they're better than that. offensively, they're no longer passive but aggresive, able to dictate pace and, more or less, do whatever they want. they move the ball effortlessly. and it's been that way for six straight weeks dating back to the tennessee game. it's the best offense houston has had since 1991. still tough to gauge the defense. they're good against the run so this week will be a big test. i think they'll be 4-4.
Being up here, I have watched them play and been subjected to the press. They have a solid offensive line and Peterson is a great running back. That being said, the passing game has generally been shut down due to Frerotte's lack of mobility, so teams have been able to key on Peterson and Chester Taylor. Their defensive line is very good, but their two tackles are named in the latest banned substances report. I suspect they will not be suspended prior to this week's game. The special teams have been atrocious.
They said on 610 this morning that they've given up 5 TDs already on special teams. Lets get another big one Jacoby.
I guess we've both upgraded our opinions following yesterday's showing. Neither of us were willing to call them a "good" team (unless I misunderstood you) before yesterday. Progress, yes; encouraging, yes; exciting, well, one of us; but good--not yet. If I had been able to watch yesterday, I would certainly have been excited, at least according to the numbers. So I'll say this team, for the first time ever, is exciting. But all they beat was freaking Cincinnatti. Even mediocre teams are supposed to do that. You're right about the offense, though I want to see them move the ball against better defenses. What about the defense, however? It takes both to make a good team (to state the obvious). Anywho, I'm encouraged. To me, they're average/mediocre (as their record would indicate). I hope they continue to prove me dead wrong. Nothing would be more fun. ----------------------------- So, based on bobrek's report, the Vikes are mediocre as well?
They have certainly played mediocre. The only game they showed any offense and creativity was the 48-41 loss to the Bears. The rest of the season Childress has done a terrible job of play calling and has been fairly conservative.
I disagree with this. Mediocre teams are supposed to beat bad teams. They're not necessarily expected to blow them out completely and convincingly. It's very good teams that are expected to post 35-6 blowouts. This isn't college, there's too much parity in the NFL to dismiss a blowout as "expected". I'm not implying that the Texans have graduated to "very good team" status, but what happened yesterday was very encouraging. The Texans were the very definition of a mediocre team last season, and they didn't post any blowouts. This was the first time I could remember that I saw the Texans completely dictate the course of the game from start to finish. The Bengals tried to stack against the run, and they responded by shredding their secondary in the passing game. Schaub basically threw the ball wherever he wanted. They had zero difficulty getting up and down the field. Every -- EVERY -- red zone trip resulted in a touchdown. No field goals for me from Kris Brown to help my fantasy team. They dominated on special teams. They closed out the game with perfection, for once. The defense still left a little to be desired, but it was nice to see them bend but not break for once, and more importantly, force turnovers. And they pitched a shutout in the second half. I can't even remember the last time the Texans had a zero turnover game. They've played lots and lots of bad teams in the past. To finally dominate one like this is a great, great sign of progress. Obviously they've got to win a few division games before we can even start thinking about playoffs, but I think it's wrong to dismiss yesterday's game as "expected of a mediocre team", because that was anything but mediocre.
it wasn't just yesterday: i've watched them get better each and every week. the offense is now very good; a top 10 offense. it's nearly unstoppable and has been for six straight weeks. defense is the question mark. they've been steadily building to a game like this - that's why i used the term "baby steps" a few weeks ago which bothered you (and others) so much: "baby steps? in year 7?!?!?' yeah - gotta start somewhere. and this really started in tennessee - they moved the ball pretty easily that day but schaub was awful, unfortunately, and they couldn't capitalize. they've moved up and down the field at will in every single game since. and as a team, they're putting more and more together: an OT loss becomes a blown 4Q loss becomes a 4Q comeback becomes a dominating 3Qs becomes a fully dominant game, start to finish. i think they've grown a lot as a team these past five weeks. they've done it for six straight weeks against varying degrees of competition. if this is going to be anything beyond a race to .500, it'll rest on the defense. i'm pumped to see what they do this week. well, record-wise; but they have a lot of talent, are at home and are coming off a bye week. if would be, arguably, the biggest win in franchise history if we go up there and punch them in the mouth.
