Fabiano Rates the Big Nasties

[HOU-TEX]

I was actually caught by surprise to see our Big Nasties rated so high considering our run game sucked. I reckon we'd be top 5 in the league with an above average running game.

Team Analysis

12. Houston Texans
(80 points) The Texans offensive line finished an awful 26th in the NFL in 2006, but it vaulted to 12th last season and finished a solid seventh in the AFC. While Matt Schaub did take numerous hard hits, his line allowed a respectable one sack for every 24 pass attempts. Quarterbacks also averaged 7.0 yards per pass attempt, which tied for fifth overall. The Houston run line wasn't as effective, however, as it finished 22nd in the league.
Offseason additions: C Chris Myers, T Duane Brown (R)

http://www.nfl.com/fantasy/story?id=...o&confirm=true

[nunusguy]

Don't want to sound ungrateful, but hard for me to rank the Texans OLine
ahead of that unit for such teams as the Giants, Eagles, Steelers, etc.
I hope the guy knows what he is talking about.

[m5kwatts]

The Eagles? Didn't the Giants have a 10 sack game against McNabb last year? And wasn't Roethlesberger sacked soem 40 something times? Eli threw 20 picks with a lot of pressure in his face. The Texans allowing less than 25 sacks is commendable, its just the quality of the hits Schaub took were so hard it was really an unlucky thing. One was a solo bear hug tackle from Albert Haynesworth will him landing on Schaubs shoulder. Then the concussion came from the cheapy block from Drayton Florence. The line is atleast in the top of half of the NFL and #12 is fine.

[GuerillaBlack]

It's weird that once we get all this positive talk from the media nowadays, some fans don't like it.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by GuerillaBlack

It's weird that once we get all this positive talk from the media nowadays, some fans don't like it.

LMAO... It may not be that people don't like it, it may be that people are skeptical of the writer's intentions after years of being pummeled by the them.. We're not in a familiar position of taking compliments or positive feedback very well................ yet.

[Dancerdog]

I think #12 is a guess. The line's play will depend on how quick Duane Brown gets up to speed and how long it takes our OL to get comfortable with the ZBS. If nothing else, with Alex Gibbs at the helm we should have a line with some ATTITUDE! Can't wait for TC to get under way.

[BattleRedToro]

Originally Posted by Dancerdog

If nothing else, with Alex Gibbs at the helm we should have a line with some ATTITUDE!

Originally Posted by m5kwatts

Then the concussion came from the cheapy block from Drayton Florence.

I doubt that a cheap shot like that one will be tolerated by a Gibbs O-Line unit. Something tells me that if that were to happen this year an O-Lineman would get after Florence.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by m5kwatts

The Eagles? Didn't the Giants have a 10 sack game against McNabb last year? And wasn't Roethlesberger sacked soem 40 something times? Eli threw 20 picks with a lot of pressure in his face. The Texans allowing less than 25 sacks is commendable, its just the quality of the hits Schaub took were so hard it was really an unlucky thing. One was a solo bear hug tackle from Albert Haynesworth will him landing on Schaubs shoulder. Then the concussion came from the cheapy block from Drayton Florence. The line is atleast in the top of half of the NFL and #12 is fine.

You make some good points.
I remember seeing that Eagles-Giants game when the one DLineman got all of those sacks against as I recall Winston Justice, another USC bust. I'm thinking Justice was a sub filling in for the starter who was injured ?
And you're right the Steelers line (and their QB) were not as effective last year. And yes, the Texans OLine had a good year in the sack department.
I dunno, maybe it's just that I'm so unuse to seeing the Texans ranked in the top half of any category let alone this one. It's not that I don't like it because I certainly enjoy good press about my team as much as anybody. It's just a bit surprising.

[76Texan]

Get used to it! Something is inevitable, and you know you can't fight it, LOL!

[ledzeppelin229]

Originally Posted by Texan_Bill

LMAO... It may not be that people don't like it, it may be that people are skeptical of the writer's intentions after years of being pummeled by the them.. We're not in a familiar position of taking compliments or positive feedback very well................ yet.

