So what?

[painekiller]

We won yesterday and I am like "So What". We are 3-3, and right now we should be 5-1.

This team is going to have to show me it can win against the SF who is playing well, Buffalo is who is not, and Indy before the bye week in order for me to remotely have a chance to buy in to it again.

IMO when you can not stop the run, you a) get your bigger run stopping types into the game. What did the Texans do the first part of the season? Play the smaller two of our DTs. Was Okam even active for Arizona? Have we seen Okam and Deljuan on the field together? I haven't noticed it.

IMO when you have trouble running for 1 yd, you do not give the ball to a 6-3 running back who has been an upright runner for his whole carrier. You get the little OL out of the game and you bring in your jumbo package. (What Jumbo package? Maybe you bring in your swing OT and move Winston to guard, Caldwell is the largest OC you have, and you drive block ahead. Nothing fancy, power football). Better yet you spread the defense out and you do not let anyone know where the ball is going presnap. Everyone in the country knew the Texans where running off guard in those 1 yd running plays that lost the games. You had 2 LBs and 2 safeties converging on the hole at the snap.

I am burned out by .500 football, and stubborn coaching. Sorry you guys are having to read this garbage, so Texans just start winning the ones you are supposed to and the one you are not supposed to.

[Mike]

Wow PK, who urinated on your heart healthy Cheerios this morning?

I understand your points, but you have to enjoy the wins, otherwise you will just lead a miserable existence (I know I've been there).

Putting down my Battle Red Kool-Aid for a few minutes, that was an excellent win yesterday, the offense was excellent, they did not try to pound the run to an excessive basis and had a really good day moving the ball and scoring. The defense pitched a shutout in the second half. That is a good Bengal offense that was stuffed, and looks like we found a stud LB to go with Demeco.

The defense has made strides the past few weeks and had played much more sound football. Should we have two more wins, possibly, one more win, probably. We are what our record says we are, but at this point in the season I'd rather be 3-3 and making improvements with a chance to control our destiny, than getting beat 59-0 with nothing but the draft to look forward to. We've been 2-14, and I don't want to go back. Enjoy the wins.

I myself and looking forward to this weekend, burning some meat in the blue lot, tossing the pigskin and getting all boozed up before heading into the stadium to cheer for our team. The fall sucks without a pro team. Recall those days? Your friend, and fellow fan,

Mike

[barrett]

Forget the "Jumbo" package. Trading out our OL for the guys not good enough to get on the field is not the mysterious answer.

Just stop running the ball in general.

1) We need to stop trying to establish the run. We can't. We come out and try to be balanced and start slow. This past game we came out throwing and moved the ball.

2) We need to stop running in the redzone. We can't do it. We can throw it in tight. Why not throw the screen to AJ on 1st and goal like last week. Why not go to OD or Slaton? I'd take a fade to either AJ or Walter (both are big with great hands) over a run from anyone on our team.

3) We need to stop running in short yardage unless it's close enough for a sneak. This has cost us repeatedly. Our odds of completing a short, medium, or long pass are all greater than our odds of running for a yard on 3rd and 1. Our QB completes a higher % of his throws than we convert running it on 3rd and 1. So have Schaub complete 65% of his throws for first downs on 3rd and 1 rather than running with a 25% conversion rate.

4) We especially need to stop running the ball in an effort to sit on a lead. What runs more clock? A 3 and out with running plays (2 minutes or so without TOs being used), or a few first downs through the air? Obviously the latter. Statistically we use more clock when we pass this year than when we run (due to longer drives and more plays). So why not throw a screen or a hitch or a swing pass on 1st and 10 when we want to hold the ball and eat clock. Especially since our RBs fumble just as often as our QB throws an INT.

There is no need for us to run the ball any more often than is absolutely necessary to protect Schaub. We definitely didn't need 31 carries yesterday. It is almost like Kubiak knows he has to throw the ball to win but he is still going to run it simply because it is the "right" thing to do. Like the drive yesterday where our offense was in the middle of an unstoppable stretch throwing the ball and we came out and went 1 yard run, -1 yard run, incomplete pass, punt. What is the point? I don't think there is a team out there with the secondary talent to match up with the depth of our passing game weapons (AJ, Walter, Daniels, JJ, DA). All of these guys can play. Not to mention Slaton is better as a receiver than a runner. I love Leech as a lead blocker but there is no reason for him to see the field in our current offense.

