Reality Check

painekiller · #1 09-07-2008, 03:56 PM

There is a reason I picked the Steelers for the Super Bowl, they have their systems down. They know how to draft guys to replace the guys they lost, and they do not have to force players on the field. That is what happens when you have had a decade of the same system.

Yes we are all tired of loosing, but this game is against a top 3 or 4 team in the NFL. We are not ready to go into a Pittsburgh and beat a team of that caliber.

Now a couple of points. Gibbs system works best when you are playing with a lead, or tied. It is not good at having to throw the ball from a pocket. Why? Because the very reason the OL is effective getting to the 2nd level is that they are smaller and quicker. Well smaller and quicker does not work as well in a power battle. (My understanding was the rookie played OK, not great, but he wasn't the biggest issue in the OL).

2nd point about the OL, it takes more than a training camp to gel an OL. This is a new scheme to them, they have 3 new starters from the end of last season. I watched the Oilers OL with 2 future HOF players start the Jack Pardee era looking like they had never played football before. That OL took a few weeks to gel, but they did, and IRC they went to the playoffs.

Now to the defense, our DL is undersized in the middle to play smash mouth football with teams like Pittsburgh. We start 2 undertackles, and do not have a NT ready to start in the NFL. Hopefully Okam will develop, but remember it took Wilfork a few years to develop and he was a 1st rounder, same with Tommy Harris.

Now the secondary is not good currently. We need to draft a safety in the top 2 rounds next year, it will be a good safety draft. Also Reeves is playing his way to the bench, and it will take time for Molden to get adjusted to the NFL. And maybe Eugene Wilson plays his way onto the field. Time, we need time to mature.

The Houston Oilers used to get blown out a lot on the away opener, and they still recovered. If you thought we where going to start 3-0 this season then you have been drinking to much tea or you have not been looking at the team. Kubiak does not need to be fired, Shanahan is going to be the OC for a while, Richard Smith is not in trouble yet. (But his chair should be getting warm).

Positives? Mario is proving that is not a fluke. Slaton is proving me wrong about him so far.

Joshua · #2 09-07-2008, 04:06 PM

I agree that our entire team is built to play with a lead. Unfortunately, that is something we rarely have.

I actually thought Reeves played OK. He broke up a deep ball and was well positioned on a couple of plays. I was much more concerned by the play of Bennett. They went after him non-stop. He was also terrible against the run. He gave up the corner on numerous runs (including a TD). I thought it was a very bad day for him. Much worse than Reeves (although maybe I just expected more).

Overall, I hate the softness of our team. No one (except Mario) scares anyone. No one brings the wood. Seems like every tackle is our guys just riding the guy down.

popanot · #3 09-07-2008, 04:22 PM

Expected a win in Pitt? No. Expected to compete? Absolutely! That team was a complete embarrassment in all phases of the game today. I have a hard time believing they would have beaten an awful team today - early lead or not.

nunusguy · #4 09-07-2008, 04:32 PM

I was worried about our DLine after the 3rd preseason game against the Cowboys when everyone played atleast a half. Now I'm even more worried about them, because the Steelers OLine was not thought to be that good, as they played as if they are one of the leagues best against the Texans.

Nconroe · #5 09-07-2008, 05:44 PM

Yeah, looked like we got out muscled and outsmarted. not a good start . trying to think it is one of 16 and bound to get better.

NBT · #6 09-07-2008, 06:31 PM

The saying is the coaches can only coach, the players have to play. Well yes, BUT Jethro Franklin's Dline (other than Mario) would not scare me in the least. Then there is our DC, Richard Smith, I have maintained for almost 2 years now, that he is not the answer.

Why does every pro houston team always have to start out slow. I have never understood that. We not only started slow, we got pasted by a team that I maintain, is not that much better than we are. They were ready to play, we very obviously were not. Why?

I didn't get to see the game, so until I can review the tape, I can't comment on individual personnel.

bono · #7 09-07-2008, 07:26 PM

i'd really like to see Weaver not play. maybe see more of Okam as a big fatty up front

jppaul · #8 09-07-2008, 08:21 PM

I completely agree. I don't think Weaver gives you anything as a pass rusher and apparently he is useless in the run game too.

Might as well put Okam at Defensive end for all the pass rush Weaver gives us.

TexicanMexican · #9 09-07-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBT

The saying is the coaches can only coach, the players have to play. Well yes, BUT Jethro Franklin's Dline (other than Mario) would not scare me in the least. Then there is our DC, Richard Smith, I have maintained for almost 2 years now, that he is not the answer.

Why does every pro houston team always have to start out slow. I have never understood that. We not only started slow, we got pasted by a team that I maintain, is not that much better than we are. They were ready to play, we very obviously were not. Why?

