How soon until Wali Lundy is #2 (1 Viewer)

[cws3030]

as a DD/Morency/Lundy owner i am hoping for two things:

1. if DD plays it's not the dreaded game time decision

2. the CLEAR CUT #2 will be on of Morency/Lundy

if i can piece together a season like last year with DD/J Wells I'll be more than happy.

if they decide to roll out a. smith i'll just stay away. i can't afford to eat up another roster spot on the HOU situation and he will cost more than he is worth for me to trade.

 

[traderkirk]

Smith is the backup, even if no one here wants to hear it...Lundi is a 6th Round pick. Every player taken by Shanahan and Kubiak in the 6th are NOT Terell Davis!Smith, not sexy, but will keep the chains moving and the QB upright...

Nobody is saying Lundy is TD. People are excited by what Lundy has shown in ONE preseason game and the subtle buzz that's built for the player leading up to his nice numbers this week. A. Smith is one year older and has never been anything to write home about. Behind the same OL (I believe), Lundy considerably outproduced Smith so I think even if the depth chart reads A. Smith RB2 RIGHT NOW, it won't be that way long at this pace.There's something building here. It's intangible and you can't put your finger on it, but a lot of fantasy vets and their asscociated "spidey sense" is going bananas for Lundy. At least mine is.Nothing more than a sleeper, true. But, IMO, he's certainly more exciting and flier worthy than A. Smith at this point.

FWIW, a brief scouting report on Lundy from a UVa season ticket holder:"Lundy is nothing special as a back, however, he is willing to block, can catch the ball out of the backfield and was a decent goal line runner in college. Lundy did get dinged up some in his last couple years at UVA. Would not bet on him being able to carry a full load over the course of a 16-game season. That being said, Lundy would have gone in the 4th to 5th round area had he been healthy."

 

[wannabee]

I have to agree with Softball above on one thing. Everything I have read has stated, pretty clearly, that Smith was the RB2. In addition, those of you down on Smith should have watched Wells play. Smith was brought in for this purpose. Remember, Smith was signed OVER Wells and look at the numbers Wells put up. Could Morency or Lundy overtake Smith (assuming Davis out for a while)? Sure. But, that is not how it will start out.

 

[cws3030]

Texans' rookie RB wants more than great preseason start

LINK

Wali Lundy made a splash in his preseason debut Saturday for the Houston Texans.

But the rookie running back isn't content with one good performance - he's looking for much more.

"It felt good to go out there and do something good and be successful," he said. "But for me it's more about consistency. I just want to try to be the most consistent player I can be."

Lundy, picked in the sixth round out of Virginia, set a Texans preseason record with his 59 yards rushing in the first half against Kansas City.

He ran for 25 yards on his first carry and wasn't touched on a 3-yard run for Houston's first touchdown three plays later. He also returned a kickoff 30 yards and a punt 12.

Lundy certainly raised his profile but will have to keep it up the rest of the preseason to secure a spot in Houston's backfield. He's listed fourth on the depth chart behind Domanick Davis, Antowain Smith and Vernand Morency, a third-round pick from last year.

Smith started Saturday's game with Davis still recovering from a knee injury, but coach Gary Kubiak went to Lundy early when Smith struggled.

He knows making the active roster - much less getting to play - won't be easy. But the challenge isn't daunting to the 23-year-old. After all, he's already faced difficulties far greater than anything that could happen on the football field.

Lundy was orphaned at age 6 when his mother died of cancer. His father had passed away three years earlier from a stroke. His grandmother took in him and his three brothers, and he soon discovered sports as an escape from the hardships.

"You can get over adversity," he said. "There's a lot of things that are going to be thrown in your path, and you've got to be able to jump over them and just get through things."

He said there were times when he wondered why he lost his parents at such a young age and struggled with the implications of them not being around.

"Being a human being, when bad things happen to you, you always question it," he said. "But you've got to fight through things like that. You can't let things like that put you down or it will just make your life miserable."

Lundy left Virginia as one of only three players in Atlantic Coast Conference history to score at least 50 career touchdowns. He finished with 52, which included 43 rushing and nine receiving.

He had 3,193 yards rushing and 4,497 all-purpose yards and holds school and ACC records for scoring three rushing touchdowns in four straight regular-season games in 2003-04.

Kubiak loves Lundy's intensity in practice, so he almost expected the 5-foot-11, 214-pound rookie to excel when he got in a game, although he acknowledged Lundy still has plenty of work to do.

"There are just so many phases he has to go through," Kubiak said. "I think he's a young man with a lot of class and character that plans on getting there, so I'm looking forward to watching him."

