June 10, 2025 • 47 mins
A lot happened on Tuesday at Texans minicamp, and Voice of the Texans Marc Vandermeer and Team Analyst/Radio Sideline Reporter John Harris shared what they saw.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, Texans, welcome to the program. Great to have you
on board tonight. Mark VanderMeer and John Harris with you,
and later on in the show, Jonathan Alexander from the
Houston Chronicle as all three of us and several more,
many more. We're watching Mini Camp today for your Texans,
and Mini camp OTAs basically boiled down to this. It's practice, practice,
(00:20):
it's practice. Mini camp is mandatory. OTAs are voluntary. But
OTA's had a lot of people there. It was about
ninety five percent or whatever, maybe more than that participation.
Some guys are rehabbing injuries. With Mini camp, everybody's got
to be here, and they were, and some guys still
rehabbing various ailments. Whatever they're rehabbing, and I hope I
(00:44):
would think they would be good to go for training camp.
We'll get to that later, but Johnny, the big headline
of the day is CJ. Stroud throwing darts out there.
Great to see him back in action. A lot of
you have seen some of the footage, dare I call
it some of the highlights on social media. I tweeted
one of them out Stroud throw to Jaydon Higgins. Very nice, indeed,
(01:06):
and It's just such a difference when you see your
virtuoso quarterback out there, one of the very best in
the league, throwing the football, making things happen, lifting everybody's spirits.
Nothing against the other guys, but you got Stroud back
in the fold, back in the hole, throwing the rock.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
And it's fun to watch. Yeah, it is fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
It's one of the it's one of our guilty pleasures
just getting the opportunity to watch him throw. He's such
a I mean, he's such a beautiful thrower of the football.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
I mean it is so wonderful.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I mean, it's just a classic motion, but it's quick,
it's it's always on point, accurate. He talked about after
practice that he's a little rusty. I'm like, if that's rusty,
oh my gosh. So we went out for seven on seven.
Obviously he threw the They were doing routes on air
(01:58):
and things like that. To start today, got the seven
on seven first route, little combination route with Kate Stover running.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
A corner out.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
He spied it right away and put just a dive
right in. Stover didn't break to drive, Boom hit him.
They ran something similar later with Christian Kirk and another
just beautifully thrown ball Christian just I mean in it
he had in his hands. As he was trying to
collect himself, he fell to the ground and ball popped out.
(02:28):
And then the one that you talked about, the throw
to Higgins down the sidelines, and you know, one of
the things that we've been talking about with Jadane Higgins
and Noel and those Oh they're.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Not going against the ones right now. Today they were
going against the ones.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, Jaden was one on one against one of the
better man cover guys, not only in this team, in
this league, and Kamari Laster and last Yar was on
him really like you would expect him. I mean, it
was a shadow ball came down, Jade just stuck out
a left hand, one hand caught it in around five
yard line. He thought, huh okay, all right, the throw
(03:04):
the catch on that was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I was just holy smokes.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Remember when CJ was a rookie and we watched CJ
and that I think it was week two, Week three,
votas were like, oh boy, this could get fun. Yeah,
watching him link up with Jayden Higgins a couple times gorgeous.
It was just really really fun. To watch he spins
it so well. I hope whatever was ailing him, if
(03:29):
it was just rest that.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Was needed, whatever it is. By the time we hit training.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Camp, they are hitting the ground running, and it looked
today like he hadn't missed a beat.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Oh yeah, he didn't look worse to the wear.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Every throw, if it wasn't caught, it was in a
spot where his guy could catch it.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
He was just what we've wanted to see. And so
now here's what we do.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Mark okay, Yeah, because for three weeks it was peer panic.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Do you have surgery?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Did you not?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
You have procedure? You have something? What's going on? What
are we gonna do?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
When we can see him. He's an a training camp.
This is gonna be lingering, He's gonna be I mean,
it was that. That's literally how it kind of sounded
in my head with all the talk and all the
noise out there, because down deep, I wanted to believe.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I think he's okay, but I don't know. You just
want to see it. You just want to see it,
you know. It's like that little noise that gets me ears.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It's not loud, but it's it's enough to be uncomfortable.
But you still wanted to go away, sure, like not
flying in your ear, You're like, Eh, it's a nuisance.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
And then once you get out of there, you're like, oh,
you feel good again. And that's kind of the.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Way that we I know, I left the field today
thinking that that that was probably like you said, I mean,
that's the overarching thought of the day is Seven's back
and throwing, and we.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Can feel good about that. Absolutely. You mentioned Stover, We'll
get to him in a moment here. But Higgins, Higgins,
in the last couple of weeks, you see the progression.
You see one week to the next to the next,
getting better, getting to be more of a part of it.
You still have Nico Collins over there, you got Christian Kirk.
(05:14):
Noel has been dealing with something. I don't know what
it is, but let's see him get back out there
very soon. And I just think that between all those
guys they just mentioned, Hutchinson, we talked to Justin Watson yesterday.
Interesting guy and hard to imagine him not being on
this football team.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You never know what happens. Sure, but Higgins.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
At his size, you have him and Nico Collins similarly heighted,
and you know, Higgins is going to be a rookie
out there facing his first NFL competition. But if this
progression is any indicator, I want to see it again
in camp. You know, we're going to get to the
early days of camp and maybe he's got to be
a restart of sorts. It is a restart of sorts,
but we'll see how he progresses throughout camp preseason games.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
He's going to play in them.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
You get the feeling this could be a lot of fun,
especially when the tight ends are gonna be involved with stovers.
Schultz getting back into the fold because he's been dealing
with a little something, but participating out here in any
way shape he can man Hagen's Johnny. And look, we
went nuts for Noel when we first saw him out there,
So I have no doubt that Nol's gonna be good. Sure,
(06:22):
I just think he's gonna be at least a certain
level of player contributor with Hagen's. The ceiling is very
high here, and I think the floor is pretty high
as well, and this is gonna.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Be I think the ceiling is continuing to move higher too.
You know what we thought his ceiling could be. I
think it's it's even beyond that. What I found fascinating
the last two OTAs I'm sorry, the last two practices
Ota Mini camp, you want.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
To look at it.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
The last two practices that we have been through. I've
had somebody in Football Ops in three different departments.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
That have.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
That I've been standing by, that have kind of seen
me or maybe heard me react to something that Jaden's done,
and they turn around and they start talking to me
about Higgins and in some way, shape or form, and
it's you know, it's amazing to get that kind of
confirma and you can see it with your eyes. But
(07:25):
then when it's the people that are in the building
that are around him, maybe not every day, but they
know what's going on in football Ops because that's where
they are when they're turning to me and they're saying Higgins,
and then they just go on talking about him, whether
it's his smarts, whether it's his speed, whether it's just
(07:47):
his demeanor, his swarm.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Qualities, any of that.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Like people have kind of turned me in like Higgins,
and I'm like, yeah, yep, I get it.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I see it.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
You can see it, but you know that they're confirming
it behind the scenes that he's doing the things that
they want to do. It's been kind of cool to
have that, you know, kind of those kind of looking me,
those kind of smile when he makes a play and
I'm like, I get it. I mean, I'm very glad
that young man is here in Houston.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
He's made place. He wasn't the only cycle on making
place today. Xavier Hutchinson was great. He had a couple of.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Really nice He had one real nice rolling one to
get the Texans a first down.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I think it was third and long.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yep, just a really great throw by CJ where only
he could get it, and CJ talking about him being rusty,
himself being rusty. I think that was the result of
a couple of throws where he's out there. It's funny
they changed out the receiver groups like hockey line shapes. Well,
all of a sudden he's out there with Johnny Johnson
and Jared Wayne, c J. Stroud, and I think it's
(08:54):
different to throw to those guys as opposed to Higgins, Nico,
whoever else he was used to in the past, plus
Christian kirk uh And maybe the timing isn't quite there
where it should or could be, and that's what he's
referring to when he says rust because like, I could
see him making that throw usually, but maybe the receiver
wasn't quite catching up.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
To the football like some other guys would.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Who knows every incompletion tells a story, is a story
behind everything, not just a interception incompletion? Brock would say, yes,
incompletions have stories too, don't incompletions they have stories, But
more often than not, they were complete, and they were spectacular.
They were fun. Stover's catching seven on seven. The thing
(09:37):
I loved about that was it's the I think it
was the first snap of seven on the and CJ
gets back and it's not like, all right, I'm gonna
check this one down and get my feet wet and
stick my toe with the water. He's like, you know
what I feel like throwing the rock downfield and showing
everybody you know it's going to be back downfield throwing.
This year, I had a great yard per completion, and
(10:00):
twenty twenty three shrunk up a little bit. Twenty twenty
four for various reasons. We're going downfield, let's do it,
let's hit the gas and he hits Stover on that
play and the one to Higgins was beautiful as well.
And look eleven on eleven, they tried some things. Uh,
there were some good plays by offense.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Defense.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You know you're looking at that defense, Johnny, you know
Stroud and company get out there.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
And then you're looking at Will and daneil on the edge.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Oh yeah, you're looking at Sheldons Tim Saddle and I'm like, oh,
that's a good front right there.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Rankins, Hello, welcome back.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Oh okay, so Rankins, I'm glad you brought him. Uh,
I'm gonna get the ranks a second. The very first
play of eleven on eleven was.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
That the sweet the jet sweep thing. No, that was
Jared Wayne play.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Okay, first play eleven on eleven I think was a
straight drop or play action and Will Anderson like somebody's
got it, Like Will is just on it.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
He was in the backflod so fast.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
I mean, I can't remember who was over there at
tackle at that time, and he just ran flat right
to the back. Daniel was on the other side, get
int the cord back like oh god, like like CJ
couldn't even get a throw off on that one.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I feel like they should put a barrel around CJ.
Just to protect him because with Will out there, it's
kind of like this is like sick raid and Roy
with the Tigers, is Will gonna go off and forget
that he's supposed to be tamed in these situations, I
don't want to see anything bad happen. Don't hurt your body, Will,
don't hurt your buddy back there. We need your buddy,
We need number seven. The next play, the second play,
(11:28):
they ran like a kind of a little reverse to
Jared Wayne. Yeah, and Daniel saw it the whole way
and just shot out of a cannon. And it's one
of those where you're trying to catch defensive end, sleeping
biting inside, right right, biting inside, just seeing all the action,
bites inside, and all of a sudden, the fast receiver
(11:50):
runs around and makes defensive endin look look like an idiot.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Daniel Hunter was not down for that. He was playing
his technique.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
And had they put had had they had pads on,
that collision would have ended up on every top ten
big play.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
It would have been a busted fumble.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Somebody would have scooped and scored, probably Derrek Barnett if
you were on the field, and it would have been
a touchdown for the defaul.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
What did I say? I said, bubble for Daniel. I said,
we're good here, not.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Need to see see one of the temper. See it's
the temper, Danil. We're done here for today. He swallowed
him up, and you're right, we were. You and I
both watched it together and I was like, oh my gosh,
that could have been really dangerous.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
You're like, oh, that could have been really really dangerous.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Jared Wayne is not a small man, but Danil just
casts a shadow. Yeah, I'll tell you who cast a shadow.
