August 21, 2024 • 17 mins
Stan Norfleet of Next Up breaks down the Houston Texans roster ahead of a joint practice and final preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Texans have strengthened every position group in the offseason, and on paper, the offensive line leads the way with four-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil and veteran Tytus Howard. However, many remain cautious when discussing the potential of the offensive line due to the extensive injuries of past seasons. Pro Football Focus ranks the Texans offensive line at No. 22 entering the 2024 season. The addition of Azeez Al-Shaair to the linebacker core has given the Texans defense a strong leader, but with Christian Harris dealing with a calf injury most of minicamp, there is not much starter experience left in the position group. Will Henry To'oTo'o, Jake Hansen and Neville Hewitt be enough to support Al-Shaair and the rest of the Texans defense?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's talk Texans, shall we? As the Rams will make
their way here to town for the final preseason game
coming up on Saturday. Joint practice tomorrow Texans on the
practice field that would be taking place now. They're actually
getting ready to wrap up. From what I understand over
the Houston Methodist Training Center. Jonathan m Alexander of the
(00:20):
Houston Chronicle joined us yesterday. He has his fifty three
man roster projection for the Texans, and it's about that
time as Tuesday afternoon, i'd say three o'clock local time.
All of the NFL has to get down to the
fifty three man obviously, and so all of these articles,
all of these different sites are putting things up and
(00:43):
you know, projecting who's gonna do what, when, where, why?
And I want to ask it this way because I
saw the Athletic had this up this morning. It was
really about the AFC South. But then it hammeled home
a point where I find my thoughts. It says the
AFC South is a three headed monster, the Texans, Titans,
(01:07):
and Jaguars, all right. It says the Colts haven't won
the division since the flightgate, the Texans, Titan, and Jaguars,
haven't fared much better outside of the Jags blowing a
ten point fourth quarter lead to Tom Brady's Patriots back
in eighteen. He said, But let's start with the favorite
for the division crown. The Texans are thought to have
(01:29):
the division crown in twenty twenty four. The biggest question
in this athletic article can they build off of breakthrough season?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
C J.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Stroud on a rookie deal allows Caserio to go put
that money elsewhere, Ie Stefan Diggs, Joe Mixon, the Neil
Hunter and others. De Nico Artriy, so on and so forth.
He reminds us, though, and this is where I go.
I've got two areas of focus which are not talked
(02:00):
about as much as we get distracted or inundated focused
on concentrating on these. Other aspects of the Texans are sexier. CJ.
Strid wide receivers, running bags, corner opposite dere Stingly. I'm
telling you, and if you're honest with your sales, Houston
(02:22):
and y'all know, I don't like doing this. I'm about
getting it right, not necessarily being right, but there are
circumstances where both can coexist. I'm right about the Texans
a lot. This offensive line thing and translation lack of
consistent ability to run the football. I don't know that
(02:44):
we're going to see them get this buttoned up until
they're playing Week one up in Indianapolis. This article in
Athletic reminded me of such stan. The health of the
Texans is going to be critical twenty four. The Texans
lost nearly one hundred and sixty games to injury in
(03:05):
twenty twenty three, most in the NFL, specifically the offensive line.
I had some number. Where was this thing at? Let's
see can I find this? It was like, we know
that the Texans were tied with the Jets for most
players on injured reserve in the twenty twenty three season.
It was like, yeah, their offensive line was definitely and
(03:27):
I used to have an offensive line breakdown. I can't
find it right now. Definitely the most banged up O
line and CJ was able to overcome that. Let's not
get carried away and expect CJ to do that again.
This offensive line, and there was something particular our point
to here. The texans slightly below average finish a year
(03:51):
ago in the trenches is alarming. Pro Football Focus ranking
the Texans nineteenth and pass blocking and just twentieth in
run blocking. There has to be upside there when everybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I'm nervous about this old line.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It's not that they can't play when they're healthy, they
just haven't had a ton of time together. Given the
last two seasons, Larmy tunes on the Tightest Howard are
getting long into two Shaq Mason's No Spring Chicken, and
they are asking young guys that are unproven in Juice
Scrugs and Kenyon Green to get on the same page
(04:33):
with those wily veterans and to perform in Unison on
the track of this outside zone run scheme that we
know Bobby Sloweck wants to run.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Now. Health is health.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
But then then you pivot and go Casario coming off
last season where you were banged up all the hell.
