Disagree wholeheartedly on the not being top 5-6 teams. Explain the Denver game? Had it not been for a Tate fumble that'd have been a blowout. The Texans are as talented as any team in the league except where it matters most (QB, HC). The sad reality with Kubiak is that he is someone who is conservative, plays not to lose, and doesn't have a killer instinct. He sticks to his gameplan, win or lose. Some of the decisions made by this team in the last few years reaffirm that. When we were getting torched in the secondary it took them 10-12 weeks to decide "Hey! Let's go look for another corner in free agency!". When teams like GB, NE and Minn are trouncing us, he just keeps calling his gameplan even if it isn't working. I can't do anything except accept the harsh truth, that Kubiak and Schaub are here to stay and this will be our team's direction for the foreseeable future.
What does that say about Denver and their cake ass schedule? I think the Texans were as good as their record until the New England game. Kubiak lost the team that night and hasn't regained control. Most of my friends and i said after that game that it was over. **** p***y ass Kubiak and his "way to battle fight even though you got your ass's handed to you" attitude. We need a hard chargin' motivator at Head Coach.
We were showing signs before that. The shootout vs Jacksonville. The shootout vs Detroit that we should've lost. We talked before about the team getting complacent and overconfident way too early. Part of that were those damned letterman jackets going into the Patriots game. Hindsight is 20/20 but Kubes should've nipped that **** in the bud before it started. The players started loving the smell of their own **** and instead keeping them grounded and pulling them back to reality, Kubes just let it happen and that was the beginning of the end. The team got too high and when they got punched in the face they fell, they fell hard, and it doesn't look like they're going to be able to get back up. I don't think were were as good as our record going into New England, but it was that game that put us square on our asses.
Kubiak: Spoiler (How much of the recent sacks is from poor pass protection?): We're playing from behind. Go to NE, behind, Minnesota, behind, yesterday, behind. You're in drop back mode. At the same time, any time you have sacks, some is on QB, some up front. Gotta get them fixed. (Talk about Cincy D): Biggest challenge we've faced in last 4 weeks. They're different this year. Up front, they're exceptional. LBs are better and secondary is different. They're playing well. All we can handle and we have to play better. Inconsistencies in a lot of places. Offense--starts with running the ball. We have to have a consistent day. Hasn't happened. (On the pass defense): We've played top notch guys but not an excuse. We lost some guys out there (like) Brice. We've given up some plays in situations we shouldn't. 3rd and 23, that's not us. We did it yesterday and against Jacksonville. Getting off the field is a problem. We played good yesterday but gave up 60% on 3rd downs. Starts with pressure. If we get pressure, we do better on the back end. (9 penalties): Driving me crazy. We were excellent through 10 weeks penalties wise. It's a problem. We're addressing it. It gotta get solved. If we have 9-10 penalties again this week, it'll be hard to win. (Talk about Geno Atkins): He's exceptional. Corner wise, they're different and playing exceptional. We got our hands full with their front. We got a lot to do. Brice, no way he can come back. He could if we play in the last game of the season. Brooks was sore going in. If it wasn't a total yes, we erred on the other side. 2 issues are Sharpton and Dobbins. No answer right now. We'll see tomorrow. (How do you get past disappointment of the last month): Need to look at the big picture. It was a season. Trying to move onto the next season. Season was a good one. Last month disappointing. We're refocused. We talked about a lot of things. We need to stay positive and make the plays to get that mojo going in the right direction and only ones to get it done are the coaches and players. (What do attribute big plays to?): We're in the right coverage on 3rd and 23. We don't play it the way we need to get off the field. ... When we get to the QB is when we're our best on the back end. (Penalties - speaks to unfocused or undisciplined): I think you're right. That's on me. (O-line rotating still?): We definitely will. Caldwell has back issues right now. We'll play both young guys. They're doing good things. They need to step up and play better. (Bit surprised how last 3-4 weeks has gone): Never surprising with me. If you don't play well, you don't win. This is a 2nd year for many guys to be in a good position in the playoffs. That's what you strive for. Didn't handle the end of season the way we wanted to. We accept responsibility of how we've played but I got confidence in the players/coaches. Brooks Reed touch and go. If he can walk, he'll play. OD has had some nicks. We gotta get him more involved. He's holding up. We need other guys to step up. Posey makes a play early in the game, chance for a few more he needs to make. 80 is doing his part. When the ball is spread is when we're at our best. It has been in one direction the last few weeks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: Bengals' D will be biggest challenge we've faced in last 4 weeks. Up front they've been exceptional.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285860554382393344" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:30:41+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: as a team we have some inconsistencies in what we're doing.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285860752139640832" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:31:29+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: the penalties are driving us crazy, as coaches. All of a sudden the last 5 weeks it's gotten worse.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285861439099506688" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:34:12+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: the Bengals' Geno Atkins is exceptional. Their CB's are playing exceptional too. Their MLB is one of the best in NFL rightnow.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285861731119529984" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:35:22+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: OLB Reed was sore going into game, but he will be ready. Don't know yet about ILB's Sharpton and Dobbins for Sunday.