What's next?

[painekiller]

So we are two games under .500, and we have four games to play. What's next?

As I see it, the ship is sunk, but Kubiak and his players will sing a different song. If the Texans win out they end up 9-7, and have a shot at winning the division. They would need help from the other teams in the division, but they are not out of the hunt for the division yet.

IMO, this team has not shown the consistent play that propels teams into the playoffs. And I do not think they win out.

What does that mean to the coaching staff and front office? They have had 5 years to prove themselves and do they deserve another shot at this group of players? Well my answer is it depends.

It depends on the owners and the threatened lockout. If the owners go ahead with the lockout, few coaching staffs will be changed, so Kubiak maybe safe. But his assistants are not safe.

The biggest scapegoat will be Frank Bush. I believe he is gone, and Kubiak will not have a choice in the matter, I think Bob McNair gets involved in this move similar to the way Bud Adams forced Buddy Ryan on Jack Pardee.

The most obvious guy to replace Frank Bush is Wade Phillips. Wade is a proven top of the league DC, and an expert on a modified 3-4. Kubiak will be allowed to run the team but will be forced to have hands off the defensive game plans.

If the lockout does not happen, then look for a HC change. At one time I wanted Jeff Fisher, but not anymore. I want them to either go get a big name HC or Bill Parcells to let him take over the football team.

What do I see during the next few weeks as for record? I think they split the last 4 games, and end up 7-9. And we the fans keep saying but if only a few plays had gone the other way. That is the curse of being a fan of sports in Houston.

[nunusguy]

We need better players on defense, in the DLine and the DBackfield, whether or not we go 3-4. But I think we can win with this offense - next year maybe after we get 'bout 5 or 6 new starters for the D ?

[WMH]

Can't say I really thought we were gonna win that one....but them bastards gave us a glimmer of hope, only to crush it in the 4th Qtr......

What's next?

"Gotta keep fighting"
"We're not outta this thing yet"
"There are still a ton of division games left"
.....blah, blah, blah.

If we don't hang 30, we don't win the balance of our games.
If we can do that, Indy drops 2, we've got a shot to get obliterated in round 1 by NE. I don't have alot of faith that JAX will be able to hang in there much longer.

If we can't hit that magic #, then we should still have some entertaining games to watch for the balance of the year.
Then, we can watch the others guys in the playoffs......again.

After the season, Bush gets canned, Gibbs gets canned, McNair DOES NOT give Kubiak ANOTHER extension and the 2011 season, if there is one, is a one year audition to see if he is extension worthy.

We probably bring in a low level D Coordinator to "give a guy a shot." No top level guy is going to come here for what could be a one year deal.

We spend our 1st 3 picks on Defense (DT/CB/DE probably in that order), take the usual tight end or safety in the 4th and 5th, QB project/toy in the 6th, and BPA in the 7th.

We reach in the FA period, if there is one, on a couple of questionable signings for the Defense, and hope for the best.

Are then we are right back here in December 2011, bitching about the same ole stuff.

[HPF Bob]

With our personnel, I'm not sure how we adapt to a 3-4. Mario and Smith would both be adequate 3-4 DEs but I don't think they'd be great. We'd lack a NG. Ryans and Cushing could both adapt as 3-4 LBs but, again they might both go from solid to adequate. On the whole, I think I'd rather stay a 4-3.

[Arky]

I think giving the keys to the defense to Wade would be perfect. Not worried/don't care about a transition to 3-4 if there is one. They could go hybrid for a while...

Radio people have been talking lately about "the culture" over on Kirby. Kinda country clubbish.... like a health club where the same 60 or so people go hang out everyday and everybody likes everybody else. While this might be idyllic, some people just aren't doing there jobs. Gotta find players and coaches that can get it done and I'm looking at the defense first.

[NBT]

I think you guys have summed it up rather succintly. The safeties have to be replaced, probably in the draft, and we still need a dominant baby bull type DT to give us that up the gut push against the QB's pocket.

The comfy country club atmosphere where King Kubiak sits around with his court deciding the affairs of their serfs needs to be hanged in iffigy. Meaning Frank Bush and the rest of his merry men will be banished to the forests of east texas or other places.

I would hope Wade Phillips would be interested in the DC job.

[Fonz the Boss]

Kubiak will be retained. The only scenarios where I see Kubiak being fired is if there is a monumental collapse over the last 4 weeks. If they lose all their remaining games or maybe even 3 then I could see Kubs being fired. IMHO, I would say that keeping Kubs is best because trying to grasp another HC's offensive playbook would be a setback to our offense. They should concentrate on landing a top DC because its no secret that we are where we are because of our defense. Modify the defensive personnel and bring in a qualified DC and we may see the true potential of Williams, Cushing, Ryans, and maybe even Kareem. In another thread I had also mentioned Wade Phillips as a possible candidate and I got mocked.

