Official Texans @ Jaguars Game Thread, 9/16/2012

[barrett]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I stand corrected on Jones. In a post game interview, Jones said that he was rotating with Caldwell, two series Caldwell and one series for Jones. From what I can see, Jones maybe starting at guard before the end of the season.

He had a great block on Tate's first TD.

[Arky]

Houston and San Diego are the last two (already!) undefeated teams in the AFC, both at 2-0

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Don't look now, but the Texans are the #1 seed in the playoffs. The tricky part is hanging onto it for 15 more weeks.

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No turnovers today. Two games, no turnovers. That's what the good teams do. You know it's not going to last forever but it's been nice so far....

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The Texan-style WCO (West Coast offense) was in full bloom today. Successful run game + dink & dunk = high possession time, 43:17 minutes worth. Still, wish they would take 2 or 3 shots downfield/game...

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Edit/Correction: The Broncos are also undefeated at 1-0 pending MNF vs. Atlanta.

[HPF Bob]

The Texans only have one deep threat right now (wears #80 and the defenses put their best corner on him) until either Martin or Posey show they can be trusted. I am curious what type of coverage Holliday would get if you lined him up in the slot and asked him to run a "go" route straight down the field.

Would a safety/nickel fall back to cover him or would they presume he is a decoy and not bother? It would be worth it just to see if he got behind the coverage and, if so, go back in the second half with a deep ball to him and see if he can catch it. If the defense has to respect him, it means they can't cover AJ with safety help like J-ville did.

You can try that wrinkle on a team like the Ravens who are tough to gain yards on but aren't especially fast and see if it works for a cheap touchdown.

[chuck]

Ahh, like the Swallows of Capistrano I can count on Bob to warn of the dangers of a left-handed quarterback (yet he never lauds the obvious advantages of a left-footed punter...) and to advance his rabbit theory.

As far as I'm concerned teams can double AJ with a safety all they want. One, he can beat a double team and two, it opens the middle of the field for OD, Graham, Casey, Foster, Tate or whoever else wants to stand around out there and pick up an easy twelve yards.

Bring it, Fox.

[barrett]

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I think this last bit is important. The team really hasn't shown anything offensively. Every play they've run, every blocking scheme they've used, every single one, the league already knows they use. It's preseason scheming but with the starters in almost the whole way. Sunday will show us all something.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by barrett

We get lots of explosive plays and we get downfield plenty. It was amazing to watch Kubiak get big plays in the middle of the season last year without Andre. I remember Dreesen, Jacoby Jones, and Foster in consecutive weeks all getting loose.

But why take shots downfield the last two weeks with teams that could not hit 20 points against us in any conceivable scenario. Why not just win the games with as little risk as possible, get out healthy, and go into Denver with every possible trick still in the bag.

I seriously think Kubiak treated these games like glorified preseason games. Play it vanilla and cruise with the win never in doubt.

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

[nunusguy]

And I figured a close game with the Jags pulling out the upset. This morning it seems apparent that the Texans will run the table on the division schedule, but I won't go there with my ability to misfire on predictions.
If JJ Watt was the most impressive defensive player on the field in Jacksonville yesterday, who's to deny that Ben Tate wasn't the most impressive offensive player out there ? He showed off his raw speed with that 25-yard TD run to the outside that was called back, and then displayed his burst and power and determination with that 8-yard TD-run up the middle. And Ben also showed-off some sweet hands on a couple of pass-receptions from Schaub.
After yesterdays game the only mystery seems to be what's going on at right guard in the Texans' OLine ? Was rookie Jones filling in so Caldwell could just get a blow with the heat and humidity in FLA, was he nicked up for awhile, are they rotating Caldwell & Jones a la Duane B. & Salaam very early in Duanes NFL career, or are they grooming Jones to take over the starting RG position at some point during the 2012 ? And what the hell is going on with that other Texans rookie Olineman Brandon Brooks, drafted a round earlier than Jones ? You say he didn't even suit up yesterday ?

[popanot]

It was a dominating performance yesterday. That game could have been a 40+ point crushing if the Texans wanted it to be. With that sort of game it's hard to nitpick, but what hell, I'm going to anyway...

Small nitpick: Schaub's arm still concerns me some. He's never had great arm strength, but it still looks to me he's lacking some zip (or less than he's ever had). Granted, they haven't had many long pass plays, but his zip and accuracy is definitely something to keep an eye on. Again, small nitpick.

Big nitpick: Our special teams are awful. It still feels like Holliday is an accident waiting to happen, and the penalties in the return game are getting ridiculous. Coverage teams were slightly better yesterday, at least. The kicking game is still somewhat weak. Wish we had Anger. That kid can boot it. Anyway, Kubiak should tell Marciano he has one game to correct the ST coverage and return issues or be replaced.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

I agree, that was a good strategy against the Miami's and Jax's of the league - neither is known for having a prolific defense. But there comes a time when a DB starts to feel that everything will be in front of them. Don't sweat the double move - the Texans won't go deep.... And that's when you need to loosen them up with a deep ball. Even if it's overthrown and incomplete. Just show it to 'em.... I think I saw one deep ball today - the deep ball to K Martin that was uncatchable/out of bounds. That was in the 4th quarter, IIRC.

I am for the explosive play - but you've got try it to have a shot at success.

So far in two games, the Texans have 5 plays of 20+ yards. They have 0 plays of 40+ yards. How many of those 20+ were dink passes that were YAC'ed to 20+? Don't know, but the conservative play calling will be tested against the better defenses in the league....

Like the Double move to Lestar Jean that resulted in a PI call?

Our offense has never struggled to produce explosive plays, and we have blown out two teams that may not be good, but both looked 10xs worse when they played us.

Kubiak is a by the books guy and there are times that frustrates me. When he is helping us win games by 20 points is not when I wish he's take more chances.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

He had a great block on Tate's first TD.

That was why I noticed him, that and the play he lost his helmet and keep on going at the goal line.