Training camp 2014 news

[Arky]

Tania Ganguli on Texans Camp Report Day 4

• Defensive lineman Jeoffrey Pagan, one of the Texans' three sixth-round picks this year, has appeared to catch on pretty well after missing the entire spring while recovering from shoulder surgery. His position coach, though, is not ready to assess Pagan's progress. "He's been out [here] for less than a week," Bill Kollar said. "Right now I really don't have an opinion one way or another. He's getting a little bit better technique-wise, but again, like everybody else he has a long way to go right now." What does a rookie fall the most behind on when he misses practices? "You fall behind on everything. Conditioning, technique, everything. Football is a sport, it has got to be hands on. You can watch all the film you want and stuff, but you have to be out there actually playing the technique to improve."

• Two new players were at Texans camp on Tuesday: offensive lineman Mike Farrell, a Penn State alumnus, and running back Tim Cornett . Cornett went to UNLV but attended high school in the Houston area. The rookie running back made his presence felt during a team drill in which he bulldozed a defensive back. The Texans also released Ricky Sapp, according to the league's transaction list.

• Once the pads came on, fullback Jay Prosch's blocking ability really began to stand out. He'll be a boon in the running game.

• I've really liked watching running back Alfred Blue. He's very talented as a runner, a hard worker and coachable. The aspect of the game that young running backs struggle with the most is pass protection. It'll be interesting to see his ability there.

• Head coach Bill O'Brien said offensive guard Brandon Brooks is close to returning. Earlier in the week he declined to share what had landed Brooks on the active/non-football injury list. Safety Lonnie Ballentine was not practicing with an injury he suffered during camp. On Ballentine, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, O'Brien used the same line: "I don't think it's life threatening."

• And since I mentioned the offense struggling in an earlier post, I should also mention this. The receivers continued looking terrific. EZ Nwachukwu is making a serious case for himself.

Been hearing many thing good things about wide receiver EZ Nwachukwu like the above. Also, I think another to keep an eye on is Lacoltan Bester, WR out of Oklahoma. I got a feeling about this guy..... I see practice squad minimum.... So very important to these guys that they look good in the preseason games.

[Nconroe]

What do you think about guys who make a mental mistake have to run a lap?

We used to do that in high school. might make guys really pay attention.

[barrett]

I am sure guys are on board with laps from the new coach now. If we win this year I am sure they will stay on board and they'll call him a great motivator. If we lose this year they will rebel/quit on the idiot who treats them like kids and makes them run laps.

The dictator act works great when you win and terrible when you lose. Since I only care about us winning, I am all for it. BOB will either bring discipline and victories and be the next Bellichek, or he will bring losses and rebellion and be the next McDaniels.

[HPF Bob]

O'Brien used the same line: "I don't think it's life threatening."

Guy really takes after Belichick, doesn't he?

BOB will either bring discipline and victories and be the next Bellichek, or he will bring losses and rebellion and be the next McDaniels.

Spot on, Barrett.

[painekiller]

And we all thought Kubiak was tight lipped. I miss his "openness" now.

[Nconroe]

I think I like the way BoB is coaching so far.

Seems to preach teamwork, daily improvement, play smart, understand several positions, be flexible, communicate with each other, have fun, up tempo, be active, work hard. Offense and defense both multiple with players reading in real time for next action.

And he has guys believing his methods will make them a winner. They seem to joke with BOB and believe so far.

I'm not sure if it is dictator, but it is immediate feedback to learn and teach.
I was thinking the"not life threatening" was a funny joke. enjoyed it.

I can't wait to see a practice, preseason and then real season to begin.

An example of handing out reward and praise as well from todays practice to Duane Brown-motivator
"On a play near the end of practice, Kareem Jackson intercepted a pass and was pursued by Brown for the length of the field. Following the play, Brown left the practice field in a golf cart at the suggestion of head coach Bill O’Brien.

“I think he chased K-Jack (Kareem Jackson) about 95 yards, 100 yards, and 322 pounds,” O’Brien said Wednesday. “You know, that was a hell of an effort by Duane Brown. He’s another guy that I probably don’t talk about enough. He means a lot to this football team, great teammate, really good person, tough guy, fun guy to coach, really puts the team first. He left it out on the field on that one. We just told him to take it in and maybe get in the air conditioning a little sooner than the rest of them.”

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I think I like the way BoB is coaching so far.

Seems to preach teamwork, daily improvement, play smart, understand several positions, be flexible, communicate with each other, have fun, up tempo, be active, work hard. Offense and defense both multiple with players reading in real time for next action.

And he has guys believing his methods will make them a winner. They seem to joke with BOB and believe so far.

I'm not sure if it is dictator, but it is immediate feedback to learn and teach.
I was thinking the"not life threatening" was a funny joke. enjoyed it.

I can't wait to see a practice, preseason and then real season to begin.

I think as long as we win they will continue to like him. Everybody loves someone who helps you be successful.

But if we are 6-10, then all of a sudden grown men won't be so fired up about running laps.

I am all for it. I think it was needed after Kubiak (AJ made a comment about the difference and how it was needed). I just think he needs to win to maintain the benefit of the doubt they are currently giving him.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by painekiller

And we all thought Kubiak was tight lipped. I miss his "openness" now.

I don't miss anything about that motherscratcher.

And I'm pretty sure the lap running is a training camp thing. If they're still running laps in week ten I'll raise my eyebrows a bit.

