Texans Morning Huddle: Positive Offseason, Clowney Aims For Training Camp
By Randy Gurzi
Good morning Houston Texans fans, and a happy Monday to you all. Today’s ‘Huddle’ looks at Jadeveon Clowney aiming for a training camp return, the possibility of the team failing at quarterback and a look back at the offseason as a whole. Enjoy;
Jadeveon Clowney plans to return for start of camp – by Chris Wesseling of NFL.com
"Coach Bill O’Brien recently told NFL Media’s Michael Silver that the Houston Texans expect to have pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney ready for the season opener in September.O’Brien’s estimate might turn out to be overly conservative.Clowney has progressed so well from microfracture surgery on his knee, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, that the new goal is to have him back on the field when training camp opens.The coaching and medical staffs will likely ease Clowney back into practice throughout August. Still, this is excellent news for the prospects of one of the most hyped players to enter the NFL in the past decade.Clowney isn’t the only reason for optimism on Romeo Crennel’s defense.After losing a few steps due to a litany of injuries over the past two seasons, Brian Cushing enjoyed a “hell of an offseason,” O’Brien declared last week."
Texans’ offseason reveals positives at every turn – by John McClain
"To find out what was learned during the offseason program, let’s start with the offense.O’Brien and his assistants, including offensive coordinator George Godsey and offensive assistant Pat O’Hara, believe the quarterback situation is in better hands than most outside their facility.Brian Hoyer moved seamlessly into a system he knew well from working with O’Brien for three years in New England. Watching him on the practice field, you could see almost daily improvement from Hoyer – confidence making calls at the line of scrimmage, mobility, accuracy, leadership.Ryan Mallett made significant strides in his first offseason with O’Brien and Godsey since they were in New England. He looks the part – great size and a strong arm.With only two starts in his career, Mallett has a terrific upside.Tom Savage returned with a better grasp of the offense, and it showed when he had the opportunities. He improved on and off the field. Barring injuries, though, his second season will be another learning experience.O’Brien won’t decide on his starting quarterback until after he has seen them against opponents like Washington in camp and perhaps the preseason opener against San Francisco, so the job remains open."
Only true believers gung-ho about Texans’ options at QB – by Jerome Solomon
"This is the time of year when head football coaches could fool you into thinking almost every player is having a great offseason and will contribute in the fall.It is when players are stronger and healthier than they have ever been, smarter than they ever were and shown tremendous progress from a year ago at this time.It is when coaches believe and try to make you believe, too.Bill O’Brien has had a little fun with local media about when he would name a starting quarterback, but picking the right guy could be key to the season. Even a potentially superb defense will need more help than the Texans’ offense provided a year ago for the team to be better.The unceasing speculation since the Texans re-signed free agent Ryan Mallett, who started two games last year before suffering a season-ending injury, then on the next day signed free agent Brian Hoyer, will have no bearing on who wins the job or when O’Brien makes his announcement.O’Brien says he will go with the most consistent guy – I presume that would be better than choosing the most inconsistent one – he just doesn’t know who that is yet."