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Plenty Of Reasons To Watch The Final Preseason Game

Quarterback Rex Grossman will play for the first time since pulling his hamstring on his first play from scrimmage against Kansas City on August 15th.

Quarterback Rex Grossman will play for the first time since pulling his hamstring on his first play from scrimmage against Kansas City on August 15th.

I am usually the type that watches the final game of the preseason for a few series and then I am done. The starters are usually rested and we watch a bunch of guys play that will probably be working at Discount Tire by that time the following week. But this year, there are certainly some things to watch for.

First off, even though his status changes every five minutes, we could finally get to see first round draft choice Brian Cushing get some playing time Friday against Tampa Bay. The news from camp today was that he was on the field in pads and taking some contact. Some are anxious to get him out there and get him some time to pick up some of the scheme. Others, including me, think we should just rest him one more game and let him loose against the Jets in week 1. No need to rush him. I would hate to see him with that nagging injury all season. Even when his history shows that the chances of that are pretty high already.

Next, apparently Rex Grossman is all better and ready to play. Sweating a roster spot there, Rexy? Well, it’s not like Dan Orlovsky has been a world beater thus far. Rex has virtually zero chance of passing Dan-O on the depth chart, but if he plays well Friday I could see us carrying three QBs for the first time under the Kubiak Era. I’m not a big Grossman fan (who is?), but he is John Elway next to Alex Brink.

Arian Foster, who many people had penciled in as Slaton’s backup from the moment he was signed as an undrafted free agent, will get lots of time on the field Friday. Gary Kubiak was quoted as saying that Foster was "on the bubble." So Foster needs to do something worthwhile against the Bucs' third stringers to make the team. Right now he has to be behind Chris Brown and Ryan Moats. As well as Steve Slaton, of course. He has been banged up almost all preseason and that hasn’t helped his case to make the squad so far. I’d like to see him make the team, but he hasn’t really shown me anything yet. I’m anxious to see if he has any of that burst left that he had the season before his injury at Tennessee.

Then there is every Texans fan's apparent man crush (you know who you are!), James Casey. With Vonta Leach resting a bruised knee, "Thor" will see time at fullback Friday. It is a great opportunity to see his versatility and I am interested to see if they try a wildcat play or two. Doubtful, but it's fun to know that they have that option. And if you can’t try it in the preseason, when can you try it?

Add to all of this that I want to see if Dan Orlovsky can keep from turning the ball over for one game and to see how Xavier Adibi responds to losing his starting job to Zac Diles, and there are plenty of things to be watching for. Besides, what else you got to do on a Friday night?

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In related news

Matt Schaub is not in the Top 8 QB’s

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 2, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

anyone watch

the NFL rookie thing on ESPN last night…they had like all top picks, then they had like a 5 minute thing on someone who had to wait 5 rounds to get picked…he was outta rice…yep u guessed it, james casey…he talked the whole time about it…pretty cool

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Sep 2, 2009 8:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Rec'd

for spelling “losing” right.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Sep 2, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Does keeping only 2 QB's

enable us to keep 4 RB’s?

If so, Rex can ply his trade elsewhere, I’d rather have the extra rb.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Sep 2, 2009 9:13 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

foster v grossman

first off i’ll start by saying brink showed promise for 2 throws….then basically crapped the bed. i dunno if foster has done enough to impress me or smithiak that he has earned a spot on the team. i liked seeing orlovsky air it out deep but his accuracy wasn’t great, but i believe he can edge out grossman regardless of ‘sexy rexy"’s performance this week.

in conclusion, i think 3 rb’s and 3 qb’s is the best option. i just have yet to see enough production from foster to have him warrant a roster spot and i’d like a little more insurance behind orlovsky, especially if schaubs ankle isn’t ok

by canadian texan on Sep 2, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have this weird feeling...

That Sexy Rexy my be the guy that saves us this season….Trust me I hope I’m wrong, I just met Matt Schaub and I really to see him do well.

GO TEXANS!!!!

This is the year.......

by Texanmaniac on Sep 2, 2009 9:32 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If Rex Grossmann Riding To The Rescue Becomes A Legitimate Possibility This Season

I quit life.

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

by Tim on Sep 2, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

I heard that!

GO TEXANS!!!!

This is the year.......

by Texanmaniac on Sep 2, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Rexy takes the controls

get your air-sickness bags ready, because there’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs…

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 2, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, we’ll all be at the unemployment of life office…

BattleRedBlog.com DontMessWithTexans.com
Clutchfans.net - Chuck 4 TexansTalk.com - Frak The Jags
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by Mike Kerns on Sep 2, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a bit drastic Tim, but I get your drift

For months we Texans fans have been full of anticipatory hopefulness, only to see it potentially evaporate; in the preseason no less. Can’t get much worse than that. Based upon what we’ve seen from Dan O and know about Rexy, Schaub’s good health is an absolute prerequisite if we are to have any chance at a successful season. After seeing the non-contact ankle tweak on Monday, I got a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I am hoping and praying that Schaub will be ready for the Jets, and games beyond. I shudder to think what we would look like with Dan O at the helm. Shades of David Carr, or is it Zoolander.

