How would YOU fix the Texans?

[Porky]

Well, many things cannot be done until the offseason, but the past few weeks are totally unacceptable, and somone needs to send a message.

I would can Richard Smith today, and elevate Frank Bush. Can he be any worse than Smith? Hardly. I'm a little undecided on Sherman. I would keep him until the end of the year and re-evaulate.

In the offseason, priorities, 1a and 1b are a talented young RB, and a safety who can stay within 40 yards of Antonio Gates.

As far as the o-line, I think if we had Adrian Petersen, all the sudden the line would be pretty good. Let them evualate Spencer. If he is good to go, look into an upgrade at C. If not, LT becomes 1C in the list above.

Other areas of need are both OLB spots, corner, and yes my friends, DE. I would move Mario inside in a three man rotation with Okoye and Travis, and keep all three fresh. I doubt they will do that, as it is tantamount admitting they screwed up. Until we get an upgrade, Weaver can play outside on the strong side and help stop the run. That means the other DE needs to be a pass rush demon. So far, in 6 years nobody has stepped to the forefront, and we still have a very weak pass rush.

As to the rest of the coaching, for now I probably give Kubes the benefit of the doubt, but I might pick up the phone and see if Cowher is available, or perhaps even Shottenheimer. If so, I might think about ending the Kubes experiment. Othwerwise, I read the riot act to him, and closely look at the rest of the coaches. It's time to end the day care center known as the Gary Kubiak asst coaching staff. Hire some real coaches, instead of coaching sucking on teething rings.

Lastly, the worst problem right now is turnovers. I have some ideas on this, but I really don't know which way to turn on the thing. I do know that poorly coached teams usually turn it over more than good teams. I also know teams constantly playing catch-up tend to turn it over more than teams playing with a lead. It's a ying and yang type of thing, but much of this all goes back to coaching.

[Texans Horror]

I am against buying a left tackle or center. I think the Texans history leaves a wake of "bought" offensive lineman that for one reason or another were not able to fix the offensive line. Rather, I would like the Texans to continue to build from the trenches, but on the offensive side of the ball. That means an offensive lineman with their first pick. Preferably left tackle.

I don't think the Texans should draft a running back in the first. It's not out of some loyalty to Green or something. It's just that a lineman will help the pass game and the run game in ways that a new running back will not help the pass game. I truly believe the problem in both cases is the line and that this needs to be addressed before all else. If for no other reason, I don't want to see another Texans QB be beaten into bad play.

For the defense, I like the defensive line. They are young and will improve with experience. But next to the o-line, the second weakest area of the Texans roster is the secondary. They need at least one more stellar back to help with coverage. CB or Safety, whatever is best on the market and gels with the Texans.

Frank Bush needs to be made the defensive coordinator. It might be time to make Kyle Shanahan the OC. Who knows.

But I like what I see for the most part. I think they are closer to complete (player and coaching-wise) than not.

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by marks01234

You must have missed Mario's sack against NY last year. His KC sacks weren't exactly cheap either. They weren't highlight reel plays but they were certainly solid plays.

Mario does take himself out of a lot of plays and he does need a lot of work. But the potential evident. He's currently fourth amongst AFC DE's in sacks, top 20 in the league and has the same or more sacks than Dwight Freeney, Jason Taylor and Julius Peppers. He's got a defensive TD to boot. Surely these all can't be just luck.

Ok maybe Reggie White was a bad example. But there isn't a single NFL DE that right now would be able to transform this situation. Not Peppers, not Freeney, not Taylor.

BTW, by one count D'Brick gave up 11 sacks last year. Face it, if we had selected him last year, plenty of people still wouldn't be happy.

His sacks against KC were cheap, he benefited from other people's pressure, the damn QB ran into him twice......go look at them again. I also don't care what happened in NY last year, that was last year, just like it was last year the D'brick gave up 11 sacks. Players are supposed to get better from year to year. Mario looks like the same lazy player who shows no feel for the game. D'brick is atleast improving.

Also please stop listing elite DE's and saying they will not improve the situation here, because that is impossible to prove. One of our biggest problems in we aren't getting pressure (frankly I could give a rats ass about sacks I want "consistent" pressure) Peppers plays every play and when he's not getting to the QB he's making the offense account for him and is getting into people's faces. People can't even use the "Mario draws double teams" excuse anymore, because he doesn't.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Porky

Well, many things cannot be done until the offseason, but the past few weeks are totally unacceptable, and somone needs to send a message.

I would can Richard Smith today, and elevate Frank Bush. Can he be any worse than Smith? Hardly. I'm a little undecided on Sherman. I would keep him until the end of the year and re-evaulate.

the defense has gotten worse since Bush came on...it may be another case of too many cooks in the soup (think Sherman and Kubiak O-line theory mix). The Cardinals are 10th overall in defense this year at the halfway mark and last year they finished 29th (with Bush)...fwiw.

