Leaving A Wake Up Call

Seriously. Losing to Tebow?

Like the Texans, I'm mailing it in until the off season.

GM RicK Smith - Earn Your Keep

It's official...the 2010 Houston Texans season is dead.

Like the Oilers of yore, the Texans find new and interesting ways to lose.

The team reached the pinnacle in game one versus the Colts. After that it's been down hill.

The team is at a cross roads and choices, hard ones, must be made.

The main choice rests with owner Bob McNair. Does he want to keep the Smithiak Regime? Or does he clean house? Or does he issue a mandate to GM Rick Smith to straighten out the product on the field by any means necessary?

Time for Smith to Play GM
Rick Smith is one of the rare GMs in the NFL that was hired basically by his coach. Charlie Casserly, though on his way out, worked through the transition bringing in Gary Kubiak and helping with the 2006 draft. Smith was hired on the suggestion of his buddy Kubiak. They worked together in Denver.

Now is the time for Smith to sit down with McNair and start evaluating options, the team and coaches. Smith and Kubiak might be best friends but it's time for Smith to put that aside.

My guess is, barring an order from McNair, Smith won't fire Kubiak.

The first order of business for Smith then is to shake up the defensive coaching staff and remove Kubiak from any input on the defensive coaching hires. Just remove Kubiak from the equation and look for the best candidate to for the job. No Denver connections or familiarity. Kubiak brought in the last two coordinators Richard Smith and Frank Bush. Time to let someone else make the choice.

Right now Smith doesn't have free hand in personnel or coaching decisions. Most hires and signings must run through Kubiak first. That must also change.

I'm all for a coach and GM working together. In fact I'd prefer it. I think Kubiak and Smith will continue to work together in making decisions. However the current dynamic isn't working.

I'll have more thoughts on the changes and critical juncture that this franchise faces in the days ahead. My thoughts are still to scattered from last night's game and beer to focus.

Holy Crap! Texans Can Still Make Playoffs But

So what would it take for the Texans to make the playoffs? First and foremost, winning the last four games of the season. That’s a tall order considering that the Baltimore Ravens roll into town for a Monday night match up.

The premise here is that the Texans win out.

The Colts losing to the Cowboys on Sunday shifted things in favor of the Texans.

Texans remaining schedule:
Vs. Baltimore
@ Tennessee
@ Denver
Vs. Jacksonville

Winning the four remaining games give the Texans a 9-7 record and a 4-2 division record.

Jacksonville remaining games: vs. Oakland, @ Indianapolis, vs. Washington, @ Houston

Indianapolis remaining games: @ Tennessee, vs. Jacksonville, @ Oakland, vs. Tennessee

Tennessee remaining games: vs. Indianapolis, vs. Houston, @ Kansas City, @ Indianapolis
The Texans need Jacksonville and Indianapolis to lose one more game. That throws the AFC South into chaos with three teams tied at 9-7. The best case scenario is for Colts to lose one of the Tennessee games and the Jags to lose to the Colts. A loss to the Titans assures the Colts of three division losses and out of the running for the division title. In the same best case, the Jags lose to the Colts and that tags them with a second division loss.

What that best case scenario sets up is a showdown on the final game of the year for the last playoff spot between the Texans and Jags. A Texans win ties them with a 9-7 record and evens the head to head play at 1-1. The next tie breaker is division record. A Texans win coupled with the Jags hopefully earlier loss to the Colts gives Houston a 4-2 division record but the Jags a 3-3 record. Texans would advance to playoffs.

The scenarios get even wilder because of the remaining schedule. Unless I miscalculated, everybody can still end up at 8-8.

Funk Over - For Now

The Texans, and I, broke out of a four game funk. I was so distraught that I'm openly advocating for the end of the Kubiak Era.



The game against the Titans had the ingredients for another Texans gaffe and embarrassment. Third string rookie quarterback Rusty Smith started with Chris Johnson in the backfield.

The Titans are a team in disarray. Vince Young and Jeff Fisher are feuding. The question remains as to who will be back with the team next year. The relationship is beyond repair in my opinion. Either Young or Fisher will exit and my money is on Fisher leaving.

I was hoping for the best but expecting the worst. It's been that kind of season.

I should have taken the first play from scrimmage, Mario Williams sacking Smith, as a good sign.

The defense played well enough for the shut out in a 20-0 game.

During the game, I thought Amobi Okoye played well. He seemed to be in on multiple plays clogging the middle, exploding plays with penetration or taking up blockers. Yes I can actually see that on some plays live. I try to watch the defenses very close. More times than not though I end up following the ball or the action.

Lance Zierlein, a Houston radio host and Houston Chronicle blogger, did an outstanding break down of film on Okoye's day.

The most important thing of the day for the Texans was holding Chris Johnson in check. Johnson has run wild on the Texans before and I figured he would have a decent day despite the rookie quarterback. Wrong. He had five yards on seven carries along with two receptions for two yards. A very off day for a top, if not the top, running back in the NFL.

Factoring the rookie QB, the Texans defense still shined. Brian Cushing played very aggressive and his best game of the year. Grover Quin atoned for being the victim of the last two losses at the last second. Quin had a hat trick of interceptions including two in the Titans red zone.

One the offensive side of the ball, Arian Foster continued his assault on the ground. He ran for 143 yards on 30 carries and added 75 yards on 9 catches. He totaled 218 yards of total offense.

Of course the highlight of the game was the Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan Brawl. I think I'll save that commentary for my somewhat weekly NFL column.

Man of the Match
For once, the Man of the Match goes to a former goat. Grover Quin rebounded from twice being on the wrong end of game winning touchdowns. He snared three interceptions from Rusty Smith. Two game when the Titans were driving to score. Both interceptions preserved the shut out.

The Case Against Keeping Gary Kubiak

It's long so read if you dare.

I've always believed that unless the coach is a complete disaster (Cam Cameron in Miami for example), a coach needs 4-5 seasons to get his team, players and system fully implemented. Gary Kubiak is in the midst of his fifth season and it doesn't look very good.

If you look up the Texans record under Kubiak, you'd see the very model on consistency....consistently mediocre. Through four full seasons, Kubiak's record has been 6-10, 8-8, 8-8, 9-7. That's incremental improvement at best.

Kubiak and GM Rick Smith were definitely a step up over the Dom Capers/Charlie Casserly regime. Kubiak and Smith basically had to burn the franchise to the ground and rebuild.

Despite a complete roster turn over and high draft picks invested on defense, a serious regression in defense continues. Mario Williams, Omobi Okeye, Brian Cushing, Kareem Jackson...all first round draft picks in the Smithiak era. Mix those players in with Demeco Ryans, Troy Nolan, Brice McCain, Connor Barwin and Zac Diles and the core of the Texans defense is all Smithiak picks. Bernard Pollard, Antonio Smith and Shaun Cody were significant free agents. Frank Bush took over last year as defensive coordinator after Richard Smith was fired. All the picks and coaching changes are resulting in a defense on pace to be the worst defense in NFL
history. Not one of the worst but the worst in terms of yardage allowed..

For all the high draft picks, free agents and young players starting, there
is simply no excuse not to improve. Instead the team took a major step
back.

