Official Texans vs. Saints Fake Game Thread, 8/25/2013

[Keith]

Outside of the return of Cushing, I just don't see any progression from the starting units of a year ago. And last year wasn't good enough to win deep in the playoffs.

And why the heck was it a smart move to keep Watt off the field yet, hey, let's throw the ball to Andre Johnson a million times and let some Saints players take shots at his knees? Would have much rather seen what Lestar Jean could have done with those first half targets.

Oh, and while Keyshawn's return was nice, his role in the passing game needs to really diminish once Hopkins is back. Safety play was lacking, right tackle is a mess... and now I am rambling about a fake game. Ugh.

[nunusguy]

I guess we got thru the preseason without any significant injuries, though frankly I'm a little concerned about Hopkins ? See it turns out this wasn't his first concussion, so he doe have a history, and he's coming back very slowly from the one he got vs Miami last week which was really a very nondescript play as it involved no player-to-player contact.
I was much more impressed with the Vikings rookie WR Cordelle Patterson we saw in that first preseason game and we could have had him instead of Hopkins,
so let's hope Smith & Co. got it right ?

[popanot]

I sure didn't like how rookie Stills turned around and burned JJoe on his TD catch. I know it's just one play, but I expect JJoe to at least be in the vicinity that close within the red zone. He wasn't even close. I know JJoe was injured at times last year, but that one play sure was reminiscent of a few plays we saw JJoe involved in last year.

As for KMart, I have a hard time believing he'd be a lock to make the final 53 if it were not for our reliance on him in the return game and Posey's health wasn't in question. The guy has bricks for hands when it comes to catching passes. However, I'm sure if we cut him he'd end up being an All-Pro return man for someone. That's just how it goes with our ST luck and talent evaluation.

[Keith]

I did forget to mention something that is better than last year... Lechler is a technician as a punter. Nice to have. And while I am a little concerned about Bullock's accuracy in spite of his preseason record, putting kickoffs through the end zone is going to help cover Marciano's unit from looking clueless, as they did when Bullock only kicked 6-yards deep into the endzone at one point.

[barrett]

I don't like kubiak's football trinity of ball control, running game, and defense, but it is far easier to make those 3 count with weapons at Kicker and punter.