Official Texans @ Jaguars Game Thread, 9/16/2012

[barrett]

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I think this last bit is important. The team really hasn't shown anything offensively. Every play they've run, every blocking scheme they've used, every single one, the league already knows they use. It's preseason scheming but with the starters in almost the whole way. Sunday will show us all something.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

[nunusguy]

And I figured a close game with the Jags pulling out the upset. This morning it seems apparent that the Texans will run the table on the division schedule, but I won't go there with my ability to misfire on predictions.
If JJ Watt was the most impressive defensive player on the field in Jacksonville yesterday, who's to deny that Ben Tate wasn't the most impressive offensive player out there ? He showed off his raw speed with that 25-yard TD run to the outside that was called back, and then displayed his burst and power and determination with that 8-yard TD-run up the middle. And Ben also showed-off some sweet hands on a couple of pass-receptions from Schaub.
After yesterdays game the only mystery seems to be what's going on at right guard in the Texans' OLine ? Was rookie Jones filling in so Caldwell could just get a blow with the heat and humidity in FLA, was he nicked up for awhile, are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, or are they grooming Jones to take over the starting RG position at some point during the 2012 ? And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

[barrett]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

And I figured a close game with the Jags pulling out the upset. This morning it seems apparent that the Texans will run the table on the division schedule, but I won't go there with my ability to misfire on predictions.
If JJ Watt was the most impressive defensive player on the field in Jacksonville yesterday, who's to deny that Ben Tate wasn't the most impressive offensive player out there ? He showed off his raw speed with that 25-yard TD run to the outside that was called back, and then displayed his burst and power and determination with that 8-yard TD-run up the middle. And Ben also showed-off some sweet hands on a couple of pass-receptions from Schaub.
After yesterdays game the only mystery seems to be what's going on at right guard in the Texans' OLine ? Was rookie Jones filling in so Caldwell could just get a blow with the heat and humidity in FLA, was he nicked up for awhile, are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, or are they grooming Jones to take over the starting RG position at some point during the 2012 ? And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

I agree that about Tate. I'd say that was the best game of football he's played. He looked light years better as a receiver than last year. And I loved how often they rotated him and Foster to keep them fresh and the defense worn out.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

And I loved how often they rotated him and Foster to keep them fresh and the defense worn out.

When I checked the "weather.com" website yesterday for Jacksonville, it showed a 70 degree dew point with temps in the high 80s meaning a heat-index
well into the 90s and I was thinking it's good that the Texans practiced in that kind of weather here in Houston during the week before going to FLA to play the game and also that they have 2 very good backs they can rotate in that heat & humidity. And hey man, can you imagine what the Jags D felt like at the end of that game after being on the field for > 40 minutes ?

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, it was obvious by the end that the J-ville defense was gassed. And that's the danger when your offense keeps producing three-and-outs. Even the best defenses can wear down when they have to be on the field most of the day.

I think Jones is less of a project than Brooks. Most C's can transition to guard pretty quickly because, if anything, there's less to do. Instead of worrying about ducking your head and completing the snap before carrying out your blocking assignment, you get to just block. How easy is that?

I think we got some guys in the later rounds (Jones, Martin, Crick) who could turn out to be better pros than the pair we got in the third (Posey, Brooks) but the third-rounders had more upside so they got drafted sooner.

I said nothing in this thread about quarterback's dominant arms.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I said nothing in this thread about quarterback's dominant arms.

No, but you wanted to.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, ....... And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

The red highlighted is what I think thye are doing with Jones.

As for Brooks, the 46 man roster only leaves room for 7 OL to suit up, and because Jones can play 3 positions and Brooks only 1 at this point, Jones is getting the nod. Don't panic on Brooks yet they knew he was going to be a project.

We could see Brooks and Jones both starting at OG next year, with Meyer at the OC. So give the rooks the time they need.

Same thing goes for Posey, Martin has more game day positions he can play, so everyone just relax.

