Official Texans vs. Cowboys Game Thread, 9/26/2010

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Obviously, the loss of Duane Brown hurts and could change some of the protection schemes if they think Butler needs help.

This should change the Game Plan. Who is our best blocking TE? We'll need to give Butler help by chipping a TE and Vonta for most of the game. We will need to run at Ware to set up the play-action. I'd expect to see some 3 TE sets in this game and less 3 WR sets. Can we run on Dallas and expect 4.5 ypc? Dallas has given up 3.0 ypc.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This should change the Game Plan. Who is our best blocking TE? We'll need to give Butler help by chipping a TE and Vonta for most of the game. We will need to run at Ware to set up the play-action. I'd expect to see some 3 TE sets in this game and less 3 WR sets. Can we run on Dallas and expect 4.5 ypc? Dallas has given up 3.0 ypc.

I think we can run on them well. We dominated up front in the preseason. Of course, I do realize the difference. However, we were winning the one on one matchups inside the game. Also, the Cowboys haven't played a good rushing offense yet. So, those numbers are likely skewed.

I doubt we go into the game with a plan to protect Butler. I think it's a good matchup for him... he has great feet and quickness. I'm more worried about the bull rush. I wonder how long until Ware realizes he needs to use that?

I do think Butler's presence will make it more difficult to run to the left. I would expect screens to the left and also that toss play where a WR or TE cracks back on the DE/OLB and the LT (Butler) pulls wide as the lead blocker. Other than that, I think we will be a right side dominate run team this week. Butler is excellent on the back side at the second level.

[TexicanMexican]

I think if Romo gets hit, a la Manning in the first game, he will press and commit timely errors.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by TexicanMexican

I think if Romo gets hit, a la Manning in the first game, he will press and commit timely errors.

I hope Okoye's ankle is better because the combination of a healthy Okoye and Earl Mitchell will be very difficult for the oversized interior line to handle- particularly in the passing game. There is simply no way that the combination of Doug Free, Mark Colombo, Leonard Davis, and Kyle Kosier can stand up to Antonio Smith, Mario Williams, healthy Amobi, Earl Mitchell on passing downs. Can't!

[TheMatrix31]

Have to admit, I'm not sure how to react to this "respect" we seem to be getting in the media. I usually like my teams flying under the radar.

Regardless, just win. Get it done. And don't make a miraculous second half a necessity again.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by Roy P

This should change the Game Plan. Who is our best blocking TE? We'll need to give Butler help by chipping a TE and Vonta for most of the game. We will need to run at Ware to set up the play-action. I'd expect to see some 3 TE sets in this game and less 3 WR sets. Can we run on Dallas and expect 4.5 ypc? Dallas has given up 3.0 ypc.

Dreeson would be the best bet for blocking. O.D. for routes and receiving. I DO think the TE will have to do some chipping on Ware or it will be a long afternoon for Schaub. I hope all these things have been studied out and prepared for by Kubiak and his staff.

[Nconroe]

On the other hand, so far this year Ware hasn't been that effective, or let's say just one sack so far, against Washington and Chicago, and he was playing against backup LT for Chicago as well. of course he has a great track record.

For now I think I might be more worried about our pass defense.

[edo783]

I expect ware to abuse our new LT unless he gets at a minimum a chip help from Vonta or one of the TEs. With the proper support, I think we will be "OK". Not perfect, but OK. Given a 3-4 second window, Matt will carve the Cowplops secondary and I thing Foster will be able to do reasonably well. We have our work cut out for us, but the opportunity is there.

[WMH]

From PFT:
Texans defensive end Antonio Smith added to injury report
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 25, 2010 1:33 PM ET
The Texans added starting defensive end Antonio Smith to the injury report on Saturday as questionable with an illness, according to ESPNDallas' Calvin Watkins.

A late addition to the injury report is never a good sign, but it's difficult to know how serious Smith's issue is. The seven-year veteran has two tackles and half a sack on the young season.

We're very interested to see how the Texans defense holds up on Sunday. As great and balanced as Houston's offense has looked this year, the defense has appeared to take a step back.

[chuck]

I'm nervous.

[Big Texas]

I definitely think we can win this hands down. I think we can actually blow them out. Only problem is, we can't take plays off. Shaub cannot make the casual pick early on. They cannot have any momentum. We have the home crowd behind us and we have to continue to apply the pressure. And by pressure I mean putting up points.

The only thing the has me concerned is the potential for them to run all over us. Without Cushing we are really light in the front seven. Over the hill Clinton Portis punched it up the gut on us for two separate TDs. We cannot let them find a running game against us. If they do. This will be a high scoring game. Bcuz our secondary is good for nothing.

Oh my god, Witten lined up on Pollard. Well at least he has had two good tests up until this point.