Houston Texans 2013 Preseason Thread

Post #1 » by **Mr. E** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:07 am

The 2013 season is fast approaching...so fast that I didn't even start this thread until tonight's preseason game was already underway! :lol:

Here's the preseason schedule:

August 9th - @ Minnesota
August 17th - Miami
August 25th - New Orleans
August 29th - @ Dallas

The Texans first round pick, DeAndre Hopkins, has looked solid tonight. I know that these preseason games do not mean much to viewers, but to guys on the bubble of making the team this is their chance to shine. It will be interesting to see which guys step up over the next month.

As for plotlines for this season:

1) Ed Reed - are you concerned about his health? Will he be a major factor?

2) The Rookies - Hopkins and Swearinger lead the rookie class and may be called upon to play big roles.

3) Health - a concern for every team, sure...but we're seeing some early, nagging injuries to key guys

4) Schaub - there is a lot of pressure on him this season. This is the year that he needs to prove the naysayers wrong. At least he doesn't have to worry about Joe Mays stomping on his head anymore!

5) The Defense - Reigning baddest defensive mofo on the planet, JJ Watt, leads the defense to the next challenge. Can he repeat his incredible performance? Will he improve?

What kind of things are you looking to see from the Texans this preseason?

Post #2 » by **Mr. E** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:08 am

Houston 27
Minnesota 13

Case Keenum looked really good tonight! That said, he's still the #3 QB. I do believe that he'll be on the roster since Kubiak always goes with 3 QBs.

The big story for me was the receiver corps. I do think that Hopkins will be the clear-cut #2 receiver behind Andre, the Great. After that we have a lot of young players who all have a lot of talent. I am eager to see which of them rises to the challenge to be a solid contributing member to Schaub's Air Force.

On a personal note, I plan on challenging all RealGM NFL mods with the boast that the Texans will have the most active forum this season. I know that you can all help me out here!

(shameless. totally shameless and proud)

zapatasblood · Post #3 » by **zapatasblood** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:14 am

Mr. E wrote:1) Ed Reed - are you concerned about his health? Will he be a major factor?

Meh never excited abut the signing.

2) The Rookies - Hopkins and Swearinger lead the rookie class and may be called upon to play big roles.

Very excited about the both finally a real 2nd wideout and not this BS of Jones and Walter being a number 2 combined

3) Health - a concern for every team, sure...but we're seeing some early, nagging injuries to key guys

Not worried for the injuries outside of Tate and Sharpton

4) Schaub - there is a lot of pressure on him this season. This is the year that he needs to prove the naysayers wrong. At least he doesn't have to worry about Joe Mays stomping on his head anymore!

I am a big naysayer and Mays never stomped him and it was a legal hit but face mask went into his Schaub face mask

5) The Defense - Reigning baddest defensive mofo on the planet, JJ Watt, leads the defense to the next challenge. Can he repeat his incredible performance? Will he improve?

How can he improve off last season? Hopefully the defense does not fall apart like the last season and others can bring pressure outside of Watt and Smith. Need more out of Harris or McCain need to step up. Joseph hopefully can stay health the defensive back depth is just terrible

What kind of things are you looking to see from the Texans this preseason?

The rookies and second year players and what role they will have

Post #4 » by **Mr. E** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:25 am

zapatasblood wrote:How can he improve off last season?

I'm hoping for the power of flight, or at least heat vision.

The best thing I'm seeing right now for the Texans defense is the additional depth of talent. I also fear a collapse like we saw last season when they were clearly worn out. Getting more solid vets along with some hungry talent like Swearinger should be quite the boon for Wade's brigade.

zapatasblood · Post #5 » by **zapatasblood** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:34 am

pumpfakeforprez · Post #6 » by **pumpfakeforprez** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:28 am

I think having Hopkins will really take the pressure off of Andre. They won't be able to double Andre anymore with Hopkins and OD on the field. Also, Cushing is back and healthy! Always been a big fan of him and I think he's gonna have a big year.

RaoulDuke79 · Post #7 » by **RaoulDuke79** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:45 pm

HTown_TMac · Post #8 » by **HTown_TMac** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:08 pm

RaoulDuke79 wrote:

Jumped too early and still out jumped the defender. Nice.

