AFC South coaching: Texans rush improves

[Wolf]

Houston Texans: Gary Kubiak
Offensive analysis
Kubiak's offenses in Denver were always predicated on balance between the run and pass. The blocking scheme in the Denver running attack is a thing of legend, elevating six different rushers over the heralded 1,000-yard mark in the last 11 years. In fact, the system has produced a 1,000-yard rusher in 11 of the last 12 seasons. The running game commands respect, and therefore opens holes in the passing game. Kubiak looks to start to apply that scheme in his second year with the Texans to return Ahman Green to the game's elite and to speed the adjustment into a starting role for Matt Schaub.
Run

Defensive analysis
The Texans run a 4-3 defense for Richard Smith, and though the overall numbers were fairly ghastly (337.5 yards and 22.9 points per game), this unit improved markedly as the season progressed. The team allowed 180 fewer yards per game on average during the final three months of the season to reach the 337.5-yard season total and a full 12.1 points per game. That's right. It was a fairly miserable month of September.

Improved play from rookie DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams gave this unit a boost, and they added another future star on the defensive line with Amobi Okoye.

Run

there is more to the article about the Texans

http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/7020470

 

[The1ApplePie]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

 

[HuttoKarl]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

Applying that blocking scheme to our O-Line couldn't hurt...well...it couldn't hurt us, anyway.

 

[dalemurphy]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

There were some rule changes regarding cut-blocking made a couple years ago. I don't know precisely what they were but essentially a lineman blocking below the waiste now has to have his helmet on the front side of the defender which makes it tougher for the non-playside blockers to do their job. Previously they could just roll right up the back of the defenders legs as long as he wasn't engaged with another blocker.

 

[BigTimeTexanFan]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

I don't want our Texans associated with that kind of dirty play. Anyone who has ever played football knows exactly what I'm talking about. I lost out playing college ball for that exact "career threatening cut block". Cut blocking is fine if done the right way. Meaning blocking in front of the defender so he can atleast protect himself. When a player gets his knees taken out form under him from the backside as a surprise, he has no way to protect himself and that is dirty. I'm fine with that kind of blocking style when used legally. I don't want players suffering carreer ending injuries because of our blocking style.

 

[Dallas_Texan]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

LOL Very true!!

p.s. Thanks for that Avatar making my day.

 

[Dallas_Texan]

Applying that blocking scheme to our O-Line couldn't hurt...well...it couldn't hurt us, anyway.

Hutto - Are you from Hutto, Texas, is that what that is? Sorry, just wondering. A good friend/fraternity brother of mine was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day. He was from Hutto. He was one of the guys that went in there to rescue the downed helicopter, but the cowards got them with car bombs.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

The Texans don't use a pure zone blocking scheme. It is a mixed scheme from sherman's influence and Denver's ZB principles.

 

[red_dirt]

The Texans will be in the bottom 10 of the league in rushing.

 

[Texans_Chick]

The Texans don't use a pure zone blocking scheme. It is a mixed scheme from sherman's influence and Denver's ZB principles.

Exactly, and apparently it is going to be more the Sherman way this year from what I heard in a McKinney interview. Lots of articles really don't reflect the true extent of the hybrid approach between Sherman/Kubiak and what that is going to mean.

I have to say, I'm not sure about all this discussion of the Texans DTs "clogging" the middle. I like Okoye a lot, and have read some stuff about his run stopping, but I worry that its a lot to expect him to dominate right away.

 

[HuttoKarl]

Hutto - Are you from Hutto, Texas, is that what that is? Sorry, just wondering. A good friend/fraternity brother of mine was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day. He was from Hutto. He was one of the guys that went in there to rescue the downed helicopter, but the cowards got them with car bombs.

Yessir. I read about your friend in the paper. Definitely sad news for our small community.

 

[beerlover]

Exactly, and apparently it is going to be more the Sherman way this year from what I heard in a McKinney interview. Lots of articles really don't reflect the true extent of the hybrid approach between Sherman/Kubiak and what that is going to mean.

I have to say, I'm not sure about all this discussion of the Texans DTs "clogging" the middle. I like Okoye a lot, and have read some stuff about his run stopping, but I worry that its a lot to expect him to dominate right away.

Mario is the one who should dominate. Okoye is not a run stopper or middle clogger, he is more of a relentless inside pass rusher using varying technique. if the Texans want to go real hybrid they leave Mario @ RDE & move Amobi to LDE. Put Weaver inside of Okoye with rotation of Maddox, the Johnsons, Zgonnia & Kalu.

