Texan weaknesses

[badboy]

Originally Posted by ckhouston

Dont have to.

Didnt say they were strengths.

Do you have to be strong not to be weak, or can you just be average?

Sure you can and you may be. Most of us are interested in our team getting better and that is why we discuss things like this. Your first post was insulting and you seem to have little to contribute. You could have said you were okay with the team and left it at that.

[NastyNate]

Interior run defense, offensive line protection.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by ckhouston

Whats insulting to me is to be 3-0 and have people starting threads about our team being weak.

But, to each his own ...

Are you really, honestly insulted by that or is this just hyperbole?

Two resolutions for you: 1) don't click the thread, or 2) get thicker skin and save being insulted for something that really matters.

[Dutchrudder]

The Texans have no weaknesses people! Move along, there's nothing to see here...

[The Pencil Neck]

What's scary is that we're 3-0 and we have so many areas we can improve.

On defense, our outside linebackers haven't been getting sacks. They've been getting pressure but they could stand to get a few more sacks.

We looked human against the rush at times. But that was against Reggie Bush and Maurice Jones-Drew and we were able to take the ball out of their hands in other ways. We're only allowing 3.8 yards per rush at this point but if we get into a situation where we've got to stop the run against a good running back, we could have some issues.

We've gotten lucky with opponent receivers dropping balls against us or we might look worse against the pass than we do now.

On offense, we're not putting up pinball types of stats. Although we're 5th in Net Yards per Pass Attempt (which includes sack yardage), we really haven't thrown the ball that much OR tried to go long that much (except for the last game.) Our running game right now is a bit down and the yards per attempt isn't where I'd like it. We need to run more effectively against stacked boxes to close out the games.

That's actually a kind of a nice place to be.

The only phase that is scary is our Special Teams. We haven't gotten the production out of Holliday that we were expecting. We've gotten into a lot of long-field situations with the ball deep in our own territory... otoh, we've forced some turnovers and gotten some short fields, too.

But our ST needs to show up more. And we'll be tested on ST against the Titans.

[Thorn]

The Texans are a fairly good balanced team with no horrible glaring weaknesses. Which isn't to say they don't have some soft spots, because they do. It's just they are the most balanced they have ever been in all the years we've been watching them.

You could count on one hand the number of NFL teams that are this balanced. Right now we should be happy considering what we've had to endure in the past with this team.

But, I wouldn't mind them spending a few high draft choices on the O line.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Thorn

But, I wouldn't mind them spending a few high draft choices on the O line.

At this point in time, I'd like a MLB to replace James, an NT/DT, and then another guy for the OL.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

I would like to see our ST improve. When our ST improve, we would be really tough to beat.

Go Texans!!!

[drs23]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

What's scary is that we're 3-0 and we have so many areas we can improve.

On defense, our outside linebackers haven't been getting sacks. They've been getting pressure but they could stand to get a few more sacks.

We looked human against the rush at times. But that was against Reggie Bush and Maurice Jones-Drew and we were able to take the ball out of their hands in other ways. We're only allowing 3.8 yards per rush at this point but if we get into a situation where we've got to stop the run against a good running back, we could have some issues.

We've gotten lucky with opponent receivers dropping balls against us or we might look worse against the pass than we do now.

On offense, we're not putting up pinball types of stats. Although we're 5th in Net Yards per Pass Attempt (which includes sack yardage), we really haven't thrown the ball that much OR tried to go long that much (except for the last game.) Our running game right now is a bit down and the yards per attempt isn't where I'd like it. We need to run more effectively against stacked boxes to close out the games.

That's actually a kind of a nice place to be.

The only phase that is scary is our Special Teams. We haven't gotten the production out of Holliday that we were expecting. We've gotten into a lot of long-field situations with the ball deep in our own territory... otoh, we've forced some turnovers and gotten some short fields, too.

But our ST needs to show up more. And we'll be tested on ST against the Titans.

Dinger for TNP's assertation.

The bolded is my contribution, but he beat me to it. Gotta do something to tighten up Coach Joe's teams. They haven't looked sharp at all to me. Granted, it's tough to follow on TV but the rusults aren't. I will say I think Merciles has been doing a pretty good job as has Braman.

Edit: MSR

[HJam72]

Used to think I'd never say it, but I wonder if Coach Joe could use replacing. I know it's been said that he's never adjusted from not being able to use "the wedge" anymore, and that very much seems to be the case.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Thorn

The Texans are a fairly good balanced team with no horrible glaring weaknesses. Which isn't to say they don't have some soft spots, because they do. It's just they are the most balanced they have ever been in all the years we've been watching them.

You could count on one hand the number of NFL teams that are this balanced. Right now we should be happy considering what we've had to endure in the past with this team.

But, I wouldn't mind them spending a few high draft choices on the O line.

