Hello Texans, and welcome to the program. Mark VanderMeer and John Harris with you, and twenty four hours from now, we will do our Texans schedule pregame show because the schedule comes out seven o'clock Central Wednesday night, so we'll be on six to seven Live with all breaking news because some stuff will leak out by then.

Hello Texans, and welcome to the program. Mark VanderMeer and John Harris with you, and twenty four hours from now, we will do our Texans schedule pregame show because the schedule comes out seven o'clock Central Wednesday night, so we'll be on six to seven Live with all breaking news because some stuff will leak out by then.

Some will be incorrect, some will be correct.

Some will be incorrect, some will be correct.

We will weigh and assess what could be right, what will definitely be wrong, all of that. For instance, we did our mock schedule last Thursday night, Johnny, and we're already wrong about something. Well, yeah, we mocked the Texans to play the Chargers in Brazil on opening weekend, but that's going to be the Chiefs.

We will weigh and assess what could be right, what will definitely be wrong, all of that. For instance, we did our mock schedule last Thursday night, Johnny, and we're already wrong about something. Well, yeah, we mocked the Texans to play the Chargers in Brazil on opening weekend, but that's going to be the Chiefs.

So well, that was kind of wishful thinking by me.

So well, that was kind of wishful thinking by me.

That was me putting the techna those wish will think in like, hey, let's go to Brazil, let's play in a place we've never played before, and hip off the international game Bandit's that's right, but it's okay. I'm not disappointed, to be honest, that we're not playing an international game. It'd be nice to go over there and play a game, but it's a pretty grueling opportunity, if you want to call it that exactly.

That was me putting the techna those wish will think in like, hey, let's go to Brazil, let's play in a place we've never played before, and hip off the international game Bandit's that's right, but it's okay. I'm not disappointed, to be honest, that we're not playing an international game. It'd be nice to go over there and play a game, but it's a pretty grueling opportunity, if you want to call it that exactly.

So now you're gonna play the Chargers in LA and the Rams in LA, and we'll see where all that goes. Also, Jonathan Alexander on the show tonight will go and predict how many primetime games the Texans have or will have, and we're gonna go on the record with it. I know we've probably thrown out some predictions before, but we're gonna go on the record. I already know that your prediction is going to be a bit of a surprise, So stay tuned for segment number two with Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle on that. Among other things, we'll go over some rookie camp stuff, and I do have some thoughts on scheduled information that's come out already, Johnny, but I want to start here and go with me, if you will, kind of journey into the past and relate it to the present, because every once in a while, and I saw him this morning, see j Stroud. I saw him in the hallway, said hello to him, and I just had that feeling of.

So now you're gonna play the Chargers in LA and the Rams in LA, and we'll see where all that goes. Also, Jonathan Alexander on the show tonight will go and predict how many primetime games the Texans have or will have, and we're gonna go on the record with it. I know we've probably thrown out some predictions before, but we're gonna go on the record. I already know that your prediction is going to be a bit of a surprise, So stay tuned for segment number two with Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle on that. Among other things, we'll go over some rookie camp stuff, and I do have some thoughts on scheduled information that's come out already, Johnny, but I want to start here and go with me, if you will, kind of journey into the past and relate it to the present, because every once in a while, and I saw him this morning, see j Stroud. I saw him in the hallway, said hello to him, and I just had that feeling of.

So good to have a quarterback. It's just it's so good.

So good to have a quarterback. It's just it's so good.

We've been in situations in this franchise's history where there was not a clear cut starting quarterback in the building, and you hope for one guy or another guy, and you hope somebody would emerge and maybe this guy could be the one and all of that other stuff, and it wouldn't happen, and sometimes it happened for a week and then it would go back to normal, and normal was bad. But now we have CJ. Stratton, it's wonderful. But with the retirement of Derek Carr, it just got me thinking about all the struggles because Derek Carr is kind of a cousin of this franchise, I feel, because of David's situation here as at first starting quarterback of the Houston Texans SU and he being David's brother, and the Cars being well involved in Houston, and Derek comingto practice all the time, and one time being the starting quarterback for the Clements Rangers in Fort ben County, YEP and starting for a year for them. So all of that plays into this that Derek retires at age thirty four. By the way, the video they put out that his family put out of Derek's first day of retirement, did you see this one yet? No?

We've been in situations in this franchise's history where there was not a clear cut starting quarterback in the building, and you hope for one guy or another guy, and you hope somebody would emerge and maybe this guy could be the one and all of that other stuff, and it wouldn't happen, and sometimes it happened for a week and then it would go back to normal, and normal was bad. But now we have CJ. Stratton, it's wonderful. But with the retirement of Derek Carr, it just got me thinking about all the struggles because Derek Carr is kind of a cousin of this franchise, I feel, because of David's situation here as at first starting quarterback of the Houston Texans SU and he being David's brother, and the Cars being well involved in Houston, and Derek comingto practice all the time, and one time being the starting quarterback for the Clements Rangers in Fort ben County, YEP and starting for a year for them. So all of that plays into this that Derek retires at age thirty four. By the way, the video they put out that his family put out of Derek's first day of retirement, did you see this one yet? No?

Oh, it's awesome.

Oh, it's awesome.

I heard about it playing ball with his kids and his wife saying I'll take you out to lunch, but can I use your credit card?

I heard about it playing ball with his kids and his wife saying I'll take you out to lunch, but can I use your credit card?

Yeah, he's got enough money to pay for lunch. Hey, he's got plenty of that.

Yeah, he's got enough money to pay for lunch. Hey, he's got plenty of that.

Very few lunches, I think. But that was class of twenty fourteen. And you know, I looked for the interview that I did with Derek at the Combine and I couldn't find it.

Very few lunches, I think. But that was class of twenty fourteen. And you know, I looked for the interview that I did with Derek at the Combine and I couldn't find it.

I can't find that interview for some reason.

I can't find that interview for some reason.

And I even went back to the archive of Texans All Access shows which were on Tuesday back then. Yeah, and I can't find that particular show. I'll look again, But somehow I caught up with Derek Carr for five ten minutes that day, and I need to find that interview.

And I even went back to the archive of Texans All Access shows which were on Tuesday back then. Yeah, and I can't find that particular show. I'll look again, But somehow I caught up with Derek Carr for five ten minutes that day, and I need to find that interview.

So when I went, that was my first Senior Bowl, and so I had gone and my friend, our friend Lanzerline was doing radio for a different station, and I was. It was in between my former radio station and before I came here, and so I don't know how it happened, but somehow Lance got Derek Carr one on one live.

So when I went, that was my first Senior Bowl, and so I had gone and my friend, our friend Lanzerline was doing radio for a different station, and I was. It was in between my former radio station and before I came here, and so I don't know how it happened, but somehow Lance got Derek Carr one on one live.

In person at the Senior Bowl.

In person at the Senior Bowl.

At the Senior Bowl, well probably the car family connection of that.

At the Senior Bowl, well probably the car family connection of that.

I guess. So Derek jumped on with him and he was great. And I said to Lance afterwards, I said, how was he compared to David? Like in that interview goes exact same, exact, same, exact same, is what he said. And I was like, oh, okay, I don't think he's the same, but go on. But I just I thought it was interesting. And just when I remembered listen to the interview, then I at some point went and found a David interview and it's like, okay, you can hear some similarities just kind of there. The cadence and tempo, the way they talk and all that kind of stuff. I just thought it was I thought it was really interesting. What I didn't remember was how well he had done. I felt like at the Senior Bowl he did okay, but I don't The thing that stands out that Senior Bowl was Aaron Donald. Aaron Donald was like on a different sole the show Planet.