He's not out there just yet, but Trent Brown, Johnny
he I asked him to stand in front of the
sun so we could get some shade. Yeah, for the
entire field. He is a large individual.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Good god, I if you we're in this building. We've
seen NFL players. You've seen him since two thousand and two.
I've been his ability since twenty fourteen. We've seen NFL players.
We've seen big guys.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Yeah, we've seen all the offensive lineman, all the defensive linemen.
You know, Vince will Fork was a large human being,
but it was you know, he's six three, so he
was kind of shorter, stouter, and then we were kind
of used to seeing that Trent's a good six to
eight legit, and so I kind of see in the
hallway kind.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Of you know, shoulder from shoulder to shoulder. Six yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, So I've kind of seen in the hallway a
couple of times and I've just hey, how you doing, Trent,
you know, just kind of quick, and so I wanted
to just go up and introduce myself, and so I
shook his hand.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Now I have I have pretty large hands.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
I have at least ten inch hands, So I've got
pretty big hands. I'm telling you, Mark his hand swallowed
like swallowed mine. It's not like Adrian Peterson, you know,
he was gonna grip you and all that. It just huge,
enormous and if the one thing that I think is
really interesting about Trent, and I hope that Trent's able
(13:59):
to get back and due time for training camp.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
And just add to the mix amongst the offensive line.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
When we talked to him, Trent is the name they
bring up as a guy that they rely on, they
talk to, that they like talking to, that he is
a really good leader, and he shares a lot about
the game, about what he's doing or what what should
be done. So even in not being on the field
during OTA's not being on a field during mini camp,
(14:27):
he's still adding value to these guys on the offensive line,
which I think is fantastic. And there are a lot
of young guys at the tackle position that could use
his guidance.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And it's been.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I think I want to say that Demko talked about
it at some point, either today maybe last week, talking
about the impact of Trent even though he's not out there,
he's still giving I think it was today, giving the
leadership that he's wanted to see from guys that eight nine,
ten years in the league. He wants to see that
shared with those guys. Now to Rankins. I mentioned Rankins earlier,
(15:04):
so I wanted to go back and watch Nick from
last year. Nick Chubb signs with the Texans. It's official.
Nick was out of practice. Were number twenty one. It
was great to see and how that I took us
this long to mention him. But that's how eventful today
it was really exactly. So I went back today and
I started He had one hundred and two runs last year,
and so I went into the system and I like,
(15:25):
all right, pulled down all the run So the first
game that he plays in it is against the Bengals
from last year, and I'm watching Chubb and I realize
there's rank making plays, getting off blocks, and I'm like, wow,
Like I knew Ranks could play. I knew he got
hurt last year. I know it was a great situation
in Cincinnati. But I'm watching that and I'm like, damn.
(15:47):
He adds that to the mix of what's already here, right,
and those guys can rotate even more than what they're rotating.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
And they've all played with.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
One another at other stops, so to see them have
that kind of chemistry all and then see Rankins today,
I don't know, it just really did my heart good,
like thinking about it, but watching Rankins play, going that, yeah,
I remember that.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
That's he's damn good.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
And I think maybe we forgot about that because he
left and then he's injured, doesn't play a whole lot
in Cincinnati and kind of go sideways.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But I'm telling you, if.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
That dude is healthy, holy smokes, this defensive line goes
to a different level, oh, another level with him back, Well,
it's gonna be really fun to work.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
It's hard to keep everybody healthy.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
This just in in the NFL and those guys we know, yeah, absolutely,
and you'll lose a guy here or there maybe you know,
hopefully not forever, but if it's a game two or three,
but the other guys can fill in, yep. And you
have enough depth there to absorb some hits at that
spot and many spots on the team, yep.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
But you keep everybody together.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
The idea is to get everybody healthy in time for
the postseason, right, win the division, preferably more everybody, as
many people as possible healthy for the postseason.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Going you're wrung.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
I thought they were healthier this last postseason than they
were in twenty twenty threes postseason. By and large, as
a football team, I thought they were healthier. But you know,
you're never gonna have perfect health. It just doesn't exist.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
No, it doesn't. It does.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Nick and Dimiko have done a good job here of
putting together a lot of depth. So he's part of it.
I think it's going to be great to see, and
you just want to keep it together as much as possible.
I mentioned stover going into year two. We'll talk about
that with Jonathan Alexander and how he's doing another thing
that popped out today was we were watching special teams practice.
You know I feel about watching special teams practice. Love
(17:39):
Frank Ross, love the guys. But Treymond made a great
play keeping a punt inbounds or from going over the
goal line.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
That gun spot man and.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
You getting down near the goal line, heels right outside
the goal line, knocked the ball down. He knocked it
out of bounds at like the one or the two day.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
At that And we talked to him yesterday.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
He was one of the forty players we interviewed, and
we're gonna be playing those over the next few weeks.
But you look at that play and you said something about, man,
we're loaded, because that's a position as well. You want
those kinds of players who can make those kinds of plays.
Think about how valuable that is when you put the
opponent at their two and now you get this defense
(18:24):
on the field and let them fire off and the
Charger game comes to mind, and many others were able
to get into the backfield and make some noise. Even
the Ravens game, as horrible as that was, what's the
big play? What's the only player that Texans made in
that game to score? The safety? Safety tackling Derrick Henry
in the end zone. You put them at the two,
you get that opportunity. And these guys take pride in
(18:46):
the special teams, field position, game and just those aspects
along with everything else we discuss. This team's got a
lot of talent. This You know, it sounds cliche to
say the sky's the limit, but it really is it.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Again, you hit the postseason healthy, some really great things
can happen. We saw today with the quarterback throwing and
how different everything looks. Not to take anything away from
the other guys, but it's just you're looking at one
of the best guys in the league pulling the trigger,
and it really added up to this equation of, hey,
this is a good thing. This is an AFC contender
(19:21):
for sure. Look I'm not putting them past the Ravens,
or past the Chiefs or past the Bills yet, but
I'm saying they are nuzzling right up and they'll have
the games on their schedule that will enable them to
prove themselves. They'll get that opportunity to prove themselves against
the Bills, Chiefs and Ravens, etc. To show that they
(19:41):
are one of the best in the AFC, and look,
if things go right, that could be the best.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
But they got to go out and do it.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Yeah, I know there are big division games before Week five,
but that game against Baltimore, And I said when the
schedule came out, seeing Baltimore in that earlier in the
year at their play, you know, that's a tough place
to play. But earlier in the year teams have had
some success there. But I just think, yes, last year,
I think it was we two and they started off, Oh,
(20:08):
win two. But Texans have to go in there and
punch that big ass bully in the mouth and hard
and then pop back up off the mat and do
it again and really make a statement win lose in
that game, make a statement that your bullyiness isn't gonna work.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Against us anymore. It's not that's the one team like
Kansas City.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Man, we have every opportunity to win that game in
Kansas both games in Kansas City.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
And Kansas City. I kind of felt like last year
was ripe to be had. We ran the ball for
one hundred and fifty yards through three quarters. In a
little bit of the fourth quarter, like we've we've didn't
run the ball well almost all year consistently, like we
did against that defense. We beat the Bills here, but
it's the Ravens where we have to prove it, not
(20:58):
only to the league, prove it to ourselves that we
walk into a game where there's a big, bad bully
on the other side, that we hitch up our bridges
and we go to war, and we go to football
war and we get after them and we don't. Oh,
it's Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Oh, we're gonna throw
a shoulder into Dereck Henry. Hope we tackle him. No,
We're take him down like Cooper Degen, like Kamari Lasser
(21:21):
did last year. Yeap, wrap his ass up, tackle them
in the hansel like. We have to be physical and
answer against the Ravens because the last three times, actually
the last two times we've seen him late in the
year in the playoffs, we've not had our full compliment
offensive guys, you think about playing we face the Ravens
a few days after Tank went down for the year,
(21:42):
we'd already lost digs. We weren't a full boat offensively.
But there can't be any excuses this year, can't.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
That's the team you're gonna have to beat not only
in the regular season, but also in the in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
So let's let let's go. Have we added the depth
and hope we we've done that.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
We've given ourselves some depth pieces and we're deep in
a lot of positions and we can go against a
team like that and we can hit that.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Bully right in the mouth and they're gonna hit us back.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
But then do we cower or do we stand up
and go we're not going anywhere.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Well, there's the technique coaching, there's x's and o's, there's scheme,
and then there's the psychological part, which if you want
to be great, you're gonna have to deal with everything.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And I was talking to somebody about noon starts.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
You know, when we've had the noon starts twenty eleven,
noon starts all the way through twenty twenty three, virtually
all the way through noon starts. Yep, those were really
terrific seasons for this franchise. Ten win seasons each, twenty
eleven best team ever possibly, I don't know, but it's
a debate for another day. But the good teams are
gonna play these weird schedules with primetime games and short
(22:53):
weeks and lack of sleep and all that other stuff,
and then you're gonna have to turn it around on
four days like the Texans did between the Chiefs and
Ravens game last year, and they did not deal with
it well, to say the least against the Ravens on Christmas.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
This year, you don't have stuff exactly like that.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
You don't have that gauntlet at the end of the year,
but you do have some tough turnarounds, you do have
some tough prime time scheduling, you have some West Coast games,
and you're gonna have to live with it and deal
with it because that's what the good teams go through
every year. That's what the Chiefs go through every year.
Now they live in the middle of the country.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
But so do we.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
When you look at the Patriots, what they dealt with
when they were going good for two decades, they handled it.
You gotta handle it, you gotta handle the adversity. We're
gonna handle Our conversation with Jonathan Alexander next from the
Houston Chronicle.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
He was out there today a mini camp. What did
he see.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
We'll get to it with Jonathan next here on Texans Radio.
