Little things may make a big difference!

[Ibar_Harry]

Here's a quote from Capers.

Houston's one coaching change is also on defense, as Mike London replaces Todd Grantham as defensive line coach. But Capers envisions a smooth transition there.

"Mike had worked in a system at the University of Virginia where they were in a 3-4 defense very similar to our. He's a very good teacher and an outstanding technique guy. He's got a good background in teaching this kind of defense."

One player that London wasn't able to tutor Saturday was first-round draft pick Travis Johnson, who has become the Texans' first holdout in their brief history.

I look forward to seeing the results, because the D-line play while not receiving the attention of the O-line play was probably as big a problem as the O-line play last year. I'm going to give Capers his dues and say I think this might prove to be a small item which yields big time results. I like the comments I'm hearing on this change and I look forward to seeing the results.

Strangely, I think our offensive play will improve dramatically as our defense improves. Sounds strange, but I have eluded to this in other posts. Its very simple, we were one of the worst teams in the league in rushing the passer. Therefore our O-line wasn't being pressured enough in practice to see their weaknesses and had no competition to work against. This year could be very different. When you work against strong competition your game simply has to get better. Our lack of defensive pressure also put pressure on the Offense to produce and hold on to the ball longer. That put an emphasis on executing a very conservative offense to kill the clock. Its not that we did not have a defense last year, it was that it disappeared on a lot of occassions at key points in the game.

Now on some other small items which make big differences both positively and negatively.

1) BJ's Injury means once again no really potentially dominant TE.

2) Gaffny's injury certainly leaves question marks concerning the #2 spot.

3) However, as a whole, this year's squad reported with a lot fewer injuries than in previous years.

4) This year's squad is leaner and faster.

5) Corey is catching the ball? Hopefully he's improved his hands.

6) Mathis could be our secret weapon by the end of the season.

7) Morancy and Davis could be a 1 2 punch.

8) Our defense is younger, but faster.

9) TJ's lack of a contract could have a bearing on his impact for the season.

10) Will our kicking game be recovered from the injuries it sustained last year.

11) have all of the injures from year 2 finally healed and will those players regain their effectiveness prior to being injured?

12) Will this unit become a TEAM rather than a bunch of individuals?

13) Will AJ begin to assert himself on the field and become the GO TO GUY? Some comments might suggest he's thinking that way.

14) Will Chris Palmer finally get it?

15) Will our young rookie center replace McKinney by the beginning, middle or end of the season?

16) We cut a number of seasoned veterns like Glenn. Will that hurt us? On the other hand we picked up some younger outstanding players.

17) We are going back, in part, to the offensive scheme we employed in the 2nd year. I'm referring two the 3 step drop - quick release aspect.

18) Will TC be free of injuries and will we be a healthy team at the beginning of the season?

19) Will we miss the shure hands of JJ? He was a no quess possession man, but he could never take it all the way.

20) On the other hand do we have some returners who can now take it all the way at any time?

Having reflected on this and other points our we really at where we wanted to be starting year 3? I have often stated that I felt the 2nd year injuries had set this ball club back plan wise. Are we putting together the best of years 2 and 3? I really hope that is the case, but we will know more by the end of the 1st 2 games of the season.

I do hope this is the Texan's year. I look forward to hearing comments of those fortunate enough to be able to attend the practices and the preseason games. Lets pray for an injury free TC for the Team as well as the players.

[TexansTrueFan]

jesus Ibar some great points, but you still seem so negative, personally i think the texans are looking great this year, with out new youthful defense. We have some young new draft picks who look like they can play especially Morency who i think is good BUUUUUTTTT NOT BETTER THAN D.DAVIS !!!!!

[Ibar_Harry]

Thanks TrueFan!

I'm guardidly optomistic. In reality there has been a lot of change on this ball club. It will be interesting to see if the coaching staff can put it all together and the team can develop the chemistry it needs to compete. I have always felt this ball club has not even come close to being what it should and could be. Why is that? Well, we all have our thoughts on that. This ball club showed what it could be in the very 1st game that the franchise played. Not many young teams can do what they did out of the shute. There was a magic to that game and it will always be remembered.

Carr demonstrated in his 1st year that he could take a beating and keep on ticking. Mr. B was a cheer leader even though the didn't play a down, and I think his loss, was felt in more than him just not playing.