We could have given that game away by trying to sit on the lead with the running game. And eventually Kubiak is going to run the ball right into getting fired.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by barrett

Forget the "Jumbo" package. Trading out our OL for the guys not good enough to get on the field is not the mysterious answer.

Just stop running the ball in general.

1) We need to stop trying to establish the run. We can't. We come out and try to be balanced and start slow. This past game we came out throwing and moved the ball.

2) We need to stop running in the redzone. We can't do it. We can throw it in tight. Why not throw the screen to AJ on 1st and goal like last week. Why not go to OD or Slaton? I'd take a fade to either AJ or Walter (both are big with great hands) over a run from anyone on our team.

3) We need to stop running in short yardage unless it's close enough for a sneak. This has cost us repeatedly. Our odds of completing a short, medium, or long pass are all greater than our odds of running for a yard on 3rd and 1. Our QB completes a higher % of his throws than we convert running it on 3rd and 1. So have Schaub complete 65% of his throws for first downs on 3rd and 1 rather than running with a 25% conversion rate.

4) We especially need to stop running the ball in an effort to sit on a lead. What runs more clock? A 3 and out with running plays (2 minutes or so without TOs being used), or a few first downs through the air? Obviously the latter. Statistically we use more clock when we pass this year than when we run (due to longer drives and more plays). So why not throw a screen or a hitch or a swing pass on 1st and 10 when we want to hold the ball and eat clock. Especially since our RBs fumble just as often as our QB throws an INT.

There is no need for us to run the ball any more often than is absolutely necessary to protect Schaub. We definitely didn't need 31 carries yesterday. It is almost like Kubiak knows he has to throw the ball to win but he is still going to run it simply because it is the "right" thing to do. Like the drive yesterday where our offense was in the middle of an unstoppable stretch throwing the ball and we came out and went 1 yard run, -1 yard run, incomplete pass, punt. What is the point? I don't think there is a team out there with the secondary talent to match up with the depth of our passing game weapons (AJ, Walter, Daniels, JJ, DA). All of these guys can play. Not to mention Slaton is better as a receiver than a runner. I love Leech as a lead blocker but there is no reason for him to see the field in our current offense.

We could have given that game away by trying to sit on the lead with the running game. And eventually Kubiak is going to run the ball right into getting fired.

I think that is a huge mistake. I'm not saying that we have to have a 50/50 split run to pass, but you HAVE to rush enough to keep the defense honest. Look at Jacoby's TD yesterday. That play won't happen if you abandon the run completely. They should probably borrow from Andy Reid's playbook a little with Westbrook and find some different ways of getting Slaton the ball too.

1. I have no problem passing to set up the run at all. Either way works, but teams have to respect that your are capable of doing either.

2. Same thing-If teams know you aren't going to run it's going to be even harder to throw in the red zone on a condensed field. If a defense only has 10-15 yards of field to cover and those 7 defenders can get straight into coverage responsibilities there just isn't much space and one on one match ups that you could exploit otherwise aren't there. Go watch some old Oiler games from the Run and Shoot era. Scoring in the red zone was a huge problem for those teams.

3&4. no argument really, other than you have to keep the defense honest.

Arizona, New England, and Philly are teams that have had success without much of a running game. They didn't abandon the idea completely though...at worst they found ways to use the short passing game as a substitute which I'm OK with. In the case of Arizona and New England. They also went out and used high draft picks on RB's (Wells/Maroney) or brought in Free agents to boost their running game (Dillon) because they knew they couldn't survive without the threat of a running game. The Texans shouldn't force the run when it's obviously not working in key situations. I'm not saying your ideas don't have merit, they do, and the Texans are just going to have deal with the fact they are a passing team. That being said I thought one of Kubiak's biggest mistakes his first year or two was abandoning the run game when it didn't work early in a game. That made us predictable and that leads to a lot of big hits on QB's.

[kravix]

The Texans D has been #1 against the run over the last 3 games. I am not sure why that isnt good enough, but I will take it over #32 against the run over the first 3.

As for the O, if we do not establish some type of running game we will not win in the long run. There is no reason our run game should look so bad, and this could possibly be the worst season a Gibbs coached run game has ever had. Complain about Meyers all you want but he is almost 300lbs, and according to Bruce Mathews, Meyers played very very well last year. Which should translate into this year. The entire line, pass protection, passing game, and run game is built off the zone system. Bringing in some big maulers will only jack the whole thing up. You cannot have the best of both worlds, we saw that with Sherman.