Back to it here on Texans Radio, Mark Vandermin and
John Harris with you. And it's Tuesday, and that means
we usually check in with Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle. Jonathan,
great to have your board Mini Camp day one. You
were there, you saw every thing, heard from everybody. So
what was your biggest takeaway or two from this morning's festivities.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Yeah, I think probably the biggest takeaway was obviously the
most obvious one was c J. Stroud was back. And
you know, just as Demico Ryans and Nick Kayley said,
they weren't concerned, and he didn't look like he had
any issues, you know, particularly what is throwing. He hit
some really nice passes like that first one he threw
(24:27):
to uh cased over and then to Jayden Higgins on
that deep go route. Both of those were perfect passes
in seven on seven drills. And you know, obviously he
said he was a little bit rusty, but you know,
I think the concern that a lot of fans had
that it was it was probably a deeper issue that
he had off season surgery. None of that was true,
And you know, I think it's a great sign that
(24:49):
he's back and and heed's developed in that chemistry.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
You know, with his teammates today seems like a collective
sire relief from everybody. Media doesn't have to ask about
it anymore, or we don't have to ask about it.
He doesn't have to answer to it, being able to
get those reps in mini camp. And he did say
he was a little bit sore afterwards, but rusty, but
got got through.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
It and away we go.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
So let's we went to the other news of the day,
or I guess maybe yesterday it became official Nick Chubb
is a Texan. Jonathan Alexander comment, go.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Yeah, I thought it was, you know, a pretty interesting
move to say the least. I think it speaks to
the fact that the Texans you know, knee depth, with
Damian Pierce and Joe Mixing both done with with injuries.
Don't know how long either of those guys will be out.
And you add a guy like Joe Mixon, who in
my opinion is a is a low risk, high reward player.
They didn't pay him a ton and and and you
(25:47):
know when Chubb was a when he before his injury
in twenty twenty three, the knee injury, he was obviously
one of the top three running back in the league,
All Pro and he comes to this team and even
though he's not that same player, he could still potentially be,
you know, a big contributor to this team. Maybe a
(26:09):
running back too if he has still has a lot left.
So I thought it was a smart signing considering whether
it takes to go he could possibly at words. I
think it produces something like a Cam Akers type of
deal where you know, maybe he doesn't fit into the lineup,
but you get him as a good trade as set
down on line that's at worse, but at best he
could be a really good running back too.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Yeah, Jonathan, I think it definitely changes well, there's no
question it changes the picture in the running back room.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
But how do you think this might play out?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Because Damian Pierce not out there yet, but we get
a long way to go before he needs to be
out there practicing when training camp starts in late July,
and mix it as well, you don't play a game
for three months, you'd hope he'd be ready for the
opener at the Rams sooner preferably. And then you look
at drafting Ruddy Woody Marx and you look at Daria
Goobwally everything he's meant to this football team over the years.
(26:59):
How do you think this possibly plays out in that
position group.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Yeah, I think it's going to present a tough decision.
Let's just say, like all of them come back healthy.
It's gonna be a really tough decision. You know, I'm
not as down on Damian Pierce as a lot of
people are, Like a lot of people for the past
two years have really wanted him gone. Talking with multiple
people within the organization, they don't dislike Damian Pierce. They
think he has value. Having said that, you add a
(27:27):
guy like nik Cha, if he's anywhere near where he
was before his injury, then that might be harmful to
a guy like Damian Pierce or Darray. I think the
Texans would then look at Okay, what do you value most?
Do you value the special teams value and the fact
that Darray can also catch the ball out of the backfield,
or do you value Damian Pierce's ability to be a
(27:51):
number one back if needed and he played special teams
his kick return. I think it'll come down to who
steps up in the training camp, but I think it'll
be It's gonna make for a tough decision for them.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Caronics You know a guy that we I would say
one hundred percent is gonna make this team is Jayden Higgins,
rookie out of Iowa State. It's hard to miss it
when he's out of practice, and it was very difficult
to miss him making plays in seven on seven. I
don't know where he ends up, whether he's a starter
(28:21):
or whether he's in the lineup eighty.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Percent of the time.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I don't know, but I just know when I watch him, Jonathan,
that Jaden Higgins makes plays that's gonna make CJ. Stroud
and the quarterbacks very very happy that he's on the field.
With his size, his hands, his speed, it really kind
of showed off today in mini camp. Who thoughts about
kind of the outlook for Jaden Higgins. I know he's
the first rookie taken and he's number pick number thirty four,
(28:47):
but still kind of breaking into the lineup. You think
ah might take a little bit, Maybe that happens sooner
than later. Your thoughts about Jaden Higgins.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
Yeah, he had his best day today. You know, going
up against team pretty often, you know that his performance
today really reminded me of Kamari las Yer last year.
You remember Kamari last year had went up against Stefan
Diggs and really won that battle, and I think he
(29:16):
really opened up a lot of eyes of his teammates
and earned that startup position. And I see the same
kind of trajectory for a guy like Jaden Higgins, who
obviously has a size and knows what to do it,
has great hands, has good speed. He does remind me
a lot of Nico Conins, not in the sense he's
not where Nico coins is, but he has that potential.
(29:37):
So I do see him being that number two receiver
as long as he continues to do what he's doing,
because you know, I don't think you know, obviously you
got Christian Kirk in the slot, but I don't think
I haven't seen anybody else opposite of Nico Collins really
step up. But Jaden Higgins has been that guy.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
And Jonathan Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle joining us.
Demiko Ryans was asked or he brought up Kate's Stover.
You mentioned Kate Stover making that nice catch in seven
on seven, and it just seems so crisp with him. Now,
I know Schultz isn't getting every rep out there. He's
probably recovering from something or whatever. But Stover year one
(30:13):
to year two jump, the coach talked about it. They
all want to see it, and he talked about him
being more decisive or deliberate or sharper at the top
of the route. I'm probably wording that incorrectly, but your
thoughts on Stover heading into year two and what we
might expect from him in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Yeah, I mean today, it was really noticeable how much
of a safety blanket he was for c J. Stroud
and team drills. Whenever Stroud didn't have somebody open, he'd
often looked for Stover. You know, they all they have
that history dating back to the Ohio State days. You know,
Stover is a guy who is one of the harder
workers on the team. I could really see him carving
(30:52):
out a big role for the scene, which would be
very necessary, especially as a number two tied end, and
stepping into that role and taking it over. Schulz is
obviously dealing with that leg injury. He's kind of been limited,
but participated a lot more today. But yeah, Stover was
one of the standouts. I was really surprised how often
(31:14):
CJ went to him in times of me when other
guys weren't open.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
I was trying not to be a prisoner of the moment.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
But during practice, every now and again, I'll pass by
Mark and we'll do, like you know, an over under.
And so we were talking about Stover and Mark said
over under thirty five receptions this year for Kate Stover
and without even finishing his since, I immediately went over
Jonathan forty catches over under for Kate Stover.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
It's a big leap.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
But I've said I thought that Kate can make that
big leap this year.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
You're taken over under forty receptions.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
I can see him going over, especially if he remains healthy.
And we know based on his past that Nick Keley
loves tight ends. Yeah, that's true, so I could usually
see you know, sover being a big factor. I'm going
to say, though, I'm going to take the over on that.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
Yes, all right, that's two overs.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Okay, let's go to Kaitlyn Bullock another year one to
year two guy and another one the coach talked about
and he talked about squaring up on tackling and that
kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
We're all used to.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Kalyn Bullock being able to go get the football in
the air, but they want to see the development and
it looks like they're seeing it so far here in
Ota is in midiicamp.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Yeah, I mean I wrote about Kaylin and Kamaraw a
little a couple of weeks ago, and those guys have
been working since season ended, and their confidences at an
all time high. And when he talked about Kamaraw, we
know how intense he is, especially in these moments. But
Kaitlyn is another guy, and obviously he has a unique
ability in his ballhawks skills, like he just is really
(32:50):
good at tracking the ball and intercepting, and he needed to,
you know, improve his tackle on ability and work on
his footwork, and that's obviously something that he put a
focus on this offseason. And I think you can have
another big year. And they're very much motivated by the
fact that they felt like they were slided and I
believe they were slided too in the Defensive Rookie of
(33:11):
the Year of voting. You know, I wasn't gonna say
they both deserved the word, but they deserve to be
one of those finalists. So yeah, I think you can
have a big year for another good year for them.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
Yeah, don't ask pff about Kayln. They gave him. They
gave him an awful grade they did. Yeah, that was ridiculous.
I was. I was quite angry with that.
Speaker 3 (33:31):
Now the other safety spot ends up being kind of interesting.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
Chaunton Gardner Johnson c J.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Gardner Johnson was at practice at mini camp, learning on
the fly, learning things, spend a time with Steven Adagoke,
safety's coach, seeing I don't know why, I was thinking
the back of my mind, you know, maybe CJ is
not going to be there, but man, he was there
and diving in. What are your thoughts about how that
whole thing comes together and how you think CJ and
(33:58):
Kayln kind of play awful one another play together back
of those safety spots.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
Yeah, it'll be interesting because both of those guys aren't
really playing the box type of guys. Both of those
like to play in the backfield and hunt. And but
I think Demiko is smart enough where he knows how
to utilize his defensive players and his weapons the best
of their ability. You saw him use some three safety
(34:25):
sets last year, and you know, I think he'll put
those guys in a position and we know what Gardner
Johnson can do yet six interceptions last season, which would
have led the Texans. He has that Super Bowl experience
and I think he'll be a great addition for this
defense that's already really loaded in the secondary.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
All Right, Jonathan, since we're talking NFL, we're contractually obligated
to ask you about Aaron Rodgers on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Here thoughts on that union happening.
Speaker 4 (34:58):
I mean, you know, I I think everybody expected it,
given that the Steelers didn't really target a quarterback in
the draft, which I thought was a mistake in itself,
but it just seemed inevitable for it to happen. And
you know, I think, you know, based on what I
saw from Aaron Rodgers last year, he was Okay. Does
(35:20):
he make the Steelers much better? I don't know. I
don't know that they become a team that makes any
noise in the playoffs. I think Aaron Rodgers days are
past him, but this move was inevitable, and I think
he makes them better than what they had previously before
they signed.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Okay, who gets signed first? TJ.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Watt with the extension in Pittsburgh or Micah Parsons with
an extension in Dallas.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Oh wow, that is a good question. I think it's
gonna be TJ Wytt. I think Micah is gonna want
to see what other guys get and try to top
those guys.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
And you know that's pretty consistent with what David Ghetta
has done for his clients. And I think at this point,
you know, Micah could get a deal better than TJ Wytt,
being that he's a little bit younger. Missas from very beginning,
TJ why did as well, So you know, I think TJ. Whit'
is gonna get signed first.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
All right, So Anthony Richardson could be back in action
by training camp. Do you think he ends up starting
opening day? Based on the fact that he's out quote
indefinitely right now and Jones is getting these mini camp
reps and who knows what happens when training camp starts.
