Official Texans vs. Steelers Thread, 9/07/2008

[popanot]

Gameday!!! Here's hoping Richard Smith can devise a plan that actually works and keeps the Steelers off-balance and out of the endzone. And here's hoping Slaton is everything we've been dreaming for and takes it to the house - preferably on numerous occasions! Oh, and everyone gets out healthy. Go Texans!!!!

[Arky]

Ah, yes, the long wait is over......

As Mills Lane would say, "Let's get it on!"...

[Nconroe]

looks like CBS will preview the game here in a couple minutes, as of 11:04. looking forward to it. Ok, all they covered is RB questions for both teams.

[HPF Bob]

Man, I'm so pumped to be able to finally watch the NFL in HD at home. I can see the holding calls and the blown coverages much better now.

[TheMatrix31]

Good to have you aboard, Bob.

Let's go Texans!

[Nconroe]

Did ya'll see the inactive list for Texans - FS Dominique Barber, LB Xavier Adibi, G Kasey Studdard, OT Rashard Butler, DT Tim Bulman, DE Earl Cochran, DT Frank Okam, DB Eugene Wilson.

we won the toss and receiving

[popanot]

4th and 1. Now that takes balls! ...... BS!!!!!!

[TheMatrix31]

I LOVE Kubiak's balls.

EDIT: TERRIBLE spot!

[HPF Bob]

Either the CBS yellow line is off or the Texans just got hosed twice on the spot.

[Arky]

Two bad spots in a row..

[popanot]

F'ing refs... !! They gave Anderson a crappy spot, and then totally screwed us with that last spot. Ridiculous!

[TheMatrix31]

Yeah, it BETTER be challenged.

[HPF Bob]

You knew the ref wouldn't overrule himself.

[TheMatrix31]

Ridiculous.

EDIT: Our defense looks horrendous. They're gonna pass all day.

[NBT]

Bad enough to have to play the STeelers in Pgh, but to have to fight the refs too, is plain BS!

[Arky]

Steelers 7, Texans 0

[Arky]

Ahman already out?

There he is........

[popanot]

Wtf??!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheMatrix31]

Hey, offensive line, ITS THE REGULAR SEASON!

[Big Texas]

I guess that doesnt look to good EWinston. After your big deal and all. Shaub just got drilled the previous play. And you let a Farrior come full steam. Not looking good.

[popanot]

We need a stop here it this could get real ugly. Even uglier than it is now.

[HPF Bob]

My bad. I should have picked the Steelers in the suicide contest. I picked the Lions and they are already behind, 14-0.

EDIT: Now, 21-0. To the Falcons. To a rookie QB making his first NFL start.

[TheMatrix31]

That's a BAD PI call.

These refs suck.

[Big Texas]

mario is lookin really good

[popanot]

Hate to say it, but it looks like we're in for an old fashion ass kicking today.

[HPF Bob]

Our D is getting torched.

[Big Texas]

I didnt expect us to win. But I didnt expect us to get blown out either. I wanna see DRyans wipe that smile off Hines Ward's face.

[popanot]

JesusHC... The middle is wide open for the Steelers. They could kill us day with that TE screen.

[Arky]

If they can keep it close, I like our chances in the 2nd half.....

Watch Pitt just burn some clock here....

Reeves missed the fumble.....

[popanot]

This is sad. We have no clue whatsoever on D.

[HPF Bob]

Um, sorry. A draw play is not "smash mouth". It works, though. 14-0 Pissburgh.

[TheMatrix31]

Pa-thetic.

Maybe we need to get our asses beat to wake up for the season. Shame that that even has to be done, but maybe thats what this is.

The offense needs to get in a groove here, although I'd like a quick hit for my mind to rest.

[Big Texas]

We are being outcoached on defense. Willie parker asside from the touchdown runs. He is averaged about 2 yards per carry. The run defense is doing really well. Big Ben is carving us up

[Big Texas]

Reeves missed the fumble.....

He always seems to be the main focus of a bad play. Scrub.

[popanot]

F'ing INT. This is getting embarrassing.

[TheMatrix31]

It's too early in the season for this crap.

[HPF Bob]

Guess we'll be drafting another d-lineman with our first round pick. :rolleyes:

[Arky]

Big Ben to Smiley Face - 6 pts.

Steelers 21, Texans 0

[TheMatrix31]

Guess we'll be drafting another d-lineman with our first round pick. :rolleyes:

How about someone in the secondary?