While thrilled, Lundy doesn't view being drafted and getting a chance in the NFL as the pinnacle.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "But my biggest thing was to not let it be the climax. Not to let it be the end. It's just the beginning for me."

 

[stbugs]

Where's Jonathan Wells now? I dont understand why he doesnt get more love. It seems every time he filled in for Davis he got 100 yds and a TD.

Guys, can we get back to reality here? Wells has done close to nothing in his career.Jonathan Wells has a career total of one 100 yard rushing game in his career of 60 games. He also has a stellar 3.1 career ypc average.

DD in only 40 games, has ten 100 yard rushing games along with five 90+ yard rushing games to go along with a 4.1 ypc average with the exact same O-Line/team. Not to mention that in terms of total yardage, DD has 100 total yards in 24 of 40 games to Wells' 4 times in 60 games.

Wells best game was 133 yards, which DD has bested 13 times in 20 fewer games and DD's best is 201. DD even has 10 150+ total yard games, meaning 1 of every 4 games DD has played he has 150-200 yards a plateau that Wells never got to in his 4 years.

These are the 4 games Wells replaced Davis in:Week 9 @JAC 16.10 Jonathan Wells 7 yard touchdown run (6.00 pts)

Jonathan Wells 56 total yards rushing (5.60 pts)

Jonathan Wells 45 yards receiving (4.50 pts)

Week 10 @IND 13.50 Jonathan Wells 14 yard touchdown run (6.00 pts)

Jonathan Wells 58 total yards rushing (5.80 pts)

Jonathan Wells 17 yards receiving (1.70 pts)

Playoff Week 2 ARI 21.80 Jonathan Wells 7 yard touchdown run (6.00 pts)

Jonathan Wells 3 yard touchdown run (6.00 pts)

Jonathan Wells 87 total yards rushing (8.70 pts)

Jonathan Wells 11 yards receiving (1.10 pts)

Playoff Week 3 JAC 11.90 Jonathan Wells 86 total yards rushing (8.60 pts)

Jonathan Wells 33 yards receiving (3.30 pts)

Hey, I never said he didn't get fantasy points.

I think you mised his point that he had more than 100 yards in all four games and TDs in three of them.

Sorry for the delay, but didn't see this post resurrected. I didn't miss the point at all. I wasn't responding to the inaccuracy of the statistics, I was responding to the no love for him. He is a backup that filled in just OK. I think I proved the point that Wells in week 15 & 16 had 173 rushing yards on 49 carries and DD in week 13 & 14 had just 2 more carries for 121 more rushing yards against comparable defenses in the exact same offense with AJ healthy.

What Wells did for his 4 year career merited nothing more than a backup role, regardless of 4 solid fantasy games in 2005. I can easily understand why Houston went in a different direction just based on Wells' history. I am not even taking into consideration that the new coaching regime might have thought he was a bad fit for the offense.

 

[stbugs]

as a DD/Morency/Lundy owner i am hoping for two things:1. if DD plays it's not the dreaded game time decision 2. the CLEAR CUT #2 will be on of Morency/Lundyif i can piece together a season like last year with DD/J Wells I'll be more than happy.if they decide to roll out a. smith i'll just stay away. i can't afford to eat up another roster spot on the HOU situation and he will cost more than he is worth for me to trade.

I would love nothing more than a 16 game season from DD because I know what the result will be, a top 10 RB. If he isn't healthy, I hope that a clear backup emerges and that it is some with the potential to do what DD did.I see A. Smith as the same as Wells, not as good as DD was. If Smith has to start a ton of games, I think you get results more like Wells when he was actually the full season starter, not a backup getting starts.

 

[acefootball]

Wow, this already sounds like the Denver rb situation.

 

[Sabertooth]

Bump. How's the depth chart looking for these guys. Denver redux?

 

[Todem]

Bump. How's the depth chart looking for these guys. Denver redux?

This situation reminds me of Pittsburgh last year.A little known speedster named Willie Parker wins the job while Duce Staley recovers from a scope.The outlook for Davis is gloomy in my eyes. He wil not play until week 4 of the regular season at the earliest.He has missed all of training camp and will miss all of the pre-season. Not good. Also a brand new offense to boot.Wali Lundy has been nothing short of very good running with the first team in both games.Common sense tells me that if he starts again in the 3rd game, which we all know is the dress rehersal for the regular season, he is your week one starter (granted he continues to perfrom at this level)Morency has skills, but not the full confidence of the head coach yet.If Davis does not make it back this season, and there is good reason to believe he may never be the same RB, then I can see a 70/30 split between Lundy and Morency.If Davis's knee keeps swelling up that is a very bad sign. It tells me that he has a bone on bone thing going on part of his knee. They took out a lot of cartalige and that is never good because you never get it back.I own him in one of my Dynasty leagues and I can say I am not counting on him for a long time if ever again.There are always a couple of RB's that come out of nowhere to produce, we have a couple this yearWali Lundy and Jerome Harrison ( who looks like a star in the making)

 

[Sabertooth]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

 

[Texican]

I thought I read that Morency was on top.....

