Official Texans @ Cardinals Game Thread, 10/11/2009

[Keith]

Late start for the game this afternoon, only time the team has a post-3pm start the rest of the way this season, except for the Monday Night game against the Titans, of course. Doesn't mean all that much of the country will actually be watching though. Outside of Arizona and most of Texas, the nation will have their eyes on the Patriots and Broncos.

http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2009/05-CBS-L.html

Seems like the makings of a shootout, so maybe it won't be. And you'd think we would get the best out of Antonio Smith in this game, so keep an eye on that.

[Roy P]

OK, there is a lot of talk about how this will be a shoot-out today. Warner and Schaub are accurate and have over 1,000 yards passing thus far. Fitzgerald v. Johnson as to who is the best WR in the league is for water-cooler talk.

This game is going to depend upon defense. Can Connor Barwin get a sack today on Warner? Will Mario's shoulder limit his effectiveness. Can Okoye get penetration. How likely will our Secondary be able to pilfer an interception?


-Keith, we both started the "official thread" at the same time. So, I brought my post here.

[mussop]

OK, there is a lot of talk about how this will be a shoot-out today.

You know what that means. A low scoring defensive battle. It never fails.

[NBT]

Wish I knew which Texan team was going to show up today.

[popanot]

Uh... Are these guys going to switch over to the f'ing game??!!

[Arky]

Gametime!

Texans to receive.

AD brings it out to about the Texan 19. Flag on the play. Illegal block in the back on Texans. Texans ball at the 10.

[HPF Bob]

Wow! A penalty on the kickoff and a fumbled snap to start. Texans need a wakeup call.

[Arky]

1st down, bumbled snap. Schaub fall on the ball.

Schaub hits AJ for about 5. 3rd and 5 coming up.

3rd down pass too high to AD. Texans to punt.

[HPF Bob]

Are the Texans even on the field? I don't see any yet.

[Arky]

Cards ball at their 36.

1st down pass good to Boldin for 21. Ball in Texan territory.

Hightower for 11. Ball at the Texan 33.

Dump pass to Hightower good for 5. 2nd down.

Wells for about 9 and a 1st down. Cards rollin'.

Timeout Cards.

[popanot]

Looks like the Texans we all know and loath. :rolleyes:

[Arky]

Boldin for 3 on the reverse. Ball at the Texan 15.

Dump to Hightower goes to the 3 yard line.

Hightower for about 2. 2nd and goal.

Hightower punches it in from the 1.

Cardinals 7, Texans 0

[HPF Bob]

Texans are playing like they all have flu-like symptoms. :mad:

[Fonz the Boss]

Raiders got pounded 44-7 earlier..... We are not playing the Raiders this week and it didnt take long to find that out.... Texans 3 and out the Cards march for a touchdown. This is gonna be a long day.

[Arky]

AD brings the kickoff back to the Texan 23.

Slaton for about 4.

Schaub hits AJ out at the 40. 1st down.

Offsides D Brown -5. Ball at the Texan 35.

1st down pass is inc. - batted down.

2nd down pass is inc. to Walter. 3rd and 15 coming up.

Slaton for about 8 on the draw. 4th down and Texans to punt.

Turks punt rolls to the Cardinals 13. Cardinals ball.

[chuck]

For this to be a shootout the Texans have to find some bullets. After that gutless draw play call Arizona's going to march down the field and score another touchdown and will be well on their way to a rout. Next week the Texans are going to get abused by the Bengals.

[Big Texas]

Yeah, good job hand it off and let your defense have at em'.

[Big Texas]

this game has blowout written all over it.

[NBT]

If the Texans would just settle down they would be all right.

[Arky]

Wells for no gain.

On 2nd and 10, pass goes inc.

Dump to Hightower is close to the 1st down. Tis a 1st down after measurement.

Pass to Breaston good for about 22.

Pass to Fitzgerald good for about 8.

Pass to Fitzgerald good for 23. Ball at the Texan 23.

Wells for 1. 2nd and 9.

Pass good for 13 but flag on the play. Refs rule no flag. 1st and goal at the 9.

Wilson puts the pop on Boldin - Fumble! DeMeco recovers for 29 yards! Texans ball at their 30!

Red flag from Whisenhunt.....

[popanot]

These guys suck. They have no clue as to how to stop these guys.

[Fonz the Boss]

hahaha... this game is a joke. They will switch us to the Patriots/ Denver game by the 4th quarter.

[popanot]

Demeco had a clear shot at Warner. He should have driven right into him.

[HPF Bob]

We needed that!

Now it's going to be challenged. looked like a clear fumble to me.

[Big Texas]

Thank god. We were on our last leg...

[Big Texas]

We need a score, another score, another score, and more....

Our D is completely over-matched; especially our coaches.

[Big Texas]

We need a score, another score, another score, and more....

Our D is completely over-matched; especially our coaches.

Forget that we need a TD, F@#$ a field goal.

[Arky]

Ruling on the field is confirmed. Texans ball.

Schaub hits AJ for 21. Ball at midfield.

Slaton hits the corner for 16.

[Big Texas]

Good job, that'll trick'em. Lets run behind our stout OLine.

[Arky]

Ball at the Cards 33.

Pass to Dreesen over the middle for about 4. Ball at the Cardinal 29.

End of 1st quarter.

[chuck]

Why doesn't Schaub have the ability to check out of a play? I know why they didn't let the other guy audible (although ironically the one half they turned the plays over to him he looked better than he ever did), but why hamstring Schaub like that?

[Arky]

Slaton runs for the 1st down at the Cardinal 21.

Dump to a stumbling Slaton for 5.

2nd down pass too high to AJ in the endzone. 3rd and 5.

3rd down pass goes inc.

Texans to go for the FG.