Adding fuel to the Fire Kubiak is his playcalling. Kubiak, like many coaches today, are married to their philosophy and won't change game plan or tactics to suit the situation or opponent. In the opener against the Colts, the Texans unleashed Arian Foster and dominated the Colts defense. Post game, the players said they had to beg Kubiak to keep running the ball. In the second game, Kubiak didn't try to dominate the Colts like in the first game. When asked why, Kubiak stated that he wanted to keep the offense balanced. The object of the game is to win. Screw the "balanced
attack" and look to exploit a flaw in the other team. The Texans have a front row seat on how to exploit. Rookie corner Kareem Jackson is tested and burned often in a game. Teams know the Texans can't stop the pass so they consistently throw. Kansas City, a power running team, didn't stick to running because it's team philosophy. Despite a bad season thus far for Matt Cassel, the Chiefs game planned to put the ball in the air to augment their rushing attack. It worked as Cassel had his best game of the season to that point.

The scripted playcalling is another boatload of nonsense. Kubiak scripts the first 15 or so plays of the game. Why? What's the point? Another example of Kubiak's controlling nature is the quarterback doesn't audible. Kubiak sends in the play and that's what is run. Matt Schaub has the freedom to call a check down play based on the defensive formation. Schaub doesn't have the freedom to change the play completely no matter the situation.

Substitution patterns also make no sense. When Foster appears to get into a groove, Kubiak strangely takes him out. Case in point, the Texans are driving late in the first half against the Chiefs. Foster is easily running through the defense. On a third and one with 30 seconds left, Kubiak yanks out Foster and subs in Derrick Ward. Ward is stopped at the line and the Texans settle for a field goal. Why take Foster out? Is the idea to rest him? I think he can play another 30 seconds before half without dropping dead.

One more item for concern is Kubiak's failure to make progress in the division or down the stretch. In November under Kubiak, the Texans are 5-13 overall and 2-12 on divisional road games. Again, Kubiak is consistent...a consistent failure in November.

So the question remains: is it time for a change? No doubt about it. The five season window is closing. This team and coaching staff haven't shown they can get the job done. Fortunately, unlike the Capers/Casserly Clowns, the team isn't lacking in talent. A new coach and/or GM won't have to gut the franchise and start over. The pieces are in place...Owner Bob McNair is going to have to make his coaching decision carefully though. The wrong coach can set the franchise back another five years and by then the fans will be ready to burn Reliant to the ground.

Texas Week 6 - Hot Offense Saves Swiss Cheese Defense

I took it as a harbinger of things to come. I was already sweating a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. I planned on 5-1 record at the break before the Giants left town. Now I was planning on a 4-2 mark but was nervous about 3-3 instead.

I kept telling myself the Kansas City Chiefs aren't that good. I tried to ignore the one loss record. I tried to ignore the fact that the pretty much stood toe to toe with the Colts.

I also tried to deny Matt Cassel could do any damage. I though the Texans defense couldn't possibly be that bad to let even the Chiefs rip them.

Then I pulled my head out of the sand and faced reality. That reality said hat 3-3 was a possibility. The fan in me still denied 3-3 and hoped for 4-2. Thank God I have the faith of a die hard fan.

The Opening Drive
The Chiefs took the opening drive and manhandled the Texans defense. The Chiefs did exactly what the Texans did to the Colts to close out the game.

Matt Cassel and company engineered a dominant 15 play 74 yard drive. The KC offense converted two forth downs. They kept the ball for over eight minutes. 7-0.

I viewed the opening drive as a harbinger of things to come. The Texans didn't help my gloom and doom mood with a very short opening drive.

The Texans managed to score a second quarter TD. Mostly likely the game would have been tied at half if not for the generous Texans defense. 14-7.

Despite the poor play of the defense, the Texans did well get hold KC to 14. It could have bee a lot worse.

Again, That Defense
The defense continued their generous ways through the second half. They allowed a third TD in the third but also held the Chiefs to a field goal.

The offense managed their own TD and the Texans were still very much in it at the end of three.

It was at this point where the game changed. The Texans responded to the KC field goal with their own touchdown drive. KC got the TD back and regained a 10 point lead.

The Texans then took their last two possessions and turned them into touchdowns and victory.

In between the two Texans touchdowns, the defense finally showed up. They held the Chiefs to a three and out.

Matt Schaub went right to work on the game winning drive. The first two plays saw TE Owen Daniels break free for big gains. The Texans first positioned themselves to make the field goal if needed to force overtime. From there they went to work on ending the game in regulation. With 28 seconds left in the game, Schaub found Andre Johnson open in the back of the endzone for the game winner. Schaub put the ball where only Johnson could catch it and Johnson hauled it in and made sure he took small steps to ensure he was in bounds.

Key Stat of the Game
No field goals for the Texans. They scored 5 touchdowns with 4 from inside the red zone. Only Derrick Ward's 36 yard scamper came from outside the red zone. Definitely nice to see the Texans finish drives with seven instead of three.

A close second key stat was no turnovers. No one put the ball on the ground and Schaub didn't throw a pick. The way the defense played turnovers would have been killers.

Player of the Game
Matt Schaub by far is Texans player of the week. He calmly lead the comeback. The fans were frustrated and antsy. The defense played terrible. Schaub didn't let any of that affect him. He played perfectly on the two drives. He didn't panic when flushed out of the pocket. He simply put the ball in the air where the best player on the team could do his thing.

The Linebacker Situation
Time for some linebackers to heal. The Texans only had four healthy linebackers for Sunday's game. Xavier Adibi, Kevin Bentley and Darryl Sharpton were all inactive due to injuries. A season ending injury to DeMeco Ryans forced second year man David Nixon into action. Zac Diles slid over to Ryans' middle spot and Nixon took Diles slot. I noticed during the game that strong side LB Brian Cushing called the plays.

If all the remaining LBs are good to go, Cushing and Diles remain at their positions with Bentley taking over in the middle. Diles can play all three spots and can Bentley. Bentley, however, is the primary back up at MLB. Although, like Diles, Bentley can play all three spots.

More than likely, the Texans will try add another LB to fill out the roster spot left open by Ryans.

The Interference Call
Brandon Flowers was seething after a pass interference was called on him on an Andre Johnson 36 yard pass. Flowers felt that Johnson interfered with him and should have been flagged. SI.com hack Peter King thinks the replay clearly shows Johnson interfered.

Johnson didn't interfere and neither did Flowers. It should have been a no call. Despite what King the Hack things, the replay clearly shows nothing. No flag should have been thrown. On top of all that, Johnson caught the ball with no interference so result is moot.

If Kansas City fans want to complain about something then they need to complain about the decision to pass late in the game on 3rd down. With the clock running and the Texans defense giving up big yards on the ground, Cassel overthrew the tight end. The play was boneheaded on many levels. First, even if the run doesn't succeed, Houston must burn a time out. A run play ticks even a few more seconds off the clock until time out is called. The Texans defensive line seemed pretty tired at the end. Also with Ryans out, the middle would be more vulnerable to the run. It was a gusty call but the wrong one.

Go cry somewhere else KC.

Texans enter the bye week hoping to try something with the defense. Anything at this point would help.

They also have two weeks to hopefully mend up a couple of linebackers and add one soon.

See you on Monday night in Indy...signing off for my own bye week and two weeks off work...

Houston Texas Week 5 - Giant Manhandling

This is very brief cause I really don't have the words to describe the levels of ineptness the Texans showed last Sunday.

The Texans played another bad home game. Not even close. The NY Giants owned the Texans from the start and never looked back.