 

[Todem]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

 

[Sabertooth]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

<_<

 

[wannabee]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

And, Todem, please tell us why Lundy started the two games. You make it sound as though it was based on performance. It was not. It was because Morency was injured (hammy) and missed the first preseason game. In fact, I think most Texan fans/insiders would say it is Morency's job to lose if Davis were to miss games.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Morency ran very decisively (no signs of the dancing that bothered the coaches earlier this year) and with a much better burst than Lundy this weekend. Lundy has definitely taken well to zone blocking running and would be competent, but Morency has much more upside.

 

[Sabertooth]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

And, Todem, please tell us why Lundy started the two games. You make it sound as though it was based on performance. It was not. It was because Morency was injured (hammy) and missed the first preseason game. In fact, I think most Texan fans/insiders would say it is Morency's job to lose if Davis were to miss games.

Does this situation look at potentially being a RBBC situation or is this strictly a starter-backup type deal? Also where does Antowain Smith figure into the picture?

 

[cws3030]

this is really becoming DEN Jr. take DD out of the equation at this point and i figure it to be like DEN 05 (with a drop in production):

Lundy = Anderson

Morency = T.Bell

 

[WhoDat]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

He, Morency, played at OSU, while the Broncos would have been scouting/tracking T. Bell. Kubiak has a far greater understanding of Morency's skill set than most are giving him credit for at this time. It is presumptuous to annoint Lundy the starter. Even if Lundy trots out with the 1st string in the next came it might not mean anything. It is near fatal logic to start using the Player A faced the 1st string and Player B faced the 2nd string. It is not that simple. Morency got dinged in camp. It would be very easy to flip this and state that Kubiak is very well aware of what he has in Morency; is letting him heal; has had several coaching moments with Morcency to explain what it is he does or does not want to see from him and is working him back into the rotation but wants to get a better read on Lundy. Perhaps, Kubiak is lighting the proverbial fine under Morency to see how he responds. Lundy appears to be making the most of the moment. Morency looked solid this weekend too. Maybe..just maybe...Kubiak is not a half bad football coach. God forbid the D. Davis' knee is that bad. You never want to see that happen to a player but at least Kubiak will have a sound understanding of the skill set possessed by Morency and Lundy. Morency has college resume and 1 year of professional experience Kubiak would be familiar with. Lundy has a college resume that Kubiak has seen. There is no professional work to look in an effort to gauge Lundy. Thus, Lundy might get a few more snaps over those 4 preseason games. A. Smith's resume is large enough that Kubiak does not need a long look at him. He knows what Smith brings to the table. Considering what may or may not become of D. Davis, maybe Kubiak is using the preseason to hedge his bet and know exactly what he has or does not have in both Lundy and Morency. I would put far less stock in when the players are getting the carries at this point and be far more interested in production, blocking, reading and subsequent blitz pick-up.

 

[jaemcy3]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

He, Morency, played at OSU, while the Broncos would have been scouting/tracking T. Bell. Kubiak has a far greater understanding of Morency's skill set than most are giving him credit for at this time. It is presumptuous to annoint Lundy the starter. Even if Lundy trots out with the 1st string in the next came it might not mean anything. It is near fatal logic to start using the Player A faced the 1st string and Player B faced the 2nd string. It is not that simple. Morency got dinged in camp. It would be very easy to flip this and state that Kubiak is very well aware of what he has in Morency; is letting him heal; has had several coaching moments with Morcency to explain what it is he does or does not want to see from him and is working him back into the rotation but wants to get a better read on Lundy. Perhaps, Kubiak is lighting the proverbial fine under Morency to see how he responds. Lundy appears to be making the most of the moment. Morency looked solid this weekend too. Maybe..just maybe...Kubiak is not a half bad football coach. God forbid the D. Davis' knee is that bad. You never want to see that happen to a player but at least Kubiak will have a sound understanding of the skill set possessed by Morency and Lundy. Morency has college resume and 1 year of professional experience Kubiak would be familiar with. Lundy has a college resume that Kubiak has seen. There is no professional work to look in an effort to gauge Lundy. Thus, Lundy might get a few more snaps over those 4 preseason games. A. Smith's resume is large enough that Kubiak does not need a long look at him. He knows what Smith brings to the table. Considering what may or may not become of D. Davis, maybe Kubiak is using the preseason to hedge his bet and know exactly what he has or does not have in both Lundy and Morency. I would put far less stock in when the players are getting the carries at this point and be far more interested in production, blocking, reading and subsequent blitz pick-up.

