I swear... some people treat the... ESPN Power Poll, or whatever the hell it's called, like the ******* BCS. It's not a popularity contest; there are no points for quality wins. All that matters is the record. The Texans are breaking in four new offensive starters - plus playing two back-ups on their OL. That's a disadvantage, and if the playing field can be evened out by opponent injuries, good. So be it. Bring it on. The Texan Apology Tour can start in ****ing February, about 10 minutes after our championship parade.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bill Belichick has reputation taking away best opp. player. JJ Watt 0 sacks in 3 RS games, 182 snaps vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash">#Patriots</a>. Half sack in playoffs</p>— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/778602664565309442">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And that's why Clowney had a very good game last year during their one h-2-h... and him and Merciless need to be ready to take advantage again.
Its just part of the overall landscape of following a team. Its the same reason why people care about what Barkley thinks regarding the Rockets. Its not the end-all be-all... but in the king-of-all-sports NFL (where parity is a thing, and market-size is usually not as dictating as to who gets covered), it does accentuate the enjoyment of following a team, when non-locals start to offer deserved recognition. That being said, I expect zero recognition following this game... regardless of the outcome. And whatever happens, it will be the focus of conversation on Friday throughout the nation.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> QB Hit Rankings among the NFL.<br><br>1- Simon (6)<br>2 (Tied) JJ Watt (5)<br>3 (Tied) Clowney (4)<br>4 (Tied) McKinney, Mercilus (3)</p>— PDS (@PatDStat) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/778632375882219520">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Simon is first in the NFL among all defenders in quarterback hits with 6. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a></p>— PDS (@PatDStat) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/778631373342908416">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> lead the NFL with 9 sacks in the first two games of the season. <br><br>They have missed their fair share too.</p>— PDS (@PatDStat) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatDStat/status/778633016956510208">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They have to move Watt around instead of just playing him at LDE the whole game. 99 was most effective in the Wade era when they moved him around everywhere to try and expose their weakest link.
offense has to wake up fast..4 days is too short, but i'm really hoping brock minimizes mistakes...the line gets some juice and creates holes for miller.. i think i'm getting restless of lamar being stifled in the run game...
Watt is every bit as effective now as he was then. I feel like he gets moved around just as much if not more. Rac's defensive system is 10x better against elite QB's if your talent level isn't influxed like Denvers is.
It will take time. This offense is going to be just fine. New England's corners are going to get exposed like Arizona did to them. Without a pass rush, our superior wide outs will be fine. Brock is going to get blitzed...
1. I agree with you on RAC's system 2. My issue is in passing down situations. We only see JJ at LDE in those situations nowadays, which makes him easier to chip and gameplay for. Would love to see him play some 3 tech with Clowney and Mercilus on the edges and Simon/Covington next to him inside. Watch on 3rd downs.
What are you basing this on? The first two games of THIS season? I have never seen Watt be easy to gameplan for...he can be double-tripled team wherever he lines up, and if the other Texans can't take advantage of that, teams will keep doing it.
That's because Clowney is now manning the other end position (as opposed to Jared Crick), so the need to move Watt isn't as pervasive. The Texans have three elite pass rushers - they're no longer a one-trick pony. If they want to double Watt - have at it; Clowney and/or Merciless will eat from the all you can sack buffet.
