View Full Version : Official Texans vs. Vikings Game Thread, 8/31/2009
Keith
08-31-2009, 10:17 AM
Monday Night... should be a fun atmosphere at the game, so long as the soft version of the team that showed up last week has stayed home.
I'm looking forward to our defense feasting on a purple dinosaur tonight. What about all of you?
I am really looking forward to seeing how our defense responds after last weeks debacle. I am also tired of #4, and would love to see Mario and Connor get in a few good licks on him.
The day is crawling by in anticiptation of heading to Reliant later today.
Well, it will be interesting to see how the Texans respond against another good team. I caught most of New Orleans vs. Oakland game a few days ago on the NFLN and New Orleans just obliterated them 45-7. And I've got the Raiders as a team on the rise! Even the Saints 2nd teamers looked good just like they did against us. So, judging by these last two preseason games, New Orleans might just really be an offensive juggernaut and it might take another powerful offense to beat them. I believe the Saints are going to make a lot teams look bad this year and Coach Sean Payton needs to tone it down lest he become the Urban Meyer of pro football...
At any rate, big game tonight - I can't wait....
papabear
08-31-2009, 12:41 PM
I am really looking forward to seeing how our defense responds after last weeks debacle. I am also tired of #4, and would love to see Mario and Connor get in a few good licks on him.
The day is crawling by in anticiptation of heading to Reliant later today.
I hope we make that guy (I refuse to even say his name) look terrible. Seriously, I want him to be 0-15 with at least 3 picks and a couple of lost fumbles...and not just to make me feel better about our defense. Then maybe tip Sage off on a play or two to make that guy look even worse.
I gave up my tickets for tonight, so maybe I'll actually get to see the game because I didn't really pay much attention at the Saints game. Hopefully they'll play well enough that I actually like what I see.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 01:52 PM
I am expecting us to win in a close one, like 28-24, but mainly hope the defense plays better is main thing want to see.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 04:00 PM
"TONIGHT ON BFPN, IT'S BRETT FAVRE and some guys in purple against the Washington Generals on BFPN MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!. FOR AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT HOW BRETT FAVRE IS MAKING THE TRANSITION, LET'S SPEND AN HOUR WITH FAVRE'S WIFE!"
(cue tinkling piano)
Mrs Favre: This off-season has been soooooo hard on Brett, not knowing whether he might play this year or with whom. He's been in mourning ever since one of his hunting dogs died. He was really taken aback by that.
Gruden: I think that was a fumble back there.
Mrs Favre: And then Mr. Childers came down and he was just like family to us and he said it was no big deal if Brett missed all of training camp, that was just so comforting.
Gruden: Uh, guys. There's a football game on.
Mrs. Favre: I'm just so greatful for all the love and attention shown by BFPN what with the round-the-clock coverage of Brett's eating and sleeping and what not. As a wife, it's always important to know what your husband is doing when he's away.
Gruden: It looks like they're bringing out an ambulance.
Mrs. Favre: I know Brett is just so thankful for all his fans and the support they showed as Brett came out of retirement for the eighth time and we just know the Lord will take care of us even at less than $20 million dollars a year. (sniff) We- we'll get by somehow.
Gruden: They brought a priest out there now. Are they giving him last rites?
Mrs. Favre: We look forward to another football season in Green Bay...or at least close to it. I'm not sure why all these folks are wearing purple...
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 04:04 PM
I hope there's a bounty out on Jared Allen. I'm sure Schaub will kick in a nice contribution.
papabear
08-31-2009, 04:26 PM
that's awesome Bob
Gametime!
Texans kick off. Vikes return it to about the 25.
O-M-G, 1st play, Peterson takes it all the way
Vikes 7, Texans 0
Woe is the run defense.....
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 07:09 PM
What a great handoff by Favre! The way he put that ball right in AP's breadbasket was pure brilliance.
papabear
08-31-2009, 07:09 PM
That looked like the LB's to me...don't know if it was Demeco or one of the OLB's, but the D-line looked like they did their job.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:12 PM
that was rediculous
Vikes kick off. AD bring it out to about the 27...
1st play, Slaton fumbles. Vikes to challenge on the fumble that he wasn't down, yet....
Challenge is ruled not a challenge. ??? Still Texans ball, whew...
Texans fail on 3rd down and punt..
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:13 PM
This did not start out well at all. We all knew that AP was getting that ball. What the hell happened. Especially after last week.
That was no fluke either. He was untouched
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:14 PM
1 play into the game AP has 75 yards rushing. He's on pace for 200, especially if we are going to play 3 and out.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 07:17 PM
It's like we're in midseason form.
Vikes ball at their own 31.
Dump to Shiancoe goes for about 19 yds..
Nice BTL tackle by DeMeco...
A Smith offsides....
3rd and 2 - Favre sacked by Mario!
Vikes to punt.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 07:20 PM
Sack that attention whore punk!
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:22 PM
Mario seems to consistently show that he wants to win. What about everyone else.
He could have given up on that play, but his motor kept going, despite the fact that Farve should've gotten rid of that ball.
Good play Mario. I guess good play secondary.
chuck
08-31-2009, 07:22 PM
Antonio Smith is the highest paid player on the team. Wow. He is more invisible out there than Travis Johnson and Travis actually has an excuse.
Texans ball at their own 15.
Screen to OD goes for about 6. 3rd and 3.
1st down pass to AJ is good at the 31 yard line.
Slaton not much. 3rd and 6 coming up....
Dump to Slaton comes about a yard short of a 1st down. Texans to punt.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 07:28 PM
No holes for Slaton anywhere.
So far, suck, suck, suck!!!!!
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 07:31 PM
Gruden sounds like a post-puberty Theismann
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 07:34 PM
Unfortunately, we're playing the Vikings defense before they get all their mid-season astroturf injuries and steroid suspensions. By October, it's easier to beat them.
Vikes ball at their own 23.
On 1st down, good pressure by AO makes the pass incomplete.
Demeco stops AP after a 3 yard gain.
Favre hits Shiancoe for the 1st down. Ball at the 37.
Illegal block on Vikes - ball at the 31.
DeMeco doing it tonight...
Now, 3rd and 6 for the Vikes...... Looks to be 1 yard short.
