Houston Texans At OTAs: Day Three

by Tim on May 20, 2009 9:24 PM CDT in News Comment 25 comments

Via the official site, Brooke Bentley reports that Glover Quin is opening some eyes:

"He’s made some plays out here the first couple of days," coach Gary Kubiak said of Quin. "He’s gotten his hands on the ball a couple of times. We’re playing him at nickel, also; (defensive backs coach) David (Gibbs) tells me he’s very sharp in the meeting room.

"He can return some, too. So there’s plenty of reps to go around, especially with Dunta not being here. It’s moved all those guys up as far as reps go, so he’s taking advantage of it."

Anyone notice how Kubes dropped in another "Dunta's not here" reference? Subtle dig? Or just justifying Quin's reps?

Although Quin makes it clear he'll play wherever the Texans want him, Frank Bush continues to insist that the plan for now is to line the rookie up at CB:

"We have plans for him on the edge right now," Bush said. "He’s going to do some stuff in the slot and nickel, but there’s always a possibility at safety. He’s built that way, anyway."

Other notes...

-As EHTR noted in this FanPost, Steve Slaton has shown up nine pounds more muscular. While we all probably hope that someone steps up to be the thunder to Slaton's lightning, I'm excited to see that Slaton's assuming the load will be his to carry again. Because at this point, there's no one of the roster that makes me think it won't be the Steve Slaton Show in 2009.

-Two (2) straight years of Travis Johnson showing up to OTAs with pelvic issues. Let us hope this'll be the last year that happens. And by that, I mean I pray it's the last year he's in a Texans uniform.

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glover and travis

I hope Glover is one of the four or five starters we pull out of the 09 draft. It looks like he’s off to a good start.

This is the last year the Texans are required to pay TJ to wear a Texans uniform. How can that be a bad thing? Releasing him is still worse from a cap standpoint (I assume), so its all good. He sucks and sits, or he steps it up and starts. At least now we have some depth on the DL, just not so much at his position.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on May 20, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a question.

McClain seems to think (in general) that the Texans coaching staff likes TJ – at least a whole lot more than we fans. From what I can gather, the argument is that his lack of stats has more to do with his specific duties rather than his ability.

I am not smart enough about this to know either way, so I am not presenting argument either way.

My questions here is whether there is any merit to McClain’s assessment? Is his lack of performance a lack of talent on his part, or a lack of perception on our part (regarding the role he plays on defense, if any).

I’d have to say I pay next to no attention to him while watching games and my dislike for hm is based somewhat on the posts here and in other blogs. If the coaches do like him for some reason, how do we reconcile that? What is the reason?

by WhiskeyR on May 20, 2009 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I tend to trust their judgment over ours

if only because they

a. know a little more about football than us

see / interact with the dude more than us

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on May 20, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I trust their judgment more than ours, but

I think all they understand that we don’t is that TJ is the best option when compared to players like Bulman or Robinson, and that until Barwin shows some finish Smith can’t move inside full time. Even if he has been an excellent “role” player they can’t help but admit Johnson has been a mediocre tackle at best… he just isn’t penetrating and doesn’t get to the ball carrier. However he can do his job well enough that as long as he is getting the pay check they see no need in replacing him.

I don’t think anyone, even TJ, would bet on him being back next year…especially if he can’t stay healthy.

Currently Listening to: Leroy - Good Time

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on May 21, 2009 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't agree with Smith moving inside full time.

What would we have then? Yet another undersized tackle, trying to play the nose. Check the roster… we’ve already got two of those.
What I’m hoping for is the unstoppable force of Frank Okam, to let his battle scream be heard.

Leave Smith at end on non-passing downs, and let Barwin take the pass rush.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on May 21, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait

You’re rooting for a Longhorn to succeed?

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 21, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know...

Fuck me, right?

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on May 21, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

It’s not like he plays for UT now.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 21, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frank Okam

Isn’t the answer either. If teams thought he was (including Houston) he wouldn’t have slipped to round 5 last year. DelJuan saw more action than Okam last year, and it was year one for both of them…DelJuan also performed better in the time they had and in practice.