Offense - awful. Putrid. Horrible. The couldn't run, pass or block. WR dropped passes. Matt Schaub had at least three passes batted down at the line. I can see one or two tips. Three or more means you need to make an adjustment passing with a little more air under the ball.

Defense - read above. The return of Brian Cushing didn't make one bit a difference. The safeties were terrible. The coverages called were mind boggling. To much zone 5 yards off the ball. No pass rush to speak of. I'm starting to doubt Frank Bush as the defensive coordinator.

Special teams were special all right. Especially bad. Three holdings on a return only dug deeper holes for the struggling offense to dig out of. An offside on a field goal attempt gave the Giants a first down. The Giants went onto score a TD instead of three on that drive. And is Steve Slaton really the best option for returning kick offs?

In a nut shell, the Texans are regressing during the season instead of improving. That's not a good sign of things go come.

I hate to say it but next week's game against the Chiefs is a must win. A 4-2 start is better looking than the usual 3-3 mediocrity. They can the try and regroup during the open week.

Texans Week 4 - Aristotle Sits, Aristotle Runs Wild

Panic. Fear. What the hell is going on? Why pray tell is Arian Foster on the sidelines? Holy Mother of God, is he hurt? Is Gary Kubiak going Bill Belichick and hiding an injury? Why oh why is Foster on the bench?

Those were my first thoughts when I noticed Derrick Ward and Steve Slaton getting the opening carries. The camera flashed to Foster. He looked healthy. He was in uniform. Something was amiss.

Word finally made its way to the broadcast booth that Kubiak benched Foster for an undisclosed infraction. Late meetings? Late to practice? Arrested? What? What?

Foster finally made an appearance late in the second quarter with the Texans clinging to a 14-14 tie.

Ah, the Raidahs
Make no mistake, the Raidah's are not on decline but don't seem to be on the way up. Jason Campbell typifies all that's wrong with RaidHers. The Rahders made an off season trade for Campbell. With the acquisition of Donovan McNabb, Campbell was expendable. Can you think of a worse fate than exile to the Black Hole? Within the first game, Campbell went to the bench and Bruce Gradkowski regained the starting job.

So if you are going to miss your best player to injury (Andre Johnson), left tackle Duane Brown out to suspension, the last game of Defensive Rookie Player of the Year Brian Cushing's suspension and bench your starting running back, this is a team to do it against.

Sending a Message?
How long a leash should a player have? When does a player's punishment become a detriment to the team? Is this an escalation in punishment? Was Foster punished and again committed an offense?

I wonder how much of a message was actually sent to Foster? To me, the look on Foster's face and his body language told the tale. He was chomping at the bit. He didn't like sitting on the sideline watching the game. He wanted in. More over, the team didn't suffer due to his benching. Ward and Slaton moved the ball effectively in the first half.

After the game, Foster owned up to his mistakes and apologized but didn't delve into details. He said, as is the Texans custom, everything was handled in house. No need to air the team's dirty laundry in public.

Vonta Leach, Jacoby Jones and Ward all stated in interviews that they had a talk with Foster about discipline and doing what is expected. Ward stated that he likes playing with Slaton and Foster. He's experienced the highs in his career and wants the two younger backs to experience the same things.

Foster responded on his second carry of the second half with a 74 yard TD run. For basically half a game, Foster racked up 131 yards on 16 carries. Foster stated he wanted to show off his receiving skills too. So far so good. He contributed 56 yards and a TD on 3 receptions. Not bad for a half.

Interesting note, only three players have over 500 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving: Arian Foster, Billy Sims and Emmitt Smith. Not bad company but let's wait an entire season before we start making Hall of Fame comparisons.

Wow - The Defense?
The defense was a mixed bag at best. Four sacks, three turnovers but giving up 27 points and letting tight end Zach Miller abuse them down the middle for 122 yards. Darren McFadden had 82 yards on 6 catches with a long of 43 yards.

I like that the defense pressured the quarterback. Antonio Smith had a monster day along with Troy Nolan. Smith brought Gradkowski down twice and Nolan picked of Gradkowski twice. Keeping the theme of twice, Bernard Pollard brought the lumber twice when Gradkowski scrambled. The first time Gradkowski was fine but you don't go back for more. The second time Pollard rung his bell and Gradkowski staggered back to the huddle.

Nolan's big day came after starter Eugene Wilson sat out hurt. Nolan came in to replace Wilson's substitute Dominique Barber. Hopefully the Texans finally are starting to solidify the safety position. A hard hitter like Pollard paired with a play maker would be a nice combo.

The N-Y-Football-Giant
My keys to the Texans success for the season was a good start and improve the division record. Those two aspects are vital to playoff contention. Through four games, obviously a small sample, they are on target. A 3-1 start for first time in team history. A rousing opening day win over the nemesis Colts started off the division campaign right.

With all the remaining division games coming after the week seven open date, it's essential to keep the good start going.

There is no rest for the Texans. The Giants roll into town coming off a ten sack performance against the Chicago Bears. The Giants knocked out starter Jay Cutler and back up Todd Collins. The Giants reduced the Bears to the emergency back up second string clipboard holder at quarterback. The Texans offensive line needs to keep Matt Schaub healthy and upright. If both Dan Orlovsky and Matt Leinhart make an appearance...you know what just hit the fan.

Texans Week 3 - Rolled at Home by the Cowboys

Embarrassing. Weak. Unforgivable. Sickening. Troubling.

Pick your favorite word to describe the Texans performance against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans blew a perfect chance to announce they are for real. The Cowboys were hurting and desperate. The Texans had some swagger after beating the Colts and the Redskins. The Cowboys came in and knocked that swagger right off the Texans walk.

What went wrong? Everything. Roy Williams went off. Williams usually only puts on the Cowboys uniform and isn't heard from again. Not on Sunday. He torched, I'm using that word way to often this season, the young secondary for 117 yards and 2 TDs.

The front seven failed to get much pressure on Tony Romo.

The offense failed to put TDs on the board when in the red zone.

In what was a common theme last year, the offensive play calling was terrible. Arian Foster was under used. He broke off a couple of nice runs but his number was called only 17 times for 106 yards. Yes I said he was under utilized. He was hurting the Cowboys. Let him do what he does best. Matt Schaub was running for his life at times. Let Foster help keep Schaub up right by running the ball between the tackles.

Again, Schaub threw an interception on the same play he threw one against the Colts and Redskins. Whatever it is about that play, it's not working. This time instead of throwing into double coverage, Schaub overthrew Andre Johnson and the defender easily picked off the pass.

My biggest bone of contention though is the second field goal drive. The Texans tried to punch it in on a couple of the plays. Dallas read it each time. At one point they Texans should have tried a toss sweep left. The ball was on the right hash mark. The Cowboys were crowding the line. A toss to Foster running left would have seen nothing but green between him and the endzone. It's lack of creativity or fundamental analysis that drives me crazy.

I'm not hitting the panic button. There are still 13 games left to play. The Texans need to remember that Foster is a really good running back. The game wasn't out of hand but they went to the air more often than they should have.

Sunday they face the Raiders. This is a vital game. The Texans, Titans and Colts are tied at 2-1 in the AFC South. The Texans need to stay even with the Titans and Colts. It's a weird schedule this year. The Texans opened division play with the Colts and will face the Colts coming out of the open date in week seven. They are done with the Colts before they even get a shot at Tennessee or Jacksonville.

