1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: Hello Texans, and welcome to the program. It's Texans All 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: Access here from NRG Stadium in the Hunday Texans Radio studio. 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 1: It's Mark Vandermer joined by John McClain, the general from 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: the Houston Chronicle. And we haven't visited for a while. John. 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: Last week was game night as the Texans took out 6 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:18,120 Speaker 1: the Dolphins, last time they took the field. How are 7 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: you doing this evening? I couldn't be better. It's it's 8 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: so much more fun to cover a winner than it 9 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: is a loser, and getting to ask positive questions and 10 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: as right positive stories and say positive things, and it's 11 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: been fun. I'm fired up about the Denver game because 12 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: in case Keenum playing against Texans for the first time, 13 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: and then after the Marius Thomas trade, it makes it 14 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: even bigger. And I don't see many moves they get 15 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 1: universal approval like the Demerius Thomas trade did, and it 16 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: should it should. It's funny, John, There's so many different 17 00:00:57,640 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: aspects of this. First of all, I called it the 18 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: biggest in season acquisition in the history of the franchise. 19 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: This is not a big leap though, because you only 20 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:10,400 Speaker 1: had the deadline move back about what eight nine years ago. Actually, 21 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: should we move back even more because the pretenders and 22 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 1: the contenders are separated, and you would have more pretenders 23 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:21,320 Speaker 1: trading players right if you moved it back to say 24 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 1: crunch time, which is December. Move it back later in November, 25 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: and you'd see many more trades being made. Well the league. 26 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,119 Speaker 1: I felt always wanted to prevent against that for some reason, 27 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: and I'm not so sure why, because if you're a 28 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: team that's so called out of it, and I know 29 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: it takes a lot to be out of it in 30 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: this league, but if you're at and Denver's not out 31 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: of it right now, but it just doesn't look very 32 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: good in their division and with the AFC wildcard picture 33 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: of the way it is currently. But the point is this, 34 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: if you moved it back even a couple of weeks, 35 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: well then you're definitely let's say Denver's three and seven hypothetically, 36 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: now you know you're a seller and it gives your 37 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: fans something to get juiced up about. If nothing else, 38 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: all right, the season's all wash, but let's see what 39 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 1: we can get for these guys and sort of press 40 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: the reset button early. Your thoughts on that if you 41 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 1: did that, it would be more like the first week 42 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: of free agency, in which it's a frenzy, as teams 43 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: would be jockeying for players because of injuries, because of 44 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: the playoffs, the sellers would want draft choices. But as 45 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: it is, it's gotten so much better the last couple 46 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 1: of years, and that's exciting for the fans. I read 47 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: one guy saying it keeps the NFL on the news. 48 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 1: I'm like, geez, what news or you looking at on Pluto? 49 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: NFL's always in the news, but it gives you even 50 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: extra of course. And and the Damarius Thomas thing. First 51 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 1: of all, Brian Gaine did a terrific job. The Texans 52 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: had to have a wide receiver replace Will Fuller. I 53 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 1: saw one incompoop, a former player on one of the 54 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: networks I watched, saying he didn't like it, gave it 55 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: a c because he didn't replace Fuller. And I'm saying, okay, 56 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 1: who out there would have replaced Fuller. There's nobody runs 57 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: into four twos. They're not looking for a guy runs 58 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: into four twos. But Thomas is six three in two 59 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 1: twenty nine. He catches a lot of balls down the 60 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: field because he's big. He fights for the ball he's experienced, 61 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: he's strong, he knows how to go up and go 62 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 1: after the ball, and so I still think that Deshaun 63 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: Watson will throw balls to him down the field and 64 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 1: it might even be more like what he does with 65 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: DeAndre Hopkins. Just throw the ball up there and let 66 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: him fight for it. And also getting him for a 67 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: fourth round pick when you have an extra two, when 68 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: you're gonna be flushed with cap money, that's another reason 69 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: to go for it. And it's a really great opportunity 70 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: for to marry as Thomas because if he does well 71 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: and they'll bring him back, Br' not gonna bring him 72 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: back at fourteen million because he's not going to be 73 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: a starter since Will Fuller will be ready for the season. 74 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: But with Fuller's history of injuries and kikiqt in his 75 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: rookie season is not off to a good start injury wise, 76 00:03:56,600 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 1: and Thomas is durable. He's reliable and experienced and he's durable, 77 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: and so bringing him back next year for lesser money 78 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 1: but maybe an extension and more upfront would safeguard them 79 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: for injuries to the other receivers. So I think an 80 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 1: if they don't like it after eight games, they just 81 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: walk away and don't owe him a penny other than 82 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: the fourth point five million they're paying of his contract 83 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: this season. So maybe Denver will do great with the 84 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: fourth round pick. You know, the Texans have not historically 85 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,280 Speaker 1: done real well in the fourth round. There's a few 86 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: Kiki Qt, Julie on Davenport, Ben Jones, Jared Craik, and 87 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: there might have been somebody else. But I just thought 88 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: this trade for what the Texans needed was absolutely outstanding. Well, 89 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,719 Speaker 1: when you look at fourth round draft choices, what's the 90 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: percentage of chance they turn out to be starters? Twenty 91 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: percent or something like that. If that so, are you 92 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 1: to take a twenty percent chance on a twenty nineteen 93 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 1: pick becoming a starter eventually, or you're going to take 94 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: a bird in a hand, which is the marious time 95 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 1: Thomas who starts for you right away and the final 96 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 1: eight games of the season. And look, it's gonna be 97 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: tough to get a first round buy in the playoffs 98 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: even if you keep going really strong here, John, but 99 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 1: they have a chance to do some damage. You want 100 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:13,559 Speaker 1: to hit the playoffs guns blazing with a healthy Watson 101 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: and a healthy football team who knows what happens and 102 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: another thing about Damarius Thomas and this I talk to 103 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: people cover the team and people in their organization. They 104 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 1: raved about the kind of guy he is. You know, 105 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 1: Bill O'Brien always wants the good teammate, great teammate, help 106 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: helps young players, not just young receivers like Courtland Sutton, 107 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: but he's great in the community, does a lot of that. 108 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: And they said he just his exemplary, exemplary character, had 109 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: a tough upbringing in Georgia, and they love the guy. 110 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: They're honoring him at the game, and that's incredible. That 111 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: is that dynamic of this whole equation is wild. A 112 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 1: few days later, he gets honored mile High And if 113 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: Bill O'Briant, look, I know it's hard to orchestrate these things, 114 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: but you want to get him a touchdown on Sunday? 