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Texans: Camp tour |
Prisco
HOUSTON -- Observations from Texans camp:
1. Quarterback Matt Schaub sure seems comfortable in his role as a starter after backing up Mike Vick the past three years. He threw the ball well the days I watched and he appears to have a good rapport with both coach Gary Kubiak and his teammates. This is a guy who called his teammates the day he arrived in Houston after being traded to the Texans. "I did that because I'm a leader of the football team," Schaub said. "I wanted to reach out to the guys and let them know I'm here and we're going to lean on each other." One big difference between Schaub and predecessor David Carr is that Schaub stays around the facility and hangs with his teammates, something Carr did not.
2. When he was with the Texans, Carr took a beating. But the team feels better about the offensive line than it has in the past. Right tackle Eric Winston looks much more comfortable in his second season playing on that side after playing the left side in college. The other tackle would be a concern to me. Ephraim Salaam played well for the Texans last year, but he's been a spinning top at other times in his career with other teams. The Texans need to get Charles Spencer back to play left tackle, but he suffered a serious knee injury last year and isn't close to being back. Salaam nearly got Byron Leftwich killed in a game when he was with the Jaguars. The interior of the line is solid, if not spectacular. But it's certainly a unit that is upgraded over recent Texans lines. "We do things better and they will get better," Kubiak said. Translated: Schaub needs to get rid of the football quicker than Carr did.
3. The heat on defensive end Mario Williams still hasn't subsided. The entire city, it seems, rags on him because the Texans passed on both Reggie Bush and Vince Young last year to take Williams with the first overall pick. That wasn't Williams' decision, yet you'd think it was. He was ripped on local radio this week for his no-sack performance in the preseason opener. Please. This kid will be a 14-sack player this year. He has all the tools to be a force on the outside. Give him a break, please. He certainly looked more comfortable in the practices I watched.
4. The Texans lost starting safety Glenn Earl for the year in their preseason opener. He was an OK player, but he's replaceable. For now, Jason Simmons, a converted corner, will take over at strong safety next to Eric Brown. Simmons, a 10-year veteran, is a feisty player who goes to camp every year with a bulls-eye on his back, yet always seems to stick around. Now he's a starter. There is a chance he could be pushed by Von Hutchins for the job.
5. Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans is a star in the making. He had a sensational rookie year and looks even better heading into this season. Ryans has the speed and range you want in a modern-day middle linebacker. He attacks the football. It would be a shock if he doesn't get to the Pro Bowl this season.
Strowyrm 
