Texans Garbage Time Strategy........

[CloakNNNdagger]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

If the entire league gears up to stop the pass and we continue to run, then we should be more and more effective at it because teams are less and less able to stop it. And if we keep having double digit win seasons, more and more teams will start following our example and then...

It's all cyclical. I don't see us being left in the dust any time soon.

 

[ObsiWan]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

Well, how many WRs have we drafted over the last two years vs. the previous six?

First Six Years:
2006 - David Anderson (7th)
2007 - Jacoby Jones (3rd)
2008 - none
2009 - none (although we drafted two TEs, Casey & A.Hill in the fourth and fifth rounds. I'd say those guys weren't truly passing game weapons)
2010 - Trindon Holliday (6th and I'd agrue he was picked for his return potential more than his WR-ing potential) and two more TEs, Graham (4th) and Dickerson (7th)
2011 - none

Last Two:
2012 - Devier Posey (3rd - highest since Jacoby) and Keyshawn Martin (4th)
2013 - DeAndre Hopkins (1st) and Alan Bonner (6th)

I ask because, looking at the draft capital spent on WRs, you could argue a shift (or at least an awakening) may well be taking place over on Kirby. Kubiak & Co. has been here for eight drafts; two true WRs in the first six years, four in the past two drafts.

By way of contrast, Capers & Casserly picked up a WR in the draft every year they were here and, admittedly, hit the jackpot on one of them. (a saying about blind hogs and acorns comes to mind)

 

[76Texan]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

I'm not overly concerned with the scheme, Doc.
Imagine Montana or Elway running the WCO for the Texans.
Don't you think Kubiak would be more willing to open up the offense?

Or look at what the Colts did with Luck.
They also run the WCO, but they emphasize the QB more.

I think not having another deep threat made Kubiak more conservative, besides Foster and Forsett.
Hopefully, that will change with the addition of Hopkins and a more confident KMart.
Hopefully, Jean will take the next step, or Bonner can be thrown into the mix.
The more guys who can get open - whether deep or underneath (and not dropping the ball) should instill more confident in Kubiak and Schaub.

 

[drs23]

I'm not overly concerned with the scheme, Doc.
Imagine Montana or Elway running the WCO for the Texans.
Don't you think Kubiak would be more willing to open up the offense?

Or look at what the Colts did with Luck.
They also run the WCO, but they emphasize the QB more.

I think not having another deep threat made Kubiak more conservative, besides Foster and Forsett.
Hopefully, that will change with the addition of Hopkins and a more confident KMart.
Hopefully, Jean will take the next step, or Bonner can be thrown into the mix.
The more guys who can get open - whether deep or underneath (and not dropping the ball) should instill more confident in Kubiak and Schaub.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that Bonner will be "thrown into the mix". Kubiak has sang his praises since day one and still talks about how he gets into and out of his breaks. Would be nice to see late rounder do well.

 

[thunderkyss]

I'm not overly concerned with the scheme, Doc.
Imagine Montana or Elway running the WCO for the Texans.
Don't you think Kubiak would be more willing to open up the offense?

Or look at what the Colts did with Luck.
They also run the WCO, but they emphasize the QB more.

I think not having another deep threat made Kubiak more conservative, besides Foster and Forsett.
Hopefully, that will change with the addition of Hopkins and a more confident KMart.
Hopefully, Jean will take the next step, or Bonner can be thrown into the mix.
The more guys who can get open - whether deep or underneath (and not dropping the ball) should instill more confident in Kubiak and Schaub.

Don't forget that Posey fella.

 

[tru80texan]

I'm not overly concerned with the scheme, Doc.
Imagine Montana or Elway running the WCO for the Texans.
Don't you think Kubiak would be more willing to open up the offense?

Or look at what the Colts did with Luck.
They also run the WCO, but they emphasize the QB more.

I think not having another deep threat made Kubiak more conservative, besides Foster and Forsett.
Hopefully, that will change with the addition of Hopkins and a more confident KMart.
Hopefully, Jean will take the next step, or Bonner can be thrown into the mix.
The more guys who can get open - whether deep or underneath (and not dropping the ball) should instill more confident in Kubiak and Schaub.

What's interesting about that statement is that not only could that have been the case, but it is ultimately a situation that Kubiak created & was not necessarily dealt. Kubiak chose to not address the WR position properly for years as he attempted to convince all that his offense could do well w/out a true #2 WR at all times. Kubiak, imo, was the culprit in creating the conservative offense, not the victim based on personnel. Jacoby, Holliday, Jean, & even Martin & Posey were not aggressive attempts in correcting a known problem area that limited the offense at times & thus created the conservative reputation. That is on Kubiak & Smith imo.