Both backs have looked good running, but Morency did a better job of ready the pass rush and a better job of executing the blocks (at least in this last game). Smith has looked old and slow so far. My money is on Morency at this point.

 

[Gopher State]

So who will be the man in Houston:

DD not ruled out yet

Lundy looks good, as a rookie

Morency looked very good last game

Smith the salty/old proven runner.

I think my odds are better at getting the Denver running game right. I stay away from this mess at my FF draft. Unless your getting these guys in the LAST round of your draft, I stay clear.

 

[wannabee]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

And, Todem, please tell us why Lundy started the two games. You make it sound as though it was based on performance. It was not. It was because Morency was injured (hammy) and missed the first preseason game. In fact, I think most Texan fans/insiders would say it is Morency's job to lose if Davis were to miss games.

Does this situation look at potentially being a RBBC situation or is this strictly a starter-backup type deal? Also where does Antowain Smith figure into the picture?

I guess it all depends on the touch breakdown. Lundy has to prove two things (just like Tatum Bell, imo) in order to get more touches:a. willingness to stick his nose in there and block. This is Carr, and the Texan OLine we are talking about here. They need a RB ready, willing, and able to block with authority.b. ability to stay healthy. Lundy's injury history was one reason he slipped in the draft.

 

[EBF]

If I were going to draft any of these guys then I'd take the Lundy/Morency combo in the mid-late rounds.

 

[#@%&$!?]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

He, Morency, played at OSU, while the Broncos would have been scouting/tracking T. Bell. Kubiak has a far greater understanding of Morency's skill set than most are giving him credit for at this time. It is presumptuous to annoint Lundy the starter. Even if Lundy trots out with the 1st string in the next came it might not mean anything. It is near fatal logic to start using the Player A faced the 1st string and Player B faced the 2nd string. It is not that simple.

Morency got dinged in camp. It would be very easy to flip this and state that Kubiak is very well aware of what he has in Morency; is letting him heal; has had several coaching moments with Morcency to explain what it is he does or does not want to see from him and is working him back into the rotation but wants to get a better read on Lundy.

Perhaps, Kubiak is lighting the proverbial fine under Morency to see how he responds. Lundy appears to be making the most of the moment. Morency looked solid this weekend too. Maybe..just maybe...Kubiak is not a half bad football coach.

God forbid the D. Davis' knee is that bad. You never want to see that happen to a player but at least Kubiak will have a sound understanding of the skill set possessed by Morency and Lundy. Morency has college resume and 1 year of professional experience Kubiak would be familiar with. Lundy has a college resume that Kubiak has seen. There is no professional work to look in an effort to gauge Lundy. Thus, Lundy might get a few more snaps over those 4 preseason games. A. Smith's resume is large enough that Kubiak does not need a long look at him. He knows what Smith brings to the table.

Considering what may or may not become of D. Davis, maybe Kubiak is using the preseason to hedge his bet and know exactly what he has or does not have in both Lundy and Morency. I would put far less stock in when the players are getting the carries at this point and be far more interested in production, blocking, reading and subsequent blitz pick-up.

I don't think its the running that will determine the starter, as both seem to be capable. Its going to be whomever does a better job of protecting Carr.

 

[Texican]

How soon until Wali Lundy is #2, Ranking HOU backup situation

He is the #2.....behind Morency

 

[RKMoney]

doesn't really matter who starts now, does it? What matters is who gets the most carries and will the Texans be ahead in many games to run the ball more?

Looks like a STRONG lock that we'll see a RBBC at this point.

 

[strong]

I guess it all depends on the touch breakdown. Lundy has to prove two things (just like Tatum Bell, imo) in order to get more touches:a. willingness to stick his nose in there and block. This is Carr, and the Texan OLine we are talking about here. They need a RB ready, willing, and able to block with authority.b. ability to stay healthy. Lundy's injury history was one reason he slipped in the draft.

I don't think its the running that will determine the starter, as both seem to be capable. Its going to be whomever does a better job of protecting Carr.

