post game thoughts

[barrett]

1. I was completely wrong about Dunta. I guess it was just rust. He looked awful against the lions, but decent against the bengals. Not because of the INT either. Just the fact that the hesitancy was gone this week. Both in his tackling and in the fact that he became the first Texans defender to jump a route this year (and he did it numerous times).

2. Eugene Wilson has better ball skills than any safety we've ever had. I'm not saying better cover skills, or better Pass defense, or field coverage, and definitely not better tackling. But he plays the ball. This is what a free safety should do. Their eyes should be on the QB most of the time. It seems simple, but every guy we have ever put in center field proceeded to run around looking at the WRs because we played SS at FS. For the first time we have a FS on the roster who plays the ball rather than the man. He should be on the field at FS in every nickel situation if not starting out right.

3. Okoye got a more consistent interior push than I've ever seen over a whole game.

4. Ahman Green is a good RB when healthy (which I forgot), but he can't stay healthy (which I wish I could forget).

5. Our WRs block as well as any in the NFL. Who is our WR coach?

6. Jacoby Jones may be a great PR but he is an awful KR.

7. Ryan Moats looked good in his limited carries but doesn't he just double up what Slaton already does well. We need a cheap young back with some size who will play special teams.

8. That was the worst first half of defense ever played by a team that gave up 6 points in a game. I said before the season our best Defense was to play keep away and it was never more clear than today. I hope we can keep that up and keep the TOs down against good Defenses the next two weeks.

9. Duane Brown has looked much better since they started using Salaam to spell him.

10. Winning is better than losing.

[popanot]

I wish they'd give JJ some reps at WR. Not a lot, but a few would be nice to see what he can do. Maybe send him on a fly pattern or two to loosen the D' for AJ.

[Bigtinylittle]

1 PROTECTION. Schaub MUST have good protection to be effective. He got it yesterday and showed what he can do with it. His lack of mobility in the pocket will always be his biggest weakness, though. Good defenses will make him pay.
2. Jacoby Jones not only has great top speed but also has a tremendous burst. He's not a jitterbug, but after he has made an upfield move and has an opening, it is all over.
3. As long as he is healthy, Green should be in the game in all short yardage situatuations. Slayton gets stood up too easily.
4. Andre Johnson took a LOT of punishment yesterday after catching the ball. That worries me.
5. I liked that screen to Andre which was well defended and should have gone for nothing but instead Andre bulled his way to the first down. We should use that play more often.

[KJ3]

1. i don't know what you were wrong about but it's great to see dunta doing well. that wasn't the hardest pick i've ever seen but it's certainly something i would love to see more often.
2. yup, and i think he should be in the lineup more often too
3. didn't see okoye specifically but did notice that the front 4 were actually getting pressure fairly consistently
4. yup
5. don't know
6. which is weird because we haven't had much success at all returning kicks this year. good to see jacoby contributing, it'll be harder and harder to ignore him on offense the more he does this
7. he looked quick but doesn't he weigh about 220? size enough for me as long as he's good and can take some pain off of slaton's shoulders.
8. against Chad Joke-0 Zero and the Housh i would expect plenty of passing yards to be put up but this defense is still just missing something
9. agreed but why are they rotating? seeing what salaam has left? giving the kid a breather? what the deal is?
10. times a million

[NBT]

It was nice to see the intensity carry over to the second half for a change.

[barrett]

It was nice to see the intensity carry over to the second half for a change.

I don't think 2nd half intensity has ever been a big problem. We have often had solid 2nd halves. I think this was blown up after the detroit game. More often, we have been bad in the first half and good in the 2nd. If there was a problem it was in playing TWO good halves in the same game. I agree that yesterday was good to see on that front.

[painekiller]

9. agreed but why are they rotating? seeing what salaam has left? giving the kid a breather? what the deal is?