Brown rushed for more yards than Slaton at 5YPC, and alot of that came at the end of the game when the Bengals knew we were going to run the ball to kill the clock. There have been plenty of holes and cutback lanes, it just seems that Slaton has either missed them entirely or cut to late to run though. Perhaps it isnt the line but our RB?

[NBT]

Maybe75-25 pass to run would seem about right. And I agree that we have to savor the moment, and yes we could revert to the Dr. Hyde version of the team next week. I just prefer to think we will win. Except for the 17 points in the second quarter, we held Cincinnatti to nada points, and only 44 rushing yards. That must continue for us to be improved. I can't exactly fault PK for his reasoning, but I prefer to think we have finally gotten over that hump. In any case we will start finding out this Sunday.

[painekiller]

Oh I see some good things, don't get me wrong, Bush is finally calling a strong game on defense. We finally have real NFL LBs at each spot. Jacoby Jones seems to finally get it. Owen Daniels is finding the endzone. AJ is and has been the best WR in football. Schaub is the best QB we have had in Houston since Warren Moon.

But I am still saying so what.

Get 3 games over .500 and I will have to notice. Go 1-2 and I say hog wash, same old team. Win out to the break, watch this town go crazy.

And yes Mike I too am glad I am not a Titans fan. But they have been Super Bowl and in my 40 + years of being a fan my team has not.

[Joe Joe]

Definitely need to sub in more screens for runs as both do slow down the pass rush. Schaub threw for nearly 400 yards the last two weeks.

Texans are tied for the last wild card spot even though they would lose tie breaker at the moment. Next week is huge.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by papabear

I think that is a huge mistake. I'm not saying that we have to have a 50/50 split run to pass, but you HAVE to rush enough to keep the defense honest. Look at Jacoby's TD yesterday. That play won't happen if you abandon the run completely. They should probably borrow from Andy Reid's playbook a little with Westbrook and find some different ways of getting Slaton the ball too.

1. I have no problem passing to set up the run at all. Either way works, but teams have to respect that your are capable of doing either.

2. Same thing-If teams know you aren't going to run it's going to be even harder to throw in the red zone on a condensed field. If a defense only has 10-15 yards of field to cover and those 7 defenders can get straight into coverage responsibilities there just isn't much space and one on one match ups that you could exploit otherwise aren't there. Go watch some old Oiler games from the Run and Shoot era. Scoring in the red zone was a huge problem for those teams.

3&4. no argument really, other than you have to keep the defense honest.

Arizona, New England, and Philly are teams that have had success without much of a running game. They didn't abandon the idea completely though...at worst they found ways to use the short passing game as a substitute which I'm OK with. In the case of Arizona and New England. They also went out and used high draft picks on RB's (Wells/Maroney) or brought in Free agents to boost their running game (Dillon) because they knew they couldn't survive without the threat of a running game. The Texans shouldn't force the run when it's obviously not working in key situations. I'm not saying your ideas don't have merit, they do, and the Texans are just going to have deal with the fact they are a passing team. That being said I thought one of Kubiak's biggest mistakes his first year or two was abandoning the run game when it didn't work early in a game. That made us predictable and that leads to a lot of big hits on QB's.

But watch HOW New England runs the ball. They spread the field and beat you through the air. Then they run at you out of those spread alignments when you are worried about stopping the pass. They run draws and screens to Faulk out of a shotgun formation. They don't needlessly pound it on first down because that's what NFL logic says you do.

We run a bunch of plays in 3/4 WR sets and throw the ball. THEN we get in the I with Leach and try to run it. We do a very poor job of using the pass threat to open up the run game because we don't design for it. We are still more worried about using the run game to set up the play action. But our run game needs the help, not the other way around. There is no reason for us to ever show an I formation with the personell we have. Spread the field, throw the ball to win, and run it only as much as you have to OUT OF THAT SPREAD. I bet we can run it far more effectively with AJ, Walter, OD, and JJ/Anderson all split out and Schaub in the gun with Slaton (or even under center in a trips/trey one back), as opposed to getting in the "I" and running into the back of the center/guard who has been pushed into the backfield.

I just don't understand the stubborness that we have to go I formation and put a fullback on the field for half of our snaps when we are far less effective in that situation.

[Nconroe]

it looks like in the first six games we have had 137 runs and 219 pass attempts on offense which would be 1/3 or 33% run and 2/3 or 66% pass.

So,perhaps they have already switched but we hadn't noticed?

