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.

[Arky]

Video: the Odd Couple discuss the softness deal

[Joshua]

Wow. I think every radio station this morning was discussing this. It's amazing how one offhand comment by one guy (who everyone complaining about it insists doesn't matter) can generate so much discussion. Just a sign of the times I suppose with the media proliferation we have now. When you have several sports talk shows and internet sites and a dozen sports channels on TV, you gotta talk about something I guess.

I don't understand why his comment is considered new or novel. Haven't people been talking about the Texans lack of toughness for years? At the end of the day, toughness is probably a little overrated. IMO, what toughness does do is help cover up some of your deficiencies. If you're really talented, you don't have to be the toughest team on the block. However, if you're not talented, a little extra toughness can cover this up and may allow you to win a couple of games you otherwise would not have won.

Historically, the Texans have been neither incredibly talented nor tough. Hence, our godawful franchise record. We'll see what this year holds.

[Keith]

Joshua, agreed, space filler stuff.

But I'll add my own fuel here, lol... Outside of Angry Dre, I bet I can name two of the next few toughest players on most of our minds from the past couple seasons. And guess what... these two are NOT on the 2011 roster. They have in fact gone to play for what is regarded as one of the 'toughest' teams in the league - - the Ravens.

Of course, I'm referring to Bernard Pollard and Vonta Leach.

Pollard's position has been upgraded by Danieal Manning, and while losing Leach sucks, Lawrence Vickers seems like a viable replacement. Still, the defense is going to need guys like Cushing, Mario, DeMeco and now the two new guys Joseph and Manning to give this team a new league-wide perception of their toughness.

[NBT]

In our case a little more toughness, especially on defense, is what is going to get us to that next level........and more.

[HPF Bob]

Nice to know that, with Pollard a Raven, we'll know exactly how to beat him. OD on a deep post.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by 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 .

weren't we like the best in the NFL on 3rd and short last year?

And toughness is hugely overrated. Those Baltimore Ravens may be the toughest, but they get knocked out of the playoffs every year. The superbowl champs of the last 10 years do not read like a who's who of tough guys. I'd call maybe 4 of the 10 "tough" teams while I would call 10 of the 10 great teams.

So I am more worried about the texans being good/great than some unmeasureable tough guy tag loved by armchair fans/talking heads/loud former players with no analysis to offer.

[nunusguy]

I think "toughness" is more code for a team which has an inabiltiy to "finish" a game, i. e., consistanly win the close ones in the 4th quarter.
Nobody ever labeled NE a physical team but neither are they said to lack toughness, but they have been the most winning NFL francise in the 21st century. Texans just need to win baby, win, and Lombardi and others will stop saying they lack toughness.

[NBT]

Well it seemed last year that either the offense started off slow in the first half, or the defense broke down in the last quarter to lose several games.