So far, Lundy has shown he can run behind the zone blocking scheme pretty well, but he leaves a great deal to be desired in his pass blocking. This is going to really limit his playing time this year, should Davis stay out. Houston's protection of Carr is absolutely terrible and if they hope to have any semblance of an offense, they will require their RB can earn him a little more time. And, currently, Morency seems to have a much better nose for taking on the blitzing linebacker. It's not all about yards per carry. At this point, Morency is the better back and my money's on him. Lundy has much more to work on if he wants to see significant playing time.

 

[Sake-Bombers]

I agree about the pass-blocking being a huge part of Kubiak's decision.

Here's an interesting take on the Houston rushing performance this past weekend from the perspective of the Rams D (link and article below), and the fact that defensive starters were only in for a quarter, while Houston's first team offense was on the field the whole first half.

For what it's worth, Haslett and Linehan explain away Lundy's 21 yard run by pointing out that a rookie was out of position on the play.

This whole article sounds like crazy message board logic to me, but I thought it was a different look at this past weekend's results and worth sharing.

Link

Rams notebook: No. 2 'D' skews stats in loss to Texans

By Bill Coats

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

08/20/2006

When the Rams' No. 2 defense trotted onto the Edward Jones Dome turf at the start of the second quarter Saturday night, it encountered Houston's No. 1 offensive unit. It remained that way throughout the period on both sides of the ball, the Rams' second-teamers going against the Texans' first-teamers.

That obvious disadvantage proved decisive. Houston's 27-20 exhibition victory was keyed by its 10-0 edge in the second quarter.

Not that the Rams' braintrust was complaining. Both head coach Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett stressed Sunday that the mismatched units provided them extra data as they size up their players with the first cut-down date barely a week off.

"It's a very good evaluation for guys that are fighting for roster spots," Linehan said. "That's how you've got to look at it, see the big picture and know that this is actually a very valuable evaluation for our team."

Haslett said: "I don't like them going down and scoring on us, but on a competition level, you can get a better judgment on who you're going to keep and who you're not going to keep."

Coaches around the league script the preseason deployment of their personnel differently. First-year Texas coach Gary Kubiak had committed to keeping his starters in for the first half; Linehan wanted just one quarter out of his.

Asked if he was tempted to grant his first-teamers an extension Saturday, Linehan said: "The competitor side of it makes it tempting. But it's not the smart thing to do. ...

"If you've made the decision that this is how you're going to do the first game, this is how you're going to do the second game, this is how you're going to do the third game, this is how you're going to do the fourth game, and then you vary from that plan ... I think you're playing with fire."

Some of the statistics were skewed, too. For example, the Texans rushed for 143 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. At first glance, that jumps out as a large negative, especially after the emphasis Linehan and Haslett have placed on stopping the run.

But when going against the Rams' No. 1 defense, Houston mustered 30 yards on four carries, and that included a 21-yard sprint by Wali Lundy when rookie defensive end Victor Adeyanju lined up in the wrong spot.

"Other than that, we played pretty well against the run with the first unit," Linehan said. "And we stopped the run the week before. I feel very good about that."

Indianapolis managed just 38 rushing yards Aug. 10 in a 19-17 loss at the Dome. But Indy coach Tony Dungy used quarterback Peyton Manning for just one series and had his entire second-team offense out after the first 15 minutes.

Overall, Haslett said, "The first team, I thought, did fairly well. We've still got a ways to go, but we played better this week than we played last week."

 

[WhoDat]

Not that the Rams' braintrust was complaining. Both head coach Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett stressed Sunday that the mismatched units provided them extra data as they size up their players with the first cut-down date barely a week off.

"It's a very good evaluation for guys that are fighting for roster spots," Linehan said. "That's how you've got to look at it, see the big picture and know that this is actually a very valuable evaluation for our team."

Haslett said: "I don't like them going down and scoring on us, but on a competition level, you can get a better judgment on who you're going to keep and who you're not going to keep."

Coaches around the league script the preseason deployment of their personnel differently. First-year Texas coach Gary Kubiak had committed to keeping his starters in for the first half; Linehan wanted just one quarter out of his.

Exactly.

 

[TheFanatic]

I guess it all depends on the touch breakdown. Lundy has to prove two things (just like Tatum Bell, imo) in order to get more touches:

a. willingness to stick his nose in there and block. This is Carr, and the Texan OLine we are talking about here. They need a RB ready, willing, and able to block with authority.

b. ability to stay healthy. Lundy's injury history was one reason he slipped in the draft.

I don't think its the running that will determine the starter, as both seem to be capable. Its going to be whomever does a better job of protecting Carr.

