Houston Texans Pre-Season 2015 - Hoyer's The Starter....By GAWD KING!!!

Ehhhh, seems like Blue would be the better choice as he's higher on the depth chart

Also, Ke'o has a calf injury and is questionable for now
 
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It is finally here.

The 2014 Houston Texans season is just 48 hours away from squaring off against

Washington on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. Both teams are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2013 campaigns, and will meet at NRG Stadium in hopes of getting off to a good start in 2014.

The start of the season always brings with it the feeling of hope. Everyone (well, except for Green Bay) is undefeated, and every team in the league envisions the best case scenario for what will happen on the field.

Here in Houston, the excitement comes from change. A new coaching staff takes over, with head coach Bill O'Brien installing a new scheme and philosophy for the organization. What will 2014 bring? No one really knows.

That said, lack of information has never stopped anyone (especially media members) from making completely random guesses (they call them predictions) for what will take place.

Why should we be any different? My six predictions for the 2014 Texans seasons are below.

1. The Texans will start the season 3-1
Analysts (and some coaches) often look at the season in 'quarters', meaning they divide the year into sections of four games. For the Texans, the first four games of the season represent a great opportunity to have early success. After opening at home against Washington, the Texans will face Oakland, New York and Buffalo. The combined 2013 records for those teams? 20-44. I predict the Texans will take advantage, going 3-1 in those contests. If I'm right, that means Houston will pick up more wins (3) in the first four games then they did in the entire 2013 season (2). That would be a positive to the O'Brien era.

2. Whitney Mercilus will get 10 sacks
Last year, the Carolina Panthers led the NFL in sacks, taking down quarterbacks 60 times. Let's assume the Texans reach the 50 sack mark this season. Take out 15 for J.J. Watt(at the low end) and 10 for Jadeveon Clowney. That leaves 25 sacks to fill. Well...I think Whitney Mercilus will get 10 of those. But Eric, you say, he isn't even starting.
True, but Mercilus' responsibilities will be simple when he is on the field: Get to the quarterback. A reminder, Mercilus did have seven sacks in 2013. Plus, you know that whenever he is on the field, he'll get single coverage. So much attention will be paid to Watt and Clowney that Mercilus will get every opportunity to go one-on-one.

Preseason isn't the end all be all, but Mercilus really showed flashes in the final two games against Denver and San Francisco. In the 49ers game, Mercilus had a three-play stretch that fans in Houston have been dying to see. He pressured the quarterback and then picked up a sack and a tackle for loss on consecutive plays. He was in the backfield in the blink of an eye. If he shows that ability, 10 sacks are possible.

3. DeAndre Hopkins will lead the team in TD catches
Hopkins has huge hands...that has been said ad nauseam. He also is a fantastic leaper, and has dominated at times during training camp. He also is becoming a master at the increasing popular back shoulder throw, making quick adjustments while the ball is in flight to snatch it away from defenders. Remember that game winning catch against Tennessee last year (if not, the video is to the right), that's exactly what I mean. Add all that up and Hopkins becomes one of the team's most dangerous red zone threats. That can make him a favorite target for new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Expect Arian Foster (or the running backs in general) to gobble up a majority of the touchdowns, but if we throw, I expect Hopkins to be a high priority.

4. Jay Prosch will become a fan favorite Prosch, the team's lone fullback on the roster, keeps it simple on field. He comes in, he blocks and he runs back to the sideline. Not to mention he does this with his arm wrapped in a HUGE blue cast. It's like he's carrying around a billy club. Auburn fans will tell you, Prosch isn't afraid to do the dirty work. He works hard, is very humble, has a touching past and is easy to root for. Plus his name rhymes with BOSS (sort of). What more do you need?

5. Texans practice squad will pay dividends on the field 10-players were recently signed to the Texans practice squad, several of which made great impressions with the coaching staff during training camp and the preseason. The Texans aren't incredibly deep, so when injuries do happen (it's the NFL), expect the organization to look to that group to fill in. Players like Travis Labhart, EZ Nwachukwu, Max Bullough and Anthony Denham could all see action this year, perhaps playing big roles at some point during the year. By the time the Texans 2014 campaign comes to close, I expect one of those 10 to make an impact on the squad.

6. Randy Bullock will make 90 percent of his FG attempts
Bullock was an easy target during the early part of last season, as he struggled to convert Texans drives into points. That said, he did make 26 field goals, tying Kris Brown (2005) for the fifth-highest single-season total in franchise history. He also smashed home 12 consecutive field goals to finish the season, tying Neil Rackers (2010) for the fifth-longest streak in franchise history.

While 90 percent may seem high, if Bullock were to reach that number it would put him in the top 15 in the league. With the way his finished the season, I think that is entirely possible.
 
Predictions for this year's record?

