'Course, this quote comes from a columnist that gets paid to write controverial things, but: "The Texans' front office knew the knock on Williams at North Carolina State was that his sacks came in bunches and he was prone to taking a breather on some snaps. And coaches knew it was their job to turn Williams' game up a notch." He does catch the discussion about how Peppers started slowly: "Even Julius Peppers, the Carolina Panthers All-Pro to whom Williams often has been measured, once was young and dumb, too. In his 2002 debut, Peppers had just one assisted tackle, although he did make a game-deciding play by tipping a pass and forcing an interception. By the end of that same season, Peppers was well on his way to dominance, becoming the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year with 12 sacks, an interception and five forced fumbles." http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/lopez/4176968.html But Williams must be frustrated, here's a quote from the Chron's Texans Summary: "This game, I probably played nose guard at least half the game. It's something I've got to get used to. Obviously, the end (is my preference), because that's where I played in college. We've got a lot of improving to do. It was a different team. It was just a different intensity level, as far as their blocking." http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4177060.html
Let's not forget that we were playing one of the more talented teams in the NFC, and maybe the league, despite their poor season last year (mostly due to injury). I'm not trying to give our guys a free pass...the running game was horrid, the safeties were terrible, and the play-calling was suspect. But let's give Philly a little credit for a talented defense at least. I'm afraid even Reggie Bush wouldn't have had a very good day if we had him. And it's hard for anybody to block Darren Howard and Jevon Kearse. Next week should be a good test to see where we're really at. Indy's rush defense is pretty bad, and their running game was worse than ours yesterday. If our defense holds their own and plays like they showed in the preseason, so we don't have to throw the ball and play catch-up, I'd be dissappointed with less than 150 rushing yards. Do I think we'll win? Probably not...but it better be a much more competitive game.
Ahhh ! Some common sense prevades the insanity that is the typical Houston Texan fan. Look some of you all out here need to have triple shot jack and coke and take about 4 exlax pills. Relax ... Just breathe and let it flow and if you break wind you hold your breath a minute and then breathe again. The system will work. Kuby is and has been a winner everywhere he has gone (played, coached) or otherwise. We finally have a REAL coach. If you are a REAL fan you will recognize that. Face it! Dumbass Dom AKA One Who Always Looked Like A Deer Stuck In the Headlights, left him a serious mess and now he's trying to make it work. We have good veteran players, we have good rookies and we have some rookies who need some serious seasoning. No one is going to shirk their responsibilities. Everyone on this team, in some degree or other played poorly. WE GOT SCHOOLED, PUNKED or whatever by the Eagles. Kubiak will not let this team accept losing, he is going to demand accountability all down the line from the players, coaches everyone. That's the difference between last year and this year. This coaching staff will MAKE adjustments when needed not bury their head in the sand and wish for the bad man to stop. That's the difference between last year and this year. As for those of you that want to bandwagon to be a t*** (Titans) fan or a Pokes (Cowboys) fan well then exit stage left and dont let the door hit you in the ass!
Typical kneejerk reaction. Um, you do realize that the Eagles are a pretty good defense, right? Do you think that perhaps...just perhaps that had something to do with our offensive ineptness? Lot's of teams are going to have trouble running the ball against the Eagles this year... If Reggie Bush was playing for the Texans yesterday, the outcome would not have been any different. If the line isn't blocking, it doesn't matter who is playing RB. Denver played the Eagles last year and killed them IIRC. I'm sure, based on that game, the Eagles were ready for Kubiak's system this time around. You could tell that was the case when the bootleg plays weren't fooling anyone.
Ya know, I was at the game yesterday, and I think the BIGGEST disappointment was the fans. There was more cheering going on by the Eagles fans than Texans, even in the 1st quarter it was pretty weak... like they were looking for the nod to start booing. Not to mention, the place emptied by the beginning of the 4th quarter.
i'm not picking on your personally, but i'm tired of this. i'm tired of the demonization of fans because of the mistakes of a franchise. they're paying hellamoney to be there...they're paying ridiculous money to drink a beer and grab a hot dog. i really don't wanna hear about how bad they all are. this franchise hasn't given us much to cheer for and be excited about since year one. it has been a steady progression to disappointment. that's not on the paying public...that's on the franchise.
this is just a result of bieng dicked around by the team for 5 years. This should be a competittive organization by this point but they continue to blow it at every opportunity; getting Kubiak and the current coaching staff was a step in the right direction but there is still a LONG way to go.
