View Full Version : Official Texans @ Ravens Game Thread, 10/16/2011
Keith
10-16-2011, 01:15 PM
Discuss today's game action in this thread.
No Holliday this week (http://blog.houstontexans.com/2011/10/16/texans-ravens-inactives-lineup-changes-2/):
BALTIMORE — Hot off the presses, here are inactives and lineup changes for the Texans’ Week 6 game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Texans inactives
13 QB T.J. Yates
16 WR Trindon Holliday
26 CB Brandon Harris
61 G Thomas Austin
66 T Andrew Gardner
80 WR Andre Johnson
86 FB James Casey
Texans starting lineup changes
Jacoby Jones will start at wide receiver for Andre Johnson. Lawrence Vickers will start at fullback for James Casey.
Ravens inactives
22 CB Jimmy Smith
25 CB/RS Chris Carr
28 S Tom Zbikowski
66 G Ben Grubbs
71 T Mark LeVoir
83 WR Lee Evans
94 OLB Sergio Kindle
Ravens starting lineup changes
Torry Smith will start at wide receiver for Lee Evans. Andre Gurode wills tart at left guard for Ben Grubbs.
chuck
10-16-2011, 03:02 PM
No Holliday this week (http://blog.houstontexans.com/2011/10/16/texans-ravens-inactives-lineup-changes-2/):
So much for going for broke this week.
Texans win the toss and will receive.
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Dump off to KW gets about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Foster slips down for no gain. 3rd and 8 coming up.
Pass over the middle to KW good for about 11 and a 1st down.
Screen to AF gets blown up, pass is inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Foster for about 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.
Pass to Mason complete for about 12 and a 1st down. Ball at the Texan 47.
Tate for 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Schaub is sacked by Lewis -7. 3rd and 15 coming up.
Foster gets the 1st down on the delay! 16 yards. Ball at the Raven 42.
Flat pass to Foster is dropped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Pass over the middle to BJ is too tall, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.
Pass to OD over the middle is off the mark, inc. Texans have to punt.
Nice punt by Hartmann is downed inside the Raven 5 at the 3.
9:55 left in the 1st quarter.
barrett
10-16-2011, 03:22 PM
What wasn't grounding about that play?
Rice for about 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.
Pass to Boldin is good for about 16 and a 1st down. Ball at the Raven 23.
Pass to Smith gets another nice gain. Ball at the Raven 37.
Flag presnap. Offside Ravens -5. Makes it 1st and 15.
Rice for about 5 or 6. Makes it 2nd and 9.
Pass over the middle to Rice gets good yards to the Texan 47. 1st down.
Pass to Boldin gets about 12 and another 1st down.
Whoa, Flacco is sacked by throws it away at the last minute - ruled inc.
On 2nd and 10, Rice gets about 1 or 2. 3rd and 9 coming up.
Flacco hits Boldin for the 1st down at the Texan 22.
Pass to Rice gets 9 and Texan 12. 2nd and 1 coming up.
Leach gets about 3 and the first down.
Pass to Dickson goes to the 1 yard line.
Leach just short of the goal line. Flags down. Unnecessary roughness on A Smith, 1/2 the distance.
Rice is gummed up for no gain. Ball at the 1 foot line. 2nd and goal.
Rice is stopped short. Flags down again. A Smith again. Auto first down at the 1.
Flacco sneaks for the TD.
Ravens 7, Texans 0
1:08 left in the 1st quarter.
Smith needs to keep his composure. Love the fire that guy plays with, but geez, 2 first downs inside the 1?
Kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texans ball at their 20.
Foster for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Foster for about 2 more. 3rd and 6 coming up.
End of the 1st quarter.
On 3rd and 6, pass to Mason gets about 12 and a 1st down. Ball at the Texan 36.
Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.
Schaub can't find a receiver and scrambles for about 3 up the gut. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to OD goes for the 1st down at midfield.
Pass to OD gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.
Foster for maybe 1. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass to JJ is underthrown, inc. Texans have to punt.
Punt is fair caught at the 11 by the Ravens.
11:07 left in the half.
barrett
10-16-2011, 03:42 PM
After 2 practices together schaub has more chemistry with mason than JJ.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 03:43 PM
Seems Schaub low on his passes quite often again
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 03:44 PM
Smith needs to keep his composure. Love the fire that guy plays with, but geez, 2 first downs inside the 1?