It's a shame that once again the owner had to make it clear on what he wanted & felt was needed to fix yet another glaring issue to take this team hopefully to the next level.

Thank you, McNair. I'm not sure Wade or DeAndre would be here if you hadn't voiced your opinion.

 

[DocBar]

What's interesting about that statement is that not only could that have been the case, but it is ultimately a situation that Kubiak created & was not necessarily dealt. Kubiak chose to not address the WR position properly for years as he attempted to convince all that his offense could do well w/out a true #2 WR at all times. Kubiak, imo, was the culprit in creating the conservative offense, not the victim based on personnel. Jacoby, Holliday, Jean, & even Martin & Posey were not aggressive attempts in correcting a known problem area that limited the offense at times & thus created the conservative reputation. That is on Kubiak & Smith imo.

It's a shame that once again the owner had to make it clear on what he wanted & felt was needed to fix yet another glaring issue to take this team hopefully to the next level.

Thank you, McNair. I'm not sure Wade or DeAndre would be here if you hadn't voiced your opinion.

Kubiak also had more pressing issues for years ok the defensive side of the ball.
I wonder if Kubiak regards WR's the same way he does RB's I. The zone scheme. There's not much need to invest high draft picks in them and the scheme can make the player better.

 

[thunderkyss]

It's a shame that once again the owner had to make it clear on what he wanted & felt was needed to fix yet another glaring issue to take this team hopefully to the next level.

Thank you, McNair. I'm not sure Wade or DeAndre would be here if you hadn't voiced your opinion.

I really think you don't understand how things work on Kirby. If Bob McNair says we need a WR, it's because Kubiak told him we need a WR. If Bob McNair says we need a DC, it's because Kubiak said we need a DC.

No doubt Kubiak is a lucky S.O.B. for still having a job with the Texans & I definitely do not doubt that McNair was a coin flip away from letting him walk.

But these guys round table everything & they all parrot each other. They knew they had a DC problem when they brought FrankBush in & didn't fire RichardSmith. "We" look at it & say they have loyalty issues, but the truth is it isn't that easy to find the right guy that will gel with our close knit family.

Remember, some of us wanted GregWilliams. We could have won a SuperBowl with him... most likely not, but at what cost? How would that bounty thing go? Or would we even allow it & would Williams be able to motivate his group without it? What if they knew that's the way he worked & just didn't want to deal with it.

Maybe they tried to get FrankBush to work because "they" (and that's everyone; McNair, Cal, Kubiak, Smith, Rootes, Olsen, etc.... ) thought it was their best option. Not best DC, best option.

& they knew they had WR issues last year, but they also had pass rushing issues. Had to deal with all their issues. DevierPosey was a great shot at it..... I think. 1st round talent in my mind.

We've been drafting WRs for some time now, none of them panned out for one reason or another. I believe their goal had been consistency over quality & that's why Walter started as long as he did.

I'm not saying that I agree with every move they made, only acknowledging that we can't fix every problem. They chose to address particular problems with their draft picks & their FA dollars....

If I were king the 2012 draft would have been an offensive draft, but I can't tell you who I would have drafted in place of Whitney Mercilus. I don't remember what FAs we brought in that year, but I do remember a bunch of WRs that I'd like to have taken a shot at.

But I'm not king. Kubiak is & we won 13 games. I don't know that I could have done better.

 

[tru80texan]

I really think you don't understand how things work on Kirby. If Bob McNair says we need a WR, it's because Kubiak told him we need a WR. If Bob McNair says we need a DC, it's because Kubiak said we need a DC.

No doubt Kubiak is a lucky S.O.B. for still having a job with the Texans & I definitely do not doubt that McNair was a coin flip away from letting him walk.

But these guys round table everything & they all parrot each other. They knew they had a DC problem when they brought FrankBush in & didn't fire RichardSmith. "We" look at it & say they have loyalty issues, but the truth is it isn't that easy to find the right guy that will gel with our close knit family.

Remember, some of us wanted GregWilliams. We could have won a SuperBowl with him... most likely not, but at what cost? How would that bounty thing go? Or would we even allow it & would Williams be able to motivate his group without it? What if they knew that's the way he worked & just didn't want to deal with it.

