Game Time: Saturday 18, 2007 - 3:00 pm (ct) The game will be on local 13 and NFL Network. Thoughts on what you would like to see more of from the Texans in this game from the Bears game? Expectations? Outcome?
Offensively, it's definitely scoring td's when in the red zone and getting the running game going. Defensively, it's the same old...get to the QB.
1. Definitely want to see us finish in the redzone. 2. Get to the QB (with a weak Cardinals OL, we need to see something). 3. Establish running game. Players to look for: 1. Jacoby Jones- Pretty impressive vs. the Bears, want to see more of him. 2. Keenan McCardell- Probably won't get too much action, but we need to see where our WR core stands. 3. Mario Williams- Made a pretty weak excuse about his play last week. I know its only preseason, but he needs to show up this season and these games are the best practice for him.
I agree, but I think pretty impressive is an understatement. I came away extremely impressed with his play that game. The tough catch that Sage threw behind him; and the naked boot that he came back for and made an extremely tough catch on the sideline where he had the presense of mind to come back for the ball and was still able to tap two feet down. The touchdown attempt where he was not able to get both feet in was an off pass that he never really had a chance to bring in inbounds. He was catching everthing. Even the balls that were one hopping too him. Kevin Walter better watch the hell out because I think this kid, who has all the confidence in the world, is going to earn the starting spot opposite Andre.
Well, I was pretty impressed with Jacoby as well, but I think the out-of-bounds missed TD was very much completable. On the replay, you see he clearly got one foot down, and then the other was placed just barely out of bounds. But if you watch him, he doesn't seem like he is really making an effort to get both feet as inbounds as possible, as if he either thought he was way out of bounds, or completely inbounds. Either way, he needs to get a better feel for where he is on the field. That will come. He did have a drop in the game too. On a short pass by Rosenfels. The pass was low, but Jones went down on his knees for it and the ball hit his hands and chest and he didn't hold on. Not a terribly big deal, but a mistake. I think we will see fewer and fewer of these for him over the season, though. And I agree, I have every confidence now that, despite Kubiak's attempt to give Walter his shot at being productive, Jacoby will be in the starting spot opposite Andre by season's end...maybe even by midseason. And as for what I want to see Saturday, I want to see some backfield penetration by the first string D-line, and I want to see some halfway decent run blocking by the O-line. And of course another look at Schaub.
I would like to see Mario not get STOOD UP by the left tackle. FYI, I watched the Chicago game again and he was not double teamed once.
agree completely; that should have been a touchdown. with more experience, he likely gets both feet down; it wasn't an easy play, per se; but for an elite WR (or elite WR wannabe), it's a play they should make.
I want a sign. Any sign that they are going to be better than 3-13 or 4-12. They have questions at every position on the field other than a handful.
Heres a sign for you... Jacoby Jones Keenan McCardell and Andre Johnson and NO David Carr.... If the defense plays decent i think 9-7 is more likely than an under .500 season
"I think he has found a role in our defense" Like most of you, the passing defense is my biggest concern. I just want to see improvements in the coverages and in the line play. Aug. 17, 2007, 2:42AM A hammer in search of a nail DE Babin credits his position coach for helping him realize potential By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle When new defensive line coach Jethro Franklin joined the Texans, he didn't sit down and talk with Jason Babin about the past. He didn't sit down and talk to him about moving forward, either. Franklin walked in and simply went to work. The approach has helped Babin. The embattled defensive lineman is repaying his new coach by putting together arguably the best preseason of his career. "Jethro's been instrumental," Babin said. "My style of play at left defensive end, it's kind of scrappy. It's not traditional. You have a guy that's 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, that's not me. He understands the way I play and what I can bring to the table. He's been able to coach me from that aspect." Babin is entering a critical season with the Texans. Three years after being a first-round draft pick, he has struggled to find his fit. That appears to have changed. In the first preseason game against Chicago last week, Babin was one of the players who impressed coach Gary Kubiak the most. The 27-year-old veteran has done the same thing in practice almost daily. "He's really dedicated himself to our program, to Dan (Riley, strength coach), to what Jethro and Frank (Bush, defensive assistant) are trying to do and it shows," Kubiak said. "He stood out last week as much as any guy we had up front, so I'm looking forward to Jason having a good year." When the Texans paid a hefty price on draft day to select Babin, members of former coach Dom Capers' staff believed the defensive end from Western Michigan would become a strong outside linebacker in the 3-4. Babin started all 16 games as a rookie but lost his starting job the next season. Last year, he moved to his natural position of defensive end in the 4-3, but the transition wasn't easy. He struggled with his fundamentals and had problems adjusting to being a situational pass rusher, sharing time with Antwan Peek. Franklin has worked on improving Babin's technique and his mental approach. "That's the thing about it, this game is so mental," Franklin said. "Mentally, he was probably all over the place. Hopefully now, he's a little more focused on himself and not other people around him. He's more focused on his body in terms of body mechanics. "I give them things they can hang their hat on. That's what I try to give them. Try to get them some tools. If you give them some tools, hopefully they can build you a strong bridge." Franklin isn't trying to overload Babin or the other defensive linemen with talk of too many "tools." Really, he only wants them to carry one. "A hammer," Franklin said. "All he needs is a hammer. A hammer can destroy pretty much everything. That's what I tell them all; we need to be the hammer, not the nail. We want to go out and pound, hit." The approach is sinking in with Babin, who is looking to see significantly more playing time this season as a pass rusher now that Peek is gone. Babin, who has 13 career sacks, couldn't be more ready. He said he feels more comfortable than ever when he is on the football field. "The best way to describe it is I feel like Jason Babin at Western Michigan," he said. Kubiak saw that Babin in 2004 when the Denver Broncos were analyzing draft prospects. That's the Babin he looks forward to seeing on the field this year. "I remember him coming out," Kubiak said. "I know in Denver how much we liked him as an undersized end who could rush the passer. I think he's found his role in our defense."
Our secondary is my biggest concern right now. That's what i'll be trying to focus on. We've been throwing money and top draft picks at the D-Line left and right (ignoring the O-Line), so they do need to prove themselves this year with some sacks and solid run defense. Teams like the Cardinals, Chargers, Colts, etc, could pick our secondary apart if their O-Line plays close to average. I'd love to see us address next year's off-season on the secondary and O-Line via FA's and drafting. That's the next step to having a solid core to build off of.
How about last year's 6-10? They definitely didn't get worse, at least on paper, during the offseason.
Can I tell you guys...I am pumped for this game tonight. I was excited about the first game against the Cowboys (19-10). After that my interest went down. I was a Julius Peppers guy and they went with Carr. I saw the writing on the wall very early yet they stuck with Carr. I could go into that but I won't. Then the VY debacle...that made it VERY hard to even remotely like this team. And I worked for them. I traveled with them. But I was disgusted by their arrogance and ignorance. So I could not root for them or feel the joy of victory on those few occasions. But now, tonight...I am feeling it. For the first time in a long time I am excited about a Houston professional football team. I will always root for whatever team Vince is on. But with JZ taking the field tonight in the 3rd or 4th I gotta tell you...I am pumped. Last time this kid was on this field it was in the greatest football game ever played. Now he is back and he is in Texans gear. When he makes the team I will cheer for them completely. Still not sure what to do during Titans games.
