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Texans Five on Five: Week Five

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More photos » by Paul Connors - AP


Nothing like a bounce-back game against the worst quarterback in the league, but this week is a much different story.  This week the Texans face an Arizona Cardinals team that features a two-time MVP quarterback and the best duo of wide receivers in the league.  The Texans secondary certainly has its work cut out for them, and they are among the most important matchups for the Texans this week.

1.  Mario Williams vs. Mike Gandy - What's the best way to keep one of Kurt Warner's wide receivers in check?  Put Warner on his back--repeatedly.  In week two against Jacksonville, the Jaguars had zero sacks and Warner set a record for completion ratio (24-26).  The next week against Indianapolis, the Colts sacked Warner 4 times including 2 by RDE Dwight Freeney, which led to an Indy route.  Mario is coming off a week that he played lights out but tweaked his shoulder a bit.  It is pivotal that Williams and company produce as much pressure as possible on Sunday.

2.  Dunta Robinson vs. Larry Fitzgerald - I thought about being cute here and highlighting Glover Quin, who even if Jacques Reeves returns will have to guard Steve Breaston or Jerheme Urban in nickel situations, but that doesn't scare me nearly as much as Dunta on Fitz.  Robinson hasn't really faced a legitimately dominant vertical threat this season, but that will change this week.  What scares me even more is that after a modest (for Larry) 17 receptions for 181 yards, he's due.  If Dunta really wants to earn that huge contract, here's his chance to prove he's worth it.

3.  Andre Johnson vs. Bryant McFadden - Normally I try not to be this obvious, but in a game in which two wide receivers who are widely considered the best in the league face off, I had to include Andre.  Not only for that, but Bryant McFadden was torched by Mike Sims-Walker and Reggie Wayne the last two games for 238 yards and 2 TDs. 

4.  Matt Schaub vs. Kurt Warner - I don't know where I saw it, but someone commented that this game will likely be decided by which quarterback makes less mistakes, i.e., turnovers.  This game has the makings of a classic shootout and it will be imperative that Matt takes care of the ball.  I actually felt better about Schaub's last performance after hearing that he felt extremely ill on Sunday, something that was obvious after seeing how gaunt he looked in his post-game interview following the game.

5.  Kyle Shanahan vs. Playcalling - Gary Kubiak claimed that the conservative playcalling in the second half last game, which consisted almost exclusively of run plays, was so that the offensive staff could diagnose the problems running the ball.  I hope they found the answers, but if they didn't, the Texans will have to win the game through the air.  Arizona is currently 6th in the league in rush defense after giving up a meager average of 79.7 yards per game, so if Steve Slaton doesn't get it going early, Baby Shan can't be afraid to let Schaub air the ball out.

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agree on point 5

there’s no room for “establishing the run.” We need mucho points.

Our offense can put up 40. We need to air it out early and often.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Oct 8, 2009 7:51 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Have to disagree 100000000% percent.

We NEED to establish the run. Our BEST chance of winning is to keep Kurt Warner and the Cards offense watching the game from the bench.

We do not win a shootout with the Cards, we just don’t.

If we establish the run and eat up the clock we win.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Oct 9, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Finally.... something I can get behind...

that doesn’t start with the letter “J” and end in “ordann.”

Seriously, though… TF is right. we gotta try our best to pound that rock.

Bacon tastes good... Pork chops taste good.

by beefy on Oct 9, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

I think

we need to stay with the run. Even if it isn’t successful, because those are plays that Schaub doesn’t risk injury. Unless he pulls an Eli and injures himself with no physical contact.

If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be fucked up.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
You are banned from Silver Screen and Roll.

by CFHTim on Oct 8, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Another factor

Anthony Smith/Frank Bush vs Their old teammates and collegues? I figured that would play a small part in the match-up. Also, the cards being horrid against the pass helps their run defense avg, much like the Texans looking horrid against the run is propping up their pass defense avg.

by b0ng on Oct 8, 2009 8:09 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

You're right

I thought about Antonio Smith vs. his old defense, but the Cardinals changed D Coordinators so I decided not to include it.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Oct 8, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

B-B-b-b-but

The offense is still pretty much the same, and he practiced against those dudes every day. Also, a lot of the good personnel is still playing on the defensive side, so I think Bush could provide some decent analysis on what to do vs the defense to Kubiak.

by b0ng on Oct 8, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very True

Good points, thanks b0ng.

