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Andre Johnson's uncle, who handles the star wide receiver's business affairs, was cited in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine, claiming that if the Texans didn't turn the corner soon that Johnson would try to force his way out of Houston. To quote his uncle Andre Melton, "If he never gets a chance at a ring and I let him stay, I'd be doing him an injustice."

The Andre that matters feels differently, however. Johnson told Fox 26 in Houston that he doesn't want to go anywhere, and that he was displeased with not only his uncle making that assertion but also with the poor timing of it. Johnson doesn't want to be a distraction for the team as they get ready to face off with the rival Tennessee Titans on Monday Night.

Johnson closed his interview with reporters as succinctly as possible by stating, "I plan on being a Texan until the day I retire."

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Open Game Day Thread: The Day Before Monday Night Football

by Tim on Nov 22, 2009 8:15 AM CST in Events Comment 14 comments

Even though your Houston Texans don't take the field until tomorrow night, there are other (albeit far less vital to your mental health) games to watch today. Leave your thoughts on those games in the Comments below as you see fit.

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Steve Slaton To Start On Monday Night

by Tim on Nov 21, 2009 3:11 PM CST in News Comment 18 comments

From John McClain (with a tip o' the cap to texanphil):

"I had an assumption that I would start, but nothing was concrete until now," Slaton said after being told by coach Gary Kubiak that he would be starting. "I'm happy about it. It's an opportunity I have to take full advantage of."

It probably goes without saying, but I like this move a whole lot. Ryan Moats got the start in Indianapolis because of Slaton's fumbling; Slaton responded by holding onto the ball when he saw the field, and Moats helped Slaton's cause by fumbling himself. While it's hard to imagine that Kubes will stick with Slaton should the fumbling problem return, this is the right move. Here's to Steve Slaton turning back the clock to 2008 on Monday night.

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Pre-Game Recon: Five Questions With Music City Miracles

by Jake on Nov 20, 2009 9:27 AM CST in News Comment 85 comments

In a continuation of our pre-game cooperation with Music City Miracles, Jimmy was gracious enough to answer five questions I had regarding his Tennessee Titans. Here they are.

1. The Titans have enjoyed a resurgence since starting the season 0-6. Is this due just to the change at quarterback from Kerry Collins to Vince Young, or is there more to the recent turnaround?

MCM: The QB changes has helped because Vince Young has played very efficiently where Collins did not, but there is a lot more to the turnaround. Chris Johnson has had 3 really good games. The secondary has gotten healthy so it isn't the gaping hole that it was for a few weeks. The coaching staff finally decided to go with the young guys on the defensive line, and they have played well.

So while the QB change has helped, and it is what is getting the attention, it isn't the biggest factor in the turnaround.

2. Chris Johnson’s campaign for the Pro Bowl began in Week 2 against the Texans with 3 touchdowns and 284 all-purpose yards. Since Week 3 though, the Texans have stymied opponents’ rushing attacks for an average of 60.5 yards per game. Do you think Johnson will be slowed at all in the rematch, or will he have another huge day?

MCM: I don't expect him to have the same numbers that he did in Week 2, but I do expect him to get his yards. It only takes one or two missed assignments by a defense for CJ to put up big numbers.

The Titans also figured out how to throw a screen pass over the last 3 weeks. It is just another way to get the ball in CJ's hands.

3. The Texans have the 3rd ranked passing attack going against the Titans’ 31st ranked pass defense. How can the Titans slow down Matt Schaub and company?

MCM: By getting pressure on Schaub with the front 4 and the secondary playing their assignments.

It is close to impossible to shut a guy like Andre Johnson down, but the Titans should be able to keep him from putting up the numbers he did in Week 2 by playing their assignments. The safeties, Chris Hope and Michael Griffin, have been biting hard on the run fakes all season. Hopefully they won't do that in this game.

The front 4 has improved since the last time these two played. As a matter of fact, Jacob Ford, one of the best pass rushers on the team, wasn't even active for that game. William Hayes has replaced Jevon Kearse in the starting lineup and is playing well also. They should be able to keep Schaub from getting comfortable in the pocket.

4. Obviously Bud Adams is not an extremely popular person in the city of Houston. What is the your reaction and that of the typical Titans fan of his flipping the bird in Buffalo last week?

