Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck
I don't think it's a lack of playmakers that's making you cringe.
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Precisely. I think it has more to do with a scheme that becomes predictable as the season wears on. Kubiak's beliefs, right or wrong and largely inherited from Shanahan and echoed by Walsh, Halas and Lombardi, is that if we put the talent on the field to do what we plan to do on offense, we cannot be stopped.
The parts are interchangeable. The talent level is not. You need an OL that is nimble and can move as a unit. You need a QB that can execute play action to perfection (it would help if he were a running threat - this one is not). You need a RB who can see cutback lanes and has the quickness to exploit them. You need WRs who can block and hang onto the ball. You need a TE who can become a medium-to-deep threat on occasion. The plan has about a 30-yr track record of success provided the talent is there.
That's not to say the Texans cannot upgrade the right side of the OL and replace some parts in the receiver corps. But the big problem is Schaub and we're committed to him for several more years.
But defense still wins titles in this league and ours got exposed as soon as Cushing left the lineup and J-Jo pulled his hammy. They did not get the outside push they had all of 2011. If they move Reed inside and maybe get a speed rusher for OLB, that might really spice up the D. They could use some healthy bodies inside to prevent double teams on Watt and they need better secondary play although it was much improved until late in the season.
The Giants excel at getting more quick-twitch guys flying at the QB than most OLs are capable of blocking. I think the Texans are close to getting there but just need a few more guys and good health. The difference between us and the good teams of last year was that the defense couldn't take chances like they could when Cushing was in there. They need to get back to that.