34 FG attempt is blocked.

Score remains:

Cardinals 7, Texans 0

[chuck]

Why is Schaub so fking indecisive with the football?

[Fonz the Boss]

Post #22 on this thread is confirmed.

[HPF Bob]

Blocked FG. Another pisser of a first half.

[Big Texas]

Just like I said

Forget a field goal

And IMO Shaub could've ran for that 1st down.

[Arky]

Hightower TFL by Okoye and DeMeco. -2 yards.

Pass good for 5. 3rd and 7.

Flat pass to Hightower not enough for the 1st. Cards to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to about the Texan 19.

[HPF Bob]

Why is Schaub so fking indecisive with the football?

...Carritis?

[Arky]

Schaub hits Leach in the flat for about 20.

Slaton no gain. 2nd and 10 at the Texan 39.

Short pass to Walter good for 8. 3rd and 2.

AJ drops one. Texans to punt.

Cards bring Turk's punt back to their 18.

[Big Texas]

So I'm confused:

Does our offense suck right now or Is the Cards' D better?

[popanot]

Would somebody on this team please stand up and make a fking play?

[popanot]

GD'damn Warner has all day back there. When are we ever going to get a pass rush? I don't see many teams struggle as much as we do year in and year to get a respectable rush.

[Arky]

Wells for 2. 2nd and 8.

Pass to Breaston good for 19 and a 1st down. Ball at the Cards 38.

Wells for 2. 2nd and 8.

Hightower for no gain. Run defense lookin pretty good. Pass defense, eh....

3rd down pass goes inc. Cards to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the Texan 18.

[HPF Bob]

Yep...a shootout just as everyone predicted.

[Arky]

Yep...a shootout just as everyone predicted.

I think they meant "shutout"... :p

[Arky]

Slaton for 2. About 6 minutes left in the half.

Pass to AJ good for 7. 3rd and 1.

Oh goodness, Slaton for no gain on 3rd down. :( Texans to punt.

Breaston fields the ball and is stopped at the Cardinal 32.

[Big Texas]

Are you serious?

[Big Texas]

who the hell did you think you were fooling with Leach split out wide?

[popanot]

Ok, the offense is inept to the point where the defense will surely breakdown if it keeps up.

[Big Texas]

Either max protect a dive or throw the ball.

Kyle, your trickery sucks.

[chuck]

Someone on the DL is going to have to win an individual battle in passing situations. Our guys are just getting beat one on one.

I have no idea why they insist on running the ball using obvious running formations. The Texans have a terrible interior line and they will not beat anyone.

[TheMatrix31]

This is so ugly.

Can we please get Slaton involved in screen passes?

[Arky]

Warner's 1st down pass is knocked down. 2nd and 10.

Screen to Fitzgerald good for 12 and the 1st down.

Warner throws inc - Flag on the play. Holding on offense -10. Brings up 1st and 20.

Pass to Urban good for 12. 2nd and 8.

Pass to Boldin goes for about 11 and a 1st down. Ball in Texan territory at the 43.

Pass to Breaston goes 22 yards to the Texan 20.

2 minute warning.

[Big Texas]

This is so ugly.

Can we please get Slaton involved in screen passes?

I have been seconding this motion since week 1. I think they are in love with what they don't have. Stop running the ball up the damn middle as if you have some hogs up front.

The two good runs Slaton had were outside.

[HPF Bob]

Why put names on the backs of the unis if they're all going to wear their hair like girls?

[popanot]

Can we please get Slaton involved in screen passes?Why? We have Leach for that. Little Shan knows how to move an offense. :rolleyes:

[Arky]

Wells for 4. Timeout Texans. 1:55 left in the half. 2nd and 6.

Pass to Boldin goes inc but PI on Reeves. Auto 1st down at the Texan 9.

Warner hits Fitzgerald in the back of the endzone for 6 points.

Cardinals 14, Texans 0

1:44 left in the half.

[Big Texas]

Am I the only one who saw the full arm extended push off on Dunta?

[Big Texas]

this game is looking strikingly similar to the New York/Raider game earlier. Except this time we are the Raiders.

[nunusguy]

Very disappointing. We got that break when they fumbled at the GL and DeMeco recovers and they let us back in the game, but fail to take advantage.

[Arky]

AD takes a knee in the endzone on the kickoff. Texans ball at their 20.

Pass to JJ good for 4.

2nd down pass is knocked away from AJ.

Schaub throw it away on 3rd down. Texans to punt.

False start on Texans - re-punt coming up.

Turk's punt only goes 29 yards. Cards have the ball in Texan territory at the Texan 48.

[NBT]

Let's begin to face it. Kubiak has gone as far as he can. Bad as I hate to say this, we are going to have to have a full house shakeup to ever get it right. Might as well start next week.

[popanot]

Schaub fking sucks today! Too bad we don't even have an option at backup! 29yd punt. Total breakdown today. :(

[chuck]

The Texans' pass rush is an absolute abomination. Even the Raiders have a better pass rush than the Texans do. I have no idea why Okam and Robinson are inactive in the place of some random DEs that they signed off the street.

False start on the punt. Awesome. This is a terrible team. Arizona's going to score again.

[Big Texas]

Wow. Is it their outstanding Defense? Hell no.

It's our piss poor play calling. They are stopping us man to man.

Maybe because they know where our receivers are going before they get there.

[Fonz the Boss]

Cardinals will go for the jugular now..... Please switch us to the Patriots game at halftime.

[Arky]

Pass to Urban good for 10.

Pass to Boldin goes for 12. Ball at the Texans 26.

Warner hits Fitzgerald in the corner for 6 points.

Cardinals 21, Texans 0

25 secs. left in the half.

[TheMatrix31]

LOL. What a joke, man.

[HPF Bob]

Game over.

