Houston Texans News: May 5, 2014

Houston Texans News

Bell Tolls: Texas-sized dilemma for Texans, Johnny Manziel
If he goes to Houston, criticism will ensue.

Texans contemplate passing on Jadeveon Clowney with top pick - NFL.com
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport says he's no longer convinced the Texans will draft Jadeveon Clowney first overall.

Ultimate Texans " Texans’ Brian Cushing focusing on Week 1 return
While Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O’Brien locked in on the 2014 NFL draft, linebacker Brian Cushing had a more pressing issue to attend to this weekend: his inaugural youth football camp at Pearland High School.

Texans' Bob McNair: Jadeveon Clowney is best in draft - NFL.com
The Houston Texans are willing to trade the No. 1 overall draft pick, if they can find a partner willing to pay their price. Owner Bob McNair hinted at what direction they might go if they stay at the top.

NFL quotable: Texans still mulling what to do with top pick - SBNation.com
The Houston Texans will likely weigh their options with the first pick until draft day.

Ultimate Texans " Texans’ J.J. Watt eager for charity softball game after training ‘hole’
J.J. Watt’s offseason: A mattress on the dining-room floor of a friend’s apartment  in Wisconsin, followed by the "hardest" training regimen of Watt’s four-year career.

GM Smith confident Texans will 'improve our team' in draft - Houston Chronicle
GM Smith confident Texans will take full advantage of No. 1 spot McNair has an experienced general manager overseeing his eighth draft and a first-year coach in Bill O'Brien, and they know their boss wants to see significant improvement from an embarrassing 2-14 season that's caused a coaching and roster overhaul.

Texans draft board is set
Rick Smith discussed the Texans draft board and the preparation behind it.

RTC: Derek Carr paying for David's rep - Houston Texans Blog - ESPN
Reading the coverage of the Houston Texans... In some ways, this doesn't exactly have to do with the Houston Texans but in other ways it has a lot...

Houston Texan's J.J. Watt did his own two-a-days in offseason - ESPN
It's a beautiful day for softball here at Constellation Field in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land. And even though Texans defensive end J.J. Watt...

Countdown to the Draft: 4 days - Houston Texans Blog - ESPN
A little late with this one today as I prepared for our NFL Nation mock draft, which will be live on Tuesday afternoon. It's a fun process, that would...

Rough 2013 season takes no glow off star of Texans' Watt - Houston Chronicle
All-Pro defensive end stays engaged with fans through charitable work [...] the myth only grew.

Around the League

15 regrettable draft-week trades in NFL history | FOX Sports on MSN
FOX Sports South takes a whimsical look at 15 of the NFL's most regrettable draft-week trades, an in-hindsight countdown of high-round deals that ultimately missed the mark, history-wise -- with most being of the 'blunder' variety.

Star Wars Mock Draft | NFL.com
Happy Star Wars Day, everybody! May the fourth be with you.

NFL draft presents moment of truth for openly gay Sam - Houston Chronicle
In the wake of less than stellar pre-draft performances, openly gay defensive end Michael Sam faces tenuous prospects Michael Sam has exactly what he wants heading into the 2014 NFL draft.

The Notebook: Dee Ford is no 'blind dog in a meat market' - SBNation.com
The Auburn defensive end once claimed to be the best pass rusher in the draft. Retired NFL defensive end Stephen White heads to the film room for a little fact checking.

Johnny Manziel's draft day: Choose your own adventure - SBNation.com
Started from the bottom ... now, it's draft day. You're Johnny Manziel, aka Johnny F**king Football. How are you going to play this one?

What it's like for players who *aren't* picked at the NFL Draft - SBNation.com
Phil Lutzenkirchen set an Auburn touchdowns record, but had to wait for the St. Louis Rams to sign him as an undrafted free agent in order to make one football dream come true.

SB Nation NFL mock draft final grades are in - SBNation.com
The draft is complete and the grades are in. See who got the best grades and who got the worst.

Teddy Bridgewater and Mike Mayock's existential crisis - SBNation.com
Mike Mayock is one of the most respected NFL scouts in the business. He watches a lot of tape and forms confident opinions, but Teddy Bridgewater has apparently plunged him into an existential crisis.

Houston & Collegiate Sports

Tomorrow... - The Dream Shake
The sun sets on the Rockets' season.

Did Texas DC Vance Bedford take a shot at Johnny Football on Twitter? - Burnt Orange Nation
Controversy?!?

Kingsbury Considers Return of Michael Starts, Jeremy Reynolds & Anthony Smith - Viva The Matadors
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said that he is considering the return of DT Michael Starts as well as DT Anthony Smith and CB Jeremy Reynolds for academics.

Lee College PF Deng Deng commits to Baylor - Our Daily Bears
Scott Drew and Baylor needed immediate help in the front court for 2015 and got their first choice this evening in the form of Lee College PF Deng Deng.

Off The Wood Comics #8: Put a Penny on Sully - Good Bull Hunting
Don't give up on your finals. There's always Hope.

Where Talent Lies - Barking Carnival
It’s fantastic that Myles Turner chose Texas. A buddy of mine sent me an email reminding me that I’d claimed Myles could be the difference between a Sweet 16 and a Final Four for Texas. I had to...

#TTTQ Tweet of the Night

Last night's question from @battleredblog was - A week from now, I have confidence I will look at the #Texans' 2014 draft and think __________. #TTTQ

@battleredblog they selected multiple players from the college ranks.

— Blake (@NHBT2) May 5, 2014