Can Leinart Lead texans to the play-offs ?

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Leinart's past history in AZ? Yeah that bothers me a whole lot, and I just hope that he can overcome it.

What happened in Arizona doesn't bother me at all. That team had/has more wholes than they realized. I think Warner was able to overcome all the deficiencies, which says more about Warner than it does about Leinart.

He performed as well as anyone could have expected him to his rookie season, then broke his collar bone his sophomore season.

Warner came in & stole the job (not in a bad way on Warner's part). Then when Warner left, everyone expected Leinart to step in & keep it going.

Leinart isn't Warner & never will be, totally different type of QB. He's more like Schaub & this team is better suited for him than AZ...

I'm genuinely anxious to see Leinart this Sunday. I think he's going to shock the world.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

I don't remember where I read or heard this, but someone said that Leinart had already started developing good work habits while in Arizona. I'll see if I can dig up the source. That may be what bothers me more about Warner's comments. If he started to pick up good habits while with the Cards and Warner still think he can be a game manager at best then does that mean he's not any good? Or maybe Warner just doesn't like Leinart for personal reasons? It's all guessing games at this point. I just want Sunday to get here so we can start to find out one way or another!

Who knows what Warner has going through his head. With his words he is implying that the Texans don't need to make Leinart into a franchise QB, and that Leinart isn't going to turn into one of those either. Not everybody can be a competent game manager, and really I don't think Leinart would be better off trying to make plays. Now whether Warners interactions with Leinart have shaped his opinion in a way that can't be turned until he sees improvement on the field is another matter, but I don't think Warner was going out of his way to break Leinart down on that segment.

My big concern with Leinart has to do with turnovers. Maybe he threw those interceptions because it was on him to make plays with those WR's. Maybe he won't have as many INT's because the plays will be made more by the offensive line and RB's, maybe he will have many INT's. Really though the speculation about whether he can be a game manager, or a high level pro is just that, speculation. We probably won't really know what we have under center until he's played a few games.

One thing we do know, is that he will probably throw a pass on his first snap, cause that's just how Gary K. rolls.

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

What happened in Arizona doesn't bother me at all. That team had/has more wholes than they realized. I think Warner was able to overcome all the deficiencies, which says more about Warner than it does about Leinart.

He performed as well as anyone could have expected him to his rookie season, then broke his collar bone his sophomore season.

Warner came in & stole the job (not in a bad way on Warner's part). Then when Warner left, everyone expected Leinart to step in & keep it going.

Leinart isn't Warner & never will be, totally different type of QB. He's more like Schaub & this team is better suited for him than AZ...

I'm genuinely anxious to see Leinart this Sunday. I think he's going to shock the world.

Meh, I'm kind of a believer that if you have true talent you can make bad situations work somewhat, and Leinart didn't seem to be making AZ work for him. Whether his coach hated him, or he was in the wrong system or what have you, I think he was a bad QB in Arizona. Now we've seen players have strong second acts on different teams, so it's not out of this realm that he is a really talented QB that was just in a bad situation. However, his first act was pretty bad, and that's what kind of worries me, especially all the INT's.

I tell you who is a lot more anxious than I am to watch the game on Sunday: Every female family member of mine that watches football. Apparently he uses the same number as Brad Ausmas who was also, a bit of a heart throb.

[The Pencil Neck]

People throw around the "game manager" tag like it's a bad thing. I don't see that it is. A game manager takes what the defense is giving him and doesn't make any stupid plays to turn the ball over. I don't see that as a sin.

I don't know what happened in Arizona. I don't think Wisenhunt really wanted Leinart. I don't think Warner ever personally liked Leinart. And I think when Leinart was with Wisenhunt (and Warner), he had a bad attitude and he didn't study enough. But I don't know.

But I think that Leinart has learned a lot from working with Schaub. Eric Winston has said that Leinart has pretty much been following Schaub around like a little brother, doing everything he does. And that includes coming in at 6AM to study tape... something Leinart DIDN'T do in Arizona.