Has your thought on the Colts quarterback situation changed it all?
Speaker 4 (36:39):
It has? I just don't get the sense that they
really think highly of Anthony Richison down there in Indianapolis,
no matter what they say. I think everything they've done
has signaled that they eventually would like to move on
if things don't work out this year. And I think
Daniel Jones getting many of the first team reps only
(37:02):
helps him out. He has experiencing and we know that
even though he's not the greatest quarterback, he can perform
at a at a pretty decent level. And I think
he would probably beat Anthony Richardson out given that he's
had you know that chemistry built in this in OTAs
and Anti Richardson has missed as much time as he has.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
Another quarterback who's been dealing with something and actually sounded
like he had a procedure this offseason. He's two a
tongue of I loo with the Miami Dolphins and I
Jonathan cannot, for the life of me figure the Dolphins out.
Are they a finesse team who beats teams that are
lesser than less talented than them, can't get over the
hump against the good teams, or they a team on
(37:46):
the brink that you just need everybody to stay healthy
to put it all together.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
I can't make Hidner hair of the Miami Dolphins. And
then two was obviously dealing with something as well. What
are your thoughts about Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins.
Speaker 4 (38:01):
Yeah, I think they're heading in the wrong direction. You know,
I really think that. You know, they took the league
by storm in twenty twenty three with their offense, and
that kind of happened around the league a lot of
those exposive players with Tyreek Hill. I think Tyreek Hill
is slowing down a little bit as a receiver, and
I think last year you really saw defenses take advantage
(38:24):
of that and start to really prevent the exposive players
with me with a lot of two high safety looks.
And I think teams have figured out Mike be Daniel's offense.
So you know, I think they'll continue to struggle. I
don't think they have enough pieces, and a lot of
their pieces are getting older as well, So yeah, they
(38:45):
are predicated on being healthy. And you know, I just
don't see the dolphinse elevating themselves.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
In the way. Too early to think about this department.
Trevor Lawrence wearing a sleeve. He has general soreness. We've
heard that term around here, but our guys out there
slinging it. He's got the sleeve and they're admitting to
some things that who knows what they materialize into. So
I guess this is pure speculation. Any concern for you
(39:13):
if you were a Jacksonville guy.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
Yeah, I mean a little bit. Anytime you talk about
a quarterback with the shoulder injury, you're a little bit concerned.
But I think you can manage it pretty well. I
thought CJ. Brought up a great analogy, and it's just like,
you know, quarterbacks just like pictures. You know, their arms
get sore when they throw a lot, and sometimes you
(39:36):
have to dial it back a bit. You don't want
to overwork them, overthrow them, because then it could lead
to really big problems. And I think the Texans and
I think that the Jaguars would be smart with that.
But long term, as long as those teams manage it well,
I don't think as much to be concerned about.
Speaker 1 (39:55):
Jonathan, what do you have going out to the Houston
Chronicle for us?
Speaker 4 (39:58):
Yeah, I have a story out on CJ. Stroud and
a few more things that'll be in the worst maybe
one on Christian Kirk later on this week.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Sounds great.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
Thanks a lot for joining us, Thanks for having me.
There's Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle coming up. Final
segment where we will recap a bit about Mini Camp
and Top twenty plays at the last twenty five years
in college football. Do we agree with ESPN's list. It's
next here on Texans Radio. Mark Vandermere and John Harris
(40:29):
with you on Texans Radio rounding out the program today.
Biggest takeaway from Mini camp today, Johnny Higgins. Okay, Jane Higgins,
I thought, looks fantastic, great one to any catch, just
to see the rookies practice after practice, week after week progress.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
What about CJ Stroud? He looked pretty good too. I
don't want to.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Take seven for granted, I never will, but I just
wanted to bring up something different.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
Okay, that sounds good because CJ look good today throwing
the football, and he'll be back at it tomorrow. Will
recap that for you. I wanted to get to this
on the way out. So ESPN put together their top
twenty five plays since two thousand. Have you looked at
this yet? No play college football play lays, play lays,
They sheet a bit.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Okay, what do you think number one is? The last
twenty five years? Yeah? The Kick six Auburn album. Absolutely
Kick six twenty or thirteen. Yeah. What do you think
number two might be?
Speaker 1 (41:22):
Statue Liberty, Boise State, Bengo.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
I've not seen this.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
That's two thousand and seven, yep, against Oklahoma. Give me
another one play? See they don't really do the play.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Here, Second and twenty six to Devontae Smith.
Speaker 1 (41:37):
Okay, that's on this list. But they go invincible Vince Young. Yeah,
now you can't do that. It's plays now they're winning play.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Well, touchdown. I guess they're going with the winning play problem, but.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
They're not really, they're just let's see. Oh they do
talk about it. Four and five. Okay, that's good. I'll
give it to Okay, so to his tosses. Next second
twenty six is next? Okay, walk off?
Speaker 2 (41:59):
No walk off? TD? Is that the one to win
the national championship?
Speaker 1 (42:03):
Yeah, Second and twenty six, that's the one guy, Davin Bellamy.
You have to sack on the on the first down play,
remember you here with the Texans, and then the second
down play second and twenty six they save his losing
his minded sideline two is like I got this.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
There's a bomber Yvonte Smith.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
They win it, okay, apple Lashian State defeating Michigan State
is fifth Michigan Rather, it's fifth.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Is that the is the blockfield goal? I guess they
don't they see it.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
Then reached field goal to range and then yeah, blocked
it field all the horror.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Is that the nickname for that play?
Speaker 1 (42:35):
I don't know, I've never heard that, but it would
make sense because Michigan, all those guys, Jake Long, Mike Hart,
Chad Henney, Texas Killer, they all went back to Michigan
for that year after the year before they thought we
got national championship and app State beat.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
Boom right there on the spot. I mean, if they get.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Beat Michigan, fans uh six is called six and that's
Crab Prize catch.
Speaker 2 (43:01):
Oh yeah against Texas. Yeah that twentyd and eight. What
a year. That was final seconds. That was awesome. It
was phenomenal. That was great.
Speaker 1 (43:07):
Seventh is the prayer at Jordan Hare. Oh yeah, twenty thirteen.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Oh yeah, that was the throw from there was the
throw name escapes Me. Four throws Marshall deep. Two Georgia
guys hit the ball and tip it.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
One knocks it away from the other one and receiver
for Roberts.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
Into his hands. Nico Lewis.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
Ball's kind of over his shoulder and he's got to
find it and then it falls in his hands.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
They win that.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
The next game was kick six it was like, those
were back to back games at Drenair.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
That's incredible. Twenty thirteen, twenty thirteen, it was unbelievable. Year
eight is Surrender Cobra, Michigan State, Michigan, Oh, twenty fifteen.
We were on the road in Jacksonville. I remember watching that.
Speaker 3 (43:52):
Yeah, we were we were on the road in Repsville.
We were looking, we were looking to go find some
place to eat. And in the meanwhile we're like, oh
my god, did you see what happened in Michigan blocked
the kick on the final play of the game. Watts
I think his name was, and he gets tackled in
the end zone to win the game and they all
jump on him. But when he got tackled, he dissocated
(44:14):
his hip. So he's underneath the pilot's where you screaming.
He's like, get out of me because he's got he's
got a mile, he's got a busted hip.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
I'm like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (44:23):
Roy Williams hit on Chris Simms Superman. Ye Superman play
flies through the air. Don't leave your feet, Roy, don't
leave your feet. That was the advice you got from
the sideline.
Speaker 3 (44:32):
Mike Stoops Defense coordinator, don't leave your feet left his feet.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
I watched that at a bar in Miami during the
two thousand and one National Championship season, which does come
into play on this list. Champions is the next title.
Number ten college football play since two thousand and that's
Ohio State defeating Miami.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You suw on bad call?
Speaker 1 (44:55):
Okay, So Clowney's play against Michigan the hit. The hit
is car wreck, they call it, and it's number eleven
on the list.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
It's just the hit.
Speaker 3 (45:05):
I mean it, don't I mean now, I know there
would be some aggies that are mad because Queen Coriot
he and Kyle richardson ninety one at TCU is the
greatest hit I've ever seen.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Clowny is a second.
Speaker 1 (45:16):
So I get it. But that's how people know in
the sec like that's the hit.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
Boy.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
Miami pops up on this list because lot Duke. Let's
see was it Duke.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
Duke? Yeah? Eight laterals of chaos right yeah?
Speaker 1 (45:29):
That and and it should have been called back but
it wasn't because one of the guys was down, his
knee was on the grounding at the ball. It was
very clear, but they didn't didn't call it. So it
counts as a touchdown, So it's just.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
The last twenty five years.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
Yeah, just so there's no hail Flutie, there's no Stanford
band here.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
Oh, I don't one that should be on the Cordell store.
I don't one that should be on.
Speaker 3 (45:48):
Are is Robert Griffin RG three in twenty eleven, his
Heisman year, throws a bomb to Terrence Williams for a
touchdown against Oklahoma. Looking twenty eleven, that should that now,
if it's only twenty five plays, that's it's going to
be close.
Speaker 1 (46:04):
Okay, So I called one of these plays. Can you
guess which one it is? Makes it pretty easy?
Speaker 2 (46:09):
Celeste? Why? Right? No? Right? They don't include that.
Speaker 1 (46:13):
Oh that stealing the interception from Walter against Boston College,
so it's a pick six, but it's a handoff flateral.
And again, as play by play guy for that play.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
I would imagine that was confused. It was confusing.
Speaker 1 (46:30):
How did you call it? I said, gets the ball
on an exchange.
Speaker 2 (46:34):
It's pretty good.
Speaker 1 (46:35):
Generalize as much as possable, And I listened to the
call of Westwood one Howard David was doing it, and
I listened to the call of Musburger and I thought
I did the best job. Okay, that's me commenting on myself.
All right, that's it for the show tonight. A lot
of fun tomorrow night. More on Mini camp As. Day
two is tomorrow morning, and you know we're going to
(46:56):
be talking all about it. Area forty five is next day,
talk about everything.
Speaker 2 (47:00):
Don't miss it. Have a great night, Go Texans.