I guess. So Derek jumped on with him and he was great. And I said to Lance afterwards, I said, how was he compared to David? Like in that interview goes exact same, exact, same, exact same, is what he said. And I was like, oh, okay, I don't think he's the same, but go on. But I just I thought it was interesting. And just when I remembered listen to the interview, then I at some point went and found a David interview and it's like, okay, you can hear some similarities just kind of there. The cadence and tempo, the way they talk and all that kind of stuff. I just thought it was I thought it was really interesting. What I didn't remember was how well he had done. I felt like at the Senior Bowl he did okay, but I don't The thing that stands out that Senior Bowl was Aaron Donald. Aaron Donald was like on a different sole the show Planet.

Uh.

Uh.

Jimmie Ward was at that Senior Bowl, but I don't remember paying a ton of attention to what Jimmy was doing. But Jimmy's Fromobile, so that was always that was a big story that week was being there for his uh because he played in Northern Illinois and he was there for the week, and everybody was excited about what he could do. I never thought he was gonna end up being a first rounder, but I was glad he was. But that's why I remember about that, just seeing him and meeting him. He was very nice to me, and I didn't say a whole heck of a lot. It was kind of just in the shadows for that amount of time. But just seeing him and hearing him, and then hearing David later, I was.

Jimmie Ward was at that Senior Bowl, but I don't remember paying a ton of attention to what Jimmy was doing. But Jimmy's Fromobile, so that was always that was a big story that week was being there for his uh because he played in Northern Illinois and he was there for the week, and everybody was excited about what he could do. I never thought he was gonna end up being a first rounder, but I was glad he was. But that's why I remember about that, just seeing him and meeting him. He was very nice to me, and I didn't say a whole heck of a lot. It was kind of just in the shadows for that amount of time. But just seeing him and hearing him, and then hearing David later, I was.

Like, oh, this is interesting.

Like, oh, this is interesting.

I think what people forget is in the twenty sixteen season, we played them the Raiders in Mexico City that night and there's green lasers and there's all kinds of stuff happening, and we're actually doing a pretty good job in that game. The offense was doing some things. We got robbed of a hop touchdown on the sideline. If you remember, oh yeah, that we got robbed. And I remember that night. I got one text. Nothing, there's no connectivity. I got one text. My brother in law sent me a text from Charlotte and was like, you guys got screwed. He was in that should have been a touchdown. That's the only text I got all night. So we end up losing that game. We run out of gas. Derek throws a couple of touchdowns, one to Mary Cooper in the fourth quarter. We end up losing that game. I remember thinking we were gonna line up against them. It looked like it was looking like we were gonna get the Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. Yeah, it was looking that way, and I just thought, man, I'll be honest, I don't know that I want to mess with them because Carr was playing really, really well. It was his best season, and then like three games before the end of the year, he gets hurt against the Colts.

I think what people forget is in the twenty sixteen season, we played them the Raiders in Mexico City that night and there's green lasers and there's all kinds of stuff happening, and we're actually doing a pretty good job in that game. The offense was doing some things. We got robbed of a hop touchdown on the sideline. If you remember, oh yeah, that we got robbed. And I remember that night. I got one text. Nothing, there's no connectivity. I got one text. My brother in law sent me a text from Charlotte and was like, you guys got screwed. He was in that should have been a touchdown. That's the only text I got all night. So we end up losing that game. We run out of gas. Derek throws a couple of touchdowns, one to Mary Cooper in the fourth quarter. We end up losing that game. I remember thinking we were gonna line up against them. It looked like it was looking like we were gonna get the Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. Yeah, it was looking that way, and I just thought, man, I'll be honest, I don't know that I want to mess with them because Carr was playing really, really well. It was his best season, and then like three games before the end of the year, he gets hurt against the Colts.

Yep.

Yep.

And he was as good that year as I can remember a lot of good quarterbacks. Being late in that game was phenomenal in Mexico City.

And he was as good that year as I can remember a lot of good quarterbacks. Being late in that game was phenomenal in Mexico City.

He was clutch, he was superismatic.

He was clutch, he was superismatic.

He looked like he was taking a gigettic step forward.

He looked like he was taking a gigettic step forward.

It was year three for him. They were on their way to great news.

It was year three for him. They were on their way to great news.

Then they changed their offensive coordinator after that year and it never got right.

Then they changed their offensive coordinator after that year and it never got right.

Then del Rio got fired.

Then del Rio got fired.

And then at some point Gruden came back in and I either way, it just it started to kind of go in a different direction. But I always think about if Carr is healthy, hey, how tough a playoff game is that for us? Also, we were coming off a year in which we had gotten absolutely blitz Creek by the Chiefs the year before, so we had it.

And then at some point Gruden came back in and I either way, it just it started to kind of go in a different direction. But I always think about if Carr is healthy, hey, how tough a playoff game is that for us? Also, we were coming off a year in which we had gotten absolutely blitz Creek by the Chiefs the year before, so we had it.

So if Derek Carr's.

So if Derek Carr's.

Playing that game, that is a super super stressful, tough game, even though it's at home, especially what he was able to do against US down in Mexico City, so that would have been tough. If he stays healthy in sixteen, I think the novel on Derek Carr becomes very different.

Playing that game, that is a super super stressful, tough game, even though it's at home, especially what he was able to do against US down in Mexico City, so that would have been tough. If he stays healthy in sixteen, I think the novel on Derek Carr becomes very different.

Sure, think it's very different.

Sure, think it's very different.

If he wins here they go to New England, I think, because they would go to News remaining seed, top seed.

If he wins here they go to New England, I think, because they would go to News remaining seed, top seed.

Even if they don't win.

Even if they don't win.

Even though they don't win, they're gonna go toe to toe with them at that point because remember they had a Marii Cooper, Yeah, I want, I can't remember who else they had that another receiver too with Mary Cooper, but I just remember thinking that was a Mark Cooper young and Mary Cooper and he was good and they just had a seventy yard seventy five yard touchdown.

Even though they don't win, they're gonna go toe to toe with them at that point because remember they had a Marii Cooper, Yeah, I want, I can't remember who else they had that another receiver too with Mary Cooper, but I just remember thinking that was a Mark Cooper young and Mary Cooper and he was good and they just had a seventy yard seventy five yard touchdown.

We didn't cover a guy. I didn't want to see him. I did not want to see it.

We didn't cover a guy. I didn't want to see him. I did not want to see it.

I didn't want to see them in the playoffs, and I didn't want to see Matt McGloin in the game. And it turned out to be a third stringer Connor Cook, and it all worked out for the Texans that night. But if Carr wins here and goes to New England, who knows what happens. Maybe history is rewritten about his career. He's the all time leading passer in Raider's history. And as they say, it's a weird stat because it's the Raiders. It's the Super Bowl Raiders, Jim Plunk and Kenny Stadler. Even Mark Wilson was a really good quarterback. Rich Gannon brought them to a super Bowl. He was a League MVP at one point. Derek Carr is the leading passer in Raider history. But he is, and that's how it all works out. A great dude. I can't call it a great career, but a productive career regular season wise, no doubt. Statistically obviously, all the coaching changes and Raider crap that happened did.