And I really get the feeling that the players are expecting Leinart to come in and kick ass. Not just be a game manager, but to rekindle that USC magic.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

People throw around the "game manager" tag like it's a bad thing. I don't see that it is. A game manager takes what the defense is giving him and doesn't make any stupid plays to turn the ball over. I don't see that as a sin.

I don't know what happened in Arizona. I don't think Wisenhunt really wanted Leinart. I don't think Warner ever personally liked Leinart. And I think when Leinart was with Wisenhunt (and Warner), he had a bad attitude and he didn't study enough. But I don't know.

But I think that Leinart has learned a lot from working with Schaub. Eric Winston has said that Leinart has pretty much been following Schaub around like a little brother, doing everything he does. And that includes coming in at 6AM to study tape... something Leinart DIDN'T do in Arizona.

And I really get the feeling that the players are expecting Leinart to come in and kick ass. Not just be a game manager, but to rekindle that USC magic.

Well I think that if the said player (Matt Leinart) actually shows some good habits while working with the rest of the offense, then that gives a better overall feeling to the rest of the offense. Judging from quotes from various Texans, that's what is happening, however none of this garuntees heisman-winner Leinart for the Texans. Eric Winston could be just as surprised as us if Leinart has a multi-turnover game.

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

People throw around the "game manager" tag like it's a bad thing. I don't see that it is. A game manager takes what the defense is giving him and doesn't make any stupid plays to turn the ball over. I don't see that as a sin.

I don't know what happened in Arizona. I don't think Wisenhunt really wanted Leinart. I don't think Warner ever personally liked Leinart. And I think when Leinart was with Wisenhunt (and Warner), he had a bad attitude and he didn't study enough. But I don't know.

But I think that Leinart has learned a lot from working with Schaub. Eric Winston has said that Leinart has pretty much been following Schaub around like a little brother, doing everything he does. And that includes coming in at 6AM to study tape... something Leinart DIDN'T do in Arizona.

And I really get the feeling that the players are expecting Leinart to come in and kick ass. Not just be a game manager, but to rekindle that USC magic.

I kinda want to add to this that if you look at the 6 or so weeks, Schuab largley has been a "game manager." The Texans have won mostly because of defense and the running game with a key throw here or there. IMO, Leinert at his best is no different that Schaub at his best. Now, can we get the out Leinert is a real, legitimate question.

In terms of making the playoffs, the Texans probably need to win 3 more since I don't see Tennessee winning 10, especially the Tacks have already lost 5 (and are behind on the tie-breakers at the moment).

[Grams]

My first throught after hearing that Schaub was probably out for the rest of the season is "We're Screwed".

I am not now, nor have I ever been a Leinart fan. I was not impressed by his showing in pre-season. I think Yates has more upside and will be better at some point.

But the more I read and think about this, I think Leinart can do the job. This is not last years Texans. We are not asking him to be Brady or Manning. We just need him to be himself. We have the team around him on both sides of the ball. If there is one thing that Kubiak does very, very well is training QB's and designing an offensive system that they work in very well. If Kubiak did not see something in Leinart, they probably would not have re-signed him this year. If Leinart did not see something in Kubiak and the Texans, he probably would not have come back.

This is Leinart's oportunity to show the world that he is not the bust most people think. As long as he keeps his head in the game and does not pull a "Rosencopter" he can do that. He has the physical tools, he just needs to keep his head on straight and we will be just fine.

[Thorn]

Of course Leinart can lead the Texans to the play offs. A monkey handing the ball off can lead the Texans to the playoffs because all we have to do is win a few games against the worthless teams left on our schedule. With our RBs and defense we can do that with Leinart or Yates or what-his-name we just signed.

The real question is what can Leinart do for us once we get into the playoffs. Buy that time he'll have six games under his belt, has shaken the rust off, and is ready for a playoff run. If not, Yates or that other guy will our QB by then.

For now, I'm mixing the kool aid with my coffee and cheering on Matty Hot Tub as our future. In any case we'll have a lot of questions answered this Sunday.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

The Eisen Podcast had some stuff on this that was very revealing that I hadn't thought about.

