Post-Game Breakdown: Yes, Kubiak, There Is a Santa Claus
It is with glee that I come to you with the latest PGB tonight. After yesterday's dramatic win...on the road...at the most hallowed site in all of football...your Houston Texans are a game under .500 after starting out 0-4. In other words, the good guys are 6-3 since this, a moment that could have cratered a team of weaker men and served as the signature moment of a crushing 2008 season, happened.
Instead of crumbling, the Texans rallied. The naysayers can point to the ongoing disasters that are the Lions and Bengals as the perfect tonic for what was ailing a reeling team, and I'll readily admit that Houston was fortunate to play those squads (at home, no less) instead of the Giants and/or Patriots in October. And yes, the Jags and Browns have appeared to be unwilling or unable to shoulder the burden of greatness that many predicted for them in '08.
All of that is true. I don't care.
Say what you will, but don't doubt that these Texans refuse to quit. I can't say enough about the heart this team has shown in battling back from a winless first quarter of the season. The sad truth is that the players get paid win or lose. While it's despicable to see professionals roll over, it happens. The check clears regardless of the team's record, so the only thing(s) keeping guys on a losing team striving for excellence is (1) pride and/or (2) respect. From what we've seen, it's clear to me that these players have an ample supply of each, both for each other and Kubes.
I have no idea what's going to happen during the remaining three (3) weeks of the season. I only know that we can be proud to support a team like the one we saw in Green Bay yesterday. While I'm sure a great portion of this goodwill will dissipate if the Texans lay eggs against Tennessee, Oakland, and Chicago, I'm going to focus on the fact that our squad has put together two (2) three-game winning streaks this season when a single such streak had never been achieved in the previous six (6) seasons of the franchise's life. After a game like yesterday's, we should revel in the positive. On to the specifics:
1. Despite the moronic ramblings of a pathetic wannabe psychic, The Schaub did not look like a dude who'd missed the last month with a knee injury. 414 yards (a franchise record, but you knew that), 2 TD (the scoring pass to 'Dre was as good a throw as a QB can make), and a game-winning drive is all I need to say about his excellence.
2. I will vote Vonta Leach to the Pro Bowl on the basis of that fourth quarter grab alone. Unbelievable catch that completely changed the complexion of Kubes' strategy; if Vonta doesn't make that catch, Kubes starts running Slaton into the pile and takes his chances in OT. Instead, the Texans win in regulation.
3. Speaking of big catches on that last drive...Owen Daniels, huh? Yes, he was sort of by himself. And yes, that fumble at the goal line was wretched. We won't remember either of those things in a year. Quite the homecoming for the former Badger.
4. Ignore Kevin Walter at your peril, NFL. After yesterday's 6 catch/146 yard/1 TD performance, K-Dub is very quietly averaging 15.5 YPC with 8 TD this season. Not bad for a seventh round draft pick from Eastern Michigan.
5. The offensive line, in particular Eric Winston and to a lesser degree Chris Myers, dealt with some adversity yesterday. On balance, however, the OL was nails. That unit has gone from mediocre to very good. Alex Gibbs is a witch.
6. I am MAYBE one week away from composing an original love song about Steve Slaton.
7. Matt Turk could walk up to me on the street, slap me in the face, and call me a nancy boy, and I could not get angry at him after he turned a sure blocked punt into a momentum-stealing first down.
8. When do we all officially decide the Jacoby Jones is too much of a liability to trust him in the return game? When he's right, he's brilliant. But those flashes of brilliance seem like they're canceled out all too often by flubs. His muffed catch of that punt was as ugly as it gets.
9. On the other hand, did anyone doubt that Kris Brown was going to nail that game-winning FG? Even after the earlier miss? Brown's as clutch as it gets.
10. A special tip o' the cap to Clark Harris, who made his first start on the road while making Bryan Pittman's struggles earlier this season even more inexplicable.
11. I think the Houston DBs made more plays on the ball yesterday than they have in a single game all year. Dunta's pick was monstrous, but Fred Bennett and even Jacques Reeves managed to knock a couple of balls away while looking like somewhat credible cornerbacks.
12. I said "somewhat." I'm still not sold on Reeves, and I remain perturbed that the Fred Bennett looked infinitely better as a rookie than he has this season.