I didn't want to see them in the playoffs, and I didn't want to see Matt McGloin in the game. And it turned out to be a third stringer Connor Cook, and it all worked out for the Texans that night. But if Carr wins here and goes to New England, who knows what happens. Maybe history is rewritten about his career. He's the all time leading passer in Raider's history. And as they say, it's a weird stat because it's the Raiders. It's the Super Bowl Raiders, Jim Plunk and Kenny Stadler. Even Mark Wilson was a really good quarterback. Rich Gannon brought them to a super Bowl. He was a League MVP at one point. Derek Carr is the leading passer in Raider history. But he is, and that's how it all works out. A great dude. I can't call it a great career, but a productive career regular season wise, no doubt. Statistically obviously, all the coaching changes and Raider crap that happened did.

Not help him out.

Not help him out.

Had he gone to another franchise, might have been a totally different situation, but it is what it is. But I'd look at that twenty fourteen draft, and you know, related to I'm so glad we have a quarterback today. If you could draft all over again. I always said this about that draft. I understood why the franchise might not have taken Derek car at the time.

Had he gone to another franchise, might have been a totally different situation, but it is what it is. But I'd look at that twenty fourteen draft, and you know, related to I'm so glad we have a quarterback today. If you could draft all over again. I always said this about that draft. I understood why the franchise might not have taken Derek car at the time.

It's just weird. Ye.

It's just weird. Ye.

People look at it now like, oh, so what, But believe me, in twenty fourteen, there was a different Favid car Era.

People look at it now like, oh, so what, But believe me, in twenty fourteen, there was a different Favid car Era.

Was still so fresh.

Was still so fresh.

It was Bill O'Brien's first season, and I just thought they should have taken Garoppolo in the top of the second round. Take Garoppolo. The world would have understood if it didn't work out, because it's a second round quarterback. It's not a first round quarterback. First round quarterback bust has all these bad connotations about your organization attached to it. Second round quarterback bust. So the down side to me was not that great. You should have taken Jimmy Garoppolo. I bet they would have taken him top of the third. They ended up taking Tom Savage in the fourth. We all know what happened with that. But a redraft of that particular class. I understand taking Jadevian Clowney number one. He's a freak athlete. You take him.

It was Bill O'Brien's first season, and I just thought they should have taken Garoppolo in the top of the second round. Take Garoppolo. The world would have understood if it didn't work out, because it's a second round quarterback. It's not a first round quarterback. First round quarterback bust has all these bad connotations about your organization attached to it. Second round quarterback bust. So the down side to me was not that great. You should have taken Jimmy Garoppolo. I bet they would have taken him top of the third. They ended up taking Tom Savage in the fourth. We all know what happened with that. But a redraft of that particular class. I understand taking Jadevian Clowney number one. He's a freak athlete. You take him.

Let me ask you this redraft. You redraft that twenty fourteen draft knowing what you know?

Let me ask you this redraft. You redraft that twenty fourteen draft knowing what you know?

Now?

Now?

Is Aaron Donald the no doubt number one pick here in Houston playing with JJ Watt?

Is Aaron Donald the no doubt number one pick here in Houston playing with JJ Watt?

Yes, oh, man, I imagine that. Could you imagine?

Yes, oh, man, I imagine that. Could you imagine?

Because you told him what you took a defensive player if the redraft knowing what the future is.

Because you told him what you took a defensive player if the redraft knowing what the future is.

No question about it.

No question about it.

Well, the curious thing is, though, what do you do top of the second d Is Garoppolo going in the first round ahead probably of where you're picking early in the second?

Well, the curious thing is, though, what do you do top of the second d Is Garoppolo going in the first round ahead probably of where you're picking early in the second?

Probably?

Probably?

Yeah, in a redraft of that twenty fourteen draft, So now you got to decide Derek Carr might even go in the first How the Browns would probably take Garoppolo over what they did. Yeah, of course they took Johnny Manziel, so they would do that. Blake Bortles is not nowhere to be found. Probably fourth round. Yeah, Now he hit an arm and once upon a time through for four thousand yards.

Yeah, in a redraft of that twenty fourteen draft, So now you got to decide Derek Carr might even go in the first How the Browns would probably take Garoppolo over what they did. Yeah, of course they took Johnny Manziel, so they would do that. Blake Bortles is not nowhere to be found. Probably fourth round. Yeah, Now he hit an arm and once upon a time through for four thousand yards.

I think for Jacksonville man five touchdowns.

I think for Jacksonville man five touchdowns.

Even though we needed a quarterback, we weren't taking Derek Carr, and he's the best quarterback of that particular draft in twenty fourteen.

Even though we needed a quarterback, we weren't taking Derek Carr, and he's the best quarterback of that particular draft in twenty fourteen.

Wait a minute, really, you look back and you say that, yeah, better than Garoppolo, their best. Garoppolo not as good as Car Derek Carr. Yeah, absolutely, Okay, not not even close. I mean Garoppolo played in the Super.

Wait a minute, really, you look back and you say that, yeah, better than Garoppolo, their best. Garoppolo not as good as Car Derek Carr. Yeah, absolutely, Okay, not not even close. I mean Garoppolo played in the Super.

Parppolo did something, but he did his backup. No, no, he made it to the Super Bowl as a start. Fo Oh yeah, yeah, what do I think?

Parppolo did something, but he did his backup. No, no, he made it to the Super Bowl as a start. Fo Oh yeah, yeah, what do I think?

I still I still Derek Carr. I mean I'm still I'm still thinking because he.

I still I still Derek Carr. I mean I'm still I'm still thinking because he.

Was on a better team.

Was on a better team.

You put Car the forty nine ers, it's probably gonna be pretty good as well.

You put Car the forty nine ers, it's probably gonna be pretty good as well.

Right, yeah, I mean you're thinking.

Right, yeah, I mean you're thinking.

I'll tell you what, there's there are some super stud players in that fourteen draft.

I'll tell you what, there's there are some super stud players in that fourteen draft.

Okay, but if you go Khalil Mack, if.

Okay, but if you go Khalil Mack, if.

You go Aaron Donald number one, because we weren't going to take Car, like, I mean, here are the quarterbacks that wining at. I mean, obviously Bortals went third overall to Jacksonville.

You go Aaron Donald number one, because we weren't going to take Car, like, I mean, here are the quarterbacks that wining at. I mean, obviously Bortals went third overall to Jacksonville.

AJ Mccaerren's and the draft.

AJ Mccaerren's and the draft.

Uh I thought he was maybe fourteen.

Uh I thought he was maybe fourteen.

Maybe I'm wrong?

Maybe I'm wrong?

No, yeah, well he was. He was right, you're right. Here are the quarterbacks in that draft. Tell me which one the Texas weren't taking any of.

No, yeah, well he was. He was right, you're right. Here are the quarterbacks in that draft. Tell me which one the Texas weren't taking any of.

These guys because obviously didn't.

These guys because obviously didn't.

But even in hindsight, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Logan Thomas, Tom Savage, Aaron Murray, AJ mccerrn, Zach Mettenberger, David Failes, Keith winning TOAJ Boyd, Garrett Kilbert. Those are the quarterbacks in that draft. You're not nobody's drafting any of those quarterbacks, Zach metcept Maybe the Jaguars and a redraft would take Derek Carr in twenty fourteen instead of Bortles.