[Andrew6]

After finally watching the game last night I have to say there were somethings I noticed that were actually good. Our defense does well when its not on the field all game. Our offense would do better if they were able to run more and not rely on the pass as much, that would eliminate most of the interceptions. Another thing I noticed was that our Offense and Defense look like they are still getting to know eachother and unsure of what the other will do. I think that with time that will work itself out, but for now the team needs to start watching film together, talk about deep dark secrets, what ever it takes to get that gelling together. We do have to remember though that our team is a very young one right now and will take time. Question is how do we rush that so they get better quicker.

[marks01234]

Originally Posted by Carr Bombed

His sacks against KC were cheap, he benefited from other people's pressure, the damn QB ran into him twice......go look at them again. I also don't care what happened in NY last year, that was last year, just like it was last year the D'brick gave up 11 sacks. Players are supposed to get better from year to year. Mario looks like the same lazy player who shows no feel for the game. D'brick is atleast improving.

Also please stop listing elite DE's and saying they will not improve the situation here, because that is impossible to prove. One of our biggest problems in we aren't getting pressure (frankly I could give a rats ass about sacks I want "consistent" pressure) Peppers plays every play and when he's not getting to the QB he's making the offense account for him and is getting into people's faces. People can't even use the "Mario draws double teams" excuse anymore, because he doesn't.

Actually, Peppers has been ripped by the local Carolina media for his sloughish start and "taking plays off".

And Mario directly created a sack for Okoye and put pretty steady pressure in the KC game.

He's very inconsistenct. But the potential is there and I have little doubt that he won't reach it.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Andrew6

After finally watching the game last night I have to say there were somethings I noticed that were actually good. Our defense does well when its not on the field all game.

The Chargers didn't have to take any risks when they had the massive lead. When the game was on the line the last 3 weeks the Texans have been awful on both sides of the ball.

[Honoring Earl 34]

Originally Posted by Vinny

The Chargers didn't have to take any risks when they had the massive lead. When the game was on the line the last 3 weeks the Texans have been awful on both sides of the ball.

Calling Dr. Debakey .

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

the defense has gotten worse since Bush came on...it may be another case of too many cooks in the soup (think Sherman and Kubiak O-line theory mix). The Cardinals are 10th overall in defense this year at the halfway mark and last year they finished 29th (with Bush)...fwiw.

Certainly food for thought. But, at this point, and this may reek of desperation, but I think we need to do the ole sacrficial lamb kind of thing. Sometimes, you have to wake a team up. I say canning Smith, and maybe release someone considered safe, like a Demarcus Faggins, would send a wake up call to the rest of this motely crew. I don't really know if it would, but can it get any worse with Bush?

Last three weeks have all been 35 or more points hung on them. Are we to think it would be 45 with Bush?

[Carr Bombed]

Originally Posted by marks01234

Actually, Peppers has been ripped by the local Carolina media for his sloughish start and "taking plays off".

And Mario directly created a sack for Okoye and put pretty steady pressure in the KC game.

He's very inconsistenct. But the potential is there and I have little doubt that he won't reach it.

Peppers has already proven he can play and is one of the best at his position, he may be having a bad year, but after thowing up double digit sacks pretty much his entire career, he was due for a down year........to compare him to Mario is completely homerish.

Mario wasn't even the one supplying the most pressure in the KC game, Kalu was.

As far as the last statement, I'm tired of talking about "potential", I see a "potentially" solid player, not a potential "franchise DE" that you can build your defense around. Mario runs a great 40, but has no explosion off the line. Frankly I don't can how fast you can run a 40, the QB isn't 40 yards down the field. DL's should be timed how fast they can cover 5-10 yards. While you think it might not be fair for me to judge him this way, Mario is just another guy right now, he wasn't drafted and paid almost 60 mil, to be just "another guy" He needs to be a hellraiser.

The biggest pet peeve that I have with Mario Williams is how everybody says, "when Mario's mad he's a handful/plays better" or his coach saying "we need to find a way to get Mario mad more often".

Why the hell does Mario have to be "mad" to play up to his potential. That right there tells me he is 1.) Lazy and 2.) doesn't have the motor to be a true difference maker at this level.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Porky

Certainly food for thought. But, at this point, and this may reek of desperation, but I think we need to do the ole sacrficial lamb kind of thing. Sometimes, you have to wake a team up. I say canning Smith, and maybe release someone considered safe, like a Demarcus Faggins, would send a wake up call to the rest of this motely crew. I don't really know if it would, but can it get any worse with Bush?

Last three weeks have all been 35 or more points hung on them. Are we to think it would be 45 with Bush?

the defensive schemes are awful. In the pre-season Steph invited me to post on her blog and I stated that the defense would let us down this season since we have very few big time players and the young guys all look better in shorts than they do on the field. I'm really not too shocked, but I was hoping for better coaching to help elevate the guys who are mired in "potential". The whole thing just stinks right now.

[Hardcore Texan]

We need a good OL and a better running game. That's it. I want to see some type of offense. We better draft a couple of O-Lineman and hope Spencer returns too. We also need to take an RB in the round 1 or 3. With Taylor coming back, that might be enough at RB.

As far as defense, we need a new coordinator, it is ridiculous that our front 4 can not get anything done, and we don't even need to talk about DB play....if we want to keep the conversation clean anyway. And yes we have to draft a DB too or bring in stud FA.

