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2021 Houston Texans - (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter coolnerd
- Start date
Same old Texans every year. Fumble the first offensive play of the game. O'line still sucks, play calling still predictable, Kevin Johnson still a bust, important players still getting injured despite a "new training regimen," BOB still making boneheaded clock mgmt. or in game mistakes.
There were some encouraging things like special teams actually doing something for once, Honey Badger looks legit, defense tightened up considerably in the 2nd half after adjustments, and the ghost of Lamar Miller showed up. I didn't expect them to win, but I definitely expected... well more than this.
There were some encouraging things like special teams actually doing something for once, Honey Badger looks legit, defense tightened up considerably in the 2nd half after adjustments, and the ghost of Lamar Miller showed up. I didn't expect them to win, but I definitely expected... well more than this.
GregR
Footballguy
I'm disappointed, obviously. Though if you told me they'd play as poorly as they did I'd have expected them to lose by 21. I'm going to hold off on reacting too much until we see next week. There were some encouraging signs but tough to say where they are going to fall as their median yet.
Major
Footballguy
Cosign. Uninspiring play. I feel like a broken record the past few years but I think this all comes down to coaching. It's hard for me to believe in this team under O'Brien. So much talent yet so little results. Sure it may be enough to squeak out a 9-7 or 8-8 record in a weak division and clinch a playoff spot but is that the goal? Unfortunately, that division isn't as weak as it once was and teams are improving. I just wish I could say the same about the Texans. Here's to hoping it's just rust at the QB spot and a case of facing Belichick's chess vs. Obrien's checkers.
Jayded
Footballguy
When, oh when, will the Texans realize you go nowhere without a solid OL? I thought we had learned this lesson back with David Carr, but apparently not.
We can have all of the weapons in the world and finally have a good QB, but if we don't have a line, we're going to fall on our faces again.
We can have all of the weapons in the world and finally have a good QB, but if we don't have a line, we're going to fall on our faces again.
dhockster
Footballguy
Since 2008, when the Texans drafted Duane Brown, they have not used a 1st round pick on an offensive linemen. In 5 years of drafts under O'Brien, they have drafted only 4 offensive lineman, Sua-Filo (2nd Round), Nick Martin (2nd), Julien Davenport (4th), Martinas Rankin (3rd). They have not signed any big name free agent offensive lineman. In 2016, they let 2 of their offensive line starters who they drafted (Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones) sign with other teams as free agents. Both are starters with their new teams, and Brandon Brooks was named to the pro bowl in 2017.
O'Brien needs to be gone this year without a major turnaround at this point, losing to Gabbert is inexcusable.
As to the o'line, remains to be seen what Gaine does next year. He brought in 3 FA's and spent the first pick in the draft that he had on a tackle that unfortunately got hurt during OTA's. Solder has looked bad his first two games with the Giants so I still don't fault them for not breaking the bank for him. I'd like to know why we didn't make a play for Andrew Norwell.
As to the o'line, remains to be seen what Gaine does next year. He brought in 3 FA's and spent the first pick in the draft that he had on a tackle that unfortunately got hurt during OTA's. Solder has looked bad his first two games with the Giants so I still don't fault them for not breaking the bank for him. I'd like to know why we didn't make a play for Andrew Norwell.
Been discussed before, but Brooks did an interview after the Super Bowl win and basically indicated he had no intention of resigning because of O'Brien's hard-nosed Patriot ways. Sounds similar to the player rumblings/complaints last week about how Patricia is running the Lions.dhockster said:
dhockster
Footballguy
True, you have to give Gaine some time to build the line. It just sucks that they had to use so much draft capital to get Watson and get rid of Osweiller, which hampered them from investing in their offensive line. It also sucks that Rick Smith was so bad at managing their cap that they had to let Jones and Brooks walk when they were developing lineman.
dhockster
Footballguy
Yes, I think Brooks wasn't going to re-sign but the fact was that the Texans probably weren't going to be able to re-sign him because they did not have enough cap space to sign him or Jones.