Nebula1 · Post #9 » by **Nebula1** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:52 pm

Hopkins looks really nice, but I'm a bit worried about this season. It's great to have Cushing back though.

Post #10 » by **Mr. E** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:33 pm

Another scrimmage down!

Good to see Cushing back on the field! I think that he will be the x-factor to push this defense over the top this season.

Nebula1 · Post #11 » by **Nebula1** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:56 pm

Mr. E wrote:Another scrimmage down!

Good to see Cushing back on the field! I think that he will be the x-factor to push this defense over the top this season.

For the most part, the primary defense looked pretty good, but I still worry about depth at corner/safety.

I love Ben Tate, but the running game looked poor.

RaoulDuke79 · Post #12 » by **RaoulDuke79** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:20 pm

Cierre Wood has impressed me the most of all the RB's so far. I hope he ends up winning the 3rd RB spot, but I expect it will probably go to Karim due to his experience and ability to return kicks.

Dennis Johnson has been very unimpressive so far despite all of the opportunities he is being given.

Nebula1 · Post #13 » by **Nebula1** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:42 pm

RaoulDuke79 wrote:Cierre Wood has impressed me the most of all the RB's so far. I hope he ends up winning the 3rd RB spot, but I expect it will probably go to Karim due to his experience and ability to return kicks.

Dennis Johnson has been very unimpressive so far despite all of the opportunities he is being given.

Your boy made a list: http://espn.go.com/fantasy/football/sto ... ine-kearse

Good to see Foster practicing, but the Texans need something nice in the 3RB spot.

Nebula1 · Post #14 » by **Nebula1** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:53 pm

Looking better..

Post #15 » by **Mr. E** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 2:34 pm

I missed most of Sunday's game, notably the first half where the starters actually played.

How did the secondary look? Right now I think that is my biggest area of concern.

Nebula1 · Post #16 » by **Nebula1** » Wed Aug 28, 2013 9:54 pm

Secondary looked okay, but it's hard to judge in preseason. I also assume they're sitting Reed unitl he's really needed and he'll be a help.

Really I just want to see quality offensive line play since the running game will still be vital and Schaub will need time.

Also, I hate preseason. I'd rather see 3 games and give the teams a second bye.

zapatasblood · Post #17 » by **zapatasblood** » Wed Aug 28, 2013 11:16 pm

Not impressed and seems like we have the same problems as last year. The right side of the O-Line is terrible (RT) and secondary is shaky. Joseph is needs to step his game up and have little faith in the problems being solved if Reed returns. Just hope the linebackers can bring more pressure than they did last year. And the special teams SUCK! They should have fired special teams coach last season

Nebula1 · Post #18 » by **Nebula1** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 1:26 pm

zapatasblood wrote:Not impressed and seems like we have the same problems as last year. The right side of the O-Line is terrible (RT) and secondary is shaky. Joseph is needs to step his game up and have little faith in the problems being solved if Reed returns. Just hope the linebackers can bring more pressure than they did last year. And the special teams SUCK! They should have fired special teams coach last season

I feel like this team is going to be mentally tougher than last year, but there will be a step back with their overall record. I share some of your concerns, however I do think Reed will be helpful down the stretch.

The line worries me most with an already questionable Schaub behind them. Tonight we'll see if there is a true 3rd RB on this team.

Nebula1 · Post #19 » by **Nebula1** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 2:47 pm

Clayton ranks Schaub #10... okay

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9592180/nfl-quarterback-rankings-john-clayton-reveals-2013-hierarchy-part-1

10. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Analysis: The Texans are paying him $15.5 million a year, so they must think he's elite. Schaub may not be flashy, but he's good. And now that he's staying reasonably healthy, he is giving the Texans a shot at the playoffs every year. When he's right, he'll complete 64 to 69 percent of his passes. He has had three 4,000-plus-yard seasons in the past four years. He's doing something right.

Arrow is pointing: up

Personally I take Luck over every other guy except Rodgers.

Nebula1 · Post #20 » by **Nebula1** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:43 pm

Cierre Wood looked good as did Swearinger. Nothing too exciting comes from game 4 of preseason, but I was happy to see those two guys perform well.