But even in hindsight, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Logan Thomas, Tom Savage, Aaron Murray, AJ mccerrn, Zach Mettenberger, David Failes, Keith winning TOAJ Boyd, Garrett Kilbert. Those are the quarterbacks in that draft. You're not nobody's drafting any of those quarterbacks, Zach metcept Maybe the Jaguars and a redraft would take Derek Carr in twenty fourteen instead of Bortles.

Yeah, you could talk yourself into that. And Garoppolo is still going first round. He would go first round. He would have the Browns taking a quarterback. He would be the next one. Now, if you say he's gonna get hurt this often, yeah, not take him.

Yeah, you could talk yourself into that. And Garoppolo is still going first round. He would go first round. He would have the Browns taking a quarterback. He would be the next one. Now, if you say he's gonna get hurt this often, yeah, not take him.

So I get yeah.

So I get yeah.

But all right, so we'll late it back today before we move on to other things. Here's CJ. Straud. Thank goodness we have them once again. Gratitude going into year three. Johnny and we talk about a lot of elements of this football team, new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach Cole Popovich, offensive line overhaul. What's gonna go on with the running backs? All right, we know pretty well, but you add what he marks to the list. And now the receiving crew obviously gets a jolt in the draft with the two kids from Iowa State, et cetera, et cetera.

But all right, so we'll late it back today before we move on to other things. Here's CJ. Straud. Thank goodness we have them once again. Gratitude going into year three. Johnny and we talk about a lot of elements of this football team, new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach Cole Popovich, offensive line overhaul. What's gonna go on with the running backs? All right, we know pretty well, but you add what he marks to the list. And now the receiving crew obviously gets a jolt in the draft with the two kids from Iowa State, et cetera, et cetera.

What do you expect out of CJ. Stroud in year three?

What do you expect out of CJ. Stroud in year three?

Okay, So I said this immediately after this season, and I felt very confident in this.

Okay, So I said this immediately after this season, and I felt very confident in this.

This was before.

This was before.

I think it was even I think it was the last day we were doing radio, and I just remember saying this, and I believe it still to this day. Now a lot has changed, a lot has changed, but some of it that I talked about, I feel like is coming to fruition. And one of those things that I essentially said was it's year three. Look, it's not year ten where you've seen it all and done it all. But teams have thrown the kitchen sink at CJ. He's had to like look at things and go, WHOA never seen that before?

I think it was even I think it was the last day we were doing radio, and I just remember saying this, and I believe it still to this day. Now a lot has changed, a lot has changed, but some of it that I talked about, I feel like is coming to fruition. And one of those things that I essentially said was it's year three. Look, it's not year ten where you've seen it all and done it all. But teams have thrown the kitchen sink at CJ. He's had to like look at things and go, WHOA never seen that before?

Okay, that's different.

Okay, that's different.

Oh Okay, Now I had a he's learning how to combat all those things.

Oh Okay, Now I had a he's learning how to combat all those things.

My thought right after the season was it is now. It's now him.

My thought right after the season was it is now. It's now him.

The offense is not a Patriots offense, it's not a Rams offense, it's not a Nick Kaylee offense. It's an offense driven by c J. Stroud and led by c J Stroud. What CJ says goes. He takes full and utmost control of the offense at all times.

The offense is not a Patriots offense, it's not a Rams offense, it's not a Nick Kaylee offense. It's an offense driven by c J. Stroud and led by c J Stroud. What CJ says goes. He takes full and utmost control of the offense at all times.

He has the opportunity to look at a.

He has the opportunity to look at a.

Play and go this and right, kill it, kill it, We're going to another play, like we're changing the play. He has the responsibility of making sure the offense is.

Play and go this and right, kill it, kill it, We're going to another play, like we're changing the play. He has the responsibility of making sure the offense is.

At its best.

At its best.

Every single pl, every single drive, every single game. He is in charge of all that. Then we hear from CJ the first day of you know, conditioning or whatever it was, and he talked about how he's got more control with the line of scrimmage like he had at Ohio State. He feels more comfortable that way. The game is driven through his eyes. He's more comfortable that way. I'm more comfortable that way. And I think a lot of people are like, hey, he's one of the smartest football dudes we've seen, and just one of the smartest guys period. But I want the game through his eyes. I want the game played. He's the one under center. He's the one seeing everything. He understands defenses better than a lot of young quarterbacks at this particular point. So playoff of that, utilize that to your advantage. And my final thought was, Yeah, that's a lot to put on a third year quarterback. But that's where this offense needs to be. It needs to be the Texans offense driven by c J. Stut and the last couple of years under Bobby there were points where CJ drove the car, but the GPS was kind of telling him where to go. CJ has to be the offense is GPS. He has to be that guy that leads it. Hey, this is what they're doing. They're taking this away. I can see this out on the field. He's the one that is responsible for all that. And he might sit here and tell us, you know, it's been that way for the last couple of years. I think year three is the year where he steps up kind of the forefront and says, get behind me, we will go. And I think with the changes on the offensive line, I think there will be more swarmy guys up there.

Every single pl, every single drive, every single game. He is in charge of all that. Then we hear from CJ the first day of you know, conditioning or whatever it was, and he talked about how he's got more control with the line of scrimmage like he had at Ohio State. He feels more comfortable that way. The game is driven through his eyes. He's more comfortable that way. I'm more comfortable that way. And I think a lot of people are like, hey, he's one of the smartest football dudes we've seen, and just one of the smartest guys period. But I want the game through his eyes. I want the game played. He's the one under center. He's the one seeing everything. He understands defenses better than a lot of young quarterbacks at this particular point. So playoff of that, utilize that to your advantage. And my final thought was, Yeah, that's a lot to put on a third year quarterback. But that's where this offense needs to be. It needs to be the Texans offense driven by c J. Stut and the last couple of years under Bobby there were points where CJ drove the car, but the GPS was kind of telling him where to go. CJ has to be the offense is GPS. He has to be that guy that leads it. Hey, this is what they're doing. They're taking this away. I can see this out on the field. He's the one that is responsible for all that. And he might sit here and tell us, you know, it's been that way for the last couple of years. I think year three is the year where he steps up kind of the forefront and says, get behind me, we will go. And I think with the changes on the offensive line, I think there will be more swarmy guys up there.

But I think in being swarm.

But I think in being swarm.

One of the things, especially in an offensive line, is what he tells you you do, Yeah, you go with. There's no you know, fighting back or not doing what he says goes.

One of the things, especially in an offensive line, is what he tells you you do, Yeah, you go with. There's no you know, fighting back or not doing what he says goes.

Yeah. And he's not the young pup anymore. That's exactly. He's still young.

Yeah. And he's not the young pup anymore. That's exactly. He's still young.

He's still twenty three years He turns twenty four in October. And look, last year, the completion percentage was about the same as the first year, but what increased interceptions? Seven sacks increased obviously, one of the fourteen more sacks against, Yeah than twenty twenty three, and the yard is dropped off. We all know that now he has stayed remarkably healthy. Knockwood, knock whatever you can right now, because he played the full schedule last year and the year before he only missed the two games. So that's pretty strong. And he's got a two and two playoff record.