The Texans have three winnable games in front of them before the bye week. They could easily enter a showdown with the Colts in week 8 for division lead with a 5-1 record.

Let's not get to far ahead though and take care of the Raiders on Sunday first.

Man of the Match
Roy Williams with 117 yards on 5 receptions and 2 TDs with the last one putting a dagger in the hearts of Texans fans every where. Who said the Man of the Match had to be a Texan?

Texans Week 2 - McNabb Gets Nasty, Schaub Gets Nastier

A short post this week. I really didn't have time to delve deep into the game like I usually try to do. Work sometimes gets in the way.

A big opening home win against archrival (only to the Texans, Colts could care less) Indianapolis Colts could only lead to the inevitable let down, kick to the gut road loss. Fortunately the let down only lasted the first half. The Texans rallied from 17 down to defeat the Washington Redskins 30-27 at FedEx Field.

Uh-oh Here We Go Again!
Yup, that kick to the gonads the Texans seem to frequently deliver. Donovan McNabb threw the ball at will and opened up a can of whip ass on the Texans in the first half. I swear I saw McNabb back there heating up some Chunky Campbell's Soup, eating it, drinking a beer and then throwing for a long bomb. On the same play.

I think at one point the Redskins had three rush attempts. Of course two of them are on the goal line and go for TDs. Of course, I could have just imagined that stat but it sure feels right.

No matter, the defense was no existent, the offense sputtered and that warm fuzzy feeling of a good start went out the window. The 'skins went up 20-7 at the half.

Dad, I Don't Want To...Shut Up, It Builds Character
I might be wrong but did we see our little Texans take a big step forward? In the recent past (there is no ancient in this team yet), didn't the Texans fold up and call it a game at half when far behind?

Whatever coach Gary Kubiak yelled at them during the half it worked. The Texans scored 20 second half points to the Redskins 7. McNabb finally felt the heat of the Texans defense as they pitched a shut out in the fourth to give the team a fighting chance to tie or win.

Defense and the Scorched Turf Policy
Mario Williams exploded for 3 sacks in the game. Bernard Pollard made a huge block on a field goal attempt. The defensive line kept the run game 18 net rushing yards.

The young defensive backfield played like a young defensive back field. They were burned by six pass plays of 20 or more yards. Judging from the Tweets of some bloggers I follow, safety Eugene Wilson and linebacker Xavier Adibi were no better. Since I didn't review the game and I trust the bloggers opinion, I'll go with it.

Regardless of stats, the defense made key stops and kept the Redskins from opening a bigger lead and allowed Matt Schaub and the offense the opportunities to win.

Man of the Match (I'm using soccer's term for the rest of the season)
Matt Schaub
38 of 52 passing for 497 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT
One note about the offense. Please, please, please Ricky Dennison and Kubiak tear that page out of the play book where Schaub threw the pick. It looked like the exact same formation in which he threw the pick against the Colts. Everybody lines up at the line except one wide out. In both plays, the wide out was doubled and Schaub forced the throw. Get rid of the play, no one is biting on it.

Texans Week 1 - One Week Wonders or For Real?

The only way to answer the question is to play the season out. 16 games to will eventually show who the real Texans are. For week one, they took the glove and slapped the Colts across the face and the proceeded to stomp the defense into submission.

Repeating recent history, the Texans jumped to an early lead. Again repeating history, the Texans started to squander the 13-0 lead with a Matt Schaub interception that lead to an eventual Colts touchdown.

Right before halftime I sent a text to my fellow fans,"Getting that sinking feeling yet?"

The Manliest Drive in Texans History?
How the Texans responded was manly in every sense of the word. They came out to start the second half and ran the ball down the Colts throats. They held the ball for 7:57, kept Payton Manning on the bench and scored a touchdown not a field goal.

Then they came out and did it again. And again. Two more run dominated drives of 91 and 41 yards. They milked the clock, telegraphed exactly what they were going to do and did it. The only reason the time of possession wasn't higher is cause the Colts couldn't stop the Texans at all. Running big chunks of real estate off at one time allows for quicker scoring and less time off the clock. As long as they scored TDs and not FGs, the strategy is fine.

The drive alleviated that sinking feeling that ended the first half.

Scripted Plays Out the Window
The fans around me during the game theorized that the Texans coaches tore up the second half game plan and decided run. During his radio show yesterday, coach Gary Kubiak admitted as much. He said they normally script 8 or 9 plays to start the second half. After a couple of plays he and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison decided to just run.

Manning Being Manning
Manning threw for an obscene amount of yards. He set new personal records of pass attempts and completions. Those stats happen when a team is playing from behind the whole game. The ground game for the Colts was ineffective since start. As the game progressed, passing remained the only option.

Manning did pay for his yards with constant hits, hurries, pressure and two sacks from the Texans front seven. At one point he stayed on the turf as if he didn't want to get up. Looking back on that play, I think he was trying to buy his team an extra few seconds. Either way, it wasn't a good day to be Payton Manning.

John McClain's Report Card
Normally McClain nails his post game report card accurately. This week I think he was a bit of his rocker. He graded Matt Schaub a C and the receiving corp a C+. Sure they didn't put up big numbers but that alone shouldn't give them average grades. I guess handing off the ball without fumbling snaps or dropped exchanges is just average. One TD pass also made the stat sheet. Granted Schaub threw one interception against a low number of pass attempts. I'll give him a C+ rather than a C. He was a game manager for once and did what he the coaches asked him to do.

I'll quibble a little more about the C+ on the WRs and TEs. Again, they didn't put up numbers due to the nature of the game plan. They still blocked down field to help Foster post his numbers. Kevin Walters split the defense on the lone touchdown pass of the game. Owen Daniels, not know for his blocking, bounced back from last years season ending injury and helped open holes for Foster. Daniels had a key seal block when the Texans allowed the Texans to convert a 4th and 1. Daniels doesn't make the block, the Colts get the ball. Right tackle Eric Winston commented on Walters down field blocking. The win was a team effort and the receivers did their part. Stats be damned...I give them at least a B-.

Man of the Match
I like the other football term for player of the game. This week's Man of the Match is obviously running back Arian Foster. Foster ran for 231 yards on 33 carries for a gut kicking average of 7 yards per rush. Sick. He added three touchdowns including a one yard plunge that chased away last year's one yard nightmares away.

Overall the line did a beautiful job of paving the way for Foster's franchise record setting day. Full back Vonta Leach was a one man wrecking crew. Leach was a blocking machine looking for someone to knock out of Foster's way. During the game, the man next to said in awe,"Leach is having a magnificent game." I had started to notice it too. Everyone noticed. Again, stats be damned. Leach had a career day like Foster and the rest of the offensive line.

Key Stat
Going into the 4th quarter, the Colts had eight possessions. The results of those eight possessions? Punt, punt, punt, punt, TD, FG, punt, fumble. The defense gave up some big chunks of green with a majority coming with Colts in chasing mode.

In the end, this was the result players, coaches and fans wanted. The bullies of the division vanquished for once. The kings of the hill knocked down for once. Hope and optimism of the offseason rewarded for once.

The Texans took the right step in what I see as key to a playoff run. A good start and a improvement to the divisional record are the key. A big first hurdle has been crossed.

Nice game but there are fifteen more on the schedule. Next week they absolutely must take advantage of the momentum and snag a road win. Don't read the press clippings Texans...you can still go 1-15.

