Official Texans vs. Colts Game Thread, 10/16/2016

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by Keith

By the way, not enough said about Lamar Miller's TD reception... that was nothing short of amazing. True turning point because I think it's fourth down if he doesn't dance his way through the over-pursuit of the Colts defenders for the score.

Like everyone else beforehand, really thought the INT thrown by Osweiler right after Mercilus got the big 4th down sack was the needle in the balloon. Osweiler needs to get out of his own head maybe.

Miller's TD scamper reminded me of vintage Reggie Bush in college at USC.
Now even if mixed attitudes remain about Osweiler, I got nothing but
positive thoughts about Miller. I thought he was just going to be a scatback but instead he's a real workhorse who can play an entire game plus and take it off or inside tackle. He was tremendous last night.
Don't know why Osweiler is starting so slowly but those were big time throws late in the game, including OT. It's encouraging so no telling what we get next week in Denver but it should be interesting.
Oh by the way, the defense was stellar, tremendous game for them against Luck.

[Nconroe]

On QB salary, we only committed to two years for Osweiler, so not a long term issue if he doesn't develop consistency.

Also Texans are not in salary cap hell, so they can maneuver for other players, and did.

So, Texans record , maybe good luck, but so far , so good. The comeback yesterday was quite amazing, glad I got to watch that.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

On QB salary, we only committed to two years for Osweiler, so not a long term issue if he doesn't develop consistency.

Also Texans are not in salary cap hell, so they can maneuver for other players, and did.

So, Texans record , maybe good luck, but so far , so good. The comeback yesterday was quite amazing, glad I got to watch that.

If we get out in two years it will be with a new coach, no QB, and little of JJ's prime left, so I won't care how much money we save in cutting our QB in that scenario.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by barrett

So starting a rookie is a giant advantage. It's an advantage that is so big it almost makes up for not having an elite QB.

Starting a rookie is an advantage? Do you mean beyond financially? The Texans could have traded up for Goff, they could have taken Bortles over Clowney, they could have not signed Osweiler and settled for Paxton Lynch.... any of these scenarios put the Texans at 4-2 and in the driver seat for the playoffs this year? In O'Brien's third season?

I recall your distaste for Bortles and know you did not like the signing of Osweiler even back in March... all defensible opinions that are standing the test of time. And I agree the team is in the brutal middle, so I know you must understand the 2016 Texans were caught in a tough spot with very limited viable options... as much as I liked Wentz pre-draft, it was a pretty unrealistic scenario to think they could trade all the way up to get him (or Goff) since it takes two to tango.

So what was your ideal plan for the team to take?

[Arky]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As for the Colts, we have to be able to shut down Luck's top weapon, T.Y. Hilton. Do that and I feel good. But doing that is also easier said than done......

This got overlooked somewhat. Hilton was held to 3 catches on 9 targets and 49 yards. Someone (KJo? Bouye? both?) did a fine job. (BTW, KJo really ought to tone down the hot doggy celebrations on routine plays - c'mon man, act like you've been there)...

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The emergence of Fido.

Ya know, I didn't like this pick when we got him in the 2014 draft. I'd never heard of him so at the time, I went to Youtube and looked at some of his highlights at Iowa. I saw a slow, lumbering guy and thought, well, perhaps the scouting dept sees something I don't - afterall, they're the experts, not I. Lately, he's been showing hands I didn't know he had and emerged as sort of a Gronk-lite. He's still just 24 and so maybe there's hope he can be known for something other than off-sides and holding...

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Denver looks vulnerable, lately. Like the Viking game, the Texan will be about a touchdown underdog. I'm thinking they can do better this time around..... Wouldn't it be nice to be hosting the Lions with a 5-2 mark?

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Unfortunately, my recording of the game stopped on the final drive. There were a couple of players who were hopping around Oz while he was being interviewed by Michelle Tafoya post-game. One was Hopkins - did anyone catch who the other player was? He kinda did a vault off Oz's shoulder pads...

[Arky]

And now the radio is reporting K Johnson has a broken foot and may be lost for the season.......

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

And now the radio is reporting K Johnson has a broken foot and may be lost for the season.......

And Dillon with a torn ACL. Losing Johnson is YUGE, folks, with Jackson gimpy and JJo sucking.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Keith

Starting a rookie is an advantage? Do you mean beyond financially? The Texans could have traded up for Goff, they could have taken Bortles over Clowney, they could have not signed Osweiler and settled for Paxton Lynch.... any of these scenarios put the Texans at 4-2 and in the driver seat for the playoffs this year? In O'Brien's third season?