The ghost of Rick Smith still haunts us.
Hopefully we can restock linemen in 2019 with that extra 2nd round pick from Seattle who currently does not look like a very good team. FA 'linemen for '19 looks even slimmer than this past year, so those big FA dollars will probably need to go towards shoring up other positions which hopefully means we go with multiple o'linemen in the draft.Is it sad that its week 3 and I'm already thinking about the draft?
dhockster
Footballguy
Yes, at this point since I don't think Bill O'Brien is a good coach and won't be successful, I am tempted to start rooting against the Texans so he will be fired.The ghost of Rick Smith still haunts us.
Is it sad that its week 3 and I'm already thinking about the draft?
Major
Footballguy
Unfortunately, we will likely need another 2-11 Kubiakesque start for McNair to take any action. Still a bit miffed on BOB's offseason extension.
dhockster
Footballguy
Totally agree about the extension. What's inconsistent with the Texans is they are waiting on giving Clowney an extension (which I think is the right move) because of his long term viability because of injury questions, and yet with O'Brien they feel the need to lock him up long term, why? He has not proven he will be a success over the long term either. Let him play out his contract with no guarantee that he will get another one. If he is average or stinks, get rid of him. If he is good, throw a bunch of money at him to get him to stay. It doesn't count against the salary cap. If he still goes elsewhere, well, that's his decision.
Like you say, because of the extension, unless they absolutely crater this year, BOB will be back for another season. It's a great way to demoralize your fanbase
Major
Footballguy
They currently having the longest NFL losing streak at 9 games. Crossing my fingers for an 0-16 start
dhockster
Footballguy
The Texans drafted Duane Brown in the 1st round of the 2008 draft. Since then, they have drafted no offensive lineman in the 1st round. Of the 31 other NFL teams, 3 other teams have not drafted offensive lineman from 2009-2018: Tampa Bay, NY Jets, and Carolina. Tampa Bay has not made the playoffs since 2007, the Jets, after going to the AFC championship game in 2009 and 2010, have not made the playoffs since then. Carolina has had success going to the playoffs 5 times and making it to the Super Bowl once.
Their are obviously other ways to build the line other than the first round of the draft, namely hitting on lineman drafted in the lower rounds, or effectively signing free agents. The Texans seemed to do this with Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones (3rd and 4th round picks respectively) in 2012 but were not able or chose not to sign them when they became free agents.They also chose not to re-sign Brown last year. They have not signed any big name free agent lineman (although they tried and failed to sign Solder last year) and they have had an atrocious record with lesser known free agents. They failed on their 2nd round lineman in 2014 (Sua-Fila) and the jury is still out on Nick Martin who was drafted in the 2nd round in 2016.
They came into this year relying on a 2017 4th rounder (Davenport) to play left tackle, a back-up Free Agent 7th round pick (Henderson) to start at RT (who is now out for the season), A part time starter FA to start at one guard (Kelemante, who is now hurt), A FA starter to start at the other guard, and Martin who is starting at Center. There just is not a lot of pedigree on that line. There are good lineman who have lesser physical skills but who work hard and develop their technique to be effective. But they are an exception rather than a rule. Good lines tend to have good talent on them. The Texans seem to be starting with a lot less talent than everyone else on the offensive line.
Their are obviously other ways to build the line other than the first round of the draft, namely hitting on lineman drafted in the lower rounds, or effectively signing free agents. The Texans seemed to do this with Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones (3rd and 4th round picks respectively) in 2012 but were not able or chose not to sign them when they became free agents.They also chose not to re-sign Brown last year. They have not signed any big name free agent lineman (although they tried and failed to sign Solder last year) and they have had an atrocious record with lesser known free agents. They failed on their 2nd round lineman in 2014 (Sua-Fila) and the jury is still out on Nick Martin who was drafted in the 2nd round in 2016.
