Saw Weary and Spencer today

[foozball]

I went on a tour of Reliant Stadium as part of my Operations Management class at A&M. Mostly learned about day to day operations that go on there. The president of the Texans spoke to us. He was really cool. So did the director of operations.

One of the ticket operations guys said that the reported attendance is for tickets sold, not how many people actually show up for the game, which explains the empty seats.

They sell around 20,000 beers per game

Anyways, I saw Fred Weary in the locker room and shook his hand. He's walking around looking pretty healthy. His hands aren't as big as I thought they would be.

As far as Charles Spencer goes, he was walking down one of the hallways. No sign of a limp. He looked healthy. He does appear out of shape though. He needs to lose at least 25-30lbs.

[HydrOshocK]

Sounds like a pretty fun day. I'd love to tour Reliant some day. The closest I came was on draft day a couple of years ago. We stood in line forever and then they just canceled the tours. I was pretty bummed until I met A.J. That was the highlight of my day and it wouldn't have happened if I would've taken the tour. ;)

Good to hear Weary and Spencer were moving around well. It sounds like Spencer needs to hit the treadmill! At least it's encouraging that he's able to carry heavy weight on that leg. I'm sure he'll be at or around his playing weight by the end of camp.

[foozball]

Also got to tour the suites and the players lounge, cafeteria, weight room, and training room. They have a budget of over $50,000 just on tape for ankles and such.

There's a digital clock in almost every room that is wired to a central clock to remind players of when meetings start.

The chairs in the film room are huge to accomodate the linemen.

Suites start out at $110,000 and go up to $215,000 per year on a minimum 5 year contract. 7 year and 10 year contracts also available.

[Wolf123]

That sounds pretty awesome to get a tour there.

[Carlos]

As far as Charles Spencer goes, he was walking down one of the hallways. No sign of a limp. He looked healthy. He does appear out of shape though. He needs to lose at least 25-30lbs.

On Lance Z's blog not too long ago, he alluded to the fact that Spencer was overweight. He also made comments that his return as a productive player was in doubt. I hope Spencer does everything he can to get ready for the upcoming season, including getting his butt in shape.

[Wolf123]

I'm not really worried that he's over weight now. He's been rehabing and once he gets into the offseason programs and mini camps he'll start loseing weight.

[willieg52]

Spencer just needs to get a good dietician...lol

[South Texan]

Good Info...thanks.

Come on people...this is Texas...surely we can do better than 20,000 beers.:confused:

Maybe they meant 20,000 kegs.

[Welsh Texan]

Its prolly no bad thing Spencer being a few stone overweight during the healing process, should help him heal stronger.

Reliant holds what? 60,000 people?
So it takes 3 Texans 4 hours to drink 1 beer then? lol ;)

[foozball]

Its prolly no bad thing Spencer being a few stone overweight during the healing process, should help him heal stronger.

Reliant holds what? 60,000 people?
So it takes 3 Texans 4 hours to drink 1 beer then? lol ;)

reliant holds 70,000 people (might be 72,000)...but 60,000 people actually SHOWING UP is a stretch IMO

they do actually sell out every game though, but alot of people just dont show for some reason.

[WaldovonPutz]

Thanks for the update on Spencer. He was our starting left tackle and yet nothing seems to come about when or even if he will play. As for the beer, if you throw in the 1000s drunk in the tailgating, (cheaper than the $7 buck variety in the stands) I'm sure our true average will go up to the Texas standard!

[Dunta_23]

Thanks for the update on Spencer. He was our starting left tackle and yet nothing seems to come about when or even if he will play. As for the beer, if you throw in the 1000s drunk in the tailgating, (cheaper than the $7 buck variety in the stands) I'm sure our true average will go up to the Texas standard!

That is because it is not yet known if he will ever be able to play....according to some reports, he said he will be ready for camp...but players always say stuff like that....we will have to wait and see

[HydrOshocK]

That is because it is not yet known if he will ever be able to play....according to some reports, he said he will be ready for camp...but players always say stuff like that....we will have to wait and see

Kubiak said today that Spencer will be ready to go for OTAs and camp.

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4193

(on if T Charles Spencer will be healthy next season) “I'll put it this way, Charles is ready to go back to work. He's doing well. When we start the offseason program, he'll be right in there with the football team. When we get to OTA’s, he will be cut loose to go play. I think time will tell when he goes out there, performs as a player, he's in drills, doing football stuff again as compared to doing just rehab. We'll see how it responds. I think the jury is still out, but that he's getting close.”

(on if Spencer will stay at left tackle) “I sure hope so. We'll see how he responds.”

[foozball]

i think its a lock we go DB or DE with our 1st rounder

[HydrOshocK]

DB or RB.

[foozball]

Even if Mendenhall is sitting there at #18? That is ballsy, probably true but still ballsy....

i have a feeling him and jstew will be gone...the talent at the other positions just isnt that good compared to them. some team will trade up to get them and some team will trade down to take a guy they want but isnt valued that high. or chicago or arizona will take one. i could easily see detroit trading down and taking a DB. i could also see seattle trading up.

i really see us trading down though. we just wont take a RB even though theyre very good because of our philosophy.

[ObsiWan]

Even if Mendenhall is sitting there at #18? That is ballsy, probably true but still ballsy....