I recall your distaste for Bortles and know you did not like the signing of Osweiler even back in March... all defensible opinions that are standing the test of time. And I agree the team is in the brutal middle, so I know you must understand the 2016 Texans were caught in a tough spot with very limited viable options... as much as I liked Wentz pre-draft, it was a pretty unrealistic scenario to think they could trade all the way up to get him (or Goff) since it takes two to tango.

So what was your ideal plan for the team to take?

I am not as down on the Osweiler signing as I'm making it sound. It was better than another year of purgatory, and at least this way, we have a chance at it really working out. Of all the FA options, I like Osweiler the best since he at least has an unknown ceiling and some flashes that say that ceiling might be very high.

I just think the current CBA gives a very unique financial (and thus competitive) advantage to any team that can find average QB play from a guy on a rookie contract. There is admittedly a lot of uncertainty in starting a rookie QB, and that is why the best option by far is to pay a proven veteran, even if he is in the Andy Dalton tier. But since everyone knows that, the only time a proven veteran hits the open market is when their are amazing circumstances (like a broken neck and a once in a lifetime prospect landing Manning in FA).

But we opted for the uncertainty of the unproven QB without the financial advantage to offset it. So we don't get either advantage. We pay full price for rookie level inconsistency.

As for what we should have done, you don't have to go Bortles over Clowney. You can just go Carr over Sua' Fio if you aren't afraid of your fan base. Or Garropolo. Or Prescott. Or take one every year until you get it right since the cost is so low in terms of picks and only hind sight tells you which one. If O'Brien can't find a guy in 3 drafts, he's not much of a coach.

My point is if you aren't going to be great at QB the next best option is to be cheap.

And to answer your question about what other option gets us to 4-2, Hoyer/Mallett/Weeden/Yates got us to the playoffs, so I am pretty sure some replacement level NFL QB could have managed to beat the 4 bad/mediocre teams we played and lose ugly to the two good ones. It's not like any of the four wins have come down to great QB play.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Arky

The emergence of Fido.

Ya know, I didn't like this pick when we got him in the 2014 draft. I'd never heard of him so at the time, I went to Youtube and looked at some of his highlights at Iowa. I saw a slow, lumbering guy and thought, well, perhaps the scouting dept sees something I don't - afterall, they're the experts, not I. Lately, he's been showing hands I didn't know he had and emerged as sort of a Gronk-lite. He's still just 24 and so maybe there's hope he can be known for something other than off-sides and holding...

He blocks really well, and he's finding his way in the passing game. He reminds me of Owen Daniels in that he appears to be the exact speed as an NFL LB. He doesn't run away from them but he doesn't get caught either. I also appreciate how he covers the ball with two hands after he gets what he can. It shows he knows who he is as a player. When you do lots of things OK and nothing bad, you can be a pretty valuable player.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

He blocks really well, and he's finding his way in the passing game. He reminds me of Owen Daniels in that he appears to be the exact speed as an NFL LB. He doesn't run away from them but he doesn't get caught either. I also appreciate how he covers the ball with two hands after he gets what he can. It shows he knows who he is as a player. When you do lots of things OK and nothing bad, you can be a pretty valuable player.

I'm still trying to figure out, that second guy on the scene for the final touchdown, the guy that literally ran right past Fido, what the hell was he doing?

I think there are a lot of quarterbacks that the Texans could have employed and found themselves at 4-2 right now.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

He blocks really well, and he's finding his way in the passing game. He reminds me of Owen Daniels in that he appears to be the exact speed as an NFL LB. He doesn't run away from them but he doesn't get caught either. I also appreciate how he covers the ball with two hands after he gets what he can. It shows he knows who he is as a player. When you do lots of things OK and nothing bad, you can be a pretty valuable player.

Criticism about the 2014 Draft is now receding with Fido playing well along with Clowney and the X-man also playing much performing better and contributing.
Actually the three O'Brien/Smith drafts are now proving to be productive and looking successful with 2014 third rounder Louis Nix being the only bona fide bust.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by chuck

I'm still trying to figure out, that second guy on the scene for the final touchdown, the guy that literally ran right past Fido, what the hell was he doing?

I rewatched that and I think he just whiffed. He ran in head down probably expecting a collision and totally missed everything...

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Arky

I rewatched that and I think he just whiffed. He ran in head down probably expecting a collision and totally missed everything...

Looked to me that the player was trying to put his helmet on the ball. And like Arky said, he just wiffed. By a fraction of an inch. Had he hit the ball no way could Fido have held on to it.