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2021 Houston Texans - (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter coolnerd
- Start date
GregR
Footballguy
QA by Steph Stradley with a bunch of folks on what the Texans should do in the draft. FBG's Matt Waldman is one of the participants.
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Stephanie-Stradley-Q-A-Texans-NFL-draft-12825422.php
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Stephanie-Stradley-Q-A-Texans-NFL-draft-12825422.php
Derek Newton cut today. Some weirdness going on, he reportedly failed a physical back on March 23rd. Texans refused to pay his April 1st Roster Bonus of 500K but aren't cutting him until today. Newton apparently got a 2nd opinion from Dr James Andrews who said he was healthy, and Newton is expected to file a grievance.
GregR
Footballguy
Skimmed through the schedule. Texans do not face any opponents coming off their bye week, and no opponents who had a Thursday game the previous week so have that week and a half to prepare.
All three division road games are done by week 7. So if we can come out of mid-season in a good position, will have an edge with all division games at home down the stretch. Plus games against the Browns and Jets. Though do have Philly in that stretch too.
All three division road games are done by week 7. So if we can come out of mid-season in a good position, will have an edge with all division games at home down the stretch. Plus games against the Browns and Jets. Though do have Philly in that stretch too.
Have to take it with a grain of salt, but the easiest SoS in the league based on last years results. Pats away is a tough opener although the Pats sometimes come out of the gate sluggish the last few years. Middle part of the schedule is soft, soft, soft. If they can't take care of business against what I've listed below, then there are some serious issues and possibly some coach firings that should come. Sure some of these teams will be better than last year like Dallas or the Giants, but all of these games below except maybe away against Jax we should have a legitimate shot at winning (provided the team stays healthy for the first time in forever.) If they can't win 9 or 10 out of the 13 below, then it's gonna be a long year.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, NY Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, Dallas, 8:20 p.m.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Week 8: Thursday, Oct. 25, Miami, 8:20 p.m.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 4, at Denver, 4:05 p.m.
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at Washington, 1 p.m.
Week 12: Monday, Nov. 26, Tennessee, 8:15 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 15, at NY Jets, 4:30 p.m.
Edit: If any Texans fans plan on coming to Denver for the game against the Bronco's, let's meet up!
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Jayded
Footballguy
Curious from my fellow Texans fans....
Hypothetically assume we would have made a deal where we didn't lose our first round pick this year in what we did last year: We still have Watson, but we also have the #4 pick in the draft.
Who would you advocate we take? Who would they take?
Hypothetically assume we would have made a deal where we didn't lose our first round pick this year in what we did last year: We still have Watson, but we also have the #4 pick in the draft.
Who would you advocate we take? Who would they take?
GregR
Footballguy
I'd have probably leaned towards Nelson. Though that said, I didn't follow the top guys nearly as closely this year given we weren't in the running for any of them. So that opinion could have changed with more knowledge.
ND fan so watched Nelson a lot in college. Think he'd be an anchor on the inside for the next ten years. Really hated to see the Colts get him.
Actually my preference would have been trade down two or three times if possible.
GregR
Footballguy
There were a few things I wasn't crazy about in our draft, but probably more that I liked than didn't.
First, we didn't waste picks trading up when we were already short on them. That was a big plus to me.
Reid was a great pick where we got him. I think Rankin was probably good where we got him, but I worry if they are looking at him as a tackle when a lot of evaluators thought he has too many problems in space to play tackle.
Akins seems like a great fit... but the fact he's 26 makes me hesitant as a third round pick. He's about the same age as Fedorowicz. I hope he doesn't take a year or two to come into his own, because if so there won't be much left on him.
My Texas Tech alum buddy is pretty high on Coutee, thinks he'll be productive in the slot.
Now one positive I will say there, is I think we could have ended up with 4 starters from this draft, which isn't bad at all when your first picks are in the 3rd round. And Ejiofor sounds like he could get significant time as a pass rusher. From that standpoint, I'm probably quite a bit more positive than not.
Don't know enough about the later picks to really say much either way about them, though.
First, we didn't waste picks trading up when we were already short on them. That was a big plus to me.
Reid was a great pick where we got him. I think Rankin was probably good where we got him, but I worry if they are looking at him as a tackle when a lot of evaluators thought he has too many problems in space to play tackle.
