Does Wade Phillips = Fool's Gold?

[BullNation4Life]

I have been looking up stats on teams that Wade Phillips has coached as a defensive coordinator and maybe noticed a pattern...

His first year, he starts out hot and gets some of his defense in the top 5-10-15 and he looks like a genius. The following year, his defenses looks suspect especially in the Passing yards on defense. It fluctuates, some for the better, some for the worse...

Look I get that the Texans would not be where they are without his help, but what has changed from last year to this year? Personnel, on defense, only changed a little.

Did Ryans really mean that much to this defense?

Is Wade's scheme being figured out by teams and is now being exploited?

Is it injuries?

the secondary has gone from looking like Super Bowl caliber to 2010 caliber in a matter of 4-5 weeks...

So what gives?

 

[Wolf]

Missing cushing hurt the defense and I guess along with that demeco and him must have opened up barwin and reed

Because our linebackers seem irrevelent in finding the qb
BTW not criticizing the loss of demeco ,we did what we had to.

 

[brakos82]

It's a little of everything.... losing Cushing (and and parts of the secondary) certainly doesn't help, we're pretty beat up on that side.

Teams are getting more game film on us week after week, sometimes they find and exploit weaknesses.

Also with all the man coverage yesterday (so I heard, I was drugged up for most of the game LOL), maybe Wade's got a stubborn streak in him?

 

[gtexan02]

This was brought up before the season if I remember correctly.

 

[Mr. Texan]

before wade the defense gave up points and yards to everybody, now it just gives up points and yards to good qb's.

i do think he overachieved with this defense tho.

remember when we first found out that he was the new d coordinator and we said if he could make the defense at least average to go along with our "prolific" offense we'd be in good shape?

 

[Hagar]

Wade runs a high risk high reward defense using the strength of our defense, the front 7. If we don't get to the QB throw his timing off, we've got problems. Our entire defense is about gettng to the QB and making him mess up.

We got one sack last night and Tom Brady is the coolest customer in the business.

 

[deucetx]

I'm not one to go the injury route. Do they hurt? Yes, of course. But every team has injuries especially at this point of year. It is why you build a 53-man roster and not a 22-man one.

The thing that stands out is we're not adjusting to the personnel or production. Man coverage is okay when you have a consistent pass rush. We haven't had one for quite a bit this season. Or more bluntly...ever since teams decided to double and slide protection toward J.J. Watt. So if your pass rush isn't strong (other than one guy) and you run man to man then you are going to get screwed in the end when facing a QB worthwhile.

I would not say Wade is fool's gold though. He seems a bit stubborn about the coverage but he could adjust it still. He's one of the better defensive coordinators in the league and I will take that over the Frank Bush's of the world. But at the same time he doesn't walk on water like many try to push. Heck, I think the best defensive coordinator is in Pittsburgh and I wish sometimes Wade would follow Lebeau in mixing up the coverages more.

But he has time to adjust and make some changes where he sees fit. After the showings we have had against the pass 3 out of the past 4 weeks something will have to register and he'll make changes. At least I hope. Still a good defensive coach and there are probably only a few I would take ahead of him...if that many.

 

[Ryan]

Once he realizes sending the house and running man coverage every time does not work against elite QBs, especially if the pass rush is as ineffective as it has been outside of #99, he'll be fine. Our pass rush was great last year with roughly the same personnel, I have no idea what is wrong with it.

 

[Mr. Texan]

Our pass rush was great last year with roughly the same personnel, I have no idea what is wrong with it.

imo it looks like the same defense except we're playing better qb's.

the pass rush has shown up this year......just against teams that don't spread the texans out and throw a bunch

brees and the saints dropped 40 on em last year and i distinctively remember the pass rush not being there that game.

 

[Ryan]

imo it looks like the same defense except we're playing better qb's.

the pass rush has shown up this year......just against teams that don't spread the texans out and throw a bunch

brees and the saints dropped 40 on em last year and i distinctively remember the pass rush not being there that game.