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285861931502411776" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:36:10+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: we had a good meeting today and aired out a lot of things to get mojo going in right direction.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285862121496010752" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:36:55+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: we understand how we have to play, we accept the responsibility and we're confident we'll get out there and play well.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285862899912679424" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:40:01+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: Johnson is doing his part and playing huge. But we need to spread the ball around and get more receivers involved.</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285863275617464321" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:41:30+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"Up front defensively, they’ve been exceptional. It’ll be all we can handle." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a> coach Gary Kubiak on <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Bengals">#Bengals</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285860844158451713" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:31:50+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: "We’ve got a lot of inconsistencies in what we’re doing. Offensively, it starts with running the ball." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285861030565928961" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:32:35+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak on penalties: "It’s driving me crazy, to be honest with you. It's got to get solved." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285861743501123584" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:35:25+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: "We're re-focused. We had a good meeting today... Aired out a lot of things." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285862142920491009" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:37:00+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a>' 2 injury concerns from Sunday are ILBs Darryl Sharpton (hip) & Tim Dobbins. Kubiak not sure of their status yet</p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285863394878308353" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:41:59+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kubiak: Brooks Reed (groin) is "touch and go" this week, but "if he can walk, he’s gonna play. He wants to play." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a></p>— Nick Scurfield (@NickScurfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickScurfield/status/285865399034212352" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:49:56+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah..... I am so sick of Kubiak's verbiage, a bunch of nothing. Unlock your brain, get more creative, more flexible, more demanding, do something different, try something new. Good grief. Get that fan in the SF locker room commercial; he is more motivating than you.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a> playoff tix for Wild Card gm vs. Bengals go on sale Wed. Jan. 2 10am CT only through <a href="http://t.co/rskBxwTJ" title="http://Ticketmaster.com">Ticketmaster.com</a>. Game is Jan. 5 3:30pm CT</p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/285865104241741825" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:48:46+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Texans">#Texans</a> playoff tickets go on sale Wed, Jan. 2 at 10a CT exclusively through <a href="http://t.co/1fdoMqwj" title="http://Ticketmaster.com">Ticketmaster.com</a>. Less than 1,500 tickets available</p>— Adam Wexler (@awexler) <a href="https://twitter.com/awexler/status/285863849914138624" data-datetime="2012-12-31T21:43:47+00:00">December 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's the crummy part. They really kicked houston in the balls. This city would have been fired up hosting the divisional and/or championship game. I was planning on going to go to one of those games but as is, the bengals game here just seems anticlimactic, Especially since I saw them play the bengals last year.
One last thing before I completely move on from this game: On the kickoff return by the Colts, how much of that was scheme, and how much of that was Shayne Graham mis-kicking it directly down the middle of the field? Based on the blocking scheme that Marciano had drawn up on that, the middle of the field was WIDE OPEN, so it makes no sense for him to tell Graham to send it down the center of the field. We literally had the right and left sidelines covered and shaded towards the interior of the field, with Graham being the only Texans player in the middle. I'm wondering how much of that was on Marciano, and how much of that was on Graham. It would be really interesting to find out.
Graham was blocked beautifully. Nothing else he could have done. Match him up against a 3rd string LB or a 2nd string CB in special teams, and you can't ask for more. He made the middle containment, but it was a perfect seam ripped open by the returner. We just completely suck on Special Teams.
So are you saying that the particular play in question was a personnel issue as opposed to a scheme issue (Marciano) or a bad kick (Graham)? I'm just wondering how our special teams can be so bad when we have guys like Braman, Casey, Ball, and G. Graham busting their humps out there.
OK, sure, PERSONNEL issue. We sort of kind of stunk it up on that one kick. Maybe if we analyze other kicks where the returner doesn't bust it for a highlight we might see the same thing... but no score. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-...8891/Wk17-Can-t-Miss-Play-101-down-the-middle I think it may matter a bit if we have better peeps covering, but... I don't think Graham could have kicked it any better. Look at the other kick where the second line guy caught it (I believe it was a lineman?)... that never got reviewed.
Well, remember Ball has been out the past few weeks. One thing I noticed a couple of times Sunday (including the TD) was that DeVier Posey looked absolutely terrible as a deep gunner. He routinely overpursued and lost his footing when trying to change direction. Obviously Posey isn't going to be in on that many tackles, but he at least needs to make the returner alter his angle and slow down, and he did nothing of the sort when I watched.