[Arky]

AD brings to the kickoff back to the Texans 19.

Dump to Slaton goes for 3.

End of half.

[chuck]

This team is worse than last year's. They can't run the ball and somehow the defense is worse than last year's defense.

Kubiak has been a spectacular failure. He is completely overmatched.

[Big Texas]

So lets take a look at who we have beaten this year:

The winless Titans and the only team worst than us right now: the raiders.

It is safe to say that we are gonna suck this year. I refuse to believe that it is all player mistakes now. Coordinators call plays according their personnel. Right now I don't think they give a shit about the personnel they have. They call what they wanna call.

And that is why we are getting it handed to us.

Kubiak, Kyle "F" your systems. You don't have the personnel to do it. Your OLine is comparable to some high school kids.

Bush, your safeties suck. Stop leaving them one on one with great receivers.

Sorry to burst your bubble the cover 2 only works if you have good safeties.

Again outcoached is all I see right now. I am no longer blaming the personnel.

[popanot]

Gee, and just think the Cards get the ball to start the second half... Not good with the way this team comes out after halftime and lets the opposition ram the ball down their throat.

I'm starting to hate this team like I did Capers' team at the end. Bunch of wusses coached by a guy who is nothing more than a over-hyped coordinator.

[Big Texas]

Sorry about that:

I am no longer blaming the players.

The coaches have had ample time to know what they are working with and you continue to do the same shit.

Forget that.

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 10/18, 92 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Rushing: Slaton 8/38

Receiving: AJ 4/48, Slaton 2/9, Leach 1/20

Tackles: Pollard 6, Wilson 5, D-Rob/Cushing/Bulman/Quin 4

3rd down conv: Texans 0/6, Cardinals 1/3

Turnovers: Texans 0, Cardinals 1

Time of possession: Texans 12:49, Cardinals 17:11

[Big Texas]

Denver has 2 maybe 3 good players on D. Look what they're doing.

Champ
Brian Dawkins
Dumerveil

Ok lets see what we have on D.

DRyans
BCushing
M.Williams
DRobinson

So forget the fact that we are thin in the secondary.

You needed a better tackler in the secondary. You got one in Pollard and Quin. So now what's your excuse.

What a bunch a freakin losers

[Fonz the Boss]

The Texans are a joke.... CONFIRMED!!!

[Big Texas]

Kubiak: Oh uh, we need to get our running game going so it can establish the rest of our offense.

Big Texas: Well Slaton is averaging almost 5 yards per carry. Whats your excuse now?

Kubiak: Uhhhhhhhhh

[chuck]

Last week when the Texans were beating the Raiders the Texans' offense did absolutely nothing in the second half. The two mouthbreathers in charge of the offense decided to sit on the ball. I thought that was a terrible idea at the time because the offense needs to play and learn and execute, not just run the clock. Today the offense is 0-6 on third down, and you certainly reap what you sow.

Watch and see if the Cardinals let up in the second half. You can bet that they won't and that they'll keep scoring all throughout the half. They may slow down late in the fourth. But they won't just go to sleep now like the Texans did last week.

It's the difference between a competent head coach and a head coach with no idea what he's doing.

[TheMatrix31]

Wake--up--houston

[Arky]

Cards bring the 2nd half kickoff back to their 33.

Pass to Breaston for 3. 2nd down and 7.

2nd down pass goes inc.

Good play by DeMeco - no gain on the screen. Cardinals to punt.

Excellent return by JJ! 62 yards. Ball at the Cardinals 31.

[Big Texas]

Please kubiak the run up the middle is not working? Stoooooooooooooooopppppppppppp. Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaassssseeee.

[Arky]

Pass to Walter good for 9.

Slaton for no gain. Need about a half yard for the 1st down.

Slaton stopped for no gain. Texans to go for it on 4th down.

Pass goes out of the endzone. Cardinals ball. :(

[chuck]

WTF are they doing?

[TheMatrix31]

That was one of the worst playcalls of all time.

[nunusguy]

All we needed was a 1st down - so he throws it in the EZ ?

[Big Texas]

Can you say outcoached. I can. Over and over again

[Fonz the Boss]

LMAO!!!.... Im just watching the rest of the game so I can laugh at this pathetic team.

[popanot]

Un-fking-believeable!!!! 3rd and short so they run the same damn play that hasn't worked all day! Go for it on 4th and short and throw into double coverage out the back of the end zone. This is ridiculous!

[chuck]

That was one of the worst playcalls of all time.

Three in a row, there, chief. Three terrible, inexcusable calls in a row. Between Kubiak and Shannahan they have the brain power of a bean sprout. It's just an embarrassment.

[Big Texas]

I think Shaub saving all he has for the fourth qtr-when we are losing 42-0-so he can pad his stats.

[Big Texas]

the difference between us and them. They are winning 21-0 and they are still attacking. We, however would have run the ball 10 times in a row.

Can anybody say SCREEN.

[Arky]

1st down pass by Warner is inc.

Dump to Boldin good for 8. 3rd and 1.

Big gainer to Fitzgerald but called back because of Offensive PI. -10 yards. 3rd and 11.

A Smith hits Warner and pass goes inc.

Cardinals to punt.

False start Cards -5.

JJ fair catches at the Texan 36.

[popanot]

As hard as it is, I actually have to give the defnse some credit today. The offense is not helping at all!

[Big Texas]

I forgot we only know three plays.

Slant to Johnson
Fly to Johnson
Dive/zone stretch (same thing; they both go for negative yards) for Slaton.

[Joshua]

As hard as it is, I actually have to give the defnse some credit today. The offense is not helping at all!

You mean the defense that gave up over 250 yards passing in the first half and an approximately 90% completion percentage? On a side note, I would be curious to know how many QBs set their completion percentage record against us. There have been several.