Vikes to punt.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:37 PM
Hopefully we get better, but right now we look a mess. I have seen Demeco make 90% of the tackles on the D. Where is everyone else.
Our Offense looks sub sub par at best.
papabear
08-31-2009, 07:38 PM
Antonio Smith is the highest paid player on the team. Wow. He is more invisible out there than Travis Johnson and Travis actually has an excuse.
i've seen him being held several times in the preseason...even though they weren't called you have to beat your man for them to hold you. looking for much more from him
Texans ball at their 20.
Short gain by C Brown.
Brown rumbles close to the 1st down but offsetting penalties nullify the play.
Schaub int. grounding/loss of down - Jared Allen breathing down his neck..
Inc. to Johnson on 3rd down.
Texans to punt.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:43 PM
Another horrible offensive series. Why would Shaub make that screen pass if Winfield was pressing AJ?
Well at least Chris Brown looked decent.
Vikes return the punt into Texan territory - about the 49 yd line....
Short gain by Peterson.
End of 1st qtr.
chuck
08-31-2009, 07:46 PM
This team blows. Playoffs my ass. Only the team's ludicrously weak schedule will give them any hope of sniffing .500 again.
I'm looking at the defense and I simply don't know which corps is worse, the D line, the linebackers or the secondary.
And the team has ZERO running game. That's why none of the bootlegs ever work anymore.
Sack by DeMeco! Makes for 3rd and long...
DeMeco trips up Taylor so Vikes to punt.
chuck
08-31-2009, 07:48 PM
Wow. Demeco looks like Mike Singletary out there. He is all over the place.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 07:49 PM
well, Demeco is playing his heart out. sack and stop of AP for force the punt. yeah, overall, Minnesota looks quicker and stronger right now.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 07:49 PM
Great series for Demeco. Now let's get the ball out of our own end.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:50 PM
Another sack. Good Job. He has 7 tackles and a sack. That is more than half the tackles the team has so far. Where is everyone else. Is Adibi even playing?
Again Mario looked great.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 07:51 PM
What a good pass, Matt.
JJ fair catches the punt at the Texan 13..... long way to go...
C Brown for 6.
Schaub Int'ed. Vikes ball at the Texan 24.
chuck
08-31-2009, 07:53 PM
W T F is Schaub doing? There is no reason to throw that pass. He had more yardage looking at Brown coming out of the backfield and Brown didn't have two guys all up in his jock.
There's Demeco again. Shaun Cody looks like a keeper.
That was a TERRIBLE roughing call.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 07:53 PM
WOW @ that penalty. WOW.
Vikes have a 3rd and 6. Run defense doing just a bit better....
Favre's pass incomplete but Adibi roughs the passer...
Vikes 1st down at the 10.
Offensive PI on Vikes - makes for 2nd and goal at the 18.
Incomplete pass makes for 3rd down.
3rd down pass is deflected.... Vikes to go for the FG..
36 yd FG is good.
Vikes 10, Texans 0
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 07:57 PM
Well, after that bogus roughing call, the Texans stiffen and allow just a FG.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 07:59 PM
Adibi broke up the pass, hopefully defense settling in here. dwn 10-0 on the FG.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 07:59 PM
We just cannot seem to get turnovers. I am not saying Demeco could've caught that tip but we just don't ever seem to be in position for those turnovers.
That maybe could've got the momentum going for the Offense. But no, now we are down 10-0.
But hey to be optimistic we didn't let them score...
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:03 PM
So basically Edwards just got away with kicking Pitts while he was on the ground
AD brings the kick back to the Texan 29.
Slaton wide open for about 10.
Offsetting penalties bring up 2nd down and 1.
Vikes off sides. 1st down.
Slaton takes the pitch for about 8. Ball at midfield.
Slaton for -1.
Schaub scrambles up the gut for the 1st down.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 08:07 PM
Hey, we made it over mid-field finally.
OD for 11.
Leach takes dump off for about 7. Ball at the 27.
Schaub rolls out, no pass but scrambles for the 1st down.
Winston offsides on 1st down. 1st and 15.
Slaton for about a yard.
Over the middle to OD! 1st down at the 11.
Slant to AD is good to the 4.
Slaton up the gut for 6 pts.
Vikes 10, Texans 7
Much better but Schaub a little gimpy...
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 08:11 PM
Schaub is injured. Surprise f'n surprise.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 08:12 PM
I hope Leach and Schaub ok.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:12 PM
WOW!!! Are you serious
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 08:13 PM
Nice drive but Schaub is gimpy. Gruden was dead on about the pass to Davis. Should have been a touchdown if he's on target.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:15 PM
I hope he is OK. I would imagine he is not coming back in the game.
This is starting to get rediculous
Vikes bring the kickoff back to their own 24.
Peterson 2 rushes for a 1st down. About 3 minutes left in the half.
Peterson for 16 more. Ball at the Texan 48 - 2 minute warning.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:20 PM
Our D-Line is getting walked backwards and turned every which way. We have 5-6 guys lined up on the LOS and Peterson is still getting into our secondary. It seems if Demeco is not making the play, no one is.
It's Schaub's ankle - he's expected back in, Yay! ;)
Deep pass by Favre inc. 2nd and 10.
Dump to Taylor good for 4. 3rd down.
Pass by Favre is good for the 1st down. Nice hit by McCain.
Illegal shift offense - 1st and 15.
Holding on Vikes. 1st and 25.
Ball at the Texan 42.
Pass, bad tackling and Vikes are 3 yds. short of the 1st down. 37 seconds left.
Dump to Taylor goes for the score.
Vikings 17, Texans 7
27 seconds left till halftime.
chuck
08-31-2009, 08:29 PM
Eugene Wilson is the team's best safety. And he can't tackle. That should tell you all you need to know.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 08:29 PM
Whoever is #26 might as well skip the film sessions on that play. He totally whiffed on Taylor.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:31 PM
What in the world was Wilson doing? I have been saying it since this game started, if Ryans is not making the play, no one is. wow. The previous play I believe Adibi and Wilson ran into each other trying to tackle Harvin.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:31 PM
Whoever is #26 might as well skip the film sessions on that play. He totally whiffed on Taylor.