[popanot]

It was a dominating performance yesterday. That game could have been a 40+ point crushing if the Texans wanted it to be. With that sort of game it's hard to nitpick, but what hell, I'm going to anyway...

Small nitpick: Schaub's arm still concerns me some. He's never had great arm strength, but it still looks to me he's lacking some zip (or less than he's ever had). Granted, they haven't had many long pass plays, but his zip and accuracy is definitely something to keep an eye on. Again, small nitpick.

Big nitpick: Our special teams are awful. It still feels like Holliday is an accident waiting to happen, and the penalties in the return game are getting ridiculous. Coverage teams were slightly better yesterday, at least. The kicking game is still somewhat weak. Wish we had Anger. That kid can boot it. Anyway, Kubiak should tell Marciano he has one game to correct the ST coverage and return issues or be replaced.

[popanot]

Let me clarify my comment re: Schaub's accuracy... His short-to-mid range accuracy has been really good, IMO. I think most of his incompletions have been due to drops by the receiver. It's the few long range attempts he's had that seem off and that's what I was referring to. Again, small concern - and maybe he's just playing it safe rather than having that 'bonehead moment' against inferior opponents.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

Like the Double move to Lestar Jean that resulted in a PI call?

Our offense has never struggled to produce explosive plays, and we have blown out two teams that may not be good, but both looked 10xs worse when they played us.

Kubiak is a by the books guy and there are times that frustrates me. When he is helping us win games by 20 points is not when I wish he's take more chances.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

Like the Double move to Lestar Jean that resulted in a PI call?

Our offense has never struggled to produce explosive plays, and we have blown out two teams that may not be good, but both looked 10xs worse when they played us.

Kubiak is a by the books guy and there are times that frustrates me. When he is helping us win games by 20 points is not when I wish he's take more chances.

Jean's PI came in middle 4th quarter when the score was 24-7 and resulted in a 21-yard gain. Schaub's longest completion was 18 yards (short pass to Foster YAC'ed to 18). I'd just to see like to see a few more of the "explosive plays" we are so good at per game. That is all.

But so far, the results have been great (W's). I don't think the better defenses in the league will fall so easily , though. Can the Texans just flip the switch and turn it on against the better defenses? I guess we'll see. Denver should be a good test.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

Jean's PI came in middle 4th quarter when the score was 24-7 and resulted in a 21-yard gain. Schaub's longest completion was 18 yards (short pass to Foster YAC'ed to 18). I'd just to see like to see a few more of the "explosive plays" we are so good at per game. That is all.

But so far, the results have been great (W's). I don't think the better defenses in the league will fall so easily , though. Can the Texans just flip the switch and turn it on against the better defenses? I guess we'll see. Denver should be a good test.

Miami and Jacksonville were both top half defenses last year and likely will be this year. Miami held Oakland to 13 on Sunday. The same things that worked against these defenses will work against most of the defenses in the NFL.

And the PI against Jean occurred off of a double move. Aaron Ross bit and grabbed jean to avoid the TD. So the foul occurred where he grabbed him, not 10+ yards downfield where the ball landed. It was the exact double move and deep ball you said you wanted.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

Miami and Jacksonville were both top half defenses last year and likely will be this year. Miami held Oakland to 13 on Sunday. The same things that worked against these defenses will work against most of the defenses in the NFL.

I'll need to see it against Green Bay, Baltimore and the NY Jets to become a believer. Detroit, Denver and New England will also be good tests.

And the PI against Jean occurred off of a double move. Aaron Ross bit and grabbed jean to avoid the TD. So the foul occurred where he grabbed him, not 10+ yards downfield where the ball landed. It was the exact double move and deep ball you said you wanted.

Great! More, More!

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I'll need to see it against Green Bay, Baltimore and the NY Jets to become a believer. Detroit, Denver and New England will also be good tests.



Great! More, More!

Green bay, Jets, Denver, and Detroit are no better on defense than Jacksonville. But even so, I hope they're successful in those games. As for now, we're averaging 28.5 point per game and we did whatever we wanted offensively against Jacksonville.