I beleive we have our bookends, they just don't know it yet

Oh yeah the rushing game improves with a healthy, established line that understands the system now & a QB they know where hes going with the ball. add to that a rejuvenated Ahman Green & Ron Dayne, an outstanding blocking FB in Vonta Leach & emerging power/speed back in Chris Taylor I can't see how the Texans don't finish top 10 in NFL rushing

 

[The1ApplePie]

There were some rule changes regarding cut-blocking made a couple years ago. I don't know precisely what they were but essentially a lineman blocking below the waiste now has to have his helmet on the front side of the defender which makes it tougher for the non-playside blockers to do their job. Previously they could just roll right up the back of the defenders legs as long as he wasn't engaged with another blocker.

Yes, but the Broncos have found a way around those rules. Basically the first guy holds up a guy, then releases him just as the second O-lineman cuts him.

I don't want our Texans associated with that kind of dirty play. Anyone who has ever played football knows exactly what I'm talking about. I lost out playing college ball for that exact "career threatening cut block". Cut blocking is fine if done the right way. Meaning blocking in front of the defender so he can atleast protect himself. When a player gets his knees taken out form under him from the backside as a surprise, he has no way to protect himself and that is dirty. I'm fine with that kind of blocking style when used legally. I don't want players suffering carreer ending injuries because of our blocking style.

I can sympathize on that. Had my career ended by a knee injury myself. But, that is how zone blocking works. Its a bunch of cheap shots put together. I played in a ZBS for 4 years, and we used the same scheme. Tons of cut blocking drills everyday. Not regular cut blocks, but take a running start and stick your face mask into the side of his knee cut blocks.

 

[real]

I don't understand the fuss about the mixed schemes...

They're just plays....

 

[aj.]

Kubiak's offenses in Denver were always predicated on balance between the run and pass. The blocking scheme in the Denver running attack is a thing of legend, elevating six different rushers over the heralded 1,000-yard mark in the last 11 years. In fact, the system has produced a 1,000-yard rusher in 11 of the last 12 seasons. The running game commands respect, and therefore opens holes in the passing game. Kubiak looks to start to apply that scheme in his second year with the Texans to return Ahman Green to the game's elite and to speed the adjustment into a starting role for Matt Schaub.

Run
The Denver system rewarded runners for their patience and instantly turns the feature back into a fantasy star. We saw last season's runners experience success as the season progressed, with Ron Dayne becoming a fantasy stud in the final weeks. The offensive line gelled down the stretch and will be able to create holes for Green and Dayne in a thunder-lightning combination akin to Dayne's days with the Giants alongside Tiki Barber.

I think the writer is missing a key point. I'm fairly sure the Texans running game is going to continue to evolve into more power-counter (GB w/Sherman, Green, Gado, et al) than inside-outside zone (Denver). You saw it happening last year. You'll see elements of both, but I think power and counter will be the B&B running attack.

As far as fantasy football, I think the RB committee and situational substitutions will keep AGs numbers well below elite status.

 

[rickyb]

Oh yeah the rushing game improves with a healthy, established line that understands the system now & a QB they know where hes going with the ball. add to that a rejuvenated Ahman Green & Ron Dayne, an outstanding blocking FB in Vonta Leach & emerging power/speed back in Chris Taylor I can't see how the Texans don't finish top 10 in NFL rushing

Beer -- I had to blink hard and re-read your post, to make sure it was you. I was a little surprised, since we did not move up in the draft to grab yaboy Levi. [Just busting ya chops, amigo. ]

 

[beerlover]

Beer -- I had to blink hard and re-read your post, to make sure it was you. I was a little surprised, since we did not move up in the draft to grab yaboy Levi. [Just busting ya chops, amigo. ]

we never had the chance of course I would have been personally overjoyed if Levi was a Texan, not surprised whatsoever he went as high as he did to Arizona, I see Pro-Bowl/all rookie 1st team RT written all over him (with Leinart being a lefty) otherwise he would have started LT for the Texans & Schaub.

