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Texans Pulse
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Mini 2-Game Streak Gives Texans Best Franchise Start |
- MINI 2-GAME STREAK GIVES TEXANS BEST FRANCHISE START -
Date: August 26, 2010
The Houston Texans rebounded from a lost in Atlanta with victories over an offensive talented Jets team and division rival Jaguars. The Texans are sitting at 4 and 1, the best start the team has in franchise history.
Quarterback John Beck, who has been decent at best since coming to Houston has finally taken a turn and looks to regain the form when he had his career with the Redskins in 2009. Beck has been very productive thus far, completing 55% of his passess, tossing a touchdown every 11 pass attempts or every 6 completions, which is very effective. He also had only 4 interceptions and was sacked only 5 times in 4 starts.
Wide receiver Derrick Williams continue to be the main offensive weapon on the team. Williams posted 477 receiving yards along with 5 touchdowns so far in 5 games played in the #1 slot. Youngster Julius Geier is given the chance to play at the 2 spot, has been inconsistent so far on the season. The team can't find the running game as well. On the defensive side, it has been a team game so far.
With 3 tough games, Titans, Panthers, and Saints coming up and with GM about the go on vacation, it will be a test to the team how far they can get. It is the best start so far, but they can sit at 4 and 4 after 3 weeks. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Lung on 08/26/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 19 |
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2-0, Texans Cautiously Optimistic |
- 2-0, BYE WEEK GIVES TIME TO FOCUS AND NOT GET TOO EXCITED -
Date: August 09, 2010
The Texans started the season 2 and 0 and will be cautiously optimistic heading into the early bye week.
This is the second time the team started the season 2-0, and we all know how the last one went. The organization certainly hope that won't happen again. Played two teams which led by a good quarterback, the Texans defense stepped up and always made some timely stops in the first two weeks. Both games, the opponents just had a good defensive scheme against the Texans and limited their offensive power, they did just enough to sneak out the victories.
"...i believe this is where we are different now compare to previous seasons. We have been in some close games for a while now, but unlike the past where we came up on the losing end, we now find ways to win the close ones..."
There isn't any spectacular individual plays so far, it is a team effort for the most part. They most impressive stats will likely be the opponent quarterback rating. Playing Brian Brohm and Byron Leftwich, the Texans defense was able to keep them in check, and the two quarterbacks combined for a 41% competion rate, 1 touchddown and 5 interceptions, a QB rating of 28.81.
Early bye weeks usually isn't a good thing, but it maybe a good one for the Texans this year. Starting 2 and 0 is nice, but it is not the time to get all excited. There are still plenty of football to play. It will give the team a chance to stay focus and work on their game. With the two better division rivals Titans and Jaguars starting the season 0-2, the Texans will have to start chipping away to make a run at their first ever division title and playoff berth. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Lung on 08/09/2010)
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Replies - 1 :: Views - 26 |
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The Ground Breaking Trio, Who Will Get the Job? |
- THE GROUND BREAKING TRIO, WHO WILL GET THE JOB? -
Date: July 30, 2010
Bruce Hall - YP4 - 5'11" 205lbs
Brett Price - YP0 - 5'11" 195lbs
Lance Ball - YP4 - 5'9" 232lbs
With preseason coming to a close, the Texans are having quite a few position battles within the squad. One of them is the starting running back job. All 3 of the backs have a chance going into the season and they all play a solid preseason to warrant the job. There is no questions that all 3 of them will play a part in this long season, but it will be up to the coaching staff to decide who will take the field as a starter.
Bruce Hall, who seems to be the frontrunner of the job, was a free agent pickup in the 2014 offseason. Texans general manager Ricky Lung had an eye on him during the draft but wasn't in the position to pick him. He was given the chance to start in the second half of the season with the drop off of Lance Ball. In 5 starts, Hall put up 585 rushing yards with a 5.09 average per carry. He also scored 4 times during the span. In 4 preseason games, Hall put up 201 yards only 30 carries, including a 79-yard scoring run in the win over the Cowboys.
Next we have Brett Price, the first round pick in this recent draft for the team, who possess great speed and strengh combination. He is regarded around the organization to be the franchise running back for the team in the next decade. In 4 preseason games, Price had 40 carries with 169 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
To round up the group is Lance Ball, a starter for the Texans for 2 and a half seasons. After Bruce Hall was off the board in the 2011 draft, they were hoping to land Lance Ball, but yet didn't have the resources to pick up him before he went to Seattle. The Seahawks did not sign him after the draft and the Texans quickly jumped on it. In 4 seasons with the Texans, Ball put up more than 3,000 yards, with a very respectable 4.55 yard per carry. He also scored 20 times. In 4 preseason games, Ball had 25 carries with 108 yards and a score.
