BRB Groupthink: Texans-Packers Sweet & Sour

The Houston Texans lost their first preseason game 28-26 in a score reminiscent to last season’s three game losing streak. They fell behind in the second half by multiple scores and then embarked on a furious journey that left them gasping for air with the shore in sight.

It’s the preseason, though. The score doesn’t matter. It’s a job interview for starting positions, roster spots, and practice squads. It isn’t the game itself that matters.

The tourniquet is around the bicep. That vein is bulging. With that in bloody highway in mind here’s what the masthead thought was a good thing about yesterday’s game, and something concerning.

Matt Weston:

Matt Kalil and Seantrel Henderson were really bad yesterday. Kalil was a yellow rubber mat strewn across a soggy yard slip sliding around. His hands were atrocious. His base was floppy. And if Henderson was slightly better, it wasn’t by much. Again, Henderson has been injured since 2014 and has never been a good player in his career.

Currently these are the Texans starting tackles. I already yearn for Juli’en Davenport and Kendall Lamm. The good news is this is happening in the preseason. Hopefully the realization comes that this tackle combination is horrendous and it needs to be changed, and Houston can get Tytus Howard moved outside, and then figure out the rest from there.

What I’m concerned about is thag same old concern. The Texans don’t have a pass rush aside from J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Houston brought back the same JAGs from last year and didn’t improve the rush whatsoever. Mike Daniels, Gerald McCoy, Malik Jackson, Sheldon Richardson? Who needs them. Without Watt and Clowney on the field the Texans had zero tackles for a loss, zero quarterback hits, and zero sacks.

Capt. Ron:

Bright spot: They were smart enough not to put Deshaun Watson or Watt on the field.

Concern: They lost two starters (Greg Mancz and Keke Coutee) to injury by the beginning of the second quarter. I hate the risks of pre-season games!

Matt Burnham:

I guess the bright spot is that Joe Webb somehow is still in the league. Kudos to him.

My concern is obviously Coutee’s injury but I guess it looked more serious than it actually was.

Preseason is good for everybody except the players. Abolish it.

Mike Bullock:

Bright Spot: Bradley Roby came to play. He gave up a few completions, but the two I saw, Kizer put right on the money. Roby has slid under the radar this off-season, but if he puts this sort of effort into every game, he’s going to be getting some Sports Center love for sure.

Concern: Line play. The offensive line was a shambles, as we all expected, then Greg Mancz went down, making the shambles look desirable compared to the alternative. Joe Webb made some excellent escapes, but was playing with his head on a swivel just about every play. Love that Houston traded for Duke Johnson, now they need to trade for some pro linemen.

What stood out to you?