Official Texans vs. Dolphins Thread, 10/12/2008

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by barrett

I like Kubiak, but he is a bad gameday coach. I think he prepares guys well, inspires loyalty in both his staff and players, and has a good football mind. However, he is just plain bad in terms of gameday stuff. And I don't think it's just something that will get better. It may be a step back, some time as an assistant, and another go before he figures those things out. I fear we may have hired a good coach before he became good.

I agree with part of this. I don't think our guys are terribly well prepared. We get pantsed every week at least once. I knew the Dolphins would have a Wildcat wrinkle and I had little faith in our staff sniffing it out. Sure enough, reverse to Pennington with a wide open receiver for a TD. Granted, they had not run this play before, but our coaches are paid to get these guys prepared for any scenario. While I don't expect them to be perfect, when I can name a play or 2 in virtually every game where we simply didn't know what was going on, that's a bad trend.

The most inexcusable coaching blunder was on 4th down at the end of the half. Miami used a timeout but the refs gave it back because they stopped the clock to measure. However, once they blew the whistle, the clock starts running again, with about 40 seconds in the half (and about 20 on the play clock). Obviously, we should either force them to then use their timeout or run the play clock down. Instead, we snapped the ball with over 15 seconds on the play clock and just give them 15 extra seconds. Luckily, it didn't hurt us, but these types of blunders are ridiculous. I don't understand how I can pick this up sitting in Reliant's rafters but our coaching staff of 15 can't. It's just not a good gameday squad and will ultimately cost us games if they keep having 1-2 screw ups a game.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I agree with part of this. I don't think our guys are terribly well prepared. We get pantsed every week at least once. I knew the Dolphins would have a Wildcat wrinkle and I had little faith in our staff sniffing it out. Sure enough, reverse to Pennington with a wide open receiver for a TD. Granted, they had not run this play before, but our coaches are paid to get these guys prepared for any scenario.

The thing is I remember hearing them talk about something like that leading up to the game. It was Kubiak or one of the players. They knew at some point there would be a lateral to Pennington, and had at least discussed it.

I agree that it always seems to happen, and some of the gameday decisions are bad, but in this case it's even more frustrating because I know it was something that was discussed.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I agree with part of this. I don't think our guys are terribly well prepared. We get pantsed every week at least once. I knew the Dolphins would have a Wildcat wrinkle and I had little faith in our staff sniffing it out. Sure enough, reverse to Pennington with a wide open receiver for a TD. Granted, they had not run this play before, but our coaches are paid to get these guys prepared for any scenario. While I don't expect them to be perfect, when I can name a play or 2 in virtually every game where we simply didn't know what was going on, that's a bad trend.

The coaches had this covered, some player blew his coverage. I thought at the time it was Harrison, but McClain said he thought it was one of the LBs, all I know was I could see Harrison moving towards cutting off the sweep, and having that oh no moment when he realized it was a pass.

Blame that one on the players, not the coaches.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

The coaches had this covered, some player blew his coverage. I thought at the time it was Harrison, but McClain said he thought it was one of the LBs, all I know was I could see Harrison moving towards cutting off the sweep, and having that oh no moment when he realized it was a pass.

Blame that one on the players, not the coaches.

While I certainly agree with that to some extent, if the players are continually making mental mistakes, then it still comes back to the coaches in my opinion. That's great that the coaches supposedly prepared for it, but if they didn't practice it enough that the players on the field could recognize it, what's the point? The bottom line is, are the players prepared to the point that they are in position to make a play? Routinely, they are not.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Joshua

While I certainly agree with that to some extent, if the players are continually making mental mistakes, then it still comes back to the coaches in my opinion. That's great that the coaches supposedly prepared for it, but if they didn't practice it enough that the players on the field could recognize it, what's the point? The bottom line is, are the players prepared to the point that they are in position to make a play? Routinely, they are not.

You just described the trouble with a young team. The players do not recognize things quick enough. And in the NFL, half a step is open. It hurts but that is why you have to play the younger guys, so they get enough reps and continue to grow.