Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

Observations from 2nd viewing of Miami Game.

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
1. Despite Brown's rough game, the only real issue on the oline is Meyers and Briesel. Many plays blew up because Meyers was thrown back 5 yards into the play. Also, Briesel has a tendency to whiff blocks. The two tackles are playing excellent football. Even though Brown and even Winston do get beat occasionally, the rest of the time they are sealing the backside of the play or drive blocking on the playside of run plays.

2. Earl Cochran looked great. Especially on passing downs, they lined up Cochran at tackle next to Mario and he created a lot of havoc. He has a lot of energy on the field and seemed to win most one on one matchups.

3. Barrett mentioned this to me and I was looking for it: Slaton made an incredible block on the long pass to Walter on the winning drive. He first chipped Porter, then when he was clearly blocked, saw the DT from the opposite side of the line come free and he ran and dove into him barely keeping Schaub clean as he threw the pass... Slaton saved the game on that play- it was an amazing play both athletically and awareness.

4. Leach I thought was playing really poorly the first couple games. Man! He's playing great now. There was a 9 yard run by Green when Leach literally sealed off a Miami defender at each of the three levels to give Green the edge. What's most amazing about that play is how Green only got 9 yards.

5. Clearly on the 2nd interception it was a busted route combination. The pass literally arrived as AD and AJ were colliding into each other.

6. We aren't committing any penalties these days! Pretty amazing how clean we are with the exception of turnovers.

7. Demps and Harrison are clearly going to make a lot of plays from the safety position. The two of them combined for at least 6 big plays- though Harrison had some mistakes as well.

8. There was only one misdirection play the whole game. That was the bootleg when Schaub ran into Porter and dumped it towards AJ near the goaline on the first field goal drive. Not a single receiver reverse or another bootleg the entire game... Just seems strange considering we ran the stretch run the entire game. My guess is we'll have some success this Sunday against Detroit with those.

9. I'm probably the biggest Petey fan on these boards... However, he really looked pathetic on a couple tackle attempts. I'm hopeful that Bennett will retake that job. Bennett's best is certainly better than Petey's best.

10. Mario is simply awesome. Though it's funny that almost every single sack of his has come when he's been blocked by a TE or a RB. Amazing to me that that can happen- especially when we haven't played a Mike Martz or Steve Spurrier team yet.


We're a good football team!
 

Ryan

THIS YEAR
I also would like to add how impressed I was with Tim Bulman. He is probably our 2nd best pass rusher at the moment.
 

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
I also would like to add how impressed I was with Tim Bulman. He is probably our 2nd best pass rusher at the moment.

I'm still hoping to see more of Thompson at the DE position on passing downs. Bulman certainly will get there eventually. Also, I think Robinson, Cochran, and Okoye have also done a good job of collapsing the pocket- Okoye and Cochran win their one on one battles on passing downs almost every play. The DL is really coming together. I think these guys will start collecting sacks now.
 
I would also add Green ran well in the Miami game. Damn funny thing that fickle finger of fate Slaton was supposed to be the second back coming it to spell Green no vice versa. He has still robbed us blind on the game checks but having him as the scheme finally takes hold is a nice security blanket. When healthy that is!
 

buddyboy

Rookie
1. Despite Brown's rough game, the only real issue on the oline is Meyers and Briesel. Many plays blew up because Meyers was thrown back 5 yards into the play. Also, Briesel has a tendency to whiff blocks. The two tackles are playing excellent football. Even though Brown and even Winston do get beat occasionally, the rest of the time they are sealing the backside of the play or drive blocking on the playside of run plays.

2. Earl Cochran looked great. Especially on passing downs, they lined up Cochran at tackle next to Mario and he created a lot of havoc. He has a lot of energy on the field and seemed to win most one on one matchups.

3. Barrett mentioned this to me and I was looking for it: Slaton made an incredible block on the long pass to Walter on the winning drive. He first chipped Porter, then when he was clearly blocked, saw the DT from the opposite side of the line come free and he ran and dove into him barely keeping Schaub clean as he threw the pass... Slaton saved the game on that play- it was an amazing play both athletically and awareness.

4. Leach I thought was playing really poorly the first couple games. Man! He's playing great now. There was a 9 yard run by Green when Leach literally sealed off a Miami defender at each of the three levels to give Green the edge. What's most amazing about that play is how Green only got 9 yards.

5. Clearly on the 2nd interception it was a busted route combination. The pass literally arrived as AD and AJ were colliding into each other.

6. We aren't committing any penalties these days! Pretty amazing how clean we are with the exception of turnovers.

7. Demps and Harrison are clearly going to make a lot of plays from the safety position. The two of them combined for at least 6 big plays- though Harrison had some mistakes as well.

8. There was only one misdirection play the whole game. That was the bootleg when Schaub ran into Porter and dumped it towards AJ near the goaline on the first field goal drive. Not a single receiver reverse or another bootleg the entire game... Just seems strange considering we ran the stretch run the entire game. My guess is we'll have some success this Sunday against Detroit with those.

