Items of concern

[PapaL]

Things that concern me so far:

Where is our #2 WR? JJ has been invisible, Walters hasn't done much and AJ is DTD.

Run game stalls when Dayne is in the game. Is Gado in the dog house or just Inactive? We're going to need to run the ball consistently this weekend.

Petey. Had a rough match up vs Smith this weekend. Did ok when DRob was on Smith, which is a good thing. Should he be matched up vs Harrison this weekend since I believe Wayne to be faster and thus a bigger threat?

Boulware. We signed Demps literally days ago, and he is playing on more than ST and is making plays. What is going on with Boulware?

 

[daedge]

Things that concern me so far:

Where is our #2 WR? JJ has been invisible, Walters hasn't done much and AJ is DTD.

Run game stalls when Dayne is in the game. Is Gado in the dog house or just Inactive? We're going to need to run the ball consistently this weekend.

Petey. Had a rough match up vs Smith this weekend. Did ok when DRob was on Smith, which is a good thing. Should he be matched up vs Harrison this weekend since I believe Wayne to be faster and thus a bigger threat.

Boulware. We signed Demps literally days ago, and he is playing on more than ST and is making plays. What is going on with Boulware?

What ?? Marvin Harrison is deff quicker then Reggie Wayne still. Infact Peyton was quoted of saying the other week that Marvin is just as quick if not quicker then he was when he was drafted by the Colts, and that he hasnt lost a step at all.

 

[Tedc]

The Petey issue is the one that concerns me most. It will only spring its ugly head out when we play top notched receivers and we are doing that his weekend times two.

The Texans failed to shore up this position and it wll be the area that teams will attack us most.

I don't believe Petey is a bad player, he is just overmatched in a position that is not his natural position. He made a heck of a hit on special teams!

 

[PapaL]

What ?? Marvin Harrison is deff quicker then Reggie Wayne still. Infact Peyton was quoted of saying the other week that Marvin is just as quick if not quicker then he was when he was drafted by the Colts, and that he hasnt lost a step at all.

As you know, opinions are like... we all have one. I perceive Wayne to be the bigger big play threat. Not bad mouthing or putting down Harrison here.

What will more then likely happen is DRob will take his side of the field and cover whomever is there. While Manning picks apart the other side. Hopefully we see some double coverages and help offered to all DBs.

 

[thunderkyss]

Don't get me wrong. I respect the Colts and all, but our secondary was twice as good with Petey in the game, than it was without in '06. There are ways to account for speed, and we're pretty familiar with the Colts.

Dunta is playing better than he has since we drafted him, and we're doing a good job up front against the run. Even though Reggie Wayne single handedly beat the Saints, I doubt he's going to beat us.

Boulware... I don't know what's going on there, although I think CCBrown has played like a starter the last two games, so maybe Boulware just hasn't had an opportunity.

2nd reciever?? I agree, if AJ gets hurt, we're in trouble. DTD scares me. But Schaub is pretty much "Brand New", so our lack of a second reciever is probably due to his unfamiliarity with the rest of the guys, more than the other guys not playing well enough. I hope this week, we focus more on getting OD involved, and finding other recievers.

 

[Scooter]

Things that concern me so far:

Where is our #2 WR? JJ has been invisible, Walters hasn't done much and AJ is DTD.

Run game stalls when Dayne is in the game. Is Gado in the dog house or just Inactive? We're going to need to run the ball consistently this weekend.

Petey. Had a rough match up vs Smith this weekend. Did ok when DRob was on Smith, which is a good thing. Should he be matched up vs Harrison this weekend since I believe Wayne to be faster and thus a bigger threat.