[Big Texas]

Our defense is seriously being outcoached.

[Big Texas]

The momemtum is just gone on our team. Our offense even looks unorganized. We need someone to pump up our team. Everyone just looks bad. Who are our captains. Where are they. Can anyone pump this team up.

[Arky]

There we go... :)

[HPF Bob]

Might as well put Sage in now. I think Schaub still has his bell rung from that sack in the first quarter.

[Big Texas]

what do you know. Our best two defensive players making something happen. Where is everyone else.

[TheMatrix31]

Good Job Demeco And Mario!

[Arky]

Might as well put Sage in now. I think Schaub still has his bell rung from that sack in the first quarter.

He's whacked out - out of sorts. Ditto on Sage..

[HPF Bob]

Geez, we get a turnover and we think we can power-run it in? :confused:

[Big Texas]

We are down 21 lets call another run play up the middle to a 400 pound pro bowler. That'll catchem off guard.

[TheMatrix31]

Terrible playcalling. Even worse execution.

[popanot]

The OL sucks and is getting manhandled. We're going backwards. We've got to be close to negative yards.

[HPF Bob]

No shutout but that was almost like a surrender drive.

[TheMatrix31]

Yay. A field goal.

[Arky]

Ahman 3 times for nothing. K Brown FG good.

Steelers 21, Texans 3

[Arky]

We are down 21 lets call another run play up the middle to a 400 pound pro bowler. That'll catchem off guard.

LOL

--------

[popanot]

Let's see if Mario can win this game for us.

[Arky]

Yeah! Sack by Mario!

Got some time left till half, c'mon Texans..

[TheMatrix31]

I love Mario.

Let's make something of this! I wish we got the ball @ the half.

[HPF Bob]

Dang, these Steelers can tackle. We play pat-a-cake and their guys wrap up and bring you down then and there.

[popanot]

Can someone please break a frickin' tackle??!! These guys are going down on the first hit.

[Big Texas]

Theres OD. It looks as though our passing game is so far superior to our run game. But we are trying to make the run game our strength. Right now we are down 21-3. Lets go with what works. F!@$E# the run. Screen passes and short routes will suffice for now.

[TheMatrix31]

Matt Schaub is pissing me off.

[Big Texas]

Shaub just gets rattled really easily.

[HPF Bob]

Well, at least we dinged up their quarterback.

[Big Texas]

If I were to take a guess at which game would be 21-3 at the half I would've picked NE and KC.

[Nconroe]

yuk, what a half. Mario and Diles looked ok on defense. We gotta do something to get Pittsburg from bringing everyone on pressure.

[Big Texas]

We know what to do. Everyone knows the best way to beat an aggressive defense is with the screen and quick passes.

But screens to Slaton, not Ahman.

[barrett]

That should have been far worse than 21-3. They are very lucky they are in the game (relatively).

Mario was great. The run defense was solid. Everything else was awful. I hope we see the offense get untracked and make a game of it in the 2nd half.

[Arky]

Halftime:

Steelers 21, Texans 3

Some dumb throws by Schaub. Defense is lookin' kinda clueless at times..

They gotta figure out a way to beat the blitz to get the pressure off of Schaub. It wouldn't hurt to chunk a deep ball even if it is incomplete just for show...

Rushing 10 times/25 yds.

Passing, Schaub = 12-17-2 for 80 yds.

82 total yards offense (counting sacks?)...

[TheMatrix31]

yuk, what a half. Mario and Diles looked ok on defense. We gotta do something to get Pittsburg from bringing everyone on pressure.

Mario looked more than okay. He's the only one playing.

[HPF Bob]

So, I guess we can expect CBS to t-bag the Patriots even more than they already do now that the CBS Scene sports bar is located next to the Patriots' stadium. Looks like AFC fans can expect the same crappy coverage you've come to expect from SeeBS for many years to come since they are now financially tied to the fortunes of the Patriots.

[Mike]

Let's keep hitting Ben. he was gimpy towards the end of the half. Let's make this a game. I am tired of ruinging my Sunday. Get Ben out and we can tee off on Gary Coleman.

[HPF Bob]

Oh boy! Maybe we get Leftwich for the second half.

[popanot]

Nice. 3 running plays to open the 2nd half at 9yds per carry.

[HPF Bob]

Now *that* is smash mouth. Three straight running plays for 7-8 yards each.

[TheMatrix31]

I envy the Steelers.

[Arky]

Pittsburgh run game unstoppable.