115 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,239 Speaker 1: Would that be something? If you get down close and 116 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: I'm sure he's gonna start for that reason, You're not 117 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 1: gonna start Sammy Coats or Vincent Smith. And some people 118 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: think Kiki qt could take his place. Fuller will know 119 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 1: Keiki's an inside receiver who's struggling to stay healthy, and 120 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,919 Speaker 1: Thomas is gonna come in, He'll start. They'll have a 121 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 1: package for him. Then they'll have the extra week to 122 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: get him ready for Washington. Think how excited he is 123 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: to go from a three to five team to a 124 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 1: five three teams in first place and to a chance 125 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 1: to play with Deshaun Watson. Everybody loves Deshaun Watson. So 126 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 1: it's a great deal for him. It could be great 127 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: ultimately for the Broncos, but right now it benefits the Texans, 128 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,159 Speaker 1: and people said, why not go and take Brian Keene 129 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: didn't want to give up a one or two, twos 130 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: or three, and I'm glad he didn't do that because 131 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: those are premium draft choices into today's era, and so 132 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 1: I think hanging on to those guys was splendid. Well, 133 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,600 Speaker 1: you missed my favorite fourth round draft choice in the 134 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: history of the franchise, and it was a long time ago, 135 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: but in two thousand and three, they selected Dominic Davis 136 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: now known as Dominic Williams, who was pretty good for 137 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: this team for three years. Really, you know, he was, Okay, 138 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: he's the best fourth round pick in team history. Yeah, 139 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: and uh, it's not even closed. Three thousand yards plus 140 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: and three years of running the football. But the injuries 141 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: ended his career, so that happened, and we don't know 142 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: what He's still Dominic Williams, do we? I think he's 143 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: still Dominic Williams. He's on Twitter and he and I 144 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 1: exchanged some messages on Twitter about a year ago. And 145 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: he's back in Louisiana. Yeah, he's in Louisiana. Good for 146 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 1: him because he was the first good running back for 147 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: this franchise. Yeah, it was well. Jonathan Wells called and 148 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: said he's upset with you on that comment. Now I'm 149 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: just kidding about that. I like Jonathan Wells. He had 150 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 1: a few hundies every once in a while. He'd throw 151 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: you a hunt, the former Buckeye running back. All right, 152 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: So tell me about Denver the Broncos, this version of 153 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: this team three and five. A lot of people are thinking, oh, 154 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: they're good. Look, they're not that good, but they're capable 155 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: of some things. And against the Chiefs, my goodness, there 156 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: they were in the fourth quarter in that game. They 157 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: had the ball at the Kansas City thirty nine yard 158 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: line downtown, a chance to do some damage and closed 159 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: to within one score and then Keenam turns it over 160 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: with a fumble. They had their opportunities in this game. 161 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 1: They are capable of doing damage, John, But what is 162 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 1: hurting them? What's stopping them? First of all, they're playing 163 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: at home as opposed to Arrowhead Stadium where they're familiar, 164 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: but still it's one of the three or four loudest 165 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: stadiums in the league. They ran the ball really well 166 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: against the Chiefs. They're gonna run if they have an 167 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: undrafted rookie Philip Lindsay from Colorado who's getting better and better. 168 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 1: They still emphasize the run there, just like Bill O'Brien 169 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: does vance Joseph being a defensive coordinator, he's gonna he 170 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:52,439 Speaker 1: let's build Musgrave run the offense. Now cases thrown too 171 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: many interceptions. He's they haven't been good in the red zone. 172 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:59,160 Speaker 1: Now they've done well throwing the ball down the field 173 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: when he gets tired. And I have Aaron Wilson and 174 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: I have stories going tomorrow about he's got keeping Miller 175 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 1: and Chubb away from Watson, and I have keeping Watton 176 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:15,479 Speaker 1: Clowney away from Keenham. And I really believe the offensive 177 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: line it does the best of that is gonna win. 178 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: And the Texans, you know, you think about Watson last 179 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: year and maybe after this Miami game, we figure he's 180 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: all the way back. But it just penns so much 181 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: on Julian Davenport and Kendall Lamb and Lamar Miller and 182 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,959 Speaker 1: one of the tight ends helping them. But if they 183 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 1: give him protection like they did, we saw exactly what 184 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: he's capable of. And remember how great he played at 185 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: New England in Seattle last year. They suffered narrow losses 186 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 1: in those games. And the defense now is so much 187 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: better than it was then with Romeo Cornell back. Even 188 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: though they're missing corners, they're still and inside linebacker Zat 189 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 1: Cunningham and Dylan Cole front seven is still exceptional and uh, 190 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: Case I just saw today something I wrote about tomorrow 191 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 1: is rating outside the pocket is one of seven. It's 192 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: fifth best in the league. So you want to keep 193 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 1: him in the pocket? Ye, Now that can be skewered 194 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:24,079 Speaker 1: considering number three is brock Osweiler, but u and one 195 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: of the worst outside the pockets Drew Breeze, which is 196 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: anything that's not rated high with Breeze is kind of surprising. 