I expect the elite QBs to do decent against us. But they shouldn't be dropping 4-6 TDs every game with mostly easy passes and clean pockets all night.

 

[fiasco west]

I don't think so.

I think our defense just has holes. No other Pass rushers and also...I love Manning and Quinn but we can improve there. Most teams that play well against elite QBs have ball-hawking great safeties.

In fact, if I were to pick "If you could draft another star at any position, which would it be?" I'd choose safety.

 

[FR0497]

It has been said here and the numerous other threads about this game but I'm going to say it again.....this man coverage is getting us destroyed. Wade said he hopes to play Green Bay again because of the shaft he took the last game and this is how he makes up for it? By running the same exact defense against another elite QB? I sure hope he's not showing his full hand because if he brings this to the playoffs we will be one and done. He'll have his only chance to make up for these embarassments and that stage will be bigger than anything in the regular season.

And yes I know our O was beyond pathetic, but I blinked and we were already down 21-0.

 

[Mr. Texan]

I expect the elite QBs to do decent against us. But they shouldn't be dropping 4-6 TDs every game with mostly easy passes and clean pockets all night.

i agree.

so frustrating know that on 3rd and long opposing qb's will have a picnic then get a first down with ease like it's nothing

 

[thunderkyss]

I have been looking up stats on teams that Wade Phillips has coached as a defensive coordinator and maybe noticed a pattern...

Lets say after we gave up the three touchdowns to the Pats our offense scored every time they touched the ball.

We have 4 possessions before the half. If our offense got 3 TDs & a field goal, we take the lead.

If we get that stop to start the 3rd Qtr that we did, score another TD against the twenty-something ranked defense, we go up by 10.

We're talking about a totally different game. Chances are they don't allow the remaining three touchdowns, chances are we are in that game.

None of that happened. If my Aunt had nuts, she'd be my uncle. I get all that. But we're talking about the Defense. They started flat. But they turned it on & got the stops they needed. Wade's defense isn't fools gold, but it's not going to win games against the #1 scoring offense in the league with no help from the offense.

That's just unreasonable.

& this is with scrubs. This is what we wanted a real DC for, to be able to make these kinds of adjustments during the season, during games.

What Kubiak had been able to do with his offense.

But last night...... we were talking about Bellichick coached teams vs Wade's defense. We didn't see that at all. That was Josh McDanieal vs Wade & Wade held his own.

Kubiak's offense vs Bellichick's defense... I think Bill pulled Kubiak's shorts over his head.

 

[chenjy9]

Our D get punched in the mouth early, but give credit where credit is due. They did eventually clamp down and gave the offense a chance to make it a game. Our offense on the other hand, Schaub especially...

 

[conundrum]

Can't believe some you are giving the defense a pass of some sort. Doesn't matter how well our offense played if we give up 42pts in the playoffs we lose.

 

[thunderkyss]

Can't believe some you are giving the defense a pass of some sort. Doesn't matter how well our offense played if we give up 42pts in the playoffs we lose.

If our offense did it's job we wouldn't give up 42 pts.

 

[ESAD2-14]

If our offense did it's job we wouldn't give up 42 pts.

Was thinking same thing, best way to beat the New England Tom Brady's is to keep him off the field. Texans offense could not stay on the field at all, consistently.

 

[deucetx]

If our offense did it's job we wouldn't give up 42 pts.

Honestly, that is guess work as we don't know what would have happened if the offense scored. Did they play badly? Yes. Worse unit out there. But the point is the defense did not play good either so saying they get a pass because they made a few stops AFTER going down 21 points, on the road, against a contender with an elite coach/quarterback is just a reach.