To the bolded: I think you can count them on one 'finger'. The Texans are the most balance team in the NFL. Just as they were last year.

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

At this point in time, I'd like a MLB to replace James, an NT/DT, and then another guy for the OL.

I agree about Bradie James. He seems to be a weak link but I've also watched him make a few plays. Less than I've seen him give up though. He often looks out of place. And he's Wade's guy??

In regards to nose tackle, I was damn impressed with Mitchell VS. the Donks. He was in or around a butt load of plays Sunday.

[infantrycak]

Several people have mentioned run D. Obviously want to improve anywhere possible and run D is very important. I think it is useful to compare how we have done compared to other teams average performances.

Rushing ypc against us v. their overall average.

Miami 4.2 ypc v. 5.0 ypc
Jacksonville 4.6 ypc v. 4.5 ypc
Denver 2.8 ypc v. 3.6 ypc (4.0 before they played us)

So last year's rushing title holder had an average day against us. Miami and last year's #1 rushing team had significantly below average days playing the Texans.

I think the biggest need right now is improved special teams play.

[Fili]

Weaknesses:
Special teams need to get it together, that safety was just unnecessary.
Our secondary showed a little weakness against an elite quarterback.

[EllisUnit]

Biggest weakness i see

hmm we could use a newer nicer trophy case to hold the lombardi trophy, we will SOON recieve,,,,, that greatly concerns me.

And the price of beer in the stadium.

And the fact that the local SA stations have to show every overtime game in the world before getting to the texans game.

Yeah guys i feel ya gigantic weaknesses that need to seriously be addressed

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by ckhouston

The Texans only weakness, are weak fans who believe the Texans have a weakness.

I get what you're saying, especially when the Texans are gonna go 19-0 and all, but there can still be some weaknesses. For example, it took the trainers 2.1 seconds to get to Schaub after he was "Holyfield"... The trainers need to get that cleaned up. It should've taken them 1.6 seconds.

Another thing is the cheerleaders! Where is Lindsay (aka Lil'Red), Celina and the original "twins"? Whatup with that, yo??

There are plenty of weaknesses if you truly want to be objective!!!

[gtexan02]

Football Outsiders does a really nice job rating teams on efficiency. We're rated 3rd overall. Want to know why? Because we are rated 32/32 on special teams. Yup, 32/32. Ouch

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Football Outsiders does a really nice job rating teams on efficiency. We're rated 3rd overall. Want to know why? Because we are rated 32/32 on special teams. Yup, 32/32. Ouch

IIRC that's a drop from 31 last week.

[gtexan02]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

IIRC that's a drop from 31 last week.

It takes into account touchback percentage (Graham doesn't kick a lot of TBs)
Also the majority of Hollidays KRs have not been past the 20
And we allowed a PR TD

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

It takes into account touchback percentage (Graham doesn't kick a lot of TBs)

I'm starting to think that might be by design. Graham could, and did, kick some out of the end-zone in Denver but it looked like he purposefully tried to put several right at the end-line.

CnD mentioned he thought it might be a Coach Joe call and he may be right.

[Wolf6151]

Weaknesses:

RT, neither Newton (7th rounder in his 2nd season) or Harris (extensive injury history) thrill me with confidence. The rotation of them at the position seems to be working but I don't see either of them at this point being the long term solution to the position. Maybe Newton improves with experience, but he was a 7th round pick for a reason.

DT/NT, we've all noticed the Texans weakness in run defense up the middle. Cody will be a FA at the end of the year and Mitchell doesn't seem to be great, though I think he works well in a rotation at DT. I think Cody leaves at the end of the season and DT/NT should be a high priority in the 2013 draft. We both like the same guys here.

CB, McCain will be a FA at the end of this season and although he's only an average CB, even mediocre CB's can be expensive in FA. I think McCain will be gone at the end of the season and we still don't know what we have in Harris and Carmichael. I think we could use a talent upgrade at CB. You can never have to many good CB's.

WR, even with Jean and Martin I think we could get better at WR. It's a possibility that Walter could be a salary cap cut at the end of the season and even if he's not some better talent to be the future #2 WR with possibility of becoming the future #1 WR would sure be nice.

RG, I think this is currently a slight weakness since Caldwell has been disappointing but I think we've got the talent already on the team to fill the RG spot for years to come. Either Brooks or Jones will most likely be the future of the position.

P, Donnie Jones has been decent but not great and he's 32 yoa. and not getting any younger. Also field position is so important in the NFL so an upgrade seems to be in order here.

FB, I'd like to see us find a real full time FB for those obvious short yardage/goal line situations where Vonta was so valuable. I like Casey's versatility but he's not a real FB when you need to pound the ball in and I haven't paid any attention to Clutts.

ILB, Bradie James has been unimpressive and I'd like to see Dobbins get a shot at being the starter. Dobbins looked real good in preseason. Both James and Dobbins might be one year rentals anyway.