197 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 1: But you know he's he's a between the tackles passer 198 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: and uh but the fact is they don't want Case 199 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 1: just standing in the pocket. They want him throwing on 200 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: the move. The Broncos, yes they do. Texans want to 201 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 1: keep him in the pocket, and I have Clowney specifically, 202 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,199 Speaker 1: and Whitney Mersel is talking about how they're going to 203 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: do that. That's why you have to watch those bootlegs, right, 204 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: because everybody wants to stop the run. Against Denver, they 205 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 1: run it well. They leave the league in arts per 206 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: carry average, So you have to find a way to 207 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: not bite so hard on those run fakes. When cases 208 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 1: booting to the outside, we'll see how they handle it. 209 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: Not having Zach Cunningham would be facing, but the outside guys. Uh. 210 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: What JJ said this week, he wanted to improve his 211 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 1: run defense. Sometimes he flies up the field and he 212 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: let him go and then run outside of him. Is 213 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: that what the Denver guys do too, though, Von Miller 214 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: and Bradley Chubb because they look those guys are great 215 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 1: pass rushers. But the Broncos happened getting cashed on the 216 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: ground and maybe that's one of the reasons why. And 217 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 1: von Miller gained some weight, but he's still really a 218 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:39,439 Speaker 1: three to four week side outside linebacker playing defensive end, 219 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: and so you need on the rundowns. You need to 220 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: hit those guys. Now, let's be honest, they're a great duo. 221 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: They've got fifteen sacks between them, but they've lost five games. Yeah, 222 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: it's not like they're not unbeatable, right, So teams do 223 00:11:56,679 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: take advantage of their aggressiveness. Fire, fire off the ball, 224 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,599 Speaker 1: firing up the field, and all of a sudden shoom, 225 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:07,359 Speaker 1: you gotta get Lamar Miller running by him. Texans secondary, 226 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: you hinted at it earlier. Look, if they can get 227 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 1: through this one, they get a lot of guys back potentially, 228 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 1: but they have to get through this one. So at 229 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: one point in the game, he had five safeties against 230 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:17,959 Speaker 1: the Dolphins. You have to figure out a way to 231 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: piece together what you've got to work with back there. 232 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: And if they're not Jonathan Joseph, my gosh, you know, 233 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 1: what do you do about Emmanuel Sanders. You have Sutton, 234 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 1: who's a good young receiver. You have to figure out 235 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 1: a way to stop these guys. Shari's right is back, 236 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: and of course they signed him early in the season. 237 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: Kareem Jackson's playing great, no matter if it's corners safety. 238 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:42,160 Speaker 1: Pro Football Focus as him the second highest graded corner 239 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: this season, behind Byron Jones. Of the Cowboys. Now, the 240 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: fact that Justin Reid can run so well and he's 241 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: playing great. He's playing like a first round pick, and 242 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,559 Speaker 1: Tyron Matthew's playing great. He can run. And Andre House 243 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: should be back after missing game with a shoulder injury. 244 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 1: I was thinking earlier Andre how goes all this time 245 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 1: and it didn't matter that he's in meetings and practice. 246 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:11,439 Speaker 1: He couldn't hit anybody. You know, you can't practice hitting, 247 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: So I wonder what it was like to come back 248 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: for that first game from beating cancer but also hitting 249 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:20,319 Speaker 1: somebody for the first time since the last game a 250 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: last season and thinking, no wonders. So shoulder was sore, 251 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: so he'll be back, and he's played some corner that 252 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 1: versatility has been invaluable, and guys that can cover slot 253 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 1: receivers Kareem Matthew read I think J Joe and Aaron 254 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 1: Covin are hoping to play in this game, but with 255 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: the bye, I'm guessing they'll hold them out one more. 256 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: They just get through this, then they're going to be 257 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: in the best shape they've been in since the first 258 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: game of the season, going into Washington and then three 259 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: home games in a row. I think twenty twelve when 260 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 1: there were seven and one at the halfway point. That 261 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: was probably a high point as far as halfway points 262 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: in the history of this team. But this is maybe 263 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: as good knowing what happened to that team. This is 264 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 1: as good at chancels. You have to do some damage. Now, 265 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 1: as I said earlier, it's gonna be really tough to 266 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: get a first round by. But I think we all 267 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,720 Speaker 1: agreed that if you could just get to the postseason 268 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: with a healthy Watson and most of the supporting cast 269 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: relatively healthy, you should be in pretty decent shape or 270 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: have a shot to be just about anybody I'll say 271 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: this about. And you're not supposed to look aheage. You know, 272 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: we can the first round by say you have to 273 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:33,400 Speaker 1: go to Kansas City. Yeah, kans City just lost playoff 274 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: game to Tennessee and Andy Reid's only won two playoff 275 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: games there, and uh sure, the Texans would love to 276 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: continue to win and get a first round bye, but 277 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: that's gonna be really hard considering the Patriots, and they 278 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: also have the tiebreaker, and in Kansas City may even 279 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: be better than the Patriots. Just get the division and 280 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 1: worry about the rest of the Texans need to win 281 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: a division and hope that the Chargers lose to Seattle, 282 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: hope that Pittsburgh loses to Baltimore. Mainly, they're focused on 283 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 1: taking care of their business and see what happens around 284 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: the league and the schedule. You know, they're playing a 285 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: schedule for finishing in last place. They had been playing 286 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: a schedule for fishing in first place. And so having 287 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: those three games at home in a row before you 288 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: who play the Jets and the Eagles on the roads 289 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: and coming back against Jacksonville, not to mention Mark having 290 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: the three division teams here, that's big head boats very 291 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: well for the Texans winning division. As long as one 292 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: player stays healthy. If Watson's healthy, the Texans are capable 293 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: capable of beating anybody on the schedule. All right, a 294 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: few things to clean up here before we go around 295 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: the league and visit with the rest of the AFC 296 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: South and a FC in general, and how about the NFC. 297 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 1: But John, my notable stat here is that Watson only 298 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: had to throw the ball twenty times against Miami. He 299 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: only had to throw the ball twenty four times against Jacksonville. 