Maybe they tried to get FrankBush to work because "they" (and that's everyone; McNair, Cal, Kubiak, Smith, Rootes, Olsen, etc.... ) thought it was their best option. Not best DC, best option.

& they knew they had WR issues last year, but they also had pass rushing issues. Had to deal with all their issues. DevierPosey was a great shot at it..... I think. 1st round talent in my mind.

We've been drafting WRs for some time now, none of them panned out for one reason or another. I believe their goal had been consistency over quality & that's why Walter started as long as he did.

I'm not saying that I agree with every move they made, only acknowledging that we can't fix every problem. They chose to address particular problems with their draft picks & their FA dollars....

If I were king the 2012 draft would have been an offensive draft, but I can't tell you who I would have drafted in place of Whitney Mercilus. I don't remember what FAs we brought in that year, but I do remember a bunch of WRs that I'd like to have taken a shot at.

But I'm not king. Kubiak is & we won 13 games. I don't know that I could have done better.

Hmmmmm....now I couldn't disagree more w/ almost everything you stated. If you think somehow Kubiak's personnel decisions, coaches & players, didn't have anything to do w/ a buddy system to which he was overly loyal to, then I question your vision because it was clear to most, if not all, that Smith & Bush were both over matched & abused as DC's week in & week out. To say that either one was the best option, but not the best DC just seems about as foolish as saying we a had a great combo at #2 WR w/ Jacoby & Walter being the #2 & #2A. Once again, another example of the silliness & foolishness that we have been force fed & some have actually bought into. Since when has a team openly said that they are happy w/ needing 2 players to fill one role on a team?? It simply doesn't happen...unless you are in Houston of course. Since that foolishness has come out both of those "#2" WR's have been released & ONE player has finally been drafted to fill a role that has hardly been consistent, but in decline for years as it has been manned by a WR who has been glorified & overly praised for blocking as opposed to actually catching the ball & scoring. The WR position has been neglected for years & the claim that it has been addressed in the past w/out success makes perfect sense once you consider the talent that has been drafted & the FA's brought in. I don't think many outside of Houston actually believed the issue was resolved w/ the likes of Dickerson, Holliday, D. Anderson, & J. Jones being drafted to go along w/ Bryant Johnson & Andre Davis being brought in as FA's. That talent pool pretty much speaks for itself imo.

As far as McNair, it seems pretty obvious these issues were not resolved until the owner made it known to all that he had concerns about these areas which leads me to believe he took an active role to ensure they finally got resolved. It's been said many of times that McNair was active in acquiring Wade & it just so happens that once McNair stated, yet again, another area of concern, playmaking WR, needed to be addressed...low & behold...it is finally addressed in an adequate manner. Kubiak couldn't find an adequate DC or playmaking WR in the past but somehow you want me to believe that once McNair spoke up it was because Kubiak told him what was needed...as if McNair doesn't have eyes or common sense. Okkkk...

Once again, thank you McNair for stepping in & righting your ship.

 

[tru80texan]

Kubiak also had more pressing issues for years ok the defensive side of the ball.
I wonder if Kubiak regards WR's the same way he does RB's I. The zone scheme. There's not much need to invest high draft picks in them and the scheme can make the player better.

I do agree there have been pressing issues on the defense, but WR has been a glaring need & it seemed pretty obvious that his approach in addressing the need was not quite working. Kubiak may have believed that you can just plug & play a player similar to the RB position, but all of the past failures that have come & gone would say otherwise imo. I'm just glad it was finally addressed w/ a player that seems to possess the talent & potential to be a playmaker as opposed to just a blocker. Hard for any us to complain about that...

 

[thunderkyss]

Hmmmmm....now I couldn't disagree more w/ almost everything you stated. If you think somehow Kubiak's personnel decisions, coaches & players, didn't have anything to do w/ a buddy system to which he was overly loyal to....

It's always a buddy system. Every team in the league is run on the buddy system. We mentioned a while back that Kubiak's circle was too small & the Houston Texans didn't have anything to attract the best DC candidates. If Wade didn't have ties to Houston & his Dad wasn't such good friends with McNair, we would have had no shot at bringing in Wade just like we had no shot at bringing in the top WR talent in FA.

WIIFM, that's what coaches & players are thinking about when they are out looking for a job. & we had nothing.

To say that either one was the best option, but not the best DC just seems about as foolish as saying we a had a great combo at #2 WR w/ Jacoby & Walter being the #2 & #2A. Once again, another example of the silliness & foolishness that we have been force fed & some have actually bought into.