[Arky]

Schaub hit as he passes and somehow OD catches it for 3 yards. 2nd and 7.

Pass to AJ good for 18.

Pass to Walter good for 12. Ball at the Cardinals 29.

Encroachment defense 5 yards. 1st and 5.

Schaub scrambles for 3.

C Brown close to the 1st down. 3rd and half a yard.

Schaub sneaks for the 1st down. 1st 3rd down conversion for the Texans. (1/8)

Dump to C Brown goes for the 9. 2nd and 1.

Short pass to OD good for the 1st down but flag on the play.

Illegal contact defense. 1/2 the distance to the goal line. 1st and goal inside the 5.

1st down pass over AJ's head in the endzone.

Slaton off tackle for 3. Ball at the 1.

C Brown punches it in. Yay! ;)

Cardinals 21, Texans 7

3:39 left in the 3rd quarter.

[popanot]

You mean the defense that gave up over 250 yards passing in the first half and an approximately 90% completion percentage?Yes, that one. I'm not saying the D' has been great, but come on, the offense needs to do something to help them out!! Against a teams like the Card and Colts you have to control the ball some.

[popanot]

3rd and goal. Slaton up the middle. Here it comes...:rolleyes:

[Big Texas]

Not to be the MK (mood killer) that was extremely too hard.

For offensive juggernauts, they do those things on a regular.

We seemed like we gave it all we had. Arizona is not an defensive giant.

Even in our successes we still look like failures

[popanot]

It would be nice if someone would step up and get a turnover here. How about someone slam Warner and force a fumble.

[Arky]

Cards bring the kickoff back to their own 19.

Dump pass to Becht good for 3.

On 2nd down, Reeves gets a hand in to break up pass.. 3rd and 7.

Pass complete to Boldin good for the 1st down.

Ball at the Cards 42.

Wells for 6 yards.

D-Rob breaks up the pass to Fitz. 3rd and 4.

Warner sacked! Cushing and Amobi, I think. Cards to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the Texan 23.

[popanot]

WTF? Does anyone on this D' ever try to strip the ball?? BTW, where's Mario? I don't think he's been in for awhile...

UPDATE: Ooops.. there he is.

[TheMatrix31]

Good job, Cushing.

[Big Texas]

Now this is when we find out what kind of team we are...

[Big Texas]

The run is not gonna get it done. screen for slaton. come on. big play potential.

[Arky]

Pass to OD good for 27. Ball at midfield.

End of 3rd quarter.

[Big Texas]

The run is not gonna get it done. screen for slaton. come on. big play potential.

Maybe I should coach the team

[popanot]

There's our obligatory 2yd. screen to Leach. Can't have a game without 2 or 3 of those... :rolleyes:

[Arky]

1st down pass inc to AJ.

Dump to Slaton good for 23 yards. 1st down.

Dump to Leach good for about 2. Ball at the Cards 25.

2nd down pass to OD goes inc. 3rd and 8.

Pass to DA gets the 1st down. Ball at the 10.

Reverse to KW = no gain.

Dump to AJ and AJ dances to the endzone.

Cardinals 21, Texans 14

12:18 left in the game.

[TheMatrix31]

End around on first and goal? C'mon man

[popanot]

I can't believe these guys are still in this game.

[TheMatrix31]

Let's force a turnover here!

[Big Texas]

End around on first and goal? C'mon man

I wish Kubiak would just slap Kyle upside the head every time he calls that play.
I dont think it has ever worked.

[Roy P]

Andre TD! :D

[Big Texas]

I can't believe these guys are still in this game.

Either Whisenhunt is seriously overthinking things or our Defense is truly stepping up.

I would love to believe the latter.

[Arky]

I wish Kubiak would just slap Kyle upside the head every time he calls that play.
I dont think it has ever worked.

Bob calls that "the slow white-boy reverse".....:p

[Big Texas]

Ok defense, no Fred Bennett sightings. Lets just play fundamental football.

[TheMatrix31]

Let's do this shit, baby!

[Arky]

Cards bring the kickoff back to the 23.

Hightower for 3.

2nd down pass dropped by Urban. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Warner hit by Mario - pass flutters inc.

Cards to punt.

JJ brings the punt back to the Texan 34.

11:14 left in the game.

[Roy P]

Mario got a hit on Warner :D

[Arky]

1st down pass by Schaub goes inc. 2nd and 10.

2nd down pass goes inc. Flag on the play. Holding on Texans. 2nd and 20.

Pass to OD good for about 9. 3rd and 11.

Pass to OD gets 12 and the 1st down.

Pass to Leach good for 9. 2nd and 1 at the Cards 46.

Slaton gets 1.5 yards for the 1st down.

Pass to OD good for 14. Ball at the Cards 30.

[Arky]

Dump to Slaton good for 13. Ball at the 17.

Woohoo! AJ is the Man! Catches the pass over the middle and just bulls his way to the endzone. TD Texans!

Texans 21, Cardinals 21

[WMH]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANDRE FREAKING JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is number 1. PERIOD!

[gunslinger57]

Andre Johnson is a MAYUN!!

[TheMatrix31]

Wooooooooooooo!

[Big Texas]

Heeellllll Yeahhhhhhhhhh

Larry Who?

[Big Texas]

Ok, they're at home. They wanna turn the tide. Its turnover time. Look for Warner to make a mistake. We need to be in position.

[gunslinger57]

It's not every day you see a LB bounce off a WR and do a flip in the air. That was amazing.

[Big Texas]

they're frustrated, come on turnover.

[chuck]

True, the Cardinals pass defense is terrible but I really think that a little bit of run and a whole lot of pass is the winning prescription for this team. Maybe a 65-35 split, something like that. This team trying to run the ball half the time is just stubborn stupidity.