300 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: That's forty four times and a comb two games. You 301 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: won them both. That means they're running the ball well. 302 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: They were highly efficient, and that's huge because Watson. It 303 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: reduces his exposure to the defenders. Let me point out 304 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: a stead of my own, and each of the last 305 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,359 Speaker 1: four games his attempts have gone down. If that continues 306 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 1: in Denver, he'll throw a fewer than twenty passes, which 307 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 1: means that you have he's been very efficient as he 308 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: was against the Dolphins. Were running the ball great. Both 309 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: teams are gonna try to run, run, run. The best 310 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: way to keep Miller and Chubb and Watt and Clowney 311 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: off the quarterbacks is run the ball, and I think 312 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: we'll see that. So it's kind of old fashioned throwback 313 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: football to compare to a lot of teams who want 314 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: to throw the ball forty times. But you know the 315 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 1: fact is it's fun to watch a team when it wins. 316 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 1: And I'm sure Watson would love to throw at forty 317 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: and complete thirty five for five touchdowns every week. But 318 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 1: the more they can do to keep him from getting hit, 319 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 1: that is the key to this offense. John The fact 320 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: that the Broncos traded to Marius Thomas at three, three 321 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 1: and five on the year, if they lose this one, 322 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 1: I imagine. I mean, it's not gonna be any easier 323 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: for Vans Joseph, but there were some rumors early on 324 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 1: that he was on a short lease. Anyway, What do 325 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: you think the situation is with the coaching staff there 326 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: in Denver? There was talk Lay wanted to fire him 327 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: after last year. Then Vance made a bunch of changes 328 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: on his staff, and I think that if if they 329 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 1: don't turn around, he's out. I think they're going to 330 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: draft a quarterback. You know, every right when you think 331 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 1: teams have the quarterback issues solved, you look around Miami, Jacksonville, 332 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 1: Denver and there's more dating quarterbacks. And I can see 333 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:46,120 Speaker 1: Elway who's drafted and signed a bunch. None of them 334 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: are on the roster since he became general manager, and 335 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: I could see them. The Case has one year left 336 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: on his contract. I could see them pursuing a draft choice, 337 00:17:56,280 --> 00:17:59,479 Speaker 1: which will require them to move up, just like they 338 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: moved up for Pexman Lynch. I've been on Broncos Radio 339 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 1: a couple of times this week and they were asking me. 340 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 1: One of the hosts was asking me about Case. Keenom 341 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: one am I seeing in him? I haven't watched him 342 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: a ton. I've watched highlights. I watched a bunch of 343 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: that Kansas City Denver game last week, But you know 344 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 1: he's turning the ball over, Like you said, too much, 345 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: But what are you seeing? He had the great year 346 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: in Minnesota last year, But I don't think anyone pictures 347 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: him as a franchise guy necessarily. Nothing, not a knock 348 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 1: on him. This is an undrafted free agent who basically 349 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 1: came from the Texans practice squad when he was running 350 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: routes and playing defensive back sometimes. And here he is 351 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 1: as a starter in this league. He's accomplished a lot already. 352 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,960 Speaker 1: But what do you think of him right now? In Denver? 353 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,120 Speaker 1: Thank you had great coaching last year and they utilized 354 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: utilized his talent perfectly. Let him him roll out, set 355 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,919 Speaker 1: throw the ball, and he was very accurate. He had 356 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: two great receivers and had him Thilan and Stefan Diggs 357 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,479 Speaker 1: a good tight end and Kyle Rudolph, and they ran 358 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: the ball well enough, even though they lost Dalvin Cook. 359 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:03,200 Speaker 1: But he seems more helter skelter. He's got a Kubiat 360 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 1: coaching him. But it's not Gary. It's Clint, his son, 361 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 1: who's an offensive assistant slash quarterbacks. He got Musgrave as 362 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: a coordinator, Sullivan as a quarterback coach, and they watch film. 363 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: They know how he needs to be used. But he's 364 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:20,439 Speaker 1: thrown into coverage. They're struggling in the red zone. You know, 365 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: we know what that's like. I know the Texans been 366 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:26,240 Speaker 1: great in the red zone the last two games, six touchdowns. 367 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: But he's never played against the Texans. You know, this 368 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: is a big game for him, so that Texans are 369 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: going to get the very best case Kingdom has to 370 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 1: offer on Sunday afternoon. That's one reason this game is 371 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: going to be so much fun. Whitey Minnesota not resigning 372 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: because they wanted Kirk Cousins. You know, they thought Kirk Cousins. 373 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: They gave him a guaranteed contract, fully guaranteed contract. And 374 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: right now they are what are they four three and one? Yes, 375 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: four to three and one. Anybody can win the nc 376 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 1: NFC North. But I think they called. I think if 377 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:04,919 Speaker 1: Cousins had not been available, they would have stuck with 378 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,879 Speaker 1: Case another year. I talked to Case this week. I 379 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: asked him about going from you of h to Houston 380 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 1: to Saint Louis, back to Houston, back to Saint Louis, 381 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and now Denver. He said they have 382 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 1: movers and car shippers on their speed dial and he 383 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 1: hopes they don't have to call him because he loves Denver. 384 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,120 Speaker 1: But he's realist. I think he'll be there one more year. 385 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: And he said it's tougher on Kimberly than it is him, 386 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 1: so he has to learn all these different systems teammates, receivers, coaches, 387 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 1: but he's able to do it because he's such a 388 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 1: smart guy, and he's a football smart guy. And I'd 389 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 1: love to see him stay there. But he said, I 390 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:51,120 Speaker 1: got a Kubiak on my shoulder. It's Clint. Yeah, Gary said, 391 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:53,639 Speaker 1: I see coach Kubiak around. I owe him everything. But 392 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 1: Gary is a senior personnel advisor who's works in personnel 393 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 1: and doesn't have anything to do with And if vance does, 394 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: or when he gets fired, say it's during the season, 395 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: would they elevate musk Grave, would they elevate one of 396 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:10,919 Speaker 1: the assistants, or would they go knock on Gary's door 397 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 1: and say, hey, hey, Gary, could you finish the season? 