Thanks to the Thank you for the admirable job of
a guy like George Chance over at that right tackle.
Thank you for the willingness of Titus Howard. Although he
did fight. I say willingness, it means he went over
there and he played d set. He wasn't great, left
something to be desired. But thank you for Tyrus for
(05:06):
going over there and left guard when we really didn't
have a choice. Nick Casserio this offseason, what did Nick
Casserio really do to buffer this offensive line? Yes, he
went and got Blake Fish in the second round. Yes
he had Jared Patterson and Juice Scruggs returning. Both started
a number of games, but damn half the season. But
(05:28):
you got Ken Drick Green, Nick Broker, who's doubling as
a guard and a tackle. What's going on in there?
This offensive line continues to be a point for me.
As great as CJ can be when he's in his bag,
and we've seen him do it, as awesome as the
toys are on the perimeter, if that on line don't
(05:50):
get on the same page. And I'm talking in both
run and pass pro. This team ranked below average in
both run and pass blocking a year. Based on what
we've seen thus far this season, and there were moments
on Saturday that this old line was excellent. I mean
CJ on that ball to Dalton Schultz in the middle
(06:11):
of the field. CJ had all day and that's against
a Giant's front Thibodeau, Dex Lawrence and others. Brian Burns,
who did hand Blake Fisher his lunch. Blake Fisher starting
to left tackle for Laramie tonsel Brian Burns had him
in a little spell cycle. Okay, it's gonna happen. The
young guy's got to learn from the wiley veterans. But
(06:34):
when I read stuff like this position to watch that
old line, I agree with this, and it's not sexy
and probably didn't make for great sports talk radio. Matt
Thomas is gonna text me in a second if he
had not ready that old line.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Man. We just won't know. That's the hard part.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
We won't know even if you go to practice, unless
you're going to the joint practice on Thursday, we won't
know how good they really are all five of them
are there together, and that probably won't happen until Indianapolis.
All Right, while I'm here, this article continues real quicker,
we'll wrap up this segment. Let's open up the phone
lines Connor seven to one three, two one, two, five
(07:12):
seven ninety for those that want to get in and talk.
Some Texans on the other side. Fantasy sleeper running back
Juwar Jordan better than twenty twenty three? Will the Texans
be better than twenty twenty three? Bet MGM hasn't at
nine and a half wins. This article says, yes, they
anticipate that the Texans, who have the eighth best odds
(07:34):
to win the Super Bowl, to be better than the
nine and a half game projection according to the betting houses.
So that's the offensive position that has me the most.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
On edge. What about the defensive side?
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Saw something else that gives us a snapshot into the future.
We'll talk more about the Texans defensive side of the
ball on the other side.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
This is next with Stad Northfleet and Chris Gordy.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
During this next stage on Sports.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Talk seven ninety After review of the film, I really
the one thing that stuck out to me is just
the energy from our entire team. It's kind of mentioned
a little bit but after the game, but to see
the peer excitement and joy, guys having fun playing football,
(08:29):
Like that's what it's about, right if it felt special
watching it on film. You see that connectedness, see our
guys truly exciting for each other.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Like, I love that about our team.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
I love where we are right now as a team.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Demiko Ryans after looking at the film, he did a
second take Tuesday that was a dressing the media on Monday,
and I agree with Demiko. There was a lot to
like about the performance they put on tape Saturday afternoon,
at least the first quarter and let's go first, but
primarily the first quarter. We saw Steph Diggs do some
(09:03):
good things before they were taking they took him out,
number starters, didn't play larry Tonzo, We did not see
Joe mixing.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
So there's still more to be seen.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
And I don't know how much of those guys will
see at this joint practice coming up tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
That's one of the questions I have. It's like, when
will we see chemistry and continuity matter? And I get it,
you only obtain that by playing in the games. But
they call it practice for a reason, and guys just
don't have enough time practicing together. It is a long season,
eighteen weeks, seventeen games, I understand, but when you look
at this schedule, everybody cried all off season about how
(09:42):
daunting this Texan schedule is. You start off the rip
with a Division four and the Colts are chomping at
the bench bet get ready to go, And so I
have my concerns on the offense side of the ball.
