Interview with Football Outsiders on the Texans

[Texans_Chick]

Over at the Chron blog, I did an interview with Bill Barnwell, the Managing Editor of Football Outsiders and a contributer to the Pro Football Prospectus:

HoustonTexans talk with Football Outsider's Bill Barnwell

Barnwell was very gracious in all the information he provided. Really you should check it out. Leave good comments--it helps promote thoughtful Texans talk.

The post before that one has interesting and semi-funny Texans information in it too:

Vote....For the President of the Texans

I'm trying to make the blog a place to find Texans information you can't find anyplace else or to put together stuff that is out there, but hard for most fans to find.

[GlassHalfFull]

Thanks, TC. My only problem with you blogging for the Chronicle is that it makes me break my vow about ignoring the Chronicle sports section.

I guess it is in the best interest of Houston sports to have the local paper relevant reading.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by GlassHalfFull

Thanks, TC. My only problem with you blogging for the Chronicle is that it makes me break my vow about ignoring the Chronicle sports section.

I guess it is in the best interest of Houston sports to have the local paper relevant reading.

That's the way that most Houstonians get their sports news. You can either shake your fist at them, or you can quietly encourage them to get better at what they do by leading by example.

[Texan_Bill]

Great interview TC. It was enjoyable to get an outsider's perspective.

[OzzO]

Great article! good confirmation on what's been said here for some time... can we just forward that to the Texans FO?

[TEXANS84]

That was a great article, thanks TC.

I loved the part on Fred Bennett being our #4 CB on the team and how stupid that is considering he ranked #1 in statistical categories. It's nice to hear another outsider think Richard Smith should be fired as well.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by TEXANS84

That was a great article, thanks TC.

I loved the part on Fred Bennett being our #4 CB on the team and how stupid that is considering he ranked #1 in statistical categories. It's nice to hear another outsider think Richard Smith should be fired as well.

True, but how much of that decision is Richard Smith's, and how much is Kubiak?

[spurstexanstros]

i am still waiting for some to just come out and say- Petey Faggins sucks!!!! oh wait... I just said that. How come fans clamored for David Carr to be gone when this guy(faggins) has given up more big plays than a senior citizen playing madden for the first time....sure David was a minor irritation...but this guy is killing our franchise.

[beerlover]

this was my focus taken from your interview-

BB: I think there's lots of promise there. I'm impressed with Steve Slaton. I didn't think, coming out of college, that he was among the better backs in the draft, and it looks like I was wrong. We have him rated right around the ninth or tenth-best running back in football at the moment, which is pretty nifty. It also shows the foolishness of giving veteran running backs like Ahman Green guaranteed money when they themselves are no guarantee whatsoever.

If we're talking talent evaluation, I'd like to see the Texans pick up a better deep threat to put in the slot and stretch the field. Schematically, they don't have a guy who can do that and keep the safeties honest. In an ideal world, the Texans would have Kevin Walter going over the middle, Owen Daniels serving as the possession receiver, Johnson running 12-15 yard patterns all day on the sidelines and on slants, with the occasional double move, and then a Roscoe Parrish-style receiver whose main role is to keep defenses honest.

I didnt beleive Steve was one of the better backs coming out of College but not as bad as many beleived which added alot of value to his selection & thats key to building a great draft class. jury is still out on Duane Brown but it appears he is also one of the better young tackles in the NFL. Both however are on the offensive side, combined with the offseason aquistion of Alex Gibbs emphasis was clearly placed on that side of the ball (also remember Schaub counts as our 2nd rd. pick). thats 1-2-3b on offense.

Also like his point about a deep threat to stretch the field but don't we have one in Jacoby? (seems to still be in the doghouse). if his role remains diminished then by all means look for help here in FA or by a trade. one that pops right out to me would be Ted Ginn who has underachived in Miami, I think he would great in our offenese keeping the dogs off AJ.

honestly, as much as this pains me to say it, give Richard Smith one more year with emphasis in the draft this time (1-2-3) on defense combined with the maturation of Amobi & Molden to see where we really stand. keep hope alive

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by spurstexanstros

i am still waiting for some to just come out and say- Petey Faggins sucks!!!! oh wait... I just said that. How come fans clamored for David Carr to be gone when this guy has given up more big plays than a senior citizend playing madden for the first time....sure David was a minor irritation...but this guy is killing our franchise.

this cannot be undervalued, Petey Faggins is a hardworker & great teammate.