That was Eugene Wilson
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:32 PM
Well at least Shaub is back out there.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 08:34 PM
That's a good drive down field to end the half. Maybe Kubiak's time management is getting better? Crap playcall before the FGA though.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:35 PM
who in the hell called that run play. Even if the Vikings were in prevent it wasn't like Slaton was gonna score. He would only have run out the clock.
Wow.
Nice return by AD.
Pass to David Anderson puts the ball at the Viking 44.
Nice pass to OD for about 15.
Slaton not much.
Texans to go for the FG (!) 4 secs left.
K Brown 46 yarder is good.
Vikings 17, Texans 10.
Halftime.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 08:35 PM
yeah, something positive to end the half.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 08:36 PM
Nice answer by the Texans with :30 left. I judge pre-season games by halftime score so, in my book, we lost even if we come back but it was a mixed bag tonight. Now we get to look at the scrubs in the second half.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:36 PM
At the half, Demeco 10 tackles next Adibi 2 tackles. Wow.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 08:37 PM
Cris Carter just called us the "Houston Titans".
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 08:38 PM
Cris Carter just called us the "Houston Titans".
I thought I was the only one who heard that.
Halftime stats:
Passing: Schaub 10/14, 108 yds., 1 INT
Rushing: Slaton 9/20, Schaub 2/10, Brown 2/9
Receiving: OD 4/49, Slaton 2/16, Anderson 1/20, AJ 1/9
Tackles: DeMeco 13 (!) 1 sack, Adibi 5, many with 2, Mario 1 w/1 sack.
Time of possession: Vikings 15:12, Texans 14:48
Texans receive 2nd half kickoff and takeover at the 19.
Orlovsky in.
Pass to Leach for 2.
Slaton for 1.
Pass is good to DA for the 1st down at the 30.
Deep pass to AJ goes to the Viking 12!
Vikes challenge that AJ stepped out early and that looks to be the case.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 08:53 PM
Orlavsky looking good so far, keep it going guys.
Challenge rules the ball at the Viking 24.
Slaton takes dump off for 5.
Slaton for 1.
Orlovsky comes up 1 yd short via scramble...
Texans mull over going for it on 4th and 1.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 08:59 PM
I think they should go for it here. It's only pre-season and to convert here would be a good emotional lift.
Texans go for it.
Nice 2nd effort by C Brown gets the 1st down.
Deflected pass gets picked off. Vikes ball at the 4 yard line.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 09:04 PM
Favre is still in. Too bad about the pick. Never should have thrown it.
I'm still glad we got the first however. I think Chris Brown may be a valuable short yardage specialist.
Vikes penalized - ball back at the 2.
Taylor squirts out for about 5. 2nd and 7.
Offsides Vikes - half the distance. Ball at the 3.
Attaway Diles - stops Taylor on the sweep for minimal gain..
3rd and 9, Favre scrambles about and completes the pass for a 1st down at the 18.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 09:10 PM
Giving up third downs like they're candy.
3rd and 1 - Vikes get 4 - ball at the Vikings 32.
Favre on the crackback block on Wilson. 15 yard penalty.
Big hit by DeMeco on screen pass.... Helluva game by DeMeco...
12 men in the huddle against Vikes. 2nd and 21.
3rd and 11. Pass is deflected. Vikes to punt.
chuck
08-31-2009, 09:11 PM
Is it just me or does McCain play a lot bigger than Quin? Quin has several inches and 30 pounds on McCain but McCain seems to play a lot bigger. Has anyone else noticed this?
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 09:11 PM
Farve throwing an illegal crack back block to wilsons knees.
Man, Demeco is a tackling machine tonight.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 09:15 PM
What are they coaching over their in Minnesota?
Now they got Farve throwing illegal blocks.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 09:15 PM
The Texans need to get nastier if they are ever going to be a champion.
When our QB gets cheap-shotted, they don't retaliate and now when their QB cheap-shots our safety, they don't retaliate.
The message the Texans are sending is that they don't defend their own. If they are ever going to step up, that has to change.
Big Texas
08-31-2009, 09:16 PM
Demeco is making all the tackles because no one else can. where in the hell is diles and adibi
JJ wrapped up about the Texan 35 yd line on the punt.
Slaton for 2 or 3 on a sweep.
Pass to AJ is 1 yd short of the 1st down.
Brown gets stood up - 4th down and 1.
Texans to go for it.... Orlovsky sneaks for the 1st...
Start of 4th quarter.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 09:20 PM
I agree, our guys need to get nastier out there, we gotta beat these guys.
chuck
08-31-2009, 09:24 PM
DAMN! Almost had it.
C Brown takes dump off for about 5 yds. Ball at midfield.
Orlovsky airs it out to AJ but just overthrown.
On 3rd down, DA catches pass but is a yard short of the 1st down.
Texans punt on 4th and 1. Punt goes into the endzone. Touchback, ball at the Vikes 20.
chuck
08-31-2009, 09:27 PM
Punting the ball into the end zone is simply an unpardonable sin. I have no idea why a "special teams coach" would allow a punter (or coach a punter) to do that. There is TWENTY YARDS OF SIDELINE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FIELD.
Jackson in at QB for the Vikes.
Vikes moving the ball... ball currently at their own 45.
DelJuan offsides - 1st down Vikes. Ball at midfield.
Buster Davis with nice BTL (behind the line) tackle.
Vikes to punt. Punt rolls to the Texan 13. Penalty gets the Texans 5 more yards. Ball at the 18.
It's Scrubs City...
Texans go 3 and out and have to punt...
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 09:38 PM
Get.Off.Favre's.Nuts.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 09:39 PM
BFPN has lost interest and now they're just hazing Gruden.
Vikings return the punt to their own 34.
Rosenfels in at QB for the Vikes.
HPF Bob
08-31-2009, 09:40 PM
Hey, there's still hope! Rosenchopper is in to protect the lead! :eek:
chuck
08-31-2009, 09:41 PM
First team OL, second team OL, same story. The team's running game sucks.
Also, I think that Jacoby is going to make the team over Glenn Martinez and I think that is a huge mistake.
Vikes have a 3rd and 18.
Pass and penalty give the Vikes a 1st down. Ball at the Viking 45.
DelJuan with TFL (tackle for loss).