398 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,600 Speaker 1: Or if Joseph gets fired after the season, I'll guarantee 399 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: you he would say, Hey, you got any interest. Well, 400 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:22,879 Speaker 1: I think Ronda would be the person he has to 401 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 1: ask about that. He would have to call her and say, honey, 402 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: she said no, Yeah, I mean that's that's the whole 403 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 1: thing right there. It's been tough for Gary Kubiak. It 404 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:36,560 Speaker 1: would be great to see him come back, But I 405 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 1: don't think so here's my thought. You know, you think 406 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 1: about him on an interim basis, Well, it wouldn't be 407 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 1: a stressful or whatever. What's the pressure really, I don't know. 408 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: I don't see him doing something like that. Gary puts 409 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:50,359 Speaker 1: the pressure on himself. Yeah, you know, he used to 410 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,439 Speaker 1: run all the time. He's in great shape. And then 411 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 1: when he had the stroke on the sideline and they 412 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 1: tried to make him leave earlier and they would count 413 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: him find him sneaking in the bill like a kid. Yeah, 414 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: because you know, Ronda can't put a lease on him, right, 415 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: and so he was like a kid. He would hide 416 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 1: so people think he was gone, and he'd come in 417 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 1: another entrance so he could coach some more. That locker 418 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: room office comes in handy as an office back there. Hey, 419 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: I used to do my dom capers pregame interview in 420 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: the locker room off coach has a little office back there, 421 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 1: and Dom had to pull away couch. She used to 422 00:22:24,880 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: sleep in there sometimes. But Dom was really great with 423 00:22:28,359 --> 00:22:29,640 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff. You know. I used to meet 424 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,200 Speaker 1: with him in there on Fridays prior to game weekend 425 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:35,359 Speaker 1: when Gary was that one year an offensive coordinator in 426 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 1: Baltimore in twenty fourteen when the Texans kicked her. But 427 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 1: here with case he uh, they're so he's tremendous. It's 428 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: out in the woods outside town and Owen's Mills, and 429 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: he and Ronda got a condo close by, and I 430 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:50,760 Speaker 1: think it was like five or ten minutes. So he 431 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: was really because she was going back and forth seeing 432 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 1: the kids, almost living there. He would go over the dark, 433 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: he would work all day, he would run, he would 434 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 1: eat his three meals there. He would go home, climbing 435 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: bed right when it's time to go home, then do 436 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:08,199 Speaker 1: it again. So he was almost living there, which is 437 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 1: what Gary Kubiek likes to do. He told you once 438 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: an offseason, he I said, because here live you know, 439 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,440 Speaker 1: they live outside here on their farm and he's got 440 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: a big tank and he's still got up in the 441 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,400 Speaker 1: dark and he said, there's only so much you can 442 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: do with your tractor. So many times you can fish. 443 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 1: And I don't think Gary Gobbs if he does. He 444 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:32,880 Speaker 1: doesn't vote golf very well, but he was so antsy. Yeah, 445 00:23:33,080 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: when you do that, put as much into it for 446 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,040 Speaker 1: so long as a coach or a player. Can you 447 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,520 Speaker 1: imagine a player and a coach, and then all of 448 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 1: a sudden you got to stop it. That is difficult. 449 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 1: I still get up in the dark, you know, all 450 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,560 Speaker 1: those years of doing morning drive radio, I cannot get 451 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 1: up later than you know when it's dark. You got 452 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 1: kids too, well, well that's but that's the only part 453 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:57,400 Speaker 1: of it. Because when you do morning drive radio and 454 00:23:57,600 --> 00:23:59,600 Speaker 1: the rare days that you wake up, like on a 455 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,359 Speaker 1: weekend and it's light out, you feel like you're late, 456 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:05,119 Speaker 1: you miss something, jump out of bed. What time do 457 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 1: you go to bed? Not early enough? Ten thirty, eleven o'clock. See, 458 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,360 Speaker 1: I'm one of th stays up twelve thirty or one 459 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,399 Speaker 1: because I just can't. And I still get up, but 460 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:15,959 Speaker 1: as soon as I go home, I take it. Now. 461 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 1: I'd love to say ten o'clock it's it's out, but 462 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 1: I don't do that, and you know it'd be it'd 463 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 1: be great because sleep is important. We learned that around 464 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 1: here Texans coaches and sports performance experts stay sleep is 465 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 1: important other than for the head coach because he doesn't 466 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 1: want to do it. By the way, John Hayris had 467 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:36,240 Speaker 1: this about the significance of West Welker, who played with 468 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:40,399 Speaker 1: Tamarrius Thomas and Luke Richardson who was with him for 469 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: six years. And nobody knows players better to know those 470 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 1: guys who work them out every day. And I'm sure 471 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:51,399 Speaker 1: Luke gave him a hearty hio based on what I 472 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 1: heard in Denver, So you know, he played an instrumental 473 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 1: role in Brian Gamee making this deal. Luke's assistance here. 474 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 1: Old Broncos guys got like three of them. Yeah, yeah, 475 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 1: so they're all they all know them really well. I mean, 476 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 1: it's like a big reunion. I saw them all gathered yesterday. 477 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:06,640 Speaker 1: They were just hoot, not hoot in holler, and that's 478 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: probably not a good way to put it. They were 479 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 1: chatting it up. Let's just put it that way. All right. 480 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 1: Let's go around the league here a little bit. We 481 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 1: touched on the Texans and Broncos plenty, but what about 482 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:18,960 Speaker 1: the rest of the AFC South As the division other 483 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:22,679 Speaker 1: than Houston is in turmoil. John. It's really shocking to 484 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 1: me how quickly this all happened too. You know, you 485 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:27,640 Speaker 1: all thought is going to be a better division right now? 486 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:30,320 Speaker 1: Is not? I thought at owing three, I don't know 487 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: what you were thinking, but even you know, I'm mister positive. 488 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:36,720 Speaker 1: I am Norman Vincent Peel, all right, So I thought 489 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 1: it was over. I thought if the Texans could summit 490 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 1: when they were owing three, I thought, if they could 491 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:43,879 Speaker 1: somehow get to six and six, maybe they have a 492 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 1: shot on a wild card, because I thought the division 493 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: would be unreachable. I thought Jacksonville after beating New England, 494 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 1: my gosh, what a convincing win. Jacksonville. Yeah, they did 495 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 1: at their place. Then all of a sudden, Jacksonville goes 496 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: into it. You didn't see it right away, but like, 497 00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: well maybe they have some some dents in the armor there. 498 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:03,119 Speaker 1: And clearly they turned into you know, icebergs hitting the 499 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:06,720 Speaker 1: Titanic loading and the Titans earlier. Look when they beat 500 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:10,440 Speaker 1: the Texans score, yeah, we knew that that was as 501 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: big time. And when they when the Titans beat the 502 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 1: Jaguars it was nine to six. Oh my gosh, you 503 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 1: have to be able to score points in this league. 