after Levi Brown went off the board & we're all counting down the picks until the Texans Amobi was @ the head of the class of players I wanted next. for the first time in Texans history (AJ being the exception) they went for the player I predicted they would. I just hope they utilize him in a way that doesnt frustrate & demoralize him in the middle trenches, I know thats where he played in Louisville but after watching him all week in the Senior Bowl practices, his one on one pass rushing ability was second to none he uses his hands well (very important to keep a blocker from getting control) explosive power with excellent footwork creating enough leverage to have an effective spin move. but I'm not one to hijack a thread so ricky dont lose that number (75).

in other news the 49ers ink Joe Staley

 

[Texans Horror]

Oh yeah the rushing game improves with a healthy, established line that understands the system now & a QB they know where hes going with the ball. add to that a rejuvenated Ahman Green & Ron Dayne, an outstanding blocking FB in Vonta Leach & emerging power/speed back in Chris Taylor I can't see how the Texans don't finish top 10 in NFL rushing

Just playing Devil's Advocate, but I think a lot of people would cite the dependence on Dayne, Leach, and Taylor as reasons the Texans won't finish in the top 10 in NFL rushing.

 

[beerlover]

Just playing Devil's Advocate, but I think a lot of people would cite the dependence on Dayne, Leach, and Taylor as reasons the Texans won't finish in the top 10 in NFL rushing.

the dependence will be on Ahman Green, Dayne is solid depth & short yardage specialist/ball control, while Leach will be just pounding guys, clearing holes & otherwise making life miserable for defenses & Taylor has all the upside & ability you could ask for as a feature back without the pressure of carrying the load until ready. the devils advocate can forget about this one

 

[badboy]

I watched our blocking schemes a lot last year (old O-lineman), and I didn't see the cheap shots that make the Broncos system the Broncos system. Maybe this year, we'll see more career threating cut blocks. Its hard to make plays with a helmet cracking into your knee or nuts.

Just what we need to teach our kids. Hey if you can't beat 'em, BEAT THEM! Maybe we can issue small knives that can be hidden in gloves or razor blades? The player can work a paper clip through an opponents face mask then poke an eye. Anyway, it's only a knee, right?

 

[HOU-TEX]

Just what we need to teach our kids. Hey if you can beat 'em, BEAT THEM! Maybe we can issue small knives that can be hidden in gloves or razor blades? The player can work a paper clip through an opponents face mask then poke an eye. Anyway, it's only a knee, right?

Have you watched any football from 30 or so years ago? Cut blocks aren't jack compared to what used to happen on the field. I understand players are now larger and stronger in addition to the game as a whole being faster, but the players are well protected comparatively speaking.

Just thought I'd point that out.

 

[real]

Cut blocking a player from the back was only allowed in the trenches thus DT's were mostly the victims of it...

So this image of a player standing upright, unprotected, unknowingly getting cut from the back is ludicrous....That was never allowed...That's called clipping...

I'm not sure if the rule has changed or not, but "when it was legal" (if it's not legal anymore) rarely is a Defensive linemen going to get chopped directly in the back of his legs...think about the logistics of that happening...

 

[Texan_Bill]

Just what we need to teach our kids. Hey if you can't beat 'em, BEAT THEM! Maybe we can issue small knives that can be hidden in gloves or razor blades? The player can work a paper clip through an opponents face mask then poke an eye. Anyway, it's only a knee, right?

C'mon Badboy. If ya aint cheatin', ya aint tryin'.

I think, you would be suprised how people try to poke or gouge eyes at the bottom of pile. (obviously not all the time, but it does happen).

 

[Texans_Chick]

Mario is the one who should dominate. Okoye is not a run stopper or middle clogger, he is more of a relentless inside pass rusher using varying technique. if the Texans want to go real hybrid they leave Mario @ RDE & move Amobi to LDE. Put Weaver inside of Okoye with rotation of Maddox, the Johnsons, Zgonnia & Kalu.

Weaver isn't really best suited for DT and doesn't like playing there. I have to say the rest of the candidates to play along side Okoye don't particularly thrill me either. Maddox as starter is a great story, and I'd love for him to be the answer. As I said, I like Okoye but he is green at a position where it is difficult to be green.

The KC game to start the season should be an interesting test. In my mind, I still have 2005 visions of Larry Johnson running in Reliant.

 

[Specnatz]

Weaver isn't really best suited for DT and doesn't like playing there. I have to say the rest of the candidates to play along side Okoye don't particularly thrill me either. Maddox as starter is a great story, and I'd love for him to be the answer. As I said, I like Okoye but he is green at a position where it is difficult to be green.

The KC game to start the season should be an interesting test. In my mind, I still have 2005 visions of Larry Johnson running in Reliant.