Hello, Texans, welcome to the program. Great to have you
on board tonight. Mark VanderMeer and John Harris with you,
and later on in the show, Jonathan Alexander from the
Houston Chronicle as all three of us and several more,
many more. We're watching Mini Camp today for your Texans,
and Mini camp OTAs basically boiled down to this. It's practice, practice,
(00:20):
it's practice. Mini camp is mandatory. OTAs are voluntary. But
OTA's had a lot of people there. It was about
ninety five percent or whatever, maybe more than that participation.
Some guys are rehabbing injuries. With Mini camp, everybody's got
to be here, and they were, and some guys still
rehabbing various ailments. Whatever they're rehabbing, and I hope I
(00:44):
would think they would be good to go for training camp.
We'll get to that later, but Johnny, the big headline
of the day is CJ. Stroud throwing darts out there.
Great to see him back in action. A lot of
you have seen some of the footage, dare I call
it some of the highlights on social media. I tweeted
one of them out Stroud throw to Jaydon Higgins. Very nice, indeed,
(01:06):
and It's just such a difference when you see your
virtuoso quarterback out there, one of the very best in
the league, throwing the football, making things happen, lifting everybody's spirits.
Nothing against the other guys, but you got Stroud back
in the fold, back in the hole, throwing the rock.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
And it's fun to watch. Yeah, it is fun to watch.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
It's one of the it's one of our guilty pleasures
just getting the opportunity to watch him throw. He's such
a I mean, he's such a beautiful thrower of the football.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
I mean it is so wonderful.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
I mean, it's just a classic motion, but it's quick,
it's it's always on point, accurate. He talked about after
practice that he's a little rusty. I'm like, if that's rusty,
oh my gosh. So we went out for seven on seven.
Obviously he threw the They were doing routes on air
(01:58):
and things like that. To start today, got the seven
on seven first route, little combination route with Kate Stover running.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
A corner out.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
He spied it right away and put just a dive
right in. Stover didn't break to drive, Boom hit him.
They ran something similar later with Christian Kirk and another
just beautifully thrown ball Christian just I mean in it
he had in his hands. As he was trying to
collect himself, he fell to the ground and ball popped out.
(02:28):
And then the one that you talked about, the throw
to Higgins down the sidelines, and you know, one of
the things that we've been talking about with Jadane Higgins
and Noel and those Oh they're.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Not going against the ones right now. Today they were
going against the ones.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yeah, Jaden was one on one against one of the
better man cover guys, not only in this team, in
this league, and Kamari Laster and last Yar was on
him really like you would expect him. I mean, it
was a shadow ball came down, Jade just stuck out
a left hand, one hand caught it in around five
yard line. He thought, huh okay, all right, the throw
(03:04):
the catch on that was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I was just holy smokes.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Remember when CJ was a rookie and we watched CJ
and that I think it was week two, Week three,
votas were like, oh boy, this could get fun. Yeah,
watching him link up with Jayden Higgins a couple times gorgeous.
It was just really really fun. To watch he spins
it so well. I hope whatever was ailing him, if
(03:29):
it was just rest that.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Was needed, whatever it is. By the time we hit training.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Camp, they are hitting the ground running, and it looked
today like he hadn't missed a beat.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Oh yeah, he didn't look worse to the wear.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Every throw, if it wasn't caught, it was in a
spot where his guy could catch it.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
He was just what we've wanted to see. And so
now here's what we do.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Mark okay, Yeah, because for three weeks it was peer panic.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Do you have surgery?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Did you not?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
You have procedure? You have something? What's going on? What
are we gonna do?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
When we can see him. He's an a training camp.
This is gonna be lingering, He's gonna be I mean,
it was that. That's literally how it kind of sounded
in my head with all the talk and all the
noise out there, because down deep, I wanted to believe.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
I think he's okay, but I don't know. You just
want to see it. You just want to see it,
you know. It's like that little noise that gets me ears.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
It's not loud, but it's it's enough to be uncomfortable.
But you still wanted to go away, sure, like not
flying in your ear, You're like, Eh, it's a nuisance.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
And then once you get out of there, you're like, oh,
you feel good again. And that's kind of the.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Way that we I know, I left the field today
thinking that that that was probably like you said, I mean,
that's the overarching thought of the day is Seven's back
and throwing, and we.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Can feel good about that. Absolutely. You mentioned Stover, We'll
get to him in a moment here. But Higgins, Higgins,
in the last couple of weeks, you see the progression.
You see one week to the next to the next,
getting better, getting to be more of a part of it.
You still have Nico Collins over there, you got Christian Kirk.
(05:14):
Noel has been dealing with something. I don't know what
it is, but let's see him get back out there
very soon. And I just think that between all those
guys they just mentioned, Hutchinson, we talked to Justin Watson yesterday.
Interesting guy and hard to imagine him not being on
this football team.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
You never know what happens. Sure, but Higgins.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
At his size, you have him and Nico Collins similarly heighted,
and you know, Higgins is going to be a rookie
out there facing his first NFL competition. But if this
progression is any indicator, I want to see it again
in camp. You know, we're going to get to the
early days of camp and maybe he's got to be
a restart of sorts. It is a restart of sorts,
but we'll see how he progresses throughout camp preseason games.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
He's going to play in them.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
You get the feeling this could be a lot of fun,
especially when the tight ends are gonna be involved with stovers.
Schultz getting back into the fold because he's been dealing
with a little something, but participating out here in any
way shape he can man Hagen's Johnny. And look, we
went nuts for Noel when we first saw him out there,
So I have no doubt that Nol's gonna be good. Sure,
(06:22):
I just think he's gonna be at least a certain
level of player contributor with Hagen's. The ceiling is very
high here, and I think the floor is pretty high
as well, and this is gonna.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Be I think the ceiling is continuing to move higher too.
You know what we thought his ceiling could be. I
think it's it's even beyond that. What I found fascinating
the last two OTAs I'm sorry, the last two practices
Ota Mini camp, you want.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
To look at it.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
The last two practices that we have been through. I've
had somebody in Football Ops in three different departments.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
That have.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
That I've been standing by, that have kind of seen
me or maybe heard me react to something that Jaden's done,
and they turn around and they start talking to me
about Higgins and in some way, shape or form, and
it's you know, it's amazing to get that kind of
confirma and you can see it with your eyes. But
(07:25):
then when it's the people that are in the building
that are around him, maybe not every day, but they
know what's going on in football Ops because that's where
they are when they're turning to me and they're saying Higgins,
and then they just go on talking about him, whether
it's his smarts, whether it's his speed, whether it's just
(07:47):
his demeanor, his swarm.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Qualities, any of that.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Like people have kind of turned me in like Higgins,
and I'm like, yeah, yep, I get it.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I see it.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
You can see it, but you know that they're confirming
it behind the scenes that he's doing the things that
they want to do. It's been kind of cool to
have that, you know, kind of those kind of looking me,
those kind of smile when he makes a play and
I'm like, I get it. I mean, I'm very glad
that young man is here in Houston.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
He's made place. He wasn't the only cycle on making
place today. Xavier Hutchinson was great. He had a couple of.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Really nice He had one real nice rolling one to
get the Texans a first down.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I think it was third and long.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yep, just a really great throw by CJ where only
he could get it, and CJ talking about him being rusty,
himself being rusty. I think that was the result of
a couple of throws where he's out there. It's funny
they changed out the receiver groups like hockey line shapes. Well,
all of a sudden he's out there with Johnny Johnson
and Jared Wayne, c J. Stroud, and I think it's
(08:54):
different to throw to those guys as opposed to Higgins, Nico,
whoever else he was used to in the past, plus
Christian kirk uh And maybe the timing isn't quite there
where it should or could be, and that's what he's
referring to when he says rust because like, I could
see him making that throw usually, but maybe the receiver
wasn't quite catching up.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
To the football like some other guys would.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Who knows every incompletion tells a story, is a story
behind everything, not just a interception incompletion? Brock would say, yes,
incompletions have stories too, don't incompletions they have stories, But
more often than not, they were complete, and they were spectacular.
They were fun. Stover's catching seven on seven. The thing
(09:37):
I loved about that was it's the I think it
was the first snap of seven on the and CJ
gets back and it's not like, all right, I'm gonna
check this one down and get my feet wet and
stick my toe with the water. He's like, you know
what I feel like throwing the rock downfield and showing
everybody you know it's going to be back downfield throwing.
This year, I had a great yard per completion, and
(10:00):
twenty twenty three shrunk up a little bit. Twenty twenty
four for various reasons. We're going downfield, let's do it,
let's hit the gas and he hits Stover on that
play and the one to Higgins was beautiful as well.
And look eleven on eleven, they tried some things. Uh,
there were some good plays by offense.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Defense.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You know you're looking at that defense, Johnny, you know
Stroud and company get out there.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
And then you're looking at Will and daneil on the edge.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Oh yeah, you're looking at Sheldons Tim Saddle and I'm like, oh,
that's a good front right there.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Rankins, Hello, welcome back.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Oh okay, so Rankins, I'm glad you brought him. Uh,
I'm gonna get the ranks a second. The very first
play of eleven on eleven was.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
That the sweet the jet sweep thing. No, that was
Jared Wayne play.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Okay, first play eleven on eleven I think was a
straight drop or play action and Will Anderson like somebody's
got it, Like Will is just on it.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
He was in the backflod so fast.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
I mean, I can't remember who was over there at
tackle at that time, and he just ran flat right
to the back. Daniel was on the other side, get
int the cord back like oh god, like like CJ
couldn't even get a throw off on that one.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I feel like they should put a barrel around CJ.
Just to protect him because with Will out there, it's
kind of like this is like sick raid and Roy
with the Tigers, is Will gonna go off and forget
that he's supposed to be tamed in these situations, I
don't want to see anything bad happen. Don't hurt your body, Will,
don't hurt your buddy back there. We need your buddy,
We need number seven. The next play, the second play,
(11:28):
they ran like a kind of a little reverse to
Jared Wayne. Yeah, and Daniel saw it the whole way
and just shot out of a cannon. And it's one
of those where you're trying to catch defensive end, sleeping
biting inside, right right, biting inside, just seeing all the action,
bites inside, and all of a sudden, the fast receiver
(11:50):
runs around and makes defensive endin look look like an idiot.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Daniel Hunter was not down for that. He was playing
his technique.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
And had they put had had they had pads on,
that collision would have ended up on every top ten
big play.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
It would have been a busted fumble.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Somebody would have scooped and scored, probably Derrek Barnett if
you were on the field, and it would have been
a touchdown for the defaul.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
What did I say? I said, bubble for Daniel. I said,
we're good here, not.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Need to see see one of the temper. See it's
the temper, Danil. We're done here for today. He swallowed
him up, and you're right, we were. You and I
both watched it together and I was like, oh my gosh,
that could have been really dangerous.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
You're like, oh, that could have been really really dangerous.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Jared Wayne is not a small man, but Danil just
casts a shadow. Yeah, I'll tell you who cast a shadow.