504 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 1: This just in So let's start with Tennessee John Do 505 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 1: they have a shot at reversing their fortunes. Their defense 506 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: is real good. They're not running the ball with Derek Kinrine, 507 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 1: Dion Lewis like I thought they would. Their offensive tackles, 508 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 1: Taylor Lwane has been hurt. Jack Coughlin came back after 509 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:38,879 Speaker 1: he was missed. He had acl surgery in December, and 510 00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:42,600 Speaker 1: he came back in December of last year and he 511 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:44,920 Speaker 1: came back and he hadn't played as well. So they're 512 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:48,200 Speaker 1: not running the ball. Mariota. They don't know what's happened 513 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:51,199 Speaker 1: to him. He just he was really good and they 514 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 1: beat Philadelphia and he had done squad since. And is 515 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 1: he hurt? Is he just playing? He's just not playing 516 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 1: well and um making a lot of mistakes he didn't 517 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:05,120 Speaker 1: make before, which tells you it's mental and not physical. 518 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:08,640 Speaker 1: The best team besides the Texans and Colts. Yeah, when 519 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,399 Speaker 1: they come in here to play the Texans, they're in 520 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 1: net three game homestreak. That is, Watson and Luck are 521 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 1: gonna light it up like they did at Lucasoil Stadium, 522 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:20,640 Speaker 1: and maybe even more. Andre brought up a great point. 523 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 1: If if Rich could never mind going forward on fourth 524 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,120 Speaker 1: down and missing it, if he just takes the tie, 525 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 1: what is the world like now for him? I mean, 526 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 1: they're thinking they're a game off the lead and they're 527 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: coming here. You know, it could be very different, and 528 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 1: it still might be very different. But they're two games 529 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:37,080 Speaker 1: back and the Texans beat them in that one, so 530 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,080 Speaker 1: we'll see how it turns out. But the Titans TWN. 531 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:41,720 Speaker 1: I find this interesting. They're at Dallas this week. Three 532 00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:44,640 Speaker 1: weeks later, they're back on Monday Night Football at the Texans, 533 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 1: so they're back in the lone star state three weeks apart. 534 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 1: Now it just works out that way. These are two 535 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:52,399 Speaker 1: different teams, but the league scheduling people thought enough of 536 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:54,679 Speaker 1: them to put them on Monday Night Football twice on 537 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 1: the floor. I think it's great they put them on 538 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 1: here with the Texans because it's an that should be 539 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:03,359 Speaker 1: a natural rivalry. Yeah, and the thing about the Cowboys. 540 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 1: You could put on Rice with Cowboys and it's gonna 541 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 1: be the highest rated game, no offense to the war Als. 542 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:14,440 Speaker 1: And but I don't think it matters. But the Titans, 543 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:16,720 Speaker 1: if they give Mariota worked out, or they start to 544 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:19,320 Speaker 1: run the ball better. They're gonna They're gonna win some 545 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 1: games because the defense and special teams are outstanding. And 546 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 1: and I would I don't know about Mariota, but I 547 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,160 Speaker 1: would think they're gonna once the weather turns and they're 548 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:32,600 Speaker 1: on the road, they have to run the ball better 549 00:28:32,640 --> 00:28:35,639 Speaker 1: than they have in Jacksonville. I think they're gonna end 550 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,760 Speaker 1: that finishing the last and the Colts. The Colts have 551 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:40,960 Speaker 1: rushed for more than two hundred yards in the last 552 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 1: two games. Marlon and Mac is playing great luck seven touchdowns, 553 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 1: no interceptions. Chris Ballard, give him another off season, Give 554 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 1: Brian Gain another off season. No telling how good these 555 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: teams are gonna be next year. Yeah, and the other 556 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 1: teams have a lot going for them too, if they 557 00:28:57,080 --> 00:28:59,360 Speaker 1: can straighten out some of their problems. All right, let's 558 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,560 Speaker 1: get to the brown hosting the Chiefs only because the 559 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 1: Browns had the coach firing this week, with Hugh Jackson 560 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 1: being shown the door, and Greg Williams has been offered 561 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: many jobs, according to eleven Jobs four they didn't even 562 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:12,440 Speaker 1: want to interview him. I've known Greg Williams since nineteen 563 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 1: ninety when he came with Jack Pardee to the Oilers 564 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 1: where he had a little office in a closet, and 565 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:23,960 Speaker 1: I have never heard anybody say anything more preposterous than 566 00:29:24,040 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 1: what he said about having eleven coach head coaching offers, 567 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 1: and Forward has hired him sight unseen, and not not 568 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:34,040 Speaker 1: one person in the country believes it. He gets he's 569 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 1: eight and a half point underdog to Kansas City Greig. 570 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 1: I'll guarantee you he knows this is the last chance 571 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 1: he'll ever have to impress people about having to be 572 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 1: a head coach. But he can't say things like that. 573 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:50,960 Speaker 1: You just can't do it. Nobody, including your own players, 574 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:54,680 Speaker 1: doesn't believe it. Coaches have to have credibility, even though 575 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:58,840 Speaker 1: they lead the league in turnovers commit forcing turnovers. I 576 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:01,840 Speaker 1: think the Chiefs beat him Handley John the Readers in 577 00:30:01,960 --> 00:30:04,320 Speaker 1: forty nine ers play Thursday night football. Do you think 578 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 1: Gruden misinterpreted what it was all gonna be like once 579 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,000 Speaker 1: he got back into the game or did he know 580 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: that he wanted to strip it down and basically start 581 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 1: over once they make the Vegas move? If he looked 582 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: at his team and studied it before he accept accepted 583 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 1: Mark Davis's offer, I think yes, because if you I 584 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:25,920 Speaker 1: think if he knows if he and whoever is a gem, 585 00:30:26,360 --> 00:30:29,080 Speaker 1: so I don't think it'll be Reggie McKenzie. If they 586 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:33,160 Speaker 1: know what they're doing in these picks, then everything's geared 587 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: towards Las Vegas. So we may look back three years 588 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 1: after they moved there and go, Wow, there was method 589 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:42,960 Speaker 1: to his madness. And they're the more they lose to 590 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:45,760 Speaker 1: hire their picks. So they've thrown in the towel and 591 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: being in Oakland, which is probably going to be another year, 592 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 1: and so I don't blame him for doing what he's done, 593 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: considering their situation of moving and San Francisco could be 594 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 1: starting a guy train quarterback. I picked the Raiders yesterday 595 00:31:03,520 --> 00:31:05,680 Speaker 1: when I had to make that pick, even though they're 596 00:31:05,720 --> 00:31:09,640 Speaker 1: playing in Saint Clair. All right, forty nine ers Kyle Shanahan, 597 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:11,480 Speaker 1: he'll be there at least another year. Do you know 598 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:14,440 Speaker 1: that some see it might be a friend of mine? 599 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 1: I said he was on the hot seat number one. 600 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 1: He and John Lynch signed six year contracts. And if 601 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:24,960 Speaker 1: Jimmy Garoppolo was playning, do we think that they would 602 00:31:24,960 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 1: be getting beat like this just like last year when 603 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: they were four and twelve. A lot of people saying 604 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:33,280 Speaker 1: O'Brien's gonna be fired. Well, any idiot could see when 605 00:31:33,320 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 1: you got thirteen starters on injured reserve and twenty three 606 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,480 Speaker 1: players that the head coach is not gonna be fired. 