Roster Musings

by Tim on Aug 13, 2008 9:27 PM CDT in News

With one preseason game down and three more to go, I might as well throw a few thoughts out there about who I think might be on the way out and/or the way up. Some of this I've noted before, but I think it bears extra mention based upon what we've seen and read thus far:

1. Could my dream DE opposite Super Mario actually become a reality? If you believe the words coming out of Kubes' mouth, indeed it could. I'll still believe it when I see it, though I'd have to think the Texans won't pay Anthony Weaver a base of $3,500,000.00 to be a backup. Then again, I thought the same thing last year about Flanagan and McKinney; we all saw how wrong I was on that one.

2. Consider Chris and I on the same wavelength when it comes to Ahman Green, though I think the argument noted by Andy in the comments there is legit. At this point, given the complete unknowns at RB, don't you almost have to roll the dice that Ahman can contribute? It's not like an Ahmanless backfield is that much more attractive (though it is probably better for the collective blood pressure of Texans fans).

3. I thought Jacoby Jones would be a shoo-in for a spot in the return game while pushing for time at WR. If I was Jacoby, I'd now be a bit worried that my inability, perceived or actual, to respond to coaching might put my spot as PR in jeopardy, to say nothing of reps at WR. Not saying Jacoby's in any danger of being cut; he is only in his second year. But I do think he's going to have to make real strides this season to stay out of Kubes' doghouse.

4. Does anyone believe that Chris Brown will actually get through the game in New Orleans without pulling, straining, and/or tearing something? I know I don't. And that's good news for Darius Walker and Chris Taylor. Steve Slaton has one roster spot sewn up, but it wouldn't shock me at all to see Kubes opt to carry both Walker and Taylor as insurance policies or outright replacements instead of a guy who's liable to get hurt putting his jersey on.

5. It's not all negative here, folks. I am positively geeked about seeing what Antwaun Molden can do on Saturday night. If Molden is what we hope he is, could the 2008 Texans secondary be like the 2007 Texans wide receiving corps--a huge concern heading into the season, only to become one of the strongest groups on the team as the season progresses? I think it well could be. How's THAT for some Kool-Aid?

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Predictions

Barring an acquisition: Walker will start at RB. Taylor and Slaton back him up. Slaton eventually becomes third down back. Brown and Green get waived.

Jacoby ends up buried on the bench as the #5 receiver, and maybe punt returner.

by kozanack on Aug 14, 2008 12:07 AM CDT reply actions

Re: Kool-Aid

Muy sabroso. Tasty.

Jacoby has done run out of that 2007 preseason luster. If he has any chance of being a part of this team, he is going to have put another coat on and hope it’s shiny enough to impress Kubiak.

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by SOLIS on Aug 14, 2008 6:59 AM CDT reply actions

Can I has some Kool-Aid?

mmmm… tastes like Deep Steel Blue

- tyler

by bullpen116 on Aug 14, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Always fun to speculate on roster movements

especially when you have depth as a “problem”.

Weaver - The threesome of Cochran, Bulman and Colvin make Weaver and his high cap figure a liability. Weaver still says he is recovering from a knee injury and has not been healthy for his entire tenure with the Texans. All the more reason to part ways with his salary.

Ahman – We have nothing to gain by immediately parting ways with Ahman. I f he cannot answer the bell for game one, then Smithiak’s hand may be forced. I am hoping that the combination of Brown and Green can carry us through the tough 1st 5 games and let the OL refine their new scheme. After that the trio of Darius-Taylor-Slaton will be fine if the OL is doing their job. All 3 of them have to make the roster.

Jacoby - Way too soon to give up on his immense talent, but you are exactly on point. He has to improve or he will be buried behind David Anderson, and will lose the PR job if he cannot stop swinging the ball around.

Brown – Yes he will make it through the NO game, hope, hope, hope. How many games will he be good for??? Half a season would do, anything after that is lagniappe.

Molden – The next Fred Bennett. Another great mid round pick by Smith. Will immediately be the nickel, and may push Reeves to the nickel by midseason. Fletcher has looked real good, so Petey is on a precarious bubble.

Let’s see what Alex Brink can do in the 2nd half on Saturday, and bring home another injury-free win. GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Aug 14, 2008 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

heh

I taught my 2-yo daughter to say “lagniappe” yesterday.

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 14, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Body Art

I think after a comment like that you should just get “HIT ME” tattooed to your forehead.

Sigs, the play ground of mindless philosophers.

by Tomriffic on Aug 15, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep

I totally believe that you have never picked a fight. Ever.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go Texan Horn Stros!

by Shake on Aug 15, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

wow

Your ability to consistently be a moron is up there with Carr’s consistency of being a crappy qb. Well played.

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 16, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Curious

Do you ever pause and consider not posting? Or does it just fly from your fingertips before you can do anything to stop it?

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Aug 16, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I learned that one from my days living in Louisiana

It is a commonly spoken term in both Lake Charles and New Orleans. In fact the giveaway free paper that is full of ads, commonly called the Green Sheet, is called the Lagniappe in Lake Charles (or at least it was when I was there from 1988 – 1993).

Lagniappe, for those non cajun speakers, is conversationally used to mean something extra at no charge. See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagniappe

Because the Texans are spending a few days in the Big Easy, I thought it fit with my hopes that Chris Brown (and Ahman too) will be able to play at least a handful of productive games before they get injured. If at least one of them is 100% for half the season, that would be nice. Anything more would be lagniappe. Texans are overdue for some good luck on the injury front. This could be the year.

by oiler-texan diehard on Aug 14, 2008 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

Pilón

In So. Texas Spanish, we say Pilón. It’s used when something unexpected is given in addition to what was bargained for. If you go to the deli and you ask for half a pound of roast beef and the lady gives you a couple of slices over the half pound, but only charges you for the half pound – that is pilón.

According to dictionary.com the words lagniappe and pilón are interchangeable.

The concept is sorta like the accordion… its used heavily in both cultures.

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by SOLIS on Aug 14, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I did not know that

Thank you SOLIS for the vocabulary lesson. Maybe the Texans get some Pilón or Lagniappe in the form of a few extra victories this year. 2 extra over last year, 10-6 and a wildcard.

by oiler-texan diehard on Aug 14, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions