Houston Texans Pre-Season 2014 - NT Bowl 2.5...Battle For Roster Spots

december 1st....get your blankies and pacifiers ready, fellas

i kid, i kid...should be much more competitive in your backyard. i know y'all beat us last time we played in houston, pretty handily too if i remember.

Oh that game is burned in my memory Ace. Schaub slinging it with precision, Foster running all over the defense, Bernard Pollard's beautiful INT catch and return. And how could I forget...


































Can't wait !

Alright guys, let's see what high character guy we eventually draft. If he has parking tickets, it's a wrap

ogletree might make it down to us...

please no te'o

Now that we filled a need with somebody we actually were supposed to, NOW I wouldn't mind Te'O in the second, but I think it's safe to say he'll be snatched up way before then.



With the 27th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the HOUSTON TEXANS select:

DEANDRE HOPKINS│WR│CLEMSON
JR (6’1” – 214lbs)

STRENGTHS: Nice job catching the ball in stride and immediately creating after the catch with a very good sense of his surroundings, always appearing to have a plan. Deceiving body strength and powers through arm tackles, playing with toughness.
Strong hands with above average body control and focus to highpoint and attack the ball in the air. Tracks the deep ball and shows a second gear to separate at the final moment and finish.
Very good short-area burst in his cuts with some beautiful stop-and-go moves and route acceleration to create room.

Good shoulder dip and footwork to set up his routes with very good feel, taking pride in his patterns. Handled quarterback Tajh Boyd’s fastballs the past three years and uses his extension to reel-in tough grabs - high, low or outside, he goes and gets it. Uses his body well to box-out defenders and is fearless over the middle.

Changes gears well and knows how to turn on the jets, using his vision and awareness to create. Competitive and physical attitude and wants the ball more than anyone else on the field, never conceding the top receiver distinction to Watkins. Dedicated himself to the weight room this past off-season and it shows on the field. Much improved maturity took even the coaches by surprise with his goal oriented approach and work ethic. Super productive the past three seasons, leaving with school with numerous school and conference records.

WEAKNESSES: Lean torso with average height and frame with limited growth potential. Won’t break a lot of tackles and has room to get stronger. Will have his share of focus drops, running before securing the grab at times.

Will attempt to corral the catch at times instead of using his palms. Lacks track speed and won’t be able to leave NFL cornerbacks in his dust on foot speed alone. Showed steady progression each year, but still improving his consistency and is not yet a finished product.

They actually drafted the position we as fans wanted
Now let's get some help at OL and LB

Texans 2013 draft picks

Round 1, Pick 27 (27 overall): WR DeAndre Hopkins , Clemson

Round 2, Pick 25 (57): S D.J. Swearinger , South Carolina

Round 3, Pick 27 (89): T Brennan Williams, North Carolina

Round 3, Pick 33 (95)*: DE Sam Montgomery, LSU

Round 4, Pick 27 (124): OLB Trevardo Williams, Connecticut

Round 6, Pick 8 (176): T David Quessenberry, San Jose State

Round 6, Pick 27 (195): WR Alan Bonner, Jacksonville State

Round 6, Pick 30 (233): DT Chris Jones, Bowling Green

Round 6, Pick 33 (201)*: TE Ryan Griffin, Connecticut

Really liked the Montgomery pick. Dude has a ton of potential and could be a really good player if he gets his head right.

Not to mention everywhere ive seen it says he is a stout run defender which is a plus.

Supposedly Herring our LBs coach said they will probably move Reed inside with Cush and have Mercilus and Montgomery/Williams on the outside. From what ive seen they are both pretty good pass rushers also  they are just raw.

Loved the DJ pick also. That man is a ****** BEAST. Last time we had a hard hitting saftey was when we had Pollard im glad they went and snagged DJ. He talks alot of **** but it looks like he can back it up. I hope hes gonna be able to  handle lining up and covering TEs becaue that what it looks like is gonna be his job.

Hopefully it works out, Cant wait for the season to start!

i actually liked what we did. drafted need positions and got quality. i think they're relying on the oline to play better. lets see what kubiak does with hopkins

Love all the picks so far. The front office really did listen to the fans, and even got guys with questionable character. Not mad

Here's a list of the undrafted FAs we recently signed. One notable name you may recognize is QB Colin Klein from Kansas State. I read somewhere that we're supposed to be converting him to TE

Justin Tuggle ILB Kansas State, 6'3, 244 pounds

Travis Howard CB Ohio State, 6'1 200 pounds

Willie Jefferson OLB Stephen F. Austin, 6'6, 234 pounds

Ja'Gared Davis OLB SMU, 6'1 235 pounds

Earl Okine DE Florida, 6'6, 286 pounds

Zach Boren FB Ohio State, 6'1, 241 pounds

Evan Frierson LB Illinois State, 6'2, 240 pounds

Dann O'Neill OT Western Michigan, 6'8, 305 pounds

Marlon Brown WR Georgia, 6'4, 213 pounds

Raymond Graham RB Pittsburgh, 5'9, 190 pounds

Uzoma Nwachukwu WR Texas A&M 6'0 194 pounds

Andrew Shapiro P Fresno State, 6'0 198 pounds

George Winn RB Cincinnati, 5'10, 216 pounds

Andy Cruse WR Miami (OH), 6'3, 212 pounds

Orhian Johnson S Ohio State, 6'2, 210 pounds

Bryan Collins OG SMU, 6'3, 313 pounds

Dennis Johnson RB Arkansas, 5'6, 196 pounds

Alex Kupper OG Louisville, 6'3, 298 pounds

Collin Klein QB Kansas State, 6'5, 226 pounds

Cierre Wood RB Notre Dame, 5'11, 213 pounds

Michael Smith WR UConn, 6'0, 201 pounds

Johnny Adams CB Michigan State, 5'11, 177 pounds

Jawanza Starling S USC, 6'1, 200 pounds

A.J. Bouye CB Central Florida, 6'0, 186 pounds

Alec Lemon WR Syracuse, 6'2, 202 pounds

I know I'm biased but I see uzoma nwachukwu in there. He's a good receiver with sure hands. Doubt he'll make the squad but I'm pulling for him

Apparently Nuk has looked very impressive by all accounts at camp. Granted i know its rookie camp but im hoping for big things from this guy this season.

and Swearinger apparently looks good out there too, with Ed coming along slow i hope he gets some reps and between him, Manning and Reed we should have solid safety play.

Need to sure up the right side of that line, our pass rush and ST though.

^Hopefully Brooks, Ben Jones, and Derek Newton just make another leap with more experience, and the guys we drafted this year just step in when they have to and learn.

Oh, Colin Klien was cut sometime last week

do work son said:

I know I'm biased but I see uzoma nwachukwu in there. He's a good receiver with sure hands. Doubt he'll make the squad but I'm pulling for him

Click to expand...

Feel the same. I like local guys getting shine. If only we knew how to keep our homegrown/local guys (*coughs Casey *coughs*)

Texans sign RB Deji Karim, C Tyler Horn

The Texans have signed running back Deji Karim and center Tyler Horn, who both tried out for the team at rookie mini-camp from May 10-12.


The Texans released two undrafted rookies, running back George Winn from Cincinnati and tackle Dann O’Neill from Western Michigan.

Karim (5-8, 209) played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010-11 and the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. A sixth-round draft pick out of Southern Illinois, he returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown against the Texans in Week 17 of last season. He has 290 career rushing yards on 98 carries and 17 catches for 130 yards. He has averaged 25.9 yards on 86 career kickoff returns.

Horn (6-4, 305) went undrafted out of the University of Miami in 2012. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a rookie and spent the final nine weeks of last season on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad.

Karim is one of four running backs vying for the Texans’ third spot behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The others are undrafted rookies Ray Graham, Dennis Johnson and Cierre Wood.

Report: Ravens ‘generally knew’ Ed Reed’s hip was bothering him

Last we heard from Texans coach Gary Kubiak about safety Ed Reed’s medical condition, Kubiak said the Texans did not anticipate Reed’s hip surgery but went ahead with it once the hip started bothering him.

Today, ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio said he’s been told the Ravens knew something about Reed’s hip. Here’s the paragraph in question:

“We’re told that the Ravens, while not specifically aware of the extent of the problem, generally knew that Reed’s hip was bothering him. The Texans apparently didn’t.”

It’s unclear whether that means the Ravens knew Reed would need some level of surgery or not. It’s also unclear if that factored into the Ravens’ decision not to re-sign him. It’s also unclear how bad Reed knew his hip injury was. And another thing we don’t know is what he told whom when.

Regardless, the Texans say they are expecting Reed back a couple weeks into training camp.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have signed third-round draft pick OLB Sam Montgomery, the team announced today. Montgomery is sixth player in the Texans nine-player draft class to sign. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Montgomery (6-3, 262), who entered the draft following his junior season at LSU, was the 95th overall pick and the 33rd player taken in the third round. A second-team All-American as a defensive end in 2012, Montgomery recorded 8.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and 37 tackles on the way to his second straight All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection. For his career, Montgomery had 19 sacks in 33 games with four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was also a high school teammate of Texans second-round pick, S D.J. Swearinger.

Montgomery joins OLB Trevardo Williams, T David Quessenberry, WR Alan Bonner, DT Chris Jones and TE Ryan Griffin as members of the draft class that have signed.


‘Second-year’ receivers ahead of DeAndre Hopkins for now

DeAndre Hopkins is the first WR the Texans have selected in the first round of the draft since taking Andre Johnson in 2003.(Brett Coomer/Chronicle)
DeAndre Hopkins has been thrown right in with the starters during organized team activities.

That’s a logical response to drafting a first-round receiver who you want to bring up to speed as quickly as possible. But right now Hopkins does have some learning to do — the kind guys like Keshawn Martin and Lestar Jean did last year.

“The (second-year guys) have come a long way from last year, and now DeAndre’s got to go through the same learning process,” Texans receivers coach Larry Kirksey said. “He’s a talented young man, and we have very high expectations for him.

“But these second-year guys are ahead of him right now. They’re competing; they’re not just going to let him have the job.”

Kirksey’s quote comes from my story that ran today on HoustonChronicle.com. Jean isn’t technically a second-year guy, but in all practicality he is since he spent his rookie season on IR.

Jean and Martin are both players Gary Kubiak has spoken highly off this offseason, and they’re both handling their awkward position well. It’ll be interesting to see how DeVier Posey’s recovery impacts the Texans’ roster decisions.

Last season they kept six receivers because the sixth was Trindon Holliday, who they hoped could be their ace returner. The other five were Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jean, Martin and Posey. Typically, though, the Texans keep five receivers, and they eventually cut Holliday.

This season subtract Walter, who was cut this offseason, and add draft picks Hopkins and Alan Bonner, Jeff Maehl, who spent last season on the practice squad, and four undrafted rookies who will be vying for roster or practice squad spots.

The speed of Posey’s recovery will impact whether he starts the season on the active roster or on PUP.

I knew JJo was battling injuries, but it alllll makes sense now...

Johnathan Joseph returns to Houston Texans healthy

The Houston Texans' falloff on defense in the second half of last season understandably was blamed on Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing's torn anterior cruciate ligament, but there was another significant injury that contributed to the pass defense falling from third in 2011 to 16th in 2012.

After an All-Pro season shadowing No. 1 wide receivers in 2011, cornerback Johnathan Joseph struggled in coverage for parts of October, November and December while playing with groin and hamstring injuries. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Chad Henne combined for an astounding 795 yards and six touchdowns in two games after Joseph was knocked out of the lineup in Week 11.

As it turns out, Joseph was battling a pair of sports hernias in addition to the groin and hamstring issues.

"I had both those (sports hernias) fixed," Joseph said recently, via Comcast SportsNet Houston. "Now I have more pop, more explosion with my legs. I can run all day again."

Joseph gave no details on the "fixes," but it can be inferred that he underwent offseason surgery to repair both sports hernias. To hear Joseph tell it, he's already back to 100 percent.

"I'm just glad to have it behind me," Joseph said. "I'm feeling better than I've ever felt. ... And I'm having probably the best OTAs (organized team activities) I've had in four or five years."

With both Cushing and Joseph returning to form, the Texans' defense has a chance to return to early-2012 dominance when it allowed 17 points or fewer in four of the first five games of the season.

^Yea, along with Kareem improving, that made JJo look really bad

Houston Texans' Duane Brown has minor ankle surgery

One week after running back Arian Foster went down with a strained calf, the Houston Texans received ill news about the All-Pro left tackle who opens holes for him.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak announced Duane Brown might be out for up to a month after going under the knife Wednesday to shave down a bone spur in his ankle.

The spur had caused discomfort for Brown over the past month, so taking care of it now makes sense. The timeline will allow the 27-year-old bookend to return in time for the start of the team's training camp in late July.

Brown arguably was the AFC's most dominant left tackle last season, grading out second to only Joe Staley of the San Francisco 49ers, according to ProFootballFocus. He's a natural in the Texans' zone-blocking scheme and excels at blasting holes in the run game for Foster, who also is slated to return in time for camp.

Brown has missed only four starts during his five-year career. He's about as reliable as they come, so we expect him to suit up in due time.

Tight end Schiltz
 added to the mix

The Texans added a rookie tight end Wednesday.

Adam Schiltz, a tight end from Emporia State, rejoined the team. He participated in the Texans’ rookie minicamp as a tryout player last month.

The Texans have five tight ends already on the roster, including draft pick Ryan Griffin.

Phillip Supernaw has not practiced in a majority of OTAs after suffering a significant foot injury in the first week. Supernaw, a Katy native, ended last season on practice squad injured reserve.

The Return

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing promised last month that he would be medically cleared July 17. It looks like he's a man of his word.

ProFootballTalk.com and ESPN reported Wednesday that Cushing received the green light from Dr. James Andrews to fully practice when training camp opens next week. The Texans still are expected to "ease" Cushing back into the mix, but he should be more than ready to start the season come Week 1 against the San Diego Chargers.

Cushing suffered the injury in early October last year, so he's had a longer time to recover than some players like Robert Griffin III or Chris Clemons, both of whom suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments during the playoffs. Cushing's absence deeply hurt the Texans' defense last season. Now he'll be counted on to lead a young linebacker group that has Darryl Sharpton and Whitney Mercilus starting in their first full seasons.

In an interview with Around The League on Wednesday, Texans general manager Rick Smith expressed optimism about the linebacker group. It certainly will look a whole lot better if Cushing can return to form.

Houston Texans 2013 Training Camp Preview

REPORT DATES: July 21st (rookies), July 25th (veterans)

SITE: Methodist Training Center, Houston, TX

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The window hasn't shut in Houston but the Texans certainly have to tweak things if they hope to match last season's 12-4 record. The Houston defense should be fine since it possesses the best defender in all of football, J.J. Watt, and will be getting back its captain, stud linebacker Brian Cushing, who missed the last 11 games in 2012 with a knee injury. That said, Houston struggled down the stretch last season and showed a disturbing inability to handle quick rhythm, spread offenses, meaning more speed and athleticism is needed in the back seven. Veteran Ed Reed certainly provides leadership and playmaking ability, but not that. Rookie safety D.J. Swearinger could, though. Offensively the team hopes it finally has a complement to Andre Johnson at wide receiver in rookie DeAndre Hopkins.