Boulware. We signed Demps literally days ago, and he is playing on more than ST and is making plays. What is going on with Boulware?

for the most part we're a 2 receiver scheme (similar to denver) ... rod smith and the tight end (aj and daniels). kevin walter IMO should've been cut last season. teams will be targeting andre now though, so expect JJ to see plenty of attention from schaub. today we gameplanned into a 2 tightend/fullback offense and it worked ... next week might be a 3 receiver offense with jj wide with 14 receptions and andre slot as safety bait ... i for one trust kubiak whole heartedly to make that call. EDIT: with AJ being sore, expect JJ to be lined up as #1 when AJ needs to come out, and andre davis should be seeing plenty of time if that's the case ... walter will still get plenty of time because coaches love his downfield blocking and all around play.

gado is an extension of dayne IMO. i'd much rather cut gado and sign a scat-back as a situational guy. dayne however is a test of patience ... he's going to pound both defenses and himself. dayne's play improves during the season and with leach looking great, we'll see dayne turn into the "bettis-like" player he was the last 6 games of last year.

faggins is great at what he does ... what he does however is zone and short/intermediate coverage of posession receivers (playing man against steve smith is NOT part of that). when paired against speedy agile receivers he's completely overmatch and needs help. this needs to be recognized out of the huddle so that the FS can cheat.

our front four is demolishing run attacks so we need more help in coverage than in the box. boulware's drawback is that he's a converted linebacker and last year was a big pass play waiting to happen (which is why he got benched). i'm sure he's being coached on technique and reads to perfect his position, but right now coaches dont feel his strengths match our needs.

 

[Second Honeymoon]

Items Of Concern.

1. Faggins
2. Faggins
3. Faggins

 

[PapaL]

dayne's role is to put the hurt on the defense, which he does. no one expects ron dayne to "daynetrain" all the way down the field. they expect 3 yards a play out of him, and to hurt a linebacker/db on the way. gado doesn't play because gado sucks.

I have voiced my concerns with Dayne as the backup over and over. I totally disagree with your view.

Simple math says:
3 yards a carry x 3 carries = Punt

Simple logic says:
Move the chains, keep Manning and Company off the field.

 

[PapaL]

All good points about the DEN style offense being really one stud WR (Rod Smith - AJ) and a solid TE (Sharpe - OD); I would have guessed that with all the electricity JJ showed in preseason we would have tried to make him a part of the passing game. Not that I'm unhappy with AJ and OD; I just see JJ being a game changer kind of like Mathis was on Special Teams 2 years ago.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Boulware had a great stick on special teams, and he also had the first hit on Goings and kept him up so Petey could knock the ball out.

 

[gtexan02]

My biggest area of concern? The defensive scheme we ran against Steve Smith.

If we are only going ot rush 4 people, why wasn't there safety help for Faggins? On both plays Petey got beat, I saw him one on one with Smith. If we had had a safety over the top, especially on that 2nd TD, it could have been a pick.

On that first play, if there had been a safety there, when Smith tipped the ball it would have been an INT

 

[TexansSeminole]

Boulware had a great stick on special teams

He can flying down the field to hit that returner. It was a pretty nasty stick too.

 

[infantrycak]

But Schaub is pretty much "Brand New", so our lack of a second reciever is probably due to his unfamiliarity with the rest of the guys, more than the other guys not playing well enough. I hope this week, we focus more on getting OD involved, and finding other recievers.

From AJ it sounds like Schaub is being very savvy.

(on how important the 31-yard touchdown pass was) “All we knew was that someone had to make a play. We put the play in, and our objective was for me to distract the safety and get Kevin (Walter) open, but I popped open. And Matt (Schaub) made a great pass.

So that play was designed to go to Walter but Schaub saw a better opportunity and made the play. Nice to see the coaches are designing plays where AJ is not the first option and that Schaub has the vision and confidence to make the most of what is available.

 

[ccdude730]

schaub was under pressure on that play as well, so it just might be that AJs shorter route came open faster than walters.

it sure was a great play though...

 

[BigBull17]

Dayne will run the ball better against the colts than the panthers. About Faggins, he played the first tpouchdown right, Smith just made a great play and went through him a little. JJ will come around, but remember he was a project at WR. OD is really our #2 and he played a great game. Walters is a pretty important part of our team , and if Im not mistaken, he caught a big 3rd down conversion in our second scoring drive.

 

[badboy]

Daniels 5 receptions for 58 yds.
Leach 5 receptions for 26yds.
Dayne 1 reception for 10 yds.
Walter 1 reception for 7 yds.
Putzier 1 reception for 6 yds.

AJ first and # 2 is whomever Schaub decides. I really enjoy when the ball is spread around with such success.