He's not out there just yet, but Trent Brown, Johnny
he I asked him to stand in front of the
sun so we could get some shade. Yeah, for the
entire field. He is a large individual.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Good god, I if you we're in this building. We've
seen NFL players. You've seen him since two thousand and two.
I've been his ability since twenty fourteen. We've seen NFL players.
We've seen big guys.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Yeah, we've seen all the offensive lineman, all the defensive linemen.
You know, Vince will Fork was a large human being,
but it was you know, he's six three, so he
was kind of shorter, stouter, and then we were kind
of used to seeing that Trent's a good six to
eight legit, and so I kind of see in the
hallway kind.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Of you know, shoulder from shoulder to shoulder. Six yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, So I've kind of seen in the hallway a
couple of times and I've just hey, how you doing, Trent,
you know, just kind of quick, and so I wanted
to just go up and introduce myself, and so I
shook his hand.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Now I have I have pretty large hands.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
I have at least ten inch hands, So I've got
pretty big hands. I'm telling you, Mark his hand swallowed
like swallowed mine. It's not like Adrian Peterson, you know,
he was gonna grip you and all that. It just huge,
enormous and if the one thing that I think is
really interesting about Trent, and I hope that Trent's able
(13:59):
to get back and due time for training camp.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
And just add to the mix amongst the offensive line.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
When we talked to him, Trent is the name they
bring up as a guy that they rely on, they
talk to, that they like talking to, that he is
a really good leader, and he shares a lot about
the game, about what he's doing or what what should
be done. So even in not being on the field
during OTA's not being on a field during mini camp,
(14:27):
he's still adding value to these guys on the offensive line,
which I think is fantastic. And there are a lot
of young guys at the tackle position that could use
his guidance.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And it's been.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I think I want to say that Demko talked about
it at some point, either today maybe last week, talking
about the impact of Trent even though he's not out there,
he's still giving I think it was today, giving the
leadership that he's wanted to see from guys that eight nine,
ten years in the league. He wants to see that
shared with those guys. Now to Rankins. I mentioned Rankins earlier,
(15:04):
so I wanted to go back and watch Nick from
last year. Nick Chubb signs with the Texans. It's official.
Nick was out of practice. Were number twenty one. It
was great to see and how that I took us
this long to mention him. But that's how eventful today
it was really exactly. So I went back today and
I started He had one hundred and two runs last year,
and so I went into the system and I like,
(15:25):
all right, pulled down all the run So the first
game that he plays in it is against the Bengals
from last year, and I'm watching Chubb and I realize
there's rank making plays, getting off blocks, and I'm like, wow,
Like I knew Ranks could play. I knew he got
hurt last year. I know it was a great situation
in Cincinnati. But I'm watching that and I'm like, damn.
(15:47):
He adds that to the mix of what's already here, right,
and those guys can rotate even more than what they're rotating.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
And they've all played with.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
One another at other stops, so to see them have
that kind of chemistry all and then see Rankins today,
I don't know, it just really did my heart good,
like thinking about it, but watching Rankins play, going that, yeah,
I remember that.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
That's he's damn good.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
And I think maybe we forgot about that because he
left and then he's injured, doesn't play a whole lot
in Cincinnati and kind of go sideways.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
But I'm telling you, if.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
That dude is healthy, holy smokes, this defensive line goes
to a different level, oh, another level with him back, Well,
it's gonna be really fun to work.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
It's hard to keep everybody healthy.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
This just in in the NFL and those guys we know, yeah, absolutely,
and you'll lose a guy here or there maybe you know,
hopefully not forever, but if it's a game two or three,
but the other guys can fill in, yep. And you
have enough depth there to absorb some hits at that
spot and many spots on the team, yep.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
But you keep everybody together.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
The idea is to get everybody healthy in time for
the postseason, right, win the division, preferably more everybody, as
many people as possible healthy for the postseason.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Going you're wrung.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
I thought they were healthier this last postseason than they
were in twenty twenty threes postseason. By and large, as
a football team, I thought they were healthier. But you know,
you're never gonna have perfect health. It just doesn't exist.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
No, it doesn't. It does.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Nick and Dimiko have done a good job here of
putting together a lot of depth. So he's part of it.
I think it's going to be great to see, and
you just want to keep it together as much as possible.
I mentioned stover going into year two. We'll talk about
that with Jonathan Alexander and how he's doing another thing
that popped out today was we were watching special teams practice.
You know I feel about watching special teams practice. Love
(17:39):
Frank Ross, love the guys. But Treymond made a great
play keeping a punt inbounds or from going over the
goal line.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
That gun spot man and.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
You getting down near the goal line, heels right outside
the goal line, knocked the ball down. He knocked it
out of bounds at like the one or the two day.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
At that And we talked to him yesterday.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
He was one of the forty players we interviewed, and
we're gonna be playing those over the next few weeks.
But you look at that play and you said something about, man,
we're loaded, because that's a position as well. You want
those kinds of players who can make those kinds of plays.
Think about how valuable that is when you put the
opponent at their two and now you get this defense
(18:24):
on the field and let them fire off and the
Charger game comes to mind, and many others were able
to get into the backfield and make some noise. Even
the Ravens game, as horrible as that was, what's the
big play? What's the only player that Texans made in
that game to score? The safety? Safety tackling Derrick Henry
in the end zone. You put them at the two,
you get that opportunity. And these guys take pride in
(18:46):
the special teams, field position, game and just those aspects
along with everything else we discuss. This team's got a
lot of talent. This You know, it sounds cliche to
say the sky's the limit, but it really is it.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Again, you hit the postseason healthy, some really great things
can happen. We saw today with the quarterback throwing and
how different everything looks. Not to take anything away from
the other guys, but it's just you're looking at one
of the best guys in the league pulling the trigger,
and it really added up to this equation of, hey,
this is a good thing. This is an AFC contender
(19:21):
for sure. Look I'm not putting them past the Ravens,
or past the Chiefs or past the Bills yet, but
I'm saying they are nuzzling right up and they'll have
the games on their schedule that will enable them to
prove themselves. They'll get that opportunity to prove themselves against
the Bills, Chiefs and Ravens, etc. To show that they
(19:41):
are one of the best in the AFC, and look,
if things go right, that could be the best.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
But they got to go out and do it.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Yeah, I know there are big division games before Week five,
but that game against Baltimore, And I said when the
schedule came out, seeing Baltimore in that earlier in the
year at their play, you know, that's a tough place
to play. But earlier in the year teams have had
some success there. But I just think, yes, last year,
I think it was we two and they started off, Oh,
(20:08):
win two. But Texans have to go in there and
punch that big ass bully in the mouth and hard
and then pop back up off the mat and do
it again and really make a statement win lose in
that game, make a statement that your bullyiness isn't gonna work.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
Against us anymore. It's not that's the one team like
Kansas City.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Man, we have every opportunity to win that game in
Kansas both games in Kansas City.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
And Kansas City. I kind of felt like last year
was ripe to be had. We ran the ball for
one hundred and fifty yards through three quarters. In a
little bit of the fourth quarter, like we've we've didn't
run the ball well almost all year consistently, like we
did against that defense. We beat the Bills here, but
it's the Ravens where we have to prove it, not
(20:58):
only to the league, prove it to ourselves that we
walk into a game where there's a big, bad bully
on the other side, that we hitch up our bridges
and we go to war, and we go to football
war and we get after them and we don't. Oh,
it's Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Oh, we're gonna throw
a shoulder into Dereck Henry. Hope we tackle him. No,
We're take him down like Cooper Degen, like Kamari Lasser
(21:21):
did last year. Yeap, wrap his ass up, tackle them
in the hansel like. We have to be physical and
answer against the Ravens because the last three times, actually
the last two times we've seen him late in the
year in the playoffs, we've not had our full compliment
offensive guys, you think about playing we face the Ravens
a few days after Tank went down for the year,
(21:42):
we'd already lost digs. We weren't a full boat offensively.
But there can't be any excuses this year, can't.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
That's the team you're gonna have to beat not only
in the regular season, but also in the in the postseason.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
So let's let let's go. Have we added the depth
and hope we we've done that.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
We've given ourselves some depth pieces and we're deep in
a lot of positions and we can go against a
team like that and we can hit that.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Bully right in the mouth and they're gonna hit us back.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
But then do we cower or do we stand up
and go we're not going anywhere.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Well, there's the technique coaching, there's x's and o's, there's scheme,
and then there's the psychological part, which if you want
to be great, you're gonna have to deal with everything.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
And I was talking to somebody about noon starts.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
You know, when we've had the noon starts twenty eleven,
noon starts all the way through twenty twenty three, virtually
all the way through noon starts. Yep, those were really
terrific seasons for this franchise. Ten win seasons each, twenty
eleven best team ever possibly, I don't know, but it's
a debate for another day. But the good teams are
gonna play these weird schedules with primetime games and short
(22:53):
weeks and lack of sleep and all that other stuff,
and then you're gonna have to turn it around on
four days like the Texans did between the Chiefs and
Ravens game last year, and they did not deal with
it well, to say the least against the Ravens on Christmas.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
This year, you don't have stuff exactly like that.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
You don't have that gauntlet at the end of the year,
but you do have some tough turnarounds, you do have
some tough prime time scheduling, you have some West Coast games,
and you're gonna have to live with it and deal
with it because that's what the good teams go through
every year. That's what the Chiefs go through every year.
Now they live in the middle of the country.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
But so do we.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
When you look at the Patriots, what they dealt with
when they were going good for two decades, they handled it.
You gotta handle it, you gotta handle the adversity. We're
gonna handle Our conversation with Jonathan Alexander next from the
Houston Chronicle.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
He was out there today a mini camp. What did
he see.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
We'll get to it with Jonathan next here on Texans Radio.