I'm not going on overreact and say they can't do
it in Casario? What the hell are you doing? But
(10:04):
that's where my eyes go when people say, stand the Texans,
what do you think? First thing I go is will
tell me what offense line looking like.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Last year?
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Injuries everywhere, and they still performed below average obviously, So
all right, what is the upside? Should Juice and Jared
Pattison be better than year two?
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Yep? Is Kenyon green? For real?
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Do we trust that he's really ready to be a
top fifteen pick and play like that?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
I hope? So? Can I bet on that right now?
Speaker 3 (10:39):
No?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Yeah, show me. So that's the offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Dimico spoke there about the energy and he was asked,
I think, following that up about the defensive performance. Derek
Stingley Junior, he gets a sticker. Jalen Petrie, he gets
a sticker. Excellent, absolutely excellent. There's some mother fun folks
on defense. I'm sure I could brag about, uh, but
the thing that gives me some paus and I saw
(11:07):
this and it showed up in an unconventional way seven one, three,
two two five seve ninety. You want to get in
real Texans talk and listen to seven ninety. You want
to talk some Texans as they welcome the Rams in
this week and really just forecast in the twenty twenty
four season. I asked you a question, what position group,
what aspect of this team? We've seen them three times
now Hall of Fame game, in two preseason games. What
(11:30):
aspect of this team leaves something to be desired? Or conversely,
are you most excited about It's easy to say CJ
and the wide.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Receivers, the what else?
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I'm trying to win and I'm trying to get to
an AFC championship game and get to a Super Bowl.
I'm trying to win the AFC. There's a formula to
doing that. And one of those pieces, how do you
play on defense and at a particular position group. I've
said this and some of you are tired of hearing
of it. Some of you may tune out, a lot
(12:04):
of you tune in. That's why the show's doing well.
God bless you appreciate this lineback and corps. I find
myself on air and off talking about this lineback and
corps over and over.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Stan, what are you talking about?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
This is about corners and the secondary and this is
about pass rushing, and it is you better be solid
in the National Football League down the center of your defense,
the interior, that D line, especially that mike back or
those inside backers, and you better have some safeties that
(12:40):
can cover and come up in the run support game
we talked about yesterday. If you missed the show, you
can go back to Sports seven ninety dot com, as
was the free iHeartRadio app, and get caught up. There's
a reason they gave Jimmy Ward an extension. They like
what Jimmy gives them as a leader. They like what
Jimmy gives them as a physical player in the run game.
(13:02):
And yes it does less than the cap for this year,
the cap hit for this year. Jalen Petrie's new role.
Apparently Eric Murray has been serviceable enough at the safety
spot a zizl Shire. I have zero concerns about him
anchoring the middle of that defense as the Mike Becker,
the green dot on his helmet, making the calls with Demiko.
(13:23):
I love the chain of communication. You know, Aziz and
Jimmy have played together a lot in San fran There's
a communication. They're cool. Love that, But when I look
at that linebacker Corn. ESPN has something up this morning,
and some of you this may be a reach for some,
but I think it's tell me, this is Phil Yates.