It's kind of like a kid in school that only makes fun of you/talks **** and then one day actually tries to be friendly. You don't know whether to reconcile or punch him in the face.

[barrett]

we are traumatized. no doubt. i still get a very strange feeling every time i read anything positive about us. i'm excited but it feels "funny". in the same vein i remember last year watching the carolina game at a sports bar in austin with a bunch of texans fans and we kept commenting on how strange it was to see the quarterback drop back into the pocket and go through his reads. it was the same kind of feeling. exciting but "funny". i remember screaming to dalemurphy "look at him! you can actually see him turning his head! he's making reads! he's making reads!"

this is going to be the most exciting year in our short history and it's going to be exciting but it's going to feel "funny".

[TK_Gamer]

I think what really excites me is that we allready have solidified several O-line positions and The league is even recognizing our effort to improve the weaker spots at LT, C, and RG. I think our biggest asset is the fact that our starting O-line has to practice every day againse a very solid Defense. It will only make them better and better each practice.

[TexansLucky13]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Don't want to sound ungrateful, but hard for me to rank the Texans OLine
ahead of that unit for such teams as the Giants, Eagles, Steelers, etc.
I hope the guy knows what he is talking about.

I wouldn't rank the Texans higher than the Giants. That said, the Steelers lost a huge chunk of their line and the Eagles pass protection was dismal last year.

#12 is a tad bit of a stretch, but with an improved run game, I believe we can pull it off.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Dancerdog

I think #12 is a guess. The line's play will depend on how quick Duane Brown gets up to speed and how long it takes our OL to get comfortable with the ZBS. If nothing else, with Alex Gibbs at the helm we should have a line with some ATTITUDE! Can't wait for TC to get under way.

I don't believe it is.
The writer says the rankings are based on four stat catagories from last season. He doesn't say specifically what those are but from reading all the teams' rankings I believe they are:

- Sacks per number of pass attempt - we allowed one sack every 24 passing attempts; N.O was best with a sack for every 40+ attempts

- Yds per pass attempt

- Touchdowns per number of rushing attempts

- Yds per rushing attempt

The yds per rushing attempt should get better with Gibbs in our mix and hopefully the number of rushing attempts it takes to produce a TD should go down too.

I can live with 12th for now.

[Giant Tiger]

My beef is getting pushed back when we're inside the 5. I want to see the OL move the DL back for the running backs

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by Giant Tiger

My beef is getting pushed back when we're inside the 5. I want to see the OL move the DL back for the running backs

I'm positive we'll have a better running game this year. To what extent remains to be seen.

[Giant Tiger]

Originally Posted by Thorn

I'm positive we'll have a better running game this year. To what extent remains to be seen.

That's what I'm looking forward to as well. Remember the Carolina game last year when Schaub was called for IG? First the DL was pushing them back & stuffing the play; then the penalty. Double whammy
Good thing the game turned out alright

[gary]

Originally Posted by Giant Tiger

That's what I'm looking forward to as well. Remember the Carolina game last year when Schaub was called for IG? First the DL was pushing them back & stuffing the play; then the penalty. Double whammy
Good thing the game turned out alright

I think our OL is going to better in the red zone this year with the two players they signed this offseason and with Gibbs.

[threetoedpete]

Re-watched K.C. game last night....remember ? three minutes left we're up 17-3...inside the green zone. Green bangs out a seven yard run to make it fourth & one...MS looks to the sideline " Let's Go" coach. Kubes swings the clip board "go for it". Wait a minute....time out. 20-3 makes it a three score game...kick the FG.

Look one of the keys to this '08 team is can they ran the ball? Or like '07, will Kubiak have to set up the run by throwing the ball...read send the rainmaker, a.j. in to the teeth of the safeties on the seven yard dig/slant to keep the chains moving ? You'll find the answer to that one the very first game vs Pitt.
If they can run against Pittsburgh, they can run the ball at anyone. If Kubiak is baby sitting the 0-line once again...they aren't quite ripe yet.
Once they kick away the rainmaker crutch, and the o-line can stand on it's own two feet, you can start booking your play off hotels.