From the quotes I saw by Kubiak on the official site, they are rotating Brown because he seems to run out of gas in the 4th quarter. By resting him every 3rd series they are hoping he will play at a higher level through out the game. The kid gives a huge effort on every play, and he started the season against some of the best DE in the league the 1st month of the season, now we are getting to the point that the rookies start hitting the rookie wall. Keeping Brown fresh and keeping Salaam sharp has been working out well IMO.

Brown has shown he can handle the job, the OL has started to get the run blocking down, and the offense is looking very good. Keep the turnovers down and this team will have a winning record.

[KJ3]

From the quotes I saw by Kubiak on the official site, they are rotating Brown because he seems to run out of gas in the 4th quarter. By resting him every 3rd series they are hoping he will play at a higher level through out the game. The kid gives a huge effort on every play, and he started the season against some of the best DE in the league the 1st month of the season, now we are getting to the point that the rookies start hitting the rookie wall. Keeping Brown fresh and keeping Salaam sharp has been working out well IMO.

Brown has shown he can handle the job, the OL has started to get the run blocking down, and the offense is looking very good. Keep the turnovers down and this team will have a winning record.

i guess it's working or else they wouldn't be doing it? at least salaam is a viable option. anyone know how many years salaam has left on his contract?

[kravix]

anyone know how many years salaam has left on his contract?

According to Keith's salary cap page he is signed through the 2009 season.

[NBT]

I'm not too worried about Saalam. If he wants to be here I imagine he will be. What I want to see is the rookie Brown have himself better prepared next year for the long haul of the NFL.

[Mike]

1) D-Rob looked better this week. I bet some of it was rust and some was hesitation against the Lions. I think he even mentioned that being in the first game he might not have had the confidence in his knee, but it responded well and I think you saw the difference.

2) I agree. Limited action for Gene, and 2 Int's. I think we will see more of him.
3) Agree 100%. His best game yet. I think subbing with Deluan has helped him.
4) nice to see what Ahman can look like when healthy. He certainly is not the Ahman from his Packer days, but he can be good with Slaton.
=============================================
5) The coach in charge of the run game is Alex Gibbs. he has complete control over all aspects of the run game including receivers. Larry Kirksey is the WR coach. Kubiak has said that Alex tells the WR's "when you run routes, everone blocks for you, so I expect you to block when we run." Walter is a good run blocker. His block on the WR scree to AJ was excellent.
6) our kick return game has been average this year, other than one good return by AD we have been pedestrian.
7) Garbage time carries should not be judged. He was really good in college and in limited action with the Eagles.
8) agree
9) - no doubt. Big Duane has some conditioning issues. I think this has helped him and Ephram as well.
10) It was nice not to have my stomach in knots in the 4th quarter.

[idymoe]

It's nice to see so many guys can see past stats or lack therof. I think Amobi's only stat for the game was the fumble recovery, ( maybe an assist?) but he did have consistent pressure. On TJ's sack, he absolutley blew up the middle of the line, taking 2 blockers with him. Mario had contain on his side, and the qb basically had nowhere to go except right into Johnson.

[Nconroe]

Larry Kirksey has been WR coach the last year and this year, previously coached Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, and Jimmy Smith, three receivers with over 800 catches each. Seems to be doing an excellent job with all our receivers.

I think entire offense, starting to build their confidence, and we do need to see them do it against the better defenses.

Perhaps holding any team to 6 points is the start of seeing a good defense come together, sure hope so.

Nice to see special teams overall getting more consistent.

I think Efraim earned a right to get some playing time, one of experienced leaders on the team.

Amazing what +3 in turnovers can do.