3rd and 13. Vikes come up short - have to punt.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 09:45 PM
ok, I think JJ is better than Martinez. Hope JJ makes the team. JJ looks much more confident this year than last year. not saying Martinez is all bad.
anyways, lots of difference in the game now that third stringers are in. Sage looks rusty.
chuck
08-31-2009, 09:48 PM
Wow. Arian foster breaks through for an amazing nine yard gain!!!
JJ wrapped up about the Texan 12 on the punt.
Brink in at QB for the Texans.
Nice gain by A Foster - about 9 yards.
Martinez for about 10 via pass.
Dump off to Foster good for another 1st down.
Not much Foster on 2nd down. Brings up 3rd and 10.
Screen goes inc. 2:18 left
Texans go for it on 4th down - ball sails - Vikes ball.
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 09:56 PM
did ya'll see the block Foster put on LB trying to blitz, pretty good.
Vikes moving the ball - now at the Texan 21. 2 minute warning.
Vikes to kneel it out.
Final Score:
Viking 17, Texans 10
Take away Peterson's big run and the defense not all that bad.... certainly better than last week which is somewhat encouraging...
chuck
08-31-2009, 10:02 PM
Well, if you wanted to know about your 2009 Houston Texans now you do. They're not nearly good enough to beat a good team. They should beat bad ones and be competitive against average teams. That's what they are, an average team.
Thanks, Charley Casserly, for putting the team in a ten year hole. And no thanks to you, Bob McNair, for allowing that to happen.
Andre Johnson is going to be on the downside of his career before this team has any real chance of doing anything in the playoffs, if indeed that ever happens during his career. (Or my lifetime.) That is just sad.
Roy P
08-31-2009, 10:06 PM
DeMeco was showing what he can do when healthy. He played a Hell of a game.
Connor Barwin is going to be out Justin Tuck and I like the way Bush plays him.
The 75-yard run that Peterson started the game with was all Adibi's fault since he overran the play leaving nothing back side. Wilson, Ferguson, Barber, and whoever else we play at the back end of the Secondary is atrocious.
Very happy to see Duane Brown playing well against Jared Allen. I was hopeful that Caldwell would beat out Briesel at RG, but right now, I'm not sure who is worse.
Can't wait to see Cushing play, hopefully that will help DeMeco.
bckey
08-31-2009, 10:09 PM
Too much Favre love from ESPN. It made the game that much harder to watch.
Roy P
08-31-2009, 10:13 PM
Who is #38?
Nconroe
08-31-2009, 10:19 PM
Deltha O'Neal is 38. He made a nice tackle toward the end.
If the D can learn to stay home and not give up the big plays, would help a bunch. hopefully they can coach that up the next week or two.
TheMatrix31
08-31-2009, 10:21 PM
Well, if you wanted to know about your 2009 Houston Texans now you do. They're not nearly good enough to beat a good team. They should beat bad ones and be competitive against average teams. That's what they are, an average team.
Thanks, Charley Casserly, for putting the team in a ten year hole. And no thanks to you, Bob McNair, for allowing that to happen.
Andre Johnson is going to be on the downside of his career before this team has any real chance of doing anything in the playoffs, if indeed that ever happens during his career. (Or my lifetime.) That is just sad.
It's preseason, dude. The Lions went 4-0 last year.
Who is #38?
At one time it was AJ Davis but he's showing up as #39 now. Jeremiah Johnson is listed as #38 but he's on IR.... perhaps AJ Davis took back #38....
Edit: roster (http://www.houstontexans.com/team/Roster.asp?sort_by=2) shows O'Neal as #47....
----------------
Scanning the stats, three things stand out to me (besides DeMeco's awesome performance):
1. Two stupid picks by the QB's. One by Schaub, one by Orlovsky. The QB's gotta stop turning the ball over....
2. No turnovers from the Vikings.
3. Lousy rushing stats - 23 rushes for 61 yards - nowhere to go for the backs...
Roy P
08-31-2009, 10:24 PM
Deltha O'Neal is 38. He made a nice tackle toward the end.
I liked some of the plays O'neal made. Hope to see more of him next week. Okam and Cody looked pretty good, glad we got something for Travis Johnson.
It's preseason, dude. The Lions went 4-0 last year.
Ya, I tend to agree... Wait till the games count or like, maybe the end of the season to pass judgement....
Roy P
08-31-2009, 10:26 PM
3. Lousy rushing stats - 23 rushes for 61 yards - nowhere to go for the backs...
Nobody runs against the Vikings. Can't run up the middle with the Williams' and that allows the LBs to cover the flanks. Not to mention Antoine Winfield is a hell of a run-support CB (did anybody see him get off the block of Winston and make a tackle?)
chuck
08-31-2009, 10:32 PM
It's preseason, dude. The Lions went 4-0 last year.
I'm watching the first team on both sides of the ball. If you're not seeing what I'm seeing then you will shortly. Cushing should help the linebackers but I don't see any help for the secondary even when Dunta returns. The safeties are if anything worse than last year.
I can only hope that the play calling will be more creative when other teams sell everything to stop the run. This team is literally going to have to score five TDs and add some FGs to beat a decent team.
Roy - I loved Duane Brown's play, too. He looks very solid over there in pass protection.
Nobody runs against the Vikings.
Well, yeah - makes for lousy rushing stats doesn't it? ;)
barrett
09-01-2009, 12:05 AM
Well, if you wanted to know about your 2009 Houston Texans now you do. They're not nearly good enough to beat a good team. They should beat bad ones and be competitive against average teams. That's what they are, an average team.
Thanks, Charley Casserly, for putting the team in a ten year hole. And no thanks to you, Bob McNair, for allowing that to happen.
Andre Johnson is going to be on the downside of his career before this team has any real chance of doing anything in the playoffs, if indeed that ever happens during his career. (Or my lifetime.) That is just sad.
It's a cop out to blame Casserly at this point. The current crew has had more than enough time to turn things around. If we fail this year it is squarely on Smith and Kubiak.
Plus I'm not convinced we can't win. We did something tonight I didn't think we were capable of. Be competitive with a bad offensive effort.
barrett
09-01-2009, 12:12 AM
some positives.
-We looked good on both lines against a great DL and a great OL.
-it is some of the best play I have seen from Okoye. He was very active.
