PFF Week 9 Notes on Kareem's improvement, Myers, Reed, Barwin

[m5kwatts]

After struggling as a rookie, Kareem Jackson (+3.0) seems to have at last found some consistency. In last week’s game, he matched his best ever PFF rating and he improved on that this week. Jackson gave up just three catches for 40 yards and broke up two passes in coverage. He also showed some good tackling ability when he prevented a potential big return with an open field tackle on Mike Adams on the opening kickoff of the second half, then followed that up by sliding under a Joe Thomas block on the perimeter to cut down Chris Ogbonnaya for a loss on the next play. Jackson is still splitting time with Jason Allen, which makes his grade all the more impressive. If he continues to perform like this, perhaps he will be trusted to be a full-time performer in the not-too-distant future.

Other notes inside include Myers posting the highest grade on the o-line this week yet again, Brooks Reed is a beast and his rating proves it, Barwin not so good but he still got a sack.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog...texans-week-9/

[thunderkyss]

Wow, sounds like 76Texan knows what he was talking about & all those other guys were just hate'n

[BigBull17]

KJ was one feaking amazing catch away from a near perfect game. Great game by 25. I think KJ has benefitted by having an actual vet leader on d. J-Jo was a great nab.

[welsh texan]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

KJ was one feaking amazing catch away from a near perfect game. Great game by 25. I think KJ has benefitted by having an actual vet leader on d. J-Jo was a great nab.

Yep, as well as that though I think his splitting time with Jason Allen is another big factor.

I'm reminded of Duane Brown as a somewhat shaky rookie splitting time with the somewhat over-the-hill Ephraim Salaam, neither player was at that point what you'd want in your full-time Left Tackle but they managed to get the job done betweem them.

Well I think Kareem is benefitting from the same effect now, last year was a write off due to both coaching, the play around him, and the fact he simply never should have been thrown out there as #1 CB like that. This is his true rookie year and we're seeing some flashes now of the makings of a solid player in the making.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by BigBull17

KJ was one feaking amazing catch away from a near perfect game. Great game by 25. I think KJ has benefitted by having an actual vet leader on d. J-Jo was a great nab.

I think competing with Allen has helped him out more than Jjo's tuteledge.

& Allen has been great about it. Everytime Kj makes a play, you'll see Allen on the sideline giving him props. They are always on the sideline talking to each other, looking at pictures together.

In my mind, that is why Brandon Harris hasn't seen the field. Has nothing to do with how good/not good Harris is/isn't, but that Allen & Kj are doing a good job.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by welsh texan

Well I think Kareem is benefitting from the same effect now, last year was a write off due to both coaching, the play around him, and the fact he simply never should have been thrown out there as #1 CB like that. This is his true rookie year and we're seeing some flashes now of the makings of a solid player in the making.

I wouldn't write last season off completely, since Allen joined the team last year, Kj has looked better & better each week. You practically didn't hear Kj's name over the last part of the season.. & that's the way it's supposed to be.

[Rey]

KJ is looking like a good #2 corner these days.

I want to see him against a better passing attack, but really that's not just KJ that's the whole defense.

[Texn4life]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I think competing with Allen has helped him out more than Jjo's tuteledge.

& Allen has been great about it. Everytime Kj makes a play, you'll see Allen on the sideline giving him props. They are always on the sideline talking to each other, looking at pictures together.

In my mind, that is why Brandon Harris hasn't seen the field. Has nothing to do with how good/not good Harris is/isn't, but that Allen & Kj are doing a good job.

One thing I've noticed and maybe its just me since I don't go back and re-watch the games over, but it seems to me that Wade is utilizing their strengths really well. It seems that he isn't putting Kareem in too many tight man coverage situations where he's been known to struggle. Its been well noted that he thrived in a zone coverage at Alabama.

Allen on the other hand is really good at the line of scrimmage and running with receivers down the field, and has struggled at time this year off of the line especially with coming up and making tackles. Just an observation of something I thought I've noticed. Am I wrong on this one?

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I think competing with Allen has helped him out more than Jjo's tuteledge.

& Allen has been great about it. Everytime Kj makes a play, you'll see Allen on the sideline giving him props. They are always on the sideline talking to each other, looking at pictures together.