Best place to get a personal foul. I mean, how far can they push you back?
Whether we win or lose, we need to win the personal foul battle. We have to show we are not the pussies the bullies in this league think we are.
barrett
10-16-2011, 03:47 PM
Best place to get a personal foul. I mean, how far can they push you back?
Whether we win or lose, we need to win the personal foul battle. We have to show we are not the pussies the bullies in this league think we are.
I think winning convinces them of that. Losing and getting stupid penalties gets you laughed at. Smith needs to push the guy before the whistle.
Flag presnap. False start Raven -5. Makes it 1st and 15.
Pass in the flat is broken up by KJ, inc but flag on the play. Holding on KJ. 5 yards and an auto 1st down.
Flacco's pass sails inc in the flat. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Flacco is sacked at the 2! Jamison gets credit. 3rd and 19 coming up.
Pass to Smith on the sideline goes inc. Raven have to punt.
JJ brings the punt back to the Raven 46. About 5 yards on the return. Texans ball.
10:06 left in the half.
chuck
10-16-2011, 03:48 PM
After 2 practices together schaub has more chemistry with mason than JJ.
That's because Mason runs precise routes. That third down underthrow was all due to JJ who ran three yards beyond the first down marker rather than the one yard that Schaub expected.
Schaub can't find a receiver and throws it away. Flags on the play. Holding on Ravens (Lewis). 5 yard and an auto 1st down.
Tate gets 12. 1st down at the Raven 29.
Tate for 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Pass to Foster gets 1. 3rd and 7 coming up.
Pass to KW gets 6... Brings up 4th and 1, Texans to go for it.
Handoff to Foster...don't think he got it. Ravens takeover on downs.
barrett
10-16-2011, 03:57 PM
Refs are killing us.
7:33 remaining in the half.
Rice for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Rice for 3. 3rd and 6 coming up.
Flacco sack/fumble! Jamison! Texans ball at the Raven 17.
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 03:59 PM
Jamison with the trifecta - sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery. Cool.
Foster for 6. Ball at the Raven 11. 2nd and 4 coming up.
Tate gets 5 and the 1st down. 1st and goal at the Raven 6.
Tate fumbles at the 2, ball goes into the endzone but Wade Smith falls on it for the TD!
Texans 7, Raven 7
4:48 left in the half.
barrett
10-16-2011, 04:01 PM
The fumblerooski is our best redzone play of the last 2 weeks.
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 04:05 PM
The big uglies got the points for us.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 04:08 PM
Nice to see all the pressure being put on Flacco
barrett
10-16-2011, 04:11 PM
Shocking they picked up the flag.
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 04:12 PM
Harbaugh (SF) and Schwartz (Det) got into a shoving match after the game. I'll enjoy hearing what that was all about.
Low kickoff by Hartmann is fielded by an upman and brought back to the Raven 31.
Flacco pressured by Barwn throws inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Timeout Ravens. 4:38 left in the half.
--------------------
On 2nd and 10, quick pass to Rice gets about 7. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Pass to Smith gets about 5 and the 1st down but flag on the play. Refs rule no foul on offensive PI.
Pass over the middle to Boldin gets about 14 and a 1st down.
Pass to Pitta goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up at the Texan 42.
Pass to Rice gets good yardage to the Texan 24.
Pass into the endzone is complete but too long, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Rice is TFL'ed by A Smith -1. 3rd and 11 coming up.
2 minute warning.
On 3rd and 11, pass to Pitta too long, inc. Ravens to go for the FG.
Cundiff's 43-yarder is good.
Ravens 10, Texans 7
1:50 left in the half.
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Schaub hits KW for 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.
Flags presnap. False start on Winston, makes it 2nd and 6.
Schaub can't find a receiver and goes down -6 yards. 3rd and 12 coming up.
Texans call a timeout. 43 seconds left in the half.
--------------
On the 3rd and 12, pass to Foster is dropped, inc. Texans have to punt.
Reed fair catches at the Raven 39. 31 seconds left in the half.
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 04:22 PM
Curious use of a timeout. Seems like we are trying to get to halftime rather than trying to score points.