-Barwin was a fantastic pick and will be more than just a pass rusher.
-We looked good in the red zone and the 2 minute drill. These are keys for us as we try to make the "top 3 offense" mean something.
-Our LBs looked very good in coverage and while blitzing.
some negatives
-We still have the worst safeties in football. I have been saying this for two years. I still don't know how we drafted a 4-3 OLB, a DE, 2 TEs, and an OL in the first 5 rounds when we have the worst secondary in football.
-One of our Safeties threw a TD springing block against his own man for the 2nd straight week. Who is teaching tackling angles to these guys?
-Our LBs are still too small to fill against the run.
-Schaub was very shaky early. He appears to let a bad play or two get in his head and become bad quarters.
-Our play calling allowed Andre Johnson to disappear. This should never happen. We should never allow drives to go by without plays designed to get him the ball.
TheMatrix31
09-01-2009, 12:32 AM
I'm watching the first team on both sides of the ball. If you're not seeing what I'm seeing then you will shortly. Cushing should help the linebackers but I don't see any help for the secondary even when Dunta returns. The safeties are if anything worse than last year.
I can only hope that the play calling will be more creative when other teams sell everything to stop the run. This team is literally going to have to score five TDs and add some FGs to beat a decent team.
Roy - I loved Duane Brown's play, too. He looks very solid over there in pass protection.
Oh I know, I'm watching the first team too, and it was ugly. Preseason is just a different beast though.
The secondary is a major concern, and has been for years, so I don't know what to think of it.
Playcalling will be fine. Kubiak is creative as hell.
Keith
09-01-2009, 12:47 AM
http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20090831.html
Xavier Adibi and the safeties just turned in a brutal performance. I don't think that Zac Diles was worth writing home about, but once Cushing returns, I wonder if Diles should start at WLB in place of Adibi. Man oh man. And I can't remember thinking many good things about Dominique Barber since he started playing more with the 1's. Sad thing is I'm not sure there's better alternative on the roster.
Keith
09-01-2009, 12:51 AM
Playcalling will be fine. Kubiak is creative as hell.
I'm not one to gripe much about preseason playcalling, but the decision to run the ball against the league's best run defense with nine seconds left in the first half was a head scratcher.
I suppose Baby Shan thought he could maybe sneak something past the defense since everyone was thinking deep pass, but then again, everyone was thinking a deep pass was the right playcall there for good reason.
Watching ESPN back home afterward, it looked like Kubiak walked up to and past Baby Shan after that playcall and said something to him. And I can't read lips, but it seemed to me like Baby Shan said something to the effect of 'my bad' in return. But maybe I was reading too much into it, I dunno.
chuck
09-01-2009, 01:11 AM
It's a cop out to blame Casserly at this point. The current crew has had more than enough time to turn things around. If we fail this year it is squarely on Smith and Kubiak.
Oh, I'll be happy to gripe about them, too, when the time comes, don't you worry.
Kubiak and Smith have overseen near total personnel turnover since they took over. That tells you what sort of talent they were left with. There was more defensive talent on the first year's team than there was when Kubiak took over. That may even be true today. Think about that. Casserly took an expansion team's defense and made it worse. Under a defensive minded coach!
Casserly's total mishandling of the personnel derailed the franchise. There is no other way to look at it. Consider Babin and Buchanon. Assuming that the team had a competent GM think about the defensive players that the team could have had if they'd conserved the picks they used in those two trades that yielded the team literally nothing other than wasted time.
TheMatrix31
09-01-2009, 01:19 AM
I'm not one to gripe much about preseason playcalling, but the decision to run the ball against the league's best run defense with nine seconds left in the first half was a head scratcher.
I suppose Baby Shan thought he could maybe sneak something past the defense since everyone was thinking deep pass, but then again, everyone was thinking a deep pass was the right playcall there for good reason.
Watching ESPN back home afterward, it looked like Kubiak walked up to and past Baby Shan after that playcall and said something to him. And I can't read lips, but it seemed to me like Baby Shan said something to the effect of 'my bad' in return. But maybe I was reading too much into it, I dunno.
Yeah that was awful dude.
nunusguy
09-01-2009, 05:57 AM
DeMeco was showing what he can do when healthy. He played a Hell of a game.
Connor Barwin is going to be out Justin Tuck and I like the way Bush plays him.
The 75-yard run that Peterson started the game with was all Adibi's fault since he overran the play leaving nothing back side. Wilson, Ferguson, Barber, and whoever else we play at the back end of the Secondary is atrocious.
Very happy to see Duane Brown playing well against Jared Allen. I was hopeful that Caldwell would beat out Briesel at RG, but right now, I'm not sure who is worse.
Can't wait to see Cushing play, hopefully that will help DeMeco.
Where the hell you been stranger ?
But ya, there was some positives in the game, certainly compared with the embarrassment vs NOLA. And thanks for pointing them out, along with the negatives which were all too obvious.
I wondered about the first play of the game, and you're saying Adibi and not the SAM was the guilty party ?
I really wonder if Cushing makes a difference, and if so can he stay on the field ? Speaking of staying on the field, what are we gonna do about Schaub ?
The backup QB is talented with a strong and accurate arm (sometimes accurate), but he hardly inspires confidance. But they are saying "sexy Rexy" back sooner than anyone expected - like maybe Friday vs TB ? Could he be our salvation if Schaub misses a lot of time again this year ?
Atleast the effort was there from the DLine tonight with guys hustling all over the place. And DeMeco was all-world.
I'm anxious but excited about the season-opener. Really don't know what to expect ?
popanot
09-01-2009, 08:12 AM
All in all, it was a pretty pathetic performance last night. One thing is for sure, though... Demeco is a frickin' stud and they need to pay the man!!! OD showed he should be paid also. There's no one on the roster even close to these two guys at their positions!
My quick assessment;
- Schaub was horrible, IMO. Seemed frazzled from the start and never really got into any sort of a rhythm. Showed once again he's an injury waiting to happen - and Orlovsky is an INT waiting to happen. The season is definitely over if/when Schaub goes down. I wish they would have signed Jeff Garcia as the backup (or pick him up if he's cut). Garcia's not great at this stage, but I'd feel a hell of a lot more comfortable with him in there for a few games if necessary.
