[Chron] Texans like when Carr calls....

Did no one else read this? I definetly found this interesting, I had no idea Carr was given the full control on what plays to play in that great 2nd quarter. Then Pendry took over in the 2nd half, and we all saw what happened there. Carr went from 80% completions to 49.5%, from 77yrd rushing to 22yrds, the total yards went down a HUGE amount too.

Texans like when Carr calls
QB chose plays for 24-point half in Sunday's win
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

The subject of who is the better play caller hasn't been broached between Texans quarterback David Carr and offensive coordinator Joe Pendry this week. The mere suggestion made Carr laugh.

Carr's teammates are still talking about his first half against the Arizona Cardinals, though, when Carr was given more liberties on offense to change the plays at the line of scrimmage. It wasn't completely different than in past games, but Carr never had spent such an extended amount of time at the line making decisions. Carr proved he could handle the task as he helped orchestrate a 24-point first half. Pendry took over calling the plays in the second half so he could manage the clock with the Texans holding the lead. The offense went on to score just six more points in the 30-19 victory.

Carr said he has not pointed out to Pendry the 24-6 point differential in their halves.

"No. No chance," Carr said laughing. "Joe would punch me in the face. I'll stay away from that one."

Some of Carr's teammates are venturing into that territory. They have praised Carr for his play in the first half and pointed out how the offense was in a better rhythm.

It's almost as if Carr is running for a political office as the Texans approach their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. No one is mentioning the other candidate, but the majority of the votes in the locker room are in favor of Carr getting four more quarters.

"It was new for the offense, because normally the plays are sent in from the sidelines," wide receiver Andre Johnson said. "In the game Sunday, they just let Dave pretty much call the plays. It worked out pretty well.

"It was different. Everybody likes different things rather than doing the same thing over and over again. It worked out well. Hopefully we keep doing it."

Against Jacksonville this season, Carr had some leeway during the game to change plays when the Texans ran the ball. Last week, he had freedom in run and pass situations.

This week, the plan is for Pendry to make the calls in passing situations. Carr's decision-making will be restricted to run situations.

Pendry is adamant that there was nothing different in Carr or the offense from the first half to the second.

The numbers tell another story.

In the first half, Carr completed 16 of 20 passes for 93 yards. The Texans had 190 total offensive yards in the half.

In the second half, Carr completed six of 13 passes and the Texans finished the half with 63 total yards on offense.

He was also sacked three times and threw one interception.

"He was the same in both halves," Pendry said. "It was the same game plan. The players think it's a big deal but there was no difference. I made a big deal about it last week, saying, 'It's his,' and such. But we've done it all year. All of a sudden because we audibled at the line they think it's different."

The players insist there was a difference during the first half, and they want to try to duplicate it this week against their biggest rival. "I would love to call the plays every down," Carr said. "I have fun doing it, and I think the guys get into a flow."

http://chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/sports/3544077