13. The secondary really, really missed Nick Ferguson. Brandon Harrison is not anywhere close to being in Ferguson's league, and Ferguson is not exactly Ed Reed.
14. 2008 Eugene Wilson is 2007 Will Demps. Pulled off the street in early September and making big plays after being inserted into the starting lineup, Wilson's been a real find. Let's hope that 2009 Eugene Wilson is more 2008 Eugene Wilson than 2008 Will Demps.
15. Tim Bulman's timely sack on third down in the second quarter gives him four (4) sacks on the season, which places him second on the team behind a certain demigod that played collegiately at North Carolina State. If Richard Smith continues to refuse to start Frank Okam, why not use Bulman at DT? Or better yet, put Bulman at DE and let him be the bookend to Super Mario?
16. If I was Aaron Rodgers, I'd still be hearing Mario's footsteps today. No sacks for the franchise DE, but man...he was so close so many times that it had to have taken a toll on Rodgers.
17. DeMeco's sack of Rodgers late in the fourth took the Packers out of field goal range and provided the opportunity for the offense to win that game. That sack was right up there with Turk's sprint to freedom as the play of the game.
18. Blitzing? Aggressive scheming? Holding the opposition to a 10% success rate on third down? I'm now officially scared.
19. Fake Game Balls: Offense--Matt Schaub; Defense--DeMeco Ryans; Special Teams--Matt Turk. That's right, people. I thought Turk's scramble was more impressive than Kris Brown's game-winning FG as time expired. That's how spoiled we are by Kris Brown.
Now that three (3) game winning streaks are old hat, your Houston Texans have a chance to again venture into uncharted territory when Bud Adams' minions come to town on Sunday. By virtue of what I imagine is some sort of unholy alliance with the forces of evil, they've only lost once this season, and they're indisputably nasty. Can the Texans shock the world?
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42 comments
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Comments
I'm so proud..
of our boys, I loove steve slaton. I didn’t know Matt Turk was such a stub running back. Matt Schaub has stone cold nuts of steel and Andre’ is ….well Andre".
Mario is super, I am in love with Steve Slaton, Kevin watlter is one of the stealthiest white boys I’ve every seen.
Very nice win!
And did I mention, That I looove Steve Slaton!
GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!
by Texanmaniac on Dec 9, 2008 5:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
re: #16
I watched some of the post-game presser on NFL Network Sunday afternoon. There was only 1 player that Rodgers said was getting after him all day. That player’s name rhymes with Nario.
by Shake on Dec 9, 2008 7:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Important
One thing we’ve all noticed recently, that I’ll point out, is that this team is learning to win games they should instead of losing ones they shouldn’t. 4 turnovers against Green Bay, yet nobody hung their head. They regrouped every time and found a way to pull it out. Had we lost that game, we’d look back and say “despite those turnovers, we had our opportunities and just couldn’t get it done.” Instead, we’re saying “we managed to win despite making so many mistakes.”
Another thing about those turnovers, and how theyr elate to our defense: correct me if I’m wrong, but Green Bay did not have a scoring drive that wasn’t started by a Houston turnover. In other words, props to the D for not allowing a score on normal drive. Against that Packers offense, that’s mighty impressive.
This team is visibly growing! Excitement!! Loud noises!!!!
by BigTexBD on Dec 9, 2008 8:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Re: Important
You are correct: All 21 of Green Bay’s points were off HOU turnovers.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
by Tim on Dec 9, 2008 9:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to brush my teeth
because that made me throw up a little in my mouth
by Shake on Dec 9, 2008 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Imagine...
Imagine if we’d just have gotten a FG on each of those turnover possessions. Not even TDs, but FGs… We’d have won by 20.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
by beefy on Dec 10, 2008 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes we can beat the Titans, but according to the dudes out west that make a very good living predicting these things
It would not be a huge surprise. Titans opened at a 3 to 3.5 point favorite. Despite our early season flameout, our Texans have the respect of the all knowing Las Vegas oddsmakers. Yes the Titans just clinched the division crown, but they have yet to lock up home field throughout the playoffs, so they will still have plenty of motivation to win on Sunday. Thus the line is not artificially low because the Titans do not need a win, it is an accurate assessment of the Texans progress over the last 6 weeks. After playing the Texans, Bud’s boys play Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, so I really expect them to bring all they have Sunday. It shapes up as as a good a game as could be expected under the (we have virtually no chance at a playoff) circumstances. The Texans fans and players are thirsty for a victory over the former Oilers and I expect playoff type intensity from both sides this Sunday.
GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Dec 9, 2008 11:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
You do realize
That Vegas gives a 3 point advantage to the home team, right? So really, we’re 6 to 6.5 point underdogs.
by Leein3D on Dec 9, 2008 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True...
but the way they stomped us in the first meeting, only being a 6 point dog now shows that the team has progressed.
Yay, sports.
by MDC on Dec 9, 2008 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly - I think my position is still valid taking the 3 point swing into account.
If the game were being played in Nashville this weekend we would be a 6 to 6.5 dog, and as MDC pointed out we were fairly well stomped in that week 3 meeting, 31-12. To us Texan diehards the game might have “been closer than the final score” when viewed through Battle Red glasses, but it was still a game that we were out of for most of the 2nd half.
Our 2nd Half Drive Chart (sorry this is not too easy to read, tried to fix but could not do it)
START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT
10:17 3 02:22 HOU 14 3 6 Punt
06:36 3 01:24 HOU 20 5 71 Downs
03:11 3 01:11 HOU 48 3 -1 Punt
00:12 3 08:07 HOU 33 15 66 Downs
04:47 4 00:27 TEN 48 4 0 Intercepted Pass
02:30 4 01:27 TEN 22 5 11 Intercepted Pass
01:03 4 01:03 HOU 39 2 8 End of Game
Yes the final score was skewed by the late 99 yd INT for a TD, but that is just another example of the critical importance of TO’s. We made 3 to their 2 that day. I see that we have improved greatly since week 3, particularly in the running game and overall defensive effectiveness. The relatively small spread is a reflection of just that. We need to sieze the oportunity to prove to any potential free agents that the Texans are a viable playoff contender for next year. Beating the Titans would do just that.
GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by oiler-texan diehard on Dec 9, 2008 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i really don't see the texans beating the titans on sunday
but after the packers game, i’m more than willing to have a little faith
by cubic on Dec 9, 2008 12:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
sunday
the saying “defense wins championships” will be the reason we will have a hard time Sunday.
If they were an offensive powerhouse with offensive playmakers that don’t play (Jax week 16 last season) I would say we’d blow em out. Which for us means we get to breathe deeply with 4-5 mins left in the 4th. But I think they are good not just because they have good defensive players, but a good scheme, and are well coached on that side of the ball. So they will be effective at stopping us, and match up pretty well against us because their weakness (offense) kills our weakness (defense), and their strength has a good shot at stopping us more than GB did.
Short answer: I don’t see us scoring > 17 on Sunday. But we are at home, and our D has been better, so maybe we can pull off 17-13, 17-10 win.
Please draft some defensive stars for the next DC.
by texanphil on Dec 9, 2008 2:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll say...
That one of two things need to happen for us to win:
1. We cannot turn the ball over. Let me repeat that. WE. CANNOT. TURN. THE. BALL. OVER. Not once. If we take it away once or twice, fantastic. But in the end, we must have at worst a turnover margin of 0.
2. Special Teams has to play huge. No missed field goals, no bad snaps, booming punts landing inside the 5, and most importantly—big returns. If we can score a touchdown on Special Teams, that would be tremendous. But getting good returns (and not muffing punts—I’m looking at you Jacoby) will take a lot of pressure off the offense.
Of course, if we do both of those things I think we win.
by Leein3D on Dec 9, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
3rd thing that could happen
Someone slips a liter of vodka into Collins’ locker.
by Shake on Dec 9, 2008 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Walter, Randy Moss...
When thinking about the great receivers in the game, those are usually the two names that come to mind, right?
Hurray for having the AFC leader in receiving yards AND the receiving TD leader. It’s not even about Kevin Walter succeeding because Andre Johnson takes the pressure off any more. Walter is genuinely good. He runs great routes, he’s physical with CBs, he makes adjustments while the ball is in the air, and while he lacks the speed to beat you deep, he can easily turn an underneath route into a long play with his shiftiness. Not to mention, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him drop a ball.
