These are old stats, but I think they're interesting anyway. http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/10/going-deep/ Things to be gleaned from it: 1) Brady doesn't live on the deep ball. Yes, he can throw it, but it isn't his money maker. 2) Schaub picks and chooses his spots very well (we already knew this). 3) Peyton, Eli, Brees, Roffleberger, Flacco, Freeman, and Rodgers are some of the most trigger happy deep ball men in the league. My takeaway is this. If Brady can run a prolific offense that averse to the deep ball, then I think Matt can too. Brady has a better arm than Matt, no doubt. But I think this deficiency can be compensated for with guys like Arian catching balls and running it so well.
I tend to agree that Schaub's "lack of a deep ball" argument is not a root cause for the texans lack of quick strike/big plays. I really don't see anything, physically,preventing Schaub from being able to throw a 30-40 yard go route fairly well...other than the fact that AJ is the only WR who could beat his man deep regularly. Of course, knowing that, he's doubled all the time. Walter isn't blowing by anyone in a straight line and Martin isn't that type of speedster either (he's a quick guy). Posey seemed to be that guy but I'm afraid that's all over with with a torn achilles.
The more I look at it, the more I'm apt to believe our season start was more the mirage and late season issues more the norm. The reason lies in our TO numbers. Early in the season, we have an abnormally high amount of TOs. And we basically scored off of them and with our scripted plays to start the games. The Miami game was a perfect example of this, where we floundered, then Tannahill threw a few picks, got up, and go back to floundering on offense again. It seems that as the season went on, other teams are playing it "safe" against the Texans, daring us to move the ball 80 yards down the field to score, and we can't do it. To me that's simply not enough talent. Whether you believe that's Schaub or Foster or WRs or OL or whatever. There's simply not enough to methodically drive down the field, and cap it off with a TD. IMO, the offseason moves should be either offense-heavy or defense heavy. I don't care which. Either have enough pass rushers to actually make Wade's defense work(getting to the QB) or have that true dominant running game where we can actually finish drives with TDs. Either way, and I think we can compete. But none of this half-assed measures where we can out-talent the lesser teams, but look hopeless against more talented teams.
Schaub: - needs to get physically stronger...losing arm strength mid season is bad...and that speaks on poor conditioning and lack of strength - He must work with the OC/Kubiak on getting new wrinkles in the passing game and work on being better at changing out of plays - He needs to work with the Young receivers on location, ball placement and route execution - he need to review the big situation/moment games and the things he did well and can improve upon Kubiak - needs to give the reigns of the offense to the OC and Schaub...this lack of trust that a 6 year system QB is getting on my nerves...he isnt a rookie...Schaub needs more leverage - needs to revamp the playaction routes...improve higher success rates by limiting number of slow developing Play action routes... - needs to find a way to improve their most staple part of their game...the power run game...the consistent lack of a successful rushing attack plagued our team...3 yds per attempt isnt cutting it for a run first team - Hire a new special teams coach Receivers - need to work on being able to generate separation - need to work on being better outside blockers OL/Backs need to work on sealing lanes better and needs to work on protection need to continue with conditioning and staying healthy in the offseason Defense: Wade needs to be better at masking blitzes needs to get more production out his LB's DL needs to work on unconventional techniques that JJ exploited on opposing OL...conditioning and endurance LBs need to study more game film and how to pick better spots at rushing the passer and getting home DBacks need to work more on technique and situational drills Mgmt: Needs to get lucky with the draft and hope the young people on our roster pan out..we desperately need one aspect our of team to improve drastically...personally i think we have peaked on offense...but we werent even close to how well we played defensively last season...we need impact players atheleticism
but wait, there is 11 games on the roster next year where schaub could be elite... Titans, Jags, Titans, Chiefs, Cards, Jags, Colts, Rams, Raiders, Chargers, Colts, if we see a stretch like this, schaub could go undefeated. 11 wins to clinch the playoffs.. ELITE, but remember you CANT bring up the piss poor level of competition to discredit schaubs elite-ness..
It's frustrating because our offense used to be able to drive down the field at will even with terrible field position. Hell, this was just two years ago: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=201048 It's why many were considering the Texans as one of the best teams going into this season. They assumed the Texans offense would still be top 5 with Schaub like it was the past few seasons along with the 2011 defense. And yet here we are.