They came into this year relying on a 2017 4th rounder (Davenport) to play left tackle, a back-up Free Agent 7th round pick (Henderson) to start at RT (who is now out for the season), A part time starter FA to start at one guard (Kelemante, who is now hurt), A FA starter to start at the other guard, and Martin who is starting at Center. There just is not a lot of pedigree on that line. There are good lineman who have lesser physical skills but who work hard and develop their technique to be effective. But they are an exception rather than a rule. Good lines tend to have good talent on them. The Texans seem to be starting with a lot less talent than everyone else on the offensive line.
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GregR
Footballguy
How bizzaro that felt to win a game on a coach's mistake.
And double down on that after BOB actually made the right call on waiting to use the timeout on 4th down instead of on 3rd down like the announcers wanted him to. You end up with the exact same amount of time either way if they have to give the ball back. But call it before 3rd down and should they pick up the 1st you would have effectively helped them out by calling the timeout. Let them run the play first and if you look likely to get the ball back, then you call it.
Coutee looked really good. So did Fuller but then he couldn't last the game. If they could keep all three receivers on the field they might do something.
And double down on that after BOB actually made the right call on waiting to use the timeout on 4th down instead of on 3rd down like the announcers wanted him to. You end up with the exact same amount of time either way if they have to give the ball back. But call it before 3rd down and should they pick up the 1st you would have effectively helped them out by calling the timeout. Let them run the play first and if you look likely to get the ball back, then you call it.
Coutee looked really good. So did Fuller but then he couldn't last the game. If they could keep all three receivers on the field they might do something.
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Major
Footballguy
Not the most inspiring win but I'm hearing it may be worth another 2 year extension.
I wish O'Brien could get out of Watson's way and let him play. That offense has too many weapons to play so conservatively. And to echo Greg's post, Coutee looked great. Hoping Fuller can get past these injuries b/c those three could be dangerous.
Watt
I wish O'Brien could get out of Watson's way and let him play. That offense has too many weapons to play so conservatively. And to echo Greg's post, Coutee looked great. Hoping Fuller can get past these injuries b/c those three could be dangerous.
Watt
dhockster
Footballguy
I think the timeout should have been called on 3rd down. It was 3rd and 21. If they pass and throw an incompletion on 3rd down, you get the ball back with more time. If they run, they are probably not getting anywhere near the first down and will have to punt, and like you said, get it without about the same amount of time as if they called the timeout on 4th down. Being conservative with your timeout because you are worried about them making it on 3rd and 21 is a losing coach mentality in my book.
It ended up working for the Texans because Reich decided to go for it and didn't make it, but that doesn't mean it was the right decision.
dhockster
Footballguy
They talked about that on 610. evidently the Colts broadcasters were having all sorts of problems with the names of the Texans
dhockster
Footballguy
Two things were evident last night:
1) The talent of the Texans players exceeds the competency of their coaches. O'Brien almost coached them into a loss last night.
2) Deshaun Watson has not learned yet that he cannot outrun NFL linebackers. If he doesn't learn it soon and start avoiding hits, he will sustain a significant injury. I am curious to see if he sustained any rib injuries from last nights game.
1) The talent of the Texans players exceeds the competency of their coaches. O'Brien almost coached them into a loss last night.
2) Deshaun Watson has not learned yet that he cannot outrun NFL linebackers. If he doesn't learn it soon and start avoiding hits, he will sustain a significant injury. I am curious to see if he sustained any rib injuries from last nights game.
dhockster
Footballguy
GregR
Footballguy
Ugly game. Watson did not look very good, I hope it was the injuries.
While I think overall he's still a pretty good QB for a guy who hasn't played a season's worth of NFL games yet... there are a few troubling things about his game. His vision of late isn't as good as I'd thought. Same with his pocket presence. There are times I think he's not making the right decision on when to move and when to stay in the pocket. The pocket awareness I had as a strength for him, he's not showing it to the same degree.
