How good is our offense, really?

NBT · #1 12-07-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I think our O-Line has improved alot from game #1. I think the Gibbs cut zone scheme is taking hold. Briesel for an undrafted guy gets better each week, and he really seems to be making blocks on the second level. I think the majority of big runs are behind him and Winston.

Briziel was one of the specific ones I was referring to. On one play in the GB game, Braziel starts to get into the passblocking stance, but the defensive tackle gave him such a two hand jolt it knocked him partway back into Schaub. If you are an Olineman you have to be strong enough on top to absorb blows like that and maintain balance.

gunn · #2 12-07-2008, 09:38 PM

Its about being physical up front on both offense and defense. Thats my issue with this team and the way they appear to be constructing it... they're not big or physical on the offensive line nor are they at any level of the defense.

The two most physical players on this team are Andre Johnson and Mario Williams and to me, their physical nature has a noteworthy impact in each game.

If you lack the ability to dominate up front your team is going to struggle scoring and preventing touchdowns in the redzone and just controlling the tempo of the games in general.

NBT · #3 12-08-2008, 02:27 PM

The Texans were 549 yds good in 3 degree weather yesterday. If they could only stop the sensless turnovers, they would be contending for the division (or at least would have).

edo783 · #4 12-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Turnovers have at a minimum cost us two wins. Win those two and we are seriously in the hunt. Now we need a ten miracles type of finish to the season to have any chance (not gona happen). The offense seems to be pretty darn good and even outstanding at times, but the turnovers kill us every time. Add that to a defense that has had problems holding folks to less than 30 points and it is a recipe for a bad season.

barrett · #5 12-08-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBT

The Texans were 549 yds good in 3 degree weather yesterday. If they could only stop the sensless turnovers, they would be contending for the division (or at least would have).

Agreed. It was the most yards given up by GB at home since the 1980s. Our offense is plenty good if it does not give the ball away.

Joshua · #6 12-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrett

Agreed. It was the most yards given up by GB at home since the 1980s. Our offense is plenty good if it does not give the ball away.

I agree that on Sunday our offense was good enough if you take away the turnovers. My only point was that before Sunday, we struggled mightily in both short yardage (only my opinion, no stats to back it up) and long yardage (0 for 29 on 3rd and 9 or longer) situations.

I guess the point I was trying to make was that I found it odd that we were a top 5 offense, but both our short yardage and long yardage success is not only not top 5, but arguably one of the worst in the league. While I haven't looked it up, I doubt any other team in the league had failed to convert a single 3rd and long through week 14. I also doubt few teams have struggled as much as the Texans in short yardage situations (I'm thinking of the several 3rd and 1s, 4th and 1s, and goalline stances where we have gotten stoned). I mean, I think we're well below average in both of these categories, which is peculiar for an offense that has put up the numbers we have.

papabear · #7 12-09-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

I agree that on Sunday our offense was good enough if you take away the turnovers. My only point was that before Sunday, we struggled mightily in both short yardage (only my opinion, no stats to back it up) and long yardage (0 for 29 on 3rd and 9 or longer) situations.

I guess the point I was trying to make was that I found it odd that we were a top 5 offense, but both our short yardage and long yardage success is not only not top 5, but arguably one of the worst in the league. While I haven't looked it up, I doubt any other team in the league had failed to convert a single 3rd and long through week 14. I also doubt few teams have struggled as much as the Texans in short yardage situations (I'm thinking of the several 3rd and 1s, 4th and 1s, and goalline stances where we have gotten stoned). I mean, I think we're well below average in both of these categories, which is peculiar for an offense that has put up the numbers we have.

short yardage has been an issue at times...I think getting stopped on three straight carries from the 1 recently magnified it....although I didn't like the play calling there. Green got most of those carries, and I'm surprised that we haven't seen Sapp in a short yardage situation since Green did his trick. I don't think we've been that bad overall in short yardage....we've just struggled at key times making it seem worse over all.

3rd and long numbers are bad, but the fact is the league average isn't that great in 3rd and long. 0'fer isn't going to get it done, but it's probably not as bad as it sounds. Definitely needs improvement.

papabear · #8 12-09-2008, 02:10 PM

One thing I have noticed over the last few weeks is that our bootlegs/roll outs never seem to catch anybody off guard. With Schaub (or choppa) at QB we're not exactly looking for the run, but it seem a defender to the roll out side is right there with the QB every time. Now if a team is playing sound defense then there should be someone there to protect against a roll out, but you would expect to catch them off guard occasionally.

I haven't gone back and tracked all of our plays, but I am beginning to wonder if Kubiak/baby shan have fallen a little to in love with the bootleg. There are definite advantages to it, but you are also cutting the field basically in half. If the others team is ready for it you have really limited your options. I wonder if teams have picked up on a down and distance situation tendency in our play calling. Nothing more than a guess, but I think we might be getting into too much of a good thing territory.

We are, despite what Kubiak might want/try to do, a team that sets up the run with the pass. The running game has been great with Slaton toting the ball. You could make a case though, that all the play action and bootlegs are working in reverse to hold the linebackers in coverage a half a step longer before filling against the run. I just worry that we're a little to predictable right now.

coloradodude · #9 12-08-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBT

The Texans were 549 yds good in 3 degree weather yesterday. If they could only stop the sensless turnovers, they would be contending for the division (or at least would have).

I agree with this entirely. I'm so shocked at how well they did in total yardage that I refuse to offer any critcism until the season is over. I wonder how if Jacoby has the special teams coaches eye?

See, no criticism. Loving concern.

NBT · #10 12-09-2008, 11:58 AM

Jacoby is just.......well, Jacoby. He has two punts returned for TDs, then he up and pulls a high school Harry stunt like letting the ball play him, and having to jump for it to make up for not following it properly. He ends up flubbing it, and incurring the wrath of Kubiak.