[KJ3]

5) The coach in charge of the run game is Alex Gibbs. he has complete control over all aspects of the run game including receivers. Larry Kirksey is the WR coach. Kubiak has said that Alex tells the WR's "when you run routes, everone blocks for you, so I expect you to block when we run." Walter is a good run blocker. His block on the WR scree to AJ was excellent.
7) Garbage time carries should not be judged. He was really good in college and in limited action with the Eagles.
9) - no doubt. Big Duane has some conditioning issues. I think this has helped him and Ephram as well.
.
first off, two points for actually knowing who the recievers coach is. i'll bet we have a fun couple of WR to try to shed. both big, both strong, both quick...awesome.
7-for real, we just cut chris taylor...do we want to start that all over again? let's see what he does in real situations.
9-funny for a guy labeled as one of the most athletic tackles in the draft...
On TJ's sack, he absolutley blew up the middle of the line, taking 2 blockers with him. Mario had contain on his side, and the qb basically had nowhere to go except right into Johnson.
nice to see him doing something, isn't it?
Perhaps holding any team to 6 points is the start of seeing a good defense come together, sure hope so.
i don't think we should using the bengals game as a turning point for anything

[NBT]

I would like to see TJ do that every game at some point, the trouble is TJ usualy is just not interested.

[papabear]

I would like to see TJ do that every game at some point, the trouble is TJ usualy is just not interested.

I really don't get this sentiment. TJ has been consistently solid since Kubiak's little public wake up call. He's not the pass rusher we hoped, but then again we are asking him to play as the 1 technique NT type player....of course that could be because he wasn't getting it done as an under-tackle and the reason we got Okoye.

He's not dominant against the run either, which is why I'm not advocating that he go to the pro-bowl or anything. Outside of Mario he's the best D-lineman we have against the run. I would like to see his spot upgraded, but he's not a bad player.

I saw him go from the opposite hashmark to chase down a screen to get in on a tackle 15 yards down field along the sideline. I've routinely see him chase down plays once they get past the line. 300 lb D-lineman who aren't interested don't do those type of things.

[gunslinger57]

Don't forget:

11) Our guys need to take dance lessons from David Anderson. The String Dance is a heck of a lot better than whatever Kevin and TJ did.

[papabear]

Don't forget:

11) Our guys need to take dance lessons from David Anderson. The String Dance is a heck of a lot better than whatever Kevin and TJ did.


Anderson HAS to break out Carlton's Dance from the fresh prince of Bellaire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrObV84tD8g

[KJ3]

if a carlton dance gets loose they may as well go for the opening scene from base-ketball. that would be totally ridiculous!

[NBT]

I really don't get this sentiment. TJ has been consistently solid since Kubiak's little public wake up call. He's not the pass rusher we hoped, but then again we are asking him to play as the 1 technique NT type player....of course that could be because he wasn't getting it done as an under-tackle and the reason we got Okoye.

He's not dominant against the run either, which is why I'm not advocating that he go to the pro-bowl or anything. Outside of Mario he's the best D-lineman we have against the run. I would like to see his spot upgraded, but he's not a bad player.

I saw him go from the opposite hashmark to chase down a screen to get in on a tackle 15 yards down field along the sideline. I've routinely see him chase down plays once they get past the line. 300 lb D-lineman who aren't interested don't do those type of things.

I guess I have just never really been a fan of TJ's. He is not my type of defensiveplayer. I want the type of DT player with fire in his eyes on every play. Also one who gets consistant pressure up the middle. Especially since he was a first round pick. To me he just hasn't been that kind of player.

[papabear]

I guess I have just never really been a fan of TJ's. He is not my type of defensiveplayer. I want the type of DT player with fire in his eyes on every play. Also one who gets consistant pressure up the middle. Especially since he was a first round pick. To me he just hasn't been that kind of player.

Your not alone. I just don't get the mob mentality sometimes that once a player has been labeled as the bad guy it is almost impossible to change that view. I was raised by wolves...I mean lawyers, so it might just be me feeling the need to argue with someone.

He isn't getting consistent pressure up the middle, but I'm not convinced they are asking him to penetrate most downs. Maybe they are and I'm just giving him too much credit for playing more of a two gap role. I think his effort level has been pretty good this year...Of course, I'm sure some of that has to do with Okoye, Okam, and Dlejuan being around too. Whatever, I don't care as long as he got the message.