(13:45):
You see him on the NFL Live and all those
other shows. He's an ESPN inside. He does a lot
of good work. He has up this morning in conjunction
with some other draft knicks, the twenty twenty five mock
Draft early first round predictions.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Let me scroll down here. What does he have of
Texans at.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
So he's got the Texans selecting twenty third overall. So
it's that twenty three out of thirty two that means
the Texans likely win a first round playoff game, whether
that be wild caught or or Division round. Doing some
quick map, Phil Yates has the Texans selecting linebacker Help
(14:29):
Perkins out of LSU. I can't believe Gord is not
in the room to hear me say this. We'll get
his commentary on it. But the point is, and let
me read it right up first, the Texans aren't really
good shape across the board, as this team is littered
with young talent on both sides of the ball. Perkins
is an interesting evaluation quickness to play in a lot
(14:50):
of different spots. Likely to return to his inside linebacker
spot in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
That's where he is best believed to be suited to play.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Perkins has sufficient size six one two twenty, super speed
and ability to do a little bit of everything should
appeal to coach the Miko Rance.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Why would Phil Yates.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And the NF and the ESPN NFL draft knicks have
the Texans taking a linebacker in the first round is
because they see what I'm telling you this linebacking corps.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Could there be some surprises?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Sure, Jake Hanson flash last year in camp, as did
Blake Cashman. Blake went on to have a career year
he cashed, then good for him. Henry told Toe has
been better this training camp. If Christian Harris can't go
Week one against the Indianapolis coach, I don't have confidence
(15:48):
right now. It's not all doom and gloom. Azizl Shire
should make Henry toete better. If Henry has to go
out there because Christian Harris camp, Jake Hanson probably want
to see some more staying. The Texans winning and looting
games ain't gonna be predicated on some damn linebackers. Okay,
(16:10):
go ask people that cheer for the Can City Chiefs,
go ask how important the linebank Cory is for them.
They've got a dude named Nick Bolton. He was the
first round picking it's own right. He's a certified bawler.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Go answer.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
It's telling you linebackers matter. Go as Baltimore do. Linebackers matter?
Go ass San Francisco. You better have you a dude.
And I don't know that right now. The Texans have
enough at that linebacker spot. It's just an iger for me.
I'll take some more phone calls on that. Harold Perkins
junior out of LSU a linebacker. We know that Cassarrio likes.
(16:48):
And I'm not trying to do a way too early
mock necessarily, even though that's what this is.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
They they look at the roster, they forecast, what are
the Texans gonna need? Asease is gonna be here, He
signed a good contract. He's gonna be here. Christian has
when healthy, is going to be here. We think it's
an important season for him. I can't imagine Dimiko wouldn't
want to resign him. But these people at ESPN dot
(17:13):
com that covered the lead, they're talking to people they're
looking at the roster, they're looking at contracts, and they're
saying stay, And I agree with you. This linebacker room
is an issue the Texans have to have to have
to If there was any position group outside of maybe
the interior of the offensive line, if there was any
(17:34):
position group that you would have asked me, stand, where
are they gonna go get help off the scrap heat
that somebody else is going to release, it would be linebacker.
We got less of the week to find out if
I'm just blowing smoke or if Cassario or Demiko Rance
agree with me.
Let's talk Texans, shall we? As the Rams will make
their way here to town for the final preseason game
coming up on Saturday. Joint practice tomorrow Texans on the
practice field that would be taking place now. They're actually
getting ready to wrap up. From what I understand over
the Houston Methodist Training Center. Jonathan m Alexander of the
(00:20):
Houston Chronicle joined us yesterday. He has his fifty three
man roster projection for the Texans, and it's about that
time as Tuesday afternoon, i'd say three o'clock local time.
All of the NFL has to get down to the
fifty three man obviously, and so all of these articles,
all of these different sites are putting things up and
(00:43):
you know, projecting who's gonna do what, when, where, why?
And I want to ask it this way because I
saw the Athletic had this up this morning. It was
really about the AFC South. But then it hammeled home
a point where I find my thoughts. It says the
AFC South is a three headed monster, the Texans, Titans,
(01:07):
and Jaguars, all right. It says the Colts haven't won
the division since the flightgate, the Texans, Titan, and Jaguars,
haven't fared much better outside of the Jags blowing a
ten point fourth quarter lead to Tom Brady's Patriots back
in eighteen. He said, But let's start with the favorite
for the division crown. The Texans are thought to have
(01:29):
the division crown in twenty twenty four. The biggest question
in this athletic article can they build off of breakthrough season?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
C J.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Stroud on a rookie deal allows Caserio to go put
that money elsewhere, Ie Stefan Diggs, Joe Mixon, the Neil
Hunter and others. De Nico Artriy, so on and so forth.
He reminds us, though, and this is where I go.
I've got two areas of focus which are not talked
(02:00):
about as much as we get distracted or inundated focused
on concentrating on these. Other aspects of the Texans are sexier. CJ.
