So what part(s) of this article is true? https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/...s-deshaun-watson-pass-protection-quarterbacks
“It’s the same horror movie from last year,” says former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. “It’s all-encompassing, and at some point, it falls on the head coach. The play-caller has to do a better job of understanding ‘we can’t block these guys right now.’” And for a former quarterback like Orlovsky, that’s been the most frustrating part of the Texans’ first two games: The coaching staff is making the same mistakes that plagued it last season. Houston had significant problems picking up blitzes in 2018, and that’s continued with Tunsil, running back Duke Johnson, and the rest of its new personnel up front. During the Texans’ loss to the Saints, New Orleans consistently sent blitzes on the side opposite the tight end, and the Texans failed to pick up those pressure packages. “They can’t pass it off well,” Orlovsky says. “Part of me was a little bit understanding with the new tailback and the new tackle. But it’s the same story. It has to fall on Bill O’Brien at some point.” Orlovsky says that against the Saints, O’Brien used designs that asked a tight end to block All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan on two separate occasions. “That’s just stupid,” Orlovsky says. “I don’t care who the tight end is.” When the Texans do choose to put three receivers on the field and spread defenses out, they generally do it in ways that leave them vulnerable. Watson’s average time to throw, 2.84 seconds, ranked fourth highest in the NFL in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s not a coincidence that Watson, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson all ranked in the top five in that category and finished among the top 10 for percentage of disrupted dropbacks, according to PFF. Watson hasn’t held onto the ball quite as long so far this season, but his average release time of 2.69 seconds still ranks 10th highest among qualified QBs. There is some blame on Watson and a lot of blame on the coaching staff. Watson has improved to 10th on release time. That may not seem good, but he is a very mobile QB so his release time isn't ever going to be among the best.
Looking at Mike Devlin's history how the hell did this guy get the offensive line coach job? The two years he was with the Jets their QBs got sacked 47 times each year.
The line has improved this year and you could actually blame all 4 sacks on a combination of Bill O’brien/Watson/Nick Martins snap last week. The biggest CULPRIT is OB. The Texans need to scheme more slants and shorter passes as teams are trying to take away the deep ball.
Maybe this is his master plan. "Just wait until week 4 when I switch it all up and go for dink-and-dunk plays while everyone is still scheming for deep throws to Hopkins"
This garbage organization has turned our star quarterback into an afterthought amongst the new young quarterbacks. What an absolute shame.
This is just another one of those articles that is damning on coaching in all the right ways for us pleebs that aren't as knowledgeable about football as basketball. I could have never told you that the Saints consistently blitzed against the side outside the tight-end in the second half, or that Obrien tried to have a tight end block Jordan multiple times. Unfortunately, I don't think BillyO could have told you that either!!
Thanks for posting. It's a fascinating article which gives some terrific insight into how difficult it is to protect a QB like Watson.
He would be in the front of it, if not for the defense against the Saints. All it takes is one big game in San Diego and he’s back in the MVP conversation.
It is my limited understanding that when the QB approaches the line he has the option to call a run or pass, to call hot routes, to call out blocking assignments, etc. The QB might make the correct blitz read and blocking assignment callout, but if the OL/RB miss their blocking assignments the play gets f*cked. The QB might miss the blitz read, especially a delayed blitz and the play gets f*cked. The QB might have good protection and progress through his receiver reads but miss the wide open receiver and the play gets f*cked. The QB might find the right receiver but under throws the pass and the play gets f*cked. The QB might make a great pass but the receiver fumbles the reception and the play gets f*ck. By all means we should blame all f*cked plays on OBie. This is a team game. Most of the time for a play to work and 11 players and coaches have to do their part.
The offense is so bad even if after spending all those first round picks on it. OBrien is one of the worst coaches in history
Watson saved O’Brien’s job and now O’Brien is going to ruin his career by failing to protect him. What a terrible way to go out if you’re Watson. Life ain’t fair.
If they had someone above the HC, maybe a GM or President of Ops or something like almost every other NFL team has, who has a long-term vision for this team, I'd feel a ton better. As it it, BoB gets to pick (or have huge say in) the next GM and all of the coaches/coordinators. This does not seem like a good plan, especially given that BoB has not shown any level of competence to be anything other than a position coach or maybe OC.