I'd like to see more from his position, whether it's from him or we find an upgrade. It's just that what I see when I watch the games doesn't match up with what I hear about around town....Which means I'm really smart, or the biggest idiot in town I guess.

[painekiller]

I guess I have just never really been a fan of TJ's. He is not my type of defensiveplayer. I want the type of DT player with fire in his eyes on every play. Also one who gets consistant pressure up the middle. Especially since he was a first round pick. To me he just hasn't been that kind of player.

TJ has the 2nd best motor on our DL. He is chasing plays down from sideline to sideline. He is doing exactly what the coaches want him to do.

Your problem, which is the problem of most here, is the scheme the coaches have chosen. They have two DT that have the ability to penetrate and they seem to be asking them to hold a position. Hell lets go one gap and penetrate on ever play. it would seem to be playing into the strength of Okoye and TJ.

[Bigtinylittle]

... what I see when I watch the games doesn't match up with what I hear about around town....Which means I'm really smart, or the biggest idiot in town I guess.


You ARE very smart, compared with most fans. I think most people on this board are very smart compared to radio callers, other boards, and for that matter, most sports jocks. Some of the sports jocks seem to know so little about what they are talking about that it amazes me they can keep their jobs.

The thing about football is that it is VERY complicated. Even the smartest expert is going to be wrong some of the time. That's one of the things that makes it so interesting.

I'm disappointed in Okoye because I had such high expectations of him. I watched him chasing the Bengals QB last week and was shocked at how slow he seemed. I keep hearing that he is being used incorrectly and actually hope that it's true. Because if it is it can be corrected. If the D doesn't improve, I imagine Smith will be gone whether it's his fault or not. It would be interesting to see whether his replacement would do anything different with Okoye.

[papabear]

I'm disappointed in Okoye because I had such high expectations of him. I watched him chasing the Bengals QB last week and was shocked at how slow he seemed. I keep hearing that he is being used incorrectly and actually hope that it's true. Because if it is it can be corrected. If the D doesn't improve, I imagine Smith will be gone whether it's his fault or not. It would be interesting to see whether his replacement would do anything different with Okoye.

Okoye's a DT. It's going to take him a couple of few years to grow into the position, and I'm not just talking about his age. It's very rare for a DT to come into the league and be a consistent force right away. RB's, WR, CB's, LB's, DE's all can contribute very noticeably early on. DT's, unless they're one of the few that can dominate, Hanynesworth, are rarely noticed. Even Haynesworth took a few years to get it. I'm not so sure that it was only because he was lazy, or that he only started trying when he needed a new contract.

When we took TJ it everyone spoke about how it would take time for him to develop, and to be patient. If you ask me we finally started to see the real TJ this year. Now, he's not what we hoped for, but again I think he's a solid player being asked to play to his weaknesses and not his strengths.

Okoye's got even more growing up to do than the average DT coming into the league. He's shown signs. I think he'll be fine. I don't know if he will ever be great, but I think there's still a chance. If all people worry about is sacks then you will probably always be disappointed. Hell he was about eigth in the league in sacks last year among DT's.

[NBT]

TJ has the 2nd best motor on our DL. He is chasing plays down from sideline to sideline. He is doing exactly what the coaches want him to do.

Your problem, which is the problem of most here, is the scheme the coaches have chosen. They have two DT that have the ability to penetrate and they seem to be asking them to hold a position. Hell lets go one gap and penetrate on ever play. it would seem to be playing into the strength of Okoye and TJ.

I can get on board with that too PK. It is part of my constant gripe that Richard Smith is not the answer, while realizing full well, that Kubiak is probably not very secure with the LBs behind the DL (or the secondary). So saying it gives me even more hope that we are really putting the college kids under the microscope, the LB ones I mean. But so saying, we need to see how good we can be this year, so i say let the dogs out, and let them see what they can really do the rest of the season.