So far, Lundy has shown he can run behind the zone blocking scheme pretty well, but he leaves a great deal to be desired in his pass blocking. This is going to really limit his playing time this year, should Davis stay out. Houston's protection of Carr is absolutely terrible and if they hope to have any semblance of an offense, they will require their RB can earn him a little more time. And, currently, Morency seems to have a much better nose for taking on the blitzing linebacker. It's not all about yards per carry. At this point, Morency is the better back and my money's on him. Lundy has much more to work on if he wants to see significant playing time.

This along with the dump passes I saw in the games I've seen this preseason tell me that whomever the guy is that gets the nod, he's going to be money in a PPR league....

 

[BustedKnuckles]

—RB Vernand Morency had the standout performance in the Texans' second preseason game. He set a new Texans preseason record with 95 rushing yards, surpassing his own previous high of 90, set against Oakland on 8/20/05. He also became the first Texan to rush for two touchdowns in a preseason game. He finished with 11 carries for 95 yards

—RB Wali Lundy made his first start of the preseason, and finished the game with seven carries for 40 yards.

 

[Cleat Spike]

How soon until Wali Lundy is #2, Ranking HOU backup situation

He is the #2.....behind Morency

We had our draft Aug. 12th and if it wasn't for these boards and FBG in general I would never have landed Morency in the 17th round! I mean Aug 12th was early, I know, but we had to draft that weekend. There wasn't 1 preseason game to go off of when we drafted so I was ahead of the times thanks to FBG. A lot of guys in my league were looking at me like who is that and WTF? Some guys were confusing him with Maroney who I "reached" for (at the time) in the 5th! It was like they didn't take the DD injury to heart and brushed it off...it's a gamble you take in the late rounds back then that could pay off....now 2 weeks later they know who he is! Wali is still on the wire, so I'm targeting him once it opens after week 1!So I guess if you study up here, drafting early can benefit you sometimes! Just my FBG success story!

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Inside Slant

—When Gary Kubiak became the Texans' coach, he watched film of every play of the 2005 season. After making his evaluations, Kubiak told second-year halfback Vernand Morency that if he wanted to succeed in the new offensive system, he would have to eliminate making moves in the backfield.

At times, Morency looked as if he were auditioning for Dancing with the Stars.

Kubiak told him to stop dancing, make his one cut and take off downhill immediately.

"That's a hard habit to break because that's the way he's been running for so long," Kubiak said. "Vernand's very athletic, and he can make people miss. But once he saw what we wanted from our backs, he started to adjust."

As a rookie last season, Morency showed flashes of excellence, carrying the ball 46 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Because Domanick Davis is still out with a sore knee and no one knows when he'll return, Kubiak and offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun are auditioning candidates to replace him.

Morency, who sat out the Chiefs game because of a minor injury, is competing with sixth-round rookie Wali Lundy. Lundy started Saturday's preseason game and Morency replaced him.

"I had a nice, long talk in the steam room with Vernand this week," Kubiak said. "I don't want him to be hesitant when he gets the ball. I want him to take the handoff, make the cut and then just cut it loose.

"I think he's going to do very well. I'm excited to see him."

The coaches plan to give two backs a lot of carries in the regular season unless one emerges as the clear-cut winner in the competition to excel in the system Kubiak and Calhoun brought from Denver.

"I envision us playing more than one guy," Kubiak said. "We'll play two for sure. We might play three. We'll definitely have a system where we'll rotate so we're not wearing out one guy."

To be one of those backs, a runner has to block, especially on blitz pickup. If the back can't help protect quarterback David Carr, then he won't be on the field.

"Obviously, we want to establish the run to set up the passing game," Carr said. "I've been pleased with what our backs are doing. They've really worked hard in camp, and I'm excited to see how it's all going to play out. Vernand's a good back. He's exciting to watch."

Morency (5-9, 213 pounds) believes he has adjusted to what Kubiak and Calhoun want from their backs.

"It's not really that tough," he said. "You have to have faith in your linemen and just know that they're going to get the block.

"My style is to be aggressive. Not only is this something I love to do, but I was born to do it, too, and I'm excited about the opportunity

 

[switz]

Something to consider in the Morency/Lundy debate is that Lundy was brought in by the current regime, while Morency is a holdover.

Not to say that Morency isn't talented in his own right (as he certainly appears to be), but don't underestimate the effect of a coach preferring his own guy.

I'm not sure that matters:link

Morency inserted himself into the competition at his position by rushing for 95 yards on 11 carries and catching three passes for 19 yards. He scored two touchdowns, including one on a highlight-reel 43-yard run in the third quarter.

On that play, he did what the Texans have been asking him to do. He took the handoff, turned straight downfield and went through a huge hole on his way to the end zone.

This is the guy the Texans probably thought they'd never get. They surely didn't think Morency could change a lifetime of habits.