I saw Mendenhall on NFLN. He's got the most spindly legs of any RB I've ever seen. How could he possibly pass block - a must if you play for Kubiak. And the talking heads said he fumbled 23 times in his college career, no one brings that up when they're "singing his praises". And you might recall fumbling kept Chris Taylor on the practice squad for nearly all of '06.

I don't think Mendenhall would be Smithiak's first choice at RB.

[aj.]

I saw Mendenhall on NFLN. He's got the most spindly legs of any RB I've ever seen. How could he possibly pass block - a must if you play for Kubiak. And the talking heads said he fumbled 23 times in his college career, no one brings that up when they're "singing his praises". And you might recall fumbling kept Chris Taylor on the practice squad for nearly all of '06.

I don't think Mendenhall would be Smithiak's first choice at RB.

What you just described was Mayock's review of McFadden, not Mendenhall.

Mendenhall is about as solid 225 lbs as you can get, from head to toe.

[ObsiWan]

What you just described was Mayock's review of McFadden, not Mendenhall.

Mendenhall is about as solid 225 lbs as you can get, from head to toe.

Maybe you're right. I'll watch it again.

[aj.]

No maybe's on this one. Turn it on now. They are about to re-run that piece for the 20th time...

I'll be hearing those words "his legs which are spindly at best, go dead on contact" in my sleep. For whatever reason, Mayock is one of the few whose not on the McFadden train.

I like Mendenhall as an everydown NFL back over McFadden or Stewart. I think he has the best size, speed, power, burst, quickness combo of the three.

[ObsiWan]

No maybe's on this one. Turn it on now. They are about to re-run that piece for the 20th time...

Watched again - for once I'm glad they run these pieces over and over

You're absolutely right, aj. It was McFadden with the toothpicks. Mendenhall looks very sturdy. Stewart too (at least compared to McFadden).

I can't understand why Dukes is so gung-ho about McFadden. I'd rather have Stewart.

[koshea]

about the beer deal, thats not counting mixed drinks or wine (women go too for some reason) lol jk

anyways, your forgetting not every fan is 21, seriously go to the games there is thousands and thousands of kids, so of the 60,000 id say about 30,000 are of legal age or drink beer by choice, and even then a 7 dollar beer breaks the bank on alot of people, so yeah, id rather buy a 6 pack for tailgating than pay upwayds of 42 bucks for 6 beers in the stadium

[Texans_Chick]

Watched again - for once I'm glad they run these pieces over and over

You're absolutely right, aj. It was McFadden with the toothpicks. Mendenhall looks very sturdy. Stewart too (at least compared to McFadden).

I can't understand why Dukes is so gung-ho about McFadden. I'd rather have Stewart.

FWIW, one of the comments I had from someone on the Texans staff about their draft evaluations (this is prior to the 2006 season), is that Reggie Bush's lower body was not what they like in a running back.

NFL is a league of copy catting. McFadden would do better in the draft had Reggie Bush had a better season last year.

[HydrOshocK]

FWIW, one of the comments I had from someone on the Texans staff about their draft evaluations (this is prior to the 2006 season), is that Reggie Bush's lower body was not what they like in a running back.

NFL is a league of copy catting. McFadden would do better in the draft had Reggie Bush had a better season last year.

Interesting point. I can see how that could weigh with some scouts but McFadden's intangibles as a RB, compared to Bush when he came out, aren't even close IMO. Considering the way he carried the load in a much tougher and physical conference in college, I doubt McFadden's production as an NFL back will be effected much by the leanness of his legs (they are pretty skinny for a guy that size), although he might lose some money now as he slips a few spots in the draft.

Still, I'm sure a season or two in an NFL strength and conditioning program can add some thickness to his lower body. If anything I think McFadden's stock slips more because of the impressive depth at the position this year. '08 will be known best for it's outstanding RB class.

[ObsiWan]

I agree...Stewart would be my first choice, but I wouldn't mind Mendenhall. Good to see ya ObsiWan...how's the force been treatin' ya?

still hangin' out on Tatooine
you know, chillin'
as much as one can chill on a desert planet
:D

[ObsiWan]

FWIW, one of the comments I had from someone on the Texans staff about their draft evaluations (this is prior to the 2006 season), is that Reggie Bush's lower body was not what they like in a running back.

NFL is a league of copy catting. McFadden would do better in the draft had Reggie Bush had a better season last year.

No question. McFadden seems more like the home run guy - like RB was supposed to be. Stewart and Mendenhall seem like guys who can give you 20-25 good carries/game.

And if I'm in the redzone or burning up clock in the fourth qtr, I want someone built like Stewart following Vonta Leach up into the hole. And I want someone built like Stewart taking on blitzers too.

[HydrOshocK]

No question. McFadden seems more like the home run guy - like RB was supposed to be. Stewart and Mendenhall seem like guys who can give you 20-25 good carries/game.

And if I'm in the redzone or burning up clock in the fourth qtr, I want someone built like Stewart following Vonta Leach up into the hole. And I want someone built like Stewart taking on blitzers too.

Same here. I like both Mendenhall's and Stewart's size. Both are stacked and move a pile. They're powerful enough to run between the tackles and quick enough to make a cut and go the distance.

[Clamp]

I wish they included Squat Max as one of the combine events. Or even squatting 300 as many times as they can or soemthing. Lower body strength is so important but there is no gauge for it unless they actually go and watch the guy do a full work out sometime. And leg press wouldnt be as telling or good to me personally b/c squats incorporate your entire lower body (ie. lower torso and core muscles as well, not just quads and glutes).