Some thoughts after the 3rd preseason game.
Had hoped Polk would look better than he did today.  It wasn't exactly the best blocking anyone has had, but I thought he left some yards on the field tonight.
Rick Smith gets a lot of criticism for his drafts, and a lot of it is deserved. But that said... going into last season it felt like Houston had 2 CBs and no one behind them that should even see the field.  Now we've seen the guys he picked up last year and he did well.  They have 3 worthy of being in a team's starting pair in JJo, Kareem and KJo.  But then more impressive is behind them there's at least another 3 vying to be CB4 who are probably good enough to be above average CB3s.  And actually if you count Andre Hal who moved to safety and may start, it would be 4.  And that isn't even counting James II, who I don't know if he's a good enough corner to add into that group, but with his special teams and versatility, they have to find a way to keep him on the team.  Yes, lots of draft picks missed and criticism of Smith is still warranted, but he hasn't completely fallen on his face in getting talent onto the team.
Speaking of corners, if they don't keep 7, I wonder how much chance Bouye is the odd man out.  He's made a lot of mistakes in preseason.
I feel pretty decent about safety going into the season.  Not a sure thing they will be a strength, but I like our chances there better than last year.  I hope they find a way to keep Demps.
Hoyer and Mallett both played pretty well, though Mallett got off to a slow start.  Savage looked decent too for that matter.
I mentioned to a friend at the 2nd preseason game that I wondered if Mumphrey might beat out the other receivers for the 5th WR spot.  He could end up as the primary returner.  He had some ups and downs again this week as a receiver.  Before this I'd kind of felt it was Damaris Johnson's spot to lose, and at least in games haven't seen a lot from him that I can recall.  I wonder if he's losing it.  I'm assuming Jaelen Strong gets the 4th spot.  I could even see Keshawn Martin getting the 5th spot ahead of Damaris.  But Mumphrey is still my surprise pick to make the roster there.
Anyone else get the feeling that our 4th and 5th TEs may not be much worse than our top 3?  And I say that half as compliment to Khari Lee and Denham, and half as insult to Graham, Griffin and Fiedorowicz.