Toughness

[NBT]

Michael Lombardi today on the NFL NEtwork questioned the Texans toughness, and therefore sees no reason to believe we will make the playoffs yet again, despite a much improved defense and a savy coordinator in Wade Phillips.

He says we have to be ahead late in a game to have a chance to win. That we can't come from behind. That we play too soft. That Kubiak nor Phillips stresses toughness. I have to reluctantly agree with him. At least it was true in the past.

[HPF Bob]

Vastly improved defense is still in theory at this point, plus there's no proof that the culture of losing is gone and the same offensive coaches are here to choke away late-game situations. Plus, there's no assurance we won't have major injuries again.

So, as much as I'd love a emotional lift, I'm in a "believe-it-when-I-see-it" mode regarding the Texans. The sad thing is they could go 5-11 and still be the best pro team in the city.

[WMH]

I couldn't give a rat shit as to what Lombardi says. He's an idiot.

Soft, Finesse, Tough, Dirty......whatever.

As long as these guys are competitive/entertaining week in and week out, staying in the game they will keep getting my money. They can dress up in pink skirts for all I care.

While they frustrate the hell out of me, they kept my attention all year last year, and am assuming they will do the same this year. Hopefully, the ball will bounce our way a little more, and we get a longer season. Sure would be nice to be watching in January too!

[Joshua]

Historically, I think this team has had difficulty matching teams with a lot of physicality/intensity. Sometimes hard to quantify but just a sense I've gotten. Will this year be any different? Who knows. I hope so. The defense should be better almost by default.

I will say, I remember watching the Steelers play the Ravens in the playoffs, I think, 2 years ago. Those 2 teams were trying to kill each other on virtually every snap. I remember thinking to myself that we were a long way from holding our own in a game like that.

[Arky]

We are not soft! We're just a little plump - that's all.

Ah, "toughness". While it certainly is a big part of football, it's not the end-all, be-all of the sport, IMO.

Joe Frazier was tough. Muhammed Ali was "slick" (finesse).

The Steelers are tough. The Texans are finesse.

Breaking this down further, the Texan offense has been top of the league the last few years with the finesse-like ZBS and a prolific passing game.

I suppose you could call the Texan defense the last few years "soft" but I'd rather call it "a mess".....

In the end, it is up to the Texans to start putting up W's and all this kinda talk will go away. Lombardi, Baldinger and all those other knuckleheads will jump on the Texan bandwagon so fast it'll make your head swim...

[Nconroe]

Texans - and we hope all problems solved, but for last year - have a good/excellent offense, but seem to have a variety of getting started problems last year. Defense, probably solid, some good players, but give up big plays at just the wrong time.

If you have leading rusher and top 5 passer no one should call your offense soft. But... And if your defense is near the bottom of all stats speaks for itself, got to fix that and maybe they have.

I hope the players and coaches figure out a few things for this year and no one will call them soft anymore -

1. on offense - 3rd and 1 or 4th and one - run it and make ( seems we were not confident and tried gadget pass plays too often and when did run, didn't make it)

2. on defense - facing 3rd and one or 4th and one - stop the other team ( did great on first and second down, but somehow third down didn't do so well)

there might be more to changing the image, but that would help.

of course if you win, get in playoffs, so on, no one calls you soft no matter what style you play .

[NBT]

While I agree in principle with WMH*, I think in Arky's analysis, I would like a little more "toughness" (especially late in the game protecting a small lead), than "finess".

*....Yeah they will still get my money. And it is a rotten shame that they are the only game in town I still feel is worth it.