Official Texans vs. 49ers Fake Game Thread, 8/15/2015

[Arky]

33 observations from Texans vs. 49ers

John Harris
Texans Analyst

1. The running backs had a solid night and Alfred Blue took another step in his development. One thing that bears watching is when the Texans run outside zone. Arian Foster is so good at making that “cut up” run behind the center when he feels the defense’s fast flow is, well, too fast. He’ll let the play develop then BOOM dart back behind center-guard blocks for significant gains. For the OL, zoning off every single DL to give the RB a downhill edge is nearly impossible. So, Blue and company are going to need to be a bit more cognizant of those cut up seams to not let fast flowing defenders win. Rookie Kenny Hilliard had one of those cut up runs later in the game and it produced a 13 yard gain.

2. Cecil Shorts III was the recipient of Hoyer’s touchdown throw but Garrett Graham’s sliding catch on third down on Brian Hoyer’s only drive of the night was the key to the whole drive. Graham’s had a tremendous camp and it followed right in line with what I’ve seen all camp - no one can cover him. As such, seeing the tight ends do something of value early was a great sign.

3. Throughout the week, people asked me “tonight’s a success if...?” I said quality long drives by each QB, tight ends getting involved early and no significant injuries. That was pretty close to happening, I suppose.

4. On the first offensive drive, guard Jeff Adams made a key block on the inside power/gap run by Alfred Blue. Adams wrapped around, as an uncovered lineman, eyed a fast filling linebacker and sealed him off. Blue burst right off Adams’ block into the secondary for a solid 14 yard gain.

5. Hoyer’s touchdown pass to Shorts was textbook execution on third down. Protection was fantastic. Hoyer stood tall in the pocket. Shorts was quick into his route and even faster after he had the ball in his hands.

6. On the two point play after the touchdown, Andre Ware immediately pointed out the press man by the 49ers during our radio broadcast. We talked about it during the break afterward - the cornerback can’t win against Hopkins in that situation. If the corner plays for the fade, the QB throws to Hop’s back shoulder. If the corner attempts to prevent the backshoulder throw, the QB throws for the back pylon, where Hopkins can catch the highball fade. Shareece Wright actually played it as well as he could. And lost.

7. Tom Savage used that same methodology on his touchdown throw to Jaelen Strong in the 2nd half. When Strong has a defensive back on his back, it’s over.

8. The secondary didn’t tackle well in the first half and although it’s a bit disappointing, it’s not that surprising. Those guys rarely get the opportunity to make many tackles in practice, but it’s got to improve moving forward in preparation for running back Jamaal Charles on September 13th.

9. On his last play of the night, ILB Brian Cushing blitzed the middle on third and seven and completely took out two 49er OL. He just knocked them completely out of the way which opened the gate for rookie DT Christian Covington to force QB Colin Kaepernick out of the pocket. Kaep had to throw it away. Cushing is going to be key for this defense and to see him play with the fire and explosiveness we remember is such a good sign.

10. Speaking of Covington, the guy is going to find a way on the field to rush the passer. He’s so much quicker than any other interior lineman the Texans have, not counting JJ Watt, of course. But, he’s relentless and extremely difficult for pass blocking linemen to handle. When he got free on that pass rush, he exploded into Kaep’s face and forced the QB to flee. He was a monster for the Redskins to block and flashed early in the game versus the 49ers on that pass rush.

11. James “Brick” Ferentz may not look like an NFL lineman, but don’t tell him that. There’s no more feisty player on this roster. I think there were two, maybe three times when I saw him engaged in less than polite discussion with a 49er defender.

12. Ryan Mallett threw one incompletion and most importantly threw the ball in the short to intermediate areas of the field as well as we’ve seen. That’s been the so-called knock on him throughout his career - big arm, accuracy in the intermediate areas can go awry. Not last night. He got in rhythm early with his first throw to C.J. Fiedorowicz and it continued.

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