All 3 running backs put up a fine preseason and it will be a tough decision for the staff to choose a starter within the 3. The Texans have a few more days to decide before the opening week of the 2015 season. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Lung on 07/30/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 34 |
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Xavier Lee Returns to the Home of Scramblers |
- HOME SWEET HOME! XAVIER LEE RETURNS TO THE HOME OF SCRAMBLERS! -
Date: July 26, 2010
The unwanted quarterback Xavier Lee may have finally found his place. Pending league approval, Xavier Lee will return to the Houston Texans, the team that drafted him in the 4th round in 2011. In a couple of starts and some package plays, Lee posted close to 600 yards along with 6 touchdowns with the Texans in 2011 and 2012 season. The Texans was forced to release him in the 2013 offseason for the overall team good as they had a handful of locker room distractions at that point and Lee was one of them. The Texans are back on track and Lee should have no problem fitting into the system. A system that gives scrambling quarterbacks their chance to play every week.
"...everyone knows I like to work with athletic quarterbacks because it gives an extra element at that position which means more possibility on the field. With the way the game is play in RZL, most teams shy away from them. Lee is one of those prototype scrambling quarterbacks that I envision to have who have a legitimate chance of seeing success in the league if they are used in the right way..." - Houston Texans GM Ricky Lung
Eldridge Piotrowski, the current scrambling quarterback on the team, has posted 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 1337 passing yards in 2014. Lee has better athleticism and a better arm, a player who has better potential than Piotrowski in the long run. We will now see how the Texans utilize both athletic quarterbacks along with John Beck. The team also drafted Norris Cass in this year's draft. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Lung on 07/26/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 47 |
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The Most Quiet Offseason Yet the Most Productive? |
- The Most Quiet Offseason Yet the Most Productive? -
No one has talked about the Texans, but the Houston Texans had the second best season turnaround last season with a 6-win improvement, just behind the Vikings who was at 7. The disappointing campaign of 2013 did not end until after week 2 in 2014. The loss to the Steelers on opening night made it a 14-game losing streak, breaking the previous 13-game streak record. The streak ends with a victory over the Redskins in week 2. The Texans felt short of a playoff berth, but they came out of the season with their best record in franchise history since joining the RZL. The fan support is gradually back in the area and they definitely look forward to another successful season. General manager Ricky Lung talked to the media earlier in the offseason and had this to say:
"...we always believe in ourselves! we disappointed the fans in 2013, myself and the coaching staff were the ones to blame and we took responsibility of it. Throughout the years, I have learned a lot on how to manage a team and finally have a vision that I can took towards which hopefully can bring this team to a much higher level and beyond. I am glad that the team is patient with me all the time and I hope that last season was the beginning of a great future for this franchise..."
With the momentum going into the offseason, general manager Ricky Lung may have finally realized that staying with the plan is the best way to help this team. As we are near the end of the offseason, the Texans have been relatively quiet for the most part despite a few headline transactions. They have made the least number of moves in 9 offseasons. Lets take a quick walk through on their offseason leading up to the post-draft free agency and the training camp.
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Coaching Changes
With Nick Saban's contract expired, the team decided to let him go and promote defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli as their new head coach. With Fabian Washington injured in the preseason, Marinelli was able to get the mediocre secondary to keep the team in the game and gave the offense a chance to win the game. The Texans filled the vacant defensive coordinator spot with Larry Marmie. Marmie was part of the Texans staff in 2011. Maurice Carthon was also being brought on as the special team coordinator.
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Pre-Draft Offseason Transactions
 | Cowboys and Texans Reach Trade Agreement |  | July 02, 2010 9:50 pm
The Cowboys and Texans spent the last several days working out a trade that coaches Tom Walsh and Rod Marinelli feel will benefit both sides. The terms of the deal are listed below.Cowboys Send:
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Permanent Link |
The Texans strike quickly out of the gate. The once highly regard big possession receiver Jeff Samardzija was shipped to the NFC for former 1st round pick cornerback Riley Correa and a first round pick. Samardzija was a steady performer in Texans uniform, posted 4 straight 1,000 seasons, and grabbed 21 touchdowns in total. The team does not have cap trouble and definitely would love to keep him around, but a combination of a good offer and to give young Julius Geier the starting job made the trade took place. Riley Correa was considered a reach in the first round at the 2013 draft, nonetheless he now has a good knowledge and good hands to be a playmaker, which will compensate his lack of size. He is a great nickel guy and will have a chance to crack the starting lineup. The additional first round pick just made the Texans decision much easier. The draft pick ends up to be the free falling all around defensive end C.J. Wilson. The Texans will take the deal any day.