[Arky]

John Harris:

Ultimate 11: Week One TC 'Eyecatchers'

11. DE Ricardo Mathews (No. 94) was signed in the off-season to little fanfare. But, after seeing him this week, it's seemingly money well spent. He's played some over the nose, spelling Jerrell Powe, and some at the 3-4 DE position. His versatility is key but he's sudden, quick and powerful at the point of attack. He's got a stockier build but that also makes him ultra-difficult to block.

10. I've seen ILB Max Bullough (No. 53) play 20+ times if I've seen him once. At 252 pounds, I knew that he'd shine against the run in the middle. But, he's surprised me with his coverage ability; it's much better than I thought, even in man-to-man situations. I've noticed a few times when the undrafted rookie from Michigan State ran step-for-step with a RB or TE in man-to-man coverage.

9. If you're one of the lucky ones to have seen the first day of OLB Jadeveon Clowney (No. 90) in pads, you can always say "you were there". He's still not even 100% but the burst, the power, the ability to re-direct and the competitive fire are 100% evident. His overall game needs to be honed, even he'd admit that, but he can do things on a football field that mere mortals can't. Then why is he only 9th? Keeping bonus baby rookies in their place...for now.

8. ILB Justin Tuggle (No. 57) has played only a short amount of time at linebacker, be it inside or outside, but he's been a pleasant surprise with his instincts and pursuit to the football. Sure, the linebacker lineage runs in his blood (his Dad Jessie was a Pro Bowl linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons), but he's striving to make his own name here in Houston. He's doing that and then some with his start to camp.

7. I went to Texas A&M's first Pro Day, because, well, the Aggies had two of them, if you recall. But, that's neither here nor there, but on that first Pro Day, WR Travis Labhart (No. 17) performed extremely well. His 20-yard shuttle, 3-cone drill and 40-yard dash were on par with some of the best receivers in the 2014 draft class. A few of us chatted him up after the workout and jokingly said "hey, would love to see you in Houston", not thinking it would actually happen. Thankfully, it did because he's been outstanding since arriving back in May. I saw him drop one quick screen early on day one in pads. That's the only drop I've seen. He's made diving catches, catches on fourth down, catches across the middle and catches in the end zone. I don't know how the numbers will shake out for him come Cut Week/Day but he's making it difficult for this staff to let him go.

6. RB Alfred Blue (No. 44) got only 71 carries in his final year at LSU but he's probably had that many touches and then some during his first week in Houston. During mini-camps and OTAs, I wondered aloud how much courage rookie running backs have when the pads go on. Luckily, that's not even close to being an issue with Blue. He's got burst to and through holes with some juice, not to mention his contributions in the passing game as well.

5. DE Tim Jamison (No. 96) might be the most difficult guy for the OL to block consistently well on this team (minus that really good No. 99 fella). I don't know that I've seen a pass rush 1-on-1 rep in which he's been completely defeated. It's the best I've seen him look in his years in Houston.

4. When the three day rookie mini-camp in May concluded, I was hoping that WR EZ Nwachkwu (No. 17) could carry the momentum of that weekend into full team mini-camps and OTAs. He's done that and then some. He's been playing with a ton of confidence and catching everything thrown his way. He's not the most natural hands catcher, but his hands are improving. He can fly and gets open in the middle of the field more than any other WR right now.

3. DE Julius Warmsley (No. 74) is the wrong size, the wrong body type and the wrong position. But, he's done more right than many of his co-horts in camp this week. He's short for a DL and weighs well under 300 pounds, yet he finds a way to do something in camp each and every day. He'll whip an OL for a "sack" and then bat down a pass. I've mentioned before that he came to Houston back in May on a tryout during rookie mini-camp, earned a contract and has played like he has nothing to lose. Again, the numbers are stacked against him, but his effort and production in week one are more than worth mentioning.

2. WR Mike Thomas (No. 89) left Wednesday's practice after chasing Kareem Jackson down after an interception but he'll be back on the field soon. The Texans need him because he's perhaps the most natural slot receiver this team possesses. His ability to create separation in short spaces is uncanny and impressive. I'm not the only one that's noticed, either.

1. This is going to shock many, but you know what, so be it (it'll be one of the last times I'll talk about kickers, presumably). K Randy Bullock (No. 4) and Chris Boswell (No. 2) have shined kicking field goals on a daily basis. Through three days of the FG kicking competition, I can only remember two field goals missed - one by each. Both have bombed kicks from 50 yards and deeper and most of the kicks are right down the middle. I know, I know, there isn't much pressure on kickers in training camp and no live rush up to this point. Regardless, I don't often talk nice about kickers, but they deserve some kind words.

[Nconroe]

Good to get all the camp news, but I was thinking as I read all these daily analysis that there must be at least 80 guys being named as having a great day.

But then we keep waiving players and bringing in new guys.

waived today is Trevardo Williams, I guess didn't get over injury, another draft pick from last year. too bad.

and brought in two more
1. wide receiver Joe Adams , 5'11", 185 24, 2012 out of Arkansas, also kick returner ,basically replaces Bonner who went on waivers/IR
2. OT, Brice Schwab, 6'7", 302 24, played at Arizona State in 2012, practice squad for Carolina Panthers and NE Patriots.

Seems we have quite a few OT or OL in camp for the time being, maybe trying to find someone who can stop our defense consistently. Its early.