Just like I said in another post that it changes the offensive playcalling down 21-0. Someone cited the run/pass ratio was close....yes, it was. Overall. After going down 21-0 the ratio was basically 2:1 before Kubes went in 'I quit' mode with 14+ minutes in the 4th. Not counting the passing plays where there was a penalty:

25 passes
10 runs

Do we really believe that was gameplan? Yes, Kubes ran the ball at times during our attempt of a comeback (foolishly) but not nearly as much as he went in pass mode. That happened because we were down 21-0. So yes, defense shoulders some blame as well. You don't hear any defender saying they did good. Wade sure as heck didn't say it.

“Obviously, I didn’t do enough game-plan-wise against the guy,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “It doesn’t feel like you have more wins than New England right now.”

They rebounded a bit but unfortunately you don't go down 21 against a team like the Pats and expect it to come out smelling like roses. The defense needs some adjusting. Simple as that. Not a bad thing to say. We have been torched in 3 of our 4 last games defensively. The defense can rebound and play a game where they hold more control than that. Just a matter of adjustments that are needed.

Not to mention a 50% 3rd down conversion percentage for the Pats didn't help either. All facets stunk. No passes to any unit.

 

[76Texan]

Brady failed to convert on 3rd and 6 on the first drive, but the ref called Harris for a bogus PI (at worst) and ticky-tacky (at best).

Welker actually pulled Harris into his body to get the call.
Smart play, but unsportsman-like tactic.

KJ failed to get that fumble.

Then Bradie James got beat on a quick out.
He needed to play that route; there were safety help for all the other routes.
He's just not good enough in pass coverage.

 

[thunderkyss]

Honestly, that is guess work as we don't know what would have happened if the offense scored. Did they play badly? Yes. Worse unit out there. But the point is the defense did not play good either so saying they get a pass because they made a few stops AFTER going down 21 points,

I'm not saying the defense gets a pass. Just saying they adjusted to what was happening on the field and at least fought back. I'm also saying the 42 points isn't indicative of our defense.

 

[deucetx]

I'm not saying the defense gets a pass. Just saying they adjusted to what was happening on the field and at least fought back. I'm also saying the 42 points isn't indicative of our defense.

Ah ok. Bad interpertation on my part then. Then I am in agreement as I feel the defense is the one unit that can change things around with the proper adjustments. I think even with the injuries they have enough to be a solid unit (but damn do I miss Cush being out there). Curious to see if Wade makes an adjustment and mixes up the coverages a bit more.

 

[dtran04]

Defense is at a point now where they can't shut anyone down. The offense really has to pick it up.

Asking Dobbins/James/Sharpton to cover athletic TE's and scat backs is a disaster yet they keep getting stuck man to man on them. I really can't blame the players for their athletic limitations.

Bradie James would give up a TD to Aaron Hernandez 90% of the time.

 

[76Texan]

Defense is at a point now where they can't shut anyone down. The offense really has to pick it up.

Asking Dobbins/James/Sharpton to cover athletic TE's and scat backs is a disaster yet they keep getting stuck man to man on them. I really can't blame the players for their athletic limitations.

Bradie James would give up a TD to Aaron Hernandez 90% of the time.

Those are some of the things I mentioned before the game that might hurt us.
Bradie James on Hernandez.

Woodhead in the game together with Welker.
I thought it would be a better matchup to go with a dime package so that we can have two CBs on these guys instead of a LB on Woodhead.

That way we can still put one safety on Hernandez.

Who knows, maybe Wade is saving some scheme for the next game in January.

 

[thunderkyss]

Defense is at a point now where they can't shut anyone down. The offense really has to pick it up.

Asking Dobbins/James/Sharpton to cover athletic TE's and scat backs is a disaster yet they keep getting stuck man to man on them. I really can't blame the players for their athletic limitations.

Bradie James would give up a TD to Aaron Hernandez 90% of the time.

What was your game plan going in? What did you think we needed to do to win the game @ Foxboro?

I thought we needed to control the clock, methodically work our way down the field & score efficiently. I thought the defense just needed to get us 4 or 5 stops & our offense would keep us in the game with a chance to win at the end.

The defense...... Wade's damaged goods did what I thought they needed to do.

The offense came out & punted on the first possession (there was one play, the 3rd down play LeStar didn't make the catch) LeStar, OD, & Andre were all stacked on one side. LeStar got off the line basically untouched & couldn't separate from the CB. OD & AJ ran into each other.

The second possession, we had a nice drive down the field capped off with a Int in the endzone.

The third possession down by 14, I think we went 3 & out.

Forget about the defense, you're not going to beat the Patriots if that's your first three possessions.

The defense then gave up another TD early in the second qtr, but didn't give up another point (damn near not another yard) to "Tom Brady" Until their second possession of the third qtr.

 

[HJam72]

Those are some of the things I mentioned before the game that might hurt us.
Bradie James on Hernandez.

Woodhead in the game together with Welker.
I thought it would be a better matchup to go with a dime package so that we can have two CBs on these guys instead of a LB on Woodhead.

That way we can still put one safety on Hernandez.

Who knows, maybe Wade is saving some scheme for the next game in January.

If he's not, he needs to come up with one.

 

[thunderkyss]

Is Belichick not a genius?

Did you see how he got his running game going against us? They knew our inside guys were going to be aggressive & shoot the gaps. They let them through, then their H-Backs put the 'ol wham block on our guys. Antonio Smith seemed to be the recipient of at least two of those & it opened up huge holes for their backs.

Then that Vareen.... that guy can cut laterally like no one I've ever seen before. He's not Peterson, he's not Foster, but that lateral cut... my God!!!

 

[Surreal McCoy]

Would anyone be upset spending our first 5 picks on D again?

 

[thunderkyss]

Would anyone be upset spending our first 5 picks on D again?

After our offense just got shut out in the first half against the 26th rank defense? They are ranked 26th after that game, they were probably 27th or worse before the game.

Yes, I would be upset if we spend 5 picks total on D this year. Kubiak has been making lemonade for 7 years now. I'm not his biggest fan, but I understand there is only so much you can do.

 

[76Texan]

Is Belichick not a genius?

Did you see how he got his running game going against us? They knew our inside guys were going to be aggressive & shoot the gaps. They let them through, then their H-Backs put the 'ol wham block on our guys. Antonio Smith seemed to be the recipient of at least two of those & it opened up huge holes for their backs.

Then that Vareen.... that guy can cut laterally like no one I've ever seen before. He's not Peterson, he's not Foster, but that lateral cut... my God!!!

Our ILBs need to shoot the gap quicker, more consistently when they see a combo block. They stood around too long. They are not as strong as Cushing to begin with. Wish we would have gone with Rudd rather than James.

 

[76Texan]

Would anyone be upset spending our first 5 picks on D again?

We need a healthy JJo and a healthy Cushing.
Then you can upgrade a couple of positions wherever you please

 

[GP]

Brady failed to convert on 3rd and 6 on the first drive, but the ref called Harris for a bogus PI (at worst) and ticky-tacky (at best).

Welker actually pulled Harris into his body to get the call.
Smart play, but unsportsman-like tactic.

KJ failed to get that fumble.

Then Bradie James got beat on a quick out.
He needed to play that route; there were safety help for all the other routes.
He's just not good enough in pass coverage.

Brady wasn't even looking at Welker that play. I don't like it when guys get calls like that and they were not even on the QB's radar for that play.

In addition, I really don't like refs who throw a flag on a slight bump when the ball is 15 yards over the WR's head and had no chance of getting to it.

I thought the refs did a pretty bad job of making secondary calls that bailed out the Patriots. It didn't decide the game, but it added to the problems. It compounded our own errors. The elite QBs get a huge bump by the refs, because if the pass isn't completed then the refs think there HAD to be a reason why. Out comes the flag, and then they think really quick which guy they can reasonably call it on. Makes me furious.

 

[Dread-Head]

Brady failed to convert on 3rd and 6 on the first drive, but the ref called Harris for a bogus PI (at worst) and ticky-tacky (at best).

