Who In the Hell is Next Man Up Now?

[barrett]

That might pull me back from the edge. Of course if he makes us good enough to almost win a playoff game only to rosencopter it away in the end, it might push me over the edge.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by barrett

That might pull me back from the edge. Of course if he makes us good enough to almost win a playoff game only to rosencopter it away in the end, it might push me over the edge.

I'm with ya. I did some googling, and even though he's a vested vet, he would still be subject to waivers, since its past the trade deadline. An team could put in a claim to him that is higher than us in priority.

Wouldn't that be a Bud Adams move? Sage would be cheap, relatively speaking, and he could block the move just to stick it to us one more time.

[Roy P]

Does anybody know where J.D. Booty is these days?

[chuck]

It's funny, barrett is standing on the precipice of the abyss glumly contemplating infinite darkness while I am radiant with a zen-like calm.

How often does that happen?

[barrett]

It's not much fun chuck. But I'm like you, I'm looking for superbowls, not moral victories from playoff berths. And I see how good this team could be healthy, and it kills me we are missing this chance. How long will Andre be Andre? How many guys will we lose to FA?

[chuck]

No, I know. It has been very, very frustrating for me to watch this team underachieve for years due largely in my view to incompetent leadership. Suddenly the team is as talented as any other, (far) more talented than most, and the leadership's incompetence has cooled from white-hot to a cheerful amber. And then true disaster strikes. Twice. (Five times, really, but who's counting?)

But now, rather than watch an organization underachieve we're hoping that certain players find a way to overachieve. And who the hell knows, maybe they will. Maybe the team collectively will overachieve. It seems very unlikely that the Texans can win a playoff game with a fifth round rookie playing quarterback, but who knows, maybe TJ is one of those increasingly rare guys who can actually play the position in the NFL.

But I am worlds calmer watching a good team try to overachieve in a challenging situation than I ever was watching a slapdick team slapdick around for sixty minutes a week. TJ has six weeks to figure out how to quarterback in the NFL. Is that enough? Of course not. But I saw some encouraging fearlessness in that two-minute drive so I am certainly holding out hope.

[popanot]

Let's all catch our breath for moment...... Whew, that was nice... I for one am not ready to sing gloom and doom or throw in the towel. Actually, I felt all along Yates was the better option and would eventually take over the starting role - even with a healthy Leinart - once he had time to work in some first-team practice reps and the coaches had time to see check-down Charley, er Leinart, in action.

I firmly believe Yates knows the playbook by now and can run this offense. It's just a matter of can he read what the defense is doing and be able to adjust accordingly relative to the speed of the game. I had the same questions about Leinart and nothing has convinced me since he's been here that he'd do any better than Yates. At least Yates gives us someone with a decent arm and that can move out of the pocket and scramble if need be. He also removes any that left-handed BS where they have to flip-flop their roll-outs and blocking schemes, etc. Honestly, I'm hoping he can inject some enthusiasm after the downer of losing Schuab and play a similar game to what Ponder has done in Minnesota since taking over for McNabb, only, the Texans having a much better supporting cast (and I like to believe a better coaching staff).

I'm hoping for these first couple of games Yates can cram in what he needs and Kubiak can device a game plan that provides him some security outlets, in addition to our D and ST helping out with some timely stops and good field position. After these first couple games, as long as he comes out healthy (knock on wood), I think he'll be OK as along as he doesn't try to be a hero. And I like our chances in the playoffs if the Texans can hold on and manage a bye or a home game. A rookie having some success in the playoffs is not unheard of.

As for Rosenfels, I'd definitely like us to get him. I think he's a much better option than Clemens as a backup or potential starter if Yates falters. But again, he hasn't had any quality playing time in 2 years and he hasn't practiced at all or he's been fairly limited this year. Is he really a better starting option than Yates at this point? Sorry, I just can't get excited about Favre. That last year in Minny convinced me he was done and no longer had the game to be successful. He was a sack and INT machine - even worse than what he was already.