Greg Williams - Wants way to much money, not an option
Mike Nolan - They got Dumerville, he's going to Denver
Monte Kiffen - He's not leaving his boy
Frank Bush - Whelp... looks like our best option

The WR position has been neglected for years & the claim that it has been addressed in the past w/out success makes perfect sense once you consider the talent that has been drafted & the FA's brought in.

You can't neglect something & address it at the same time. Only one of those conditions can possibly be true.

& you may not agree with the direction the team took, but it's obvious Kubiak took one for the team & tried to make lemonade while putting the vast majority of team resources in the defense. & he's done a pretty good job of it to date, but to get to where we need to go, they know they have to spend more on offense & they did.

I think they should have made that decision last year, but they didn't. They tried, Posey & Martin are proof of that. What we did in the 2013 draft is simply an extension of that.

As far as McNair, it seems pretty obvious these issues were not resolved until the owner made it known to all that he had concerns about these areas which leads me to believe he took an active role to ensure they finally got resolved.

Once again, thank you McNair for stepping in & righting your ship.

Had Posey not torn his achilles I doubt we'd have used a first on WR. Probably still an offensive player & I bet McNair would have announced that's what we needed. Because Kubiak told him that's what was needed.

They all say the same thing. They have since Kubiak was hired. They will, until he's gone.

 

[Double Barrel]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

Very interesting, and provides a factual basis for the criticism of many fans that Gary is much too conservative in his play-calling.

I really think you don't understand how things work on Kirby. If Bob McNair says we need a WR, it's because Kubiak told him we need a WR. If Bob McNair says we need a DC, it's because Kubiak said we need a DC.

I do not think you give Mr. McNair much credit. Dude did not become a billionaire by being stupid.

You don't think the fact that the Texans defense was one of the worst in the NFL history had much to do with it? You think McNair was all "golly gee" about it and it was Kubiak that had to tell the doddering old fool what was up?

How about this is McNair's team and he is getting smarter and smarter with each passing year. How about he saw that something needed drastic change, saw an opportunity when Jerrah fired his head coach, held a meeting with Bum, Gary, Rick, and Dante, and proceeded to hire Wade accordingly.

I'm sure that McNair respects and values Kubiak's football knowledge. However, I do not think he's blind to the reality of the state of his franchise.

You tell tru80texan that he does not understand how things work on Kirby. What makes you think that you have the inside knowledge on how things work on Kirby? The Texans FO is like the KGB on it's inner operations. Most of what we have is speculation, even the stuff John McClain spews tends to be opinion over actual knowledge. They do not let anyone in or much information out since the beginning of the franchise.

 

[thunderkyss]

I do not think you give Mr. McNair much credit. Dude did not become a billionaire by being stupid.

You don't think the fact that the Texans defense was one of the worst in the NFL history had much to do with it? You think McNair was all "golly gee" about it and it was Kubiak that had to tell the doddering old fool what was up?

How about this is McNair's team and he is getting smarter and smarter with each passing year. How about he saw that something needed drastic change, saw an opportunity when Jerrah fired his head coach, held a meeting with Bum, Gary, Rick, and Dante, and proceeded to hire Wade accordingly.

I'm sure that McNair respects and values Kubiak's football knowledge. However, I do not think he's blind to the reality of the state of his franchise.

You tell tru80texan that he does not understand how things work on Kirby. What makes you think that you have the inside knowledge on how things work on Kirby? The Texans FO is like the KGB on it's inner operations. Most of what we have is speculation, even the stuff John McClain spews tends to be opinion over actual knowledge. They do not let anyone in or much information out since the beginning of the franchise.

The Texans FO is like the KGB on it's inner operations.

I agree. I also think McNair is very smart & he goes beyond the "Frank Bush is a bad coach" excuse. That defense looked great in 2009. (not 2011 great). But it didn't in 2009. Whatever the reason Frank Bush couldn't get those guys to play better in 2010, he, cal, Kubiak, & Rick Smith had long long discussions about it. They understood not only where they were, but why they were there. The decisions they made to get them to that point.

When I say Kubiak told him, I don't mean that McNair had no clue. I mean they talk about everything all the time. They decide on the future plans of the Texans. McNair gets to be the mouthpiece, somethings just aren't right for Kubiak to say.

It's better for him to hem&haw at the podium & for Rick Smith to talk you around in circles.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

I agree with T-Kyss on the main concept here.