Back to it here on Texans Radio, Mark Vandermin and
John Harris with you. And it's Tuesday, and that means
we usually check in with Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle. Jonathan,
great to have your board Mini Camp day one. You
were there, you saw every thing, heard from everybody. So
what was your biggest takeaway or two from this morning's festivities.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Yeah, I think probably the biggest takeaway was obviously the
most obvious one was c J. Stroud was back. And
you know, just as Demico Ryans and Nick Kayley said,
they weren't concerned, and he didn't look like he had
any issues, you know, particularly what is throwing. He hit
some really nice passes like that first one he threw
(24:27):
to uh cased over and then to Jayden Higgins on
that deep go route. Both of those were perfect passes
in seven on seven drills. And you know, obviously he
said he was a little bit rusty, but you know,
I think the concern that a lot of fans had
that it was it was probably a deeper issue that
he had off season surgery. None of that was true,
And you know, I think it's a great sign that
(24:49):
he's back and and heed's developed in that chemistry.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
You know, with his teammates today seems like a collective
sire relief from everybody. Media doesn't have to ask about
it anymore, or we don't have to ask about it.
He doesn't have to answer to it, being able to
get those reps in mini camp. And he did say
he was a little bit sore afterwards, but rusty, but
got got through.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
It and away we go.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
So let's we went to the other news of the day,
or I guess maybe yesterday it became official Nick Chubb
is a Texan. Jonathan Alexander comment, go.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Yeah, I thought it was, you know, a pretty interesting
move to say the least. I think it speaks to
the fact that the Texans you know, knee depth, with
Damian Pierce and Joe Mixing both done with with injuries.
Don't know how long either of those guys will be out.
And you add a guy like Joe Mixon, who in
my opinion is a is a low risk, high reward player.
They didn't pay him a ton and and and you
(25:47):
know when Chubb was a when he before his injury
in twenty twenty three, the knee injury, he was obviously
one of the top three running back in the league,
All Pro and he comes to this team and even
though he's not that same player, he could still potentially be,
you know, a big contributor to this team. Maybe a
(26:09):
running back too if he has still has a lot left.
So I thought it was a smart signing considering whether
it takes to go he could possibly at words. I
think it produces something like a Cam Akers type of
deal where you know, maybe he doesn't fit into the lineup,
but you get him as a good trade as set
down on line that's at worse, but at best he
could be a really good running back too.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Yeah, Jonathan, I think it definitely changes well, there's no
question it changes the picture in the running back room.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
But how do you think this might play out?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Because Damian Pierce not out there yet, but we get
a long way to go before he needs to be
out there practicing when training camp starts in late July,
and mix it as well, you don't play a game
for three months, you'd hope he'd be ready for the
opener at the Rams sooner preferably. And then you look
at drafting Ruddy Woody Marx and you look at Daria
Goobwally everything he's meant to this football team over the years.
(26:59):
How do you think this possibly plays out in that
position group.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Yeah, I think it's going to present a tough decision.
Let's just say, like all of them come back healthy.
It's gonna be a really tough decision. You know, I'm
not as down on Damian Pierce as a lot of
people are, Like a lot of people for the past
two years have really wanted him gone. Talking with multiple
people within the organization, they don't dislike Damian Pierce. They
think he has value. Having said that, you add a
(27:27):
guy like nik Cha, if he's anywhere near where he
was before his injury, then that might be harmful to
a guy like Damian Pierce or Darray. I think the
Texans would then look at Okay, what do you value most?
Do you value the special teams value and the fact
that Darray can also catch the ball out of the backfield,
or do you value Damian Pierce's ability to be a
(27:51):
number one back if needed and he played special teams
his kick return. I think it'll come down to who
steps up in the training camp, but I think it'll
be It's gonna make for a tough decision for them.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Caronics You know a guy that we I would say
one hundred percent is gonna make this team is Jayden Higgins,
rookie out of Iowa State. It's hard to miss it
when he's out of practice, and it was very difficult
to miss him making plays in seven on seven. I
don't know where he ends up, whether he's a starter
(28:21):
or whether he's in the lineup eighty.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Percent of the time.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I don't know, but I just know when I watch him, Jonathan,
that Jaden Higgins makes plays that's gonna make CJ. Stroud
and the quarterbacks very very happy that he's on the field.
With his size, his hands, his speed, it really kind
of showed off today in mini camp. Who thoughts about
kind of the outlook for Jaden Higgins. I know he's
the first rookie taken and he's number pick number thirty four,
(28:47):
but still kind of breaking into the lineup. You think
ah might take a little bit, Maybe that happens sooner
than later. Your thoughts about Jaden Higgins.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
Yeah, he had his best day today. You know, going
up against team pretty often, you know that his performance
today really reminded me of Kamari las Yer last year.
You remember Kamari last year had went up against Stefan
Diggs and really won that battle, and I think he
(29:16):
really opened up a lot of eyes of his teammates
and earned that startup position. And I see the same
kind of trajectory for a guy like Jaden Higgins, who
obviously has a size and knows what to do it,
has great hands, has good speed. He does remind me
a lot of Nico Conins, not in the sense he's
not where Nico coins is, but he has that potential.
(29:37):
So I do see him being that number two receiver
as long as he continues to do what he's doing,
because you know, I don't think you know, obviously you
got Christian Kirk in the slot, but I don't think
I haven't seen anybody else opposite of Nico Collins really
step up. But Jaden Higgins has been that guy.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
And Jonathan Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle joining us.
Demiko Ryans was asked or he brought up Kate's Stover.
You mentioned Kate Stover making that nice catch in seven
on seven, and it just seems so crisp with him. Now,
I know Schultz isn't getting every rep out there. He's
probably recovering from something or whatever. But Stover year one
(30:13):
to year two jump, the coach talked about it. They
all want to see it, and he talked about him
being more decisive or deliberate or sharper at the top
of the route. I'm probably wording that incorrectly, but your
thoughts on Stover heading into year two and what we
might expect from him in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Yeah, I mean today, it was really noticeable how much
of a safety blanket he was for c J. Stroud
and team drills. Whenever Stroud didn't have somebody open, he'd
often looked for Stover. You know, they all they have
that history dating back to the Ohio State days. You know,
Stover is a guy who is one of the harder
workers on the team. I could really see him carving
(30:52):
out a big role for the scene, which would be
very necessary, especially as a number two tied end, and
stepping into that role and taking it over. Schulz is
obviously dealing with that leg injury. He's kind of been limited,
but participated a lot more today. But yeah, Stover was
one of the standouts. I was really surprised how often
(31:14):
CJ went to him in times of me when other
guys weren't open.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
I was trying not to be a prisoner of the moment.
Speaker 3 (31:19):
But during practice, every now and again, I'll pass by
Mark and we'll do, like you know, an over under.
And so we were talking about Stover and Mark said
over under thirty five receptions this year for Kate Stover
and without even finishing his since, I immediately went over
Jonathan forty catches over under for Kate Stover.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
It's a big leap.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
But I've said I thought that Kate can make that
big leap this year.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
You're taken over under forty receptions.
Speaker 4 (31:49):
I can see him going over, especially if he remains healthy.
And we know based on his past that Nick Keley
loves tight ends. Yeah, that's true, so I could usually
see you know, sover being a big factor. I'm going
to say, though, I'm going to take the over on that.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
Yes, all right, that's two overs.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Okay, let's go to Kaitlyn Bullock another year one to
year two guy and another one the coach talked about
and he talked about squaring up on tackling and that
kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
We're all used to.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Kalyn Bullock being able to go get the football in
the air, but they want to see the development and
it looks like they're seeing it so far here in
Ota is in midiicamp.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Yeah, I mean I wrote about Kaylin and Kamaraw a
little a couple of weeks ago, and those guys have
been working since season ended, and their confidences at an
all time high. And when he talked about Kamaraw, we
know how intense he is, especially in these moments. But
Kaitlyn is another guy, and obviously he has a unique
ability in his ballhawks skills, like he just is really
(32:50):
good at tracking the ball and intercepting, and he needed to,
you know, improve his tackle on ability and work on
his footwork, and that's obviously something that he put a
focus on this offseason. And I think you can have
another big year. And they're very much motivated by the
fact that they felt like they were slided and I
believe they were slided too in the Defensive Rookie of
(33:11):
the Year of voting. You know, I wasn't gonna say
they both deserved the word, but they deserve to be
one of those finalists. So yeah, I think you can
have a big year for another good year for them.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
Yeah, don't ask pff about Kayln. They gave him. They
gave him an awful grade they did. Yeah, that was ridiculous.
I was. I was quite angry with that.
Speaker 3 (33:31):
Now the other safety spot ends up being kind of interesting.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
Chaunton Gardner Johnson c J.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Gardner Johnson was at practice at mini camp, learning on
the fly, learning things, spend a time with Steven Adagoke,
safety's coach, seeing I don't know why, I was thinking
the back of my mind, you know, maybe CJ is
not going to be there, but man, he was there
and diving in. What are your thoughts about how that
whole thing comes together and how you think CJ and
(33:58):
Kayln kind of play awful one another play together back
of those safety spots.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
Yeah, it'll be interesting because both of those guys aren't
really playing the box type of guys. Both of those
like to play in the backfield and hunt. And but
I think Demiko is smart enough where he knows how
to utilize his defensive players and his weapons the best
of their ability. You saw him use some three safety
(34:25):
sets last year, and you know, I think he'll put
those guys in a position and we know what Gardner
Johnson can do yet six interceptions last season, which would
have led the Texans. He has that Super Bowl experience
and I think he'll be a great addition for this
defense that's already really loaded in the secondary.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
All Right, Jonathan, since we're talking NFL, we're contractually obligated
to ask you about Aaron Rodgers on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Here thoughts on that union happening.
Speaker 4 (34:58):
I mean, you know, I I think everybody expected it,
given that the Steelers didn't really target a quarterback in
the draft, which I thought was a mistake in itself,
but it just seemed inevitable for it to happen. And
you know, I think, you know, based on what I
saw from Aaron Rodgers last year, he was Okay. Does
(35:20):
he make the Steelers much better? I don't know. I
don't know that they become a team that makes any
noise in the playoffs. I think Aaron Rodgers days are
past him, but this move was inevitable, and I think
he makes them better than what they had previously before
they signed.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Okay, who gets signed first? TJ.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Watt with the extension in Pittsburgh or Micah Parsons with
an extension in Dallas.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Oh wow, that is a good question. I think it's
gonna be TJ Wytt. I think Micah is gonna want
to see what other guys get and try to top
those guys.
Speaker 2 (35:54):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
And you know that's pretty consistent with what David Ghetta
has done for his clients. And I think at this point,
you know, Micah could get a deal better than TJ Wytt,
being that he's a little bit younger. Missas from very beginning,
TJ why did as well, So you know, I think TJ. Whit'
is gonna get signed first.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
All right, So Anthony Richardson could be back in action
by training camp. Do you think he ends up starting
opening day? Based on the fact that he's out quote
indefinitely right now and Jones is getting these mini camp
reps and who knows what happens when training camp starts.