I'm going with 7-9

Although I'd like to see 4-12 for obvious reasons. I just can't deal with fitz or mallett as the Texans QB for more than a season. I can't ******* have it. I just want a franchise QB
 
I think I'll now roll with with 11-5 or 5-11 and leave it at that

For the Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:

CB A.J. Bouye, Shoulder
T Tyson Clabo, Ankle
LB Brian Cushing, Ankle
TE Garrett Graham, Back
DE Tim Jamison, Groin
CB Johnathan Joseph, Foot
LB Mike Mohamed, Quadricep
C Chris Myers, Toe
DT Louis Nix III, Knee
RB Jay Prosch, Hand
G Xavier Su’A-Filo, Back
LB Justin Tuggle, Knee

All players listed are probable for Sunday’s match up against the Washington ******** with the exception of Graham, who hasn’t practiced for the past two days nursing his back injury. He will be a game-time decision and if he is not ready to go, rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz will be tapped as the starting tight end for the Texans.

“It’s not a major injury (but), he may not be able to play,” O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain yesterday after practice. “We’ll have to work him out the morning of the game.”

I honestly think that the Texans will be fine with Fiedorowicz starting because he is just one of those players that comes by every now and then. His mammoth frame and exceptional blocking capabilities will give opponents fits when he is on the field. The guy has dominated the game at every level and it’s time for him to do it professionally.

Graham is talented but it would not be a make-or-break type situation if he does sit out against the ********. I fully expect Fiedorowicz to start on Sunday because of the high level of depth they have at that position. Ryan Griffin will still be available as well! After all, Bill O’Brien‘s offense relies heavily on the use of tight end sets.

Fiedorowicz had five receptions for 32 yards with no touchdowns, appearing in all four games — starting three — during this past preseason.

And here’s the injury report for the ********:

LB Akeem Jordan, Knee
LB Brian Orakpo, Ankle
CB Tracy Porter, Hamstring
TE Jordan Reed, Thumb
MORE FROM HOUSTON TEXANS

Orakpo, the six-year vet and three-time Pro Bowler, has been suffering from an right ankle sprain sustained during an Aug. 22 preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
 
It's almost time ya'll :smokin

Three Key Matchups

J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney vs. Trent Williams – In what will likely be a key matchup for any Texans opponent, the battle between Watt and Clowney against the opposing team’s O-Line will always be a key matchup. Williams has been to a few Pro Bowls and is one of the better lineman in the league, but he will have his hands full today.

DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon vs. Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson – Both receivers are two great receivers with different skills. Receivers with Jackson’s speed have hurt the Texans CB duo in the past, so they’ll have a tough test against both DeSean and Pierre.

Jay Gruden vs. Bill O’Brien - Both head coaches will be making their head coaching debuts today against each other. Gruden replaces Mike Shanahan and O’Brien replaces Gary Kubiak. Which coach will take home a game ball?

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With Clowney back in the locker room for some reason, this is exactly how Mercilus and Reed should be playing
 
 
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Too awhile for the offense to get going, but I loved what I saw from the defense and special teams. Everybody was flying around making plays. Reed and Merci need to consistently play like that. Fitz scrambling was a welcome change to the usual collapsed pocket while falling in the fetal position. The run d could be better, but liked what I saw as far as getting after the QB, and wrapping up making tackles. The secondary only had 1 lapse that could have potentially been 2, so that was good to see as well.

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At least it wasn't a season ending injury.


Fitz is so limited with his arm man, eventually I think we'll see Mallett out there to open up the field.
 
There's something so weird about Fitz's throwing. I think he does have a better arm that Schaub, but something just looks so off about it :lol:
 
Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Texans, will be out four to six weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday.

Coach Bill O'Brien said he didn't know exactly what was repaired in Clowney's knee when he was asked if it was a torn meniscus.

"I'm not a doctor so I don't know," O'Brien said. "It's just something they went in there and tried to fix it. It seems like it went well."

Clowney, who had one tackle for a loss, was injured late in the second quarter in Sunday's win over the Washington ********. He was hurt when he jumped up to try and bat down a pass. He put his hand to his right knee and began limping after he landed.

Some have speculated that his foot slipped between one of the 8-by-8-foot palettes of real grass that make up Houston's field. If that was the case, O'Brien said he didn't know about it.

""From looking at all the angles on film, he just came down awkwardly," O'Brien said. Most of those types of injuries are non-contact."

Clowney will be replaced by Whitney Mercilus, the 26th pick in the 2012 draft, who started each game last season and had 47 tackles and seven sacks. O'Brien was impressed with his play after he took over on Sunday after Clowney was injured.

The Texans travel to face the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
 
HOUSTON -- Houston Texans starting tight end Garrett Graham returned to practice this week after missing the team's season opener with a back injury.


However, Wednesday's injury report was a good news/bad news situation for the Texans' tight ends. Graham returned, but C.J. Fiedorowicz missed practice with a foot injury.

Fiedorowicz became the Texans' top tight end in Graham's place Sunday. He was active in the Texans' offense, playing in 92 percent of the team's snaps, but was only targeted once and didn't have a catch.

Also on the Texans' injury report: Safety Shiloh Keo sat out with a calf injury. Andre Johnson (ankle), Johnathan Joseph (foot) and Graham were all listed as limited. Texans coach Bill O'Brien also listed 12 players as having participated fully on the injury report.

Cornerback Taiwan Jones (foot), running back Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) and linebacker Kaluka Maiawa (illness) missed practice for the Oakland Raiders. Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (knee) and linebacker Nick Roach (concussion) were limited in practice
 
Like what I see so far, but the offense has to get back rolling with that efficiency. Those 1st 2 drives were great, and we definitely need to get back to that.
 
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