Don't look now, but the Texan defense is...

[WMH]

It's definitely a coulda shoulda woulda situation, but can you imagine where we would be IF we didn't give up the 4 HUGE plays in the first 3 games?

Week 1 - T Jones - 38 yard run - Missed assignment
Week 2 - C Johnson - 57 yard run - Missed assignment
C Johnson - 69 yard pass - Missed assignment/BONEHEAD play
C Johnson - 91 yard run - Missed assignment
Week 3 - MJD - 61 yard run - Missed assignment

Insert Pollard, Cushing and Dunta's "Preseason" is now over, Antonio Smith remembers that he can actually play....

Even though we have still given up a handful of big scores, 30 yarder or so to Fitz, forget to cover Vernon Davis on a couple of throws, and let an old TO run on a scamper.....gentlemen, I think we have a legit defense. If we can continue to rank in the top 15 of the major statistical categories, we should fare pretty well more times than not. The other guys get paid fairly well too, so I fully understand, and expect that there will be some oopses (said especially on the week of the Colts offense), but as long as we can continue the path we are on, we will be fine. I am a firm believer in what they are doing on offense, so if the D can hold them to 17-20, we should win more than we will lose.

And that makes me a Happy Texan!

[Fonz the Boss]

I wonder if those numbers will hold up after the Indy game

[NBT]

Imagine how red my face is after making all those disparaging remarks about Frank Bush and his defense a few short weeks ago. Frank if you read this board, may I offer my humblest apologies.

[chuck]

Look, the Bills have a TERRIBLE offense so getting too excited about numbers is probably deceptive at this point. But I do know that the Texans defense has more good players playing than it has had in a long time. They need better play at some individual positions and they need to play better as a unit but more and more of the individual pieces are there I think.

Some of the pieces they're missing are here but coming out of their gestation period. Quinn, for example. He can play. And whoever it was that shared the bit about Bennett, PK I think, thanks for the information. I'm sorry to hear about his personal troubles but encouraged to learn that his shaky play may have a cause that's fixable in time because he definitely has the size and the speed to be valuable.

We'll know a lot more about the Texans' defense next Sunday evening.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by chuck

Look, the Bills have a TERRIBLE offense so getting too excited about numbers is probably deceptive at this point.

The defense has been playing well, but I wouldn't call them great. Now if they can get some sacks and some interceptions against the Colts, then I may change my tune. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased to see some improvements especially in the tackling department.

[Nconroe]

True, not yet a great defense, but a whole lot better. Time will tell.

The first three games of this year they gave up 86 points or 29 points/game.

The last three games they gave up 48 points or 16 points/game.

Buffalo had been averaging 16 points over last 3 games, we held them to 10, a shutout the second half.

Indianapolis has averaged 31 points over last three games so, that should test the progress of our defense pretty well.

Texans have averaged scoring 28 points over last three games so we should yest Indy's defense as well.

Indy's defense has only been giving up 10 points a game over last three games, so pretty good on offense and defense.

For sure, it is a lot more fun watching Texans this year than any of previous years, that is a good thing.

[cloudwasher]

Originally Posted by chuck

Look, the Bills have a TERRIBLE offense so getting too excited about numbers is probably deceptive at this point.

Are the Bills a top caliber offense? No. But there are lots of horrible offenses in the NFL this year and every team has played at least one, if not two. Therefore that argument is rather null and void. If these were our stats after week 2, then I might agree, but half way into the season with these numbers and its hard to argue that its a fluke.

Could the defense fall back into pitifulness during the second half of the season? Its possible. But give them credit for what theyve done so far. After all, we do have the best record in franchise history at the moment and there arent too many other teams who can say that right now, so be happy...

[nunusguy]

FWIW, in Kubiaks presser yesterday he shrugged off the lack of production in sacks, atleast as expressed in the terms of stats, and suggested that
pressure which hurries the QB is just as important if not more so even in the absense of actual QB sacks.

[Arky]

This might be the only time I ever quote Richard Justice - (Justice responding to a post where someone warns to "lets not get carried away with Moats vs. Bills defense".)

[I hear that all the time. Let's no get carried away. Let's focus on the part of the glass that isn't full. I don't get it. I like getting excited about guys. I like a guy getting a chance and doing more than anyone thought possible. I couldn't imagine going through life saying, ''Let's not get carried away.'' It's professional sports, son. Let's get carried away. It's not the insurance business. It's OK to get fired up.--Richard]