McNair's not going to come out and say something to the press to put pressure on Kubiak or Smith. That's not how he operates.

If he comes out and says something, it's because he's already discussed it with Kubiak and Smith and they came to a consensus on how they were going to present the information and what information they were going to present. I don't think that very much of anything comes out of the Texans organization that hasn't been thought about and discussed. This is a very strong "company line" organization and unlike some teams, the owner is a big part of it.

And what's more, I think that if McNair didn't have that sort of relationship with him being part of the discussions and able to voice his concerns but NOT to the point of him actually directing things, that Smithiak would already be fired. If Kubiak or Rick Smith were empire-building and shutting McNair out so that the only way McNair could get his opinion across was to air it in the media, heads would roll very quickly. McNair comes across as a nice guy (and I'm sure he is) but I get the feeling that if you cross him, he'll roast you and feed you to your children before he kills them. He's one of those guys that politely inserts the blade between your ribs while he's smiling in your face.

 

[Rey]

in comparison to all other teams. It is evident from this very interesting breakdown I found by PROFOOTBALLFOCUS that not only are the Texans near the top of the "conservative" play list of the NFL under "normal" circumstances, but also that they become more conservative in garbage time........even when behind.

It begs the question if going forward, as the NFL distinctly has transformed more and more into a "passing league," if this will leave us in the dust as a modern day dinosaur.

I don't think Kubiak trusts Schaub enough. Not that he thinks Schaub isn't good enough, but I think he should give him more opportunities to keep drives alive even when the odds are against him. Just trust him to throw the ball away of just take what the defense is giving him.

He can still do his patented draw on 3rd and long....But just occasionally lets see if Schaub can actually throw us out of those situations...

 

[The Pencil Neck]

I don't think Kubiak trusts Schaub enough. Not that he thinks Schaub isn't good enough, but I think he should give him more opportunities to keep drives alive even when the odds are against him. Just trust him to throw the ball away of just take what the defense is giving him.

He can still do his patented draw on 3rd and long....But just occasionally lets see if Schaub can actually throw us out of those situations...

That kinda makes it sound like we never do.

Against the Dolphins with the score 3-3 and a 3rd and 10 at the Texan 46. Schaub completes a 24 yard pass to AJ. Against the Broncos up 7-5 and a 3rd and 11 at the Bronco 49, Schaub completes an 18 yard pass to Martin. With the score 21-8 and a 3rd and 8 at the Denver 49, Schaub completes a 10 yard pass to OD.

I only looked at the first 2.5 games and I only included times when Schaub completed the pass on a 3rd down with more than 6 yards to go. He threw for more than that; he came up short a couple of times.

I know there's this big feeling that we never try to pick up a 3rd and long and we do play it safe a lot of the time, but it's not like we never try to complete something that's going to get us a first down.

 

[Rey]

That kinda makes it sound like we never do.

Against the Dolphins with the score 3-3 and a 3rd and 10 at the Texan 46. Schaub completes a 24 yard pass to AJ. Against the Broncos up 7-5 and a 3rd and 11 at the Bronco 49, Schaub completes an 18 yard pass to Martin. With the score 21-8 and a 3rd and 8 at the Denver 49, Schaub completes a 10 yard pass to OD.

I only looked at the first 2.5 games and I only included times when Schaub completed the pass on a 3rd down with more than 6 yards to go. He threw for more than that; he came up short a couple of times.

I know there's this big feeling that we never try to pick up a 3rd and long and we do play it safe a lot of the time, but it's not like we never try to complete something that's going to get us a first down.

Can you look at the times we were in 3rd and 10 or longer and ran the ball and then do a comparison.

I didn't say we never threw the ball. What I was saying is that I'd like to see Kubiak let Schaub and the offense try to make a play more often.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Can you look at the times we were in 3rd and 10 or longer and ran the ball and then do a comparison.

I didn't say we never threw the ball. What I was saying is that I'd like to see Kubiak let Schaub and the offense try to make a play more often.

I'll take a look at it.

I might track down some of the plays to get actual context, too. Sometimes, Schaub might go back, look deep, and then throw short because no one's open or he might read a blitz and have to get rid of the ball to his hot receiver. I was hoping to find some down and distance stats but I didn't see any.

 

[infantrycak]

Can you look at the times we were in 3rd and 10 or longer and ran the ball and then do a comparison.

I didn't say we never threw the ball. What I was saying is that I'd like to see Kubiak let Schaub and the offense try to make a play more often.