- OL was OK. Not good, nor bad. I don't care who they're playing against, they need to figure out how to get more out of the running game (misdirection, RB screens, etc.). Pass protection was average. They didn't get Schuab hurt, but he had to scramble more than I like and I don't recall Schaub having all that much time in the pocket before feeling heat.
- Barwin was a great pick. Aboslutely LOVE the guy's motor.
- Okoye played better, but that's not saying much. Let's see if it continues. I have my doubts...
- Secondary is awful, obviously.
- Demeco was obviously all over the place, but I felt the other LB's played better after AP's big run. They did pretty well in coverage, IMO.
- Pass rush seems to be more active and I definitely liked some of the blitz packages.
- Kubiak needs to start sending a stronger message to this team about performing, intensity and also protecting your teammates. It's ridiculous there wasn't an all-out brawl when Pitts was kicked while down. And then no retaliation when DCKHD Favre threw the crack-back block on Wilson? WTF!?
Joshua
09-01-2009, 09:45 AM
I'm not one to gripe much about preseason playcalling, but the decision to run the ball against the league's best run defense with nine seconds left in the first half was a head scratcher.
I suppose Baby Shan thought he could maybe sneak something past the defense since everyone was thinking deep pass, but then again, everyone was thinking a deep pass was the right playcall there for good reason.
Watching ESPN back home afterward, it looked like Kubiak walked up to and past Baby Shan after that playcall and said something to him. And I can't read lips, but it seemed to me like Baby Shan said something to the effect of 'my bad' in return. But maybe I was reading too much into it, I dunno.
Although it really didn't work, I told my buddy before the play that I expected a run there. I think Shanahan's thinking was just to put us in the best position to try a FG. They were too far out to have a realistic shot at a TD with only 1 real play left and a sack could have possibly taken them out of FG range. I think they were just hoping to catch Minn. off guard and pick up an additional 5 yards or so to give Brown a better shot at 3. I actually thought it was probably the right play call, it just didn't really work.
barrett
09-01-2009, 10:56 AM
Oh, I'll be happy to gripe about them, too, when the time comes, don't you worry.
Kubiak and Smith have overseen near total personnel turnover since they took over. That tells you what sort of talent they were left with. There was more defensive talent on the first year's team than there was when Kubiak took over. That may even be true today. Think about that. Casserly took an expansion team's defense and made it worse. Under a defensive minded coach!
Casserly's total mishandling of the personnel derailed the franchise. There is no other way to look at it. Consider Babin and Buchanon. Assuming that the team had a competent GM think about the defensive players that the team could have had if they'd conserved the picks they used in those two trades that yielded the team literally nothing other than wasted time.
There is another way to look at it. Smith and Kubiak have been given plenty of time to turn things around. We had a recent thread where we saw that New Orleans had a coaching change at the same time and they have had just as much turnover as we have and they have even less remaining talent.
Anything we lack right now is %100 Smith and Kubiak. They made this team according to their vision and priorities and desires. Casserly and Capers sucked but they have nothing to do with whether we win or lose this year.
idymoe
09-01-2009, 11:33 AM
I'll have to watch the game again to look more closely at some players, but here are a few things I noticed. Ryans played great, but the other backers were the biggest liability on defense. I know Wilson looked really bad on the play on Taylor, but with the DL trying to get penetration all the time, the lb's really have to fill the gaps. A lot of the passing yards that Farve got were yac's on screen plays. The lb's have to be blowing those up. If Adibi doesn't improve quickly, then I think Diles should take over Will when Cushing gets back.
I thought Amobi got more inside pressure than I have ever seen him get. Barwin caused problems. His speed caused McKinney to tackle him. That penalty is almost like a sack, other than getting the down over. Brown looked like the veteran big back he is, and Foster made some nice plays the short time he was in.
Pitts was noticeably rusty.
Orlavsky made some nice throws under pressure, but bad decision on the pick.
Don't ever want to see Brink in a regular season game, unless it's a blowout. He had some zip on the ball, but he reminds me of the golfer who can drive it a decent distance, but had to swing as hard as he can. He'll never be consistent.
Thought Cody did well and DelJuan was very active, albeit against 2nd team, mostly.
Wish Okam could have fallen on Favre for that chicken-shit block on Wilson.
HPF Bob
09-01-2009, 12:40 PM
The next time the Texans successfully defend a screen pass will be the first.
papabear
09-01-2009, 01:49 PM
I'm actually not nearly as upset as some people are about the game last night. There are plenty of things that concern me, but as I was looking through comments here and at battle red during the game it seemed like their was plenty of the we suck crowd. The offense didn't look sharp, but we were playing one of the better defenses in the league. The defense has some holes, but we all knew that. They also showed some backbone especially the drive where they held Minnesota to a field goal. General observations:
-I thought there were times last year where Slaton missed the whole, or picked the wrong one. Last night I thought he looked indecisive early, but better after Brown had a couple of series. I don't know if it's rust or what, but he seemed to be dancing a little last night and didn't have the "one cut and go" mentality. On one play he damn near went backwards to try and bounce it outside instead of taking it for a yard or two at least up the middle. I think he'll be fine...and even last year our running game was a bit feast or famine. Brown could be a big help, and Foster looked good too. Gibbs will fix whatever problems are in the run game.
-I thought the defensive line did a good job last night. They pressured the QB into a few incompletions, got a few sacks, and were close enough to get a shot on the QB several times. The big run early was not their fault. Adibi overpursued, but Adibi and Ryans were both kept clean on that play. If the d-line does nothing else against the run accept hold the line and keep the LB's clean they did their job. Barwin is very active. Okam had a couple nice pressures. Okoye too, and I saw him string several plays out to the sideline. Showed a lot of effort. Smith got a paw on Favre that allowed Mario to get a sack. Plenty to work on, but overall I thought the D-line looked better than the LB (minus Demeco) and the secondary....though that's not saying much I guess.
-It will be interesting to see who starts at WILL once Cush is back. Adibi and Diles have both made plenty of mistakes. It's a tossup in my opinion at this point. I think Adibi has much better potential and should therefore win the tie breaker. Ryans was playing with a fire that was great too see. The LB's have to do a better job sniffing out screens, especially if the CB's are in man.