Strid wide receivers, running bags, corner opposite dere Stingly. I'm
telling you, and if you're honest with your sales, Houston
(02:22):
and y'all know, I don't like doing this. I'm about
getting it right, not necessarily being right, but there are
circumstances where both can coexist. I'm right about the Texans
a lot. This offensive line thing and translation lack of
consistent ability to run the football. I don't know that
(02:44):
we're going to see them get this buttoned up until
they're playing Week one up in Indianapolis. This article in
Athletic reminded me of such stan. The health of the
Texans is going to be critical twenty four. The Texans
lost nearly one hundred and sixty games to injury in
(03:05):
twenty twenty three, most in the NFL, specifically the offensive line.
I had some number. Where was this thing at? Let's
see can I find this? It was like, we know
that the Texans were tied with the Jets for most
players on injured reserve in the twenty twenty three season.
It was like, yeah, their offensive line was definitely and
(03:27):
I used to have an offensive line breakdown. I can't
find it right now. Definitely the most banged up O
line and CJ was able to overcome that. Let's not
get carried away and expect CJ to do that again.
This offensive line, and there was something particular our point
to here. The texans slightly below average finish a year
(03:51):
ago in the trenches is alarming. Pro Football Focus ranking
the Texans nineteenth and pass blocking and just twentieth in
run blocking. There has to be upside there when everybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I'm nervous about this old line.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It's not that they can't play when they're healthy, they
just haven't had a ton of time together. Given the
last two seasons, Larmy tunes on the Tightest Howard are
getting long into two Shaq Mason's No Spring Chicken, and
they are asking young guys that are unproven in Juice
Scrugs and Kenyon Green to get on the same page
(04:33):
with those wily veterans and to perform in Unison on
the track of this outside zone run scheme that we
know Bobby Sloweck wants to run.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Now. Health is health.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
But then then you pivot and go Casario coming off
last season where you were banged up all the hell.
Thanks to the Thank you for the admirable job of
a guy like George Chance over at that right tackle.
Thank you for the willingness of Titus Howard. Although he
did fight. I say willingness, it means he went over
there and he played d set. He wasn't great, left
something to be desired. But thank you for Tyrus for
(05:06):
going over there and left guard when we really didn't
have a choice. Nick Casserio this offseason, what did Nick
Casserio really do to buffer this offensive line? Yes, he
went and got Blake Fish in the second round. Yes
he had Jared Patterson and Juice Scruggs returning. Both started
a number of games, but damn half the season. But
(05:28):
you got Ken Drick Green, Nick Broker, who's doubling as
a guard and a tackle. What's going on in there?
This offensive line continues to be a point for me.
As great as CJ can be when he's in his bag,
and we've seen him do it, as awesome as the
toys are on the perimeter, if that on line don't
(05:50):
get on the same page. And I'm talking in both
run and pass pro. This team ranked below average in
both run and pass blocking a year. Based on what
we've seen thus far this season, and there were moments
on Saturday that this old line was excellent. I mean
CJ on that ball to Dalton Schultz in the middle
(06:11):
of the field. CJ had all day and that's against
a Giant's front Thibodeau, Dex Lawrence and others. Brian Burns,
who did hand Blake Fisher his lunch. Blake Fisher starting
to left tackle for Laramie tonsel Brian Burns had him
in a little spell cycle. Okay, it's gonna happen. The
young guy's got to learn from the wiley veterans. But
(06:34):
when I read stuff like this position to watch that
old line, I agree with this, and it's not sexy
and probably didn't make for great sports talk radio. Matt
Thomas is gonna text me in a second if he
had not ready that old line.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Man. We just won't know. That's the hard part.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
We won't know even if you go to practice, unless
you're going to the joint practice on Thursday, we won't
know how good they really are all five of them
are there together, and that probably won't happen until Indianapolis.
All Right, while I'm here, this article continues real quicker,
we'll wrap up this segment. Let's open up the phone
lines Connor seven to one three, two one, two, five
(07:12):
seven ninety for those that want to get in and talk.