And this comes from someone who would happily run the ball 100% of the time.

[Arky]

Cards bring the kickoff back to the 25 but 15 yard facemask on Moats. Cardinals ball at the 40.

1st down pass by Warner is knocked down by Barwin.

Flag presnap. False start offense. 2nd and 15.

2nd pass good for about 6 yards. 3rd and 8.

Boldin can't hang on pass from Warner so Cards to punt.

Ball rolls out of bounds at the Texans 11. Long way to go....

5:52 left in the game.

[Big Texas]

I'll settle for a 3 and out.

come on offense. Do not take your foot off the pedal.

I may scream if I see that half back stretch play...

[Big Texas]

True, the Cardinals pass defense is terrible but I really think that a little bit of run and a whole lot of pass is the winning prescription for this team. Maybe a 65-35 split, something like that. This team trying to run the ball half the time is just stubborn stupidity.

And this comes from someone who would happily run the ball 100% of the time.

I been saying that forever. They do not have the personnel on the Oline to be a strong running team.

Use the pass to set up the run and the screen.

[Arky]

Dump to OD goes for about 7.

Short pass to AJ good for the 1st down.

Quick strike to KW good for 8.

Dump to Slaton good for 9. 1st down. Ball at the Texan 39.

Slaton for -2.

Pass to DA makes it 3rd and 8.

Oh no, DRC intercepts and takes it to the house. :(

Cardinals 28, Texans 21

2:20 left in the game.

[Big Texas]

Damn stretch play. Drop that shit, please.

[gunslinger57]

Well that took the wind out of our sails. At least there's still time left on the clock.

[chuck]

That is directly attributable to the idiotic running play that lost six yards. Why in the world would they call a running play out of a two back formation at this point in the game???

[Arky]

Nice runback by AD on the kickoff. 60 yards!

Ball at the Cards 40.

Pass to OD good for 7.

2 minute warning.

[Big Texas]

I don't even have a problem with the pick. At least he was giving it his all. He read the play late but we still have a chance.

Lets just not make the mistake again...

Come on slaton screen.

[Arky]

Pass to DA goes to the Cards 22. 1st down.

Pass to OD goes to the 6. 1st and goal!

Timeout Texans. 1:27 left in the game.

Flip to Slaton goes to the 1. 2nd and goal.

Cards take a timeout.

C Brown to the 6 inch yard line.

Another Cards timeout. 52 secs. left in the game.

[Big Texas]

Let's go Texans

Come on, come on, come on. We can do this shit.

[gunslinger57]

Good play call. Fairly safe and it forces Arizona to use a TO.

Those Denver throwback unis are hideous.

[gunslinger57]

Dammit Schaub you could have run that ball in!

My stomach hurts.

[Arky]

Pass to Dreesen just out of the back of the endzone. 4th and goal coming up. Ballgame coming up.

Timeout Texans.

On 4th down, C Brown stopped short. :(

[chuck]

The interior OL is a fking disgrace. Why do the coaches not know this? How bad is Caldwell not to be able to get in the game with these clowns?

[Arky]

Booth review but I don't think he got it...

Play is upheld. Cardinals ball.

Cards offsides - 1/2 the distance.

Sneak by Warner = no gain.

[TheMatrix31]

****************in' A man. That SUCKS.

[popanot]

Fking pathetic! 4 damn plays and they can't move 1 yard. This OL is a bunch of frickin wimps!

[Arky]

Another sneak by Warner for no gain.

Final Score:

Cardinals 28, Texans 21

Oy.....:(

[Big Texas]

Kurt Warner's qb sneaks are gaining more yardage than the Texans goal line play

[TheMatrix31]

This team is two Chris Brown-goalline-failures away from being 4-1.

F'n A.

[Big Texas]

Fking pathetic! 4 damn plays and they can't move 1 yard. This OL is a bunch of frickin wimps!

Fking Meyers gets pushed into the backfield once again. This time by a nobody. Gabe Watson. WOW.

And that makes the 10th time the dive didn't work.

[Big Texas]

This team is two Chris Brown-goalline-failures away from being 4-1.

F'n A.

I wonder how he feels now.

[TheMatrix31]

I wonder how he feels now.

I don't give a shit how he feels. I don't want him to see the field on a goalline situation AGAIN. EVER.

[chuck]

I don't give a shit how he feels. I don't want him to see the field on a goalline situation AGAIN. EVER.

I don't see how he can be blamed today. He had nothing to work with up front.

[Arky]

I tell ya, the coaches are gonna catch hell from the fans... Why the weak middle? Why not run it over D Brown or Winston? Just.... crazy..... :(

[popanot]

Not only is the OL wimpy, Chris Brown has to be the wimpiest big-man RB I've ever seen. The guys fails 98% of the time.

[NBT]

Why isn't Caldwell playing RG now. Anything would be an improvement as far as the rushing game is concerned. Odoms just flat owned us the whole game. Offensive line coach should hide his head in shame.

You can't start 21 points behind and expect to win many games in this league. And it won't get any easier.

[Big Texas]

we would've done better with the play action pass to Leach; with OD as the second option on the drag.

Why the hell do we put the game in the hands of Chris Meyers. Because he got blew up is essentially the reason we did not get in.

Hell how about a screen Slaton. Why put the whole game in the hands of the OLine. They did nothing all game long. They were not the reason we were even in the position to win or tie it anyway.

[Fonz the Boss]

We have to be satisfied with the performance. The Texans of old would have folded by halftime. We came back and fought hard in the 2nd half... we had a chance to win... but we came up short. Clearly we are not a playoff team but we still put up a good fight.

[Big Texas]

Its like we also just let them know when we were gonna snap the ball. They beat our OLine off the snap.