He's still twenty three years He turns twenty four in October. And look, last year, the completion percentage was about the same as the first year, but what increased interceptions? Seven sacks increased obviously, one of the fourteen more sacks against, Yeah than twenty twenty three, and the yard is dropped off. We all know that now he has stayed remarkably healthy. Knockwood, knock whatever you can right now, because he played the full schedule last year and the year before he only missed the two games. So that's pretty strong. And he's got a two and two playoff record.

That's good.

That's good.

That's a great start, great start for a young guy. He's not even twenty four years old yet. So you got a lot going for you here. And we've all seen the potential. We've all seen. And I love how he exited the I don't like how he exited the year against Kansas City or the whole team. It's not him. It's just a fourth quarter of sacks. Yeah, I mean, we did not like that, but I love that he balld in the playoff game against the Chargers and made the tremendous throw after the bobble snap, and made the great scramble before the half and all the other plays he made the Charger game. So let's get to it in twenty twenty five with Nick Caley with this new offense. And I like what you said about him being able to operate and him having seen so much the kitchen synk being thrown at him like you were to it, because it's not like you've seen everything, but he's seen two years of NFL bullets now, and as he gets more mature as a player, not a person but a play who's already a mature person, but as a player, this is only going to help having seen all that stuff.

That's a great start, great start for a young guy. He's not even twenty four years old yet. So you got a lot going for you here. And we've all seen the potential. We've all seen. And I love how he exited the I don't like how he exited the year against Kansas City or the whole team. It's not him. It's just a fourth quarter of sacks. Yeah, I mean, we did not like that, but I love that he balld in the playoff game against the Chargers and made the tremendous throw after the bobble snap, and made the great scramble before the half and all the other plays he made the Charger game. So let's get to it in twenty twenty five with Nick Caley with this new offense. And I like what you said about him being able to operate and him having seen so much the kitchen synk being thrown at him like you were to it, because it's not like you've seen everything, but he's seen two years of NFL bullets now, and as he gets more mature as a player, not a person but a play who's already a mature person, but as a player, this is only going to help having seen all that stuff.

So try and relate it to business.

So try and relate it to business.

I don't know business all that well, but like you're in this, you're in stocks in the stock market in some sense, aren't you always kind of looking for easy ways to make even just a small profit, like you might invest in, I don't know, toilet paper, because everybody needs toilet paper.

I don't know business all that well, but like you're in this, you're in stocks in the stock market in some sense, aren't you always kind of looking for easy ways to make even just a small profit, like you might invest in, I don't know, toilet paper, because everybody needs toilet paper.

You may not make a dollar here, a dollar.

You may not make a dollar here, a dollar.

There, but you start to make those dollars and they start to mount up singles not home runs, because you don't want to strike out. We need more people on base good, I like baseball better. We need more people on base. We need more investment wins, even if it's a buck here, a buck there, because they start piling up.

There, but you start to make those dollars and they start to mount up singles not home runs, because you don't want to strike out. We need more people on base good, I like baseball better. We need more people on base. We need more investment wins, even if it's a buck here, a buck there, because they start piling up.

My point in that is we need easy yards.

My point in that is we need easy yards.

Last year, when after Steph went out our quick game, short game, total popcorn fart, we couldn't steal five yards from anybody. We couldn't just run a speed out and bang it right there. And on second and five we were we were struggling seemingly for every yard.

Last year, when after Steph went out our quick game, short game, total popcorn fart, we couldn't steal five yards from anybody. We couldn't just run a speed out and bang it right there. And on second and five we were we were struggling seemingly for every yard.

We need.

We need.

It's a Jalen Nole thing. It's a Christian Kirk thing. That's a Woody marks thing. Receiver out of the backfield, get me five yards.

It's a Jalen Nole thing. It's a Christian Kirk thing. That's a Woody marks thing. Receiver out of the backfield, get me five yards.

Easy. Guys run their routes. What do you runs?

Easy. Guys run their routes. What do you runs?

Little circle, rowdy runs, option route, freeze the linebacker, Boom, he pops in the middle. Easy five yards? Where are the easy five yards? Where are the easy throws? The quick game, the quick game just went completely gone, Like where is our quick game, it was gone. Tight ends are involved in that. Just run an option routes, boom hit it like that's gotta be because five yards here, four yards there, five yards here.

Little circle, rowdy runs, option route, freeze the linebacker, Boom, he pops in the middle. Easy five yards? Where are the easy five yards? Where are the easy throws? The quick game, the quick game just went completely gone, Like where is our quick game, it was gone. Tight ends are involved in that. Just run an option routes, boom hit it like that's gotta be because five yards here, four yards there, five yards here.

You do four or five easy yards every drive.

You do four or five easy yards every drive.

That's another thirty to forty yards you're putting on your ledger every day, every game, and that leads to more opportunities to put three up on the board, put seven up on the board. The quick game was completely absent, So that's got to come back. So just thinking on a field, that's one. The other one is CJ's as good a deep ball thrower as there is.

That's another thirty to forty yards you're putting on your ledger every day, every game, and that leads to more opportunities to put three up on the board, put seven up on the board. The quick game was completely absent, So that's got to come back. So just thinking on a field, that's one. The other one is CJ's as good a deep ball thrower as there is.

Yeah, we've seen it, but how many deep balls did we throw after Nico got hurt against Buffalo?

Yeah, we've seen it, but how many deep balls did we throw after Nico got hurt against Buffalo?

That was so painful because I see that highlight now we've run it back a few times, yep, and it just hurts to know that he got hurt throw on that play, I know, and then you know, waved as he was leaving the building. Now, obviously he came back, but the deep game was never the same, never the same because never what did we say last year, two of the big three have to be healthy at all times, and it ended up that you only had one of them at the end, and it was Nico, which was great to have Nico, But you need more. Every team needs more. Every team needs a number two, number three. Right now, they've got options galore. I don't know how it's gonna work out with Kirk. I think Kirk will be really good for this team. But I think Noel gets on the field. You know, Higgins is going to find his way on the field.

That was so painful because I see that highlight now we've run it back a few times, yep, and it just hurts to know that he got hurt throw on that play, I know, and then you know, waved as he was leaving the building. Now, obviously he came back, but the deep game was never the same, never the same because never what did we say last year, two of the big three have to be healthy at all times, and it ended up that you only had one of them at the end, and it was Nico, which was great to have Nico, But you need more. Every team needs more. Every team needs a number two, number three. Right now, they've got options galore. I don't know how it's gonna work out with Kirk. I think Kirk will be really good for this team. But I think Noel gets on the field. You know, Higgins is going to find his way on the field.

Uh.

Uh.

And we'll talk about it with Jonathan. The receiving group, how is that going to shape up? Because look, maybe injuries do make the decision for you, but I hate to see injuries. I just want to see this competition in camp, Johnny. The camp battles are gonna be as good as they've been in a long time.

And we'll talk about it with Jonathan. The receiving group, how is that going to shape up? Because look, maybe injuries do make the decision for you, but I hate to see injuries. I just want to see this competition in camp, Johnny. The camp battles are gonna be as good as they've been in a long time.

I mean maybe.

I mean maybe.

Particular offensively in particular, but even defensively, like linebacker, linebackers could could look interior defensive line.

Particular offensively in particular, but even defensively, like linebacker, linebackers could could look interior defensive line.

Holy cow.

Holy cow.