607 00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:42,480 Speaker 1: He's not gonna be and he wasn't. Kyle Shannahan's not 608 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 1: gonna be fired this year or next year. Patriots hosting 609 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: the Packers, give me that one great game. Those two 610 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:52,880 Speaker 1: have never gone up against each other the way Brady's going. 611 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:55,440 Speaker 1: Maybe you'll be around him four more years, but we 612 00:31:55,560 --> 00:31:58,960 Speaker 1: better enjoy it while we can, because odds are they're 613 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 1: not meeting in the Super Bowl? John, what do you 614 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:03,360 Speaker 1: up going on the Chronicle? I've got a thing about 615 00:32:04,600 --> 00:32:08,320 Speaker 1: Case Kingdom and the Broncos better be worried about Watton Clowney. 616 00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:12,360 Speaker 1: Aaron Wilson's got one about stopping Miller and Chubb Davenport 617 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: and kend the Lamb, and then he's doing something on 618 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 1: how Hopkins and Thomas fit for Sunday, and Bryan T. 619 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 1: Smith's writing a really in depth thing on Tyron Matthew 620 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:26,680 Speaker 1: the honey Badger for Sunday, And thank you very much 621 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:29,440 Speaker 1: as always. All right, let's get to Brian Gaine here. 622 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,440 Speaker 1: You heard from him a bit yesterday on the acquisition 623 00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:36,920 Speaker 1: of Damarius Thomas, But what about some other stuff. Let's 624 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:38,600 Speaker 1: get to the rest of the game plan and you 625 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:41,800 Speaker 1: can pick up the game Plan podcast on Houston Texans 626 00:32:41,880 --> 00:32:45,560 Speaker 1: dot com or wherever fine podcasts are available. And I 627 00:32:45,560 --> 00:32:49,400 Speaker 1: asked Brian about Tyron Matthew. What an offseason acquisition he's 628 00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:51,640 Speaker 1: turning out to be. Yeah, Tyron has us had a 629 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 1: great season so far. Has been a very good fit 630 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 1: for us on the field, but also in the locker 631 00:32:56,680 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 1: room equally in the community, been a good leader. He's 632 00:33:00,240 --> 00:33:03,000 Speaker 1: developed for us in terms of having a presence and 633 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:05,320 Speaker 1: a leadership role here on the team and haven't been 634 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:10,240 Speaker 1: here only since April. That's an impressive feed for him. Equally, 635 00:33:10,240 --> 00:33:13,640 Speaker 1: he's a very good teammate. He's an accountable guy. He's dependable, 636 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:18,320 Speaker 1: he's reliable, he's productive, he's a very instinctive football player. 637 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:22,040 Speaker 1: So we're very happy to have him, and you know, 638 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:23,880 Speaker 1: we're hoping for good things here the second half of 639 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:26,080 Speaker 1: the season. From tarn in the game against the Dolphins, 640 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:28,200 Speaker 1: you have Jonathan Joseph going out hurt at one point, 641 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:30,080 Speaker 1: you have five safeties in the game, so that speaks 642 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:32,560 Speaker 1: to the versatility you and Bill always talk about when 643 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 1: we think about our secondary, you know, and it's split 644 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:37,640 Speaker 1: up between cornerbacks and safeties. We often refer to him 645 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:41,320 Speaker 1: as defensive backs because not just in base but you're 646 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:43,000 Speaker 1: always going to ask what kind of roles they can 647 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:45,360 Speaker 1: play in subs. So sometimes you'll have a safety who 648 00:33:45,400 --> 00:33:47,280 Speaker 1: can come down in the box and play a nickel 649 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:50,280 Speaker 1: role or play a dime linebacker role. Sometimes we have 650 00:33:50,320 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 1: a corner that can play perimeter corner but also playing 651 00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:55,800 Speaker 1: the slot. We here have some corners who also can 652 00:33:55,840 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: play safety. So it's allowed for us what I would 653 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:02,160 Speaker 1: call some interchangeable skill sets, guys who can do a 654 00:34:02,160 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 1: bunch of different jobs when the point and if the 655 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 1: bell rings, when we need that versatility. Ultimately, they have 656 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 1: a position one, and when we talk about players and scouting, 657 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:12,120 Speaker 1: often we'll say this is their position one, this is 658 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:14,480 Speaker 1: their position too, and then here's what he can do 659 00:34:14,480 --> 00:34:16,920 Speaker 1: in four down. We have a lot of position one 660 00:34:16,920 --> 00:34:19,759 Speaker 1: in position two players in the secondary. So ultimately that 661 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:23,360 Speaker 1: gives us good forty six man versatility. Well, you're running 662 00:34:23,360 --> 00:34:25,520 Speaker 1: the ball so well now, and when I look at 663 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 1: the tackle positions, these are young guys who maybe have 664 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 1: taken their lumps, but they've got upside, so you had 665 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:34,120 Speaker 1: to have faith that they would continue to improve. What 666 00:34:34,160 --> 00:34:36,959 Speaker 1: did you see in these guys, well, continuity and consistency 667 00:34:37,120 --> 00:34:39,319 Speaker 1: for the past few weeks. I think there's there's been 668 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:42,600 Speaker 1: some symmetry and who's been in the lineup here. I 669 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:44,680 Speaker 1: have to point to the health and the well being 670 00:34:44,680 --> 00:34:46,880 Speaker 1: of Nick Martin, you know, playing center now had to 671 00:34:47,120 --> 00:34:49,520 Speaker 1: you know, into two seasons of injuries, just being out 672 00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:52,280 Speaker 1: there for all this time kind of as the benchmark 673 00:34:52,280 --> 00:34:54,680 Speaker 1: in the middle. But the other thing too, with the 674 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:58,480 Speaker 1: young tackles is ultimately, ultimately it's player development, it's experience. 675 00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:01,399 Speaker 1: As they gain apps and get those under their belt, 676 00:35:01,480 --> 00:35:04,239 Speaker 1: they get some pelts on the wall and they're able 677 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:06,759 Speaker 1: to count on those experiences. And Mike Devan has done 678 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:09,960 Speaker 1: a very good job developing those guys, and the scheme 679 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 1: and the system and the offensive game plan have all 680 00:35:12,719 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 1: been fully coordinated, I think as it relates to how 681 00:35:15,600 --> 00:35:18,520 Speaker 1: we can help the protection. But look, once you get 682 00:35:18,560 --> 00:35:21,399 Speaker 1: the running game going, it helps everything on offense. It 683 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:23,920 Speaker 1: gives you the play action game. It helps the tight ends, 684 00:35:23,960 --> 00:35:26,640 Speaker 1: it helps the backs, it helps the receivers, and the 685 00:35:26,719 --> 00:35:28,279 Speaker 1: running game can be the best friend of a young 686 00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:31,680 Speaker 1: quarterback Tyler Irvin. You talked about guys in the secondary 687 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:34,800 Speaker 1: being defensive back, So what is he Because he's a receiver, 688 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:36,600 Speaker 1: he's a return man, he's a running back. He could 689 00:35:36,600 --> 00:35:37,759 Speaker 1: do a lot of different things for you know, in 690 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:40,440 Speaker 1: scouting terms, you know Tyler can be referred to as 691 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:43,520 Speaker 1: a utility player if that's not a baseball term, but 692 00:35:43,560 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 1: in scouting terms, you know, it's great because fundamentally you 693 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:49,640 Speaker 1: can line them up in terms of being in the backfield, 694 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:52,080 Speaker 1: you can detach them to the slot, you can put 695 00:35:52,120 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 1: him on the move. The fourth down value obviously is 696 00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 1: helpful because he's a two way returner. He's not just 697 00:35:57,200 --> 00:35:59,640 Speaker 1: a kickoff returner or a part returner. He does both. 