The offensive line could be exacerbating those issues though.
While I think overall he's still a pretty good QB for a guy who hasn't played a season's worth of NFL games yet... there are a few troubling things about his game. His vision of late isn't as good as I'd thought. Same with his pocket presence. There are times I think he's not making the right decision on when to move and when to stay in the pocket. The pocket awareness I had as a strength for him, he's not showing it to the same degree.
The offensive line could be exacerbating those issues though.
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How are we 3-3 and tied for the division lead? With better coaching we should be 5-1 to be honest, but with our actual coaching we should be 0-6. May not matter though, we don't match up well with the next 3 opponents: Jags, Fins and Bronco's have the pass rush to abuse this horrible offensive line and the defense can't bail us out every week.
Patrick Peterson possibly available on the trade market! If true, we should be all over that with our cap space, an extra 2nd round pick, and pretty much every corner on the roster injured. JJo is the last man standing and had to have x-rays in-game this past Sunday. The Seahawks are heating back up so shipping off their 2nd now while they are 3-3 for Peterson would be an amazing move both short and long-term as he's only 28 and a 3 time All-Pro. But that assumes he's actually available...
Although he is eligible to be activated now, BOB said in a press-conference yesterday that Foreman still isn't ready to come back, never saw that coming....
Patrick Peterson possibly available on the trade market! If true, we should be all over that with our cap space, an extra 2nd round pick, and pretty much every corner on the roster injured. JJo is the last man standing and had to have x-rays in-game this past Sunday. The Seahawks are heating back up so shipping off their 2nd now while they are 3-3 for Peterson would be an amazing move both short and long-term as he's only 28 and a 3 time All-Pro. But that assumes he's actually available...
Although he is eligible to be activated now, BOB said in a press-conference yesterday that Foreman still isn't ready to come back, never saw that coming....
Major
Footballguy
You know as well as me that this is BOB's greatest schtick. On paper, his teams look to be contending so McNair is happy to keep up appearances but those who really watch the games know he's just a sheep in QB Whisper's clothing. The more I think about it, O'Brien probably owes Brady a cut of his career earnings. Cant say I've seen any QB improve under his tutelage.
dhockster
Footballguy
That's why it is hard to take the Texans seriously. Their schedule has been easy and will continue to be easy. Only 4 games are against top QB's (Brady, Luck twice, Wentz). They should win the division despite Bill O'Brien. Then they will lose at home against Phillip Rivers and the Chargers.GregR said:
And McNair will keep O'Brien for another year.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
Homers - How injured is Watson? And is that why he's killing me in FF?
GregR
Footballguy
Collapsed lung last week, bruised lung this week to where they sent him to Jacksonville on a bus rather than have him go through the change in air pressure of a plane. It definitely affected him last week against the Bills.
This week I think it was more a matter of going conservative in the second half because they didn't need to do more to win. Texans moved the ball pretty well in the first half, but not much in the second until a bunch of running plays to run out the game.
I imagine he'll be hit or miss the rest of the year. Poor offensive line play can really give his results a lot of variance game to game. Though he did well against pressure this week, only one sack.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
Major
Footballguy
Yep. I'm trying my best to enjoy the ride and laugh at the ridiculousness of our first place status but the thought of getting stomped early in the playoffs (again) isn't too enticing. I guess McNair gets another Division Champion banner so at least he's happy.
Yeah, if there was one thing I didn't like it was going conservative after the 20-0 lead. I get protecting Watson at that point, but over a minute left with 2 TO's left and you get the ball back before the half? At least TRY to get into field goal range.
GregR
Footballguy
I should add here, and I'm stealing someone else's comments but I don't recall who I heard discussing it... Brian Gaine probably deserves some credit for the special teams turn around too. He didn't just try to find position backups who could play special teams. He went out and got some good special teams players specifically.
