Let's be serious here, New England is HISTORICALLY GOOD right now. They are the best team in the NFL for good reason. They lost 3 games by a TOTAL of 5 points. The much vaunted San Francisco defense, put up a good fight but even they had to score 41 pts to win in Foxborough, and could not stop Brady AT ALL in the 2nd half. Brady is running the show and not many teams in the NFL can stop it. When they are firing on all cylinders they can't be stopped. It's not like the Texans are the only team to get torched by the Pats offense. We lost to a damn good football team.
guys -- to brighten your moods, please keep this in mind: Spoiler Astros baseball is right around the corner!!!!!
We need a legit RT and its not too early to start looking for a LG to replace Wade Smith he did not play at a pro bowl level even if he was selected. We have to get a better pass rush from the OLB positions whether its from someone on the roster or an addition in the draft/free agency. JJ Watt will probably never have 20.5 sacks again and you can't expect it either. WR whether that player is on the roster or we acquire him he not only has to play, but Matt has got to feel confident enough to throw him the ball. If our WR become more balanced that will make AJ more effective and give the defense that much more of the field to defend. We need a true FB. Casey while he is a good receiver he is not the hammer that we had in Leach and the running game was not as dependable the past 2yrs as it was in 2010. It was a huge red flag that late in the year 3rd and 2 became a passing down with one of the best RB's in football in your backfield. Getting Cushing back will be huge but we need another thumper at ILB to stop the run. Bradie James was not that guy and he was so bad in coverage when Cushing went down that we had a guy off the street playing Nickel/Dime LB late in the year. In the draft we have to look at DL as well. Antonio Smith is in his 30's now and has one year left on his deal. I don't see the Texans signing him to another deal at the money he is making now at his age. Crick could be a productive player next year and beyond, but it never hurts to have competition at a premium position like DL. Special Teams were ****ing terrible this year. The return game was non existent except for today, and we gave up 2 kickoff returns and 1 punt return td this year. That is way too many for a team trying to win a championship. I will be shocked if there is not a new coach in place for next season.
The season would be so much different with Cushing back. they still have a great team. they just lost against the best team in the NFL (or at least the best team in the AFC).
suggs had a partial tear, do we know the extent of poseys yet? this is gonna be a setback for sure. might as well sit him out the year.. damn he has missed a ton of football in the past 2 seasons..
Thats also the thing with being so successful. Its when you ARE that good, it means you're closer to the title than you are to mediocrity, so expectations are to GET INTO that title game - Its KNOCKING DOWN THE DOOR when YOU CAN while opportunity EXISTS! Everything about the NFL is URGENCY, players don't last long, and like in anything there's older owners, coaches and fans who don't like waiting on rebuilding. Gotta strike while iron is hot. And THEN the bright side is at least you CAN say you're a contender when others cant. Though in the NFL even though there seems to be perennially good franchises, it can BE HARD to maintain that and league "parity" can make itself apparent. So its VERY IMPORTANT that the Texans know what they're doing to MAINTAIN this edge. Onto the personnel and strategy: - Agree that maybe the downgrading of the run blocking in a few areas finally made itself apparent. A couple line positions could use upgrades. James Casey did what he could do at fullback and probably slightly exceeded expectations. But if they insist on using the fullback, maybe can start to work in a more true fullback. - Kinda the same with the defense. Without regards to cap space, against the teams like the Patriots having guys like Mario Williams and Demeco Ryans with what you have is a good thing. But need healthy defense and DBs. After the starters, coverage was very shaky with the 2nd stringers on down. And of course a badass like Cushing healthy is a total gain. Having Brooks Reed and McCain healthy helps, maybe a guy like Routt develops and you're not missing a beat. - Even with Posey's injury, the receiving corp can only get better. Jean, Posey, Martin, potential draft pick. And if they can't get a QB or change of coach, maybe the PHILOSOPHY can change to allow WRs to make some plays down the field with their own talents. - Don't know the situation on Ben Tate with his contract years or anything, but if he can re-emerge again that would be great. And its part on FOSTER, but he used to be a weapon in the passing game. I'd like to see some downfield plays with WRs, but nothing bad in an RB that used to get 10 yds/catch!
This just in: Raven are just as great as the Patriots at this point. We beat the Ravens. STOP USING THAT IN YOUR ARGUMENT. There are too many other things about the Texans you can pick on.
I'm just getting in on this thread because all the others are full of crazy people. Apparently, we need to blow things up: Acquire Michael Vick, cut Owen Daniels, move AJ to the slot and trade Watt for picks. Okay, no one's actually said the last one yet, but it's only a matter of time.
the bright side for me is the afc overall is weak. the nfc on the other hand is stacked!!! There are 6 playoff spots for 8-9 good to great teams in the AFC. Our division is weak and looks to be that way next year. So playoffs are still a reasonable goal next year. Since we are playing the NFC West next year, the toughest division in football, I don't see more than 10 wins. But 10-6 should still be enough to get us back in the playoffs again.
On the one hand, its easy to complain about all the complaining around here... how a team that has historically achieved nothing of major significance can ever be considered an utter "dissapointment" after a 12-4 division winning season second round playoff loss to one of the most complete teams in football. On the other hand, I do like the passion that this usual "fair-weather" city is bringing right now... and it only applies to football. Fans are angry about this team. Some of it is going to lead to some stupid suggestions that can never be accomplished ("change the QB, coach, DC, ST, and o line!!!"), but it should drive this team to avoid complacency. My suggestions: 1. Shore up the O-line to get back to being able to do things CONSISTENTLY (ie - run with anybody back there at any time, any down... be able to pick up a blitz... execute on screens -- a key component of this offense from 2009-2011.) This includes obtaining depth... something that was exposed this year. 2. Stop fitting square pegs in round holes: Make sure you have kick returners who can return kicks. Get kickers who can kick the ball out of the end zone to avoid exposing our crappy return coverage. Get fullbacks who can block and pick up blitzes as well as short yardage when needed. If you have a QB that can't run, make sure as hell you have a scheme/system in place that eliminates that from being a possibility... sorta like the Pats do with Brady. 3. Pray that Cushing comes back strong. His importance to this defense is beyond words. 4. Get a nickel safety that isn't a head case (Keo, Demps, Nolan... all made mistakes that led to losses). 5. Dont' panic... but panic. This team still has good pieces that most teams would kill to have in place. Schaub is not a mobile QB... we all know that. At the same time, you can't have a playbook that calls for deep routes that relies on an inexperienced line to block along with a QB to evade pressure. Foster is a good back... but his success is predicated on the line opening holes. If they aren't, find another way to get him in space (ie - passing game... which he was held back from this year). They need to find an above average young offensive player... whether it be Jean, Posey, Martin... they need something to come of them.
If it makes you feel better, we really should lost the Lions game (remember the Forsett non-TD and the Hanson miss FG in OT) and the Jags game so it really all evened out. Like someone said about the Falcons, it takes time and every team in championship weekend has been competing in the playoffs for years.
Umm, we played the NFC North with three 10-win teams and a Lions team that we found out was better than it's record and had made the playoffs last year. We should do just as good next year, probably losing @San Francisco, with tossups against the Rams and Seahawks while winning @Reliant against the Cardinals.
it comes with the territory of that position and rightfully should be critcized. I tuned in to denver radio talk, and they were calling him a nickname, "one and done" The bright side... rockets get our full attention, well, at least those that can watch.