698 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:02,560 Speaker 1: But on offense, he can be a situational player for 699 00:36:02,719 --> 00:36:06,239 Speaker 1: Uce and depending on the situation, if it's third down 700 00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 1: or if it's longer down in distance passing situations, he 701 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:12,959 Speaker 1: can offer a pass game to Mansion at running back 702 00:36:13,560 --> 00:36:15,839 Speaker 1: from the backfield or from the slot. So it gives 703 00:36:15,880 --> 00:36:18,239 Speaker 1: us good forty six man game day flex And what 704 00:36:18,320 --> 00:36:21,759 Speaker 1: about the Denver equation here because the altitude and the 705 00:36:21,800 --> 00:36:24,560 Speaker 1: Broncoes and going up there, and you mentioned it. This 706 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:26,360 Speaker 1: is one game at a twenty four day span, but 707 00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:28,680 Speaker 1: it's a huge game. It is number one, it's the 708 00:36:28,719 --> 00:36:31,239 Speaker 1: next game, number two. This is the first game of 709 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,520 Speaker 1: the third quarter of the season. The second quard of 710 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:35,600 Speaker 1: the season is over, so we want to get off 711 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:38,080 Speaker 1: to a good start here. And the fact that it's 712 00:36:38,120 --> 00:36:40,080 Speaker 1: one game over what I would say is a twenty 713 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:43,239 Speaker 1: four day period, the importance of getting this win as 714 00:36:43,239 --> 00:36:47,160 Speaker 1: it positions ourselves from Thanksgiving on. So just looking down 715 00:36:47,160 --> 00:36:49,080 Speaker 1: the road with a win in Denver if we have, 716 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:51,799 Speaker 1: if we're afforded the opportunity to get one, thinking about 717 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:54,560 Speaker 1: where we're going to be around Thanksgiving, because ultimately we 718 00:36:54,600 --> 00:36:56,640 Speaker 1: want to be playing our best football by the time 719 00:36:56,680 --> 00:37:00,800 Speaker 1: we hit our stride right around Thanksgiving ultimately into December first. 720 00:37:01,080 --> 00:37:03,440 Speaker 1: So a win in Denver would position as very strongly 721 00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:05,800 Speaker 1: as it relates to the division. The other thing is 722 00:37:05,840 --> 00:37:08,520 Speaker 1: this is a conference game. It's a very important conference game. 723 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:10,640 Speaker 1: It's not easy to go to Denver and get a victory. 724 00:37:10,760 --> 00:37:13,840 Speaker 1: So we certainly are aware of the task at hand, 725 00:37:14,360 --> 00:37:16,640 Speaker 1: but just thinking down the road long term, you know, 726 00:37:16,719 --> 00:37:20,280 Speaker 1: anytime you get a conference victory, as that plays into 727 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:24,120 Speaker 1: any sort of playoff seatings or December football. It's important 728 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:26,680 Speaker 1: to look back and know that you got those victories 729 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:29,200 Speaker 1: in order to help you position yourself as it relates 730 00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:31,640 Speaker 1: to playing in December and January. Good stuff there from 731 00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:34,839 Speaker 1: general manager Brian Gain. Part of the game Plan podcast 732 00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:37,840 Speaker 1: available on Houston Texans dot com now tip for Houston 733 00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:42,000 Speaker 1: Methodist minutes And this week it's high ankle sprains with 734 00:37:42,120 --> 00:37:46,640 Speaker 1: doctor Travis Hanson of Houston Methodist Hospital, Willowbrook location. Doctor, 735 00:37:46,640 --> 00:37:51,160 Speaker 1: how's it going. Well, let's talk about ankle sprains and 736 00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:53,640 Speaker 1: I want to start with the high ankle sprain, the 737 00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:57,239 Speaker 1: dreaded high ankle sprain. How does this differ from a 738 00:37:57,320 --> 00:38:01,439 Speaker 1: regular ankle sprain? Doctor, So, the ankle sprain is an 739 00:38:01,440 --> 00:38:05,680 Speaker 1: external rotation injury. Whereas you're a regular ankle sprain, you 740 00:38:05,800 --> 00:38:08,480 Speaker 1: kind of turn over in your foot, twist under you. 741 00:38:09,440 --> 00:38:13,760 Speaker 1: The external rotation on the ligament causes the ligament to rupture, 742 00:38:13,800 --> 00:38:15,799 Speaker 1: and it's actually the ligament between the bones and your 743 00:38:15,880 --> 00:38:19,040 Speaker 1: leg as opposed to the ligaments that stabilize the ankle. 744 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,799 Speaker 1: And so it takes a lot longer to get over, 745 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:25,200 Speaker 1: longer return to play for football players. Now, sometimes we 746 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:27,719 Speaker 1: see players turn an ankle and they can come back 747 00:38:27,760 --> 00:38:30,719 Speaker 1: and play that very day, and other times it takes 748 00:38:30,719 --> 00:38:32,759 Speaker 1: a little bit longer. But how do you know what 749 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:35,759 Speaker 1: do you do on the field or right away when 750 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:37,560 Speaker 1: you see an ankle without an X ray or an 751 00:38:37,719 --> 00:38:40,520 Speaker 1: MRI to see what the damage might be. Well, a 752 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:42,680 Speaker 1: lot of it has just seen what happened. You know, 753 00:38:42,760 --> 00:38:45,319 Speaker 1: you're watching them on the field, and sometimes you can 754 00:38:45,400 --> 00:38:48,719 Speaker 1: directly observe the mechanism of the injury. You'll see the 755 00:38:48,719 --> 00:38:54,879 Speaker 1: team doctors looking up at the video as they're doing 756 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:57,160 Speaker 1: the replay to get a better look at that, and 757 00:38:57,239 --> 00:39:00,319 Speaker 1: you can kind of tell immediately did the athlete feel 758 00:39:00,360 --> 00:39:02,680 Speaker 1: a pop, are they able to wait there on it 759 00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:05,320 Speaker 1: pretty quickly, or are they having a hard time putting 760 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:08,440 Speaker 1: their weight on it? And then you know the areas 761 00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:11,640 Speaker 1: of tenderness. If it's very localized just over the low 762 00:39:11,719 --> 00:39:15,239 Speaker 1: ankle sprain ligaments, we're more likely to get them back 763 00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:18,240 Speaker 1: on the field that day. If they have tenderness higher 764 00:39:18,320 --> 00:39:20,680 Speaker 1: up the over the area where you consider it a 765 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:24,640 Speaker 1: high ankle sprain or on the medial aspect of the ankle, 766 00:39:24,719 --> 00:39:28,400 Speaker 1: then we determined that as a higher level of an 767 00:39:28,440 --> 00:39:30,960 Speaker 1: injury and they may not be back that day, all right, 768 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:34,040 Speaker 1: So a recovery time or a high ankle sprain versus 769 00:39:34,120 --> 00:39:37,320 Speaker 1: the lower echle sprain. Generally, a low ankle sprain is 770 00:39:37,360 --> 00:39:41,560 Speaker 1: anywhere from immediate return to play to three to four weeks. 771 00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:44,600 Speaker 1: A high ankle sprain we talk about it being closer 772 00:39:44,640 --> 00:39:48,200 Speaker 1: to six to eight weeks. And for that reason, there's 773 00:39:48,239 --> 00:39:50,440 Speaker 1: been kind of a movement over the last few years 774 00:39:50,520 --> 00:39:54,800 Speaker 1: to do immediate surgery on a high ankle sprain because 775 00:39:54,840 --> 00:39:56,839 Speaker 1: we've found that that has been able to get these 776 00:39:56,880 --> 00:40:00,720 Speaker 1: athletes back on the field quicker. The Alabama back Jalen 777 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:03,360 Speaker 1: Hurts and this is no hip of violation because this 778 00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:06,200 Speaker 1: is all in the news, had a high ankle spring 779 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:08,879 Speaker 1: and he underwent surgery and they were hoping to get 780 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:11,480 Speaker 1: him back one to two weeks after the prescedure, and 781 00:40:11,560 --> 00:40:14,600 Speaker 1: that maybe optimistic, but it remains to be seen. But 782 00:40:14,719 --> 00:40:18,080 Speaker 1: there has been some success with immediate surgery on high 783 00:40:18,120 --> 00:40:21,719 Speaker 1: ankle springs. Excellent information, Doctor, thanks so much for joining 784 00:40:21,800 --> 00:40:24,800 Speaker 1: us today. Great thank you, Mark. Doctor Travis Hanset of 785 00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:29,920 Speaker 1: Houston Methodist Hospital, Willowbrook location. Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports 786 00:40:29,960 --> 00:40:34,040 Speaker 1: Medicine offers convenient sports injury clinics for student athletes all 787 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:37,760 Speaker 1: throughout the Houston area all fall long Saturday mornings in Baytown, 788 00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:42,040 Speaker 1: Clear Lake, West, Houston, Katie, Sugarland, and Willowbrook. For more information, 789 00:40:42,160 --> 00:40:45,600 Speaker 1: log out to Houston Methodist dot org. Slash Athlete, the 790 00:40:45,640 --> 00:40:50,279 Speaker 1: official healthcare provider of the Houston Texans Houston Methodist Leading Medicine. Well, 791 00:40:50,320 --> 00:40:52,080 Speaker 1: that's going to do it for the show tonight, John 792 00:40:52,080 --> 00:40:54,000 Speaker 1: Harris back with you Tomorrow night at six, we'll have 793 00:40:54,080 --> 00:40:56,799 Speaker 1: Bill O'Brien. We'll have plenty of good stuff for you. 794 00:40:57,080 --> 00:41:00,719 Speaker 1: Don't forget about Texans Extra Points Saturday at six thirty 795 00:41:00,760 --> 00:41:03,200 Speaker 1: in Texans Buzz Saturday night at eleven, both those shows 796 00:41:03,200 --> 00:41:06,960 Speaker 1: at ABC thirteen, and Texans Game Plan Sunday mornings at 797 00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:10,480 Speaker 1: eight thirty on KPRC Local two. Just some of your 798 00:41:10,520 --> 00:41:13,200 Speaker 1: Texans TV shows to check out on a weekly basis. 799 00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:15,759 Speaker 1: Have a great night, everyone, and go Texans.