You know... for kids.

by Jake on Oct 9, 2009 5:34 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Also...

The Cards used a lot of hybrid 4-3/3-4 combinations last year, which did a lot to confuse offenses. This year, they seemed to have settled more into a 3-4. It will be a different defense.

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Oct 9, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

true.

and thank GOD their 3-4 isnt on the level of the Jets. otherwise it would be a very LONG sunday.

You are banned from Music City Miracles. (twice)
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Oct 9, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The thing that worries me about Warner

He’s a QB that handles pressure fairly well, he can usually avoid the initial rush and find the open man. When you see Warner take alot of sacks, it’s because of a combination of the rush and solid coverage in the secondary. If we go blitz happy and our secondary plays miserably, we’re still going to get torched.

With that said, if you don’t put pressure on Warner he’ll just sit in the pocket and pick you apart all game. It’s kind of a pick your poison kind of deal, I suspect that we’re going to have to play lights out on offense to keep this from getting out of hand early. I don’t think we can afford many three and outs this game. I hope i’m wrong, that’s just the feeling i’m getting and i’m usually one of the more optimistic fans you’ll find. I would love to believe that our defense is going to show up and dominate the Cardinals all game, it’s just hard to justify that level of optimism at this point even for me.

Now on the flip side, we should be able to pass the ball on their secondary just as easilly as they do ours, so when I say it’ll be a shootout I don’t neccessarilly mean that we’d lose. But then again, how many times have we seen games that looked like they would be high-scoring and finished 13-10? I don’t expect that at all in this case since both defenses have a tendency to give up big plays in the passing game and both offenses are pass-heavy, just playing Devil’s advocate.

by Bryan72076 on Oct 9, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

yep

Sounds a lot like Matt Schaub to me.

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Oct 9, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

one difference....

warner has a ring.

You are banned from Music City Miracles. (twice)
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Oct 9, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And the Lord

If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be fucked up.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
You are banned from Silver Screen and Roll.

by CFHTim on Oct 9, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

And David Carr's love of gloves

When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.

by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 9, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

But not the hair

that glorious, majestic hair

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Oct 9, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This game will be won or lost by our D-Line. Even teams with a good secondary would struggle mightily to contain the Cards receivers. We have to get to Warner early and often, which, considering how their O line has played this year is more then possible.

by nolander on Oct 9, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope Mario's shoulder is feeling better

 Because for me the key to this game is matchup 1. Either Warner has time to destroy our woeful secondary or he doesn’t. Because let’s be honest, it’s just a matter of time with our secondary.

by JimboTexan on Oct 9, 2009 8:46 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

mark my words....

the secondary WILL show up for this game. i predict at LEAST 2 interceptions, and at least 5 big hits delivered by bonecrusher!

You are banned from Music City Miracles. (twice)
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Oct 9, 2009 9:14 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

We're finally gonna be able to see

How bad the Bonecrusher is in coverage. We played his strengths last Sunday but we can’t be doing the same this coming Sunday.

by Jordann on Oct 9, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"At least 2 Interceptions"

The weekend started early, I see.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Oct 9, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chris is at home singing...

“I was gonna make a rational post……but then I got high.

I knew Dunta would get torched…….but then I got high.

I was hopin’ Frenchy comes back strong…..but then I got high. Then I got high, then I got high, then I got high-igh."

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Oct 9, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For those who have speakers and don't get the reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=305vRNoofr8

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Oct 9, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

i was gonna leave a clever remark to your post...

but then i got high.

You are banned from Music City Miracles. (twice)
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Oct 9, 2009 7:06 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Shake, my man

I so owe you for this.

Note to self: Insert something witty here.

by bigfatdrunk on Oct 9, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Collection will be made later...

For now, thank the fact that I had XM Radio in my truck for a few years.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStroKets!

by Shake on Oct 11, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unrelated

But is the fucking detergent add bothering anyone else? Don’t mind adds, I know it takes money to run the blogs, but not an add that covers my whole screen and makes me search for the damn close button.

If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be fucked up.

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
Happy Now Tits?
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
You are banned from Silver Screen and Roll.

by CFHTim on Oct 9, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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