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.
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