-I thought the corners were fine last night. Minny's not known for their passing game, but we were beaten mostly by screen passes and dump-offs that aren't necessarily the corners primary responsibility. The couple of down-field passes they tried were well covered (and/or poorly thrown by that guy). The safeties get a failing grade just for that Eugen Wilson tackle though....I think that was the same play where Demeco looked like he had man coverage on that, or at least sniffed it out, but slipped trying to get to the play.
-Duane Brown had a great day pass protection. Captain A-hole was held in check.
-Pitts needs to play next week even if it's mostly back ups in that game to knock the rest of the rust off.
-Orlovsky was making me feel good about him....until that pick. Both picks looked like the same problem. It looked like they decided where to go with the ball before the snap. I don't know if the breakdown was in the pre-snap read, an audible, or they just did a good job of disguising coverages, but Kubiak needs to fix that. I'm not worried about it as much with Schaub. I thought we saw a little of why Kubes likes Orlovsky so much last night though.
I'm not guaranteeing playoffs(I always think you should wait to get through a good chunk of the season before playoff talk starts anyway) or anything like that, but I don't think it's fair to write this team off either. The defense struggled against a VERY good offense one week. The Offense struggled against a very good defense the next. Both games were still winnable when the starters started coming out, and we have no idea what would have happened had it been a real game. Sure, I would have liked for them to look better, but most NFL games are of a back and forth nature that usually aren't settled until well into the fourth quarter. We've been great in the preseason before and it didn't do us any good. I think we have enough guys on this team with the right make up to use the last couple of weeks for motivation.
coloradodude
09-01-2009, 02:03 PM
Connor Barwin and DeMeco Ryans played excellent. They will have to be accounted for.
Mario Williams had the best seat in the house last night on several run plays. He is no threat to the opponents run game, that's for certain.
Eric Winston...I really hope Gibbs puts his pathetic play under the microscope.
Back to the positive! I think Connor Barwin is a young, inexperienced Jared Allen in the making. Relentless.
chuck
09-01-2009, 02:42 PM
The next time the Texans successfully defend a screen pass will be the first.
Hey, at least the Texans are designing and calling screen passes on offense now. There was a period of about three years when I didn't see a single designed screen.
TexanJedi
09-01-2009, 02:59 PM
Well, I do admit I have tempered my expectations (I hate to say a third straight 8-8 season would not floor me, disappoint me yes) after the last two weeks. Sure it's preseason , but these are good football teams.
I always thought the defense would take some time and be a work in progress, and it hurts to not have Cushing, Reeves, and Robinson; but Antonio Smith has yet to really flash and I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach that he could be another Super Bowl free agent bust- but I won't freak until halfway through the season if this keeps up.
I think this team lacks toughness, however you define it. They certainly are not the Steelers or Ravens.
On offense the pass protection looks good, but the run blocking thus far leaves a lot to be desired. I am usually very optimistic, to the point of being a homer, when a new season begins, but this one not as much though I guess I should be. Come on prove me wrong Texans.
papabear
09-01-2009, 05:04 PM
Mario Williams had the best seat in the house last night on several run plays. He is no threat to the opponents run game, that's for certain.
Mario can get a little pre-occupied with rushing the passer and the run stopping suffers. He improved greatly since he first got here and I think he's proven that he is very capable against the run....much better than other elite pass rushers such as Allen, Freeney, etc.
dadmg
09-02-2009, 02:34 AM
I was waiting tables at Applebee's while the game played on our TVs. After paying attention during some of the pre-game because the restaurant was dead, I began trying to do some actual work. Then, as I was walking by I saw the Vikings lined up and I thought, "Let's see how the Texans run D is looking." Turns out it was that first play of the game. I went back to work and didn't watch another play. I had all the answers I needed. And now I'm thinking my 7-10 win projection might be on the optimistic side, even if it's lower than most of the prediction's I'm seeing here.
nunusguy
09-02-2009, 07:26 AM
Looking at the replay, it was a basic inside zone run. The Vikings were in a tight I-formation, the flow started left and most of the Texans defensive front went with it. Peterson took a deep handoff from Favre and seemed to be running full speed when he hit the hole.
Mario Williams and Fred Bennett were on the backside and are probably the corner and end that Kubiak was talking about. Mario took the outside shoulder of the right tackle which allowed the backside cut. The receiver lined up just outside the tackle came over and helped screen Mario away from the play. I'm guessing that Mario was supposed to crash inside when he saw the fullback lead left.
Bennett was lined up tight on the wide receiver just outside the tackle and got sucked into that same double team. He took a bad angle to the hole which prevented him from making the tackle. At the second level, Xavier Adibi was in the best position to make a play but he got sucked in to the flow to the left side - with six other defenders.
http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houston-Texans-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Texans-not-ready-for-prime-time
***********************************************
In case anybodys still interested, here's a comprehensive analysis of the Texans busted play vs AD/Vikings on the 75 yard TD by AJ from the
Examiner.
idymoe
09-02-2009, 12:04 PM
I replayed that run about 10 times last night in stop action. Mario was basically stood up at the los by one blocker. I'm not sure what "crashing inside" means. If he had penetrated outside the block, he would have been even more out of the play than he was. The right tackle basically had him sealed, and it appeared Mario was pretty content just to hold his position.
Let me back-track and set up the defense. The ball was on the right hashmark. Diles was up on the los on the strong side. (defensive right side). Ryans was in the middle of the hashmarks and Adibi was on the right hashmark, just about lined up with the center. The play was zone blocked to the strong side with the right tackle sealing Mario as I mentioned. Bennett was outside Mario. I don't know what the hell Bennett was doing. Once the play started, he took himself completely out by running right up into Mario's back. Weird. Adibi took himself out of the play by ignoring his gap responsibility and going with the flow to his right. It was an easy play for AD and was basically all over but the shoutin' about 4 yards beyond the los. McCain was lightly engaged by a wide receiver, but AD is so fast, I'm not sure he could have made the play in that much space even if he was unblocked.
Adibi has to take most of the blame. Mario did nothing on the play. If Bennett has contain responsibilities, then Mario should be sliding over to help fill that gap. Bennett might as well not even have been on the field. Maybe what Mario did or didn't do confused him. Those three were the culprits.
idymoe
09-02-2009, 12:13 PM
In an earlier post, I wrote that Barwin caused McKinney to have to tackle him, resulting in a holding penalty. Upon further review, it was 93, not 98, so Bulman had the strong rush from RE.