 

[Goldensilence]

I agree with a lot of the opions about Faggins and what his role in the D is or how he should be used. Good zone/short route guy but his lack of top end speed shows one on one.

Didn't Demps cause a fumble? I think he's more starter ready then Boulware and i am sure both will get worked into the starting lineup soon enough. I think CC's play has been acceptable because let's face it. Our front 7 has been playing great D and well our secondary has handled well enough outside of Dunta. Who is looking like he's headed for a pro bowl if his play continues.

Dayne does a good job of what he's asked to do IMO. In College he was more of a rythym runner and wore you down as the game rolled on. Kind of hard to do that when you're called in about halfway through the third quarter and you're asked to pound the defense into submission.

As for Jones... he nearly broke another punt yesterday. I think it's just a matter of time before he's worked into the #2.
It took a while for McCaffery to get worked inot the Denver offense but when he did....that O was lights out scary. I think as Kubiak and his players confidence grows and they start to feel each other out as the season rolls on we'll have something special on that side of the ball.

 

[Mr teX]

Things that concern me so far:

Where is our #2 WR? JJ has been invisible, Walters hasn't done much and AJ is DTD.

Run game stalls when Dayne is in the game. Is Gado in the dog house or just Inactive? We're going to need to run the ball consistently this weekend.

Petey. Had a rough match up vs Smith this weekend. Did ok when DRob was on Smith, which is a good thing. Should he be matched up vs Harrison this weekend since I believe Wayne to be faster and thus a bigger threat?

Boulware. We signed Demps literally days ago, and he is playing on more than ST and is making plays. What is going on with Boulware?

Well it's going to be a tough match up either way b/c Harrison & Wayne can both toast Petey with ease. This is not even counting Clark/Utecht. We knew we had problems in the secondary, this shouldn't be anything new. Lets just hope our D-line can continue to get pressure & our Offense can keep manning & company off the field.

i wouldn't worry about Dayne & the run game unless he's going to be our number 1 guy come this sunday. Right now he's doing exactly what kubes wants him to do, chewing clock when the wins are pretty much in hand, pushing the pile to get those tough yards & keeping green fresh so we will have him in pretty good shape come the end of the season & maybe, dare i say it, for the playoffs. i kinda wish Kubes would mix gado in a little bit, but hey we can't argue with the results.

The Boulware situation, i don't know.

 

[Errant Hothy]

My only item for concern is that Schaub has thorwn 1 INT, and another near INT, at or in the endzone. I like the fact that he is taking his shots at a TD, but he has made the same poor descision two weeks in a row. Kubiak and Schaub need to see if the play will work, and if it will not pull it out of the playbook. Other then that I thnk Schuab has been a huge improvement over Carr. Isn't it amazing h ow much the better the supposed "crappy" line looks when the QB makes quick reads and gets the ball out the pocket in a hurry. Them same thing to the Cowboys when they switched from Bledsoe to Romo.

 

[Mr teX]

My only item for concern is that Schaub has thorwn 1 INT, and another near INT, at or in the endzone. I like the fact that he is taking his shots at a TD, but he has made the same poor descision two weeks in a row. Kubiak and Schaub need to see if the play will work, and if it will not pull it out of the playbook. Other then that I thnk Schuab has been a huge improvement over Carr. Isn't it amazing h ow much the better the supposed "crappy" line looks when the QB makes quick reads and gets the ball out the pocket in a hurry. Them same thing to the Cowboys when they switched from Bledsoe to Romo.

IMO Schaub has just thrown it wrong those 2 times. Iv'e heard Kubes say that he's told Schaub to "give AJ a chance to make a play on those type of throws.." but both times schaub has underthrown it & the 1st time he threw it too flat to where AJ couldn't get in the jump ball scenario they think AJ has the advantage in.

i don't worry too much about it b/c things like that are going to get better with him as he gets more comfortable being a starter.

 

[PapaL]

simple math says: you ever need 3 yards you put in the daynetrain and get 'em.

simple logic says: a player that does exactly what is asked of him is a good player in the coach's eyes.

besides, dayne was the one who kept manning and co. off the field last year.

OK - he had ONE good game last year. I'm very thankful for that.