How about an INT?
Pass is tipped and picked by JJo! Texans ball at their 34.
Pass to JJ goes for big gain. Ball at the Raven 45. Timeout Texans.
--------------
Flag presnap. False start Dreessen. Makes it 1st and 15 at midfield.
Dump off to Foster goes for nice gain, 8 yards. Makes it 2nd and 7 with 8 seconds left.
Schaub throws it away with 3 seconds left.
Timeout Ravens.
----------------
Hail Mary gets knocked down, inc.
Halftime.
Score remains:
Ravens 10, Texans 7
barrett
10-16-2011, 04:25 PM
Barwin appears to have taken personal responsibility for Mario being out.
Jjoe continues to make plays on the ball. The pick wasn't even his guy....impressive!
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 04:26 PM
We need to throw something to Mason here. That will cause some teeth-gnashing.
Halftime stats:
Passing: Schaub 11/19, 94 yards
Rushing: Foster 9/32, Tate 5/26
Receiving: KW 4/28, Mason 2/23, OD 2/13, Foster 2/9, JJ 1/21
Tackles: Manning 6, Reed 4, JJo/Cush/GQ 3 each, Jamison/KJ/Watt 2 each
Time of possession: Texans 15:42, Ravens 14:18
Turnovers: Texans 0, Raven 2
3rd down conversions: Texans 5/10, Ravens 2/5
Redzone: Texans 1/1, Ravens 1/1
Total yards: Texans 142, Ravens 133
Penalties: Texans 5/15, Ravens 3/15
Ravens bring the 2nd half kickoff back to their 23.
Rice goes right side for big gain. Flag on the play. No facemask is the ruling. Gain of 18.
Flacco nearly sacked, gets it off to Rice for gain of 11, 1st down.
Pass to Boldin gets 12, 1st down at the Texans 36.
Rice for 1 or 2. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Rice goes left side for about 5. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Pass sails inc. Ravens to go for the FG on 4th and 4.
Cundiff's 48-yarder is good.
Ravens 13, Texans 7
11:46 left in the 3rd quarter.
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Pass to KW good for 20.
Dump off to Foster goes to the Raven 44. Gain of 16.
Tate for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Tate for about 5. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Schaub nearly sacked, gets it off for short gain to JJ and a 1st down. Ball at the Raven 32.
Eheh, pass to JJ in the endzone is complete for the TD!
Texans 14, Ravens 13
8:36 left in the 3rd quarter.
barrett
10-16-2011, 04:57 PM
I love being wrong about JJ right now. Now just keep using him on gos and drags and don't ask him to be precise.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 04:59 PM
Hehe, give that Schaub to JjJ crediit for a couple good plays and TD on that drive in 3rd quarter even, ok more defense.
I love being wrong about JJ right now. Now just keep using him on gos and drags and don't ask him to be precise.
It's the only thing he's good at and I can't understand why they don't do it (or at least try) more often...
Ravens bring the kickoff back to their 19.
Rice for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.
Pass to Pitta gets about 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.
Flags presnap. Delay of game -5. Makes it 3rd and 13 coming up.
Pass to Smith goes for nice gain and a 1st down at the Raven 36.
Flacco's deep pass is complete to Smith at the Texan 13. 50 yards.
Rice for 6. 2nd and 4 at the Texan 7.
Pass to Boldin gets 2. 3rd and 2 coming up.
Rice TFL -1. Ravens to go for the FG.
Cundiff's 25-yarder is good.
Ravens 16, Texans 14
3:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
barrett
10-16-2011, 05:07 PM
That long smith pass looked like a drop.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 05:12 PM
Yep, it did hit the ground. Another to JJ.
barrett
10-16-2011, 05:13 PM
And there is the drag from JJ. Smart use of what he does well after trying to use him like AJ last week.
Let's get 7, boys....
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Schaub gets sacked -6. 2nd and 16 coming up.
Pass to JJ gets 18 and a 1st down.
Tate for about 1. Brings up 2nd and 9.
Schaub's pass to Dreessen in the flat goes inc. Makes it 3rd and 9.
Pass to JJ in the flat goes inc. Texans have to punt.