Anyway, its time for this team to settle down and put it all together. Hopefully some team leadership will emerge and we will mature as an organization. If that happens I think we will all be happy with the results.

[Ibar_Harry]

Some tibits about Carr This article makes me a little nervous, because Carr needs the pressure in preseason to make him better come League time. Carr really hasn't been 100% the last two seasons. He's taken a beating, and while people are aware of it, I don't think we know how much it has impacted him and his game. I think protection of Carr is a bigger issue that the above writer thinks. Its certainly is another thought and point of view, however.

[NoBullTexan]

OK, in the order in which they were asked:
1) NO Joppru sad but true. Hopefully Rivers or Murphy can rise to the task.
2) #2WR would be wide open even if Gaff were not rehabbing.
5) Bradford has been in the league 7 yrs now. Leopards don't change their spots. New blood will take over this position.
9) T.J. has signed.
10) K, P, KR, PR, and all of the special teams will blossom.
13) A.J. has already served notice - he will be a terror!
14) Palmer will get as much leash as Capers will let him have. His neck is in the noose.
15) Boss Hog repaces OC McK by midseason? Interesting theory.
16) Old guys we cut will be replaced by quicker, faster, younger ones. Translation a kick butt defense.
19) J.J.s sure hands will be still be here, just on faster returners. 3-4 balls will be returned to the house.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by Ibar_Harry

Some tibits about Carr This article makes me a little nervous, because Carr needs the pressure in preseason to make him better come League time. Carr really hasn't been 100% the last two seasons. He's taken a beating, and while people are aware of it, I don't think we know how much it has impacted him and his game. I think protection of Carr is a bigger issue that the above writer thinks. Its certainly is another thought and point of view, however.

He has expressed the same things I have been saying on this board since about the middle of last season. No defense for the poor OL, but Carr is okay to good, but still does not make good decision etc.

In a move to be fair, I am going to link to a guy who thinks as that it is all about what around Carr, as some on this board do. I find it interesting that the same debate here is probably the same debate tha other observers have concerning Carr, the OL, 2nd Wrs, and the offense as a whole.

from Rotoworld.com (look like an AJ article but is not really)

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/sto...&storyid=14498

[Vinny]

This snippet isn't very encouraging.

But last spring, when the Texans were adding to the offensive playbook and implementing timing-oriented wrinkles in the passing game, quarterbacks were off-limits to the defense.

No one was allowed to rush Carr. Neither was anyone wearing full pads allowed to make contact.

Carr basically went untouched and unhurried as he tried to pick up the new twists in the offense.

Even then he did not thrive like he should have. He threw too many interceptions and made too many wrong reads. He missed on a few throws that he should have made.

Without a left tackle's break-downs to blame, it was clear that it's not always about breakdowns along the line.

[The Preacher]

I remember last year he did throw some int's in the red zone. On a couple I recall wondering what in the world was he thinking? Hopefully they were fluky lapses in judgment in a young QB's career. Let's hope for a Brees like fourth year. Sometimes you either have it or you don't and it's still too early to tell with Carr but he has the tools to be a pro bowler.

[BornOrange]

Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P. shouldn't we keep the P.C. on the Q.T. 'cause if it leaks to the V.C. he could become a M.I.A. and then we'd all be put out on K.P.

[Ibar_Harry]

Originally Posted by Vinny

This snippet isn't very encouraging.

That was one on the reasons I included the link, because I knew you would pick up and quote that one. I think the book is out on Carr and there are pluses and minuses. I'm still not certain which way I lean, except to say that he has done really well despite a lot of adversity. I do wonder, however, does he have that special spark of the truely great QB's who come down the pike. The great ones have the ability to take control and lead despite adversity. We have seen that a couple of times from Carr and there have been other times when it was nonexsistant. Is it the fact that the coaching staff will not let him take control or does he lack the ability to do so? Remember, the great ones control the field as much as the coaches. I suspect Manning has a lot to do with what happens on the field. Again, I'm not comparing the two except to say that Manning probably has a lot more say than Carr on the field. Again its a difference in talent, but its also a difference in coaching technique. For exampe, Capers and Montana probably would never see eye to eye. Montana was what he was, because he was free to imprevise and overcome, particularly in the last two minutes. Montana was truely a field general. Confidence comes from trust and trust comes from confidence. A simple statement, but so true.

[El Tejano]

I think Carr can lead. A good example was last years Minnesota game.