djohn2oo8
08-20-2009, 12:16 PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/6580151.html
"The morning practice today between the Texans and Saints turned into Fight Club. There were six bouts. The headliners were middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans vs. tight end Jeremy Shockey and fullback Vonta Leach vs. defensive tackle Rod Coleman.
After keeping the peace in the first two practices Wednesday, the intensity level was cranked up, and it showed in the heat and humidity at Methodist Training Center. With more than 3,000 fans as well as players and coaches from Rice and the University of Houston in attendance, tempers flared.
Leach took exception to Coleman being too rough with running back Ryan Moats. Leach went after Coleman.
"It doesn’t matter who we are or where we are, what field we’re on, who we’re playing – nobody’s going to take a shot at our running back,” Leach said. “Nothing was being said. It was a cheap shot. Our guy came off the blocks, and they started swinging. They tried to push us around, and our team’s not going to be pushed around.”
Moats also was involved in a skirmish with Saints special teams star Troy Evans, a former Texan.
Later, Ryans and Shockey went at it after the play was over. Ryans popped Shockey with a left hook, and both went down swinging. Teammates piled on.
“It was a fast play, and people started pushing and shoving,” Ryans said. “I told our defensive guys that nobody’s going to come in our house and push us around.”
There were a lot more fights today than last year in New Orleans, where the Texans practiced against the Saints.
"They think they can take over when they come here to Houston, but this is our house, and we have to let them know it,” Ryans said. “You can’t allow it. We have to stick up for our guys. It just gets me more pumped up to go out there on Saturday.”
The Texans play their preseason opener against the Saints at Reliant Stadium on Saturday.
“Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence,” owner Bob McNair said
"The morning practice today between the Texans and Saints turned into Fight Club. There were six bouts. The headliners were middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans vs. tight end Jeremy Shockey and fullback Vonta Leach vs. defensive tackle Rod Coleman.
After keeping the peace in the first two practices Wednesday, the intensity level was cranked up, and it showed in the heat and humidity at Methodist Training Center. With more than 3,000 fans as well as players and coaches from Rice and the University of Houston in attendance, tempers flared.
Leach took exception to Coleman being too rough with running back Ryan Moats. Leach went after Coleman.
"It doesn’t matter who we are or where we are, what field we’re on, who we’re playing – nobody’s going to take a shot at our running back,” Leach said. “Nothing was being said. It was a cheap shot. Our guy came off the blocks, and they started swinging. They tried to push us around, and our team’s not going to be pushed around.”
Moats also was involved in a skirmish with Saints special teams star Troy Evans, a former Texan.
Later, Ryans and Shockey went at it after the play was over. Ryans popped Shockey with a left hook, and both went down swinging. Teammates piled on.
“It was a fast play, and people started pushing and shoving,” Ryans said. “I told our defensive guys that nobody’s going to come in our house and push us around.”
There were a lot more fights today than last year in New Orleans, where the Texans practiced against the Saints.
"They think they can take over when they come here to Houston, but this is our house, and we have to let them know it,” Ryans said. “You can’t allow it. We have to stick up for our guys. It just gets me more pumped up to go out there on Saturday.”
The Texans play their preseason opener against the Saints at Reliant Stadium on Saturday.
“Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence,” owner Bob McNair said