Hartmann's punt goes out of bounds at the Raven 34.
Flacco's deep pass to Boldin is complete to the Texan 10. 56 yards. 1st and goal at the 10.
Rice TFL -5 by Cush. 2nd and goal at the 15.
End of the 3rd quarter.
Pass to Leach goes inc. 3rd and goal at the 15 coming up.
Flacco, pressured, throws it inc. Ravens to go for the FG.
Cundiff's 33-yarder is good.
Ravens 19, Texans 14
14:41 left in the game.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 05:27 PM
Two weeks in a row our defense has forced four FGs. Now we need morev second half offense points. Not much on the ground.
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Foster for about 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.
Dump off to Foster goes for about 15 and a 1st down.
Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Schaub's deep pass to JJ goes inc. but they're going to get the Raven for holding (PI). 5 yards and an auto 1st down.
Tate carries for about 7. Ball at the Raven 49. 2nd and 3 coming up.
Foster gets about 8 but flag on the play. Defensive offside is declined. 1st down at the Raven 39.
Foster for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Schaub gets rid of it as he's being hit, inc. Makes it 3rd and 9 coming up.
Schaub calls a timeout.
On 3rd and 9, pass to Foster is broken up, inc. Texans have to punt.
Hartmann's punt goes into the endzone, touchback. Ravens ball at their 20.
Rice gets about 8 or 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.
Rice for 13 and a 1st down.
Rice for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.
Flacco's pressured, throws it inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.
Pass to Rice goes over his head. Ravens have to punt.
JJ fair catches at the Texan 14. Texans ball with 8:52 left in the game.
Dump off to Foster gets about 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.
Foster for 1. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Timeout Texans, #2.
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Schaub is sacked and fumbles but the Texans recover. Texans have to punt.
Reed brings the punt back to the Raven 33.
6:38 left in the game.
R Williams for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.
Pass to Bolding good to the Raven 49, 12 yards and a 1st down.
Pass to Dickson good for 12 and another 1st down.
Rice for 7. 2nd and 3 coming up.
Rice runs all the way to the Texan 4. 1st and goal for the Ravens.
Williams runs it in for the TD.
Ravens 26, Texans 14
4:01 left in the game.
barrett
10-16-2011, 05:50 PM
Leach ate up ryans on both of those runs.
Manning brings the kickoff back to the Texan 20.
Dump off to Foster gets 6. 3:47 left in the game. 2nd and 4 coming up.
Pass to KW goes inc. 3rd and 4 coming up.
Deep pass to KW is over his head inc. Texans to go for it on 4th and 4.
Pass to JJ gets 4 and the 1st down. Ravens to challenge the spot and it doesn't look good....
Oh BS. Bad review by the refs. Ravens ball at the Texan 26.
Rice for 1. Texans use the final timeout. 2nd and 9 coming up.
Rice for maybe 1. 3rd and 8 coming up.
Rice for 2. Cundiff on for the FG on 4th and 6.
2 minute warning.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 06:01 PM
Bad call on review, Jacobys. Right toe tapped field on cbs replay. Tough game.
barrett
10-16-2011, 06:02 PM
Pathetic call. I can see changing forward progress on the maybe bobble, but to say it doesn't touch, especially as an overturn, is truly awful.
Cundiff's 40-yard FG is good.
Ravens 29, Texans 14
1:55 left in the game.
barrett
10-16-2011, 06:05 PM
Is the afc north bringing their own officials when they play us?
Big Texas
10-16-2011, 06:07 PM
I have come to accept what I always knew...the offense is clearly NOT as good as everyone made them out to be...you can blame it on the Andre injury all you want but the truth is our offense is just not that good...dare I say our defense is better than the offense...and that's not saying much...
Kickoff goes out of the endzone so Texans ball at their 20.
Pass to Mason gets 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.
Pass to KW for 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.
Pass to Mason goes inc. Texans face 4th and 3.
Foster for 2 is short of the 1st down. Ravens takeover on downs. 1:17 left in the game.
Ravens kneeling it out.
Final score:
Ravens 29, Texans 14
Same results so far as last year, only reversed. The D is playing beautifully. The O is floundering. Well, the D did give up those long passes, but usually stiffened to only give up FGs. We have got to move the ball better.
