Living on the Edge
Each week in the NFL there are 16 winners and 16 losers. The winners are happy, sort of, and the losers are miserable. The Texans are among the miserable this week and they are keeping some good company. The NFL Champion Steelers are 1-2, The Titans are 0-3 as are the Dolphins. On the flipside, somehow Denver is 3-0 and the Jets look like a Super Bowl team. It's a crazy league and a long season. Hang on for the ride.
After another head-scratching loss at Reliant at least one thing is crystal clear: The Texans offseason defensive moves have yet to pay off. Sure, Cushing looks great and Antonio Smith has made some plays but the end result is that Houston has given up more yards than any team in the league and the third most points.
Gary Kubiak's teams have been slow starters. The Texans are now 4-11 in the first quarter of his four seasons as head coach here. They have historically been fast finishers winning 3 of 5, 3 of 4 and 5 of 6 in his stretch runs. But he can ill-afford to see his team fall into a sink hole if he wants them to seriously flirt with a playoff run.
The Jacksonville game was a blown opportunity. The team is pretty healthy and to lose a winnable home game early against what is considered an inferior opponent could help spoil a chance at a good record later. And if the Jags are running and throwing effectively (six for twelve on 3rd and 4th down) one has to wonder what offenses led by the likes of Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner will do. And, oh yeah, we still have Peyton Manning on the schedule, twice.
Steve Slaton looked like his 2008 self Sunday and Matt Schaub is certainly performing like one of the league's better quarterbacks. But the defense needs to undergo a major breakthrough or this season will break down quickly.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
One for the Ages
The Texans showed the kind of heart that winning teams need in pulling out their victory over the Titans Sunday. Matt Schaub played brilliantly, throwing four touchdown passes and constantly avoiding sacks and eluding pressure. Andre Johnson shook off a couple of early drops to catch two TDs.
But offensively it was Jacoby Jones who played the role of best supporting actor. With Andre Davis and Kevin Walter out, Jones caught a TD and hauled in another 44 yarder to set up the winning field goal. He also caught a break when he muffed a fair catch at the Houston 10 but kept the ball on an interference penalty.
Defensively, Mario and Demeco shined but you expect that by now. Brian Cushing showed he belonged and Eugene WIlson had a pick. It was hardly a masterpiece but the Texans held Tennessee to just one second half TD and put the brakes on when it mattered most. Jeff Zgonina recovered the Kerry Collins fumble that iced it. It was a memorable play for the league's oldest position player who wasn't part of the team's plans until training camp started.
Maybe the Texans are who we thought they were. The Jets validated their opening day win with a victory over New England. And the Texans toppled the division favorites on the road. There is a long way to go but Houston has arrived at the party and will have plenty to say about going to the postseason before it's all said and done.
The Texans showed the kind of heart that winning teams need in pulling out their victory over the Titans Sunday. Matt Schaub played brilliantly, throwing four touchdown passes and constantly avoiding sacks and eluding pressure. Andre Johnson shook off a couple of early drops to catch two TDs.
But offensively it was Jacoby Jones who played the role of best supporting actor. With Andre Davis and Kevin Walter out, Jones caught a TD and hauled in another 44 yarder to set up the winning field goal. He also caught a break when he muffed a fair catch at the Houston 10 but kept the ball on an interference penalty.
Defensively, Mario and Demeco shined but you expect that by now. Brian Cushing showed he belonged and Eugene WIlson had a pick. It was hardly a masterpiece but the Texans held Tennessee to just one second half TD and put the brakes on when it mattered most. Jeff Zgonina recovered the Kerry Collins fumble that iced it. It was a memorable play for the league's oldest position player who wasn't part of the team's plans until training camp started.
Maybe the Texans are who we thought they were. The Jets validated their opening day win with a victory over New England. And the Texans toppled the division favorites on the road. There is a long way to go but Houston has arrived at the party and will have plenty to say about going to the postseason before it's all said and done.
Monday, September 14, 2009
What went wrong?
Clearly the Texans weren't ready to play. The coach himself said that. They also put the secondary together with tape and glue on opening day starting a not-ready-for-primetime Dunta Robinson and going without Jacques Reeves and Eugene Wilson. They also played Brian Cushing for the first time. The defense played well against the run through three quarters but was horrible on third down as rookie Mark Sanchez looked polished. He constantly beat the pass rush with on-target throws that extended drives.
On the offensive side, Matt Schaub clearly was not himself. The offense produced zero points and zero first downs in the red zone. The running game was no where to be found as the offense was 200 yards below its average output of last year. Kris Jenkins was a one man wrecking crew at nose guard. Schaub was harassed often and unable to make the throws that made him a top ten passer last year.
The Texans must get themselves going fast or the season will slide out of control. Beating Tennessee would almost be like erasing the Jets game but that's a tall order. A 2-2 start is a minimal requirement toward achieving any of their goals. Following two home games after the Titans, the Texans play four of their next five on the road.
There is no way the Texans are as bad as they showed in the opener. But how good can they be when they don't step up and adequately compete in their own building? We saw enough good performances last year to know that this team has the goods to bang helmets with some of the league's better teams. They would be wise to start putting together some similar performances ASAP.
Clearly the Texans weren't ready to play. The coach himself said that. They also put the secondary together with tape and glue on opening day starting a not-ready-for-primetime Dunta Robinson and going without Jacques Reeves and Eugene Wilson. They also played Brian Cushing for the first time. The defense played well against the run through three quarters but was horrible on third down as rookie Mark Sanchez looked polished. He constantly beat the pass rush with on-target throws that extended drives.