If Dunta walks in free agency, I think I’m gonna buy a K-Dub jersey.
Also, let me be one of the first to say it: I’m sold on Reeves. If he’s the best player in our secondary, we have a problem. But if this team goes out and gets a speedy free safety like they aught to, he’ll be a fine player.
Also, I was looking for some stats to back up my opinion and I came across this link.
It doesn’t help my cause, but it did make me cry a little bit seeing that Fred Bennett was tied with Champ Bailey last year for the 3rd-best single-season YPA in the league. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
by Nashmeister on Dec 9, 2008 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If Bennett rebounds
and either (a) Dunta resigns or (b) Molden pans out, so that © Reeves is our nickel, I agree that he can be a good player.
If he’s at CB1 or CB2, however, I fear we could have Ronnie Lott and Troy Polamalu back there and he’s still get burned. After all, there’s a reason that it seems like teams have been going right at him for the last 10 weeks or so. It’s because they have.
Yay, sports.
by MDC on Dec 9, 2008 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I'm putting too much weight on the past two games...
But I don’t think so. First of all, I think CB is a fairly irrelevant position. Aside from the Champ Baileys and Asomugha’s of the world, there just aren’t many who can make an impact on their own. Speaking of which, not even those two can. The Raiders consistently suck ass, and Champ Bailey didn’t stop the Colts from putting up 40+ on the Broncos every year in the playoffs (which I attribute mostly to John Lynch being terrible). Although he did single-handedly win that playoff game against the Patriots…
But I digress. Reeves has shown a nose for the ball and pretty good hands. That’s what I’m looking for. If he had better safety help, I think it would allow him to play much more aggressive and jump routes, or vice versa. On that 60-yard pass to Driver on Sunday, Reeves had perfect coverage. Even a mediocre safety sees that and makes a play on the ball, then you’ve got an easy pick. But unfortunately, Brandon Harrison is apparently completely inept.
Maybe he’ll make me look like an ass next week for standing up for him, but we know he has the athletic ability, and he has at least shown steady improvement so far. And I do want to see those statistics, but I think only K.C. Joyner has them, and as you know, he’s a stingy bastard. So I can only guess at this, but I’d imagine that while Reeves has given up a ton of yards and catches this year, from a % stand-point he’s doing a decent job. It does seem like they throw at him about 20 times per game.
by Nashmeister on Dec 9, 2008 10:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno...
I agree with a lot of what you said except the “CB is a fairly irrelevant position.” Over the past couple years, this defense has proven to me that the CB position is just as important as any position, if not moreso, on defense. I once read somewhere that QB and CB are usually the two best athletes on the field, but maybe that was talking about college…..
Some teams play games on Sunday...ours goes to War. Go Texans!!!
by JMPeffer on Dec 9, 2008 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I also have to disagree
with the notion that he has good hands and a nose for the ball. He’s had a few nice picks and he’s usually in position on the pass, but I think he’s missing that extra sense of getting his hands up when he’s in position. None of his picks have come because of his being in position. He’s either jumped the route or gotten it off a deflection. I don’t know if it’s an issue with hand eye coordination or what, but when he’s in position, he can’t make the play. That’s why despite his speed, teams are not afraid to go after him on go routes.
by Vega on Dec 10, 2008 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whupps.
I can’t believe I actually just said he had good hands, considering I spent the first eight weeks of the season wondering if he actually had hands.
I guess what I was trying to say was that he’s no Will Demps. If the ball makes its way to him, he takes advantage of it. Keep in mind, he’s in his second season as a starter; he’s improving. He’s not a world-beater, but I don’t think he has to be relegated to nickel either in order to be an average DB.
by Nashmeister on Dec 10, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This is true
…however it is fair to say that Frenchy has shown some improvement in turning his head. He’s made a few plays in the last two games that he wouldn’t have earlier in the season.
He now does it about 50% of the time, instead of never. So that’s something. He’s still got a ways to go, but I’ve maintained that learning when to turn his head is something that can be taught, whereas speed, which he has in good measure, is something that you can’t. And, to be fair to him, he’s not afraid to tackle. He’s no Dunta or anything, but he’s still willing to get in there.