Because he did, the Texans can look at this position differently.

...Morency took over the game. He followed the blocking, ran by the Rams a couple of times and looked like the guy the Texans hoped they were getting in 2005.

"You could see (Saturday night) why we've been so excited about him," Kubiak said.

"Best back in the Big 12," he said. "He was the toughest for us to defend."

That statement was surprising because Cedric Benson was considered the Big 12's best back. Morency had a tough rookie year, carrying just 46 times. If Davis had been able to practice this summer, he wouldn't be getting this much of an opportunity.

On the day last spring that Kubiak decided to pass on Reggie Bush and take Mario Williams, people in the draft room said he seemed confident he'd come up with enough of an offense to score points.

In these two preseason games, he has looked primarily at a third-round pick (Morency), a sixth-round rookie (Lundy) and a rookie free agent (Chris Taylor).

It looks like Kubiak feels Morency can be the guy, and Lundy was "insurance"

 

[strong]

"I had a nice, long talk in the steam room with Vernand this week," Kubiak said.

Until I hear about Lundy steaming with the coach, I'm thinking Morency's the guy...

 

[AcerFC]

Would you use two spots on Morency and Lundy at this point. My draft is Sunday and I am contemplating making a run at both with a 15 and 16th rounder. I just dont know if I want to waste a spot on a 2nd and 3rd, or if Smith actually sees time a 3rd and 4th stringer in hopes. Anyone heard anything lately on this situation

 

[hoofnstang]

Would you use two spots on Morency and Lundy at this point. My draft is Sunday and I am contemplating making a run at both with a 15 and 16th rounder. I just dont know if I want to waste a spot on a 2nd and 3rd, or if Smith actually sees time a 3rd and 4th stringer in hopes. Anyone heard anything lately on this situation

No way they'll be there in 15.16. I just say Lundy go 11th and Morency go 13th and I felt he slipped that far.

 

[AcerFC]

They will both be there. trust me. While my league is not guppy level, they are not ultra sharks either. Both will be there

 

[BustedKnuckles]

They will both be there. trust me. While my league is not guppy level, they are not ultra sharks either. Both will be there

I would grab morency first...he`s the one who has made most of the headlines after scoring 2 td in the rams game...even guppies may know his name....while lundy should go undrafted in most leagues...until houston names a starter at least.

 

[Todem]

Watch this weekends game closley and use your judgment. They are both playing for the starters role because if anyone thinks Dom Davis will be ready to play they are dreaming. He may not be ready till week 4 or 5. And he may never be right this season.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Another reason to bumpup morency

Vernand Morency took Monday's practice off because of a bruised lower leg. Head coach Gary Kubiak expects him back by Wednesday, though. This is very good because Kubiak was very impressed with his play last weekend. "I liked the way he got the ball downhill, which is something we've been preaching to him. Also, one of the things I was impressed with was that he struggled with pass protection in camp and understanding schemes, understanding protections and blocking schemes. He's had some mistakes, [but] he was mistake-free in that department in the game," said Kubiak.

 

[cws3030]

Another reason to bumpup morency Vernand Morency took Monday's practice off because of a bruised lower leg. Head coach Gary Kubiak expects him back by Wednesday, though. This is very good because Kubiak was very impressed with his play last weekend. "I liked the way he got the ball downhill, which is something we've been preaching to him. Also, one of the things I was impressed with was that he struggled with pass protection in camp and understanding schemes, understanding protections and blocking schemes. He's had some mistakes, [but] he was mistake-free in that department in the game," said Kubiak.

he sure seems to miss enough time to do minor injuries

 

[Todem]

Another reason to bumpup morency Vernand Morency took Monday's practice off because of a bruised lower leg. Head coach Gary Kubiak expects him back by Wednesday, though. This is very good because Kubiak was very impressed with his play last weekend. "I liked the way he got the ball downhill, which is something we've been preaching to him. Also, one of the things I was impressed with was that he struggled with pass protection in camp and understanding schemes, understanding protections and blocking schemes. He's had some mistakes, [but] he was mistake-free in that department in the game," said Kubiak.

he sure seems to miss enough time to do minor injuries

I have noticed that as well and that tempers my enthusiasm for him.If had had to bet on who will get the most work over the course of year (granted Davis does not make it back this season for any long stretch) it would be Lundy right now. Not because he is better, but becuase I always see Morency on the injury report. Reminds me of Steven Jackson who I will not touch.

 

[Sake-Bombers]

Wasn't sure which Houston RB thread to add this one too, so figured this one work.

Just read some new quotes from the Houston Texans Web site.