MCM: I am not quite sure how to react to it honestly. Part of me thought it was hilarious, and part of me thought it was just sad. I think it is safe to say after getting hammered with a $250K fine Mr. Adams will be on his best behavior for a while.

5. How do you think the game will play out on Monday, an what will the final score be?

MCM: I think this is going to be a very good game that comes down to the wire. I think Vince Young puts up his best numbers of the season and leads the team down the field to set up a field goal in the 4th quarter for the win. 24-21 Titans.

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Chris Johnson: What To Do?

by Tim on Nov 19, 2009 4:58 PM CST in News Comment 28 comments

For all the wringing of hands over Vince Young's return to Reliant on Monday night, it's understood that Chris Johnson has likely earned the focus of Frank Bush & Company. 1,091 rushing yards, an average of 6.42 yards per carry, 262 receiving yards, an average of 8.73 yards per reception, 9 TDs, and quite possibly the greatest speed in the NFL tend to take the spotlight off even VY.

For all his otherworldly talents, however, Chris Johnson has been contained at times this year. Against Pittsburgh, he was limited to 68 total yards. The Jets held him to 105 total yards in Week Three. The Jags cut him off at 94 yards in Week Four, and Week Five saw CJ post a paltry 43 total yards. Keeping Chris Johnson in check is possible, if not probable.

In their prior matchup with the Titans, your Houston Texans saw Johnson trample them for an insane 284 total yards (197 rushing/87 receiving) and 3 TDs. In other words, that Week Two loss to the Texans accounted for 18% of his rushing yards, 33% of his receiving yards, and 33% of the touchdowns he's tallied on the season. He has to be licking his chops for Monday night.

In all the Chris-Johnson-For-Jebus and Vince-Young-For-Pope hoopla, the point that might not be getting as much run is that, despite Chris Johnson having his way with the Texans in Week Two (included but not limited to lining up wide with no one within 15 yards of him pre-snap), the Texans still managed to beat the Titans in Nashville. What's more, that Texans' defense did not feature Bernard Pollard or Jacques Reeves. That defense did prominently feature Fred Bennett, Nick Ferguson, and Dominique Barber, none of whom are likely to see the field on anything but special teams (at best) come Monday night. Just as VY makes the Titans' offense a different animal, the Texans' defense has evolved into something entirely different.

My question is simple: If you're Frank Bush, what do you do to contain Chris Johnson? My initial thought is that you have to spy him, but with who? Pollard? Brian Cushing? DeMeco Ryans? For those of you who saw any of the games where CJ was held in check, what did those defenses do?

We've all heard and read how teams want to shift the burden to Vince Young and the rest of the offense. Implicit in that assertion is containing Chris Johnson. How do you do it?

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Keith Bulluck: Bud Adams' Lil' Buddy

I like to think of Bernard Pollard reading this, letting out a war cry, and then spearing the next person who crosses his path.

2 days ago Tim 13 comments 0 recs

Update II: BRB Tailgate For Monday Night Football (11/23/09)

by Tim on Nov 19, 2009 10:42 AM CST in News Comment 57 comments

The details:

DATE: Monday, November 23, 2009.
TIME: 4 p.m. CST.
WHERE: Orange Lot of Reliant Stadium.
WHAT TO BRING: Whatever You Want To Eat and/or Drink. And chairs, if you want to sit.

If you've got an Orange Lot parking pass, please meet up at in the parking lot of Pappasito's across 610 from Reliant (2515 S. Loop West, Houston, TX 77054) at 3 p.m. if at all possible. The plan is to form a convoy so all the BRB vehicles can get into the Orange Lot at the same time in order to park together.

Cooler space and ice will be very much appreciated for those of us who do not have a parking pass for the Orange Lot. To the extent anyone would like reimbursement for the ice, I'll gladly pass the hat for reimbursement.

Finally, please e-mail me (my address is listed on the left sidebar of the main page) if you're planning on attending. On Sunday, I'll send out an e-mail to all the attendees so we have a way of communicating with each other on Monday. The plan is to grab a spot by the grass in the Orange Lot, but we'll need a way to alert everyone as to where we'll be if that doesn't work out.

Questions, concerns, suggestions? Share 'em in the Comments below.

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