[leebigeztx]

Great interview. Also faggins giving up 10 yds a catch is crazy. Why would an offense not throw at him all the time?

[TEXANS84]

Originally Posted by Porky

True, but how much of that decision is Richard Smith's, and how much is Kubiak?

Well, thats a good question. Obviously a head coach will be reflected upon its staff. Just look at Dallas' situation with Wade Phillips and the DC.
There comes a point in time where the poop rolls uphill, and with Kubes 3rd season with Smith progresses (and still diminishes with the defense) heads may be spinning soon.

[Texans_Chick]

Originally Posted by TEXANS84

Well, thats a good question. Obviously a head coach will be reflected upon its staff. Just look at Dallas' situation with Wade Phillips and the DC.
There comes a point in time where the poop rolls uphill, and with Kubes 3rd season with Smith progresses (and still diminishes with the defense) heads may be spinning soon.

McClain has said if the defense doesn't substantially improve that Smith is out at the end of the season.

[steelbtexan]

I'm fine with @ the end of the season.

Wish it it would hve happened 8 weeks ago.

If we can add 4 playmakers in the draft & FA we will have a great defense.

It makes since that the new DC will have a say in who we draft & pick up in FA

If Mr. McNair is willing to spend the money & we draft well we are going to be good-great for a long time.

[TexansFanatic]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

McClain has said if the defense doesn't substantially improve that Smith is out at the end of the season.

Ridiculous that he's even being given the opportunity to keep his job. If, by some miracle, the defense improves and Smith keeps his job, he will only let Kubiak and us fans down again next year. Is Kubiak really going to be willing to take that chance?

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Bill Barnwell

....is Faggins really the answer? Has he ever shown anything resembling the level of ability that Bennett showed last year in the six seasons he's played for Houston. Not even close. Ignoring that to play Faggins is silly, and if you want to fire Richard Smith, that would be the first reason why.

But wasn't it Gary Kubiak who said that Faggins was the star of last week's practices? Richard Smith doesn't coach in a vacuum. Kubiak went along with starting Faggins over Bennett. Kubiak knows what defensive schemes are to be used and what the game plan is. I just don't understand why Kubiak's arse isn't in the same fire as Smith?

[texanhead08]

Originally Posted by beerlover

this cannot be undervalued, Petey Faggins is a hardworker & great teammate.

He still sucks I dont care what kind of person he is. You can be the best guy in the world but if you cant play you cant play.

[IlliniJen]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

McClain has said if the defense doesn't substantially improve that Smith is out at the end of the season.

McClain also said that the Texans were going to draft VY.

[TheRealJoker]

Originally Posted by Lucky

But wasn't it Gary Kubiak who said that Faggins was the star of last week's practices? Richard Smith doesn't coach in a vacuum. Kubiak went along with starting Faggins over Bennett. Kubiak knows what defensive schemes are to be used and what the game plan is. I just don't understand why Kubiak's arse isn't in the same fire as Smith?

Kubes comes from an offensive background. He's an offensive coach first and foremost, that's his specialty. Richard Smith is allegedly a defensive specialist and comes from a defensive background.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by texanhead08

He still sucks I dont care what kind of person he is. You can be the best guy in the world but if you cant play you cant play.

true, I only meant these characteristic's are & have been highly valued by this organiztion. that the sum of its parts is greater than the individual player. Say what you will about Petey (sucks) but he has worked hard to hang in their despite lesser measureables, is infectious with teammates & in the community displaying the high "moral fiber" both Kubiak & Bob McNair invision for this franchise.

its going to be one heck of a test this weekend & against those fleet of WR's. the Texans will need their best games from all the cb's & safetys. not to mention can I get a sack Amobi? It would not hurt to establish a potent running game & keep their offense off the field as much as possible too. Going into week 8 the Bengals rank #27th against the run compared to a respectable 6th in the league against the pass.