Maybe Okam will have a breakout year, but right now the only thing he has going for him is his girth.

Currently Listening to: Leroy - Good Time

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on May 21, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe right...

But he’s the best version of “the answer” we’ve got.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on May 21, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draft position is not all that relevant

Look at Owen Daniels, etc. Saying that Okam won’t be good because he was drafted low makes no sense.

You could say, however, that he has been terribly inconsistent, but shown some flashes. This is probably true of a lot of first-year pros. I don’t know if that inconsistency is as a result of his not being able to hack it in the league or a steep learning curve, and no one else (outside of maybe the Texans coaching staff) does either.

I’d be absolutely thrilled if Okam turned into even an average tackle. That would be a significant upgrade over whatshisname.

I only put the odds of that happening this year at about 50% though.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 21, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a good point

It really depends on the year. This year’s draft, for example, had quite the run on DT’s because there was a very shallow pool of talent. If Okam had been drafted this year I guarantee that he would have been gone by the 3rd, maybe even the second because so many teams have put a premium on that position. If you don’t believe me, look at some of the DT’s taken in the third round and compare them to their projections, there are are three or four rounds difference in some cases.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on May 21, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't even put it at 50

And I cited alot more evidence than just his draft position to prove it. I hope he does, I really do, but Okam just doesn’t look like he has the big league juice durring practice…and unless he shows it there he will never get enough field time to prove it in the games.

Currently Listening to: Leroy - Good Time

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that." - Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice

by last texans fan on May 21, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only other evidence you cited was that Deljuan played more than he did

Again, I’m not saying Okam is going to be a bust or the next Ngata. I just don’t know – and no one really does at this point. Obviously he has the physical skills, but there are tons of players with NFL-level physcial skills that don’t make it in the game. Who knows if he’ll be one of them. There are also many players who started out poorly and, after a year or two, took off. I have no idea which one Okam will be.

It’s just too early to tell.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 22, 2009 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dear Travis

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is fully preventable. Some changes to behavior will be needed to address this matter.

by kozanack on May 20, 2009 10:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yay

Im mentioned!!! Anyway i will try posting as much info. about the texans that i can find…

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on May 20, 2009 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"Pelvic Issues"

Really just means ‘torn labia’ from all the sand in his vagina.

by DisplacedTexan on May 21, 2009 4:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sand-gina

Would look good on a jersey, right? You’d buy that.

I'm your huckleberry...

by viator on May 21, 2009 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he's been spending a lot of time at the beach.

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on May 21, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not the smartest

Think it says a lot about TJ that he doesn’t realise that with all the moves that have been made this off-season to improve the DL (Smith, Cody, Barwin), just how important this season is for him.

Maybe we’re all doing him an injustice, and all be a beast this year, but I think both he and Amobi really need to step it up this year or they could both be gone.

"Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to." - Mark Twain

by Schuey19 on May 23, 2009 5:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What has Travis Johnson done to warrant all this attention?

It’s a serious question. A lot of attention is being paid to a player who hasn’t done much. I understand that he was drafted in the first round and doesn’t appear on any highlight reels, except when it is related to his infamous play with Trent Green. Is it in our nature to constantly rehash and bash this player all off-season? I love reading everyone’s comments and opinions on the varied subjects on this blog, but I for one find it a bit disconcerting that I now know so much about an under performing defensive tackle…oh what am I saying…keep it coming! Really, I am just perpetuating the situation!

It will happen

by Rip Jersey on May 23, 2009 8:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Travis Johnson

Is like a car wreck. We gawk, stare, and feel bad for everyone involved.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on May 27, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's wierd...

I agree with what Tim says, and yet the Trent Green / Scarecrow play may be his only action that I support TJ 100%. Of course, that might only be because it spawned this.

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 Stro Kets!

by Shake on May 27, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs