Richard Smith/Hoke/Franklin - fired!!!

[Ole Miss Texan]

Originally Posted by bigbrewster2000

Our RG is probably the most consistent Lineman we have. That is according to OD and Joel Dreissen yesterday on 1560. Not to mention thatalmost all of Slaton's big gains came right behind Briesel. And the coaches love the guy. I think Meyers can get the job done. Having continuity on the line is huge. Especially in the ZBS scheme. I think that was pretty apparent as the season went along and the linemen all got comfortable with each other.

Consistency can often times be a very misinterpreted term. Jacoby Jones is our most consistent punt returner- he consistently fumbles the return.

But that really is good to hear from OD, JD and that the coaches really like him. I do think as this line plays together more they will improve.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by FirstTexansFan

Sorry, but I don't think this offense is set by any measure. Two glaring issues to me is our center and right guard.

I just don't think we need to tinker with this combination for at least another year. We need to let these guys play together for more than one season to see how good they can get as a group. If we keep swapping parts out every year then we'll never know and always be complaining about problems on the line. I'm fairly certain that we've never started two seasons with the same players starting all 5 positions on the line.

As much as everyone hates to hear people say "give them time to gel" that doesn't change the fact that it's still necessary. We finished the season on offense 3rd in total offense, 4th in passing offense, and 13th in rushing offense. We gave up 32 sacks.

Now, 20 of those sacks came in the first half of the season (games 1-8) and 12 of them came in the second half of the season. Pass protection got better. It got better because the running game became real as opposed to theory.

In the first 8 weeks of the season we averaged 111.3 yards on the ground per game. In the last 8 weeks we averaged 119.4 on the ground. In numbers that's a small little 10 yard blip but when taken in context it's significant. Early in the year our running game was here one week and gone the next. We bounced around from 75 yards against the Steelers to 146 against the Titans and then back to 79 yards against the Jaguars before busting out for 156 against the Colts. We were all over the place and we were splitting carries a lot between Ahman Green and Steve Slaton. One guy was too old and the other was a rookie. As Slaton seemed to find his legs at this level Green finally went down to the inevitable injury. That put us in a weird spot around the middle of the season. We basically piled it all on his shoulders and he responded. He did a lot of that early stuff on his own. To top things off we were throwing the ball way too much early on because we couldn't seem to rely on the running game. During the time Sage came in and started from halftime at Minnesota to Monday Night Football against Jacksonville Slaton got going and from that point on our sacks started dropping and our turnovers started to go away. We were still too generous but at least things were getting back under control.

We have to see if they can continue to improve and even if they can't this is still good enough to leave alone while we work on our defense for a year or so. If we had been able to keep two of our first four opponents under 30 points we would be 10-6 right now. If we'd been able to keep Indianapolis under 30 points the second time we'd met them then we'd be 11-5, in the playoffs with a 5-1 record in the AFC South and that's with the offense as-is.

[Kaiser Toro]

Expectations are to be a playoff team next year. Within those expectations we need to address three things - Red Zone offense, cut back turnovers and a DC. In my opinion, we have to address the interior line in this draft or FA as it simply cannot be counted on to own the LOS in the red zone.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Expectations are to be a playoff team next year. Within those expectations we need to address three things - Red Zone offense, cut back turnovers and a DC. In my opinion, we have to address the interior line in this draft or FA as it simply cannot be counted on to own the LOS in the red zone.

I agree with the comments on continuity of the line, and believe we should re-sign Brisiel and stay with the current five. More importantly, Kubiak has stated that he'd like to see this line stay together next season, and he's been pretty much a straight shooter on stuff like that (he either gives the truth, or he gives nothing, but he doesn't give you lies), so I think it's a reasonably safe bet that we will stay with the current line.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Expectations are to be a playoff team next year.

What if we go 11-5 and still miss the playoffs, like the Patriots did this year?
Still, a failure?

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by Marcus

What if we go 11-5 and still miss the playoffs, like the Patriots did this year?
Still, a failure?

No. If that happens then we're winning and the conference just shook out like that. Not much we can do about it but come back the next season and try to win 12 or 13.

[HoustonFrog]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Expectations are to be a playoff team next year. Within those expectations we need to address three things - Red Zone offense, cut back turnovers and a DC. In my opinion, we have to address the interior line in this draft or FA as it simply cannot be counted on to own the LOS in the red zone.

As long as defense is the question and the draft is a subject...I'd add MLB to a massive need in FA or the draft. I just think DeMeco is going to wear down at some point. Maybe some D-linemen clogging the middle will help. Right now he takes punishment though.

[RipTraxx]

Sorry been away from the comp.

So we have the candidates...who do yall like?

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Expectations are to be a playoff team next year. Within those expectations we need to address three things - Red Zone offense, cut back turnovers and a DC. In my opinion, we have to address the interior line in this draft or FA as it simply cannot be counted on to own the LOS in the red zone.

Pretty much my thoughts on the OL. Looks good in between the 20's but has a real difficult time in both the RZ and in short conversions where we need to dominate or at least hold the LOS. I'm not sure this unit is capable of that. Maybe it can be helped with a bigger back or running more stretch plays where we can cater more to the speed of our OL.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by Marcus

What if we go 11-5 and still miss the playoffs, like the Patriots did this year?
Still, a failure?

I'll take 11-5 every season with or without the playoffs.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by FirstTexansFan

Sorry, but I don't think this offense is set by any measure. Two glaring issues to me is our center and right guard.

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Not saying everything is ideal on O, only I don't expect any changes.

Yes we need upgrades at certain positions on offense, including running back (Not starting running back, calm down). With that said it sure has hell is not a glaring weakness like the Defense is.

Safety
OLB
DE
DT (run stuffer)

[Thorn]

Just a thought on all this, but if we had a good DC would the current crop of players do better? Other than AJ and Slaton, (maybe Schaub, Walter) do we really have any super stars on our offense? Maybe it's because of the coaching they did so well this year. I think it's reasonable to think the same could happen with the defense.

[Brando]

This is from some poster at TC's blog at the Chronicle and all I have to say about the following is .

Larry Johnson wants out of KC lets get a package together and trade mario and company to KC and maybe Mario and a draft pick for Larry Johnson. Come on Texans make a move like you really want to win and win now. The Jets, Browms, and Detroit are serious about their football teams and they are not just something to brag about or to just have as another symbol that our city is a happening place. They want a good coach and team because they love football. One day Houston will get with the program. I can't beleieve they didn't make a clean sweep and get serious about finding a good experienced caoch that can take this team and move them to the next 2 levels, like Atlanta and Miami. It's almost like we still don't have a professional team here. Well at least we get to watch other good teams as they come to Houston from time to time. I guess another sub-par year will warrant a coaching change and then we will be even that further behind the competition.

chron.com TC's blog


I edited my post, I didn't know how much I goofed, Sorry Stephanie.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by Brando

is is from TC's blog at the Chronicle and all I have to say about the following is .





chron.com TC's blog

This is TC's response to the user comment that you quoted. In the event there is any confusion.

[You want to trade one of the best young defensive ends in the league and a draft pick to KC for a running back who will be 30 next year, faces legal troubles and is often injured? Is this a put on? -S]

[RipTraxx]

Originally Posted by Brando

is is from TC's blog at the Chronicle and all I have to say about the following is .





chron.com TC's blog

WOW! Sounds like someone started their NYE drinkin a lil early

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by Thorn

Just a thought on all this, but if we had a good DC would the current crop of players do better? Other than AJ and Slaton, (maybe Schaub, Walter) do we really have any super stars on our offense? Maybe it's because of the coaching they did so well this year. I think it's reasonable to think the same could happen with the defense.

We have them, but since they play for the Texans, they aren't as popular.

[Brando]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

This is TC's response to the user comment that you quoted. In the event there is any confusion.

Thanks, I forgot to include that, I guess his "trade Mario and a draft pick for Larry Johnson" scenario threw me off.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by Thorn

Just a thought on all this, but if we had a good DC would the current crop of players do better? Other than AJ and Slaton, (maybe Schaub, Walter) do we really have any super stars on our offense? Maybe it's because of the coaching they did so well this year. I think it's reasonable to think the same could happen with the defense.

Amen. I firmly believe that there's a good number of average to slightly above average NFL players who are considered to be better than they are because of the system they're in. I think there's a pretty good chance we have some players on this team who could fall into that category if given the right system. The theory also works the other way around, and I think that's where we've been to this point.

I think this is one of the big reasons "Big Name" FA signings are often disappointing. Different system - different player.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by ChampionTexan

Amen. I firmly believe that there's a good number of average to slightly above average NFL players who are considered to be better than they are because of the system they're in. I think there's a pretty good chance we have some players on this team who could fall into that category if given the right system. The theory also works the other way around, and I think that's where we've been to this point.

I think this is one of the big reasons "Big Name" FA signings are often disappointing. Different system - different player.

Outside of the top 10-15 players at a given position, the rest of the NFL is full of system players. Success is about matching systems and players. The Texans offense did not get an overload of highly regarded draft picks and high dollar free agents, but has found a way to improve greatly by right player in right situation.

[SheTexan]

Originally Posted by Brando

Thanks, I forgot to include that, I guess his "trade Mario and a draft pick for Larry Johnson" scenario threw me off.

Phewwwww!! I thought you had really gone loco Brando!!

Must have been a Cowboy fan that posted such nonsense!! Trade Mario for ANYONE and Houston fans would go balistic!!