Your not going to convince me that:
A.) He a tough runner - tape clearly shows him going down upon first contact B.) When short yards are needed he is the person to get them. He is a small back in a big back body.

You might think he's great - more power to you.

If it runs slow, doesn't move the pile and goes down upon first contact....it must be Dayne.

For the record, he's averaging 2.5 yards. 31 carries for 77 yards. That's a serious concern. OF those 31 carries, 4 have gone for a first down. 2 last week on 13 carries, 2 the week before on 18 carries; source

 

[badboy]

My only item for concern is that Schaub has thorwn 1 INT, and another near INT, at or in the endzone. I like the fact that he is taking his shots at a TD, but he has made the same poor descision two weeks in a row. Kubiak and Schaub need to see if the play will work, and if it will not pull it out of the playbook. Other then that I thnk Schuab has been a huge improvement over Carr. Isn't it amazing h ow much the better the supposed "crappy" line looks when the QB makes quick reads and gets the ball out the pocket in a hurry. Them same thing to the Cowboys when they switched from Bledsoe to Romo.

This Oline has a healthy McKinney (fans opinion on Steve changed in TC). We also have Green as well as Dayne and more full back receptions in two games than I remember for last season. OD is healthy. Winston has a season under his belt and is doing quite well. It is not the same offensive team as last year let alone Carr's last year. Schaub does make a difference but so does every one else.

 

[infantrycak]

I like the fact that he is taking his shots at a TD, but he has made the same poor descision two weeks in a row.

Neither was a poor decision, but both were poor throws. Those happen--no reason to get rid of the play. Kubiak said the ball was supposed to be thrown up above AJ's inside shoulder--Schaub just didn't get it there. He walked back to the sideline and promised Kubiak it would never happen again. He will mis-throw the ball again, but he is very conscious of what needs to be done.

 

[Porky]

IMO Schaub has just thrown it wrong those 2 times. Iv'e heard Kubes say that he's told Schaub to "give AJ a chance to make a play on those type of throws.." but both times schaub has underthrown it & the 1st time he threw it too flat to where AJ couldn't get in the jump ball scenario they think AJ has the advantage in.

i don't worry too much about it b/c things like that are going to get better with him as he gets more comfortable being a starter.

That's the scary part. He has made two bad throws in two games. He is only going to get better and better with time. I see a guy developing into a pro bowl calibur starter right before our eyes at the most important position on the field.

 

[jerek]

Neither was a poor decision, but both were poor throws. Those happen--no reason to get rid of the play. Kubiak said the ball was supposed to be thrown up above AJ's inside shoulder--Schaub just didn't get it there. He walked back to the sideline and promised Kubiak it would never happen again. He will mis-throw the ball again, but he is very conscious of what needs to be done.

I agree--good decision on both counts, he just didn't deliver the ball accurately. Both were open targets but underthrown balls.

 

[Errant Hothy]

Neither was a poor decision, but both were poor throws. Those happen--no reason to get rid of the play. Kubiak said the ball was supposed to be thrown up above AJ's inside shoulder--Schaub just didn't get it there. He walked back to the sideline and promised Kubiak it would never happen again. He will mis-throw the ball again, but he is very conscious of what needs to be done.

Those two plays are the only bad plays he's made, and the second he threw the pass on Sunday I knew what was going to happen.

Are we sure that Schaub can make the throw?

It isn't a big deal if he can't, he has shown that he can make plenty of other throws. His TD passes to AJ have all been things of beauty; but he should have had t more TD's and 1 less INT.

 

[infantrycak]

Are we sure that Schaub can make the throw?

He made it to JJ in pre-season and hit AJ 40+ yards downfield perfectly. Dude is running 72% completions with 9 ypa--there has never been a QB that hits every pass perfectly.

 

[Errant Hothy]

He made it to JJ in pre-season and hit AJ 40+ yards downfield perfectly. Dude is running 72% completions with 9 ypa--there has never been a QB that hits every pass perfectly.

I know, although wasn't the JJ TD from closer in? It's just we've seen the play twice in the regular season, and it's not looked good yet. Now that being said, if Schaub, AJ, and Kubiak think it will work then keep calling it. But it's been the only black mark on an otherwise stellar start to the season for Schaub.

