Texans morning huddle: Moving on to Week 2, Clowney ready to practice
By Randy Gurzi
The Houston Texans won their first preseason contest and now have an awesome problem on their hands; all three quarterbacks played very well. With that said, it is on to the next week as the team looks to get their depth chart figured out before the start of the regular season. Let’s check around the web for stories from this weekend’s contest as well as a look ahead;
33 observations from Texans vs. 49ers – by John Harris of HoustonTexans.com
"I can’t help but think about last year’s opening preseason game after Saturday night’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. I’ve been saying all training camp long that the offense is so far beyond where the offense was at this point last year and that couldn’t have been proven more true Saturday night.After working the game and then watching back early Sunday morning, here are my observations from the 23-10 win.1. The running backs had a solid night and Alfred Blue took another step in his development. One thing that bears watching is when the Texans run outside zone. Arian Foster is so good at making that “cut up” run behind the center when he feels the defense’s fast flow is, well, too fast. He’ll let the play develop then BOOM dart back behind center-guard blocks for significant gains. For the OL, zoning off every single DL to give the RB a downhill edge is nearly impossible. So, Blue and company are going to need to be a bit more cognizant of those cut up seams to not let fast flowing defenders win. Rookie Kenny Hilliard had one of those cut up runs later in the game and it produced a 13 yard gain.2. Cecil Shorts III was the recipient of Hoyer’s touchdown throw but Garrett Graham’s sliding catch on third down on Brian Hoyer’s only drive of the night was the key to the whole drive. Graham’s had a tremendous camp and it followed right in line with what I’ve seen all camp – no one can cover him. As such, seeing the tight ends do something of value early was a great sign.3. Throughout the week, people asked me “tonight’s a success if…?” I said quality long drives by each QB, tight ends getting involved early and no significant injuries. That was pretty close to happening, I suppose.4. On the first offensive drive, guard Jeff Adams made a key block on the inside power/gap run by Alfred Blue. Adams wrapped around, as an uncovered lineman, eyed a fast filling linebacker and sealed him off. Blue burst right off Adams’ block into the secondary for a solid 14 yard gain."
The plan for Jadeveon Clowney – by Deepi Sidhu of HoustonTexans.com
"Jadeveon Clowney is expected to return to practice on Monday. Head coach Bill O’Brien outlined a plan for the second-year outside linebacker.“We’re going to get him back out there and he’ll be in the walkthroughs,” O’Brien said Sunday. “He’ll be in the dynamic stretch period and then he’ll be in individual period. We’ll take it from there. We’ll talk to him every single day, add a little bit more every single day, try to ramp him up as we move through the week to see where he’s at by the end of the week and then evaluate it at the end of the week for the following weeks.”Clowney has been present at training camp this month, but only working on the side practice field with trainers. He’s been an observer for the individual and team drills, but now he’ll get a chance to join his teammates for the first time since his start against Cincinnati last November. O’Brien has remained optimistic that Clowney could play in the Texans season opener on September 13 against Kansas City.“He’s come a long way,” O’Brien said. “He’s worked really hard to get back to where he is right now. We’re all looking forward to seeing him back out there on the field because we know he can help us. So, it will be a good day Monday for him to put the gear on and get back out there.”"
Brian Hoyer grabs upper hand in Texans QB battle – Fox Sports
"Brian Hoyer made the most of his limited opportunity Saturday night.Hoyer threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts III on Houston’s first drive in the Texans’ 23-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener for both teams.Competing with Ryan Mallett for the starting job, Hoyer also connected with DeAndre Hopkins for a 2-point conversion to give the Texans an 8-0 lead.But Texans coach Bill O’Brien wouldn’t provide any details on how the competition was shaping up, but did say that Mallett will start the next game.“They were consistent, the calls were made properly,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “We had a few things here and there, but as far as operation of the offense for the first game out, I thought they did a decent job.”Hoyer, who signed with Houston in the offseason after starting for Cleveland most of last year, finished 2 for 4 for 67 yards.“It was more just a new fresh start for me and you want to go out and put your best foot forward, so I think it was just that for me,” he said.Mallett completed his first eight passes and was 10 of 11 for 90 yards, but the Texans didn’t score on any of his four possessions.“I felt good,” Mallett said. “We were moving the ball. We knew what we were doing … we’ve just got to improve on that and get better for next week.”"
After Brian Hoyer’s turn, Ryan Mallett will start against Broncos – by Tania Ganguli of ESPN
"Brian Hoyer’s time leading the Texans offense was short-lived on Saturday night.He directed one series in which the Texans went 87 yards in eight plays, punctuated by a 58-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cecil Shorts III, who executed his role in the play to perfection.“It was a great route by Cecil,” Hoyer said. “He just came through in a certain zone and I hit him between two guys and the rest was all him, breaking a tackle and taking it to the house.”“Hoyer did a good job reading the coverage,” Shorts said. “It is a play where we have to be on the same page and understand where the coverage is.”Hoyer followed with a decisive two-point conversion throw to DeAndre Hopkins, who muscled up to wrestle the ball away from his defender and came down with it in the end zone. Ryan Mallett then entered and played the rest of the half.That was it for Hoyer, according to coach Bill O’Brien’s plan. It will be the same basic script next week but in reverse. Mallett will get the start and Hoyer will follow.“If we had gone three-and-out in the first series, (Hoyer) probably would have gone back in and played some more,” O’Brien said. “But because we drove the ball down and scored, that was the plan if we did that.”"