What happened to Yates?

[gtexan02]

Against Cincinnati TJ Yates was an unspectacular 11/20 for 159 yards and 1 TD. A huge chunk of that came on one deep ball to AJ. However he accounted for no turnovers and completed key 3rd down passes. He managed the game really well and was a big part of that win.

Against Baltimore TJ pretty much single-handedly accounted for our ineffectiveness on offense. Despite a record shattering performance by Arian Foster, he ended up 17/35 for 184 yards with 3 INTs. There were several dropped INTs as well (one by Ray Lewis, one by Ed Reed, and may be more that I can't remember).

It leaves you wondering "What if Matt Schaub were healthy..." or "How good of a day would Foster have had if they were scared of our passing game..."

Anyway, the two games looked like they featured totally different quarterbacks. One who was very careful with the ball and one who was very sloppy. So what do you think the main difference was? (I realize the easy answer would be that all of them played a part in our loss, but the goal of the poll is to see which you feel was the most important factor). I'm curious what other people feel so that we can figure out what the best way to prepare for next season is, and also whether or not Schaub would have made that much of a difference.

Choice 1: Jacoby Jones -
That fumble changed the momentum of the game. We were ahead, had made a great stop on defense, and then gave up the lead. Being down early forced Yates to be more aggressive and ended up resulting in another turnover. That led to points as well. All of Yates INTs came when he was trying to make up ground quickly, and this first fumble by Jones set the inevitable train in motion.

Choice 2: Baltimore's defense -
Baltimore had the #3 total defense vs Cincinnati's #7. Baltimore was #4 against the pass, Cincinnati #9. Interestingly Baltimore was #1 in passer rating allowed while Cincinnati was #17.
Was the defense in Baltimore just so much better that it made the majority of the difference against Yates?

Choice 3: Home field advantage -
It was loud on defense in Baltimore while our crowd gave our team a huge boost in Houston. Was the crowd noise the biggest problem?

Choice 4: Lack of legitimate secondary receivers -
It seems like the majority of INTs came when Yates decided he was going to throw to AJ even when he wasn't open. Was this because our other WRs simply weren't getting open?

Choice 5: Rookie inexperience -
As above, but was the reason rookie inexperience vs lack of options? Did being a rookie and lacking the discipline and experience to survey all your passing routes finally catch up to Yates? A few times in the game Yates played like a true veteran (spinning out of sacks, throwing the ball away). And yet others he looked every bit the rookie that he really is.

[Mr. Texan]

all of the above

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by Mr. Texan

all of the above

yup.

[MojoMan]

All of the above.

Yates did about as well as can reasonably be expected. It was just too big of a responsibility for him at this stage of his career. He has earned the privilege to continue his professional development as an NFL quarterback with his performance out on the field. And that will happen.

In fact, if Matt Schaub had played yesterday, I expect that the Texans would have won that game. And he will be back next year, which should be a really good year for the Houston Texans.

[StarStruck]

# 2

[PHAROAH]

Yes all of those points are pretty accurate but I would move up no true option at the #2 or #3 WR position that was huge and pretty obvious no other WR could open when we needed them.

[IlliniJen]

Rookie inexperience. He didn't seem to read through progressions and forced the ball way too many times. I thought he was zeroing in on the play that was called and not going to other options if available. There were 3 interceptions in our two playoff games that were not made because the DBs just didn't make the play...so in total, his turnovers should have been much higher.

I was also not impressed with his accuracy on some throws. I don't know if this problem has been nerves or what...but while he can throw to the middle (although behind his receivers some times), I don't get the impression with a small body of work that he's comfortable working to the sidelines.

At this point, it's really hard for me to see whether or not he's starter material in a couple years. Who knows, with a full training camp and time on the sideline to watch and really digest what's happening on the field, he may emerge in 2 years as a very promising starter for the team's future. Right now, I'm not sold.

[Ranger Tom]

Originally Posted by Mr. Texan

all of the above

This.

[cuppacoffee]

TJ just had too much confidence in AJ making the play if he just threw it up there.

Rook got tons of experience that he would not have gotten had things turned out differently.

Maybe it will pay dividends in the future.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by IlliniJen

Rookie inexperience. He didn't seem to read through progressions and forced the ball way too many times. I thought he was zeroing in on the play that was called and not going to other options if available. There were 3 interceptions in our two playoff games that were not made because the DBs just didn't make the play...so in total, his turnovers should have been much higher.