TEXANS SIGN ROOKIE WR DEANDRE HOPKINS - With training camps getting underway this week, teams are scrambling to get this year’s draft picks signed. And the Houston Texans did their part by signing rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a four-year, $7.62 million contract Monday morning that includes a bonus of $3.92 million, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hopkins was taken in the first-round (27th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft. While at Clemson last season he had 82 catches for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Hopkins is expected to make an immediate impact with the Texans this season and take some of the pressure off veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson, who teams usually plan their defensive secondary attacks around with constant double teams. (Photo: Thomas Campbell/USA Today Sports)


Texans sign D.J. Swearinger, OT Brennan Williams

The Texans have wrapped up deals with rookie safety D.J. Swearinger and offensive tackle Brennan Williams, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

The Texans now have their entire nine-player draft class under contract.

A second-round pick from South Carolina, Swearinger will compete for playing time at a position where the Texans must replace the capable Glover Quin (now with Detroit) and are waiting for Ed Reed to return from hip surgery.

Williams, a third-round selection from North Carolina, is among Houston’s options at right tackle. He missed time in the offseason with a knee injury.

I hope to see a lot of this from Swearinger


Probably none of this from penalties though

I just knew something would be up with this dude. Seems like he enjoys the Breakfast Club and Pappadeaux's too much

Texans place Sam Montgomery on non-football injury list

The Texans placed outside linebacker Sam Montgomery on the non-football injury list. It’s unclear what landed the third-round draft pick out of LSU on the list. He missed part of May’s rookie minicamp with a back injury that could have been connected to his fitness level entering offseason workouts.

The Texans also placed rookie safety Orhian Johnson, out of Ohio State, on the non-football injury list. He and Montgomery will count against the Texans’ active roster, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Third-year nose tackle Sunny Harris spent all of last season on injured reserve after suffering an injury in training camp and was released by the Texans on Monday.

The Texans also placed rookie defensive end Earl Okine, out of Florida, on the physically unable to perform list. Okine suffered a leg bruise during organized team activities.


Texans report: Injured rookie Williams put on PUP list

The Texans had hoped each of their top three draft picks would be signed and ready to compete for starting jobs, or at least significant playing time, when training camp begins Friday.

Instead, the Texans are going to have to settle for two out of three.

While receiver DeAndre Hopkins, safety D.J. Swearinger and offensive tackle Brennan Williams are now all under contract, Williams won’t be on the field when practice starts.

Following recent arthroscopic knee surgery — Williams got hurt in the second rookie minicamp practice — he was placed on the physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

The good news is that doesn’t mean he’s lost for the year, but he’ll miss too much time this summer to realistically be a factor when the season starts.

The decision leaves the Texans short on depth at right tackle, where returning starter Derek Newton also is coming off a knee scope following the first season in which he saw significant playing time.

The Texans re-signed veterans Ryan Harris and Andrew Gardener during the offseason. Harris started twice at right tackle when Newton was hurt last year. Gardner has played in only five games over three NFL seasons.

Williams, a 6-6, 318-pounder who played with Texans backup quarterback T.J. Yates at North Carolina, missed four games last season because of injuries, but the Texans thought enough of him to make him the 89th pick in the draft.

He’s the second draft choice to be ruled out for the start of camp. Sam Montgomery, also taken in the third round, was placed on the non-football-injury list Monday.

^I think he signed with the Cardinals, like a 1 year deal. Hopefully Brooks, Jones, and Newton just step up and show out.

Everybody signed finally

TEXANS SIGN FORMER BRONCOS LB JOE MAYS - After conducting a workout with free agent linebacker Joe Mays at their training facility, the Houston Texans signed Mays to a one year contract, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mays, 28, was placed on waivers last week by Denver. The Washington ********, among others, were interested in him, but he signed with the Texans.

Mays started for the Broncos in a 3-4 and a 4-3. Last season, he got a lot of attention for hitting Matt Schaub in the Texans’ victory at Denver. Schaub’s helmet flew off, and he lost a piece of his ear. Mays was suspended for a game and fined $50,000.

This is a good sign for the Texans who have been in need of help at the inside linebacker spot while they ease Brian Cushing back into full-time drills and with Darryl Sharpton being on the non-football injury list with a groin injury. So far during training camp, Tim Dobbins and Cameron Collins have been getting reps with the first team. (Photo: Joe Amon/Denver Post)