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?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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.
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.
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