Nconroe
10-16-2011, 06:13 PM
Singing the 4th quarter blues in another tough game.
Fonz the Boss
10-16-2011, 06:15 PM
Boy was I wrong about this game... Ravens put a double digit old school whopping on us. Terrible way to finish the 4th quarter. This game was competitive but the final score won't show it.
barrett
10-16-2011, 06:32 PM
Definitely not a whipping. We are down a score inside of 5 minutes. We just got beat by a better team today. The truth is that we played really well and caught some breaks in the turnover game just to be in this one (2 TO and one of ours turning into our own TD). I didn't see a 4th quarter collapse, I saw a shorthanded bunch hold it together with ducktape and twine for 3 and a half quarters before the better team won. We simply aren't winning at Baltimore without AJ.
As for our offense, I will make it all about AJ being out. The most interesting thing to me is how bad our running game has looked without him. the announcers today mentioned how Randy Moss's coaches talked about how he was worth 5o ypg in the run game just by standing on the field. Well, after 2 weeks, AJ is worth at least that much in the run game. Not to mention the more obvious value in the passing game.
We are not an elite passing offense. And we are also not an elite rushing offense. But when all hands are on deck we are probably the most well balanced team in the NFL. That is clearly our strength. How all the pieces fit and compliment each other. Without the lynchpin (AJ) we are seeing that the other players are complimentary and not guys who are just going to whip people in the 1-on-1 battles (our OL especially). So with a very mortal running game and nothing to scare anybody in the passing game, and an OL that struggles to protect on straight drop passes without the PA game working, and an imobile QB who is a sitting duck without the moving pocket that a great run game provides...
Add it all up and you have the 2011 Houston Texans. A team that should win between 6 and 10 games (most likely 6 with our coach). Add AJ back to the equation and you are looking at 9 wins minimum considering our remaining schedule. He is worth at least that much. He is our Peyton Manning and there should no longer be any doubt that he is worth more than any 2 of our other players.
TheMatrix31
10-16-2011, 07:09 PM
Perhaps Dennison is a problem? I don't know.
Coaches AND players are awful right now.
Front seven was AMAZING and the secondary blew. Walter and Jacoby were solid. I need to mention Cushing by name. That dude is a big game plaer.
HPF Bob
10-16-2011, 07:51 PM
We got through the wicked part of our schedule, battered and bruised but still a 1/2 game out of first. If we don't go 6-4 at least the rest of the way, we should fire the coaches and start over.
I'm also beginning to give up on Schaub as a playoff-caliber QB. He racks up the stats well but he always folds in the end. I'd love to sucker some other GM into giving up a pair of first-rounders for the guy then maybe flip all three for Andrew Luck if that's possible.
TheMatrix31
10-16-2011, 08:05 PM
We got through the wicked part of our schedule, battered and bruised but still a 1/2 game out of first. If we don't go 6-4 at least the rest of the way, we should fire the coaches and start over.
I'm also beginning to give up on Schaub as a playoff-caliber QB. He racks up the stats well but he always folds in the end. I'd love to sucker some other GM into giving up a pair of first-rounders for the guy then maybe flip all three for Andrew Luck if that's possible.
Here's a thought....
If we end up truly being dismayed of Schaub, and if St. Louis sucks enough to get the #1 pick, how about we try to pull off a deal for Bradford? I cant imagine any team can pass on Luck even if they have a QB. Like what happened in SD a few years ago. Trade Schaub to a team that needs a QB, get a pick or two, then flip them to St. Louis? I don't know. Just thinking "out loud"
nunusguy
10-16-2011, 08:33 PM
I thought Schaub played pretty well today, with a couple exceptions his accuracy seemed solid. Foster dropped 2 or 3 passes by himself. Speaking of Foster, I still think Tate is a better pure runner though not as versitile as Foster.
The Ravens don't have an outstanding offense, so it was disappointing that our defense folded on that last drive with 4 minutes when Rice was running crazy. When push comes to shove, apparently we still can't play with the big boys.
Hopefully there's no big boys in our division because we start our real intra-division competition next week in Nashville. No more margin for error guys.
