2009 Training Camp Updates

[painekiller]

Great write up.

[painekiller]

I wanted to mention, I have really like what I have seen of David Gibbs. He is intense but he talks to the guys. Also Kollar has been impressive. I like the one on one coaching both are doing during drills.

[painekiller]

It appears one of the items that Kubiak was not happy with was the defense's knockout hits. He said he wants the kind of things on Sunday, just not against each other. "We have to be smart".

Mario scared me when he jumps on Moats' legs to get a fumble. Then the pileup ensued, I was glad no one got hurt.

[Nconroe]

Excellent writeup Keith. Did anyone else hear Sirius NFL with Gil Brandt and Vic Carruchi, they did four hours from Training Camp and interviewed 17 of the Texans. Excellent show with Gil Brandt making a prediction Texans will be in playoffs this year.

I watched practice from field 2 endzone mostly. I didin't see any friction between Antonio Smith and Coach or anyone, so that's blown over.

First i watched DL do the sled drills. I guess quickest hard hitters were Mario, and then to me looked like Okeye and Barwin, followed by Bullman and Robinson, and then the rest. Okam seemed to lift sled the highest, but not the fastest.

On some 7 on 7 drills, Jacoby caught atleast two passes, which I think was more than anyone else, other than Casey, no drops during this drill. Arian Foster and Slayton looked good out of the backfield. Grossman looked better than i thought he would, some sharp passes for most part.

Then some DL/OL drills. Other than Mario, Barwin most was pretty impressive, getting to the backfield on almost every attempt from right and left. Okam had a good bull rush up the middle against Myers. Duane Brown looked much better than last year.

In the team drills I saw Jacoby Jones and Walters both make two pretty good catches, and then JJ did a drop near end, but it was over the shoulder after a couple of jukes, but coulda been caught. actually seen many receivers drop this kind of pass occasionally including our ProBowler in early years.

I agree, there was plenty of coaching going on and seemed all 80 guys were trying their hardest. Some tough cuts to be made. Depth much better.

Overall, both sides of ball look bigger, quicker, and more athletic this year compared to previous year for my laymans eyes, so I am encouraged it will be a good year, meaning into the playoffs is my prediction right now.

[Keith]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Sometimes I get wordy, so using the implied emotions of our stock smilies, here are my impressions after just one workout:


Arian Foster - ready to back-up Slaton, just need to see him in pass pro more


Mario Williams - dude, yo.
Andre Johnson - yep.
DeMeco Ryans - in control.
lil' Gibbs - impressed so far.


Brian Cushing - coaches seem to know his strengths.
Glover Quin - don't get hyper-excited, but he's intriguing for sure.
Kasey Studdard - I'm a little surprised, too.
David Anderson - stop underestimating him.
Glenn Martinez - caught my eye several times.
James Casey - choo choo... all aboard!


Amobi Okoye - oh boy. at least he's giving Cody and Okam more reps, they're a'ight.


Rex Grossman - duck and cover.
Antonio Smith - saw little that impressed me today, but I could've missed something here.
Dunta Robinson's agent - no explanation needed.


Ryan Moats - Not bad, but not great either. Brown and Foster should be ahead of him as Slaton's backups.
Cliff Washburn - hard day at LT. Wished Butler was at LT instead of RT today.

[Keith]

A clip of aj_'s Day 3 impressions:

- Heard in the crowd: "The defense is tearing them up today." Indeed they were. Collapsing pockets, shutting down the run, forcing turnovers and false starts ... the defense killed the offense today,

- The domination built to a crescendo when DeMeco picked off Schaub which sent the LBs into a frenzy.

- Hit of the day I: Xavier Adibi obliterating Arian Foster microseconds after catching a dump off from Dan Orlovsky. The QBs had no time to set today.

- Hit of the day II: Nick Ferguson doing the old de-cleater on David Anderson.

- Another variation in the defensive line set (from left to right): Mario, Bulman, Smith, Barwin ...

http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Housto...p-report-Day-3

The Day 3 Quotes:

Head coach Gary Kubiak (morning practice)
(on LB Brian Cushing's first day of camp) "He looked very good. Actually, we told (linebackers coach) Johnny (Holland) to give him half of the reps that he would normally get, so Johnny held to that. I caught him a couple times trying to cheat him in there, but he looked good. I think his conditioning level is good. ...

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/St...?story_id=5412

And hmm....

[TexicanMexican]

Great write up Keith. And everybody else who posts nuggets of info and observations.

[Keith]

Thanks!

Local Houstonians... Ch 13 (ABC) is airing a Texans special at 10:35pm tonight.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

And hmm....

Who do we have here? ItB people?

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

Who do we have here? ItB people?

Well, the Dunta doppelgänger would be me (keep hope alive!). Had I not been wearing my hat, you might have been able to see my natural "Schaub" haircut, too.

Not sure the two guys on my left, but they were good fans for sure. The two on the far right might be familiar to ItB.com regulars...

I suspect someone at the Texans is keeping me in the bullseye...