3rd and 6+ Schaub 84 attempts, Foster 20 attempts.
3rd and 11+ Schaub 28 attempts, Foster 15 attempts.

 

[thunderkyss]

Can you look at the times we were in 3rd and 10 or longer and ran the ball and then do a comparison.

I didn't say we never threw the ball. What I was saying is that I'd like to see Kubiak let Schaub and the offense try to make a play more often.

I think that was the case either when we had the lead or it was early in the game. I don't think it was Kubiak not trusting Schaub, it was Schaub not taking the chance.

Kubiak said as much in one of his interviews. It got to be such a joke, I think it was McClain, most likely Warner, that asked. He told them we were in "such & such" a situation so many times I called this play or that play... once there was a penalty, twice Matt checked it to a run, & they got the play off once (for a big gain & I think that's the way the question was framed, "why don't we see that more often")

Matt looks at the defense before the snap & if we're in good position (score or time wise) he won't take the chance.

I only hope that next year they work a HB screen into the "audibles" y'know. Sometimes they run the draw (there was a time when I used to say, "We never run the draw"), sometimes they run the screen, sometimes Schaub snaps the ball & sees what happens (like you said, he can always throw it away).

 

[ObsiWan]

Can you look at the times we were in 3rd and 10 or longer and ran the ball and then do a comparison.

I didn't say we never threw the ball. What I was saying is that I'd like to see Kubiak let Schaub and the offense try to make a play more often.

To KNOW as some assert that Kubiak doesn't "let Schaub and the offense try to make a play" we'd have to know....

1. what play Kubiak actually called and what options said play presented to the offense (how can we say Schaub's on a lease if we don't know how the play is designed)
2. which of those options Schaub saw (did Schaub look deep and option 1 wasn't open? Did he have time to look deep?)
3. why Schaub picked the option he picked. (at the end of the day, it's Schaub, not Kubiak, with the ball in his hand.)

I guess I'm of the opinion that any plays/yards/points "left on the field are the fault of the guy with the ball in his hand more than the guy calling the plays.

 

[EVOLVIST]

3rd and 11+ Schaub 28 attempts, Foster 15 attempts.

In the football world that's pretty close...and I'm not talking horseshoes and hand grenades close either.

See, because I think (glad we're back on topic)...I think...well, there seemed to be a marked difference in how we started the season, i.e. passing to set up the run vs. how we ended: running to set up the pass.

We have a compelling article on how the Texans use their garbage time, which passes the eye test for many, including myself.

Now...how many of Schaub's 3rd and 11+ passes occurred at the beginning of the season, and how many later in the year?

twice Matt checked it to a run, & they got the play off once (for a big gain & I think that's the way the question was framed, "why don't we see that more often")


I only hope that next year they work a HB screen into the "audibles" y'know. Sometimes they run the draw (there was a time when I used to say, "We never run the draw"), sometimes they run the screen, sometimes Schaub snaps the ball & sees what happens (like you said, he can always throw it away).

Because Kubiak is subconsciously limiting Schaub with Kube's own backup QB mentality. Kube's doesn't want to limit. He trusts Schaub. He trusts Schaub as much as Dan Reeves trusted him. And I'm basing this, now, off of studying the obvious psychological tells that Kubiak puts off, regardless of his offensive genius (and he is). As every man has faults, this is Kubes' biggest...bigger than the good-ol'-boy mentality.

I'm not even knocking Kubes here, because of course I admit I'm speaking in the abstract. Still, I believe Kubiak will live or die by that sword, until he gets a QB who he feels is way better than he ever was as a player. Until then, he will continue to dote over his backup QBs, a bit too much, much to the love of Yates and Keenum.

 

[EVOLVIST]

Since it looks like I might have killed this thread, I'll only add this and rest my case. From Kubiak's press conference today:

(on QB T.J. Yates) “(QB) T.J. (Yates) is fine. When you’re working as the (No.) 2 (quarterback), you’re working against the first-team defense in certain drills, so that’s a tough deal. I understand that. I did that for a while. But T.J.’s doing good. He had the OTAs. I think he’s made progress off the last year but he’s getting pushed and he knows it and it’s going to make them both better.”

 

[Texans_Chick]

Looking at 2012 stats is a little skewed.

It is clear that the Texans with a big lead are more inclined to run, and can run.

They believe their defense can hold the lead now. More often than not they were right. Why bail out opposing defenses by doing more risky plays. Just shove it down their throat.

Love seeing that number at the bottom that lists how much time each team had a game lead.