Steelers 28, Texans 3

[popanot]

Texans = pu$$ie$

[Big Texas]

I refuse to believe that there run game is THAT great. Please dont get me wrong. I think that have one of the best. But 3 Rushing TD's in 2 1/2 qtr. We are seriously getting out coached. I have watched Okoye and Mario consistently get into the back field but on the wrong side of the ball.

[Big Texas]

So I guess now that we are getting the Sh!@$t kicked outta us. We are going try to launch the football. Expect Shaub to be sacked at least 2-3 more times.

[popanot]

Gee, I think I'll go ahead and take the rest of my defensive driving course now. Thanks for totally f'ing up opening day, Texans. Hopefully the Steelers will put in their second string, although, I doubt it will make much of a difference.

[HPF Bob]

Actually, Duane Brown, that's a good facemask. You got blown backwards by a linebacker, the least you can do is grab his facemask to protect your quarterback. Good job!

[Big Texas]

horrible playcalling. AJ just caught a pass near the sideline and we throw another to him. What are we doing. Is this a two minute drill or something. Why are we throwing outs. Lets get downfield. Even if it is incomplete. At least let them know that we are considering leaving this game with more than 3 points. Or are we still trying to run "THE OFFENSE".

[Big Texas]

Actually, Duane Brown, that's a good facemask. You got blown backwards by a linebacker, the least you can do is grab his facemask to protect your quarterback. Good job!

Great play DBrown

[Arky]

Jeez, you can drive a semi through some of those running lanes...

Texans get all confused with the pass.

Steelers 35, Texans 3

[Big Texas]

Passing: 2 int.
Rushing: 11 carries 25 yds.
Recieving: AJ 4 catches 50 yds.
O-Line: 2 Sacks
D-Line: 2 Sacks
LB: No turnovers (Gave up 3 Rushing TD)
DB: Big Ben 12/13 121 TD

Dominated on all aspects of the game. We look like 0-16 this year.

[HPF Bob]

Okay, now I can switch to the Astros...

[Big Texas]

only bright spot in this game (Mario Williams 2 Sacks)

[HPF Bob]

We look like 0-16 this year.

No, the rest of the NFL is not this good.

[Keith]

Wow, so is Hurricane Ike going to be here in time for the home opener?

[Big Texas]

No, the rest of the NFL is not this good.

They dont have to be. We just kill ourselves. We have found here that we have no one on our roster (including coaching staff) who can "rally the troops". After going down early and a blown 4th down call. We imploded. Are we really as bad as 35-3. But we are losing 35-3. All our plays look the same. The most emotion I seen all game was when they lost the 4th down call.

[popanot]

Here's hoping Richard Smith can devise a plan that actually works and keeps the Steelers off-balance and out of the endzone.So much for wishful thinking. Yeah, yeah, yeah... we lack talent. That always seems to the case, doesn't it? We also lack a decent DC. Either that or we lack a decent HC and GM who either can't get the right talent or hangs onto to coaches who are obviously in over their head. I know it's early, but if the wheels come off this season, I'm not so sure Kubiak will (or should) survive.

[Joshua]

The Steelers are everything we're not. Tough, intimidating. Don't miss tackles. Win the battles in the trenches.

Is it just me or does it seem like opposing QBs complete at least 80 percent of their passes every week?

Fred Bennett is making me long for Petey.

I know it's a little early, but I'm worried about Schaub. He seems easily rattled and he got up very slow on both sacks. Neither looked particularly bad and every QB in the league is going to be hit like that every week. If those sorts of hits either rattle or injure him, he's not tough enough to play in this league.

We can't tackle at all.

[popanot]

only bright spot in this game (Mario Williams 2 Sacks)Ahman Green has lasted more than 2 plays??? Hey, I'm grasping at straws here... ;)

[Big Texas]

Good news the jags have 14 carries for 27 yds too. But they are not losing 35-3.

[Mike]

There is NO excuse for the horrible tacking. Even with the bad spot on the opening series that turned the ball back to Pitt, that does not even matter at this point.

Plain and simple, they kicked our a$$ up and down the field. I am so disgusted. No sports talk radio for me. I'll listen to Rush, Hannity and anything else (except for country music).

Get Ahman out of there. No sense in playing him. Get Taylor on the field.

Wow. Color me impressed with the Steelers.

[Joshua]

I've seen no improvement in the areas of concern. No pass rush except for Mario. Secondary being picked apart. Run game sucks. Losing the turnover battle. Fragile QB.