Leinart said that with the old Viking's offensive coordinator coming in, he (Matt) would have to learn a completely new offense. And the fact that the lockout was making this an offseason where he wouldn't have as much opportunity to learn that offense bothered him. Combine that to the fact that they were getting Tarvaris Jackson who already knew the offense and Matt didn't think he had much of a shot of winning the job.

The circumstances just conspired against him or he would have gone.

I think that was a very mature and studied way to look at it.

Given those factors, I'm pretty sure I would have made the same call Leinart did. To go to Seattle and start over learning a completely new offense would have probably amounted to a set back. He already had a year under his belt with Kubiak's offense, why waste it by going to Seattle? And on top of that, we have a much better team? I see very few positives for Leinart to going to Seattle.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Thorn

Of course Leinart can lead the Texans to the play offs. A monkey handing the ball off can lead the Texans to the playoffs because all we have to do is win a few games against the worthless teams left on our schedule. With our RBs and defense we can do that with Leinart or Yates or what-his-name we just signed.

Rushing Defense ypa

1. Baltimore
2. Cincinnati
3. San Francisco
4. Seattle
5. Miami
6. Minnesota
7. Atlanta
8. Denver
9. Arizona
10. New York Jets
11. Jacksonville

Our remaining schedule

1. Jacksonville
2. Atlanta
3. Cincinnati
4. Carolina
5. Indianapolis
6. Tennessee

At home, we had trouble running against Jacksonville. Now we're going to have to do it on the road.

We're going to need our QB to make a few plays.

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

At home, we had trouble running against Jacksonville. Now we're going to have to do it on the road.

We're going to need our QB to make a few plays.

At the most extreme example possible, let's say the Titans go 5-1 the rest of the season, their only loss being to the Texans in the final game. That puts them at 10-6 for the year with the Texans holding the tie breaker. All the Texans have to do is win 3 of 6, one of those being the Titans.

But the Titans aren't going to go 5-1 over their last 6 games. More than likely, they'll go 3-3 at best. If they go 3-3 making them 8-8 for the season, all the Texans have to do is lose the next five games but beat the Titans in the final for an 8-8 owning the tie breaker.

The Texans are going to the playoffs no matter who the QB is.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

At home, we had trouble running against Jacksonville. Now we're going to have to do it on the road.

We're going to need our QB to make a few plays.

Actually, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we didn't start out attacking them thru the air with WR and/or TE screens and some quick slants to AJ to keep them from stacking 8 in the box; especially with their secondary being somewhat depleted. Should those be successful, the running game will open up.

[ubecool454]

Originally Posted by EllisUnit

Warren Sapp who is usually really positive about the texans, sure dont sound very confident about Leinart.

Don't listen to Sapp etc because Leinhart doesn't relly have to "carry" this team. Schaub didn"t "carry" this team. Leinhart is not going to be put in a position by the coaching staff to fail. I liked this guy when he was at USC and I'm confident that he will be just fine with all the talent he has around him.

[ubecool454]

Originally Posted by Grams

My first throught after hearing that Schaub was probably out for the rest of the season is "We're Screwed".

I am not now, nor have I ever been a Leinart fan. I was not impressed by his showing in pre-season. I think Yates has more upside and will be better at some point.

But the more I read and think about this, I think Leinart can do the job. This is not last years Texans. We are not asking him to be Brady or Manning. We just need him to be himself. We have the team around him on both sides of the ball. If there is one thing that Kubiak does very, very well is training QB's and designing an offensive system that they work in very well. If Kubiak did not see something in Leinart, they probably would not have re-signed him this year. If Leinart did not see something in Kubiak and the Texans, he probably would not have come back.

This is Leinart's oportunity to show the world that he is not the bust most people think. As long as he keeps his head in the game and does not pull a "Rosencopter" he can do that. He has the physical tools, he just needs to keep his head on straight and we will be just fine.

Yates?.......Man if my brother who is a big UNC Tarheels fan and goes to most of there games was to hear you speak highly of Yates he might just start laughing. Yates needs some time to learn and thats not saying he is not going to be a good QB but right now I don't want to even find out if he is ready.