TheMatrix31
10-16-2011, 08:38 PM
I thought Schaub played pretty well today, with a couple exceptions his accuracy seemed solid. Foster dropped 2 or 3 passes by himself. Speaking of Foster, I still think Tate is a better pure runner though not as versitile as Foster.
The Ravens don't have an outstanding offense, so it was disappointing that our defense folded on that last drive with 4 minutes when Rice was running crazy. When push comes to shove, apparently we still can't play with the big boys.
Hopefully there's no big boys in our division because we start our real intra-division competition next week in Nashville. No more margin for error guys.
Tennessee is a MUST win.
I thought Schaub played well. He got his ass beat but at least he didnt make any mistake throws or anything else. He was MUCH worse against Oakland.
Can't believe Foster missed a few of those catches. There were a couple other drops too.
Secondary was beat up badly. The reason the Ravens had success on the run later in the game was that they were abusing our secondary. Other than the latter stage of the game, the front seven was unbelievable. Especially against a "smash mouth" team like Baltimore.
I really, really hope Andre's back against Tennessee. If he plays, and he and the team start to get on a roll, then he needs to get MVP consideration.
Just some random thoughts:
1. It's been said (and I agree) Foster doesn't look 100%. I dunno, maybe 90%? I thought Tate was hitting the hole with more authority today... (note: I don't think Tate got any more carries after his fumble... maybe one or two?) I sure am getting tired of typing "Foster for 2" in the gameday threads...
2. D Manning and GQ led the team with tackles with 11 and 7, respectively. JJo also had 7. What's the saying? When your safeties lead the team in tackles, you've got problems. So, let's look at the linebackers: Reed had 6 tackles and Cush had 5 and I thought both played well. Barwin had just 2 tackles but had some pressures and 3 QB hits. DeMeco had 4 tackles. Sharpton had 2 tackles.
3. Secondary play was worse when it counted the most. Not sure why KJ got the whole game - did Allen even play? Cause he didn't make the stat sheet...
4. They lost a game no one thought they could win. They were in it for the longest time but couldn't take the reins and bring it home. Absolutely, positively have to beat the Titans next week....
chuck
10-16-2011, 11:05 PM
If this team had competent leadership it would be 6-0.
I get tired of beating this drum but the fact that the one long pass was plainly not a catch but no one in the Texans brain trust thought to challenge the call is absolutely appalling but sadly completely familiar.
On another note I was wistful tonight watching the Bears. They have two players that illustrate the habitual stupidity of the Texans: Julius Peppers and Amobi Okoye.
nunusguy
10-17-2011, 07:39 AM
They lost a game no one thought they could win. They were in it for the longest time but couldn't take the reins and bring it home. Absolutely, positively have to beat the Titans next week....
What happened yesterday is typical in a lot of games that are played in the NFL on Sundays. The superior team just matchs the competition stride for stride most of the game, and then at the end it turns loose it's "kick", pulls ahead and wins. Playing at Baltimore without Andre, no way we were gonna win that game. Now I'm still commiserating a bit about the Raiders game, because that's the one we should have won and might come back to bite us on the butt in the final W-L record for the division crown.
Anyway the season starts for real this Sunday in Nashville. And those other divisional road games to Indy and Jacksonville aren't gonna be easy either because they are starting to play the competition closer. If we lose next Sunday, guaranteed the "fire Kubiak" chant will be for real.
barrett
10-17-2011, 08:14 AM
If this team had competent leadership it would be 6-0.
I get tired of beating this drum but the fact that the one long pass was plainly not a catch but no one in the Texans brain trust thought to challenge the call is absolutely appalling but sadly completely familiar.
On another note I was wistful tonight watching the Bears. They have two players that illustrate the habitual stupidity of the Texans: Julius Peppers and Amobi Okoye.
On a connected note, it appears the Rams are trying to destroy Sam Bradford like we once destroyed David Carr. Not only is Bradford getting hit on almost every snap, he is starting to duck and scatter when he doesn't get hit.
TheMatrix31
10-17-2011, 08:22 AM
What happened yesterday is typical in a lot of games that are played in the NFL on Sundays. The superior team just matchs the competition stride for stride most of the game, and then at the end it turns loose it's "kick", pulls ahead and wins. Playing at Baltimore without Andre, no way we were gonna win that game. Now I'm still commiserating a bit about the Raiders game, because that's the one we should have won and might come back to bite us on the butt in the final W-L record for the division crown.