I think we know who starts on the edge, but behind them between Barnett and Darryl Taylor, Dylan Horton, Deny Gautry, like, holy crap. But the thing is, and I've said this to too many people throughout the years, when you think you have enough depth, you need another piece when you know you don't have enough depth, you need two or three pieces.

I think we know who starts on the edge, but behind them between Barnett and Darryl Taylor, Dylan Horton, Deny Gautry, like, holy crap. But the thing is, and I've said this to too many people throughout the years, when you think you have enough depth, you need another piece when you know you don't have enough depth, you need two or three pieces.

So you know, just.

So you know, just.

Going back to the CJ discussion, it's it's there were some things like when I think back to his rookie year, and this is also on CJ two in that even if you've got a deep route, even if you've got the deep over, you've got a dagger and you've got that deep in uh tanko, maybe that's not always what you need to be ready for. You know, take the check down to relieve yourself of a hit. Let's take let's take two hits. Let's take two hits in a sack off of CJ every game the rest this year, So okay, or for the twenty twenty five seasons.

Going back to the CJ discussion, it's it's there were some things like when I think back to his rookie year, and this is also on CJ two in that even if you've got a deep route, even if you've got the deep over, you've got a dagger and you've got that deep in uh tanko, maybe that's not always what you need to be ready for. You know, take the check down to relieve yourself of a hit. Let's take let's take two hits. Let's take two hits in a sack off of CJ every game the rest this year, So okay, or for the twenty twenty five seasons.

What do the analytics say? Yeah, go on, So take two hits off of him and one sack less.

What do the analytics say? Yeah, go on, So take two hits off of him and one sack less.

Just start there. Yep.

Just start there. Yep.

That takes you from fifty two sacks to thirty five sacks. Right, yeah, take two hits off of him for seventeen games. That's thirty four times that he is not getting hit throwing the football.

That takes you from fifty two sacks to thirty five sacks. Right, yeah, take two hits off of him for seventeen games. That's thirty four times that he is not getting hit throwing the football.

Yeah, and you know his toughness is not a detriment, but he can take the punishment. Oh yeah, big dude, Like I said, I was walking next to him in the hallway.

Yeah, and you know his toughness is not a detriment, but he can take the punishment. Oh yeah, big dude, Like I said, I was walking next to him in the hallway.

I'm like, you know, you forget what a big duty is.

I'm like, you know, you forget what a big duty is.

He's thick, you know, and just he can take those shots and take it.

He's thick, you know, and just he can take those shots and take it.

You just think about and I know this is this is hard, but if you really want to gauge on what CJ goes through, stand ten feet away from a wall.

You just think about and I know this is this is hard, but if you really want to gauge on what CJ goes through, stand ten feet away from a wall.

Go run into the wall, like with one of your shoulders. Go run into the wall.

Go run into the wall, like with one of your shoulders. Go run into the wall.

Take your word for it, and then go thirty seconds later and try and throw football five yards.

Take your word for it, and then go thirty seconds later and try and throw football five yards.

That's a good point. That's what CJ. He's doing it. You know.

That's a good point. That's what CJ. He's doing it. You know.

I remember Drew breesaying once I'll take a sack every once in a while because I got to I have to wait for certain things to develop that field. So I'm gonna have to take that hit every once in a while. But you're right, you want to reduce the impact, play the quick game and bring everybody up. Go long, get big plays. We all want to see it. Let's go all right. Coming up on the show, Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle, Let's check in on what he saw rookie Mini camp and also his thoughts on the schedule. Which is not out yet obviously a little over twenty four hours from now. We'll talk about that and then some here on Texans Radio. It's Texans Radio. Great to have you on the program. Well, you're not really on the program, you're listening to the program, but you're kind of on the program because we're all Texans family here. Mark vanderbre and John Harris with you and joining us right now, big part of our Texans family. Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle, JA, how's it going tonight?

I remember Drew breesaying once I'll take a sack every once in a while because I got to I have to wait for certain things to develop that field. So I'm gonna have to take that hit every once in a while. But you're right, you want to reduce the impact, play the quick game and bring everybody up. Go long, get big plays. We all want to see it. Let's go all right. Coming up on the show, Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle, Let's check in on what he saw rookie Mini camp and also his thoughts on the schedule. Which is not out yet obviously a little over twenty four hours from now. We'll talk about that and then some here on Texans Radio. It's Texans Radio. Great to have you on the program. Well, you're not really on the program, you're listening to the program, but you're kind of on the program because we're all Texans family here. Mark vanderbre and John Harris with you and joining us right now, big part of our Texans family. Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle, JA, how's it going tonight?

It has gone well. I am ready for this schedule to drop.

It has gone well. I am ready for this schedule to drop.

The NFL has really been drawn thing out, and I'm ready to see where detections are planing.

The NFL has really been drawn thing out, and I'm ready to see where detections are planing.

It feels like now I should be very careful the way I phrase this. Oh boy, I was gonna say, it feels like you're pregnant and it's you know, your dude date is a certain date, but it's going an extra week.

It feels like now I should be very careful the way I phrase this. Oh boy, I was gonna say, it feels like you're pregnant and it's you know, your dude date is a certain date, but it's going an extra week.

Like I would know what that felt like.

Like I would know what that felt like.

But a lot of women have gone through that, right, Oh the babies do on the Fourteenth's another week and they're like, get it out.

But a lot of women have gone through that, right, Oh the babies do on the Fourteenth's another week and they're like, get it out.

I was. I had that happen with my oldest, with my son Jack.

I was. I had that happen with my oldest, with my son Jack.

We were going to induce labor, and they literally called from the hospital and said, don't come in.

We were going to induce labor, and they literally called from the hospital and said, don't come in.

There aren't enough beds.

There aren't enough beds.

Oh gosh, And we had to wait another five days and then they told us the next Tuesday, there aren't there's not enough room, not enough room for you.

Oh gosh, And we had to wait another five days and then they told us the next Tuesday, there aren't there's not enough room, not enough room for you.

And Paige said, bleep you I'm coming. Yeah, this baby's coming out of me today.

And Paige said, bleep you I'm coming. Yeah, this baby's coming out of me today.

So yeah, so the so the schedule needs to arrive if you need to give it, sure, gonna make sure, I say this right.

So yeah, so the so the schedule needs to arrive if you need to give it, sure, gonna make sure, I say this right.

What was your reaction to no international games, Jonathan.

What was your reaction to no international games, Jonathan.

I think I wasn't super surprised.

I think I wasn't super surprised.

I mean, you figured, you know, you know, there was a story in the SBJ and Sports Business Journal that said teams get to protect, you know, two home games, and I figured the Colts and the Jaguars will probably want to protect their home games against the Texans, being that those are going to be important divisional games.

I mean, you figured, you know, you know, there was a story in the SBJ and Sports Business Journal that said teams get to protect, you know, two home games, and I figured the Colts and the Jaguars will probably want to protect their home games against the Texans, being that those are going to be important divisional games.

You know.

You know.

I thought the Chargers game had a good chance at being Brazil, but when it was leaked, that kind of ruled it out.

I thought the Chargers game had a good chance at being Brazil, but when it was leaked, that kind of ruled it out.

So it's been a while since the Technicals.

So it's been a while since the Technicals.

Have played in the international game, and you know, I don't know when it's gonna happen.

Have played in the international game, and you know, I don't know when it's gonna happen.