In my mind, that is why Brandon Harris hasn't seen the field. Has nothing to do with how good/not good Harris is/isn't, but that Allen & Kj are doing a good job.

I think Harris' inactivity has been solely the result of Brice McCain's spectacular play.

For whatever reason they only see Harris as a slot guy, and McCain has that spot locked down. That's why we saw mention of Harris getting some time at S when Manning went down.

I think if you saw McCain injured, you'd see Harris immediately slide into his role.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Texn4life

One thing I've noticed and maybe its just me since I don't go back and re-watch the games over, but it seems to me that Wade is utilizing their strengths really well. It seems that he isn't putting Kareem in too many tight man coverage situations where he's been known to struggle. Its been well noted that he thrived in a zone coverage at Alabama.

Allen on the other hand is really good at the line of scrimmage and running with receivers down the field, and has struggled at time this year off of the line especially with coming up and making tackles. Just an observation of something I thought I've noticed. Am I wrong on this one?

I think Wade has been asking each of them to do more of what they are not comfortable with. Allen loves to play off the line, he has very little confidence in his ability to jam a receiver at the line.

If you get a chance to watch the Browns game again, he was on the line several times, & his receiver started off the line. The TE would step off the line & the receiver would step up to the line.

Allen would back off into his backpedal..... thinking the ball was snapped. At that point, he's telling the other team that he is expecting a deep pass. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning would eat him up.

Next game you watch, watch him at the LOS, he's a nervous as all get out.

Kj doesn't really have a "weakness" that you can work on. If he's beat, he's beat. There is no make up speed or closing speed that I've been able to pick up on. But Wade leaves him on an island more than most of our fans want to give him credit for. Wade's pretty much telling him, "Don't get beat."

All that PI stuff at the end of a deep route, that's Kj getting nervous, knowing he's beat.

[Texn4life]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I think Wade has been asking each of them to do more of what they are not comfortable with. Allen loves to play off the line, he has very little confidence in his ability to jam a receiver at the line.

If you get a chance to watch the Browns game again, he was on the line several times, & his receiver started off the line. The TE would step off the line & the receiver would step up to the line.

Allen would back off into his backpedal..... thinking the ball was snapped. At that point, he's telling the other team that he is expecting a deep pass. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning would eat him up.

Next game you watch, watch him at the LOS, he's a nervous as all get out.

Kj doesn't really have a "weakness" that you can work on. If he's beat, he's beat. There is no make up speed or closing speed that I've been able to pick up on. But Wade leaves him on an island more than most of our fans want to give him credit for. Wade's pretty much telling him, "Don't get beat."

All that PI stuff at the end of a deep route, that's Kj getting nervous, knowing he's beat.

This is why I asked since I'm normally drinking pretty heavily during the games. Its a results based game, so hopefully these guys keep improving. We're going to have some interesting decisions to make next year when it comes to the secondary.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

I think Harris' inactivity has been solely the result of Brice McCain's spectacular play.

For whatever reason they only see Harris as a slot guy, and McCain has that spot locked down. That's why we saw mention of Harris getting some time at S when Manning went down.

I think if you saw McCain injured, you'd see Harris immediately slide into his role.

There is that too...

My point is that if... if the Texans weren't sure about Kj, Harris would be getting playing time now; getting ready in case they pull the plug on Kj.

Allen is not a starting corner in this league. Most people probably won't realize that until we face an offensive power like Oakland or Miami.

But he's working with Kj & what they are doing is working.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

There is that too...

My point is that if... if the Texans weren't sure about Kj, Harris would be getting playing time now; getting ready in case they pull the plug on Kj.

Allen is not a starting corner in this league. Most people probably won't realize that until we face an offensive power like Oakland or Miami.

But he's working with Kj & what they are doing is working.

??????????

[Kthx]

Can't be certain but there was like four or five throws made in a row by Campbell where Jason Allen was just getting bullied around, also I think something similar happened in Miami so maybe thats what hes talking about... dunno.

[badboy]

I have posted in the past that KJ has the size & speed & skills to become a successful #2 corner despite not wanting him in the draft. My concern was 1) couild he keep from losing his confidence being target of QBs and fans. I hoped that Wade's confidence in him and the new DB coach could improve him. We see that happening and it should get better.