Has your thought on the Colts quarterback situation changed it all?
Speaker 4 (36:39):
It has? I just don't get the sense that they
really think highly of Anthony Richison down there in Indianapolis,
no matter what they say. I think everything they've done
has signaled that they eventually would like to move on
if things don't work out this year. And I think
Daniel Jones getting many of the first team reps only
(37:02):
helps him out. He has experiencing and we know that
even though he's not the greatest quarterback, he can perform
at a at a pretty decent level. And I think
he would probably beat Anthony Richardson out given that he's
had you know that chemistry built in this in OTAs
and Anti Richardson has missed as much time as he has.
Speaker 1 (37:25):
Another quarterback who's been dealing with something and actually sounded
like he had a procedure this offseason. He's two a
tongue of I loo with the Miami Dolphins and I
Jonathan cannot, for the life of me figure the Dolphins out.
Are they a finesse team who beats teams that are
lesser than less talented than them, can't get over the
hump against the good teams, or they a team on
(37:46):
the brink that you just need everybody to stay healthy
to put it all together.
Speaker 3 (37:51):
I can't make Hidner hair of the Miami Dolphins. And
then two was obviously dealing with something as well. What
are your thoughts about Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins.
Speaker 4 (38:01):
Yeah, I think they're heading in the wrong direction. You know,
I really think that. You know, they took the league
by storm in twenty twenty three with their offense, and
that kind of happened around the league a lot of
those exposive players with Tyreek Hill. I think Tyreek Hill
is slowing down a little bit as a receiver, and
I think last year you really saw defenses take advantage
(38:24):
of that and start to really prevent the exposive players
with me with a lot of two high safety looks.
And I think teams have figured out Mike be Daniel's offense.
So you know, I think they'll continue to struggle. I
don't think they have enough pieces, and a lot of
their pieces are getting older as well, So yeah, they
(38:45):
are predicated on being healthy. And you know, I just
don't see the dolphinse elevating themselves.
Speaker 1 (38:52):
In the way. Too early to think about this department.
Trevor Lawrence wearing a sleeve. He has general soreness. We've
heard that term around here, but our guys out there
slinging it. He's got the sleeve and they're admitting to
some things that who knows what they materialize into. So
I guess this is pure speculation. Any concern for you
(39:13):
if you were a Jacksonville guy.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
Yeah, I mean a little bit. Anytime you talk about
a quarterback with the shoulder injury, you're a little bit concerned.
But I think you can manage it pretty well. I
thought CJ. Brought up a great analogy, and it's just like,
you know, quarterbacks just like pictures. You know, their arms
get sore when they throw a lot, and sometimes you
(39:36):
have to dial it back a bit. You don't want
to overwork them, overthrow them, because then it could lead
to really big problems. And I think the Texans and
I think that the Jaguars would be smart with that.
But long term, as long as those teams manage it well,
I don't think as much to be concerned about.
Speaker 1 (39:55):
Jonathan, what do you have going out to the Houston
Chronicle for us?
Speaker 4 (39:58):
Yeah, I have a story out on CJ. Stroud and
a few more things that'll be in the worst maybe
one on Christian Kirk later on this week.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Sounds great.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
Thanks a lot for joining us, Thanks for having me.
There's Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle coming up. Final
segment where we will recap a bit about Mini Camp
and Top twenty plays at the last twenty five years
in college football. Do we agree with ESPN's list. It's
next here on Texans Radio. Mark Vandermere and John Harris
(40:29):
with you on Texans Radio rounding out the program today.
Biggest takeaway from Mini camp today, Johnny Higgins. Okay, Jane Higgins,
I thought, looks fantastic, great one to any catch, just
to see the rookies practice after practice, week after week progress.
Speaker 2 (40:46):
What about CJ Stroud? He looked pretty good too. I
don't want to.
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Take seven for granted, I never will, but I just
wanted to bring up something different.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
Okay, that sounds good because CJ look good today throwing
the football, and he'll be back at it tomorrow. Will
recap that for you. I wanted to get to this
on the way out. So ESPN put together their top
twenty five plays since two thousand. Have you looked at
this yet? No play college football play lays, play lays,
They sheet a bit.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Okay, what do you think number one is? The last
twenty five years? Yeah? The Kick six Auburn album. Absolutely
Kick six twenty or thirteen. Yeah. What do you think
number two might be?
Speaker 1 (41:22):
Statue Liberty, Boise State, Bengo.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
I've not seen this.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
That's two thousand and seven, yep, against Oklahoma. Give me
another one play? See they don't really do the play.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Here, Second and twenty six to Devontae Smith.
Speaker 1 (41:37):
Okay, that's on this list. But they go invincible Vince Young. Yeah,
now you can't do that. It's plays now they're winning play.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Well, touchdown. I guess they're going with the winning play problem, but.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
They're not really, they're just let's see. Oh they do
talk about it. Four and five. Okay, that's good. I'll
give it to Okay, so to his tosses. Next second
twenty six is next? Okay, walk off?
Speaker 2 (41:59):
No walk off? TD? Is that the one to win
the national championship?
Speaker 1 (42:03):
Yeah, Second and twenty six, that's the one guy, Davin Bellamy.
You have to sack on the on the first down play,
remember you here with the Texans, and then the second
down play second and twenty six they save his losing
his minded sideline two is like I got this.
Speaker 2 (42:14):
There's a bomber Yvonte Smith.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
They win it, okay, apple Lashian State defeating Michigan State
is fifth Michigan Rather, it's fifth.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Is that the is the blockfield goal? I guess they
don't they see it.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
Then reached field goal to range and then yeah, blocked
it field all the horror.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Is that the nickname for that play?
Speaker 1 (42:35):
I don't know, I've never heard that, but it would
make sense because Michigan, all those guys, Jake Long, Mike Hart,
Chad Henney, Texas Killer, they all went back to Michigan
for that year after the year before they thought we
got national championship and app State beat.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
Boom right there on the spot. I mean, if they get.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Beat Michigan, fans uh six is called six and that's
Crab Prize catch.
Speaker 2 (43:01):
Oh yeah against Texas. Yeah that twentyd and eight. What
a year. That was final seconds. That was awesome. It
was phenomenal. That was great.
Speaker 1 (43:07):
Seventh is the prayer at Jordan Hare. Oh yeah, twenty thirteen.
Speaker 3 (43:13):
Oh yeah, that was the throw from there was the
throw name escapes Me. Four throws Marshall deep. Two Georgia
guys hit the ball and tip it.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
One knocks it away from the other one and receiver
for Roberts.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
Into his hands. Nico Lewis.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
Ball's kind of over his shoulder and he's got to
find it and then it falls in his hands.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
They win that.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
The next game was kick six it was like, those
were back to back games at Drenair.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
That's incredible. Twenty thirteen, twenty thirteen, it was unbelievable. Year
eight is Surrender Cobra, Michigan State, Michigan, Oh, twenty fifteen.
We were on the road in Jacksonville. I remember watching that.
Speaker 3 (43:52):
Yeah, we were we were on the road in Repsville.
We were looking, we were looking to go find some
place to eat. And in the meanwhile we're like, oh
my god, did you see what happened in Michigan blocked
the kick on the final play of the game. Watts
I think his name was, and he gets tackled in
the end zone to win the game and they all
jump on him. But when he got tackled, he dissocated
(44:14):
his hip. So he's underneath the pilot's where you screaming.
He's like, get out of me because he's got he's
got a mile, he's got a busted hip.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
I'm like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (44:23):
Roy Williams hit on Chris Simms Superman. Ye Superman play
flies through the air. Don't leave your feet, Roy, don't
leave your feet. That was the advice you got from
the sideline.
Speaker 3 (44:32):
Mike Stoops Defense coordinator, don't leave your feet left his feet.
Speaker 1 (44:36):
I watched that at a bar in Miami during the
two thousand and one National Championship season, which does come
into play on this list. Champions is the next title.
Number ten college football play since two thousand and that's
Ohio State defeating Miami.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
You suw on bad call?
Speaker 1 (44:55):
Okay, So Clowney's play against Michigan the hit. The hit
is car wreck, they call it, and it's number eleven
on the list.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
It's just the hit.
Speaker 3 (45:05):
I mean it, don't I mean now, I know there
would be some aggies that are mad because Queen Coriot
he and Kyle richardson ninety one at TCU is the
greatest hit I've ever seen.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Clowny is a second.
Speaker 1 (45:16):
So I get it. But that's how people know in
the sec like that's the hit.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
Boy.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
Miami pops up on this list because lot Duke. Let's
see was it Duke.
Speaker 2 (45:26):
Duke? Yeah? Eight laterals of chaos right yeah?
Speaker 1 (45:29):
That and and it should have been called back but
it wasn't because one of the guys was down, his
knee was on the grounding at the ball. It was
very clear, but they didn't didn't call it. So it
counts as a touchdown, So it's just.
Speaker 2 (45:39):
The last twenty five years.
Speaker 1 (45:41):
Yeah, just so there's no hail Flutie, there's no Stanford
band here.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
Oh, I don't one that should be on the Cordell store.
I don't one that should be on.
Speaker 3 (45:48):
Are is Robert Griffin RG three in twenty eleven, his
Heisman year, throws a bomb to Terrence Williams for a
touchdown against Oklahoma. Looking twenty eleven, that should that now,
if it's only twenty five plays, that's it's going to
be close.
Speaker 1 (46:04):
Okay, So I called one of these plays. Can you
guess which one it is? Makes it pretty easy?
Speaker 2 (46:09):
Celeste? Why? Right? No? Right? They don't include that.
Speaker 1 (46:13):
Oh that stealing the interception from Walter against Boston College,
so it's a pick six, but it's a handoff flateral.
And again, as play by play guy for that play.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
I would imagine that was confused. It was confusing.
Speaker 1 (46:30):
How did you call it? I said, gets the ball
on an exchange.
Speaker 2 (46:34):
It's pretty good.
Speaker 1 (46:35):
Generalize as much as possable, And I listened to the
call of Westwood one Howard David was doing it, and
I listened to the call of Musburger and I thought
I did the best job. Okay, that's me commenting on myself.
All right, that's it for the show tonight. A lot
of fun tomorrow night. More on Mini camp As. Day
two is tomorrow morning, and you know we're going to
(46:56):
be talking all about it. Area forty five is next day,
talk about everything.
Speaker 2 (47:00):
Don't miss it. Have a great night, Go Texans.
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