Great now I have heart burn.

 

[brakos82]

I still have visions of running in Reliant.

Odd. I had the same thing.

 

[HOU-TEX]

Great now I have heart burn.

Coupled with a massive headache due to the profuse banging of head on desk.

 

[AcresHomesTexan]

Weaver isn't really best suited for DT and doesn't like playing there. I have to say the rest of the candidates to play along side Okoye don't particularly thrill me either. Maddox as starter is a great story, and I'd love for him to be the answer. As I said, I like Okoye but he is green at a position where it is difficult to be green.

The KC game to start the season should be an interesting test. In my mind, I still have 2005 visions of Larry Johnson running in Reliant.

My hope is that the Texans are not playing any of those guys more than 40 plays a game @DT. I don't want Okoye wasting his pounding while the Texans are hoping being mediocore. Maddox, the Johnson who sticks , and long named veteran can all rotate the rest of the time to at least not wear anyone down.

 

[Texans_Chick]

My hope is that the Texans are not playing any of those guys more than 40 plays a game @DT. I don't want Okoye wasting his pounding while the Texans are hoping being mediocore. Maddox, the Johnson who sticks , and long named veteran can all rotate the rest of the time to at least not wear anyone down.

I think they are going to have a bit of a defensive line rotation like they did last year. Some of those rotations involving the backups were a little brutal though.

Oh and 610 has taken a bunch of their old podcast stuff with Zierlein off their site--so there is no more of his Texans defensive line rotation stuff there any more. I had tears from that. Laughing and well sorta crying about it.

 

[BigBull17]

Mario is the one who should dominate. Okoye is not a run stopper or middle clogger, he is more of a relentless inside pass rusher using varying technique. if the Texans want to go real hybrid they leave Mario @ RDE & move Amobi to LDE. Put Weaver inside of Okoye with rotation of Maddox, the Johnsons, Zgonnia & Kalu.

I beleive we have our bookends, they just don't know it yet

Oh yeah the rushing game improves with a healthy, established line that understands the system now & a QB they know where hes going with the ball. add to that a rejuvenated Ahman Green & Ron Dayne, an outstanding blocking FB in Vonta Leach & emerging power/speed back in Chris Taylor I can't see how the Texans don't finish top 10 in NFL rushing

Wouldnt that rock. To young bookends who could play 10+ years together. Sweet indeed. And Id say top 15. Not quite good enough to be top 10, but at least top half.

 

[The1ApplePie]

We play the Broncos this year right? I hope they've coached Mario to protect his knees better.

 

[beerlover]

I think they are going to have a bit of a defensive line rotation like they did last year. Some of those rotations involving the backups were a little brutal though.

Oh and 610 has taken a bunch of their old podcast stuff with Zierlein off their site--so there is no more of his Texans defensive line rotation stuff there any more. I had tears from that. Laughing and well sorta crying about it.

the Texans have enough depth this year (knock on wood) to employ an excellent defensive line rotation (given the last four 1st rd. picks have all been DL) I just call em like I see it- they can either develop Amobi inside put weight on him & condition him up to 305 +/- or keep him lean & mean around 285 exploiting his quickness & skill moves.

I don't hardly listen to 610 anymore just because of letting Zierlein go, he was a natural football analyst with tons of information & research to back it up so I'm neither laughing or crying about it all their shows are mixed up, lack insight & reek of homerism

 

[DocBar]

Weaver isn't really best suited for DT and doesn't like playing there. I have to say the rest of the candidates to play along side Okoye don't particularly thrill me either. Maddox as starter is a great story, and I'd love for him to be the answer. As I said, I like Okoye but he is green at a position where it is difficult to be green.

The KC game to start the season should be an interesting test. In my mind, I still have 2005 visions of Larry Johnson running in Reliant.

IMHO the Chiefs will NOT be able to run at will against us this year. I think we'll be a top 10 team against the run and MAYBE top 10 overall D. 4 1st round draft picks on the Dline HAS to start paying off. They played great over the 2nd half last season...

 

[Wolf]

IMHO the Chiefs will NOT be able to run at will against us this year. I think we'll be a top 10 team against the run and MAYBE top 10 overall D. 4 1st round draft picks on the Dline HAS to start paying off. They played great over the 2nd half last season...

I agree with that, this team has got to get pressure on the QB without blitzing every time.. key to our success (well to every teams success)