I was a little bit surprised, a little.

I was a little bit surprised, a little.

Bit bummed out about because I was looking forward to to cover in the international game.

Bit bummed out about because I was looking forward to to cover in the international game.

See you that they may go it's common, it's just not this year it's common. I got a feeling we're gonna we're gonna take one down there for sure, which was very interesting the last time we went hashtag Green Lazers. Jonathan, what did you take out of Rookie Minute Camp? Get a chance to see the rookies, the undrafted free agents. I think there were maybe a couple of tryout guys that were there as well, Mason Thart being one of them. Tighten from Texas Tech. Your overall takeaways from it. I know there were a lot of NFL teams had a lot of videos about they were showing eleven eleven one on once.

See you that they may go it's common, it's just not this year it's common. I got a feeling we're gonna we're gonna take one down there for sure, which was very interesting the last time we went hashtag Green Lazers. Jonathan, what did you take out of Rookie Minute Camp? Get a chance to see the rookies, the undrafted free agents. I think there were maybe a couple of tryout guys that were there as well, Mason Thart being one of them. Tighten from Texas Tech. Your overall takeaways from it. I know there were a lot of NFL teams had a lot of videos about they were showing eleven eleven one on once.

Things like that. Texas didn't have enough rookies to be able to do those things.

Things like that. Texas didn't have enough rookies to be able to do those things.

But overall, your thoughts of just what you saw from the rookie class when we convened last Friday.

But overall, your thoughts of just what you saw from the rookie class when we convened last Friday.

Yeah, you know, I try to reserve judgment on how they play until I see them in training camp, but just from the outset, you know, I thought Jalen Jaden Higgins had great hands, just from some of the catches I saw, and that was one of the things that a lot of people talked about coming into the pre draft process, that he was, you know, a great pass catcher. He rarely dropped passes. Jalen Nowell really has good movement. I could see him potentially being a factor in that print return team. You know, he's very twitchy. Ariante Urseri has a really great mindset. You know, he said he's take pride in uh In and protecting his quarterback and opening up lanes for his running backs.

Yeah, you know, I try to reserve judgment on how they play until I see them in training camp, but just from the outset, you know, I thought Jalen Jaden Higgins had great hands, just from some of the catches I saw, and that was one of the things that a lot of people talked about coming into the pre draft process, that he was, you know, a great pass catcher. He rarely dropped passes. Jalen Nowell really has good movement. I could see him potentially being a factor in that print return team. You know, he's very twitchy. Ariante Urseri has a really great mindset. You know, he said he's take pride in uh In and protecting his quarterback and opening up lanes for his running backs.

And then I saw Weddy Marx and he was a lot bigger.

And then I saw Weddy Marx and he was a lot bigger.

Than I expected, really compact type player who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. So a lot of good things I saw from the rookies. But you know, the true test will be OTAs and Trana Champ.

Than I expected, really compact type player who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. So a lot of good things I saw from the rookies. But you know, the true test will be OTAs and Trana Champ.

All right, Jonathan, I will not hold you to this prediction, but come up with five receivers for me who make the fifty three. And I know you did your fifty three man roster recently and I don't have it in front of me, So if you can recall that, or if it's changed since rookie camp or some other bit of information, has adjusted that.

All right, Jonathan, I will not hold you to this prediction, but come up with five receivers for me who make the fifty three. And I know you did your fifty three man roster recently and I don't have it in front of me, So if you can recall that, or if it's changed since rookie camp or some other bit of information, has adjusted that.

You tell me only five, not six? All right, let's go six. Go ahead, I'll give you the extra cap. Your saft given him six. You gotta make it tough.

You tell me only five, not six? All right, let's go six. Go ahead, I'll give you the extra cap. Your saft given him six. You gotta make it tough.

Take it really if it was today, okay, which I definitely think it could change. I think you see obviously, Nico, Christian Kirk, Jalen Noel, Jaden Higgins.

Take it really if it was today, okay, which I definitely think it could change. I think you see obviously, Nico, Christian Kirk, Jalen Noel, Jaden Higgins.

Those are your four automatic locks.

Those are your four automatic locks.

Now you look at who are the last two guys. I think Justin Watson has a chance to make this team, has a better chance right now, and I think the last spot would probably go to Exavier Hudginson given what he's able to do on special teams as well as being a receiver who they really really admire.

Now you look at who are the last two guys. I think Justin Watson has a chance to make this team, has a better chance right now, and I think the last spot would probably go to Exavier Hudginson given what he's able to do on special teams as well as being a receiver who they really really admire.

Now, that could change come training camp.

Now, that could change come training camp.

I think John Metchi has enough talent to potentially beat out Exavier Hutchinson or maybe even Justin Watson.

I think John Metchi has enough talent to potentially beat out Exavier Hutchinson or maybe even Justin Watson.

He played a little bit of.

He played a little bit of.

Special teams late in the year, even made a big play in that playoff game. But if I had that to say the six right now, it's the four locks and Exaber Hudginson and Justin Welson.

Special teams late in the year, even made a big play in that playoff game. But if I had that to say the six right now, it's the four locks and Exaber Hudginson and Justin Welson.

I like that this is gonna be one hell of a competition. Barrios X Matchie Watson in a fight.

I like that this is gonna be one hell of a competition. Barrios X Matchie Watson in a fight.

You know, Johnson, This is one of the things that we talked about.

You know, Johnson, This is one of the things that we talked about.

Mark and I we talk on there off there, so I can't remember which one it was, but we talked about. There was point I think last year where the Texans kept Now people would say seven, but essentially it was six plus one because they kept six receivers plus one, the one being Steven Simms. And so they've done this before where they've kept six plus the sevenybody wants to say seventh, but it really was Sims was not gonna get time a receiver, but he was a returner. Is there a scenario where you could see that happening where six receivers are kept plus Barrios in just a pure returner form.

Mark and I we talk on there off there, so I can't remember which one it was, but we talked about. There was point I think last year where the Texans kept Now people would say seven, but essentially it was six plus one because they kept six receivers plus one, the one being Steven Simms. And so they've done this before where they've kept six plus the sevenybody wants to say seventh, but it really was Sims was not gonna get time a receiver, but he was a returner. Is there a scenario where you could see that happening where six receivers are kept plus Barrios in just a pure returner form.

Don't see that for this specific reason because they have Jalen Nowell, whose specialty is punt return.

Don't see that for this specific reason because they have Jalen Nowell, whose specialty is punt return.

If they had not drafted Jalen.

If they had not drafted Jalen.

Nowell, which I wrote that wasn't initially in the plan when they started the draft, then I could have seen them keep seven receivers and had burials be primarily punt return But I think Jalen Nowell's addition and his versatility as a punt returner would more likely lend them to keep six receivers and add that position somewhere else, and probably on the defensive line.

Nowell, which I wrote that wasn't initially in the plan when they started the draft, then I could have seen them keep seven receivers and had burials be primarily punt return But I think Jalen Nowell's addition and his versatility as a punt returner would more likely lend them to keep six receivers and add that position somewhere else, and probably on the defensive line.

What about offensive line.

What about offensive line.

Let's not go opening day or this week or however we would put that. I want your thoughts on week ten. What's gonna happen to this line if the season unfolds?

Let's not go opening day or this week or however we would put that. I want your thoughts on week ten. What's gonna happen to this line if the season unfolds?