That reminds me of the running back from Varsity Blues, he had all the yardage but somebody else always scored when they got close.
Very impressive. So happy to see it. And yeah, I won't dwell on the Colts game, b/c, as someone said, a win there may have caused some sort of QB controversy--or at the least, some doubts in Schaub's head from the rumors that would have been flying around. Who knows if he would have played so well after that, if the offense would be looking so good, or if we would have won the next 3? I'm happy at 3-4, and this team is a lot of fun to watch. We've really never seen a Texans team that has looked "really good" on either side of the ball even for stretches.. much less an entire game, regardless of opponent. I like what someone else said earlier.. the offense can dictate pace. Never thought I'd see the day..
Thanks fellas for the good commentary. I'm wrong to dismiss the blowout as "well, they're supposed to". They need to keep winning. They need to prove they are a good team. Not long ago, they were 0-4. And, if they get to 4-4 or 5-4 or even 6-5, there are several here who "called it" and will need to come in and pile on with the "I-told-you-so's". I will be ready to eat my crow. Go Texans!
I had to do some checking. The Texans are now 10th in scoring offense at 25 points per game The Texans are now 4th in offensive yardage at 371.6 yards per game. 4th? We're freakin' 4th in total yardage? I knew the offense had gotten better but didn't think it was enough to be #4 in the league. WOOHOO!
To me...the best story here is Schaub's. Because he's responded well to criticism. That's compelling, I think. Adds a human element to this franchise that I think they need from a public perception standpoint.
you didn't already feel that way about mario williams and all the slop he went through? his story is far and away the most gratifying. i only wish all the "experts" who took such delight in raking the texans over the coals were required by law to issue very public apologies. back to schaub - that's why i argued this team was intriguing beyond its W/L record. after two horrible weeks, with a benching likely, schaub played a nearly flawless game against the jags and really answered the bell. makes him missing the next week (and what subsequently happened) all the more disappointing. but he's been on a roll for 4 straight weeks; i mean, like, "best QB in the nfl" roll. but hey - let's draft colt mccoy!!!!!
true about mario...i just think story played out last year. i think last year we already knew the texans got the better of that draft. this year...in my eyes..the story has been schaub. the last 2 games...admittedly against weaker opponents...the passing game has been terrific.
last 4; he wasn't flawless against the dolphins, but in back-to-back weeks (MIA and JAX), he engineered drives that tied or won the game. he's posted 119.5, 124.1 and 144 qb ratings in three of last four starts, won a game on a 4th down scramble and now has a 92.6 for the season - 9th best in football. if he can stay healthy.......
Well, the story has been Schaub in some ways. But I've been on his bandwagon since last year.. I thought the potential was there. To me, the story this year is Slaton/the o-line. Without that, the passing game couldn't have success. Without Slaton, we'd still be without a real running attack.. and I don't think anyone expected him to be a 1st year starter when he was picked (and only some even thought he'd ever be a full-time starter). Duane Brown and Slaton filling huge holes immediately as rookies.. is just crazy.
let me be clear...i don't mean story in the sense of what has been the difference..i mean the compelling human story of the season...if that makes any sense. his response to criticism, particularly.
Why not 6-4? I mean, it IS a possibility, sir. I wasn't posting to say "I told you so", msn. I was merely saying they cleared all your requirements to not be a "team that sucks", whether it's against an 8-0 team or a 0-7 team. We cool, man.
ah gotcha. makes sense.. you know, I don't know if we ever really heard much from him in the press in terms of responding to criticism. You think he heard/read much of it? I mean probably.. but usually there are some memorable quotes from guys. I guess Schaub has been pretty soft-spoken in the media. For me, it'll be Dunta's comeback from injury if he can return to form! After so much talk in the offseason of that injury possibly forcing him to safety at such a young age.. really happy to see him back on the field