Some positives:
I think Bennet is coming along
Jacoby looks like he handled contact alright catching the ball, still look tenative to me on PR's
Echemandu looked pretty darn good, he needs to be rotating with Ahman

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Vinny

the defensive schemes are awful. In the pre-season Steph invited me to post on her blog and I stated that the defense would let us down this season since we have very few big time players and the young guys all look better in shorts than they do on the field. I'm really not too shocked, but I was hoping for better coaching to help elevate the guys who are mired in "potential". The whole thing just stinks right now.

Totally agree, but is that Bush's schemes, Smith's schemes or some kind of frankenstein hybrid monster? I was under the impression that this is primarily Smith's baby. How you can have a corner or safety so out of position as to not even be in the tv screen shot is beyond me....on more than one occasion. Are the players that bad? confused? is it the scheme? Is it all of the above? I don't know the answers, but I have plenty of questions.

[Historyhorn]

Originally Posted by houstonhurricane

3 things in the upcoming draft/free agency that are small, yet important, steps in the right direction:

1) explosive running back;
2) A LT (if Spencer doesn't rebound); and
3) a solid safety

I think Bennet will turn out to be a nice CB and Schaub will do fine if we can protect him and get AJ back.

It'll be damn hard to do any more than one of these without a second round pick. We might get lucky with a RB that falls into the 3rd round and turns into a jewel, but those are tough to come by.

Go Texans

[leebigeztx]

I guess i have a problem with everyone wanting this team to be contenders right now. I'm actually just pleased they're moving along. Does this team have weaknesses? Yes, but with the exception of a few teams, who don't? I'm not here to defend Mario, but why are people still upset about not taking young. Now i'll be the 1st to say I'm a Titans fan 1st,Texans fan 2nd and as a fan of both, I wanted and felt we needed either one. The Only player i didn't want was Bush. I've read about him not doing this or that, but look at who else is on the line and who covers in the back end. Weaver applies no pressure at all, johnson has played ok and okoye is still a rook but is improving. Protection is still sliding towards Williams. Can he do better? Yes, but the entire defense can play better. Cover-sacks,pressure-picks. If you know anything about football, you will understand that phrase. As for fixing the team, they need to keep adding talent. I dont think they entered this thing thinking we will build a playoff team. The goal is to build a superbowl team. The safety spots needs to be adressed as well as the running backs, but i dont think they're going to give a running back big money. I think they wants basically 1200 yds out of their starter and 6-800 out of the backup. Thats why i think Portis/Green combo is what the texans may look at next yr. Just like they had Anderson/Bell in denver, Kubiak i think kinda thinks that way. People just needs to be patient with the team and let them build this thing right.

[Battle Red Flash]

Right away, I'd swallow my pride, and copy the better teams.
Week by week, I'd run more Colts/Pats plays on Offense, and I'd copy what the Steelers do on Defense.
But first, the Texans coaches have to admit they aren't as smart as those other coaches.

Then, by running proven schemes, you can pinpoint your weakest players.
(If you can't perform in the Steelers Defensive scheme, you sit, get it?)
Also, I'd draft at least 2 O-linemen with my first 3 picks.
Chester, Salaam, Flanagan are WEAK.

[Battle Red Flash]

One big thing:

Bench Petey now. Or waive his arse.

I just re-watched the first Gates TD. The ball clearly goes over Petey's head. He sees it. But, instead of running as hard as he can to catch Gates, he looks back at the line of scrimmage.
For what possible reason?
To make the coaches think he thought it was a run?
To try to blame someone else?
Inexcusable.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Battle Red Flash

One big thing:

Bench Petey now. Or waive his arse.

I just re-watched the first Gates TD. The ball clearly goes over Petey's head. He sees it. But, instead of running as hard as he can to catch Gates, he looks back at the line of scrimmage.
For what possible reason?
To make the coaches think he thought it was a run?
To try to blame someone else?
Inexcusable.

Faggins was playing a zone...he released Gates to DeMeco and the S...he was supposed to turn and face the offense because that is what you do when you are in a zone technique. It's called a bad scheme when you cover a guy with the immense talent of Gates with that kind of high school defensive strategy.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by Vinny

He was playing a zone...he released the ball to DeMeco and the S...he was supposed to turn and face the offense because that is what you do when you are in a zone technique. It's called a bad scheme when you cover a guy with the immense talent of Gates with that kind of high school defense.

And the Safety was nowhere to be found. Why the heck was he so far out of his coverage zone? Who knows??? I'm not a fan of zone coverage at all, but with a secondary like ours I guess it leaves us with no choice.

Pair our DBs and Richard "I'm Clueless" Smith you get an opposing offense's wet dream come true.

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by KJ3

dude, it's not like the other people on the line aren't benefiting from his pressure. it's a two way street man.

fwiw, mario's numbers are about to where they were last year...and it's only been half a season. i'd consider that marked improvement but i don't feel like a battle of semantics...

I agree whole heartedly. It annoys me when people complain that Mario only got a sack because another player on the line cause pressure. I'm sure that other DLinemen have benefitted from pressure caused by Mario, so complaining that Mario only gets sacks because of other players doesn't fly.