Akins seems like a great fit... but the fact he's 26 makes me hesitant as a third round pick. He's about the same age as Fedorowicz. I hope he doesn't take a year or two to come into his own, because if so there won't be much left on him.
My Texas Tech alum buddy is pretty high on Coutee, thinks he'll be productive in the slot.
Now one positive I will say there, is I think we could have ended up with 4 starters from this draft, which isn't bad at all when your first picks are in the 3rd round. And Ejiofor sounds like he could get significant time as a pass rusher. From that standpoint, I'm probably quite a bit more positive than not.
Don't know enough about the later picks to really say much either way about them, though.
GregR
Footballguy
The Texans also reached undrafted free agent deals with Washington running back Davin Coleman, SMU defensive end Mason Gentry, Georgia defensive back Davin Bellamy, Pitt wide receiver Jester Weah, Pitt offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith, Florida State defensive end Jalen Wilkerson, San Jose State corner Andre Chachere and Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel, according to sources.
The Texans are also signing LSU OT K.J. Malone, the son of NBA legend Karl Malone. He dealt with a knee injury last season.
The Texans invited East Carolina defensive end Kiante Anderson and North Carolina State safety Shawn Boone to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to a source.
The Texans also invited former Rice center Peter Godber and former Rice quarterback Tyler Stehling to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The Texans are also signing LSU OT K.J. Malone, the son of NBA legend Karl Malone. He dealt with a knee injury last season.
The Texans invited East Carolina defensive end Kiante Anderson and North Carolina State safety Shawn Boone to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to a source.
The Texans also invited former Rice center Peter Godber and former Rice quarterback Tyler Stehling to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
I thought it was a great draft given their limited resources. Reid was a steal, almost like getting our 1st rounder back. Will be the first time ever we should have some stud safety’s.
I hate the Akins pick, feels like they panicked after the better TE’s went early. At his age just seems like a waste of a 3rd, could have had Mo Hurst instead or another lineman or DB or a good RB. Speaking of RB, I think it’s crazy they didn’t draft one. I’m no team doctor, but the odds of Foreman coming back from an Achilles tear are very long. We needed another solid player there. Hopefully they find a gem UDFA or sign one of the remaining vets for cheap.
I hate the Akins pick, feels like they panicked after the better TE’s went early. At his age just seems like a waste of a 3rd, could have had Mo Hurst instead or another lineman or DB or a good RB. Speaking of RB, I think it’s crazy they didn’t draft one. I’m no team doctor, but the odds of Foreman coming back from an Achilles tear are very long. We needed another solid player there. Hopefully they find a gem UDFA or sign one of the remaining vets for cheap.
Borden
Footballguy
I google him and there’s a tweet that has him at as Davin Coleman but it’s actually Lavon Coleman. Highlights Draft Profile
Alfred Blue resigned to a 1 yr deal. - At least we have a backup RB now 
Also, most of the scouting department was axed today. All were former Rick Smith hires, so coupled with the other firings after Gaines was hired (like Rick Smith's secretary) it seems like all that talk of Smith some day coming back was just saving face, this is Gaines show now.
Also, most of the scouting department was axed today. All were former Rick Smith hires, so coupled with the other firings after Gaines was hired (like Rick Smith's secretary) it seems like all that talk of Smith some day coming back was just saving face, this is Gaines show now.
GregR
Footballguy
Current Vegas spreads for Texans games.
Wk1; @Patriots. Pats by 7
Wk2: @Titans. Pick 'em
Wk3: vs Giants Texans by 6
Wk4: @Colts Texans by 3
Wk5: vs Cowboys Texans by 3
Wk6: vs Bills Texans by 6
Wk7: @Jags Jags by 3
Wk8: vs Fins Texans by 7
Wk9: @Broncos Pick 'em
Wk11: @Skins Texans by 3
Wk12: vs Titans Texans by 3.5
Wk13: vs Browns Texans by 10
Wk14: vs Colts Texans by 7.5
Wk 15: @Jets Jets by 1.5
Wk 16: @Eagles Eagles by 5.5
Wk 17: Jags at Texans: no line
Favored in 9, even money twice, and dogs four times, with no line for week 17. Though if they had Jags by 3 in Jacksonville then it's probably even or Texans by 0.5 if they had a line..