I was also not impressed with his accuracy on some throws. I don't know if this problem has been nerves or what...but while he can throw to the middle (although behind his receivers some times), I don't get the impression with a small body of work that he's comfortable working to the sidelines.

At this point, it's really hard for me to see whether or not he's starter material in a couple years. Who knows, with a full training camp and time on the sideline to watch and really digest what's happening on the field, he may emerge in 2 years as a very promising starter for the team's future. Right now, I'm not sold.

Actually I agree with you're entire post. But the prime reason is that he's not NFL-ready. Not yet.

This... I thought he was zeroing in on the play that was called and not going to other options if available. ...is what he needs to work on the most.

I've watched the game twice now and he could have possibly thrown 2 or 3 additional picks if the Ravens don't drop them or our guys don't end up playing DB to break up his passes.

He never seemed to relax and just play football. And each pick - or near pick - seemed to make him that much more uptight.

Lastly, if Yates lets Jacoby's fumble - that happened FIVE MINUTES into a 60-minute game - rattle him for 55 minutes then he damn sure ain't ready to be a leader.
A leader steps up. A leader would have said, "shake it off Jacoby, we're going to get that one back and then some."
I'll bet you a C-note that's what Schaub would have done.
Maybe, after a few years of seasoning, that's what Yates will do.
But he ain't ready today.

[H.C.4100-Bloc]

# 5

[texanhead08]

The biggest play I have a problem with was the last offensive snap. Its 4th and 2 and you throw a hail mary. We probably have 2 more snaps if we just get the first down and get out of bounds. That was a horrible decesion on Yates part.

[Texecutioner]

What happened is exactly what people should have expected to happen. He was an inexperienced rookie that was thrown into the fire and had to play an experienced Ravens team in the playoffs. THe fact that people were predicting SB runs for Yates during the regular season was ridiculous to say the least.

I just hope that people can get off this Yates bandwagon from this point on, because his ceiling is not ever going to be that high. He is not the future of this team. He is capable of probably being a decent QB in this league like a Mark Sanchez/Jake Delhomme/Joe Flacco type at some point, but he's never going to be capable of being an elite level type of passer. I like the guy and respect what he tried to do considering the situation he was thrown in, but I never once saw anything spectacular from this kid.

The Texans need to start looking for Schaub's replacement in the next two seasons in the draft to start grooming for when Schaub is no longer playing at his best level or when another really bad injury occurs. Yates is "not" that guy to be counted on for the future. Hell no.

[Mr. Texan]

I think some of you had unrealistic expectations of TJ. He's a rookie going on the road against a great defense and looked like a rookie going on the road against a great defense.

look at the film
learn from your mistakes
and move on to try and become a better qb.

[Speedy]

Getting the ball to AJ as much as you can is always good, but him being on the field gets other guys open too, and Yates just wasn't going to/finding those guys.

I recall one play where Yates tried to force it to AJ and Walter was streaking down the middle wide open.

When AJ draws crowds, find the open man. That's part of AJ's greatness.

[Double Barrel]

TJ is a rookie playing against a great defense with years of playoff experience. It would have been very unusual for him to beat that defense, and it's the primary reason why the majority of analysts and non-Texans fans predicted a win for the Ravens.

The great thing about this team, though, is that they could have won the game even with a rookie QB.

This loss will certainly make this team better next season. No moral victories in my world, but every experience provides lessons that can greatly improve individual players and teams as a whole.

They just need to go into the 2012 season with more weapons on offense and no Jacoby Jones on the roster.

[Speedy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Texan

I think some of you had unrealistic expectations of TJ. He's a rookie going on the road against a great defense and looked like a rookie going on the road against a great defense.

look at the film
learn from your mistakes
and move on to try and become a better qb.

I didn't have unrealistic expectations. But I do think he tried to put a little more on his shoulders when all he needed to do is what he's been doing, and that's not forcing things and not making mistakes.

[Corrosion]

Ed Reed happened to Yates .....

[Mr. Texan]

Originally Posted by Speedy

I didn't have unrealistic expectations. But I do think he tried to put a little more on his shoulders when all he needed to do is what he's been doing, and that's not forcing things and not making mistakes.

i'd rather tj takes chances then play ultra conservative like the colts game.

he did some good things (eluded sure sacks to make plays) and did some bad things.

let's not forget he actually won a playoff game (not to specifically accredit him with the win because it was a team effort) and 2 wins over playoff teams in the regular season to get us to this point.

[Playoffs]

Rook.