Who would say?

Who would say?

Everybody's healthy, but people rise to their potential. What do you see happening along the line. How do you feel about it?

Everybody's healthy, but people rise to their potential. What do you see happening along the line. How do you feel about it?

Jonathan, Yeah, I think the line is one of the more interesting questions we'll have going in a training camp. By week ten, though, you know, I think you'll want to have your best five out there, and I think your top five right now includes definitely Titus Howard, probably Cam Robinson, ariantae Ursery, Juice scrugs that right guard showed me some things, and Jared Patterson at center. I could see Ariante starting at right tackle, Cam Robinson at left tackle, Titus at left guard, Juice at right guard, and Jared Pattison at center.

Jonathan, Yeah, I think the line is one of the more interesting questions we'll have going in a training camp. By week ten, though, you know, I think you'll want to have your best five out there, and I think your top five right now includes definitely Titus Howard, probably Cam Robinson, ariantae Ursery, Juice scrugs that right guard showed me some things, and Jared Patterson at center. I could see Ariante starting at right tackle, Cam Robinson at left tackle, Titus at left guard, Juice at right guard, and Jared Pattison at center.

That's gonna that would be my guess. By weight ten.

That's gonna that would be my guess. By weight ten.

That puts Blake Fisher in a battle to try to stay on the field as one of the starting five if you will.

That puts Blake Fisher in a battle to try to stay on the field as one of the starting five if you will.

Absolutely, that's and I see him being the primary swing tackle, and I think they'll be okay if Blake Fisher ends up being the primary swing tackle, if he can be someone who is reliable in case the injury happens.

Absolutely, that's and I see him being the primary swing tackle, and I think they'll be okay if Blake Fisher ends up being the primary swing tackle, if he can be someone who is reliable in case the injury happens.

Yeah, I mean Charlie Heck was that way.

Yeah, I mean Charlie Heck was that way.

Now, Charlie Heck was a fourth rounder, but I mean, man, you think about all the times Charlie had to step in it either of the tackle spots and did a pretty good job. So you've got to be obviously capable with that swing tackle spot. So yeah, it's that's gonna be an interesting one, John that I can't remember when we talked to you last, whether it's Tuesday or Thursday, whether fully Fought a Cossi had been signed at that particular point. So if I asked you, well, I'm gonna ask you again, fully Fought Acosi coming back kind of combining the twenty twenty three group with the twenty twenty four group minus ma Leek Collins. Your thoughts about fully coming back and what it means for this defense and the defensive line.

Now, Charlie Heck was a fourth rounder, but I mean, man, you think about all the times Charlie had to step in it either of the tackle spots and did a pretty good job. So you've got to be obviously capable with that swing tackle spot. So yeah, it's that's gonna be an interesting one, John that I can't remember when we talked to you last, whether it's Tuesday or Thursday, whether fully Fought a Cossi had been signed at that particular point. So if I asked you, well, I'm gonna ask you again, fully Fought Acosi coming back kind of combining the twenty twenty three group with the twenty twenty four group minus ma Leek Collins. Your thoughts about fully coming back and what it means for this defense and the defensive line.

Yeah, I thought this was a good move for them because not only are they adding further depth, and a really good player.

Yeah, I thought this was a good move for them because not only are they adding further depth, and a really good player.

But Foley was their best run stopper.

But Foley was their best run stopper.

You could see the difference when he was on the field versus when he wasn't on the field.

You could see the difference when he was on the field versus when he wasn't on the field.

I think there was a twenty yard rushing difference when Foley was on the field per game.

I think there was a twenty yard rushing difference when Foley was on the field per game.

And they liked him. He's a good guy. He brings a good leadership to the room, a good energy, good experience. They call him the big Dog. You know, wrote story on all these guys nicknames, and we've talked about it previously, but they call him the big Dog and he's a big part of that group. So I thought that I was probably one of the more closer units on this team. And for them to bring I think just about every guy back, plus Ad Sheldon Rankins, who was a veteran who was a mentor to Will Anderson, I think that is a great decision for the Texans, and it's going to be hard to make this team. You might see a guy like as far on the defense line. You might see a guy like Kurt Highness not naked, a guy like some timing too, guy who I thought played extremely well.

And they liked him. He's a good guy. He brings a good leadership to the room, a good energy, good experience. They call him the big Dog. You know, wrote story on all these guys nicknames, and we've talked about it previously, but they call him the big Dog and he's a big part of that group. So I thought that I was probably one of the more closer units on this team. And for them to bring I think just about every guy back, plus Ad Sheldon Rankins, who was a veteran who was a mentor to Will Anderson, I think that is a great decision for the Texans, and it's going to be hard to make this team. You might see a guy like as far on the defense line. You might see a guy like Kurt Highness not naked, a guy like some timing too, guy who I thought played extremely well.

He might be on the edge. They're gonna have a lot of great players in that edifise line run.

He might be on the edge. They're gonna have a lot of great players in that edifise line run.

Let's go back to the offensive side for a moment. And usually there's nothing that could happen at rookie camp to make me overall change my opinion of how somebody might fit in at this time of year. Of course, once you see them in training camp and in preseason games, opinions vary, opinions get shaped. But the running back situation with Woody Marx and I only bring this up because wood He's out there by himself and Danny Barrett's single handedly coaching him private tutoring. But what jumped out to me about what he marks was just the way he looks physically, Jonathan. He looks like in every down back and we all see the highlights and we know he catches a bunch of passes, but I think he can run the ball.

Let's go back to the offensive side for a moment. And usually there's nothing that could happen at rookie camp to make me overall change my opinion of how somebody might fit in at this time of year. Of course, once you see them in training camp and in preseason games, opinions vary, opinions get shaped. But the running back situation with Woody Marx and I only bring this up because wood He's out there by himself and Danny Barrett's single handedly coaching him private tutoring. But what jumped out to me about what he marks was just the way he looks physically, Jonathan. He looks like in every down back and we all see the highlights and we know he catches a bunch of passes, but I think he can run the ball.

And how do you see that working out?

And how do you see that working out?

Because I feel like he's going to take some carries, and I don't mean that as a bad thing. I think it helps the team. He'll steal carries from somewhere, which will lighten the load for either Mixing, Piers Dare whoever. And you'll take advantage of the playmaking ability of what he marks. How do you see him possibly fitting in in that running back room.

Because I feel like he's going to take some carries, and I don't mean that as a bad thing. I think it helps the team. He'll steal carries from somewhere, which will lighten the load for either Mixing, Piers Dare whoever. And you'll take advantage of the playmaking ability of what he marks. How do you see him possibly fitting in in that running back room.

Yeah, the fact that he can catch passes gives you a different option than Joe Mixing. Obviously, Joe catch the ball out of the backfield, but you want Joe running it, and you know they don't want to run Joe into the ground. Running Backs get hurt there they they're contacted with often. We saw a lot of injuries in the running back room last year and the Texans needed But I think it's potential. You can see a situation with so many different guys, you can see a potential situation where they might a team might be looking for a running back and the Texans have so many that you know, a guy like Damian Pierce may become interesting for teams. I think he if they don't trade him, I think he stays on the team. I think he's valuable on special teams as well. But he's an entry in the final year of his rookie deal, and I think you don't trade up to get wig Marts unless you think he can be a contributor right now and into the future.