Wk1; @Patriots. Pats by 7
Wk2: @Titans. Pick 'em
Wk3: vs Giants Texans by 6
Wk4: @Colts Texans by 3
Wk5: vs Cowboys Texans by 3
Wk6: vs Bills Texans by 6
Wk7: @Jags Jags by 3
Wk8: vs Fins Texans by 7
Wk9: @Broncos Pick 'em
Wk11: @Skins Texans by 3
Wk12: vs Titans Texans by 3.5
Wk13: vs Browns Texans by 10
Wk14: vs Colts Texans by 7.5
Wk 15: @Jets Jets by 1.5
Wk 16: @Eagles Eagles by 5.5
Wk 17: Jags at Texans: no line
Favored in 9, even money twice, and dogs four times, with no line for week 17. Though if they had Jags by 3 in Jacksonville then it's probably even or Texans by 0.5 if they had a line..
GregR
Footballguy
One off-season hiring I've heard a lot of mention of, is Houston getting the Bronco's strength and conditioning coach, Luke Richesson. Apparently they offered him a lot of control to make changes. Some of the Denver press or staff were talking about what a blow his loss was. Texans have completely changed up nutrition, redone the weight room, etc. Not much you can do for a broken bone, but soft tissue injuries might be something the team can get some improvement with via training and nutrition. Hope after the bad luck with injuries we've had lately, this might give us a couple of years on the up side of things.
dhockster
Footballguy
I know he has a connection to O'Brien, but do they really want a QB that was a 2nd round draft pick that never saw the field, and that the Jets and Raiders have given up on?
GregR
Footballguy
The other competition for Weeden as backup are currently Stephen Morris, who hasn't seen the field in 4 seasons with the Colts, Jaguars, Eagles, Redskins and Seahawks, and Joe Webb who in the last 6 years has twice as many kick returns as he does passes.
I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'...
dhockster
Footballguy
I hear you. I think the underlying frustration is how little good resources the Texans have put into the QB position. The first 3 years of O'Brien they basically went with back-up QB's as their starter. Obviously, they hoped Brock could be a franchise QB in the third year, but he turned out to be no better than a back-up. Now that they hit on their franchise QB, who happened to get hurt his rookie year, it is frustrating they didn't spend some money on a quality back-up QB, especially while Deshaun's cap hit is low. See the Philadelphia Eagles and how having a quality back-up helped them.
Now I haven't really looked at who they could have spent their money on, so if you want specifics, I got nothing.
Hack's probably worth gambling on at this point. The question I don't have the answer to though is that there has been chatter this offseason about O'Brien changing up and tailoring the offense to Watson's strengths, so don't know if that means Hackenberg is a good fit anymore.
Unfortunately, OT Martinas Rankin, Texans 3rd-round pick, suffered a foot injury in rookie minicamp and recently underwent surgery. He is expected to be ready for the regular season but will probably miss a lot of very valuable practice and training time. It's already a lot for a rookie lineman to contribute out of the gate these days so I guess we shouldn't expect him to do much in year 1.
Texans have been silent and avoiding giving details on Jeff Allen's status or the injury that landed him on the PUP last month. Looks like we will be leaning heavily on our Free Agents for the O'line with Henderson at RT, Fulton, Kelemete at Guard, with Martin at Center and Davenport at LT.
Unfortunately, OT Martinas Rankin, Texans 3rd-round pick, suffered a foot injury in rookie minicamp and recently underwent surgery. He is expected to be ready for the regular season but will probably miss a lot of very valuable practice and training time. It's already a lot for a rookie lineman to contribute out of the gate these days so I guess we shouldn't expect him to do much in year 1.
Texans have been silent and avoiding giving details on Jeff Allen's status or the injury that landed him on the PUP last month. Looks like we will be leaning heavily on our Free Agents for the O'line with Henderson at RT, Fulton, Kelemete at Guard, with Martin at Center and Davenport at LT.
Thought this was an interesting article, we give Rick Smith hell for letting Brandon Brooks walk, but I think you can infer from this article that Brooks had no intention of resigning with the Texans since he didn't like Bill O'Brien's way of running things. Doesn't excuse the Allen mistake or the many other mistakes of course.
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dhockster
Footballguy
I think you are right about Brooks not signing in Houston. But I think the Texans were also up against the cap (shocker under Rick Smith) which is why they let both Brooks and Ben Jones walk.