Hillboy- As other posters noted, the Eagles have a very solid defense and even though injuries plagued them last season, they have been a Top 3 team the last 5 seasons. Also, let's not forget that this was Kubiak's first game and we started 3 rookies on the offensive side of the ball, including a rookie RB/Tackle/TE. I'm not making excuses for the Texans but you have to understand this was the FIRST game under a brand new regime. It just so happens that we have to play against 2 Top teams in our first 2 games. There is a very good chance that we'll start off 0-2 but I'm not gonna write off this team after 1 game.
You think??? I was there too, and I thought the fans were great until the TD the Eagles scored before the half. I didn't see anyone leaving until we didn't convert that 4th down in the 4th quarter. The game was basically over at that point. Yep, there were a lot of Eagle fans there, but they always have a big following in every city they play in. Of course they were louder than us (in the 2nd half), they had more to cheer about. I agree about the boo'ing though. I don't know, I just would never boo my own team. That's just me, I guess.
Knee-jerk reaction? Perhaps. I am unhappy not because they lost (which is what I expected for the reasons you list above). Look, I dont expect this team to suddenly vault from 2-14 to 10-6 and the playoffs but I did have hope that Kubiak & Co had finally exorcised the ghost of pathetic football left behind by Dom and his boyz. What I saw and heard from the coaches and players after the game yesterday tells me that the ghost of Dom is still slinking around stinking up the place. I can take losing. Where I draw the line is how pathetic they looked yesterday while losing. They were completely outplayed AND outcoached. Yes, the Eagles are a better team but when you pass on a superior offensive talent like Reggie Bush, your two "running backs" had better get more that 2.8 yards a carry because everyone will be looking to see if you can run the ball. Your 1st pick - the top pick in the draft - had better show more than 3 tackles and a pronounced lack of foot-speed. It would also help if he's not benched during 3rd downs because he's been so ineffective. Your offensive line had better show that they understand what a blitz looks like. I'd consider it a bonus if they can show that they know how to open a hole for the running game. Finally, your coaching staff many of whom were in Denver when they "killed" the Eagles had better show that they now grasp the concept that good teams actually learn from their mistakes. Hopefully next time Kubiak & Co. won't be taken by "surprise" when their opponents roll out a strategy designed to counter what happened to them before. Progress this year will be painful and slow. Their schedule is absolutely brutal and they will lose a lot of games. All I ask is that I don't see the type of effort I saw out there yesterday.
We agree on this, but I really think the game had more to do with the Eagles being a really good team than the Texans being a really bad team. Not making excuses, that's just a fact. The Eagles are going to make a lot of average teams look bad this year. Again, I agree with this. We're not ready for prime time just yet, but I wasn't expecting us to be this early in the year, especially against a legitimate Superbowl contending team. Here's where I have to disagree. Bush would not have made any difference yesterday. There were no holes to run through at all yesterday. Jim Brown wouldn't have done any better than Lundy or Morency. Can't say I don't agree with you here, but it's his FIRST GAME. He sucked yesterday, but I'm willing to give him more than a few games of sucktitude before I call him a bust. Totally agree with this. This is why we lost the game, it wasn't because we didn't have Bush. Agreed. Agree with this too. All I'm saying is we should concentrate on the players we have on our team, not the players we wish we had on our team. The draft is over, it's time to move on.
As stated above, the Eagles have a very good offensive unit that includes a pro-bowl QB and a very good OL. And you're talking about Mario's first game in the NFL (non-preseason). He's not going to go out and get 5 TFL and 2 Sacks, he has learning to do and it's not gonna happen overnight. As I have posted many times, Julius Peppers didn't even record a single tackle in his first game. I'm not saying Mario is the next Peppers, but it's one game. 100% Agreed. Our schedule is about as tough as it gets. Even worst, the Saints schedule is pretty easy so I don't expect the Bush vs. Mario debate to lighten up any.
Peppers first two games.... start tackles sacks 09/08 Baltimore W 10-7 Yes 0 0 09/15 Detroit W 31-7 Yes 5.0 3 Going against the Colts OL is a lot tougher than the Lions. Give Mario a chance.
