I hope all you optimists are right; the Texans play against the Saints and the Vikings still concerns me. If they win big, those games were a fluke. If they lose, those games were prophetic and a long season awaits. By late Sunday, we will know which it is.
Another thing I want to point before people jump on the bandwagon. Brian Cushing will be an impact player from the start. Look for him to pound Sanchez to the ground a few times. There I said it now you guys can quote me on this come Sunday.
The Jets will try to beat the Texans the way the Texans try to beat the Colts; controlling the time of possession with the running game. Fergusen, Mangold and Faneca are a bad ass left side. . If we could somehow get some 3rd and longs, the Texans will break out every blitz in the book. Rex Ryan will have some defensive tricks up his sleeve, will Schaub have the mobility to move in the pocket and roll out? But, the Jets are without two starters, Pace and Ellis and frankly their personnel ain't The Ravens in the first place.
If we can get out to an early lead we should be in great shape. There is no way the Jets want to have to open up the passing game and have Mark Sanchez have to win the game on the road in his first start. They'll be busy on the ground game, especially after seeing our preseason. Gotta jump on them and try to build a lead early.
Texans are 12-4 the last 2 years at home. Schaub is 6-0 his last 6 at home. Teams with rookie QB's making their debut on the road are 4-17 in NFL history. I like our odds.
Here are Schaub's stats from those six games: Completed 143 of 209 or 68.4% 1831 yds with 11 TDs and 2 INTs 109.2 passer rating Pretty darn good no matter how you look at it.
Not sure how much Cushing will actually play on Sunday, you really don't wanna throw a rookie who missed all of preseason right into the mix. But I think he'll be in on blitzes on the plays he's in.
Some news from NickScurfield's twitter: "After practice today, Kubiak said he's encouraged by Schaub's progress. All indications are he's looking ready to go on Sunday." "Dunta made some nice plays today that caught Kubiak's eye. Reeves practiced some, an encouraging sign, they're hopeful he's back for week 2."
I think he will get plenty of play time, pretty much as much as anyone else on defense. I dont think they are really concerned with easing him in there. Kubiak has said they have given him his own little preseason during practice, so I dont think there is much concern with him having missed the preseason. Keep in mind, in practice, he is going up against one of the best offenses in the NFL, so Im sure he is getting plenty of good work in. From interviews of coaches and players, it seems like he is good to go.
Here are the official practice reports from the Jets and Texans: Little troublesome with Walter and Wilson missing practice. Gotta think Schaub is a go for Sunday since he fully participated in practice. Another practice report with injury status will come out Friday.
Reeves back already? They thought he would miss the first 4 games. Better than any #2 Cb we have so glad he's back.
At earliest he will play in the second game, the Texans want don't want to rush him out until they are sure he is 100%. This Sunday we have a good shot but it will be far from an easy win IMO, unless somewhere on the Jets prove to be a weak link, personally, I think they lack offensive weapons so it will be up to our defense to enforce on the tone we want for the game.
The more I look at the Jets defense, the more worried I am becoming. It is clear that our offense is what will have to carry us and if the Jets are able to contain us, then it may be closer than many anticipate. They have a good ground game, so we really need to focus on stopping the run. I think the key is to force Sanchez to have to make the plays. Revis and Lito at the corners, Rhodes and Leonhard at the safeties...front seven led by Scott, Gholston, and Jenkins... I still have all the confidence in the world in this game, but the more I think about it, the more concerned I am that we arent going to stomp all over them like I had hoped.
I think the Texans win this game. I think if they are who we think they are (thanks, Dennis) they should win it going away....by more than a touchdown. If for some reason they find a way to lose this game, I'm preparing you all now and letting you know I will be disappointed...and will likely post as such here. So no one crap your britches if that happens, because you've all been forewarned.
I agree and I don't think you will be the only one here disappointed and frustrated. But if that happens I'm sure Ric will tell us how stupid we are for thinking like we did
This game will not be easy. The Jets can run and they have a good front 7. We have to hope Sanchez makes some mistakes otherwise we will have no breathing room.