Welker actually pulled Harris into his body to get the call.
Smart play, but unsportsman-like tactic.

KJ failed to get that fumble.

Then Bradie James got beat on a quick out.
He needed to play that route; there were safety help for all the other routes.
He's just not good enough in pass coverage.

Everytime someone lights that little hobbit up like a Christmas tree I look for it on Youtube, warch it repeatedly and laugh like it's Richard Pryor on the Sunset Strip. It's my sincerest hpe that when they come back in January the secondary takes turns seeing who can give him a concussion and the LBs do the same to knowc that smug little grin off Thomasina Brady's girlish face.

 

[76Texan]

Brady wasn't even looking at Welker that play. I don't like it when guys get calls like that and they were not even on the QB's radar for that play.

In addition, I really don't like refs who throw a flag on a slight bump when the ball is 15 yards over the WR's head and had no chance of getting to it.

I thought the refs did a pretty bad job of making secondary calls that bailed out the Patriots. It didn't decide the game, but it added to the problems. It compounded our own errors. The elite QBs get a huge bump by the refs, because if the pass isn't completed then the refs think there HAD to be a reason why. Out comes the flag, and then they think really quick which guy they can reasonably call it on. Makes me furious.

What makes it even worse is that they didn't call PI on the Pats when their CB clearly got to KMart before the ball arrived in the third quarter. And we needed that 3rd down conversion.

But like I said, I already "knew" way earlier that it wasn't gonna be our night.

Very little has gone right for us; it's like a recurrence of the Packers game unfolding. There's no use crying over spilled milk.

Next opponent, please!

 

[76Texan]

Everytime someone lights that little hobbit up like a Christmas tree I look for it on Youtube, warch it repeatedly and laugh like it's Richard Pryor on the Sunset Strip. It's my sincerest hpe that when they come back in January the secondary takes turns seeing who can give him a concussion and the LBs do the same to knowc that smug little grin off Thomasina Brady's girlish face.

You're a violent young man, Dread.

How the hell they didn't let you try out back then, I don't know.

Perhaps you should have come to the athletic department and tackled the AD flying right over his office desk, LOL.

 

[BullNation4Life]

My roll your eyes moment, and there were plenty, was when Jean got called for OPI when the Pats CB stopped and Jean ran into him...

The on call ref in the booth even said that was a horrible call...

Ah well, time to get the glue factory cranking...They got them some Colts that need to get got...

 

[BullNation4Life]

Everytime someone lights that little hobbit up like a Christmas tree I look for it on Youtube, warch it repeatedly and laugh like it's Richard Pryor on the Sunset Strip. It's my sincerest hpe that when they come back in January the secondary takes turns seeing who can give him a concussion and the LBs do the same to knowc that smug little grin off Thomasina Brady's girlish face.

wait a second, has anybody seen Dread-Head and Terry Tate in the same room together?

 

[76Texan]

wait a second, has anybody seen Dread-Head and Terry Tate in the same room together?

LOL, that's what I'm talking about.

 

[76Texan]

My roll your eyes moment, and there were plenty, was when Jean got called for OPI when the Pats CB stopped and Jean ran into him...

The on call ref in the booth even said that was a horrible call...

Ah well, time to get the glue factory cranking...They got them some Colts that need to get got...

Yeah, Jean was looking back at the ball the whole time.
The ball was nowhere near in sight.

But honestly, Jean didn't adjust to the ball very well there.
Schaub was throwing it as a fade; Jean had plenty of room on the sideline.
Wish it was AJ there.

 

[Dread-Head]

You're a violent young man, Dread.

How the hell they didn't let you try out back then, I don't know.

Perhaps you should have come to the athletic department and tackled the AD flying right over his office desk, LOL.

One word..."Fitzpatrick".

 

[76Texan]

One word..."Fitzpatrick".

I couldn't recall his name, so I had to use the AD as a scapegoat, LOL.

