rave about Cushing. He sounded sincere in the interview...even talked about how you could just see a difference between him and a guy like Babin on the practice field.

I'm not sure teams are going to change their whole game plan to run away from Cush, but Mario seemed to be a little undisciplined at times against the run last year. With Cush and Smith on the opposite side he could get more stuff his direction....I'm not worried though. It will just lead to more Jamaal Lewis like rag dolls.

nunusguy · #2 07-24-2009, 02:28 PM

I watched my USC-Penn State Rose Bowl game recording again this past week and there was quite a few plays where the Trojans had Cushing up on the los over the TE. Guess that's part of the plan that the Texans may incorporate in our defense ?
Speaking of Cushing, neither he or Barwin or Caldwell (our top 3 picks) have been signed to a contract. And neither has key verteran DeMeco. I dunno,
but I would have thought atlest one or two of those guys would have been signed by the time we were within just a week of TC ?

papabear · #3 07-24-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I watched my USC-Penn State Rose Bowl game recording again this past week and there was quite a few plays where the Trojans had Cushing up on the los over the TE. Guess that's part of the plan that the Texans may incorporate in our defense ?

This is from a coaching clinic or something Pete Carrol did on the 4-3 under scheme. I'm pretty sure it's been up here before...but it's a good read with it sounding like we will use a lot of the same philosophy.

http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.co...z_schemes.html

Bigtinylittle · #4 07-25-2009, 10:29 AM

It will be fun to see the 4-3 under. It will be even more fun if it actually works.

NBT · #5 07-25-2009, 05:12 PM

Why wouldn't it work? With Frank Bush & Bill Kollar running it, (and teaching it!)

Nconroe · #6 07-25-2009, 08:37 PM

ESPN has a preview, prediction at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=435...goryid=2459789 from yesterday

The analysts are predicting Texans to be 4th in the division in 2009. So, I think I am drinking the juice right now and totally disagree with these guys.

On 610 , maybe Wednesday afternoon, they interviewed someone from FootballOutsiders.com who said Texans had sixth hardest schedule in 2009 and therefore would still not have a great year into the playoffs.

Guess we'll have to prove these guys all wrong.

painekiller · #7 07-25-2009, 10:40 PM

What did they say about us the year we went 2-14?

The national press IMO has no clue about this team.

We have AJ, OD, Mario, Ryans, Schaub, Slaton, Winston, Pitts all playing at or near Pro Bowl level.

The Titans best player is in Washington, the Jags should be recovered from the injuries, but....

And then we have the Colts, Dungy is gone and I think that will have an effect, but they still have Peyton.

Yes we have a hard schedule but we have a ton of young talent.