Oh Boy...Name Change?

I found a website/blog with a similar name. Trying to be original, I'm thinking of a name change for the blog...again. They call their site Texans Bull Blog. To close to my title. Maybe a temp name of Pure Bull Site - Texans Style will serve as my interim name until I can get more creative and some separation. Ah, who knows...I just don't want to steal someone's original idea even if I came up with my my blog title on my own.

With that out of the way, I move onto the football field.

In 2008 I did a game by game prediction. I won't bother this year. Sean Pendergast of the Houston Press did a fine piece call Our Year.

The only assessment I disagree with Pendergast on is Jack Del Rio's "crazy eyes" with nothing to lose mode on the Texans vs. Jags for the last game of the year. Post Herm Edwards and until the emergence of Josh McDaniels, Del Rio held the title of worst coach in the NFL. Now supplanted with a free falling team and ticket sales falling, I doubt Del Rio lives to see the last game of the season. That scenario plays to the Texans favor with Del Rio owning Gary Kubiak 4-2. Yikes, what does that say about Kubes?

My Keys to the Season
It's a tie since both issues are Texans bugaboos.

All together now...groupthink...channel your inner conscience....get that hoodoo voodoo going...division games matter...division games matter...division games matter.

In 2008, the Texans were 8-8 overall and 2-4 in the division. In 2009 the 9-7 overall winning record was nice but the division record fell to 1-5. We can play the woulda, shoulda, coulda game all day long but the fact remains that division games are crucial. Split the division 3-3 both years and the Texans might be 9-7 and 10-6 in 08 and 09 respectively. Guess what, they get in the playoffs last year with a division split. Again, division games matter.

No refocus...it's just as important...hamalamalama...raji rajo rujo ruju...take a deep breath...all together...get off to a good start...get off to a good start.

2008, Hurricane Ike, damaged stadium...whatever...last year Jets kicked Texans ass whatever...shake it off. Move on...one game at a time....crap I slipped into Coach's Speak.

The point is the Texans start off with four of six at home. I don't think the the schedule makers did the Texans any favors besides giving them Indy at home. With the rotating schedule set up, Dallas and New York were due this time around. So they were slotted as home games no matter what. Having no say in the schedule, the Texans must take care of business. Anything less than a 4-2 start puts them in a big hole.

Why a big hole? Indy is the only divisional opponent in the first six games...make that seven games. That's right. The Texans are done with the Colts after seven games.

So getting off to a bad start puts them in the position of more must win games within the division.

Put history, trends and the Texans in a bag, mix them up and you have a recipe for disaster. Does history repeat itself? Not at all. I'm just pointing out that the Texans cannot hope to once again overcome the traditional trends of the team.

Any Positives?
So Mr. Doom & Gloom, you might ask, why even play the season?

Many reasons.

First, it's 2010, not 2008, Hurricane Ike or 2009. Kubiak and GM Rick Smith finally have every player they want on the team. Only Andre Johnson remains from the Charlie Casserly/Dom Capers era. Thank God they got that one right.

Second reason? Andre, the reigning Baddest Man in the NFL, Matt Schaub and the Texans offense remain in tact. As long as the Schaub and Johnson Show live in Houston, the Texans remain a threat. Aside from the NY Jet opener, the Texans were in every game in no small part to the offense.

Third reason? Defense, Defense, Defense. Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Bernard Pollard and Brian Cushing. Cushing is gone for the first four and it makes the games that much more crucial. The Texans weather the Cushing suspension and the defense looks that much stronger when he returns.

Need another? That's not yo' daddies zone block scheme you see out there anymore. I missed the NO Saints game, but I saw the other two. Against Arizona I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. The Dallas game confirmed my disbelief. Media outlets bolstered my new found faith.

What I saw were pulling guards and maybe a counter or two. Ricky Dennison, the new offensive coordinator, jettisoned the part of the offense that just does ZBS. Teams learned how to wait for the blocks to develop and take the lanes away. So instead of always straight up ZBS, the Texans mix up the blocking scheme to keep defenses honest.

One new tidbit emerged over the week after the Dallas game. Unlike under Baby Shanahan, the running backs have more freedom to react to the defense. If the blocking doesn't develop fast enough or the back sees an open lane outside the play, he is free to take it.

I wish I could diagram it but I'll try to give the gist of the play. Long story short. In the old system, the way I understand it, the back must wait for a crack int he blocking to run through. No freedom to do otherwise. What defenses were doing was bring up the linebacker from the long side of the field to sit and wait for the running back. Now if the running back sees the linebacker cheating and has open field, the running back has freedom to hit the open field and force the cheating linebacker to make the play.

I have more thoughts rambling through my head but that's it for tonight.

My next post probably won't be until after the opener against the Colts.

NFL Calendar 2010 Dates

Paul Kuharsky copied and pasted from the official NFL site so I have no problem doing the same. This post is mainly for my tracking purposes.

Here’s the league’s official calendar looking ahead all the way through the 2010 season and into 2011. Please spend the rest of the day getting it all into your Outlook calendar:

June 27-30 -- Rookie Symposium, LaCosta Hotel and Conference Center, Carlsbad, Calif., Attendance is mandatory for all drafted rookies. Such players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.

July 15 -- Supplemental Draft

July 15 -- Deadline at 4 p.m., New York time, for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2010 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular-season game.

July 22 -- Signing period ends for transition players with outstanding tenders. Old club has exclusive negotiating rights to these players until the Tuesday after the 10th regular season weekend.

Late-July -- Preseason training camps open. Clubs not permitted to open official preseason camp earlier than July 5. Veteran players cannot be required to report earlier than 15 days prior to club’s first preseason game or July 15, whichever is later. The July 15 date is not applicable to clubs playing five preseason games. Except for quarterbacks and “injured” players, veterans cannot participate in any organized football activity for 10 days prior to mandatory reporting date.

July 26 -- Signing period ends for unrestricted free agents to whom a June 1 tender was made by Old Club. Old club has exclusive negotiating rights to these players until the Tuesday after the 10th regular season weekend.

July 31 -- During the two weekends preceding the first full weekend of preseason games, waivers requested on Friday will expire at 4 p.m., New York time, on Saturday; waivers requested on Saturday will expire at 4 p.m., New York time, on Sunday; and waivers requested on Sunday will expire at 4 p.m., New York time, on Monday.

August 6-8 -- Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

August 8 -- Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio (Cincinnati vs. Dallas).

August 10 -- Deadline for players under contract to report to earn a season of free agency credit.

August 12-16 -- First preseason weekend.

August 13 -- If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he may not be traded to any other club in 2010.

August 14-18 -- Each club has until five days prior to its second preseason game to provide any tendered but unsigned exclusive rights player or restricted free agent with written notice of the club’s intent to place the player on the exempt list if the player fails to report at least the day before the club’s second preseason game. Such notice must also be sent to the NFLPA. Once such notice has been provided, the club must place the player on the exempt list. While on the Exempt List, the player will not be entitled to compensation for up to three regular-season games, depending upon the date the player reports to the club. Any such player who fails to report prior to the deadline will be ineligible to play or receive compensation for at least three games (preseason or regular season) from the time that he reports.

August 19-23 -- Second preseason weekend.

August 26-29 -- Third preseason weekend.

