It was winnable. You said they should be winning these "winnable" games. Well guess what, if they win all their "winnable" games this year, they are 8-1. They should have played a better first half and beaten Arizona, they should have been a better defensive team and beaten Jacksonville (at home), and they should have played better overall and won today. But, alas, they didn't win those games. They win them, they're 8-1. 8-1 teams win those types of games.... especially games where you're not bringing your A game. They're not there yet. They're 5-4. A team that can hang in there against the elite teams, a team that can win on the road, but a team that's still got some growing up to do. This is the first year where I can actually say that I believe they WILL grow up if this nucleus stays healthy/intact. Where did you expect them to be at this point, going into this season?
Not that I outright said that they should be winning these winnable games, since you're just saying I said that, but the progress shown is still a little too slow IMO. And that's the frustrating part, the "we're not there yet" part. Really, what's separating us from the elite teams? To me, it's attention to details and the execution on the field is still lacking. The execution on the field is somewhat excusable since a lot of our players still have some growing up to do, but the attention to details is, to me, inexcusable as our coaches have the same resources and should know the situations for every moment of the game. It's their job and the ball keeps getting dropped. I'm not putting a record to it, but I expect better, especially the attention to details part.
Fine... what they could make up for attention to details they still lack in overall talent in the secondary (which is getting better) and the backfiled. Also, having a shut-down defense with DEPTH would be nice(which a lot of elite teams have). Finally, experience carries a long way towards becoming elite. (both coaching and playing) Did you really expect them to be "elite" this year? I don't think just "attention to details" gets them to 8-1 or 7-2. Also, part of the growing up process applies to the coaching staff as well. While Kubiak and Shannahan have been good for certain things (talent development, implementing a great offensive scheme), they have had issues with consistency in the game-planning, challenge management (which they had gotten better at), and in-game adjustments (which they're also getting better at). I understand the frustruation. In black and white terms, this is year 8 and they may not make the playoffs. In looking at details, its really year 4 of a new era that was just as bad as an expansion team. Looking at it even further outlines the progress I've already discussed. But to say you're frustrated because they're not "elite" by now... you really have to consider more the factors of what it takes to be an elite team. It doesn't happen overnight... even though there are teams every year that "turn it around"... it still doesn't happen overnight. They need to show the type of progress they have thus far to even consider making that jump to "elite" status. Till now, they hadn't shown it on a consistent basis.
i'm disappointed with the loss and blame the numerous penalties more than anything. they need to bring it on MNF and win.
You obviously have not been around many Cowboys' fans (when you speak about dumb). I do agree that they appear to finally be on the right path. That's why I'm not in favor of bouncing Kubiak after this season even if they finish 8-8 (which is what I expect). The last thing this franchise needs to do is to start all over...AGAIN. I think that the angry folks here who OD'd on the battle red koolaid seriously discounted just how pathetic this roster was when Kubiak took over. Now add to that the completely incompetent GM & coaching staff from the previous regime and you can appreciate the task facing Kubiak and Smith. They appear to be (FINALLY) on the way up to being legit contenders. At this point in time, that fact alone should be cause for celebration. Give me one more draft with a few guys like Cushing and then we'll talk playoffs for real.
As I watched the game, I could not believe how the Colts were holding Mario on almost every single play and not one flag was thrown for holding. Maybe I have been watching too much SEC officiating, but I thought the officials were really on Indy's side... DD
All in all, we had plenty of chance and we sot ourselves in the foot. Posting in this thread earlier as the game was going on, I blamed Kubiak for that coaching blunder after the Moats fumble. But you know, looking at it now, penalties killed us, we looked like an undisciplined team out there, not a 5-3 football team looking to make a statement. We have problems fumbling too. Not everything can be blamed on the coach. I think Texans could and should have won this game. They better figure out how to minimize these stupid penalties, because MNF is not a gimme...
Does anybody want Andre Johnson's autographed football for $200? I am selling it because I am in need of money. The football looked used but andre johnson came in one day and I had to get his auto graph so i just went to get the football that i play with friend. If anyone is interested my e-mail is pakiballer05@aol.com.
I thought I saw them holding on a few other players, Cushing once for sure and Smith on another play. I'm not blaming refs, but it did seem like the colts got a few manning calls today.
Lol really dude? This is a thread to discuss the game not eBay? And I think you might be over-valuing your used autographed football
We're going around in circles so I'll just say some obvious things like Kubes dropping the ball on as far as in game decisions and awareness is inexcusable IMO. I'm not expecting "elite" status just yet, because personnel wise we still have to improve in certain areas, but I expect better, especially Kubes' game management awareness.
Whats the prices would you pay for if you wanted it? Yeah my bad for trying to sell on here and I am just trying to make some money.
I'll add to this list: 1. Need better game plans (especially offensively) for the start of games. That's now 5 out of 9 games where the offense has come out and laid an absolute DUD before they started making in-game adjustments and taking what the defense gave you. I guess that means they're better at making adjustments (after they did so badly in the Jets game), but they're basically trying to win games with 3 or less quarters of quality offense. 2. More discipline to the lineman for stupid off-sides penalties, and the secondary for pass interference/excessive contact penalties. 3. Better play-calling in the red zone. While they are better than last year, they're still very average to below average in red zone TD effeciency.
I think Indy is in for a ass kicking when they come to houston. Our D straight shut manning down in the second half and Matt Schaub is awesome. The last interception he should have prob just taken the sack, but hey these things happen, and he did everything he could to get us in to position to tie the game. Hurts, but they showed me a lot to day in the way they came back in the second half. And the refs seemed to have some kinda agenda or something......
For those wanting to replace Kubiak, you just gotta ask yourself one question: "Do you feel lucky?? Punk??" How many "pieces" have been brought in during the Kubiak era? How many "pieces" are still here(or were even worth attempting to re-sign) from the previous era? The team is on a way better track than at any time during the Capers regime. Bringing in a new head coach, unless you already have super bowl talent, will generally mean a 1-2 year rebuilding window. I'd rather keep Kubiak until he proves he is a poor coach. And a team does not continue to improve under a poor coach.
Something to keep in mind... out of the last 9 coaches to win a Super Bowl, 6 of them were already on their second gig as a head coach: Jon Gruden Bill Belicheck Tom Coughlin Mike Shannahan Dick Vermeil Tony Dungy I think Kubiak is a good coach, and a great talent evaluator. He does have his weaknesses that he still needs improving on.... but even if he ultimately does not have super bowl success here, I think he's got a good chance of getting that somewhere eventually.
Agreed ... I think Kubiak has made some bad moves, but I think they are on the right track, and I really don't think he deserves to go. That said, if they could pull a Dungy or someone like that out of retirement it might be worth it.
heartbreak loss. I really started feeling good about the game, and then that spike with 1 second left was awesome. .....then Brown FAILED. oh well, at least the Texans made it a good game, only to fall short against Indy once again. First half, was a pathetic, frustrating, and boring display like many many games this season. But once again the Texans brought it in the 2nd half.
