Training camp is well underway for the Houston Texans, and
there are several battles going on between players for starting positions. One
of these key positions getting a lot of attention is the battle at tight end.
The Texans already had argueably the best blocking tight end in the NFL on the
roster with Mark Bruener, but with the addition of Jeb Putzier following Kubiak
over from Denver, Bennie Joppru finally active again, and rookie Owen Daniels
all in line, this could be one of the most exciting positions to watch in the
2006 season.
Bruener (6-4, 260) has established his role in the Texans
offensive scheme. He is a tremendous blocking tight end and has a great effect
on the running game. Putzier (6-4, 256) has great hands and is impressing
coaches with his receiving, combined with his blocking ability. Joppru (6-4,
240) was drafted by the Texans in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL
Draft, but has struggled with injury since then, making this his first year to
show fans his quickness and receiving potential. Rookie Owen Daniels (6-3, 247)
has demonstrated during camp how well he can catch the ball, but is working hard
on improving his blocking skill.
Head coach Gary Kubiak has stated that the Texans’ tight
ends will play a big role in his offense. He already knows Jeb Putzier from his
coaching days with the Broncos. When asked by Carmen Prione about Putzier
becoming the leading man for the Texans, Kubiak responded saying
“Jeb (Putzier) can stretch the field. He’s very athletic
and when you match up linebackers and safeties (with him), you feel like you
have an advantage right there. He’s helped all our tight ends move along the
offense with just his presence. He has got to get better on the line of
scrimmage to be a down-in, down-out player, and he knows that. I’ve been telling
him that for four years, probably 12.”
During a press conference held on
Monday, Kubiak took the opportunity to comment on rookie Daniels as well.
“I see a lot of ability,” Kubiak said. “He’s kind of up and down right
now. He’ll show you some days that he’s ready to go, and he’ll show you others
that he’s a rookie. He’s a tough kid. He should be able to play on the line of
scrimmage and catch the ball. Preseason will be interesting, because he will
play a great deal.”
Daniels isn’t scared of a little competition either. He
says he spends his nights in the team hotel studying his playbook and going over
his coach’s critiques while preparing for the next day’s practice.
“Everyone’s such great guys that we’re not at each other’s
throats or like that. We are still helping each other out. It’s good to have
older guys like Mark (Bruener) and Jeb (Putzier) helping. If you have a
question, they know exactly what’s going on. Definitely some competition, but it
makes everybody better.”
Joppru is also excited about the competition, as well as
the large role his position is going play this year, especially after being
sidelined the past three seasons by injury.
“It definitely excites you,” Joppru said. “It’s always
nice to catch a ball and get yourself motivated. It’s also nice to block though,
to move around and block from some different positions other than on the line.”