August 31 -- Roster cut-down to maximum of 75 players on active list prior to 4 p.m., New York time.

September 1 -- All tryouts on this date and for the remainder of the season must be reported to the league office.

September 2 -- Fourth preseason weekend.

September 4 -- Roster cut-down to maximum of 53 players on active/inactive list prior to 6 p.m., New York time. Clubs may dress minimum of 42 and maximum of 45 players and third quarterback for each regular season and postseason game.

September 4 -- Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must take one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; ask waivers; terminate; trade; or continue to count him on Active List.

September 5 -- Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at noon, New York time.

September 5 -- Beginning at 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a Practice Squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular season games during each of any accrued seasons. A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons.

September 9-13 -- Regular season opens.

September 10-14 -- Beginning on these dates vested veterans terminated from the Active List or Inactive List (and from Reserve/Injured if the player is placed on Reserve/Injured after the beginning of the regular season) are entitled to receive, after the end of the regular-season schedule, Termination Pay pursuant to the terms of the 2006 CBA.

September 28 -- Priority on multiple waiver claims is now based on the current season’s standing.

October 11-14 -- NFL Fall League Meeting

October 19 -- Beginning the day after the conclusion of the sixth regular season weekend and continuing through the day after the conclusion of the ninth regular season weekend, clubs are permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness for a period not to exceed 21 days. Players may be activated during the 21-day practice period or prior to 4 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period.

October 19 -- All trading ends at 4 p.m., New York time.

October 20 -- Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons are subject to the waiver system for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.

November 16 -- Signing period ends at 4 p.m., New York time, for franchise players who are eligible to receive offer sheets.

November 16 -- Deadline for clubs to sign prior to 4 p.m., New York time, their unsigned franchise and transition players, including franchise players who were eligible to receive offer sheets until this date. If still unsigned after this date, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2010.

November 16 -- Deadline for clubs to sign prior to 4 p.m., New York time, their unrestricted free agents to whom June 1 tender was made. If still unsigned after this deadline, such players are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2010.

November 16 -- Deadline for clubs to sign prior to 4 p.m., New York time, their restricted free agents to whom June 1 tender was made. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2010.

November 16 -- Deadline for clubs to sign drafted players prior to 4 p.m., New York time. If such players remain unsigned after this date, they are prohibited from playing in NFL in 2010.

December 31 -- Deadline at 4 p.m., New York time, for waiver requests in 2010, except for “special waiver requests” which have a 10-day claiming period, with termination or assignment delayed until after the Super Bowl.

2011

January 3 -- Clubs may begin signing free-agent players for the 2011 season.

January 8-9 -- Wild Card playoff games.

January 9 -- Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in the wild card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the wild card games.

January 15-16 -- Divisional playoff games.

January 23 -- AFC and NFC Championship Games.

January 29 -- Senior Bowl, Mobile, Ala.

January 30 -- AFC-NFC Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii.

February 6 -- Super Bowl XLV, North Texas.

February 7 -- Waiver system begins for 2011. A 24-hour claiming period will be in effect through the Friday prior to the last regular season game (waivers requests made on Friday and Saturday of each week will expire at 4 p.m., New York time, on the following Monday.) Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons that a club desires to terminate are not subject to the waiver system until after the trading deadline.

February 23- March 1 -- Combine Timing and Testing, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.

Post Cushing OTA Edition

Pure Texans Bull
Post Cushing OTA Edition
5-18-2010

Update: Angry 'dre joined the Texans in OTAs. So I'm a little behind. Bite me.

Brian Cushing
My quick take on Cushing? Not much. After reading a few articles and reading Cushing’s statement, I’m going to give him the benefit of doubt. For now.

I didn’t watch his press conference but most media thought it was insincere and that Cushing raised more questions than answered. I didn’t watch so I can’t make a call. I am a media basher so I take what they say and write with a grain of salt.

As for Cushing’s medical excuse, I admit it is plausible. The NFL and its specialists know significantly more than me about the substance. For whatever reason, Roger Goodell didn’t buy Cushing’s reasoning and suspended Cushing four games. Four big games at that. Cushing is going to miss the crucial opener against the Colts as well as the Cowboys game. Not good.

Pressure to Succeed

Players are under tremendous pressure coming into the NFL. Some cope with it better than others. Some players believe they are to good and don’t need to put in much effort. Some, Vernon Davis comes to mind, have natural God given talent but want to try and get by on talent alone. Mike Singletary was the best thing to ever happen to Davis. Singletary put his foot up Davis’ ass and woke him up. Davis is pretty much a model citizen and a damn good tight end. Other players fear they won’t succeed and look for any advantage they can find.

Some players hire personal trainers and work their butts off.

Other players juice up despite the testing and health risks. They know it’s wrong and dangerous. Yet the pressure to make the team, start or contribute right away is tremendous. So with their livelihood likely on the line they resort to any advantage they can get. Without being in their shoes, I can’t exactly bash them. I don’t understand the pressure they are under. Sure, it’s not right. It’s flat out wrong and it is cheating. All I’m saying is that I can understand why a young man or woman would resort to steroids or other performance enhancers.

Cushing played under the spot lights at Southern Cal. He came into the NFL with the Texans expecting him to start from day one. Despite his marquee college team, he still faced men much stronger and faster than him in college. He was expected to be their equal when the Texans penciled him in at strong side linebacker. The pressure was there for him to succeed right off the bat.

We’ll never know for certain whether or not he really used a PDE or that his explanation is true. If he did use then perhaps this serves as a wake up call and he quits. If he didn’t, hopefully he presents more information to build a more solid case if it comes up again. For now, I feel it’s best to move on and forget the issue. His loss for four games is significant. However it’s best for the team and media to give it a rest and focus on moving forward.

OTA
I’m not a big fan of following OTAs. Player contact isn’t allowed. Basically OTAs serve as workout session for players. The Texans don’t require players to attend. They are just glorified work outs and not much else.

This year Andre Johnson is sitting out. He wants a new contract. I don’t blame him but at the same time I question why did he sign such a long contract? This thing probably gets resolved sooner than later. The Texans have playoff aspirations. Kind of hard to have lofty expectations if your best player, maybe best in the league at any position, isn’t around. I doubt Angry ‘dre sits out summer camp, which is required, but I’d rather pay him and have him happy. Angry ‘dre lining up angry at the defense and not the Texans makes for a good day.

Post Draft Ben Tate Edition

Pure Texans Bull
Post Draft Edition – Part II
May 7, 2010

2nd Round Pick - RB Ben Tate from Auburn
At the top of the Texans draft board sat Fresno St. running back Ryan Matthews. San Diego outmaneuvered the Texans and selected Matthews. The Texans addressed another need with cornerback Kareem Jackson.

If reports are believed, the Texans were angling for Toby Gerhart of Stanford until they traded down and Minnesota snapped him up. In what I believe a panic move, the Texans then traded up in order take the next back on their board in Ben Tate.

In my biased opinion, I think Tate will be a better fit for the Texans than Gerhart. I’d rather have a hard running back from the Southeast Conference than a Pac-10 one. I’m just not a fan of Pac-10 runners. There is a definite top and second division in the Pac-10. The top division of Pac-10 probably can’t compete in the SEC. Just about every week in SEC contest it’s a war. Add to the fact that Tate played under three different systems at Auburn and I give him another huge edge over Gerhart.

