Official Texans @ Chiefs Game Thread, 8/15/2009

[papabear]

thanks guys....it's not being broadcasted locally in Beaumont that I can find. So, the family will just have to have their little celebration without me, or I'll DVR it or catch a re-broadcast.

[Keith]

The player with the most to prove on Saturday?

I'm going with Dan Orlovsky. He needs to have a good game to clearly separate himself from Grossman and show that the team can count on him if Matt Schaub goes down with injury.

So he's the one I think I want to see the most, too. I was really anticipating an extended look at Arian Foster, but he won't play due to his hamstring.

[RunninRaven]

Is Caldwell starting at Center? I'm really interested in watching him and see if he really is capable of stepping in for Chris Meyers this season and improving that position.

[Nconroe]

Hmm, lots to be watching this early in the year, I was thinking the 5 TE's, 3 who also snap would be most interesting, now I think watching our young CB's should be interesting as well. And I hope our DL is more disruptive than before.

[Keith]

Stephanie logged a blog post on her pre-game thoughts:
http://blogs.chron.com/texanschick/2...y_preview.html

• How will the Texans offense do against the KC 3-4? I think KC may end up showing more stuff preseason to get more confidence in their young team, and get their fans more excited about the season. They've said that it is a priority for them to win these games.

And aj_ has one too:
http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Housto...ans-and-Chiefs

The Chiefs added some big names during the off-season, especially at linebacker with Mike Vrabel lining up at the right side outside linebacker spot and Zach Thomas at the left inside spot next to Derrick Johnson.

Imagine that... Derrick Johnson as a 3-4 linebacker.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Keith

Imagine that... Derrick Johnson as a 3-4 linebacker.

He is still undersized and he is playing in the middle, not a place for the dynamic superman some of the poster have made him out to be.

IIRC Vilma was rookie of the year and traded when his team went to a 3-4, could DJ be heading down a similar path? Time will tell.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by painekiller

IIRC Vilma was rookie of the year and traded when his team went to a 3-4, could DJ be heading down a similar path? Time will tell.

I think Johnson was a bit misused by the old regime there, so I don't know that the 3-4 would make it much worse, aside from the Chiefs apparently lacking a good NT. That won't help him.

As for being traded, Johnson would have been on the block earlier this year if at all (especially under a new HC and front office) since 2009 is his final under contract. No offense to Diles or Adibi, but looking ahead to 2010, I'd be very curious about him as a Will in the Texans defense. Very curious indeed.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by RunninRaven

Is Caldwell starting at Center? I'm really interested in watching him and see if he really is capable of stepping in for Chris Meyers this season and improving that position.

White is starting at OC, but you should get a lot of Caldwell.