Some Texans on the other side. Fantasy sleeper running back
Juwar Jordan better than twenty twenty three? Will the Texans
be better than twenty twenty three? Bet MGM hasn't at
nine and a half wins. This article says, yes, they
anticipate that the Texans, who have the eighth best odds
(07:34):
to win the Super Bowl, to be better than the
nine and a half game projection according to the betting houses.
So that's the offensive position that has me the most.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
On edge. What about the defensive side?
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Saw something else that gives us a snapshot into the future.
We'll talk more about the Texans defensive side of the
ball on the other side.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
This is next with Stad Northfleet and Chris Gordy.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
During this next stage on Sports.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Talk seven ninety After review of the film, I really
the one thing that stuck out to me is just
the energy from our entire team. It's kind of mentioned
a little bit but after the game, but to see
the peer excitement and joy, guys having fun playing football,
(08:29):
Like that's what it's about, right if it felt special
watching it on film. You see that connectedness, see our
guys truly exciting for each other.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Like, I love that about our team.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
I love where we are right now as a team.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Demiko Ryans after looking at the film, he did a
second take Tuesday that was a dressing the media on Monday,
and I agree with Demiko. There was a lot to
like about the performance they put on tape Saturday afternoon,
at least the first quarter and let's go first, but
primarily the first quarter. We saw Steph Diggs do some
(09:03):
good things before they were taking they took him out,
number starters, didn't play larry Tonzo, We did not see
Joe mixing.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
So there's still more to be seen.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
And I don't know how much of those guys will
see at this joint practice coming up tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
That's one of the questions I have. It's like, when
will we see chemistry and continuity matter? And I get it,
you only obtain that by playing in the games. But
they call it practice for a reason, and guys just
don't have enough time practicing together. It is a long season,
eighteen weeks, seventeen games, I understand, but when you look
at this schedule, everybody cried all off season about how
(09:42):
daunting this Texan schedule is. You start off the rip
with a Division four and the Colts are chomping at
the bench bet get ready to go, And so I
have my concerns on the offense side of the ball.
I'm not going on overreact and say they can't do
it in Casario? What the hell are you doing? But
(10:04):
that's where my eyes go when people say, stand the Texans,
what do you think? First thing I go is will
tell me what offense line looking like.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Last year?
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Injuries everywhere, and they still performed below average obviously, So
all right, what is the upside? Should Juice and Jared
Pattison be better than year two?
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Yep? Is Kenyon green? For real?
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Do we trust that he's really ready to be a
top fifteen pick and play like that?
Speaker 2 (10:35):
I hope? So? Can I bet on that right now?
Speaker 3 (10:39):
No?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Yeah, show me. So that's the offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Dimico spoke there about the energy and he was asked,
I think, following that up about the defensive performance. Derek
Stingley Junior, he gets a sticker. Jalen Petrie, he gets
a sticker. Excellent, absolutely excellent. There's some mother fun folks
on defense. I'm sure I could brag about, uh, but
the thing that gives me some paus and I saw
(11:07):
this and it showed up in an unconventional way seven one, three,
two two five seve ninety. You want to get in
real Texans talk and listen to seven ninety. You want
to talk some Texans as they welcome the Rams in
this week and really just forecast in the twenty twenty
four season. I asked you a question, what position group,
what aspect of this team? We've seen them three times
now Hall of Fame game, in two preseason games. What
(11:30):
aspect of this team leaves something to be desired? Or conversely,
are you most excited about It's easy to say CJ
and the wide.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Receivers, the what else?
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I'm trying to win and I'm trying to get to
an AFC championship game and get to a Super Bowl.
I'm trying to win the AFC. There's a formula to
doing that. And one of those pieces, how do you
play on defense and at a particular position group. I've
said this and some of you are tired of hearing
of it. Some of you may tune out, a lot
(12:04):
of you tune in. That's why the show's doing well.
God bless you appreciate this lineback and corps. I find
myself on air and off talking about this lineback and
corps over and over.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Stan, what are you talking about?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
This is about corners and the secondary and this is
about pass rushing, and it is you better be solid
in the National Football League down the center of your defense,
the interior, that D line, especially that mike back or
those inside backers, and you better have some safeties that
(12:40):
can cover and come up in the run support game
we talked about yesterday. If you missed the show, you
can go back to Sports seven ninety dot com, as
was the free iHeartRadio app, and get caught up. There's
a reason they gave Jimmy Ward an extension. They like
what Jimmy gives them as a leader. They like what
Jimmy gives them as a physical player in the run game.