Anyway the season starts for real this Sunday in Nashville. And those other divisional road games to Indy and Jacksonville aren't gonna be easy either because they are starting to play the competition closer. If we lose next Sunday, guaranteed the "fire Kubiak" chant will be for real.
If we lose next Sunday, he should be fired before the sun goes down.
nunusguy
10-17-2011, 08:50 AM
If we lose next Sunday, he should be fired before the sun goes down.
But you don't really think McNair would do that do you ?
I would think that there's no way McNair would fire Kubiak before he'd be mathematically eliminated from a chance at the playoffs, and even then he'd probably wait until the season was over ?
TheMatrix31
10-17-2011, 09:17 AM
Probably not. Pretty much all teams generally wait until the end of the season anyway.
But going on a 3 game losing streak this early and losing to a divisional rival who, let's be honest, isn't very good....unacceptable.
barrett
10-17-2011, 09:24 AM
If AJ plays and is himself and we lose, put me out of my misery. If he doesn't play and we lose then don't kill me right away, just take my shoelaces.
chuck
10-17-2011, 09:56 AM
On a connected note, it appears the Rams are trying to destroy Sam Bradford like we once destroyed David Carr. Not only is Bradford getting hit on almost every snap, he is starting to duck and scatter when he doesn't get hit.
I've been monitoring that situation, yes.
We'll never know whether a non-shellshocked David Carr could have been a good NFL QB. Many think so, I think not. (I'm sure as hell nostalgic for his mobility right about now. And further, at least that idiot could complete a short pass fairly reliably.) But I am quite convinced that Bradford has the tools. It will be a shame if he gets his poise beaten out of him in St Louis.
Nconroe
10-17-2011, 01:56 PM
Wonder how the MRI on Schaub's hip went this morning. Scahub is getting knocked around plenty this last few weeks for sure.
HPF Bob
10-17-2011, 02:15 PM
Physically, Carr was one tough son of a gun. Bradford has always seemed a bit fragile to me.
As for a possible Kubiak firing, don't forget the Texans have a veteran former head coach on the sidelines now who has taken over teams at mid-season before although I really hope this doesn't happen. Wade Phillips isn't any better as head coach than Kubiak.
painekiller
10-17-2011, 02:55 PM
Definitely not a whipping. We are down a score inside of 5 minutes. We just got beat by a better team today. The truth is that we played really well and caught some breaks in the turnover game just to be in this one (2 TO and one of ours turning into our own TD). I didn't see a 4th quarter collapse, I saw a shorthanded bunch hold it together with ducktape and twine for 3 and a half quarters before the better team won. We simply aren't winning at Baltimore without AJ.
As for our offense, I will make it all about AJ being out. The most interesting thing to me is how bad our running game has looked without him. the announcers today mentioned how Randy Moss's coaches talked about how he was worth 5o ypg in the run game just by standing on the field. Well, after 2 weeks, AJ is worth at least that much in the run game. Not to mention the more obvious value in the passing game.
We are not an elite passing offense. And we are also not an elite rushing offense. But when all hands are on deck we are probably the most well balanced team in the NFL. That is clearly our strength. How all the pieces fit and compliment each other. Without the lynchpin (AJ) we are seeing that the other players are complimentary and not guys who are just going to whip people in the 1-on-1 battles (our OL especially). So with a very mortal running game and nothing to scare anybody in the passing game, and an OL that struggles to protect on straight drop passes without the PA game working, and an imobile QB who is a sitting duck without the moving pocket that a great run game provides...
Add it all up and you have the 2011 Houston Texans. A team that should win between 6 and 10 games (most likely 6 with our coach). Add AJ back to the equation and you are looking at 9 wins minimum considering our remaining schedule. He is worth at least that much. He is our Peyton Manning and there should no longer be any doubt that he is worth more than any 2 of our other players.
One of the best assessment I have read on the Texans.
TheMatrix31
10-17-2011, 07:11 PM
Yep. People say "if your team is based on one player, its not that good of a team."
No, Andre Johnson is just THAT good.
