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...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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.
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.
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