On the offensive side, Matt Schaub clearly was not himself. The offense produced zero points and zero first downs in the red zone. The running game was no where to be found as the offense was 200 yards below its average output of last year. Kris Jenkins was a one man wrecking crew at nose guard. Schaub was harassed often and unable to make the throws that made him a top ten passer last year.
The Texans must get themselves going fast or the season will slide out of control. Beating Tennessee would almost be like erasing the Jets game but that's a tall order. A 2-2 start is a minimal requirement toward achieving any of their goals. Following two home games after the Titans, the Texans play four of their next five on the road.
There is no way the Texans are as bad as they showed in the opener. But how good can they be when they don't step up and adequately compete in their own building? We saw enough good performances last year to know that this team has the goods to bang helmets with some of the league's better teams. They would be wise to start putting together some similar performances ASAP.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Final preseason games are like NFL IDOL. Simon is watching to see if you make the cut. Rex Grossman passed the test on Friday night proving that he can still help a team win football games.
Jacoby Jones shined with an 87 yard TD pass and a 40 yarder. The coaching staff has been waiting for him to do something big and it happened. He now fields those inside-the-20 punts uneventfully and is conducting himself with more maturity and professionalism than ever.
The James Casey fan club probably added a few members Friday night as he caught his first TD pass in a Texans uniform. Casey can play fullback, tight end, special teams and probably fly the team plane.
Frank Bush wasn't shy about blitzing close to his goal line. Late in the game, Frank Okam had a sack on Josh Johnson that sealed the game. Khary Cambell's pressure helped him get it proving Bush right in his aggresive play calling. Okam, by the way, shows a lot of promise and figures to get plenty of snaps in the DT rotation this year.
A 2-2 preseason is nothing to throw a party over but Friday's game gave the organization a nice view of their depth as they got ready for cuts and a week in which they could finally concentrate fully on the Jets. Mark Sanchez went five for five against Philly reserves in his final preseason action. The Texans better be good against Thomas Jones and the New York ground game or the rookie hazing they have planned for Sanchez might never materialize.
Jacoby Jones shined with an 87 yard TD pass and a 40 yarder. The coaching staff has been waiting for him to do something big and it happened. He now fields those inside-the-20 punts uneventfully and is conducting himself with more maturity and professionalism than ever.
The James Casey fan club probably added a few members Friday night as he caught his first TD pass in a Texans uniform. Casey can play fullback, tight end, special teams and probably fly the team plane.
Frank Bush wasn't shy about blitzing close to his goal line. Late in the game, Frank Okam had a sack on Josh Johnson that sealed the game. Khary Cambell's pressure helped him get it proving Bush right in his aggresive play calling. Okam, by the way, shows a lot of promise and figures to get plenty of snaps in the DT rotation this year.
A 2-2 preseason is nothing to throw a party over but Friday's game gave the organization a nice view of their depth as they got ready for cuts and a week in which they could finally concentrate fully on the Jets. Mark Sanchez went five for five against Philly reserves in his final preseason action. The Texans better be good against Thomas Jones and the New York ground game or the rookie hazing they have planned for Sanchez might never materialize.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
No doubt Matt Schaub's ankle injury has the Texans on edge. If Schaub can't play against New York the Texans will have to rely on Dan Orlovsky who has had an up and down preseason. There is no other option. Or is there?
Just when you thought Rex Grossman was surely headed for waivers, he has suddenly recovered enough to play Friday night in a last ditch effort to make the team. If he looks good and Orlovsky struggles you would have to think that the coaches would at least consider using his services if Schuab is out.
In all likelihood Schaub will play. The coaching staff would probably rather have Schaub in a ski boot than risk playing without him. The field goal drive he orchestrated on a bad wheel Monday night was a nice piece of work.
Brian Cushing could see his first action against Tampa Bay. For all the heat the defense has taken, remember that three would-be starters have been out with Cushing, Jacques Reeves and Dunta Robinson all unavailable so far.
Even though most of the starters will sit against the Bucs there is much drama going on in deep steel blue. Jacoby Jones took every punt return in prime time Monday night. He didn't make mistakes but the magic of his rookie preseason is missing. He appears to be safe but could use a big play.
The defensive tackles have to step up no matter who plays. Antwan Molden has to continue to get healthier so he can play up to his potential. Arian Foster has a chance to make things interesting at running back.
Just when you thought Rex Grossman was surely headed for waivers, he has suddenly recovered enough to play Friday night in a last ditch effort to make the team. If he looks good and Orlovsky struggles you would have to think that the coaches would at least consider using his services if Schuab is out.
In all likelihood Schaub will play. The coaching staff would probably rather have Schaub in a ski boot than risk playing without him. The field goal drive he orchestrated on a bad wheel Monday night was a nice piece of work.
Brian Cushing could see his first action against Tampa Bay. For all the heat the defense has taken, remember that three would-be starters have been out with Cushing, Jacques Reeves and Dunta Robinson all unavailable so far.
Even though most of the starters will sit against the Bucs there is much drama going on in deep steel blue. Jacoby Jones took every punt return in prime time Monday night. He didn't make mistakes but the magic of his rookie preseason is missing. He appears to be safe but could use a big play.
The defensive tackles have to step up no matter who plays. Antwan Molden has to continue to get healthier so he can play up to his potential. Arian Foster has a chance to make things interesting at running back.
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