What happened to Foster in the receiving game? 2010 and 11 he had 600 yards and averaged about 10 per catch. This season only 200 yards and 5 per catch. Was thrown to less and caught less. Not only that but he seemed to suffer a bad case of butterfingers when Schaub did target him. I would go with trying to address the OL and improve the running game, but definitely look to bolster the defense. I don't think the offense needs a whole lot of upgrades, other than trying to be a little more innovated and less predictable. I hope at the very least, Marciano is gone...but I would love to see Dennison go too. And I want to see a kicker on this team that is a lot more consistent past 50 than Graham, someone you know is capable of it.
Our passing game wasn't that great in 2011 either (though that's a combo of Schaub and Yates). Our amazing OLine and Foster made up for it. It's been a bit of a problem for a while, despite how much of a supposed 'offensive genius' we have on the sidelines.
1. Fire joe marciano. 2. start game planning and possibly drafting schaub's eventual replacement. 3. give tj yates and keenum a chance to compete for the starting job. 4. develop a patriot like no huddle offense. 5. develop a game plan to face patriots no huddle offense as i see a lot of teams start to employ it.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/ Schaub, Yds/Completion 2008: 7th 2009: 10th 2010: 10th 2011: 1st 2012: 20th Kind of a mixed bag. But from the eyeball test Schaub's deep throws don't look good. When was the last time he hit AJ in stride on a deep route? AJ always has to come back and fight for it.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000065323/GameDay-Texans-vs-Broncos-highlights http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap1000000065119/Schaub-60-yard-TD-to-Johnson http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000089728/Andre-Johnson-picks-up-34-yards-on-deep-ball http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000096363/Johnson-44-yard-catch http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000098898/Andre-Johnson-43-yard-catch http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000118741/Johnson-39-yard-catch Not arguing one way or another, these throws run the gammut, but they are in chronological order, so decide for yourself.
All the analysis that I have read in this thread has merit, but there is another x-factor and that is the lack of intensity, fire, confidence, swagger, call it what you will but its absence was glaring. NE had more "want to" twice. The Vikings had more "want to" even though the Texans had more at stake. The Colts had more "want to" and they had nothing at stake but to please their coach. Not showing up for the Packers in prime time and barely showing up for the Jets. I think the team struggled with motivation on and off all year. Why?
Look at what Atlanta did drafting Julio Jones by trading up. That's what the Texans need to do and I think that's what they are targeting with kubiak saying they need playmakers. Draft an elite wide receiver by trading up
i stillt think any move is still going to be a year behind, it takes time to develop WRs, QBs, DBs, & OL.. then theres always the possibility of a bust.. the guys who usually come in and make a big impact on teams their rookie years are usually front 7 guys..moving up for playmakers is wasting another year with this closing window..
With the window closing as fast as it is, I will be disappointed if the Texans don't make a significant splash via trade or draft his year. Get that damn ox outta the ditch, Bob.
just like peyton did this season?? and he was being called the MVP? manning this season, was the best for 11 wins against san diego (2), oakland(2), kansas city(2), carolina, cincinnati. but facing New england, atlanta and houston, he was "rusty" and in the playoffs, played very bad giving the int to seal the game. so you cant bring that streak for schaub, but you can for peyton??
This is such an important point - the typical NFL QB is asked to throw a... 30, 35+-yard pass once or twice a game. And rarely are they asked to throw it 50+-yards. Everyone's hailing Flacco's arm - but his big heave came in desperation. The vast majority of passing plays in this league are 8-15 yards. Anything longer, with any consistency, and you're risking your QB getting killed. This isn't Madden. Physically, Schaub can throw a 15-20-yard pass without any issue.
i said plenty of times that the broncos havent beaten anybody, thought the ravens game was 50/50 and it was not an upset by any stretch.. i would still take peyton 10 times out of 10 over schaub..
yes he can, but hes not beating coverage. i can step on a pitchers mound and throw the ball to the catcher behind homeplate but im not striking any guys out.. he lacks speed/velocity, a trait that comes with having a strong arm. people hear the term strong arm and start talking about how far a guy can throw a football. strong arm has more to do with being able to deliver a football with some zip behind it and the potential to thread needles if the situation presents itself... this is where flacco is much better than schaub at.. did you watch the 49ers/falcons game? how many times did kaepernick throw darts down field, on a line, that zipped past dbs.. schaub cant do this, his tools only allow him to throw to guys who are wide open or have a couple steps on their man.. the back shoulder throw isnt in schaubs toolbox.. schaub has a very below average arm when compared to other starting qbs. thats why this system is great for him, its designed to get guys open and not rely on guys beating their man.. schaub can dink and dunk all game. when the system doesnt work, schaub doesnt work..