 

[badboy]

OK - he had ONE good game last year. I'm very thankful for that.

Your not going to convince me that:
A.) He a tough runner - tape clearly shows him going down upon first contact B.) When short yards are needed he is the person to get them. He is a small back in a big back body.

You might think he's great - more power to you.

If it runs slow, doesn't move the pile and goes down upon first contact....it must be Dayne.

For the record, he's averaging 2.5 yards. 31 carries for 77 yards. That's a serious concern. OF those 31 carries, 4 have gone for a first down. 2 last week on 13 carries, 2 the week before on 18 carries; source

Does Dayne have to run for first downs? If he can step in for Green and give him a breather, eat time off clock when necessary and keep the d honest to allow the passing game better odds, I'll buy that. I did expect to see Gado come in during the fourth quarter.

 

[ccdude730]

I know, although wasn't the JJ TD from closer in? It's just we've seen the play twice in the regular season, and it's not looked good yet. Now that being said, if Schaub, AJ, and Kubiak think it will work then keep calling it. But it's been the only black mark on an otherwise stellar start to the season for Schaub.

those two plays have been very different. last week it was a bootleg to schaubs weakside and he was having to throw across his body and it was underthrown. yesterdays play was just an underthrow ball that was supposed to be put on AJ outside shoulder and away from the defender.

the score to JJ is most comparable to last weeks toss because they were both passes where schaub was outside the pocket and trying to buy time for his receiver to get open. its a play schaub can make and i really think that he is capable of making all the throws. i know there have been question marks about arm strength, but ive seen him make a couple bullet passes so far this season. yesterday he made a great pass to daniels that he zipped in there for a first down.

 

[disaacks3]

My biggest area of concern? The defensive scheme we ran against Steve Smith.

If we are only going ot rush 4 people, why wasn't there safety help for Faggins? On both plays Petey got beat, I saw him one on one with Smith. If we had had a safety over the top, especially on that 2nd TD, it could have been a pick.

On that first play, if there had been a safety there, when Smith tipped the ball it would have been an INT

Right on analysis, Petey was overmatched and the Texans DID make the adjustment after those first two scores. You saw D-Rob on Smith the rest of the game - Good matchup for him as Smith didn't have the height advantage most #1 WRs do against him.

The safety help on the 2nd TD wasn't there do to the EXTREME overload on the left side - designed to do exactly what it did...get Smith matched up 1-on-1 on the right.

I'm concerned about the lack of a true #2 as well, but yeterday that slack was taken up by Daniels. After that costly fumble, he was solid the rest of the way.

I wish we had mixed in some passing to move the chains late too, but the scoreboard dictated otherwise. We didn't "go into a shell" while barely CLINGING to a 2-5 point lead (as in years past). We were up by three scores and there was little point in exposing more personnel to risk than needed late in the game against an opportunistic Defense.

Bottom line - We went up against a VERY good Defense, a mediocre to good Offense (with one MVP-level weapon), got behind early and came away with a DECISIVE victory on the road.

...and despite the convincing victory, Kubes still has a good "preaching point" this week about finishing the tackle, due to Smith's late TD.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Does Dayne have to run for first downs? If he can step in for Green and give him a breather, eat time off clock when necessary and keep the d honest to allow the passing game better odds, I'll buy that. I did expect to see Gado come in during the fourth quarter.

I didn't hear who was dressed yesterday but we can only dress 45 of our 53. Last week, I know Gado didn't dress. I don't think he dressed yesterday either.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

He made it to JJ in pre-season and hit AJ 40+ yards downfield perfectly. Dude is running 72% completions with 9 ypa--there has never been a QB that hits every pass perfectly.

Until now.



Just joking. I expect an occasional bad throw. I expect an occasional bad decision.

I'm not worried about Schaub.

 

[Porky]

Right on analysis, Petey was overmatched and the Texans DID make the adjustment after those first two scores. You saw D-Rob on Smith the rest of the game - Good matchup for him as Smith didn't have the height advantage most #1 WRs do against him.