He's one of the best players I've ever seen in my life, and means THAT much to this offense.
chuck
10-17-2011, 09:28 PM
Yep. People say "if your team is based on one player, its not that good of a team."
No, Andre Johnson is just THAT good.
He's one of the best players I've ever seen in my life, and means THAT much to this offense.
Absolutely. Andre Johnson is a once in a lifetime player. We are very, very unlikely to see another wide receiver like Andre play for the Texans again.
I know you don't necessarily follow all the Houston teams but for those of us that do he is to me comparable to Hakeem and Bagwell in that regard.
And in all honesty that is a large percentage of the reason I sometimes get so bent out of shape with the Texans. I can take losing, I promise I can. I'm a lifelong Astros fan for god's sake. (Lifelong or until they get strongarmed into the AL...) I think it is tragic that the team lucked into this Hall of Fame lock (they were going to take McGahee until he got hurt, remember) and are going to waste his entire career due to staggering and aggressive incompetence at the top of the organization.
nunusguy
10-18-2011, 01:19 PM
People are starting to complain about Andre's injury in the context of "oh unlucky us", we are having our typical bad luck when our key player is out
(now reportedly 6 weeks). Hey, he's in his ninth year in the league and 30 years old. Durability and resilience falls off in the NFL by the time players hit the big three-o. He's been a tremendous player, best we've ever had, but his career can not go on indefinitely.
Nconroe
10-18-2011, 01:29 PM
I thought Andre was saying it is not yet 100% today but improving quickly.
Didn't close the door to playing this week although doubtful.
Six weeks was a maximum out time, not a most likely date as I was listening this morning to the live interview with Andre on 610.
This is his first hamstring injury, but he has been injured before and recovery time increases as one ages. He still looked pretty dominant up to this injury.
Injuries and referee calls seem to be the two bad luck excuses going around for the moment.
HPF Bob
10-18-2011, 03:30 PM
Saying AJ is the best player the Texans have ever had is like calling someone the best actress in a cheap movie. There hasn't exactly been a lot of excellence at Reliant Park.
And, Chuck, I echo the sentiments about the Astros. I just can't support an AL team, particularly the way this deal is going down.
chuck
10-18-2011, 08:25 PM
And, Chuck, I echo the sentiments about the Astros. I just can't support an AL team, particularly the way this deal is going down.
Well, whaddaya know, you and I finally find something we can agree wholeheartedly on. The whole thing disgusts me more than I can possibly express. I don't know what I'm going to do but if the Astros get pimped out to the AL to be Nolan's bitch I don't see how I can support that in any way.
And I'll just ad that AJ is a superior player no matter what sort of team he plays for.
TheMatrix31
10-19-2011, 02:06 AM
Saying AJ is the best player the Texans have ever had is like calling someone the best actress in a cheap movie. There hasn't exactly been a lot of excellence at Reliant Park.
And, Chuck, I echo the sentiments about the Astros. I just can't support an AL team, particularly the way this deal is going down.
Andre would be a HOF, all-time level player no matter what team he played for. Perhaps even moreso.
Joshua
10-19-2011, 09:28 AM
No doubt AJ is an incredible player who we have a hard time winning games without. However, just to play devil's advocate, we also seem to have a hard time winning games with him as well. Not sure what to make of this other than maybe even great WRs just don't impact winning that much. I think most would agree the best 2 WRs in football the last several years were probably the 2 Johnsons. Neither team has anything to show for it.
TheMatrix31
10-19-2011, 01:45 PM
Well, when Andre was in the lineup this year, Foster was out.
I don't think we've had Andre AND Foster for a full game so far.
Neither us or Detroit have anything to show for it but it s not exactly their fault. For Detroit, it's been Stafford being healthy to get him the ball. For us, it's been defensive woes.
Yes, Andre is the reason defenses are ganging up on the line of scrimmage daring us to run the ball. Which we can't do because we no longer have Vontae Leach for a lead blocker to take out that LB or DE. We made a mistake letting Vontae go, I think.
I would also draw your attention to the lockout period where I suggested we needed to strenthen our #2WR. I was poo-pooed yet again, but it has turned out to be I was right. With Andre out, they can double OD, and pay little, or no attention to JJ & Walter, because they are not anywhere near the threat that AJ is.
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