Texans Down 'N Dirty: Camp Finally Here Edition

by Jake on Jul 31, 2009 9:55 AM CDT in News Comment 13 comments

Gary Kubiak talked to the press last night on the eve of training camp. Most of the press conference was centered around the success of this year's season, but he did note that Antwaun Molden, Travis Johnson and Anthony Hill will all start camp on the Player Unable to Preform (PUP) list. One name not on that list is Amobi Okoye, whom Kubiak stated was going to take it slow at first. Also from the official site, Vonta Leach has started the locker room mantra of "Playoffs or Bust."

Two players who will likely not be at camp today are Dunta Robinson and Owen Daniels. Dunta is under no penalty since he has not signed his franchise tag tender, but OD is subject to $17,000.00 a day in losses. I think that Daniels might miss a few days to make a point, but it's hard to take that hit over 5 weeks of training camp, especially with a rookie like James Casey wainting in the wings. Casey obviously doesn't have OD's résumé but if Smithiak decides to play hardball they do have somewhat of a backup option.

The Chronicle makes the point that DelJuan Robinson is trying to make the best of Travis Johnson's absence. I would think that at this point is Robinson's job to lose, and the player with the most to gain from Johnson's absence is Frank Okam. I'd be really interested to hear from anyone going to camp about how Okam looks over the weekend.

Lastly, for anyone that enjoyed Part One of the podcast between myself and Diehard Chris, here's the follow-on Part Two. In this part Chris and I discuss players on the hot seat, players who's good play is integral for success, and we went over most of the rookie class. I'd like to thanks Chris again for having me. Hope you all enjoy.

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Owen Daniels may be our pro bowl guy but come on, has he ever heard of being a team player. You make more money than most of us will ever see, be grateful and get on the field with your teammates and get ready to whoop some colts ass

by eggsNbacon on Jul 31, 2009 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Barwin signed!

hooray!!

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Jul 31, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Owen practiced this morning

No Holdout

- tyler

by bullpen116 on Jul 31, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

awesome

thanks, tyler!

by bigfatdrunk on Jul 31, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Dude

Guess he won’t be losing 17 grand after all.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Jul 31, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Put things in perspective

Is that a misprint $17,000 a day?

by ibleedblueandred on Jul 31, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a misprint

O.D. would be fined 17,000$ a day for missing training camp.

The strong do what they have to do; the weak accept what they have to accept

by Riott on Jul 31, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Update: Owen's not happy though

Lance Z just posted some audio from OD on his blog, this is must hear stuff. The guy sounds so flustered and upset.

http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/

- tyler

by bullpen116 on Jul 31, 2009 1:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s football time, get your game faces on, get your jerseys out, and fire up the barbeque grills, time to tailgate and cheer on our team. GO TEXANS

by ilikeit on Jul 31, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone know what is wrong with Hill/how serious it is?

A quick google/houstontexans.com search didn’t come up with anything other than “hamstring issue.” And injuries were a knock on HIll, he missed all of 2007 and a quarter of 2008 in college…

by killtacular on Jul 31, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Some good/bad news

The good news is seeing Owen Daniels in uniform to start TC. He’s obviously unhappy with his lack of a deal, and so is DeMeco Ryans for that matter, but they’re both where they need to be. I expect DeMeco to get a long-term deal done after this season, but not so certain with OD. He’s good, and borderline great at what he does – catch passes, but he’s not a complete tight end who can stay on the field in all yardage situations. So that kind of makes him a product of the system, albeit only to a slight degree. He could excell for many teams. Also good news to hear that Barwin has signed.

The bad news is seeing Antwuan Molden and Anthony Hill on the PUP list. I was holding on to slim hope for Molden. With his insane athletic ability it will be intriguing to see how he develops under new DB Coach David Gibbs. I think Molden had an edge over Glover Quin coming into camp if he could hit the ground running (literally), but not anymore. The news concerning Hill is more surprising. A hamstring injury? From doing what? Has he been running on the treadmill with Moises Alou? Lastly, it’s a shame that Ponytail isn’t signed yet, but it’s through no real fault of his own. His agents, Tom Condon and Ben Dogra have to get the guys before him signed first. That’s right they’re all clients of ACC. The hang-up with Ponytail could be the delay on Malcolm Jenkins’s deal. New Orleans doesn’t expect to get a deal done with Jenkins anytime soon. At least as I type this they don’t. So that could have an effect on Cushing, or he could just remind ACC who they work for and tell them to get his deal done, now. Now! Do it now says Ponytail!

by carsonwayne on Jul 31, 2009 4:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so i was there (and admit i left early)

anyway seeing the texans for the first time this year was great!
From 730-815 u can do anything and win free stuff! At 815 players start coming across the bridge down the stairs to the field …everyone goes to the small movable fences to greet them, some players sign things some give high fives…anyway when Kris Brown came out ppl were a lil loud and when Kubiak came out ppl were loud and also Bruce Matthews got a nice Hello (HES HUGE). Of course most players went around the fans so Brown and Kubiak were most famous)(Moats, Bentley, Thomspon, Leach, Grigsby, all coaches, A. Hill, Ferguson, and other players i cant remember were there to walk thru fans) Anyway when camp started at 830 they began some stretching…then LB’s were on field (main one for fans) and did individual drills. The CBs and Safeties joined them (some player made great catchers (quin) others dropped passes (guys like Richardson and Busing?) Then we got to see some offense…Started with 9-9 ball without WR’s and CBs…then it went to no lineman just TE’s WR and RB…that part (when i was there) was the best…it was nice seeing Schaub and AJ hook up for a TD. DUring one of the plays CLifton Dawson got hurt and he could be out for a while…

Anyway players notes.

Quin – Looks great, excited for him
Molden/Hill – Had no idea they were on PUP (not sure Molden did either as he went out to stretch and a coach told him to get off)
Owen D – great to see him there
Barwin/Cushing – werent there (not signed)
Nolan – (Dropped some balls)
AJ – double covered all drills
Rex G- overthru some balls
DL – Looked like Robinson and Cody were first team tho maybe due to Johnson and Okoye injuries

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Jul 31, 2009 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs