That was my biggest problem with the defense last year. We hardly ran any blitz packages. This year, that should help us immensely. I truly think we will be around the tenth best defense in the league. Once our offense clicks, and becomes efficient (which should happen by time the season starts), we should be a force. God, it's great to see us actually resembling an NFL defense, even if it is preseason. Mario was underwhelming, but I think if Mario struggles, we can move him back to DE midseason, and still be fine with a Barwin/Reed combo at the outside 'backer spots. It's a testament to expectations about this team, though, that we're mostly concerned with backup running backs, 4th and 5th string receivers, the competition among the punters, etc. Edit: I just wanted to throw this out there...On the second touchdown, Dorin Dickerson had a crack back block (if you want to call it that) that effectively prevent three Jets players from making a tackle. That was impressive.
Seems like if they weren't getting QB pressure, they were getting eaten up by the Jets running game. It looked like they were getting consistent 3-4 yard chunks and getting to the linebacker level every run. Leinart looked good, but it was all drag left and dump. The one play where the Jets actually closed out his RB screen option, Leinart ran out of bounds and lost a yard. It felt like the whole second half the Jets just chipped away at us throwing to the flats. Plays that should get only short yards were getting 5-6 instead. And the goal line situation was nostalgic too. Whoever was the CB, McCain I think, gave a 3 yard cushion to his man. But forcing two turnovers in the first half and plenty of pressure can't be denied. Maybe we'll be like the Saints D in 09, giving up plenty of yardage, but swimming in takeaways.
The only real criticism I have on the Texans secondary yesterday was our guys can't stop a simple slant route. Yesterday it didn't account for a lot of yardage, corners seemed to tackle right away which was a plus. However giving up 7-8 yards a play eventually hurts. I was still very impressed with the defense as a whole, it's amazing what a little pressure can do. I look forward to seeing more Demeco Ryans, I am hoping Brian Cushing and Jonathan Joseph can play on Saturday vs the Saints.
I mentioned it before last night, but I wouldn't be suprised if Watt has a more productive season than Mario.
A few thoughts: 1. Defense looks better. Pass rush looked tons better. 2. Mario looked uncomfortable. 3. Love J.J.'s energy 4. Schaub looked terrible - not worried about that, though 5. Let's emphasize catching the ball with TWO hands 6. Preseason football is the ultimate tease.
the keying on Kareem in the first quarter would have been funny if it didn't make me so sad. no, it's still kinda funny.
Congrats on the win? You mean you're not going to drink the battle red koolaid? Who is your team now, anyway...?
I've been wondering for a while if the team is honestly committed to keeping Mario, or if this season is an audition of sorts. If he's truely a franchise player, wouldn't they have looked to extend his contract like they did with Johnson? I think they silently know there isn't a real place for him unless he's gangbusters as a WOLB....and they even hedged their bets there by drafting Reed. It wasn't about motor last night...it was about him looking lost, hesitating, misreading, missing reads, getting blocked on run plays disturbingly easily, etc. The difficulty of his transition has been underestimated by a lot of folks. It's tough for anyone to change like that mid-career, and he's got a short offseason to do so. Not really. There is no more 4-3 DE. Mario isn't a 3-4 end like Watt. In obvious passing downs, Wade could consider putting him on the line with his hand down, but that's it. Mario's in a sink or swim situation, and honestly is a fish out of water in this scheme. We don't always appreciate how different these responsibilities are from scheme to scheme, but there's a reason guys like Haynesworth and Julius Peppers balk when new coaches come in and want to alter the scheme. With Johnson out, I wasn't surprised - I've had the opinion for a few years that Schaub is good and feeds of a great corps of receivers. Last year with that group hampered by injury, he was shaky. Right with you. This defense is fun to watch, and they are doing a great job churning up the backfield. But this scheme is going to be vulnerable to well coached teams that excel with quick outlets or can pitch out to scatbacks. If Mario remains a liability protecting his side and Kareem remains Captain 8-Yd Cushion, we've got a nasty blindspot.
I agree. The run stopping ability, or lack there of, was/is a bit worrisome. Leinart was ok but you could see where he did underthrow some balls when there was some pressure. Would have liked for him to have gone deep a little...if nothing else to show that he actually is looking down field and not captain checkdown. It's also frustrating to have teams continually pick on the texans in short routes...and long routes for that matter. I don't put too much weight on the 3rd stringers getting beat but there was some blown coverages that were saved by dropped balls.
Mario looked like he did his rookie year at DE. Thinking the position rather than just playing it. He gets a preseason pass, and the first couple games of the season really, but he definitely needs for "it" to click by game 4 if the texans are going to make a playoff push.
I have real concerns about Mario. He looked slow to me yesterday. Unless he was just jaking it that isn't something I think changes as he gets to know a system. When he disengaged his blocker to go after a running back he just looked like a lineman trying to chase a running back. He had no shot at the guy. I think the Texans will have major cap room next year when Mario is on another team.
We aren't letting Mario walk. If it isn't working out, we're trading him. Which, in my opinion, would be incredibly stupid to pick a coach and his scheme over a potential HOFer. But hey, that's our Texans.
They didn't "look" to extend Johnson's deal; he (ever-so briefly) griped and held out and so they righted a pretty egregious wrong - Johnson *was* underpaid. Grossly underpaid. Mario is not underpaid so there's absolutely no incentive whatsoever to offer Mario Williams an extension right now. If he has a big year, they can franchise him (that still exists, right?) and work out a long-term deal then.
It's been 10 days. Cushing was out. Joseph was out. Lets give the experiment a little more time. What's he's attempting to do, in a shortended offseason no less, is extremely difficult. Wade's obviously seen something that has convinced him Mario can pull it off - but no one ever suggested it would be done overnight.
Two points. I don't think Mario has done anything in his career so far that makes me think he's on a Hall of Fame path. He's been consistently good, but his flashes of greatness are far enough apart to keep him from being considered for the Hall of Fame, so far. That being said, if Mario doesn't work out at OLB by Week 3, expect him back at End in Week 4. He might not be an ideal DE for a 3-4, but he's too good of a football player to not work out pretty well. And whether Antonio Smith is a better fit or not, Mario Williams is enough of a better player to start over him. (Though Smith could be a player at DT, too.)