If your OLine sucks that bad, "and you know this man", why the hell don't resort to some way to get the edge.

Hell, now that I think about it we had to call a qb sneak earlier on 3rd down inches.

Terrible execution.

For any normal team, that would've been a good play call. But because again we don't have the personnel to make that play it was a TERRIBLE play call.

[Big Texas]

We have to be satisfied with the performance. The Texans of old would have folded by halftime. We came back and fought hard in the 2nd half... we had a chance to win... but we came up short. Clearly we are not a playoff team but we still put up a good fight.

Fk putting up a good fight. We could've won without that pick six.

Then we could've tied, but our coaches decided to put the game in the hands of two people that did not get us to that point. CBrown and OLine.

This is the second time CBrown came up short.

[Big Texas]

Most people will say, the Oline did not give him a chance. Well if we had a better Oline slaton would be getting it that situation. We needed someone who knows how to pick up 6 inches. Obviously he cant.

Also why did we have several of our Olineman standing around watching CBrown get pushed backwards. The only person I saw trying to push him forward was Leach.

Same situation as last year.

[Big Texas]

I don't want to end on a bad note. So:

Kudos:

Offense (second half)
Defense (second half)

[chuck]

The fact is that the ONLY thing that the Cardinals' defense does is stop the run. THE ONLY THING. This is why I am mystified as to why the Texans stubbornly continued to try to run the ball in the first half scoring zero points. And I'm mystified that they didn't notice that their successes moving the ball in the second half was basically 100% due to throwing the ball. And I'm mystified as to why with the game on the line the Texans tried to run the ball - up the middle - something they had not been able to do all day. At all.

Kubiak is undeserving of his paycheck. McNair couldn't fire that dumbass fast enough for me.

The team will be lucky to be 3-6 going into the bye. Playoffs, my ass.

[Roy P]

OK, I've said this before but it's worth repeating. ZBS is not conducive to gaining a short yard. We do not have the O-line to move a DL off the line of scrimmage. Antoine Caldwell isn't even active because he lacks the experience to beat out White. I realize that Alex Gibbs is considered a GURU and we are lucky to have him, but short yardage is not the strength.

This team is built to pass. The catch in the back of the endzone was a good play, as Rich Gannon mentioned, Schaub simply let the pass sail. We should have spread out the defense and ran a draw up the middle.

I don't blame Chris Brown for not getting in, I blame the stubborn coaches who had faith in Myers and Briesel to get some push against Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett.

[TexicanMexican]

I don't think I've been this P.O'ed about a Texans loss since the Rosencopter game last year. Serenity now...serenity now...serenity now.

[Big Texas]

I don't blame Chris Brown for not getting in, I blame the stubborn coaches who had faith in Myers and Briesel to get some push against Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett.

I just don't understand the thought process behind that play call. Dockett is a probowler. What did he think would happen? Meyers has been getting handled, not just this game, but ALL YEAR.

[chuck]

I don't blame Chris Brown for not getting in, I blame the stubborn coaches who had faith in Myers and Briesel to get some push against Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett.

That about sums it up.

As undersized as the OL is, the interior OL, anyway, I don't consider the Ts undersized, they do a decent job in pass protection. Why the team feels like it needs to run the ball 35 times a game and run the ball in critical situations is anyone's guess. That is just not this team. The need to spread it out and throw it around. Andre was saying that you can spread it out and THEN run. I guess the guys making the big money haven't thought of that yet.

[Roy P]

That about sums it up.

Andre was saying that you can spread it out and THEN run.

Ditto!

Andre must be reading what I'm posting.

[Blitzwood]

Is there any reason CB couldn't have just leaped into the endzone instead of tring to bullrush their DT's?? We're on the 1 YARD LINE, JUST LEAP IN!! I believe Hall, the RB we cut, made a play leaping into the endzone in a preseason game. And speaking of the running game, how long are we gonna continue to go with SS as our RB, he was HORRIBLE, again. I am so sick of our RB's lack of production. Why is Kubiak soo faithful to him, he's had only one good game all season. Change it up!!; start Moats, bring in Hall, or Foster, even start CB, just no more SS, please.

[Big Texas]

Is there any reason CB couldn't have just leaped into the endzone instead of tring to bullrush their DT's?? We're on the 1 YARD LINE, JUST LEAP IN!! I believe Hall, the RB we cut, made a play leaping into the endzone in a preseason game. And speaking of the running game, how long are we gonna continue to go with SS as our RB, he was HORRIBLE, again. I am so sick of our RB's lack of production. Why is Kubiak soo faithful to him, he's had only one good game all season. Change it up!!; start Moats, bring in Hall, or Foster, even start CB, just no more SS, please.

I don't know what you have against Steve, but he is one of the bright spots of our offense. It is not his fault that the coach does not know how to utilize him.

[HPF Bob]

This team is two Chris Brown-goalline-failures away from being 4-1.

F'n A.

That's kinda my thought although I blame Schaub's bad pass in the end zone as the major fail of that drive. We could be 4-1 were it not for a couple of bad plays/calls.

Gotta like the comeback, though. I'm afraid I have to agree that the playcalling lost this game.

[Big Texas]

The playcalling lost all the games. Just think had we decided to commit to the pass earlier maybe we might have had 10 points in the first half. In which case we would have won the game. I know its a reach, but not much of one.

[Keith]

This team is two Chris Brown-goalline-failures away from being 4-1.

F'n A.

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20091011.html

I was thinking the same thing, assuming the Texans win in those overtimes, of course.

There's some kind of head coach macho-ism that exists to say that the team who wants it more should get that final yard. But for Kubiak there needs to be some kind of realization that his offense is built for the pass first.

