Tony Hollings

[TexansTrueFan]

Hollings will be a good back soon enough it'll just take a little time

[Fiddy]

Originally Posted by TexansTrueFan

so your telling me that even though carr was a rookie QB in on an expasion team he should of still been able to do what big ben has done ??? A QB is only as good as his recievers !! Pittsburg still has more playmakers on Offense than we do ! IF WE HAD A RUN GMAE maybe it would help a little bit !

I didnt say that.

You said "Carr could of done the same our better if that had been him !!" I was only arguing that Carr probably wouldn't of had the same season that Big Ben is having if the roles were switch. Big Ben has been accurate, poised, and has great pocket awareness. Carr in his 3rd year still doesnt have the pocket awareness that Big Ben has, although Carr has improved greatly since his first year. See Burress 1st TD reception against the Pats to see an example of Big Ben's pocket awareness.

[beerlover]

you two need to get a room or another thread :hehe:

[Number19]

I really have no problem with what I call a conservative running game - if it fits your personel and is effective. I dearly loved watching Campbell pound the ball for 30 carries a game.

Originally Posted by Mistril48

By the way, I think Big Ben's comparision is a little unfair in that Ben has a good O-line, good running game, good WRs and a good defense. Remember Carr's rookie year?

My intent was not to compare individual stats, but rather to highlight the ratings. I haven't done a detailed analysis, but a quick look seems to indicate that QB passer ratings are up, on average, about 10 points from a decade ago. This is a direct result of rule changes and will lead to higher scoring games, which was the intent.

If it hasn't occurred yet, I believe you will see games where a team will score on every possession of the game, a field goal or TD. And, except for a truly powerful rushing attack, the game is probably moving in a direction where most of the better teams will feature a passing dominant offense.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Number19

If it hasn't occurred yet, I believe you will see games where a team will score on every possession of the game, a field goal or TD. And, except for a truly powerful rushing attack, the game is probably moving in a direction where most of the better teams will feature a passing dominant offense.

I don't see the NFL going arena ball. Good defense is always going to have its place in this game at this level. History shows teams that teams that focus on passing offense only and cannot run the ball to hold a lead lose in the playoffs for the most part.

[Number19]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I don't see the NFL going arena ball. Good defense is always going to have its place in this game at this level. History shows teams that teams that focus on passing offense only and cannot run the ball to hold a lead lose in the playoffs for the most part.

You make a good and valid point. However, I never indicated or advocated this. There may well be teams that go to the Run & Shoot, but I think the norm is more likely to move closer to a 35:25 pass:run split. If I can remember, it will be interesting to calculate the average for the playoff teams, this year.

I think this will also open up running lanes and you will see the outstanding runners averaging 6 or 7 yards per carry over the course of a season. In 1993, with the Run & Shoot, Gary Brown averaged 5.1 yds for his 195 carries. To momentarily move back "on topic", this is why I would favor giving Tony Hollings playing time in the one back formation and would develope blocking schemes to open these lanes.

You made one comment - "history shows..." - but this is precisely my point. The rules are being sooooo skewed in favored of the high scoring passing offense that we will see a "new history" develope. Mouse was ahead of his time and the Run & Shoot was 10 years too early.

And I don't disagree with you on this point - championships will be won by the defense.

[Bill's/TexanFan]

Originally Posted by Vinny

Good post.

I think Hollings is still very much a project and he will get some touches as he becomes a better blocker, studies more film, and gets more reps in practice. We have all seen what an offense looks like in the NFL when you have players learn on the job. I've wanted to see more of Hollings myself but have just had to realize that they are taking their time with him and developing him in the background while we try to win games.

My take on RB's has always been this. They all come into the NFL needing to improve in the areas you've mentioned with blitz pick-up being right up there. We all know that at Georgia Tech Hollings spent most of his time as a DB and he played that position until the Yellow Jackets had a major need at RB. Tony came to Tech at a RB/DB so running the football was not totally new to him. My point is....at some point in the not too distant future the light should go on for him. It's been long understood that RB is the one position where a player can step from college campus to the NFL and play right away. Soon, I would think the Texan's would begin to wonder what Tony's future holds.

[Vinny]

It must me a full Moon. We agree. I was speculating on another board if we perhaps pursue LaMont Jordan in the off-season since we have three backs and no clear starter at this point. Charlie Casserly tried to trade for him last season and was unsuccessful. Jordan is a FA this year as well as J Wells.

[Mistril48]

Originally Posted by Number19

I dearly loved watching Campbell pound the ball for 30 carries a game.

Did you ever wonder why you check out message boards?

Sometimes it's to get information, whose out, where articles are located.

Sometimes it's to see a different point of view.

Sometimes it's just to smile (Campbell). I wasn't in Houston area at the time, but I loved watching him on national broadcasts. Hacksaw Reynolds doesn't smile when he sees the name Campbell.

[Mistril48]

Originally Posted by Bill's/TexanFan

My take on RB's has always been this. They all come into the NFL needing to improve in the areas you've mentioned with blitz pick-up being right up there. We all know that at Georgia Tech Hollings spent most of his time as a DB and ... My point is....at some point in the not too distant future the light should go on for him...

Hollings faced 2 major challenges, not 1:

a) learning to play RB in the NFL, with limited college experience at RB;

b) coming back from a major knee injury that some say is a two year project (see Edrin James)

The Texans have shown the ability to avoid making a bunch of knee-jerk, distructive reactions. I'm sure they are bringing Hollings along in a way and on a timetable they are comfortable with, even if we aren't fully aware of it.