The Tate Scouting Report
Outside of C.J. Spiller or Matthews, I don’t think the Texans could have made a better pick. Several backs were rated higher than Tate but the Texans weren’t necessarily looking for qualities others were.

Tate is a good sized back with speed to burn. Standing 5’ 11” and 220 lbs, Tate runs a reported 4.43 40 but some say he has been clocked at 4.38. Gerhart is about the same size but runs a 4.56 40 and Matthews is similar in all measurables. All things considered, I’m surprised the Texans were targeting Gerhart before Tate.

Tate brings size and speed to a run game that ranked 30th in the NFL. Rookie phenomenon Steve Slaton’s production fell off his second year.

The Good
He is solid and can follow his blocks. One report I read knocks his patients and doesn’t hit the line full speed. In the limited game film I saw, I didn’t see the impatience. Auburn uses a lot of pulling linemen and Tate excelled at following blocks and waiting for plays to develop. I’ll reiterate what I’ve said before about game film clips, they can be cherry picked to show what the creator wants you to see.

Tate says he isn’t afraid of contact and stated “If I can’t run past you, I’ll run you over.” While I don’t think Slaton feared contact, I don’t think he had the linebacker mentality that Tate seems to have. Down at the goal line and short yardage, you need that toughness to get the yards to extend the drive or get the points.

The Bad
One scout said Tate doesn’t play up to his full speed until in the open field. Another report stated that he isn’t a good pass catching back. If those are his downsides, I don’t care. Though Tate was brought in partially because of his speed, his first task will be to get those tough inside yards and then look for the homerun yardage. On the second point, Houston didn’t draft Tate to catch passes. If healthy, that will be Steve Slaton’s job.

The Skinny
The Chris Brown Project was a failure and a costly one too. Not in the terms of finances but in terms of losses. Brown fumbled twice at the goal line and threw an ill advised half back option in another. Not wanting to go the retread route like Brown or Ahman Green, the Texans decided to bring in a rookie to mold in their image. The Texans will give Tate every chance to take the starting job and contribute right away. If Slaton returns to health and rookie form, the Texans could sport one of the more exciting backfields in the NFL.

Tate could give the power inside running game that is sorely lacking while Slaton could provide the homerun threat catching the football out of the back field and on screens. Both players are extremely quick. Mix in the potential game breaking speed of both players and the Texans will be a threat to score on almost every carry. The potential is there but a lot of work and some luck need to fall in place.

Pure Texans Bull - Post Draft Edition

Pure Texans Bull
100% Houston Texans Bullsite
Inaugural Issue – Post Draft Edition Part 1
April 28, 2010

Once again I changed the name of the blog. I believe this is the third name but I like this one better than the previous titles. I changed up the colors a few weeks ago to actually match the steel blue and battle red of the Texans. I added a background to the title banner of a picture I actually took myself. So I thought it fitting that a name change would be appropriate.

What a better time for change than at the draft? New players breed new hope for teams looking to build, improve and look for another piece to a hopeful championship campaign.

The Houston Texans entered the draft with less needs than at any other time in the short history of the franchise. The team is at a point where they look to bolster a few need areas and otherwise draft for depth and special teams. They took care of a cornerback, running back and a passing down defensive tackle. They added to linebacker depth, corner competition, TE fodder, a return specialist, offensive line project and a wide out project.

My gut reaction Monday after the draft was dismay. Two tight ends, one defensive tackle and players expected to be projects or special team contributors led to my angst. I thought they should have taken at least two DTs and one safety.

After digesting the tight end situation, I understand where the thinking. Three of the four TEs on the roster just had off season surgery. Owen Daniels probably won’t fully recover until training camp or preseason. Joel Driessen’s status is unclear at the moment and Anthony Hill is projected to spend start the year on the PUP list or IR. Of the two drafted TEs, only 4th round pick Garrett Graham will get time at TE while Dorin Dickerson will learn under tutelage from Andre Johnson at WR.

For the first round, I figured the Texans would draft a corner or running back while possibly drafting two corners and a running back in the first three rounds. I didn’t think defensive tackle was on the board in the first round.

1st Round – Kareem Jackson CB Alabama
The Texans definitely drafted for the most glaring hole on defense. With the departure of Dunta Robinson, they needed a corner with the ability to step in and start soon. Hopefully Jackson opens the season as the starter. The Texans many corners on the team but most are unproven. Jacquez Reeves, Fred Bennett, Grover Quin, Brice McCain and Antwan Molden currently occupy roster spots. Bennett and Moulden will battle for their Texans careers this off season. The addition of Jackson turns up the heat several degrees.

Depending on whom you ask, Jackson was rated as high as second best corner in the draft. The phrase most often used to describe Jackson is “NFL ready” over the other draftees. In other words, the majority of scouts believe Jackson can walk into camp and claim a starting position. He is considered well coached in college where he learned a complex defensive system under coach Nick Saban. Scouts and coaches love that he played at a top notch SEC school against top notch competition.

My two favorite sources are the Houston Chronicle’s Lance Zierlein and Pro Football Weekly’s scouting reports. I read other reports too just to get a cross section of analysis and reaction.

My Consensus Take on Jackson
For the most part, the reviews and reports speak highly of Jackson. He wasn’t the highest rated corner on anyone’s board but he was rated second highest on many.

Described as well coached and the most “NFL ready” of any of the corners, the Texans, barring catastrophe, will pencil in Jackson as a starter.

The Good
Jackson excels in getting up on receivers and knocking them off their timing. He is described with the ability to read a quarterback and anticipate throws. He is also not afraid to come up in run support and hit the ball carrier. He is a good tackler most of the time.

The Bad
An anonymous scout on PFW claims Jackson is “overrated.” The scout goes on to say Jackson is limited in run support and isn’t as strong as expected. PFW’s scouting report lists arm length and lack of explosiveness as weaknesses. The report goes onto say that Jackson doesn’t cover well in space and can get exposed in open space and will bite on double moves.

The Skinny aka My Conclusion
The Texans took exactly what they needed in Jackson. A team needs “NFL ready” if they expect to contend now rather than later. Some say that Jackson has limited upside when compared to other drafted corners. I’m fine with that. He needs to step in and be ready when he lines up across from Reggie Wayne and Payton Manning twice a season. The Texans need him to contribute early and often not upside for a year or two down the road. My only major concern is his lack of interceptions over his career at Alabama. As a three year starter, he had only five interceptions and only one each in his last two years. He needs to up that number and take possessions away from the opponents.

With The 20th Pick in the Draft...

...the Houston Texans select cornerback Kareem Jackson from Alabama.

I didn't see this pick coming. I was surprised but I have no problem with the pick.

It's late and I actually have to work tomorrow. I'll have more on my thoughts later in the week. Plus why rush it? Two more days of drafting to go.

This Is Why.....

...I put little to no value in so called "draft gurus" or "draft geeks" that post for free on the interwebsnet.

Myron Lewis, who I profiled in a previous post, apparently stunk it up at his Vanderbilt Pro Day according to Sporting News Today.

Yet, according to Tennessean.com, Lewis impressed NFL scouts.

So which is it? Did he leave a steamer on the field or did he impress? Did those who went to the Pro Day really pay attention?

I'll give Sporting News credit. They wrote a glowing report about him earlier but they also printed a source's quotes that he didn't do well. They could have easily glossed over or ignored the quote to make their report look good. They didn't. Which is good journalism...a rarity today in my book.