(13:02):
And yes it does less than the cap for this year,
the cap hit for this year. Jalen Petrie's new role.
Apparently Eric Murray has been serviceable enough at the safety
spot a zizl Shire. I have zero concerns about him
anchoring the middle of that defense as the Mike Becker,
the green dot on his helmet, making the calls with Demiko.
(13:23):
I love the chain of communication. You know, Aziz and
Jimmy have played together a lot in San fran There's
a communication. They're cool. Love that, But when I look
at that linebacker Corn. ESPN has something up this morning,
and some of you this may be a reach for some,
but I think it's tell me, this is Phil Yates.
(13:45):
You see him on the NFL Live and all those
other shows. He's an ESPN inside. He does a lot
of good work. He has up this morning in conjunction
with some other draft knicks, the twenty twenty five mock
Draft early first round predictions.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Let me scroll down here. What does he have of
Texans at.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
So he's got the Texans selecting twenty third overall. So
it's that twenty three out of thirty two that means
the Texans likely win a first round playoff game, whether
that be wild caught or or Division round. Doing some
quick map, Phil Yates has the Texans selecting linebacker Help
(14:29):
Perkins out of LSU. I can't believe Gord is not
in the room to hear me say this. We'll get
his commentary on it. But the point is, and let
me read it right up first, the Texans aren't really
good shape across the board, as this team is littered
with young talent on both sides of the ball. Perkins
is an interesting evaluation quickness to play in a lot
(14:50):
of different spots. Likely to return to his inside linebacker
spot in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
That's where he is best believed to be suited to play.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Perkins has sufficient size six one two twenty, super speed
and ability to do a little bit of everything should
appeal to coach the Miko Rance.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Why would Phil Yates.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
And the NF and the ESPN NFL draft knicks have
the Texans taking a linebacker in the first round is
because they see what I'm telling you this linebacking corps.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Could there be some surprises?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Sure, Jake Hanson flash last year in camp, as did
Blake Cashman. Blake went on to have a career year
he cashed, then good for him. Henry told Toe has
been better this training camp. If Christian Harris can't go
Week one against the Indianapolis coach, I don't have confidence
(15:48):
right now. It's not all doom and gloom. Azizl Shire
should make Henry toete better. If Henry has to go
out there because Christian Harris camp, Jake Hanson probably want
to see some more staying. The Texans winning and looting
games ain't gonna be predicated on some damn linebackers. Okay,
(16:10):
go ask people that cheer for the Can City Chiefs,
go ask how important the linebank Cory is for them.
They've got a dude named Nick Bolton. He was the
first round picking it's own right. He's a certified bawler.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Go answer.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
It's telling you linebackers matter. Go as Baltimore do. Linebackers matter?
Go ass San Francisco. You better have you a dude.
And I don't know that right now. The Texans have
enough at that linebacker spot. It's just an iger for me.
I'll take some more phone calls on that. Harold Perkins
junior out of LSU a linebacker. We know that Cassarrio likes.
(16:48):
And I'm not trying to do a way too early
mock necessarily, even though that's what this is.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
They they look at the roster, they forecast, what are
the Texans gonna need? Asease is gonna be here, He
signed a good contract. He's gonna be here. Christian has
when healthy, is going to be here. We think it's
an important season for him. I can't imagine Dimiko wouldn't
want to resign him. But these people at ESPN dot
(17:13):
com that covered the lead, they're talking to people they're
looking at the roster, they're looking at contracts, and they're
saying stay, And I agree with you. This linebacker room
is an issue the Texans have to have to have
to If there was any position group outside of maybe
the interior of the offensive line, if there was any
(17:34):
position group that you would have asked me, stand, where
are they gonna go get help off the scrap heat
that somebody else is going to release, it would be linebacker.
We got less of the week to find out if
I'm just blowing smoke or if Cassario or Demiko Rance
agree with me.
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