Almost felt like I was watching the Run n' Shoot out there this afternoon, or least the pre-RnS Red Gun version or something. The biggest difference is that this offense uses more tight ends and naked boots, but like the RnS, these guys need to figure out how they are going to score inside the 5-yard line. Find a jumbo package, run a draw from 4-wide, whatever, but what they are doing now obviously isn't working.

And it's a shame considering how close this team really is to being 4-1 right now. But instead, we're probably looking at another 8-8 finish at this rate.

[coloradodude]

If we're gonna win 9 games this year we have to immediately pass 75% of the time...we have no run game and everybody knows it.

BTW, now that the broncos are 5-0 and we are 2-3, well, I have to move.


Thank you McNair.

[barrett]

That's kinda my thought although I blame Schaub's bad pass in the end zone as the major fail of that drive. We could be 4-1 were it not for a couple of bad plays/calls.

Gotta like the comeback, though. I'm afraid I have to agree that the playcalling lost this game.

They called the play action pass on the perfect down and had a man wide open in the end zone with minimal pressure on the QB. If the players can't complete an open 1 yard pass then I blame the players (or whoever got them). You can't blame the play calling when they made what should have been a game tying call.

[TheMatrix31]

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20091011.html

I was thinking the same thing, assuming the Texans win in those overtimes, of course.

There's some kind of head coach macho-ism that exists to say that the team who wants it more should get that final yard. But for Kubiak there needs to be some kind of realization that his offense is built for the pass first.

Almost felt like I was watching the Run n' Shoot out there this afternoon, or least the pre-RnS Red Gun version or something. The biggest difference is that this offense uses more tight ends and naked boots, but like the RnS, these guys need to figure out how they are going to score inside the 5-yard line. Find a jumbo package, run a draw from 4-wide, whatever, but what they are doing now obviously isn't working.

And it's a shame considering how close this team really is to being 4-1 right now. But instead, we're probably looking at another 8-8 finish at this rate.

And the worst part is, this is the easy part of our schedule. We should be no worse than 5-2 after 7 games. Instead, we're 2-3.

Argh.

[Roy P]

You can't blame the play calling when they made what should have been a game tying call.

That is a good point. Dreesen's foot was about 3 inches out of the back of the end-zone. The play call caught the defense by surprise and it was open.

[nunusguy]

http://www.inthebullseye.com/archive/2009/20091011.html
And it's a shame considering how close this team really is to being 4-1 right now. But instead, we're probably looking at another 8-8 finish at this rate.
And on the other hand we really aren't that far from 1-4.
Lets face it, we're plateauing under Kubiak - he may have hit his limit at .500 ?

[Roy P]

Re-watching the game and noticed when the Cards ran 4 - WRs in their formation, we actually had only 3 Downlinemen and kept Cushing on the field as a "blitzer" so we still rushed 4.

That first drive Warner did a great job of finding mis-matches in our defense. He hit Fitzgerald out of the slot when we had DeMeco Ryans covering him while Zac Diles blitzed. Ryans couldn't keep up and Fitzgerald out ran him to the next window between the safety and CB. Also, Warner passed to Hightower out of the backfield when we ran a Zone-Blitz that had Connor Barwin dropping into coverage.

The second drive, Steve Breaston made a push-off on Glover Quinn at 5:32 1st Qtr for a completion. You can see Kubiak yelling at the refs.
The next play, Fitzgerald comes in motion and continues to run in the flat out of the reach of Pollard. Bolden took the CB deep out of the play leaving Fitz on Pollard for a quick pick up. That set up 2nd and 1 and they run a play-action pass and Fitzgerald schooled Dunta Robinson on a comeback and Dunta lost his footing. They ran up the middle next, and Pollard stopped the run for a 1 yard gain. Shotgun, RB goes left for an empty backfield, we rush 4 and get some pressure making Warner step up to hit Urban coming across underneath zone coverage. The zone had a big hole as Robinson went back toward the endzone, Ryans and Diles covered other players. Warner hits a slant and Quinn and Wilson create a fumble for Ryans to pick up. Score remains 7-0. Defense gave the offense the ball and created a turnover in the Red Zone.

Our offense gets into the Red Zone and Schaub overthrows Andre in the endzone. Kris Brown gets his FG attempt blocked. :(

Cards 3rd drive. Hightower gets stopped by Okoye in the backfield. Bolden catches a pass over the middle (couldn't see play b/c they were showing blocked FG replay). 3rd and 7 - shotgun Hightower tackled immediately in flat, Cards go 3 and out. Punt.

[Roy P]

After Dre dropped the 3rd and 2 slant pass, we punted setting up Cards next drive. Tight trips left, Fitz to right, Wells follows pulling guard for 2 yard gain, Bulman makes tackle. 4-Wrs, Shotgun with RB to Warner's left, Cushing bltzes and we rush with 4 DLs, Breaston slides behind Zone CB Reeves and in front of Pollard. Beanie runs "Wildcat" and we stop him for gain of 2 yards. Hightower tries to go outside for a gain of 1. 3rd and 7, shotgun with 2 RBs, Stephens-Rowling can't catch pass. Okoye was in Warner's face. Cards Punt.