[coloradodude]

Schottenheimer

We will become a PHYSICAL team...finally.

[TheMatrix31]

....yuck....

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

Schottenheimer

We will become a PHYSICAL team...finally.

MartyBall lives again !

[Nconroe]

I suppose I could see Schottenheimer being next consultant to Mr. McNair.

Four more games first.

Then depends on the Owner-Players Union negotiations, which appear to be moving some
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-nfllabor

My guess is the changes will be minimal, maybe new secondary coach(s). Then if next year isn't more consistent, see the big changes.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

My guess is the changes will be minimal, maybe new secondary coach(s). Then if next year isn't more consistent, see the big changes.

Unless we lose out, that's about how I see it. New DC and DB coaches, then if it goes in the toilet again, it all gets blown up. Look for more activity in FA as they try and shore up in a much more "Win now or be fired" mode.

[chuck]

Watching the game tonight puts in sharper relief just how far the Texans have to go before they can seriously contemplate any sort of postseason run. The defenses of both teams are fast, aggressive, smart and violent. Unless you have an exceptional offense and special teams this is exactly the sort of defense you typically need to have any success in January and beyond.

Comparing tonight's defenses with the Texans is a profoundly depressing experience. There is almost nothing that you can parallel. It's exactly the way I felt years ago watching Carr and the other idiots under Capers play. I'd watch them and then watch a real team run their offense and it was like I was watching a totally different sport. There is absolutely no comparison you can make between those two defenses and the Texans' defense. The Texans have a LONG way to go.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by chuck

Watching the game tonight puts in sharper relief just how far the Texans have to go before they can seriously contemplate any sort of postseason run.

I'd trade Mario straight up in a heartbeat for Ngata.

[popanot]

What's next...?? Probably a total ass-whoppin by a real defense. Can't wait to see the awesome game plan our 'coaches' come up with to combat the Ravens D. I have a feeling it will be similar to the Cowpie and NYG games where it's the "Run for Your Life, 2-yard Pitch and Duck" plan.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I'd trade Mario straight up in a heartbeat for Ngata.

Mario's a very good (if always injured) player, but you're right, there are a couple of guys out there that are plainly much better, much more disruptive and consistent than Mario is. Ngata's one of them. That guy is freaking all over the place just causing chaos wherever he goes. You NEVER watch a series and then wonder, Now, where the hell was Ngata? There are plenty of series throughout any given game where I find myself wondering, Where the hell is Mario?

[painekiller]

I would play some of the guys who have flashed but have not played, guys like Nolan. See what you have here. I would get Dickinson on the field to see if he is worth having. Why hasn't he been worked into the redzone package.

Molden would be given some quality snaps.

If these guys can not play then get draft better players. Casey should be played more, he has mismatch potential, and Daniels is gone after the season.

The results can not be any worse and you see what you have.

And along the Mario lines, shut him done and have the surgery to correct the problem, then he has a shot at being available again come training camp. Right now he is not he disruptive force you need when he is only 75%.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I would play some of the guys who have flashed but have not played, guys like Nolan. See what you have here. I would get Dickinson on the field to see if he is worth having. Why hasn't he been worked into the redzone package.

Molden would be given some quality snaps.

If these guys can not play then get draft better players. Casey should be played more, he has mismatch potential, and Daniels is gone after the season.

The results can not be any worse and you see what you have.

And along the Mario lines, shut him done and have the surgery to correct the problem, then he has a shot at being available again come training camp. Right now he is not he disruptive force you need when he is only 75%.

We should absolutely play the younger and/or relatively inexperienced guys the team wants to keep and develope once we are mathematically eliminated from playoff consideration , but you know Kubiak won't do that and instead will play every game to the very end with all of his top guys to maximize his W/L record.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I'd trade Mario straight up in a heartbeat for Ngata.

If you were to trade Mario for Ngata straight up (and that will never happen), then you would have the middle covered and the outside become a problem. Better to hope that Fairly would be available in the Draft (again if there is to be one), and hope he would be there for us.

[Warren]

I thought this article has some interesting points, particularly this quote from an anonymous NFL executive:

"That's what would worry me if I inherited that roster — who are the leaders?" the exec said. "Andre Johnson is talented as could be, but he is not a vocal leader. (ORT) Eric Winston is a rah-rah, fake tough guy. Schaub does not inspire confidence. Foster is a different bird.

"Offensively it's lacking, and then you look at the defense without Ryans. Pollard got run off from Kansas City because he did not fit the culture. Mario (Williams) is a quiet, country kid. This is a tough game, a team game. If you don't have a strong locker room, you don't have a chance."