 | Broncos and Texans Reach Trade Agreement | | July 09, 2010 9:23 pm
It has been confirmed the Broncos have made an offer to the Texans. "If we get this trade to go through, I guarantee you, that we will be a Super Bowl contender," said GM Josh Chapman.Broncos Send:
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Critics are starting to mount when the Texans traded Patrick Willis to the Denver Broncos for a 2nd round draft choice. Willis definitely did more than what he showed for on the stats sheet in 2014. He was the anchor that the team were looking for after the departure of DeMeco Ryans. But Willis just lasted one year in Houston. The move took plan with the team looking for more speed on the outside and was planning to move Spencer Havner inside.
| Texans and Cardinals Reach Trade Agreement |  | July 10, 2010 11:44 pm
The Texans and Cardinals spent the last several days working out a trade that coaches Rod Marinelli and Dick Jauron feel will benefit both sides. The terms of the deal are listed below.Texans Send:
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Permanent Link |
Last but not least, the last major trade that the Texans made early in the offseason may not be as newsworthy than the previous two, but it certainly did wonder to the team and give them all kinds of flexibility going into the draft and the rest of the offseason. Texans picked up 3 starters on the defense that they were looking at that time. 2nd year linebacker Donnell Tyler possesses the speed that the team is looking to have outside. Although he is still raw, he will be given a chance to start this season. Houston made a quick fix last season at the free safety position by signing Josh Bullock. They do the same this season by acquiring veteran Jason Allen in this trade. Allen will pair up with Aaron Ross and provide the deep coverage in front of the young corners just like last season with Bullock and Ross. Texans also pick up big defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell in the deal. Mitchell is big and strong with decent athleticism. He was the projected starter on the left side. But the drafting of C.J. Wilson may push him to the bench or even be traded.
To add depth to the secondary, the Texans added DaJuan Morgan to the team after the Packers declined to match the offer sheet from the Texans during the pre-draft free agency. Morgan was a former first rounder, he has been decent so far, but definitely nothing to show for to merit a top 10 selection. He has decent athleticism, knowledge and hands, a combination that general manager like for an all around safety. He also is exception on run support. Morgan will provide depth to the position and may challenge recently acquired veteran Jason Allen for a starting job as free safety.
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Entry Draft Highlight
The entry draft is usually an unwanted event for the Texans as they usually don't have any top draft picks or they have holes to fill strictly. 2015 is different for them. They have all their projected starters in place and they can just watch the board unfold as the draft goes along and pick accordingly. The Texans held 2 first round picks and a top 10 second round pick going into the draft.
The Texans name was up for the first time at pick 16 after they traded up 3 spots. They selected running back Brett Price from Texas. A product from the home state, it is a welcomed pick by the fans, but not so much for the analysts. Unusually, Price was already the third running back selected in the top half of the round, definitely a rare scene. Price has exceptional athleticism. Great quickness and outstanding straight line speed. He also has the unusual strength for his size. Price is not the typical running back, an very interesting prospect. No one really give much credit to speedy backs in this league, but with Ahmad Bradshaw and a couple of athletic guards that can pull in front of him, Price may see success.
Fast forward to pick 27, this is probably the best pick the Houston Texans had since Mario Williams. The Team select defensive end C.J. Wilson from East Carolina. Wilson was considered by some a top half prospect and may actually have a chance to crack the top 10. With a thick defensive line class, Wilson kept slipping and the Texans finally scooped him up 6 picks before the first round ended. Wilson has the size and strength, what makes him so special is his exceptional athleticism on top of his power game. He also have decent knowledge and can wrap around ball carrier. He will step in as a starter right away to play opposite to Mario Williams to give the team a lethal pass rush duo off the edge.