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Sep 2, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That...

…would result in a dramatic spike in foul language on this blog, as well as binge drinking and depression. It would be like….a normal season, I guess.

by BigTexBD on Sep 3, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

no shit that

<>

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Sep 3, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at the very least

i’ve never seen him run out of the back of the endzone…

by canadian texan on Sep 2, 2009 9:50 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Gotta be

the post of the night.

by Big T33 on Sep 2, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If it is...

Unsubscribe.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Sep 3, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions   2 recs

ha!

rec’d…..
as post of the day. lol

by chrisd21 on Sep 3, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

according to LL Cool J...

it’s a lot of shit you didnt see because you have “cable”

by chrisd21 on Sep 3, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Casey

I will tune in to catch his performance.

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 3, 2009 8:31 AM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Casey..

Cool dude, spoke with him on that awesome day and he seems eager to impress should be a fun game to watch.

GO TEXANS!!!!

This is the year.......

by Texanmaniac on Sep 3, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why Casey?

I still can’t see why Casey is getting so much love. He has had one good play and everyone is treating him like a god.

I hope this Cushing thing does not bite us in the ass. we went into this knowing the guy was as fragile as spun glass and still drafted him.

by Micah B on Sep 3, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

you need to read more

Casey makes, at minimum, one spectacular play in each practice and he has excelled in all facets of special teams each time he has been on the field. I assume the “one play” you are referring to is the one-handed save he made as a TE.

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 3, 2009 1:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

besides that.......

he’s a local guy. went to Rice, and it’s well known that Houston as a city holds local guys in a high regard. see Koob, Petite, or Clemens….

by chrisd21 on Sep 3, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rice sucks

That is all.

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

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 4, 2009 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

watch it bud!

according to NCAA 10 im the starting quarterback for Rice… so watch yer mouth! lol

by chrisd21 on Sep 4, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's the one

It was a great grab. I am rooting for Casey, but I am not super excited about the guy. Probably because I do not like Rice. I am on the Caldwell and Barwin trains though.

by Micah B on Sep 3, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

here's one...

I’m not a big Grossman fan (who is?)

right here! I have faith in the Sex Cannon as a legit backup.

by grungedave on Sep 3, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

not a huge Rexy fan

I’m guilty of calling him Rexy in the last couple days, but realistically, I expect when that time comes for him to step out there in the heat of a real game, I think we may be glad he’s here. He will get the ball down the field and I think the Texans have those receivers that will go get the ball! If Rex has that, he has the balls to let it fly. Send AJ or AD long and they have the speed, the hands and ability to adjust to get that huge play when its needed!

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 3, 2009 2:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

just my long winded way of sayin'

we’re gonna need some luck when Rexy has his hands on the ball…

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 3, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

In related news:

Buccaneers have fired offensive coach Jeff Jagodzinski on the eve of their final preseason game against the Houston Texans. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson was promoted.

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 3, 2009 6:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow

A team fires a coach before the preseason is even over?

That’s so un-Texan like.

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

by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 4, 2009 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i have no idea how this preseason game will fair, but

as far as the Bucs go, I would sell Tampa short this season. I wanted to try and trade down with them in this year’s draft for future picks b/c I think they are as close to a lock as you can get for a 2010 lotto pick. When your replacement coach explains what will distinguish him from his super-bowl winning predecessor is that he will chestbump and give daps to his players on the sidelines after making a play…uh…I start to wonder why this hire is being such a pass by the football media folks? We scrutinize our D-coordinator or D-line coach (who each have literally more than 10X the experience that RMorris has) way more than anyone seems to question what the hell is going on in Tampa Bay? Am I on crazy pills?

by Smittybaby on Sep 4, 2009 8:45 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I read that article on the Bucs & let me just go on record for calling "Bullshit" to anything and everything coming out of Tampa

I’m sure their coach is a great guy, but I think this whole coaching situation is based on slick salesmanship…someone snowed someone who doesn’t know shit from shineola…seriously…hiring Kyle Shanahan right now to be your head coach would be way less risky (I like KShan fine, but the kid has one game of play-calling, which is still way more experience than RMorris has) ….sorry, but this house of cards will collapse hard and fast. Poor managerial form & Coaching chaos right now…? We should have traded with these guys!!! It makes happy to be a Texan!

by Smittybaby on Sep 4, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The vibe I get from Tampa Bay fans

Is that they agree with your assessment, although naturally there are some who want to wait and see. But they are educated fans and they can read the handwriting on the wall. The team needs a QB and their answer this year is a preseason battle between Byron Leftwich and Cade McCown with QB-of-the-future Josh Freeman watching this year. Not a terrible plan considering the options starting from last year, but no guarantee for success this season. Their options at WR are not great to go with the QB situation. They have some possibilities with their RB trio of Graham, Williams and Ward, plus they still have an agressive D. Of course the frontline players will be missing tonight, so we can’t expect to see much of how the season will go. But, yes, most expectations I have seen are very conservative and not many are expecting playoffs.

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Sep 4, 2009 11:13 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

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