Also, I watched the 1st half again last night and was looking for Molden. I found him on that last series before the half. I thought he did reall well in run support and also had good coverage of his man. He took out McKinney on a sweep to his side, which allowed pursuit to catch up to the play and keep the gain small. He was also in on another tackle or two. He did let Rice make a nice move over the middle for a reception. That was the one that McCain had the big hit on.
painekiller
09-02-2009, 12:18 PM
I replayed that run about 10 times last night in stop action. Mario was basically stood up at the los by one blocker. I'm not sure what "crashing inside" means. If he had penetrated outside the block, he would have been even more out of the play than he was. The right tackle basically had him sealed, and it appeared Mario was pretty content just to hold his position. Your likely correct in that assessment, Mario would have outside contain
Let me back-track and set up the defense. The ball was on the right hashmark. Diles was up on the los on the strong side. (defensive right side). Ryans was in the middle of the hashmarks and Adibi was on the right hashmark, just about lined up with the center. The play was zone blocked to the strong side with the right tackle sealing Mario as I mentioned. Bennett was outside Mario. I don't know what the hell Bennett was doing. Once the play started, he took himself completely out by running right up into Mario's back. Weird. Adibi took himself out of the play by ignoring his gap responsibility and going with the flow to his right. It was an easy play for AD and was basically all over but the shoutin' about 4 yards beyond the los. McCain was lightly engaged by a wide receiver, but AD is so fast, I'm not sure he could have made the play in that much space even if he was unblocked.
Adibi has to take most of the blame.In this defense the LBs have to fill the holes and not get blocked, Adibi is continuing a problem we have had since Kubiak got here, out OLBs have sucked and we need to upgrade the play of the younger LBs. Mario did nothing on the play. If Bennett has contain responsibilities, then Mario should be sliding over to help fill that gap. Bennett might as well not even have been on the field. Maybe what Mario did or didn't do confused him. Those three were the culprits.
Over pursuit is as bad in the NFL as under pursuit
idymoe
09-02-2009, 04:57 PM
Here is a post-game quote by Kubiak. " But the bottom line, we made the same mistake on the backside of the play and how we insert on the play from a defensive end and corner standpoint." If Mario had contain on the play, then Bennett went as brain-dead as anyone I've ever seen. He literally ran right up into Mario's back for no apparent reason. It wouldn't surprise me if Mario was supposed to slide over into the gap and Bennett had contain. Bennett would have to loop around Mario to fill.
papabear
09-02-2009, 04:58 PM
I have no idea what Mario's responsibility on that play was. That being said if the LB's are clean the defensive line did at least an OK job regardless of what their responsibilities are, and the LB's should be expected to make that play...or at least put up a little resistance.
idymoe
09-02-2009, 05:12 PM
Adibi ran himself out of the play. If he stays home, he's cleaner than a broke-dick dog.
Big Texas
09-02-2009, 05:21 PM
Mario Williams had the best seat in the house last night on several run plays. He is no threat to the opponents run game, that's for certain.
Me personally, I think he made some mistakes in the backfield, but damn it he was in the backfield, which is more than I can say about our line backers minus Ryans. He cant do it all. I think he did his job by causing disruption in the backfield. There were times when Peterson was dead in the water in the backfield and there was no body there except Mario and by the time they got there, they were getting juked out their socks are completely ran over.
coloradodude
09-02-2009, 06:17 PM
The right tackle basically had him sealed, and it appeared Mario was pretty content just to hold his position.
And my comment was not even about the first play because the LB's were responsible for making that tackle, not to mention a safety.
This quote does though sum up my feelings about Mario's play when it comes to the run. He excels at getting to the QB when he's told to go...and he better because he sucks at the run.
Another poster mentioned that the Texans lack a mean streak which I agree with. That starts with Mario. Reminds me of one of those 180 lb Rottweiler's that anyone can walk up to and pet. Sure he'll get his 10 to 14 sacks this year but I don't anticipate many double team situations on him.
Teams will have to account for Barwin though. He's coming every single play. And because of that, people are gonna think Mario is the best thing since sliced bread.
papabear
09-02-2009, 09:39 PM
Teams will have to account for Barwin though. He's coming every single play. And because of that, people are gonna think Mario is the best thing since sliced bread.
I have no problem holding the stars to a higher level, but saying Mario sucks against the run and then pimping Barwin makes no sense at all. Barwin has a great motor, but he's getting taken out of the play on the run pretty often. I think he's going to be very good, but he's still got to prove it...and he has a lot of work to do first.
I'm not saying Mario doesn't make mistakes against the run. He does. He clearly said "my bad" after one run play, but saying he sucks is taking it way too far in my opinion. I think some of Mario's problem is he feels like he has to do everything instead of just taking care of his own stuff. Barwin could help change that. Compared to other elite pass rushers Mario is better than most against the run.
dalemurphy
09-03-2009, 08:19 AM
I have no problem holding the stars to a higher level, but saying Mario sucks against the run and then pimping Barwin makes no sense at all. Barwin has a great motor, but he's getting taken out of the play on the run pretty often. I think he's going to be very good, but he's still got to prove it...and he has a lot of work to do first.
I'm not saying Mario doesn't make mistakes against the run. He does. He clearly said "my bad" after one run play, but saying he sucks is taking it way too far in my opinion. I think some of Mario's problem is he feels like he has to do everything instead of just taking care of his own stuff. Barwin could help change that. Compared to other elite pass rushers Mario is better than most against the run.
I'm sure some habits developed with Mario since he was literally the only player on the team that could provide pressure. As this season continues and other guys prove to be playmakers, I don't doubt we will see Mario play more disciplined against the run.
Regarding the Mario to Barwin comparison, certainly Mario is the better player. But, it is clear that Barwin has an intensity, motor, and tenacity that is very rare. Barring injury, that guy is going to be a special player and there are about 50 guys on the team that could learn a few things watching that guy play. He and Demeco are at the ball every single play, regardless of where the play goes... His backside pursuit is something we've never had here.
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