Don't look now but the Texans have.....

[Big Lou]

Don't look now but the Texans are the #12 ranked Defense in the league by Total YPG. It's even a possibility to crack the top ten by week 16.

I know, I know it doesn't matter since the playoffs are nothing more than an exercise in "what if!!!" at this point, but wow what a difference. That's pretty impressive considering the start of the 2009 campaign and the fact that we faced the #1 Offense twice this season.

Here is the breakdown according to NFL.com (Two games in week 14 still pending.)
#12 Defense Overall
#12 Passing Defense
#18 Rushing Defense (Imagine if we didn't have those first three games)


I know it's fool hearty optimism at this point and everyone is tired of hearing "next year", and I don't want to wait anymore, but I'm excited. If this team can resign it's playmakers, and get the interior O-Line healthy (and maybe draft some help), get the fumbling fixed via whatever it takes like draft/FA or just kicking a couple of guys asses, plus get OD back, and draft some secondary, next year can be stellar. All of the above things needed aren't out of the realm of possibility.

With one more year of experience under the same DC, and the Offense getting back on track the sky is the limit!!!!

I'm sick and tired of "next year, just wait next year", but there is a lot to look forward too, regardless of what your opinion of what should happen with the coacking situation.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by Big Lou

Don't look now but the Texans are the #12 ranked Defense in the league by Total YPG. It's even a possibility to crack the top ten by week 16.

I know, I know it doesn't matter since the playoffs are nothing more than an exercise in "what if!!!" at this point, but wow what a difference. That's pretty impressive considering the start of the 2009 campaign and the fact that we faced the #1 Offense twice this season.

Here is the breakdown according to NFL.com (Two games in week 14 still pending.)
#12 Defense Overall
#12 Passing Defense
#18 Rushing Defense (Imagine if we didn't have those first three games)


I know it's fool hearty optimism at this point and everyone is tired of hearing "next year", and I don't want to wait anymore, but I'm excited. If this team can resign it's playmakers, and get the interior O-Line healthy (and maybe draft some help), get the fumbling fixed via whatever it takes like draft/FA or just kicking a couple of guys asses, plus get OD back, and draft some secondary, next year can be stellar. All of the above things needed aren't out of the realm of possibility.

With one more year of experience under the same DC, and the Offense getting back on track the sky is the limit!!!!

I'm sick and tired of "next year, just wait next year", but there is a lot to look forward too, regardless of what your opinion of what should happen with the coacking situation.

Defense has played pretty well for the most part after the first three games. It's been the offense who has been extremely inconsistent.

[TexCanada]

Ya it is very nice to have a defense that is somewhat reliable. They still have a lot of room for improvement but steps in the right direction have been taken.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by TexCanada

Ya it is very nice to have a defense that is somewhat reliable. They still have a lot of room for improvement but steps in the right direction have been taken.

That's one reason why I hope Frank Bush can come back.

[TimeKiller]

Well, you take a Mario/Demeco bread, go triple meat in F/A with Pollard, Reeves and Smith, spread a little Cushing/Barwin/Quin draft sauce on it and behold: a sammich that's tasting more like a sammich.

Dunta should be seeing the door so I expect a highround pick or a top dollar F/A to cover on an island, we'll all hope for a Taylor Mays but get another late round safety, hope to score on a DT and we might just be building a juggernaut.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by Big Lou

Don't look now but the Texans are the #12 ranked Defense in the league by Total YPG. It's even a possibility to crack the top ten by week 16.

I know, I know it doesn't matter since the playoffs are nothing more than an exercise in "what if!!!" at this point, but wow what a difference. That's pretty impressive considering the start of the 2009 campaign and the fact that we faced the #1 Offense twice this season.

Here is the breakdown according to NFL.com (Two games in week 14 still pending.)
#12 Defense Overall
#12 Passing Defense
#18 Rushing Defense (Imagine if we didn't have those first three games)


I know it's fool hearty optimism at this point and everyone is tired of hearing "next year", and I don't want to wait anymore, but I'm excited. If this team can resign it's playmakers, and get the interior O-Line healthy (and maybe draft some help), get the fumbling fixed via whatever it takes like draft/FA or just kicking a couple of guys asses, plus get OD back, and draft some secondary, next year can be stellar. All of the above things needed aren't out of the realm of possibility.

With one more year of experience under the same DC, and the Offense getting back on track the sky is the limit!!!!

I'm sick and tired of "next year, just wait next year", but there is a lot to look forward too, regardless of what your opinion of what should happen with the coacking situation.

Ok, I am indeed one of the most pessimistic posters here but I'll see your "wait till next year" and raise you a running game of even reasonable competitive ability.

Imagine this exact same defense if the Texans could run the ball. I know I'm talking offense and you're talking defense but running the ball leads to completed drives and touchdowns. Completed drives and touchdowns lead to, well "leads" (duh!) and that leads to your defense playing from in front instead of behind or on eggshells knowing that if they make a mistake the offense may not be able to answer.

We need to run the football now. Right now is the time to draft a young running back and if you ask me do whatever is necessary to go out and get the needed upgrades to the offensive line. This is the moment. You have a prolific QB/WR combo and a defense that's on the rise. All that's left is to start running the football. We all want to know where the sacks are. Why isn't Mario getting to the QB more? Why aren't the Texans getting more sacks as a group? Why isn't our secondary getting more picks?

Play from in front and this defense will feast. The way to do that is to get the missing ground game going. We are at that crossroads where Bum Phillips once found himself. We need that big running back that other teams have to spend all week worrying about and must account for. The Texans need to find their "Earl" now and do whatever it takes to get an effective line in front of him.

That's all the optimism I have left. It's as close to a "wait till next year!" as I can come.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Well, you take a Mario/Demeco bread, go triple meat in F/A with Pollard, Reeves and Smith, spread a little Cushing/Barwin/Quin draft sauce on it and behold: a sammich that's tasting more like a sammich.

Dunta should be seeing the door so I expect a highround pick or a top dollar F/A to cover on an island, we'll all hope for a Taylor Mays but get another late round safety, hope to score on a DT and we might just be building a juggernaut.

The Taylor Mays love fest is over. He should of came out last year when he would of been drafted early because of potential. Now that hes had another year of unimpressive play hes falling fast. Hes starting to get the workout warrior label.

[El Tejano]

After looking at our schedule, you have to ask yourself how much the defense needs to thank the schedule though. It really helps a defense to play against San Fransisco, the Bills, Seattle and St. Louis. Although I give them props for the way they kept Indy in check too though.

[DeMarCushPoll]

Originally Posted by mussop

The Taylor Mays love fest is over. He should of came out last year when he would of been drafted early because of potential. Now that hes had another year of unimpressive play hes falling fast. Hes starting to get the workout warrior label.

That may be a good thing for the Texans. Didn't Cush get that same label last year? He may fall right in to our laps.

[Blake]

If we keep this defense intact, add a FS, and upgrade at DT and depth, this will be a great unit for Frank Bush to deploy.

[hookinreds]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Well, you take a Mario/Demeco bread, go triple meat in F/A with Pollard, Reeves and Smith, spread a little Cushing/Barwin/Quin draft sauce on it and behold: a sammich that's tasting more like a sammich.

That's awesome, but I don't know if I want to go eat or knock the piss out of someone.

[Goatcheese]

Originally Posted by DeMarCushPall

That may be a good thing for the Texans. Didn't Cush get that same label last year? He may fall right in to our laps.

The Knocks on Cushing were that he was a maxed out, manufactured athlete who had already reached his full potential and had trouble staying healthy.

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

After looking at our schedule, you have to ask yourself how much the defense needs to thank the schedule though. It really helps a defense to play against San Fransisco, the Bills, Seattle and St. Louis. Although I give them props for the way they kept Indy in check too though.

And you'd think we would have more than seven wins with that schedule.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by mussop

The Taylor Mays love fest is over. He should of came out last year when he would of been drafted early because of potential. Now that hes had another year of unimpressive play hes falling fast. Hes starting to get the workout warrior label.

Nobody from USC was impressive this year, not just Mr. Mays. Big and fast is certainly more than we ever drafted Okoye for. Just sayin'...

Originally Posted by hookinreds

That's awesome, but I don't know if I want to go eat or knock the piss out of someone.

Did I mention all the Dunta Robinson lettuce? Tough luck that it was already bad before it got put on the sammich.