Back from a busy week at work and home followed by a week of vacation.  I'll hopefully be back on my regular posting schedule soon.  Didn't want to bump the game thread, so here's a FanShot.

1. Brian Cushing: What Matt said (especially the part about the announcers).  However, my conclusion is extremely different.

Cushing's bipolar play has been symbolic of the Texans' season to date.  He's a gap gambler, and this has led directly to several long runs (obviously, with an assist to Frank Bush, John Busing, etc.).

And, no, he really isn't very good in coverage.  FO will "prove" this as the year goes on, but it's still apparent he struggles in short- to intermediate coverage.  Yes, he did a good to great job in coverage in the Bengals' game.

However, these are very, very fixable flaws, and both could be directly attributable to his simply being a rookie.  He needs to better understand his responsibilities and stop getting caught out of position so easily.  He'll likely not be a true cover linebacker, but that's OK.  Being average would be fantastic.  And he needs to start shedding blockers far better.

At SLB, he was going to put up stats.  Remember that Zac Diles was our second leading tackler last year, and he played only half the season.

However, it's looking like I was wrong about him.  Through his six games so far, he has shown flashes of brilliance and incompetence, but the incompetence can be fixed.  You can't find the brilliance just anywhere.

2. DeMeco Ryans: But let's not kid ourselves: DeMeco Ryans is one of the elite MLBs in the NFL today, and this is his defensive squad.  While Cushing was very good against the Bengals, Ryans was spectacular, and Ryans was responsible for the forced fumble in the second half.  Ryans and Cushing are like a good cop/bad cop relationship, and the combination is awesome.  Zac Diles is playing pretty well, too.  Our speed at LB is outstanding.

3. The Announcers: Honestly, that was the worst called game I've ever heard.  When I finally watched the game Friday night, I was amazed to learn these idiots (Criqui and Cross) still have their damn jobs.  NO, you morons, Frank Okam is NOT responsible for securing the Texans run defense.  Teams need a Carson Palmer to win championships (and Matt Schaub isn't that type of player)?  And precisely how many rings does Palmer have?  Here's one last message to you: FOAD.  I'd even be willing to sit through Brent Musburger than listen to those guys again.  No, not Tim McCarver, though.

4. Glover Quin and Jacques Reeves: These guys are difference makers in the secondary.  Reeves was outstanding against the Bengals, and while I still don't think Quin is a long-tern answer at CB, the prospects of him at FS with his range and tackling ability gives me wood.  And if y'all remember correctly, I was down on the Quin pick.  Being proved wrong there, as well.

5. Dunta Robinson: Yay, you had a tough hit on a guy after he got a first down.  But your ass was burned repeatedly all game.  Have no doubt, Dunta, that you are a complete liability in coverage, and you don't even tackle well anymore.  Once we finally start Quin and Reeves at the corners, getting Dunta off the field, we'll be that much better.

6. Dear Mario Williams: I miss you.  I miss the sacks.  Hugs, bfd.  We still aren't getting enough pressure on the QB on a consistent basis, and we rarely close the deal when we do.

7. Steve Slaton: Stick-um.  Buy it.  Use it.

8. JUGGERNAUT Offense: Honestly, the "player" of the game was the offensive play-calling, whether it was Baby Shan or Kubiak himself.  There are just so many freaking weapons, and we did a great job mixing up plays while still "establishing" the run behind a weakened offensive line...by not establishing the run.  While Chris Myers is Ragdoll against bigger DTs, he's simply outstanding blocking on screens.

That's it.  Need to go make breakfast before my fam strings me up!