They seem to be overall pretty successful on offense, all but the first week of the season. ok, a few turnover and penalties at just the wrong time mixed in.

both offense and defense seem to be improving as year goes by. players and coaches.

and it is time for a win streak. atleast two or three more in a row would be nice to get above and stay above 500.

[barrett]

Again, it's not about the % of runs. Its the fact that no matter how well we have thrown the ball we haven't opened up the run game. And it's not because teams are stacking the box. It's because we have two separate offensive identities.

One identity recognizes the matchup problems our depth at WR create. It gets in Shotgun/Trips/Trey formations and throws the ball all over the field. Schaub gets to stand in and make quick reads and accurate throws both down the field and short. Screens work great because the formation encourages pass rush from the defense. Slaton is maximized because of the space he has. Daniels and Anderson are at their best because they get favorable matchups underneath due to AJ. Kyle Shanahan has shown great creativity in these sets with misdirection and screens. It should theoretically put the defense in 5 and 6 man fronts which we can actually run against. New England has been doing it for 3 years. Make the Defense bracket AJ and cover your possession guys underneath, and then run the draw for 7 yards. This offense suits our personnel perfectly.

The other identity gets in the "I" with Leach and attempts to run the ball into the teeth of the defense. Slaton, the o-line, and Daniels are all ill-suited for this. The one advantage is that it creates play action passing attempts off of the bootleg (schaub is ill suited for this by the way due to lack of mobility). That means that this formation has lots of drawbacks for our personnel and the one advantage is it helps the passing game (the part of our offense that needs no help).

So why do we insist on doing our running from under center exclusively and in the I most of the time. The only thing I can think is that it's what Kubiak knows best. Did anyone see Ray Rice's go ahead TD yesterday. The same counter play we run, but it came from the shotgun after 350+ yards of passing so all he had to do was beat the safety and then jog to the endzone. If they had gone into the I there like we do for our running plays, then they would have had to block it perfectly to make it work for 4 yards. And we don't block anything perfectly.

We need to take advantage of our personnel. No more I formation. No more Leach (I am a fan but he doesn't fit). No more running on running downs. Start running from passing formations when the Defense is having a nervous breakdown about AJ and JJ bunched on the outside about to run deep routes. Then you are facing 5 in the box with 6 DBs and the safety bracketed over the top. Start using formation to allow the pass game to help the run game, not the other way around.

[kravix]

Many of our big plays come off play action, and completely abandoning the run makes the team one dimensional, which will usually get your QB hit alot more from all out blitzing and pass rushes. It is a integral part of our Off, and I think Schaub does a great job in bootlegs as long as the DL bites and doesnt chase him down. The problem is he cannot scramble for yards from a bootleg when there is good coverage, but when the play works we usually get decent yardage out of it and it keeps our play calling unpredictable.

And that is the key, unpredictable. If you know a team is never going to bootleg, run from the I, pass from the I, run up the middle, screen, etc; then you never have to plan for it. Making it alot easier on def. Just becuase we are not running the ball well from the I does not mean it is not doing what it is intended for: Play Action.

Now I would like to see some more inspirational run calling, out of different formations, and I think we saw a few yesterday. I also think that had Brown gotten the load of carries it is possible he would have had a 100 yard game. Becuase he seems to be hitting the holes and lanes faster and and with more power than Slaton, I just dont ever see him knocking out 30+ yard runs. I would settle for 4-5 YPC all game though over break away runs.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by kravix

The Texans D has been #1 against the run over the last 3 games. I am not sure why that isnt good enough, but I will take it over #32 against the run over the first 3.

You do realize who we played the last three games and where they ranked in running the ball dont you?

28 Oakland Raiders
31 Arizona Cardinals
14 Cincinnati Bengals

I hope this was just an oversight on youre part.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by kravix

Many of our big plays come off play action, and completely abandoning the run makes the team one dimensional, which will usually get your QB hit alot more from all out blitzing and pass rushes. It is a integral part of our Off, and I think Schaub does a great job in bootlegs as long as the DL bites and doesnt chase him down. The problem is he cannot scramble for yards from a bootleg when there is good coverage, but when the play works we usually get decent yardage out of it and it keeps our play calling unpredictable.

And that is the key, unpredictable. If you know a team is never going to bootleg, run from the I, pass from the I, run up the middle, screen, etc; then you never have to plan for it. Making it alot easier on def. Just becuase we are not running the ball well from the I does not mean it is not doing what it is intended for: Play Action.

