Texans Conspicously Absent from USC ProDay

jppaul · #1 04-02-2009, 01:13 AM

USC's Proday...:

As for the roll call of NFL brass with 30 of the 32 teams represented, here are a few of the bigger names in attendance: Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary, Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress and personnel chief Rick Spielman, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and General Manager Martin Mayhew, Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves, Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson and the New Orleans Saints’ Mickey Loomis.

The Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos are reportedly the only teams not in attendance.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/...-times-at-usc/

Undoubtedly the days before the draft are filled with deception and false trails, but interestingly enough we didn't show to the proday. It could be argued that this is a better indicator of our interest than actually showing up, considering the smoke screens that blanket the draft. We likely would already have all the info we needed and have ranked Matthews accordingly so the pro day isn't vital.

On the other hand it could just as easily be argued that we are simply not interested.

Could go either way, I think that the Texans are interested in matthews, and the Broncos are interested in Sanchez so go figure. If anything thier absence might raise the antennae of other teams more than actually showing up, so I am not so sure about this move.

nunusguy · #2 04-02-2009, 06:40 AM

If anyone is interested the 1560 weekly radio "Draft-Show" here in Houston(Thursdays from 5-6:30 PM thru April up to the Draft) is scheduled to have C. Matthews on their program today.

Joshua · #3 04-02-2009, 10:23 AM

I agree its not a big deal. They'll likely bring Matthews and Cushing to Reliant for a private workout in the near future. However, just not showing up is a little perplexing. The owner and coach both came out last week and told the media that we're looking for a playmaking linebacker in the early rounds then skip the pro day of the school with 3 linebackers projected to go in the 1st round. If the purpose of not attending is to put up a smokescreen, then the owner and coach shouldn't have been talking to the media last week.

Also, if I remember correctly, isn't this a play out of Shanahan's playbook. Didn't he basically ignore Cutler (did not attend his pro day, didn't work him out, didn't even talk to him) until he traded up to draft him? I wonder if that's where it comes from.

papabear · #4 04-02-2009, 10:44 AM

There's so much speculation on everything anyone related to an NFL team says this time of year that it doesn't matter what you do people are going to read things into it. If we went to the workout you could say they are being way too obvious so that must mean they don't plan on drafting that guy.

I'm not going to read anything into any of it. Just sit back and see what happens.

texan · #5 04-02-2009, 10:46 AM

According to McClain's blog, we didn't attend Mario's pro day either.

http://blogs.chron.com/nfl/2009/04/u...r_take_on.html

NBT · #6 04-02-2009, 04:53 PM

If we are trying to maneuver to trade down so we can go after CM Jr., It is our way of throwing other teams off (smoke & mirrors), which is the order of the day right now for most Pro teams. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

jppaul · #7 04-02-2009, 05:29 PM

Not too worried about it NBT I just question the reasoning behind such a strategy. If they are trying to deny interest in Matthews why not just send someone and be 31/32 teams in attendance, instead of being the odd man out, which is way more conspicious. Either way it just doesn't ring properly for me.

dalemurphy · #8 04-03-2009, 01:44 AM

I guess we know why the Texans didn't attend the pro day. According to various sources, Cushing and Matthews both tested positive for steroids at the combine.

jppaul · #9 04-03-2009, 01:58 AM

Do you have a link for that?

jppaul · #10 04-03-2009, 02:01 AM

Nevermind I got it.

http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Latest/..._positive.html

popanot · #11 04-03-2009, 06:06 AM

Not sure I'd put much faith in that source, but who knows? Until one of the big media outlets pick it up I'll withhold judgement.

papabear · #12 04-03-2009, 08:46 AM

Even though I don't think you can read much into any of this who attended the workout or the soundbite the coach gives this time of year, IF Cushing and Mathews tested positive then you would think McNair has crossed them off the board based on his past stances about "character". Even then I would bet that the Texans had someone at that workout...even if it was just in some informal capacity. They had several players working out and if they don't get a LB early then the "other" USC LB might be an option later. Even if there's no one there they can still bring those guys to visit. Most NFL staffs like to control the workout anyway where they can get the player out of his comfort zone.

gunn · #13 04-03-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

.....IF Cushing and Mathews tested positive then you would think McNair has crossed them off the board based on his past stances about "character".

Maybe I'm in the dark here, but what "stances about character" are you talking about?

I don't think they are the Bengals who are okay with bringing in grease fires but at the same time I don't think they are looking to bring in all choir boys. I do think they have an emphasis on high character players but I don't think a positive steriod test would steer them away from a player like Matthews who by all other accounts is high character.

papabear · #14 04-03-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunn

Maybe I'm in the dark here, but what "stances about character" are you talking about?

I don't think they are the Bengals who are okay with bringing in grease fires but at the same time I don't think they are looking to bring in all choir boys. I do think they have an emphasis on high character players but I don't think a positive steriod test would steer them away from a player like Matthews who by all other accounts is high character.

I could still see them taking any of the guys rumored to have tested positive. McNair made a lot of noise about wanting high character guys, admittedly mostly when the franchise was still new. I think it's been generally accepted that McNair doesn't want guys with character issues. Crossing them off the list was probably pretty strong wording, but IF there's any truth to this it wouldn't surprise me if the Texans adjusted their rankings on these guys slightly.

They took Okoye who openly admitted to smoking pot in the past, but I bet they looked into it pretty hard.

gunn · #15 04-03-2009, 02:43 PM

Gotcha. Yeah the are only a few teams in the league that are okay with taking on the Odel Thurmonds and Chris Henrys of the league, and the Texans aren't one of them. To me, those are the players along with your Pacman Jones' and Michael Vicks that are lacking in the character department.... players like Luis Castillo or Matthews who may have tested positive for steriods in prep for the combine don't belong in that catagory.

Heck, most people around here had no problem with the thought of adding Julius Peppers to the defensive line and he was suspended by the league for steriod use.

edo783 · #16 04-03-2009, 04:43 PM

Posted this in another thread on this topic:

So far, NFL draft bible.com (IIRC) seems to be the only site reporting anything. The site seems more than a little suspect. Only 6 pages that were created in 07 and most are blank. Mathews via his lawyer has denied it and the lawyer has sent some sort of letter to the site. Looks more than tad suspicious that 3 weeks before the draft, suddenly 5-6 1st round pick are being talked about as flunking a drug test when the teams haven't even received the results. I'm not saying it isn't true, but at this pint doesn't seem to pass the sniff test.