When last we left OTAs¹, the rookies were learning the ropes, the veterans were adapting to some new facets of the playbook, Kevin Walter was blackmailing Kubiak with nudie pictures in order to get the WR2 job², and there was a battle going on for starting SLB. Typical stuff, which is why I didn't spend a lot of time on it.

Today, however, Kubes mixed things up a little bit. Former heavyweight champ [Author's note: He was actually much better at cruiserweight.] Evander Holyfield visited the team and did some motivational speechifying. The ever-modest Holyfield mused

They showed appreciation for what I’ve accomplished and it’s good for coaches to try to find someone to exemplify what winning is all about.

Kubiak echoed this assessment and was apparently so awe-struck by Holyfield that Gary struggled to develop coherent thoughts.

It’s amazing looking in the faces of those young players and the intrigue and what he’s accomplished.

Obviously, I'm being flippant and somewhat facetious about this whole thing. Reading the article, it does sound like the players enjoyed meeting the former champ and that they understood his message of staying committed to winning. Which is good, I suppose. Moving on...

From the same article, it seems there are some positive developments in the secondary. First, rookie Fred Bennett is making strides and looking like he will eventually be able to play both corner at safety at this level. I still think his size (6'1"/195) and ability to deliver the big hit make him an intriguing prospect. I'm not completely sold that he will develop into a starting CB2, but he might develop into a difference maker at nickel. We'll see.

The other development is that Kubes is making the guys in the defensive backfield earn their playing time and starting slots. Sayeth Sir Suck

There are a lot of people in different positions competing for the job. It gets the competition up high and it’s intense out there. Guys trying to make the team and trying to be the guy. It’s good for me because I like being in that kind of situation because it makes me work harder.

So that's what it takes! Yay... I am so glad we have figured out what it will take to make Faggins work harder at not sucking. It sounds to me like Kubiak's master plan is working, well, masterfully.

Finally, I've read in various places that Sam Adams has already met with the Texans. I have not, however, read any reports as to how that meeting went or if he is close to making a decision. If anyone knows anything about the meeting, why not fill the rest of us in? And, Sam, if you are reading this... call me, we'll talk.

¹ Carmine Pirone is still at it with the misused apostrophes. Not to be all Grammar Nazi and shit, but when your job is "Staff Writer," I feel like you should have a grasp on simple things like punctuation. Carmine, on the other hand, throws apostrophes around all willy-nilly, using them to pluralize both "OTA" and "Sunday." And, yes, this footnote was mainly an excuse to use "willy-nilly" in a sentence.
² I am guessing.

Labels: Demarcus Faggins sucks, Gary Kubiak, Preview, Sam Adams, Secondary issues are primary, The Fred

Posted by matt on Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 2:22 PM | Permalink