Now I would like to see some more inspirational run calling, out of different formations, and I think we saw a few yesterday. I also think that had Brown gotten the load of carries it is possible he would have had a 100 yard game. Becuase he seems to be hitting the holes and lanes faster and and with more power than Slaton, I just dont ever see him knocking out 30+ yard runs. I would settle for 4-5 YPC all game though over break away runs.

So we should get in the I so other teams have to plan for our weakest personnel package? Hopefully the Colts will take that advice before we play them and they will decide to run out of the I a bunch to make future opponents prepare for it.

As for Play action, that is my point. We are using our terrible running game to help our great passing game simply because that is what Kubiak knows best. It is our running game that needs help. So instead of calling passes that look like runs (or in addition to), how about we start calling some runs designed to look like passes.

The bottom line is that even if it means a more varied prep, Defensive Coordinators would pay Houston to get in the I and take one of our play makers off the field. They'd also pay us to hand the ball to Chris Brown, because it means AJ, Slaton, Daniels, Walter, JJ, Anderson, and Davis (all better players) are not getting it.

Indisputable facts
1. The I is a weak package for us personnel wise. It takes a good player off the field for one who has little impact.
2. Our OL is fast and blocks screens well. They would likely do well with draws as well since opposing DLs are flying upfield to rush the passer against us. They are undersized and terrible at traditional run blocking.
3. Schaub is at his best going through his progressions and using his accuracy/desicion making. He is average when coming out on the bootleg. The defense does not even honor it and simply tackles the RB first and then goes after schaub if he kept. We could get the same play action benefits without running the boot and without making Schaub turn his back on the defense or throw on the run (not strengths of his).

If Kubiak wanted to be Denver then he should have assembled Denver personnel. But he has struggled to put together a good OL and has never had a tough inside runner. But he has done a great job of finding WRs and a pass catching TE. He needs to play to the team's strengths and use them.

[Big Texas]

Originally Posted by kravix

Complain about Meyers all you want but he is almost 300lbs, and according to Bruce Mathews, Meyers played very very well last year. Which should translate into this year. The entire line, pass protection, passing game, and run game is built off the zone system. Bringing in some big maulers will only jack the whole thing up. You cannot have the best of both worlds, we saw that with Sherman.

I will definitely complain about Meyers, not because he is a terrible offensive lineman, but because he has consistently been overpowered all season long. I have watched and re-watched these games where the DTs are getting off the ball faster than he is (and he is snapping the ball). They then proceed to push him 1-3 yards into the backfield.

One of the main plays of the ZB scheme is the stretch play. So in order for there to be cutback lanes, our O Line (especially the interior) have to be explosive and quick. This has not been happening.

So we have been demonstrating all season long that we can throw the ball. The point now is to be able to gain, 1-3 yards consistently. We need someone to be able to at least hold the point of attack. Hence the need for a Jumbo package.

Again they should not be replacing our current OLine but rather coming in on specific occasions.

Side note: Caldwell held up really well Sunday. It also helped that Peko and Odom both were injured early on.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Big Texas

I will definitely complain about Meyers, not because he is a terrible offensive lineman, but because he has consistently been overpowered all season long. I have watched and re-watched these games where the DTs are getting off the ball faster than he is (and he is snapping the ball). They then proceed to push him 1-3 yards into the backfield.

One of the main plays of the ZB scheme is the stretch play. So in order for there to be cutback lanes, our O Line (especially the interior) have to be explosive and quick. This has not been happening.

So we have been demonstrating all season long that we can throw the ball. The point now is to be able to gain, 1-3 yards consistently. We need someone to be able to at least hold the point of attack. Hence the need for a Jumbo package.

Again they should not be replacing our current OLine but rather coming in on specific occasions.

Side note: Caldwell held up really well Sunday. It also helped that Peko and Odom both were injured early on.

Bringing in Jumbo lineman will tip the defense of our intention to run and make it even harder to run. I don't know of one NFL team that brings in different OL to run the ball or for short yardage. Not one.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by barrett

But watch HOW New England runs the ball. They spread the field and beat you through the air. Then they run at you out of those spread alignments when you are worried about stopping the pass. They run draws and screens to Faulk out of a shotgun formation. They don't needlessly pound it on first down because that's what NFL logic says you do.