EDIT: I'm having trouble getting a link to work, but if you go to the homepage, click on News and then the "08.25.2006 Open Locker Room Quotes"

(on whether RB Domanick Davis will possibly be on the 53-man roster) “There’s no doubt. He ran yesterday. It is week-to-week with him. We’ll sit down with the doctors with him and really get a thorough evaluation of where he is at and where we think he’s going, and then that will be a decision we’ll have to make.”

(on whether he hopes to get three running backs involved on Sunday) “Well, we’ll definitely get two, and the third one will work in the fourth quarter. That third one will either be (RB) Antowain (Smith) or (RB) Chris Taylor. But (RB) Wali (Lundy) and (RB Vernand) Morency will play the game rotating as if we were playing opening day.”

I'm pretty sure this leaves us where we we've been for the past couple of weeks. If you like Lundy, you read this as good news for you. If you like Morency, you read this as good news. Even if you like Davis I think you read this as good news. Although if you like Antowain, I'd like to see how you'd turn this into good news.

 

[gheemony]

Wasn't sure which Houston RB thread to add this one too, so figured this one work.

Just read some new quotes from the Houston Texans Web site.

EDIT: I'm having trouble getting a link to work, but if you go to the homepage, click on News and then the "08.25.2006 Open Locker Room Quotes"

(on whether RB Domanick Davis will possibly be on the 53-man roster) “There’s no doubt. He ran yesterday. It is week-to-week with him. We’ll sit down with the doctors with him and really get a thorough evaluation of where he is at and where we think he’s going, and then that will be a decision we’ll have to make.”

(on whether he hopes to get three running backs involved on Sunday) “Well, we’ll definitely get two, and the third one will work in the fourth quarter. That third one will either be (RB) Antowain (Smith) or (RB) Chris Taylor. But (RB) Wali (Lundy) and (RB Vernand) Morency will play the game rotating as if we were playing opening day.”

I'm pretty sure this leaves us where we we've been for the past couple of weeks. If you like Lundy, you read this as good news for you. If you like Morency, you read this as good news. Even if you like Davis I think you read this as good news. Although if you like Antowain, I'd like to see how you'd turn this into good news.

I owen Morency and Mike Bell, so Sunday night's game will be key. I hope they solidify their position and earn the biggest chunk of carries, if not drive out their competition completely.

 

[RKMoney]

Won't say I TOLD YOU SO but...

Texans coach Gary Kubiak confirmed the Texans expect to use a Running Back by Committee in Week 1.

Speaking of this weekend's preseason game, Kubiak said, "Wali (Lundy) and (RB Vernand) Morency will play the game rotating as if we were playing opening day." This confirms that both running backs are quality fantasy sleepers, although they will be difficult to use because they may cancel each other out. Aug. 25 - 8:01 pm et

Source: HoustonTexans.com

 

[prosopis]

I got Lundy at 13.8 last night and Morency went at 12.12 to another team.

 

[Halvo]

FWIW...i took Morency 13.7 last night in a 12 team performance league. Lundy went undrafted.

 

[wannabee]

FWIW...i took Morency 13.7 last night in a 12 team performance league. Lundy went undrafted.

inless your elague rules state otherwise, why did you take a 3nd def instead of Lundy to make sure you locked up the starter upon any Davis injury or or prolonged absence?

 

[Halvo]

FWIW...i took Morency 13.7 last night in a 12 team performance league. Lundy went undrafted.

inless your elague rules state otherwise, why did you take a 3nd def instead of Lundy to make sure you locked up the starter upon any Davis injury or or prolonged absence?

Yes, I should have clarified...our league rules require drafting 2 K, & 2 Def....otherwise you are exactly right, I would have drafted Lundy as well.

 

[Todem]

Did Lundy start this last game. I just saw the Morency had a ton of carries? Is Lundy ahead of him?

Lundy started the 2nd game and Morency ran against 2nd and 3rd string Rams defenders.

And, Todem, please tell us why Lundy started the two games. You make it sound as though it was based on performance. It was not. It was because Morency was injured (hammy) and missed the first preseason game. In fact, I think most Texan fans/insiders would say it is Morency's job to lose if Davis were to miss games.

I had to pull this one out.So Lundy runs 1 string again in the "dress rehersal" and plays into the 3rd quarter and basically has the offense running through him like they did with DD.So I guess I was off-base in my observations this whole pre-season.Any doubt about Lundy being the starter now? I am no Texans insider but I have been playing FF for 16 years and know when the writing is on the wall about a player getting reps with the first team the whole camp and starting 3 games in the pre-season. I know Morency was dinged, but he was not the last 2 games yet Lundy ran first team.