The first trip to New Orleans for the Texans since 2012 went about as well as could be expected. The 27-13 win over the Saints had plenty of moments, mostly good, so let’s get these observations going.
1. The Saints moved the ball well on the first drive, the only drive of the game for Drew Brees, but they were denied a touchdown by a sterling pass break up from Brian Cushing. That play isn’t made last year, but Cush interrupted the pass route and said he should’ve picked it off. Either way, the fact that he made the read, sprinted there and knocked it down, especially because it was on third down, was a tremendous sign. Loved seeing that from one of the most talked about players in training camp. In a good way, of course.
2. One thing teams will do going forward, which is fine by me, is test the Texans nickel run defense. The Texans were in nickel and dime on much of the first drive versus Brees and he checked to zone runs and screens a few times on that drive. Peyton Manning did that in Denver last year in game three when the Texans were in nickel or dime; he immediately checked to inside zone out of the gun. Teams will try that in the regular season too, but there will be two pillars they’ll have to worry about – 75 and 99.
3. Speaking of 99, in the third quarter, he came over to do a sideline interview with Erin Andrews and then me. He gave Erin a nice, great to see you hug. He looked at me like “oh, hey John”. What, I’m not that huggable? I kid, I kid. He was great and gracious as always. Can’t wait to see him unleashed on September 13th.
4. I thought originally the size of the Saints defensive front would give the Texans offensive line some issues, especially with rookie Kendall Lamm at left tackle for injured Duane Brown. But, the Texans took it down the field, with a mix of run and pass to put seven up on the board on the first offense’s only drive of the game.
5. Recently named starting quarterback Brian Hoyer led three drives, putting up ten points with those three drives. He seemed in total command, made a brilliant touch throw downfield to DeAndre Hopkins for a key first down to keep the drive alive. All three QBs made some throws on the day and I’ll talk about them throughout my observations. But, Hoyer, as the starter, kept New Orleans’ defense on its heels. One of the best throws on that drive LOOKED like the easiest throw in the world, but the bubble screen to the slot WR/No. 2 wasn’t easy. But, Hoyer threw it perfectly to Nate Washington, such that he could accelerate through the ball and get up field as desired.
6. The term game manager is used too often and, at the same time, not used properly. After the screen to Washington, Hoyer spied a corner cat blitz and instantly changed the play to an Alfred Blue run, AWAY from the blitz. That’s managing the game to a T.
7. I did something that I should’ve learned long ago to never do – I gave up on the “TD” throw to Hopkins. I know, I know, shame on me. But, when the flag was thrown, I turned back to see where the ball was spotted then heard Marc Vandermeer say that “HE CAUGHT IT!” Lesson 124 covering the Texans - NEVER give up on a ball throw in his direction. EVER.
8. After the review went awry, Hopkins looked at the back judge and gave him a thumbs down, like he was Siskel or Ebert giving one thumb down to Gigli (which is truly one of the worst movies of all-time). Hop told me after the game that one ref told DeAndre that he caught the ball. The other ref and the replay ref disagreed, sadly.
9. The Michigan State connection was in full effect on the Texans second offensive drive. Hoyer found Keith Mumphery, who has flashed from the day he set foot in Houston last May. He didn’t get his head around on a laser from Ryan Mallett later in the game that went through his hands, but other than that, he continued to make plays on offense and special teams.
10. His fellow rookie receiver Jaelen Strong seemed to get better as the game went on. Perhaps it’s a rhythm thing. Perhaps it’s a comfort, nerves thing. Whatever it is, I hope he can start the game with the juice from now on. The first throw to him during the game, he double caught it and didn’t make a clean catch. Had he caught it clean, he had enough room to run for the first down. But, then as Andre Ware noted during the broadcast, he flipped the switch as the lights got brighter. He made a low catch for a first down. He caught a rocket from Ryan Mallett for a first down. He caught a key first down in the cover two hole. Then, a few plays later, he made the touchdown catch on the slant in the middle of the end zone. Making plays. Philly style.
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08-30-2015, 06:49 PM
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