The safety help on the 2nd TD wasn't there do to the EXTREME overload on the left side - designed to do exactly what it did...get Smith matched up 1-on-1 on the right.

I'm concerned about the lack of a true #2 as well, but yeterday that slack was taken up by Daniels. After that costly fumble, he was solid the rest of the way.

I wish we had mixed in some passing to move the chains late too, but the scoreboard dictated otherwise. We didn't "go into a shell" while barely CLINGING to a 2-5 point lead (as in years past). We were up by three scores and there was little point in exposing more personnel to risk than needed late in the game against an opportunistic Defense.

Bottom line - We went up against a VERY good Defense, a mediocre to good Offense (with one MVP-level weapon), got behind early and came away with a DECISIVE victory on the road.

...and despite the convincing victory, Kubes still has a good "preaching point" this week about finishing the tackle, due to Smith's late TD.

We threw one pass in the 4th qtr. One. If that isn't going into a shell, please tell me what is? Taking a knee every snap?
When the Colts have a 20 point lead, do you think they pack it in? Hell no, they stomp on you, and then put their feet on your neck, and if that doesn't satisfy them, they will twist the foot on your neck until you choke.

 

[disaacks3]

We threw one pass in the 4th qtr. One. If that isn't going into a shell, please tell me what is? Taking a knee every snap?
When the Colts have a 20 point lead, do you think they pack it in? Hell no, they stomp on you, and then put their feet on your neck, and if that doesn't satisfy them, they will twist the foot on your neck until you choke.

I didn't say that we didn't go into a shell, I said we didn't do it while clinging to a TINY lead.

The injury to AJ probably contributed to going even MORE conservative. Hey, I wanted more First Downs too, but we're not a pass-dominated offense like the Colts either. They truly ARE that proverbial Offense that sets up the Run with the Pass.

 

[PapaL]

Does Dayne have to run for first downs? If he can step in for Green and give him a breather, eat time off clock when necessary and keep the d honest to allow the passing game better odds, I'll buy that. I did expect to see Gado come in during the fourth quarter.

I agree. I said on the first post that I am concerned about the run game when Lame, I mean Dayne, is in. If when he is in we can not move the chains, we will get eaten alive this weekend. No point in running three times for nine yards and punting on fourth down.

 

[infantrycak]

That has not been the MO of the offense this year except when trying to run out the clock with a stout lead. Kubiak is well aware Indy can put up points fast. Like disaack mentioned, he isn't going to try to squat on a 3 point lead like Capers would have done.

 

[Dallas_Texan]

Things that concern me so far:

Where is our #2 WR? JJ has been invisible, Walters hasn't done much and AJ is DTD. AJ should play, and Walter needs to get open. I don't think JJ is up to preseason form yet, but he should be by week 6. Give him time, he's a rookie after all.

Run game stalls when Dayne is in the game. Is Gado in the dog house or just Inactive? We're going to need to run the ball consistently this weekend.
Dayne was put in to eat up the clock running, and to keep Green from getting hurt once the game was secured at the end of the 4th. It was a VERY smart move. It was not a lack of trust on offense, it was TOTAL trust in our defense and ST.

Petey. Had a rough match up vs Smith this weekend. Did ok when DRob was on Smith, which is a good thing. Should he be matched up vs Harrison this weekend since I believe Wayne to be faster and thus a bigger threat?
Dunta needs to guard Harrison. If you have Reggie Wayne on your fantasy team, play him! Not to sound bad, but we don't have a CB2, and we haven't played a team with more than one receiver this year. Peyton will expose this horribly, but our offense can hold it's own now, so it should be close.
Boulware. We signed Demps literally days ago, and he is playing on more than ST and is making plays. What is going on with Boulware? Boulware played on ST, and Demps only got in during the fourth when the game was already ours. Demps is a higher caliber player than Boulware I believe. It should take him a few more weeks to learn everything he needs to before he replaces CC Brown at SS.

......

 

[BigBull17]

Does Dayne have to run for first downs? If he can step in for Green and give him a breather, eat time off clock when necessary and keep the d honest to allow the passing game better odds, I'll buy that. I did expect to see Gado come in during the fourth quarter.

He got the carries because he is very sure handed. Green has been known to fumble every now and then