Texans schedule a visit with free agent LB Khary Campbell
Despite injuries to linebackers Brian Cushing and Cato June, Gary Kubiak stated earlier in the week that the Texans weren’t planning on bringing in another linebacker at this time. Well, something changed. The Texans will visit with Campbell on Sunday. A solid special teams player, Campbell is 30 years old, 6-2, and 232 pounds. He’s a seven-year veteran, his last five with the Redskins. An undrafted free agent, he spent his first two seasons with the Cowboys and Jets.
This of course isn’t a big deal, but it does make me wonder who will lose their roster spot if they sign him.
Interpreting today’s post-practice quotes from Gary Kubiak
There were a few interesting tidbits in today’s post-practice statements by Gary Kubiak. Interesting, assuming you are always trying to read between the lines with what the coach says, like I always am.
While talking about a minor injury that DelJuan Robinson has been playing through:
“…he and (DT) Frank (Okam) are getting ready to play a lot of football this Saturday. That’s a battle for that job, and it’s important that both guys play like starters for our team.”
Earlier in camp, Kubiak said point blank that it’s going to be really tough to get DelJuan out of the starting lineup, with Travis Johnson nursing one of his annual training camp injuries. This quote makes it sound like Okam might actually be a legitimate contender for the job as well. We’ve heard varying positive reports about Okam’s off-season, and we know he’s earned a few snaps with the first team. With Okam, I’ve always been simultaneously excited and cautious, and that hasn’t changed. Saturday, if he can show the ability keep his energy level up beyond his first couple of plays – we might be in for a more improved defense than we already are hoping for.
Regarding Jacoby Jones and his continuing development:
“I’d say a lack of consistency just overall as a pro, as a player, on the field, classroom, all those things. But he’s been good; we’ve talked about this before, like I give you an example today. It’s time to go play, and you should be practicing pretty solid today and know what you’re doing, and he’s got a few mistakes today. Pros don’t make mistakes two days before the game, so stuff like that. But he’s working toward getting better.”
I hate to throw the whole long quote at you, but I don’t want there to be anything taken out of context. I’ve already given my thoughts on Jacoby in some detail, and my opinion hasn’t changed at all. So far, it sounds like he’s exactly where he was last year and the year before that. Looks like a great playmaker – yet remains inconsistent. Clearly seems ahead of all other punt return men by far – yet still apparently has some “classroom/study” issues, which I lump in with maturity issues.
I would go ahead and call it right now that Jacoby isn’t going to make this team – but I haven’t heard enough positive things about the alternatives, so it sounds like – at least for now, having not even played a pre-season game – that he is improving slowly and might stick around.
Last season at this time, I wanted them to keep JJ regardless of his struggles. After his THIRD camp, though – I honestly couldn’t care less if he looks like a Hall of Famer on the practice field at times. If, by the end of camp, he hasn’t corrected ALL his non-football issues, he needs to be gone. He might still be able to correct his inconsistency on the field, but the maturity issues MUST be gone, and I have to say – I’m skeptical.
On André Davis’s excellent camp performance:
“I turned to Ray Rhodes in the back back here during practice and said, ‘Ray, he’s a starter, isn’t he?’ and Ray said, ‘Yeah, you bet.’ He’s a heck of a player, and that’s the way we think of him.”
He may not be a starter now, but he will be in 2010 after Kevin Walter signs a big deal elsewhere in the off-season. I hope he continues to improve his blocking, because while he may or may not be a better “receiver” than Kevin Walter – he’s not even in the same galaxy as Walter when it comes to his ability to block effectively. Obviously, the Texans know Walter’s value to this team – but even with that value I can’t imagine them ponying up for the sizable (but not outrageous) deal that Walter’s going to command when they have a very talented guy making a lot of money behind him.
Just over 48 hours until we have some actual football to talk about. I know it’s just pre-season, but I know I’m not the only football nerd around here who’s excited about it.
Aug 13, 2009 at 19:26:31
Let’s hope your right about Andre davis. Just got an iPhone today. Could use some help with it if anyone has one
Aug 13, 2009 at 19:58:45
Vick to the eagles. Didn’t see thAt coming
Aug 13, 2009 at 20:01:04
I shot you an email about the iPhone, Allen.
Aug 13, 2009 at 22:53:00
I’ll be camping in the middle of the Redwoods come Saturday, so I’m gonna miss it. And I’m totally bummed, which is odd for me for a pre-season game. It’s been a loooooong off-season.
BTW, welcome back, Chris. Sorry I didn’t get over here sooner.
Aug 14, 2009 at 01:00:37
I didn’t notice it the first time….Leach has got the Kimbo Slice vibe going on this season.
Aug 14, 2009 at 07:31:58
Davis is 30; he’s bounced around the league his entire career. He’s not the same kind of player as Walter, either. I think hopes of having him step in for Walter are pretty naive.
Lots of Walter’s free agent value will be tied up in how he does this season. It would seem that Walter might want to wait until after the season to negotiate a deal then, right? Well, I’m thinking with the looming CBA war about to brew between the union and league, Walter might be willing to take a little less in overall value for the peace of mind that would come with getting a deal done now. Maybe that’s naive thinking on my part
Aug 14, 2009 at 09:40:39
Great stuff as always, Chris.
I want JJ to be consistent so bad. But, like you, I just dont see it happening. Just another Jerome Mathis…is Mathis even in the league anymore?
Aug 14, 2009 at 15:40:20
Few thoughts:
Why are we visiting with this campbell guy right now when we just waived Kevis cooley. We should have kept cooley.
I personally want Okam to win the job and it has nothing to do with me being a huge Texas fan. Okam is the closest thing we got to a space eating nose tackle and I truly believe that we are a safety and a nosetackle away from being an elite defense.
Jacoby jones will make the team. You heard it here first.
Walters is the better overall receiver in terms of route running and blocking. The place where davis is better than walters in that Davis is the difference between night and day faster than walters. We need a home run threat other than andre johnson and I believe Davis is exactly that. I agree with you that I do not think walters will be back because:1.)We have more important positions that need to get their money2)We gave Andre Davis a big contract just last season3.)We matched Denver’s offer sheet for David Anderson 4.)I truly believe that our offense is full of system people who can easily be replaced except for andre johnson.
Aug 15, 2009 at 00:22:48
Who’s being naive? Me? That couldn’t have been for me. I just explained that they’re totally different receivers because of Walter’s blocking ability. **I** am not sold on AD replacing Walter. AD is a burner. A deep threat. Almost a specialist, as a receiver. I actually think he’s of great value as the #3 – but I think the TEXANS would see him as the #2 if Walter was gone, because he’s got the contract to justify it – and IF he can be a better blocker, he could step in for Walter – but I certainly don’t think he would fulfill that role as well as Walter does.