Slaton couldn't convert 3rd and 1 following Leach, Winston and Myers. Texans punt. Cards start at their own 32 yard line. Warner has pass knocked down by Okoye. Shotgun, Fitz in motio for screen. Reeves couldn't get off block, Mario was pass rushing, Cushing blocked by TE, so Fitzgerald gets 10 yards after making the catch behind the LOS. Play-action, Bulman takes Warner down and Warner throws into the dirt. Sendlein called for holding anyway for loss of 10. 1st and 20, Shotgun w/ 4-WRs, Urban makes out and gains 12 as McCain gave him too much cushion. Cushing was the 4th rusher as we only play Okoye, Williams, and Smith on the DL. 2nd and 8, 4WRs, shotgun, we blitz Cushing and Ryans this time: Warner completes pass to Bolden while Quinn tried to cover. 1st and 10 - 4WRs, play action fake reverse, Breaston is wide open between Ryans, Quinn, Pollard, Wilson, Robinson, and McCain. That was good for 22 yards... Definitely a breakdown in Zone coverage. 2 minute warning. Wells goes up the middle, Cody stops him for 4 yards. 2nd and 6 - WRs to left, I formation, Reeves gets called for PI on Bolden during the Slant route. 1st and Goal - Shotgun 4WRs: we rush Barwin, Okoye, Smith, and Williams. Cushing and Ryans both stand in the middle of the field and Cushing takes the RB coming out of the backfield. Warner has plenty of time - Dunta Robinson trail Fitzgerald in the back of the endzone and Warner finds him for a TD. I believe we could have sent Ryans or Cushing on a delay-blitz. Cards up 14 - 0.

[NBT]

OK, I've said this before but it's worth repeating. ZBS is not conducive to gaining a short yard. We do not have the O-line to move a DL off the line of scrimmage. Antoine Caldwell isn't even active because he lacks the experience to beat out White. I realize that Alex Gibbs is considered a GURU and we are lucky to have him, but short yardage is not the strength.

This team is built to pass. The catch in the back of the endzone was a good play, as Rich Gannon mentioned, Schaub simply let the pass sail. We should have spread out the defense and ran a draw up the middle.

I don't blame Chris Brown for not getting in, I blame the stubborn coaches who had faith in Myers and Briesel to get some push against Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett.

What was it with Schaub? He was high seems like all game. Not only that endzone play, but several sideline plays in the first half. Then in the 4th quarter, with a chance to tie it up, he floats a lazy ball out to Walter on the Sideline and Dominick Cromartie quick sixes the int. Schaub had his head up his ass the whole game.

[WMH]

Schaub had his head up his ass the whole game.

I would have to respectfully disagree with that statement. Completing 70% of his passes for 371 yards is not exactly having your head up your ass. He was off target on some throws, he should have put more mustard on the pick, and he should not have rushed the throw to Dressen, but QB play was not our issue yesterday. My biggest complaint with Schaub is he is such a slow starter. Once he gets going, he is good, but man, we can't wait until Q2to get the O going.

Based on Kubes comments in the post game interviews, I am looking for a shake-up in the play calling next week against the Bengals. I think he is finally going to listen to Roy P (;)) and use the passing game, which I would imagine ranks near the top of the NFL, to set up the run. Get Slaton and Moats into space and get some points on the board.
"We've got to move the football," Kubiak said. "If we've got to go out there and throw it all the time, that's what we'll do."

[Roy P]

What was it with Schaub? He was high seems like all game.

I'm not sure that Schaub is 100% healthy. That stupid ankle twist he had in the pre-season may be causing him to throw a little high. He had several throws that went higher than where they should be. I think maybe he's not getting his feet set properly. The 4th and 1 play in the 3rd QTR with 10:55 left in the game, Schaub overthrew AJ by 5 yards in the back of the endzone. It is really apparent when he rolls to his left and has to throw.

We had a 3rd & 1 on the 20 yard line and Kevin Walters motioned into the backfield. Andre was out wide and Schaub was able to sneak for the one yard gain. I would have liked to have seen that formation on the goal line and have Schaub pitch it out to Walters. Andre could have blocked Rolle, while Walters went wide. On this same drive, Schaub over threw AJ in the corner of the Endzone. Then on 2nd and goal, we had David Anderson go in motion to the left and gained 3 yards. Then 3rd and goal, we had I formation and 3 TEs, with Dreesen going in motion behind Schaub and Chris Brown scored the TD.

That is when the defense started doing better. Why? We played more man-to-man coverage. For some reason, these young players haven't figured out how to play Zone. When we went man, and blitzed Cushing or Ryans, we got hits on Warner and made him inaccurate.

Schaub was doing well, but in the 4th at 13:52, he overthrew a wide open OD. Then turned around and threw a dart to David Anderson. Ball at the ten, and Bob's favorite was called, Slow whiteboy reverse to Walter. Then empty backfield screen to AJ for a TD. D. Brown and Studdard got out there to block.

That Cromartie pick was just a good read by the CB. Schaub was a little late on that throw and Cromartie just jumped it. He looked left first and came back to the out route on the right where Cromartie was waiting.

On the run play before the pick, Dockett blew up Briesel and it looked like he was hurt. Supposedly, Briesel will most likely miss this week. Wonder why we thought running behind a hurt OL was a good idea on the goal line.

[NBT]

I would have to respectfully disagree with that statement. Completing 70% of his passes for 371 yards is not exactly having your head up your ass. He was off target on some throws, he should have put more mustard on the pick, and he should not have rushed the throw to Dressen, but QB play was not our issue yesterday. My biggest complaint with Schaub is he is such a slow starter. Once he gets going, he is good, but man, we can't wait until Q2to get the O going.

Based on Kubes comments in the post game interviews, I am looking for a shake-up in the play calling next week against the Bengals. I think he is finally going to listen to Roy P (;)) and use the passing game, which I would imagine ranks near the top of the NFL, to set up the run. Get Slaton and Moats into space and get some points on the board.
"We've got to move the football," Kubiak said. "If we've got to go out there and throw it all the time, that's what we'll do."

You are quite correct WMH. I said that in the aftermath of the game when I was still too hot over the outcome. But I do stand behind that fact that he was wild high on some of those out passes. And Kubiak doesn't seem to listen to anybody when it comes to thinking he can run the ball with our undersized line.

[NBT]

RP, you may well have hit the nail on the head. Schaub just seems like one of those people that doesn't heal very fast.