We run a bunch of plays in 3/4 WR sets and throw the ball. THEN we get in the I with Leach and try to run it. We do a very poor job of using the pass threat to open up the run game because we don't design for it. We are still more worried about using the run game to set up the play action. But our run game needs the help, not the other way around. There is no reason for us to ever show an I formation with the personell we have. Spread the field, throw the ball to win, and run it only as much as you have to OUT OF THAT SPREAD. I bet we can run it far more effectively with AJ, Walter, OD, and JJ/Anderson all split out and Schaub in the gun with Slaton (or even under center in a trips/trey one back), as opposed to getting in the "I" and running into the back of the center/guard who has been pushed into the backfield.

I just don't understand the stubborness that we have to go I formation and put a fullback on the field for half of our snaps when we are far less effective in that situation.

Wow! I've been preaching this for quite a while in pieces and parts. You did a much better job of saying what I've been trying to convey. I agree with you 100%

The I Formation is killing Slaton's strengths and that of our O-Line.

Did anybody see the WR/RB screens and watch Duane Brown get out and block a Safety? Hell, Studdard was running to the sideline to block a CB. Slaton just trotted into the endzone.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

Bringing in Jumbo lineman will tip the defense of our intention to run and make it even harder to run. I don't know of one NFL team that brings in different OL to run the ball or for short yardage. Not one.

But the Pats do this with LBs at TE, and now KC has done this. You have to throw out of this to make it effective.

Barrett it's like you and Roy both are saying, we are to predictable because of our hybrid offense. Gibbs plays are clearly defined and everyone knows the play. Play assignment football and the defense wins.

Use a spread offense to run? Can you do that? The run and shoot was based on the pass setting up the run. The original WCO was the short pass was used to set up the long pass.

I want what you guys are saying, and it's similar to the old Run and Gun offense of Buffalo and Sam Wyche's Bengals. Multiple sets, motion, mismatched LBs trying to cover RBs with WR skills, TE that could run block or split the seem.

Also, I want to add some of the Wildcat sets. .

Kubiak is finally playing to his players strength, not to some ideal he wants.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by painekiller

But the Pats do this with LBs at TE, and now KC has done this. You have to throw out of this to make it effective.

Barrett it's like you and Roy both are saying, we are to predictable because of our hybrid offense. Gibbs plays are clearly defined and everyone knows the play. Play assignment football and the defense wins.

Use a spread offense to run? Can you do that? The run and shoot was based on the pass setting up the run. The original WCO was the short pass was used to set up the long pass.

I want what you guys are saying, and it's similar to the old Run and Gun offense of Buffalo and Sam Wyche's Bengals. Multiple sets, motion, mismatched LBs trying to cover RBs with WR skills, TE that could run block or split the seem.

Also, I want to add some of the Wildcat sets. .

Kubiak is finally playing to his players strength, not to some ideal he wants.

I totally agree with you. Well almost. I don't think you go wildcat if you can beat a team straight up with your offense. But I don't mind it as an option for when we struggle and need to change the pace.

As for going jumbo, I think it can work and there may be a time for it, but I just think this offense is so good that you are taking a playmaker out no matter who it is.

But bottom line is I think Kubiak knows he has to do this with his current team, but doesn't like it. That's why the foot came off the gas and he went back to what was comfortable in the 4th quarter once we had a lead. If he was coaching the Pats yesterday they would have beaten Tennessee 10-0 instead of 59-0. He needs to view throwing the ball as a giant advantage his team can do in every situation, not as a deal with the devil he has to make this year because we can't run it.

I would be shocked if we don't lose at least one game where we pass for a lead and then try to run it in the 4th and let a team come back to beat us.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

He needs to view throwing the ball as a giant advantage his team can do in every situation, not as a deal with the devil he has to make this year because we can't run it.

I would be shocked if we don't lose at least one game where we pass for a lead and then try to run it in the 4th and let a team come back to beat us.

I will say, that some kind of balance has to be met. In the Oiler days when Kevin Gilbride was calling the plays, there where times you needed to speed the clock up, and running the ball was that tool. 60% passing still stops the clock way to much, and two missed passes in row, and you are looking at handing the ball back to the other team before the defense has had time to rest. BTW Buddy Ryan tried to teach Kevin that lesson with a right cross, total dysfunction, but that's another story.

I agree use the pass to set up the run. Run from the spread and pass from the I formation at times to keep the defense honest. I also admit our play action pass game is one of the best in the NFL, if only Schaub could throw better on the run. Use screens and dump off to slow the rush down. Never take Andre Johnson out of the game near the goal line, and call that WR screen more often, it doesn't matter if it's to AJ or Slaton.