My theory is that, since he played a lot of zone in Dallas, his technique needs work. But I’ve seen improvement and would expect that to continue.
Personally, I’m more worried about what happened to Fred Bennett than I am Frenchy.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 10, 2008 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that he is doing a better job of getting his head turned
but for the most part that’s just giving him a better view of the completion he’s about to give up.
Turning around and seeing the ball doesn’t mean much if you can’t get your hands up to knock it away. I’ll admit that he’s gotten better, but I really thought he’d be further away at this point in the season.
I also don’t think you can attribute that much of it to scheme because for a CB, a change of scheme may impact your ability to be in position, but that’s not his problem. He’s in position, he just can’t break up the pass. That has nothing to do with zone or man. That’s just basic CB technique.
by Vega on Dec 10, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing
I think that, in addition to turning his head, he’s breaking up a few more passes as well.
And I think the difference in technique with respect to zone, where you’re keeping your eyes on the qb and breaking to a space vs man, where you’re running side-by-side with someone and have to turn your head to spot the ball while running, may be small, but it is significant. Particularly in a game situation.
Like a lot of things relating to the Texans’ defense, I thought they’d be further along than they are as well. I agree that Frenchy has, on balance, been a disappointment, and that two good halfway-decent games don’t justify his salary.
But like I said, he’s got the skill that’s impossible to teach — speed. And, depending on his work ethic, attitude and aptitude, he can learn the other stuff (at least hypothetically).
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 10, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If there's anything that will make you look like an ass....
… It’s passing yards given up to the BESF’s.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
by beefy on Dec 10, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I really hope Dunta stays.
A couple weeks ago, the guys on 790 were sayin’ this is the first year in a while the Texans will really have some money to throw around in Free Agency. If that’s the case, I think a lot of people on this blog would be pretty perturbed if we lose Dunta to save money to sign the next Ahman.
Some teams play games on Sunday...ours goes to War. Go Texans!!!
by JMPeffer on Dec 9, 2008 11:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case
I want to see us go after Peppers.
by Vega on Dec 10, 2008 9:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you only say that...
because you know the idea makes me giddy?
Yay, sports.
by MDC on Dec 10, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How could it NOT make you giddy?
There is no single move that would have such an instantaneous impact on the D more than this.
Other than shooting Richard Smith that is.
by Vega on Dec 10, 2008 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dammit!
That’s supposed to go under Matt’s comment
by Vega on Dec 10, 2008 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But would he help us stuff the run?
Because right now, according to FO, our run d is the worst in the league.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 10, 2008 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
fuck that.
With pass rushers like Mario and Peppers, teams would be scared shitless to throw the ball, so they’d HAVE to run it. You can’t keep up with our offense by running the ball only. Not even against OUR defense.
Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.
by beefy on Dec 10, 2008 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think you guys will beat the'oilers'....I really do.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Dec 10, 2008 5:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
They ain't the oilers
And any suggestion to that effect is entirely false. The Oilers died a decade ago. These are just the sister fuckers.
by Only_A_Lad on Dec 10, 2008 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Lad,
To us old timers they are the ‘oilers’ but , for your sake, I’ll change it to ‘soilers’ like dirty soil…bad dirt…no oil.
I am a Denver Bronco fan that follows your team—because I like your team….funny me. I never come to this site to pick a fight—I come to this site because ….hmm…I have no reason…funny me.
Houston Texans is my, ‘backup’ team to like from the AFC. Probably because of Kubiak and what he meant to the Broncos. Hard to describe emotion and what’s in your heart—but somewhere in my heart wants you guys to do good.
Lad, if you address me again keep the f-word out of it. I never use it…and don’t like it in conversations.
and keep in mind
I think your team is melding into a team that can ‘crush’ the ‘soilers’
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Dec 10, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not arguing with you, man
Just pointing out how most of us feel on the subject.
by Only_A_Lad on Dec 10, 2008 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I'm with Lad on this one
Also – if you want us to not use the f-word, you should probably not call the Titans the Oilers. LOL
www.HoustonDiehards.com
by HoustonDiehards on Dec 11, 2008 2:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
There is a reason why they are called the baby-eating sisterf***ers. See also here.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Dec 11, 2008 7:58 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
will 'soilers' work---or what name would you suggest.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Dec 11, 2008 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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