 

[thunderkyss]

Brady wasn't even looking at Welker that play. I don't like it when guys get calls like that and they were not even on the QB's radar for that play.

I don't know if a ref should verify the QB was looking at Welker, he probably wasn't because Welker was being held. I think it is correct to err on the side of caution.

However, the thing that gets me about this one, is it was 3rd & 6. Harris gets 5 yards. Sometimes it takes the defender & the receiver (because he's just as guilty in these situations) to clear themselves up.

Just like that ticky-tack illegal formation, it was too close to call in the month of December when these games mean what they mean.


That said, the Texans need to be mature enough to not let that affect their play. There were PIs not called that would have helped the Pats. Some obvious. There were holding penalties that weren't called on both sides, hands to the face, etc... I think the refs called us closer than they called the Pats, the Daniel Manning PI was no different than the Offensive PI called on LeStar.

But they gotta play through it. Those bogus calls do not explain us being shut out for two & a half Qtrs.

 

[thunderkyss]

Everytime someone lights that little hobbit up like a Christmas tree I look for it on Youtube, warch it repeatedly and laugh like it's Richard Pryor on the Sunset Strip. It's my sincerest hpe that when they come back in January the secondary takes turns seeing who can give him a concussion and the LBs do the same to knowc that smug little grin off Thomasina Brady's girlish face.

I have no doubt that we got into Welker's head. He doesn't drop balls like that. 10 targets, 3 catches....

 

[Bulls on Parade]

No disrespect to Bradie James and Tim Dobbins, but a healthy Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans at ILB in a 3-4 defense is pretty sensational to say the least. You're talking about two pro bowlers compared to a couple of guys who should be backups at best. James was a beast in his younger days in Dallas but he's not the same player anymore.

The Texans "Bulls on Parade" defense used to kick ass all over the field. Now I see too many big gaps in the middle of the field. Easy runs and passes up the middle for the opposing offenses. Just a year ago I could argue that the Texans had the four best starting linebackers in the NFL. We didn't take a back seat to any team's linebackers, not even the 49ers or Bears. Right now I don't even think we're a top 10 team when it comes to linebackers. Especially with Brian Cushing and Brooks Reed out.

 

[fiasco west]

No disrespect to Bradie James and Tim Dobbins, but a healthy Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans at ILB in a 3-4 defense is pretty sensational to say the least. You're talking about two pro bowlers compared to a couple of guys who should be backups at best. James was a beast in his younger days in Dallas but he's not the same player anymore.

The Texans "Bulls on Parade" defense used to kick ass all over the field. Now I see too many big gaps in the middle of the field. Easy runs and passes up the middle for the opposing offenses. Just a year ago I could argue that the Texans had the four best starting linebackers in the NFL. We didn't take a back seat to any team's linebackers, not even the 49ers or Bears. Right now I don't even think we're a top 10 team when it comes to linebackers. Especially with Brian Cushing and Brooks Reed out.

Yep.

Defense took a step back from last year. Demeco was awesome and I'm still upset that we let him go.

And even though Mario was hurt, Barwin and Reed can't hold Mario's jock strap. Even if Mario was playing half-interested at times.

Texans had the best LB corps in the NFL last season, took a step back. Now we need to hope that Smith picked the right guy in Mercilus and that some guys step up.

 

[TexansRule1]

This game was over 3 possessions into the game. The Texans had only a remote chance of coming back once it was 21-0.

I thought the Pats offensive game plan was phenomenal and they beat us primarily through the air (when the game counted). The early long pass to Welker took advantage KJax aggressive play style. It was a planned double move and Brady never looked at him to keep the safety away. The over the top TD to Brandon Lloyd took advantage of Quin aggressive role as a run stopper.

In general, they had an inordinate number of 3rd and long conversions signs that the run defense was sufficient, but the pass rush was lacking. I thought the Texans started to finally make stops when they increased their blitzes...but then they were more vulnerable to the run.