It also highlights why I put little faith in writers out there and don't charge for it. If they were genuinely good scouts they would be employed by a scouting agency, college team or NFL team.

Case in point brings me to Draft Insiders Digest and this mock draft. For the record, it is widely known the Texans need to upgrade the offensive line, defensive tackle, running back and safety/corner spots. This numb nuts evidently isn't paying attention. He has the Texans taking LB Brandon Spikes with the 20th pick.

First off, if there is a position on the team the Texans don't need help it's at linebacker. You only have one of the best MLBs in DeMeco Ryans. On the strong side is Brian Cushing and his 2009 Rookie of the Year award. On the weak side, Zac Diles isn't to shabby. He was having an outstanding season on the strong side in 2008 and beat Xavior Adibi out on the weak side last season. Adibi would be the first up and Kevin Bentley can also play the weak side (he backs up all three LB spots).

Second, unless you play in a 3-4 defense, you don't draft a weak side linebacker that high.

With so many other areas of great importance on the team, this leaves me to believe that mock drafter Frank Coyle has no clue of what he is doing. Looking at the draft order, ranking the prospects and lining up them across from each other isn't a mock draft. At the very least, look at the team's needs. Some teams, especially top picks, have several needs but as the draft goes lower, you can take a good guess at what teams may be targeting.

I have no clue what Coyle's logic is giving the Texans a linebacker over other places of obvious need. He's not paying attention or is lazy and not doing his homework. Looking at his previous mock draft in February, he again selects a linebacker for the Texans. This is just sloppy lazy research by the self proclaimed "Premier Draft and Free Agency Publication."

I'm sure as I try to figure out the Texans latest moves, which I definitely have no clue about, I'll mock more mock drafts as I run into them.

Texans Draft Wish List: Myron Lewis

Okay, I admit this one is a reach in Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis. Depending on who you read, he's projected from 7th to 4th to 2nd round pick. In other words, no one really knows.

So why am I highlighting him? After the first two or three rounds, part of the draft is finding an undervalued contributor. If the Texans can address running back, defensive tackle and safety in the first three rounds, they might start thinking about looking for quality in the defensive backfield. Lewis just might fit the bill.

His tape measurements look tempting: 6' 1", 209 lbs with a 40 time of 4.48.

The best scouting report I found on him comes from Sporting News. Like my previous write up, I'll try to expand more on Lewis once I renew my Pro Football Weekly subscription.

Based on rankings I've seen on Lewis, the Sporting News report might be a little to glowing of Lewis. None the less, it provides an interesting prospect.

A brief synopsis of the report:

• Good coverage skills man on man and in press coverage.
• Adjusts well from back pedaling to turn and run
• Has good recovery skills and speed from a false step
• Anticipates the ball well and can close in on a play
• Decent in run support, he is willing to slow the runner down and wait for help, not a dominant tackler
• Has the size to cover big receivers and speed to cover fast receivers

Not much negative attributes on Lewis. The report projects him as a second round pick and says he has the potential to start as a rookie later in the season. It goes on to admit he might not be taken where they have him rated but will be a quality pick regardless of where he goes.

Houston Texans Wish List: Jeromy Miles

The loss of cornerback Dunta Robinson opens a hole in the defensive backfield and raises more questions that it solved. Rumor is that Robinson is on the verge of signing with the Dirty Birds of the ATL.

Obviously the Texans need to address cornerback in the draft or free agency. Since they've so far been quiet on the FA side of things, one imagines they will draft a corner this April.

Last year the Texans filled a glaring need at safety with Bernard Pollard but you can never have too many good defensive backs.

One player I like at safety is Jeromy Miles from UMass. The Sporting News Daily profile on Miles projects him as a second round pick.

A quick run down on Miles from Sporting News profile:

1. Excellent cover skills off the line man on man. Can watch a quarterbacks eyes and track the ball. Breaks quickly on a pass.
2. Very physical in run support and in coverage.
3. Not explosive with elite speed but makes up for in with great range and instinct
4. Big hitter who can force the ball loose.
5. Excellent tackler
6. Projected to go in the second round
7. Should be an instant starter in the NFL

He started his career at Navy but transferred to UMass. Even though he left Navy that he played for them is telling. You can't be an academic slouch and enter the Naval Academy. According to his NFL Draft Bible player profile, Miles left the Academy because he felt the military life wasn't for him. He preferred to enter the civilian life instead.

So the transfer from Navy doesn't appear to be a red flag. It was just a person making a choice in life for what he thought best. Can't blame a young man for that. Personally I admire the maturity and responsibility he had to make the decision.

One caveat to my report. Apparently only Sporting News is high on him. Everybody else has him as a late pick to an undrafted free agent. That just goes to show the unpredictability of the draft and scouting reports. For what it's worth, most free sites don't really have a clue.

My Analysis: Scouts know more than I do. Todd McShay and Mel Kiper don't know dick. Most draft sites don't know crap.

I just highlighted Miles due to what I read in Sporting News.

So am I hearing what I want to hear from the Sporting News profile? No. I'm just looking at one report. I have more faith in Pro Football Weekly's reports than any other publication. I just haven't updated my subscription yet.

Anyway, if Miles is as good as Sporting News advertises and he falls, the Texans or any other team has a potential great value pick.

Texans Early Draft and Free Agency Edition

So I slacked off at the end of the season keeping up the blog. I had a post mortem written for the season but never published it.

These Shoes Were Made For Walking
The club made their first major move of the off season by not franchising cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Last year's rumor mill insisted that the Texans offered Robinson around $24 million per year range money. It would have made Robinson one of the top three paid CBs in the league, if I remember correctly. I'm not so sure about the rumor being true. The Texans never wage salary battles in public and never gave any indication of the money D-Rob was offered. Robinson and his agent never said anything either. Robinson was upset over getting the franchise tag not the money offered. I think the $24 million price tag has been repeated enough in the local media and blogosphere that it's taken as fact.

Either way, it changed the dynamics of free agency and the draft. Despite what you may think of him, Robinson was the number one corner on the team and now needs to be replaced. Does the team already have the next starter on the roster with second year player Grover Quin? Does that bump Frenchy up to number one? Or do the Texans make a run at a free agent to start or a high draft pick? Does Fred Bennett come up for air once the team digs him up from underneath the bench? Is Brice McCain ready to move to the nickle slot?

The LT Dream and Other Cast Offs
Some fans live in a fantasy world. Some are clamoring for the Texans to sign future Hall of Famer Ladanian Thomlinson. Forget it. It's not happening.

I have a friend that wants to sign every cast off free agent for the Texans. His football knowledge is that of a newly arrived immigrant who has never seen the game before. My friend's choices would collectively add five or more years to the Texans average age.

Owner Bob McNair publicly stated the Texans free agent policy for this year. He has mandated that the Texans not sign any old veterans on the downside of their careers. He wants young players that improve the team now and for years beyond.

So my friend and other fans can clamor all they want. McNair signs the checks. What he says goes.

Future Features
I'm about to enter a project at work that may take up to six weeks. I'm blocking out March 1 to April 15 and possibly beyond.

What I plan to do on my little bit of down time is feature a potential draft pick I think the Texans could take a look at.

Alan Burge, of the Houston Examiner, is running a feature on his blog called Texans Draft Watch. I don't plan on featuring any players he highlights unless I can add to Burge's take.

Until next time...