[Big Texas]

I guess we lost this one in the first quarter. When we lost our enthusiasm.

[popanot]

As pathetic as this team is today, Gary Coleman still can't embarrass them.

[Big Texas]

There is NO excuse for the horrible tacking. Even with the bad spot on the opening series that turned the ball back to Pitt, that does not even matter at this point.


I dont think it was the play or the call that comes into play here, but rather the Texans reaction and response to it. They went down hill from there, FAST.

[Big Texas]

More good news. We are not the only ones getting a mud hole stumped in us. 31-0 Phi/St. Louis

[Arky]

Our all-star coaching staff ought to be ashamed. These guys just don't looked prepared.... Yeah, the personnel ain't so hot either but I'm putting some of it on the coaching. Guys out of position, missed assignments, etc.. those things should be taught in practice.... I hope it is "hell week" this week...

[Mike]

first and goal at the 5...... Ugghhh. It should get better for Duane.

Maybe I can get a sympathy TD for Owen and my FFL team.

[Joshua]

I must say, it is pretty impressive watching a team that actually knows how to defend a screen pass.

[Arky]

Nice catch, Walter.

Steelers 35, Texans 10

[Mike]

Nice catch by Walter... I am still pissed.

[popanot]

Another semi-bright spot today is Slaton, IMO. The kid has been hit hard all day but keeps getting up and is trying to make yards. A good sign regarding the kid's toughness.

[Big Texas]

No credit for the late TD.

they should've been playing with desperation when it was 21-0.

[Mike]

Nice play be Reeves. Wow. Today sucks monkey wiz...

[popanot]

This is getting hilarious now. Hopefully Gary Coleman can throw a TD to Holmes and help out my FFL stats.

[HPF Bob]

Interesting day. Tom Brady leaves in the first quarter so Matt Cassel came in to replace him. In Denver, Wandy Rodriguez leaves after the first inning so Jack Cassel is now pitching for the Astros. Jack is Matt's brother.

[Big Texas]

I dont even blame DBrown. He has the ability he is just lacking a few technical things.
Whats everyone else's excuse?

[Mike]

I see we are keeping our streak alive of losing challenges.

Really nothing to be excited about from todays game. We have to really grasp for straws...

Steve Slaton looks like he can play. Ahman Green has not broken. If those are the positives, then this has been a terrible game.

I have one loud gripe. I know David Anderson has been impressive in camp, by Andre Davis needs to be on the field instead of him.

[Arky]

I have one loud gripe. I know David Anderson has been impressive in camp, by Andre Davis needs to be on the field instead of him.

Agreed....

Why are we not rolling out more?.... the "pocket" just doesn't last...

[popanot]

That's it Schauby... Way to leave your receiver (Daniels) hanging out in meaningless scrub time. Can you try get AJ hurt too?

[Arky]

Schaub runs it in for 6 pts.

Pittsburgh 38, Texans 17

[Mike]

Well, there goes the undefetated season.......

That just sucked, plain and simple.

I hope they took Duane out for a reason and not for injury. Going against the Steelers is a rude awakening into the NFL.

[Arky]

Well, there goes the undefetated season.......

That just sucked, plain and simple.

I hope they took Duane out for a reason and not for injury. Going against the Steelers is a rude awakening into the NFL.

Yeah, I still think he's the right pick - he's learning..... going to have some growing pains...

Final Score:

Steelers 38, Texans 17

[RunninRaven]

EVERYBODY PANIC

Well, it was good to see that Mario's season last year wasn't a fluke, at least. Did not expect to see him get two sacks against the Steelers who don't take a long time to throw the ball, and who run much more than they pass, typically. He defended the run well also.

[boyk352]

it'll be interesting to watch how they'll respond to this embarassing opener. The next game's where we're going to see what this team, the coaching staff and the players, are made of. not sure if they're going to win vs ravens but hopefully at least they'll make a game out of it. however this season pans out, i'd like mr mcnair to start exploring about the contingencies in coaching staff, HC and DC in particular.

[sinnister]

Our OL just got killed today. Schaub didnt play great, but I doubt Sage would have done better. AJ and Mario had great games........I didnt think Ahman was bad. I kinda wished we would have signed Michael Turner......

[NBT]

Today shows we still have the same problem that we do every year. We got beat on both lines today.

[HPF Bob]

Let's see if they show better intensity against the Ratbirds. If they can't, this may be a l-o-n-g season.