After successfully selected two of their prospects on top of their board, the Texans really are just going for quality prospects from second round onwards. They struck a deal with the Chargers on draft day to break the 8th pick in the second round into two picks late in the round. They first selected inside linebacker Jean Simon from Southern Mississippi. Simon has a 6'5" frame to go with a good strength, great quickness and a decent recovery speed. So much for some people around the league comparing first overall Austin Spliter and Thad Gibson. Simon can be considered a poor man version of Gibson. 4 picks later, the Texans selected wide receiver Eugenio Drayton out of Dartmouth. The wide receiver class is not deep. With Steven Price going in the first round, the Texans actually rated Drayton as the second receiver in the class. He is only 1 of 24 receivers in the league to have a 6'2" frame along with a 93 rated speed nonetheless. He will be spending time playing in the 4th spot and may get some extra time here and there. Another speed only receivers that the Texans got under the team.
Houston then traded a future 2nd round draft pick for the 3rd pick in the 3rd round. They was planning to select quarterback Colin Porter to develop behind John Beck and Eldridge Piotrowski, but he went to Arizona when the Cardinals also traded up a pick ahead of the Texans. Texans then select Norris Cass. Cass is a bit under size and lack a RZL arm, but he has all other stuff that you want for a young quarterback. Cass tossed 3 touchdowns in the senior bowl. Towards the end of the draft, the Texans also pick up a raw offensive lineman in Harris Key who has a rare speed and strength combination.
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Post-Draft Offseason Transactions
It was the opposite turn out compare to last offseason. The Texans did most of the moves after the draft while they had all their signifant moves near the beginning of the offseason this time around. The most significant signings during the post-draft free agency is the signing of veteran offensive lineman Ryan Diem. He will provide great mentorship on the young players on the line.
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2015 Houston Texans Training Camp
With training camp opens shortly, the coaching staff is preparing specific programs for the players. The most attractive camp will be the speed camp. The team brought in the speed chute to help in improving the speed.
"...The Speed Parachute combines resistance and overspeed running during the run - the two key elements of speed training. The Speed Parachute provides resistance in the initial part of the run. During the run, release the Speed Parachute to initiate the overspeed phase. Feel the "shot out of a cannon" exhilaration! This combination increases your speed, explosiveness, acceleration, and stamina while improving running technique...
LOLB Spencer Havner - SPD 79 --> 80
CB Bradley Fletcher - SPD 91 --> 92
WR Julius Geier - SPD 94 --> 95
WR Derrick Williams - SPD 95 --> 96
While Moala is going through the bench press and lifting, the other 4 will be running with the speed chute. Linebacker Havner who will be moving inside to prevent his lack of athleticism will finally crack the 80 rated speed level if he passes through the camp. Young cornerback Bradley Fletcher who had a breakout year in 2014 will continue to improve and hope to emerge as the #1 corner on the team. Flipping to the offensive side, it seems that the passing game can even excel more. The team has intructed both Derrick Williams and young Julius Geier to go through the speed camp which should help them gain every more separation on cornerbacks.
DT Fili Moala - STR 87 --> 88
Fili Moala is one of the most dedicated players on the Texans squad. He keeps himself in shape and always looking to improve his game during the offseason. He will once again go through the power training that he has been doing the last few offseason. If successful, he will power up to a 88 rated strength level. Moala posted a career high 9 sacks last season playing as the right defensive tackle. He will definitely love to crack the double digit mark. This maybe the last time he is going through the power training. He does not have a big body frame and does not have the bulk to hold the extra power, the team feels that he has already maximize his power game after this.
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- We are Taking Home the Division Title!!! Go Texans!!! -
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Lung on 07/16/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 23 |
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At A Glance
| AFC South |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #15 |
 Texans |
9-7-0 |
0.563 |
4-2 |
| #11 |
 y-Titans |
9-7-0 |
0.563 |
4-2 |
| #24 |
 Jaguars |
7-9-0 |
0.438 |
2-4 |
| #31 |
 Colts |
4-12-0 |
0.250 |
2-4 |
| TEXANS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
at  Steelers #20 |
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| 2 |
Sun |
vs  Redskins #32 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at  Broncos #26 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
at  Eagles #16 |
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| 5 |
Sun |
vs  Browns #8 |
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| 6 |
Sun |
vs Jaguars #24 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
vs  Ravens #10 |
|
| 8 |
Sun |
at  Giants #6 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
vs Titans #11 |
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| 11 |
Sun |
at  Bengals #13 |
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| 12 |
Mon |
at Colts #31 |
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| 13 |
Sun |
at Titans #11 |
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| 14 |
Sun |
vs Colts #31 |
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| 15 |
Sun |
vs  Cowboys #1 |
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| 16 |
Sat |
vs  Bills #12 |
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| 17 |
Sat |
at Jaguars #24 |
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