On offense, Schaub actually came out sharp on the 1st two series. His only bad pass was the interception. Every other pass hit the receiver's hands. After that, it appeared that New England started to get an effective pass rush and blitzed a lot (over 52% of the plays). Our new guys on the line (Jones, Gardner, Harris) were not effective in pass blocking and even Myers had a failed blitz pickup -- something that almost never happens. I thought the improved pass rush (or perhaps the interception) was the trigger for Schaub becoming more erratic -- though he was far from terrible in this game from a QB perspective, just not good.

The Texans were hardly effective running the ball. Initially (1st two plays) we looked good. After that, we were getting man-handled (especially by Wilfork) and run blitzes that caused Foster to have no holes to run into. Finally, (after game was over), we started to combat this tactic with screens wide but by then Schaub was not accurate and the game was already out of hand.

Overall, we were out-coached in this game. Offense couldn't adjust to the QB pressures and blitz packages. Defense was surgically taken advantage of and didn't dial up the pressure early enough. I'm not sure we could have won this game with any set of players.

Just my thoughts...

 

[HJam72]

He won't be fool's gold until Kubiak gets fired and he takes the HC job.

 

[Dread-Head]

Ladies and Gents if those muff-huggas DO come back in January I have one world which will be ETCHED into my every waking THOUGHT:

Revenge!!!! Leave no survivors, kill the livestock, salt the fields, tear up and bow railroad ties and burn every standing structure to the ground. Let thier women weep and let them curse us for generations at the very mention of our names when they speak of the events of the playoffs of the 2012 season.

 

[HJam72]

Ladies and Gents if those muff-huggas DO come back in January I have one world which will be ETCHED into my every waking THOUGHT:

Revenge!!!! Leave no survivors, kill the livestock, salt the fields, tear up and bow railroad ties and burn every standing structure to the ground. Let thier women weep and let them curse us for generations at the very mention of our names when they speak of the events of the playoffs of the 2012 season.

What kind of coffee ya drinking these days?

 

[GP]

The injuries are hurting us too.

I'm sorry, but we're hurting because the Right Guard is a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, not even really "blue chip" player as well.

Newton has been gone from Right Tackle. He was decent, but let's be honest: It was an iffy position to begin with and it got even more iffy with Newton out.

There is some crap going on with our RBs, too. They don't look like a cohesive, All For One and One For All "team" to me. Foster, for whatever reason, is sort of mailing it in too much for my taste. When things are rocking and rolling, he is dynamite...when things are stalling, he tends to (IMO) play down to that level and sort of curl up and go into "Protect myself" mode. Which might be wise considering he only gets a paycheck if he is not in I.C.U. due to the punishment he'd take if he did try 100% the whole game long. Throw in the tiff between Kubiak and Tate and it adds another level of uncertainty to the mix.

Then we've got our Linebacker situation. Honestly, this team needs an entire draft with nothing but Linebackers taken. Seriously. And draft them in the make and model of Brian Cushing, or die trying. Because without quality LBs in the middle, everything is mush. And JJ Watt is trying to firm that mush up as much as he can, and it's wearing on him. It's wearing on me, too.

So yeah, people think JUST because we have AJ and Schaub healthy that things ought to go better like they did in most of 2011. Well, we've got injury problems that are hurting us in NEW ways this year. A good Schaub ain't worth much if the OL is in shambles and the defense is banged up in ways that makes it easier for opposing offenses to sustain drives and keep our O off the field.

Then our O does, indeed, get onto the field and they can't do anything much unless all the conditions are right for them.

We need Newton back. We need guys like Ben Jones to find their sea legs RIGHT NOW. And Wade has got to find ways to mask our deficiencies and get things handled despite the injuries to our secondary and our MLBs.

Secondary and MLBs are the biggest problems with the defense. The OL, specifically the right side, and the weird crap going on with Foster and Tate is the things hurting us on offense.