I didn't get to see the game, so until I can review the tape, I can't comment on individual personnel.

What's the over/under on how many games Richard Smith makes it to? I tongue in cheek told my friends he gets canned after the Cincy game. But that prediction was more a salute to the way Pardee and Gilbride were taken out back and shot after a loss to the Bungles.

Big Texas · #10 09-08-2008, 07:32 AM

We have a densive line full of alleged pass rushers. and the ony one rushing the pass is mario. there were several plays I saw amobi making some great moves to get in the back field early to stop the run. but as I mentioned before, he was always in the wrong spot. I blame that on the coaching. The coaches should put you where you need to be and then the player should do the rest.
They have the worst blitz packages I have ever seen.

Good note:
Everyone in our division lost except the Titans and Vince got hurt.

KJ3 · #11 09-08-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

(My understanding was the rookie played OK, not great, but he wasn't the biggest issue in the OL).

2nd point about the OL, it takes more than a training camp to gel an OL. This is a new scheme to them, they have 3 new starters from the end of last season. I watched the Oilers OL with 2 future HOF players start the Jack Pardee era looking like they had never played football before. That OL took a few weeks to gel, but they did, and IRC they went to the playoffs.

i thought brown was alright, he only let one guy through for a sack that i saw. maybe a few pressures but for a rookie, IN pittsburgh, against that crazy ass defense i'm not upset at all.

Quote:

Now to the defense, our DL is undersized in the middle to play smash mouth football with teams like Pittsburgh. We start 2 undertackles, and do not have a NT ready to start in the NFL. Hopefully Okam will develop, but remember it took Wilfork a few years to develop and he was a 1st rounder, same with Tommy Harris.

....or casey hampton....we clearly just need a big, big man to lean over on opposing o'lines. that got the better of myers all day.

Quote:

Now the secondary is not good currently. We need to draft a safety in the top 2 rounds next year, it will be a good safety draft. Also Reeves is playing his way to the bench, and it will take time for Molden to get adjusted to the NFL. And maybe Eugene Wilson plays his way onto the field. Time, we need time to mature.

does molden, wilson, and dunta (eventually) help? i think a safety is in order too but help is on the way sooner than that so maybe things will lighten up?

Quote:

Positives? Mario is proving that is not a fluke. Slaton is proving me wrong about him so far.

on track for 32 sacks!! alooo haaaa waaaiiiiiii.... aloooo haaa waaaaiiiiiii....

painekiller · #12 09-08-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJ3

does molden, wilson, and dunta (eventually) help? i think a safety is in order too but help is on the way sooner than that so maybe things will lighten up?

I want them to be a help, but until they are on the field proving that they are an upgrade over the guys playing.

I mean I think Barber and Harrison have some potential, but they have to be able to show it on the field.

Remember this name William Moore. That is my preseason #1 pick.

KJ3 · #13 09-08-2008, 11:20 AM

Oh no, you've already got to me about Moore...believe me i'm on board!

It shouldn't take much out of barber or harrison to see playing time. Brown is....not very good.

Big Texas · #14 09-08-2008, 11:47 AM

He just always looks outta place.

For example the TD pass to Hines Ward across the middle of the endzone. He went after Heath Miller on the short in pattern as opposed to maintaining his zone responsibilities deep.

Bad Decisions.

coloradodude · #15 09-08-2008, 12:56 PM

One part masochist, one part Texan fan.

Well, I'm glad that happened. Now we can forget about that coveted 16-0 season and focus on what the problem is in each specific area.

Oh, and Richard Smith, you better sleep in the film room through the end of October. No pass rush? No excuse!

NBT · #16 09-08-2008, 02:54 PM

I simply don't agree that safety is our biggest concern, or even that big a priority. To me it has to be DE #1, and CB #2.

gunn · #17 09-08-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painekiller

Remember this name William Moore. That is my preseason #1 pick.

I'm looking for a little more smashmouth, so I'm going with Rey Maualuga instead.

HPF Bob · #18 09-08-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Texas

Good note:
Everyone in our division lost except the Titans and Vince got hurt.

That's the point I was going to make. I'd much rather lose to the Steelers on the road than lose to the Bears at home. The Jags look like a mess and the Titans are an entirely different team if VY is not in there so the whole division looks messed up right now. Just cause we got out butts spanked doesn't mean we are in dire straits.

Joshua · #19 09-08-2008, 03:59 PM

Although I'm not convinced VY getting hurt isn't bad for us.

kravix · #20 09-08-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Although I'm not convinced VY getting hurt isn't bad for us.

I'm with you. I was thinking about it and Collins is a much better QB than VY. With improved QB play on top of their def that team may just have gotten much better for the next few weeks.