I missed the McKinney news, that's a good deal. For comparison, Cushing got almost the exact same deal (slightly more at 55M total) over 6 years in 2013! It's also slightly less than the deal Lavonte David signed 3 years ago, nice hometown, early extension discount.
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What's this now?GregR said:
Hopefully they see something awesome in Jermaine Kelly, because as a Texans fan I am pretty scared of everything behind Aaron Colvin: ancient JJo, bust Kevin Johnson, and Super Bowl scapegoat Bademosi. Jackson was god awful in pass coverage last year but still a solid run stuffer, that would be a more likely reason he is moving to safety, that and of course Hal's Lymphoma diagnosis.
GregR
Footballguy
Yes, because of the depth. As in, "because he likely won't crack the depth ahead of him even with it being questionable..."
I do hope Kevin Johnson will be better this year. Last year was such an odd drop off. Hoping it was from playing through an injury, etc. Also kind of hopeful J-Jo might have had the same going on, he's had that be the cause of bad years in the past where he just didn't let it be known that's what he was dealing with. Though, you know. Age too.
Injury Settlement reached with Jeff Allen and he is released.
"Our long national nightmare is over..." Addition by subtraction, looking forward to seeing the cap savings!
"Our long national nightmare is over..." Addition by subtraction, looking forward to seeing the cap savings!
GregR
Footballguy
Almost no defensive starters played last night from the looks of it. Mainly just guys still competing for their starting spot... Kareem and Justin Reid, Colvin and K Johnson, and Cunningham and Diles.
Though Ejiofor had a pretty nice game. Would be nice if he ended up being some depth ala John Simon that could provide a small bit of pass rush while in there.
Backup QB and RB are both weaknesses. We really need Watson and Lamar Miller to both stay healthy, at least the latter until Foreman is recovered. Anything happens to Miller and we're looking at Blue as a starter. :(
Though Ejiofor had a pretty nice game. Would be nice if he ended up being some depth ala John Simon that could provide a small bit of pass rush while in there.
Backup QB and RB are both weaknesses. We really need Watson and Lamar Miller to both stay healthy, at least the latter until Foreman is recovered. Anything happens to Miller and we're looking at Blue as a starter. :(
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leftcoastheel
Footballguy
GregR
Footballguy
Martinas Rankin cleared to play.
Keke Coutee is back after missing a few weeks.
Whitney Mercilus has had a hammy but should be ready to go for the season.
Clowney is practicing in full.
Kevin Johnson improving after his concussion in the 49ers preseason game though not back practicing yet.
Sammie Coates recovering from his concussion.
I don't want to be too optimistic, but things are trending the right way.
Keke Coutee is back after missing a few weeks.
Whitney Mercilus has had a hammy but should be ready to go for the season.
Clowney is practicing in full.
Kevin Johnson improving after his concussion in the 49ers preseason game though not back practicing yet.
Sammie Coates recovering from his concussion.
I don't want to be too optimistic, but things are trending the right way.
GregR
Footballguy
He was mentioned in the healthy and ready to go list though I didn't mention him above.
He put on about 15 pounds of muscle which took his playing weight from 170 to 185. I don't know how it will affect his speed in game, though there were reports in joint practices with the 49ers that he was getting behind their defense a lot.
Also there was some good commentary from Cecil Shorts, who has become an analysis guy for radio now, about how good Fuller was even last year at his lighter weight about winning at the line of scrimmage.
So, take from all that what you will, I'm not quite sure how I'd handle the weight gain. Probably a net gain but a small one, just for likelihood of staying healthy. But I always get wary when people gain weight when speed was a big component for his game. Though, I'd also note he was listed when playing at ND as being 185 too, so...
GregR
Footballguy
Texans have the 4th slot on the waiver wire, so will be interested to see if someone worthwhile gets cut by another team.
Some speculation we'll carry 6 WR into the season (Hopkins, Fuller, Ellington, Coutee, Coates and Braxton Miller). Last time we did that we then ended up trading one (Keshawn Martin) to New England. This is another year where the Patriots look thin at WR. Wouldn't be surprised if another such trade happened this year, right after we play them week 1.
Some speculation we'll carry 6 WR into the season (Hopkins, Fuller, Ellington, Coutee, Coates and Braxton Miller). Last time we did that we then ended up trading one (Keshawn Martin) to New England. This is another year where the Patriots look thin at WR. Wouldn't be surprised if another such trade happened this year, right after we play them week 1.