#2 I was concerned if, again psychologically, he could overcome the "oh crap!" factor when the WR got away from him & mentally shift into "light the burners and catch up mode". I think this was what an earlier poster (TK?) was refering to. I too am not sure I am seeing that. However, I do not see KJ getting fooled by a wiley vet or missing his bump and going to the ground. All jokng aside, Jackson is no longer falling down.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Kthx

Can't be certain but there was like four or five throws made in a row by Campbell where Jason Allen was just getting bullied around, also I think something similar happened in Miami so maybe thats what hes talking about... dunno.

This is a lot of what I am getting at.

I understand most people don't have the advantage of watching what these guys do on the field, outside of what is shown on TV. I focus much of my attention on the secondary when I attend games, because of that. After a play, they generally replay it on the big screen & you can see what's going on around the ball, so I don't think I'm missing too much.

I've been saying for a while now that if we faced a good QB, our secondary would get torched, primarily because of what is happening with Kj & Allen. Drew Brees found Kj, but he would have found Allen just the same.

Campbell found Allen, & I don't think much of Campbell as a QB. Henne found Allen, & I don't think much of Henne as a QB.

Many people here want Allen to start & play more than Kj, primarily because of the three INTs. Imo, if you watch his INTs, he's not beating any QB or WR, he's not jumping routes, or blanketing receivers. He's taking advantage of bad throws... which is good.

Both guys continue to have problems with their games, both of them are getting better (which I would not expect from a guy who has been in the league for 6-7 years already), but Kj is much better from a pure coverage standpoint. He forces his man to the sideline when he should, jams his man & disrupts timing when he should, he redirects inside when he should... if it's a big receiver, there is no doubt about who I would want covering that receiver.

Kj isn't a blanket yet, but I think he's working that way. Not having make-up or closing speed is not going to hurt him as long as he uses what he does have, his size & physicality. Torry Smith is a burner, but because of Kj's play in the first 5 yards, Torry never burned him badly & rarely got behind him.

But Torry Smith is still learning the game as well. If you have a savy vet with Torry's talents, he'll probably school Kj.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

This is a lot of what I am getting at.

I understand most people don't have the advantage of watching what these guys do on the field, outside of what is shown on TV. I focus much of my attention on the secondary when I attend games, because of that. After a play, they generally replay it on the big screen & you can see what's going on around the ball, so I don't think I'm missing too much.

Because of this, I'm also seeing Jacoby looking like a fine WR. We haven't faced a corner yet that can consistently cover him. The balls not getting to Jacoby & that is shaping a lot of opinions about him. Sometimes the pass rush is getting to Schaub, sometimes Schaub doesn't see him, & I have to imagine there are times that Schaub just don't trust him.

But Jacoby is doing a lot of things really well, including blocking downfield. That block he had on Hayden at the goal line on a 29 yard run.... imagine how long you have to hold that block & he was all over Hayden. He hasn't been doing that all season, there were a few plays vs Jacksonville where you could see he was lost on what he was supposed to do.

But it's fun to watch him out there.

[Kthx]

I would agree with you on both points TK, as much as I hate to eat crow I have to do it twice in the same post. Kareem Jackson has been looking a lot more comfortable in the last several games, and has even made some really good plays. Jacoby saw the writing on the wall I think and has definitely stepped his game up also, his route running is a bit more crisp, hes holding onto balls after catching them, and instead of taking steps back from the CB or Safety guarding him on a run play that gets into the second level he is actively blocking for Foster/Tate instead.

Major props to both of them for quieting the critics a tad.

[TimeKiller]

Well, good for KJ. I sincerely hope he keeps it up against tougher competition, which at this point is probably almost everybody. Browns' O wasn't a professional level unit, I don't think anybody would argue with that. Save Joe Thomas, Hillis on the bench and like MAYBE Cribbs there isn't a real NFL caliber player out there. Like to see the improvement, definitely but it's one of those...there wasn't too much lower to go kind of things. Tip o' the hat.

They said Barwin posted the only negative number for the Texans, despite his sack. I'd like to know what went into that, it seemed like he and Reed were terrorizing the OT's all day. Reed posted a positive number. Just seems odd to me.

[HOU-TEX]

Sorry, but I had to use this somewhere. Hilarious!!!