[Vinny]

3rd and long is the key. I think Leinart can do the stretch play action stuff as well as Schaub, can manage the game as well as Schaub and will do quite well when in normal down and distance situations. However, every game has 2nd and 3rd and long. Leinart has to be able to stand in the pocket in a hot rush and make cool, level headed decisions. This is what will tell us how much of a factor the Texans will be against the better teams in the league (playoffs). If Leinart can handle unfavorable down and distance situations, this team can go a long way. If not, we're likely one and done in the playoffs.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by DX-TEX

After 10 years of a nervous twitch with this team I find it funny that RIGHT NOW I have absolute confidence Leinart will be fine and actually show some "experts" up.

I agree with this take. I am usually fairly cynical about these things, but for some odd reason, I'm not sweating Leinart taking the reigns at QB. With our D and running game, dude just has to avoid costly mistakes and make a play here and there to convert.

Originally Posted by b0ng

I think Leinart's decision to stick with Houston in the offseason rather than go to Seattle doesn't bother me. That team is just not nearly as good as the Texans, and while he may have familiarity with the coach up there it might be just as well for him that he didn't take that job. What if he did win the starters position? He might fail just by the team that's around him, I mean who is Seattle's best WR, Sydney Rice? What's their running game made up of, Marshawn Lynch?

Leinart's past history in AZ? Yeah that bothers me a whole lot, and I just hope that he can overcome it.

Seattle sucks. I don't blame Leinart for avoiding that franchise right now. And like has been said, without an off-season, it was a situation that was setting him up to fail. His best option was to stay in H-town and learn under Kubiak/Schaub and be ready if/when he got the chance to play.

Originally Posted by TexanSam

That kinda bugs me because Kurt Warner knows Leinart from their days in Arizona. Sapp and the others never played with Leinart so they're judging him based on his past experience.

But no one, not even Warner though, can know how he's going to do. He's been with us for a year and a half now, so the only ones who know if he's matured as a player are the guys in our locker room. They know what kind of work ethic he has. They know if he's put in the extra time. All we can do is hope that he has and show it on the field the next six weeks. Kubiak didn't go out and get another backup to replace Leinart so I think that's a positive sign. We just gotta hope he's right. I'm excited and anxious about Sunday.

Warner is talking out of both sides of his mouth now. Last week he had some really positive things to say about Leinart, in terms of maturing and learning how to prepare as a QB.

To hear him be so wishy-washy now makes me wonder about Warner as an analyst...

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Vinny

If not, we're likely one and done in the playoffs.

Just out of curiosity, does it make a difference between one & done in the wild-card round & one & done in the divisional round?

or is one & done, one & done?

[GP]

I'll be watching THIS guy from here on out. I like his toughness, his ability to take a hit but still deliver the ball on time and on target...and then to scrape himself up off the turf and do it all over again on the next snap.

Just don't know if he'll come out as a Junior, or stay one more year.

Keep Your Eye on #8 Today vs. LSU...

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by GP

I'll be watching THIS guy from here on out. I like his toughness, his ability to take a hit but still deliver the ball on time and on target...and then to scrape himself up off the turf and do it all over again on the next snap.

Just don't know if he'll come out as a Junior, or stay one more year.

Keep Your Eye on #8 Today vs. LSU...

Looks like he could use that additional year of experience.
Or maybe LSU is just >>>> than Ark.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Just out of curiosity, does it make a difference between one & done in the wild-card round & one & done in the divisional round?

or is one & done, one & done?

I guess it does if you play well enough in the divisional round and barely lose. I mean you are losing to a better team that way. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same. For us, it would be nice that, if we get a bye, they let us play the Colts or somebody in Houston in the wild card round, LOL.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

Just out of curiosity, does it make a difference between one & done in the wild-card round & one & done in the divisional round?

or is one & done, one & done?

Not sure if I understand the question but isn't the purpose of the playoffs to determine the best team in the Conference? 12 teams get into the playoffs every year so if that makes your hat propeller twirl, it should be spinning like mad this season. If you want this team to be able to say its one of the top teams in the AFC then you have to beat someone in the playoffs. Anyone really. Other than that, eh...everyone gets into the playoffs here and there. Heck the Browns went one and done a few years ago...so what did that get them?