9. I'm probably the biggest Petey fan on these boards... However, he really looked pathetic on a couple tackle attempts. I'm hopeful that Bennett will retake that job. Bennett's best is certainly better than Petey's best.
10. Mario is simply awesome. Though it's funny that almost every single sack of his has come when he's been blocked by a TE or a RB. Amazing to me that that can happen- especially when we haven't played a Mike Martz or Steve Spurrier team yet.


We're a good football team!
Yeah, I remember one play where Faggins was chasing the ballcarrier and just gave him a two handed love tap before giving up. Two hand touch? Really?
 

HJam72

Hall of Fame
Bennett had better numbers than D-Rob last year. What IS wrong with Bennett this year? Sophomore slumps? You're not kidding his best is better than Faggins'.
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
Bennett had better numbers than D-Rob last year. What IS wrong with Bennett this year? Sophomore slumps? You're not kidding his best is better than Faggins'.
His worst is better than Petey's best. I cant believe he staarted last week...
 

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
His worst is better than Petey's best. I cant believe he staarted last week...
That's clearly not true. Perhaps it's just a funny quip. But, with all the hatrid that Petey has received on these boards the past few years I can't assume that. Petey was a solid CB for us every season but 2007. He's been playing pretty well this season too.
 
I also would like to add how impressed I was with Tim Bulman. He is probably our 2nd best pass rusher at the moment.
I agree. There was one Miami drive in the fourth quarter where he was literally pressuring Pennington on every pass play. He and Mario did a great job of collapsing the pocket together, they seem to work well in tandem.

Hopefully we see them out there together more often.

Also - regarding Schaub's second interception - he said on the NFL replay that he failed to put AD in motion, which is why the play busted.
 
Last edited:

nunusguy

Hall of Fame
Great stuff Dale-M, appreciate the time & thought you invested into your elaboration of several key topics from Sundays game.
 

mexican_texan

Furry Tractors
I'm still amazed Sparano didn't challenge that "incomplete pass" by Schaub. I saw a coach on the sidelines go crazy, but Sparano was very calm.
 
I'm still amazed Sparano didn't challenge that "incomplete pass" by Schaub. I saw a coach on the sidelines go crazy, but Sparano was very calm.
I'm still amazed that Sparano didn't go for any of the several 4th and shorts he had all day. He has one of the best RB tandems in the NFL and is playing against a team that hasn't stopped a 4th down all season long. He could have put the game out of reach at a number of points in the game, but he played entirely too conservative.
 

GlassHalfFull

Hall of Fame
I was watching the NFL replay last night and I got a good laugh out of Kubiak's eyeroll after Wilson's interception/fumble at the end of the game. His expression was priceless.
 

spurstexanstros

Texans Rising
That's clearly not true. Perhaps it's just a funny quip. But, with all the hatrid that Petey has received on these boards the past few years I can't assume that. Petey was a solid CB for us every season but 2007. He's been playing pretty well this season too.
You may be forgetting about 2006 when lee eveans made a name for himself against petey .... Personally I like the guy he is really nice..but he has let us down as a secondary player. Teams look for him on the field and the Texans play hide the petey hoping he doesnt get thrown at.
 
P

Polo

Guest
Petey isn't that bad...He's just not a starting cornerback....

He'd make an excellent Nickel or Dime back...
 

powerfuldragon

Enchilada Aficionado.
3. Barrett mentioned this to me and I was looking for it: Slaton made an incredible block on the long pass to Walter on the winning drive. He first chipped Porter, then when he was clearly blocked, saw the DT from the opposite side of the line come free and he ran and dove into him barely keeping Schaub clean as he threw the pass... Slaton saved the game on that play- it was an amazing play both athletically and awareness.
:texflag:
 

Maddict5

Hall of Fame
3. Barrett mentioned this to me and I was looking for it: Slaton made an incredible block on the long pass to Walter on the winning drive. He first chipped Porter, then when he was clearly blocked, saw the DT from the opposite side of the line come free and he ran and dove into him barely keeping Schaub clean as he threw the pass... Slaton saved the game on that play- it was an amazing play both athletically and awareness.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80b99e29
:tiphat:
 
You may be forgetting about 2006 when lee eveans made a name for himself against petey .... Personally I like the guy he is really nice..but he has let us down as a secondary player. Teams look for him on the field and the Texans play hide the petey hoping he doesnt get thrown at.
I believe that was the failed coverage over the top on both plays by C.C. Brown. He missed his assignment badly on both of those bombs. But Petey is definantly not nearly fast enough to run man on deep routes.
 

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
You may be forgetting about 2006 when lee eveans made a name for himself against petey .... Personally I like the guy he is really nice..but he has let us down as a secondary player. Teams look for him on the field and the Texans play hide the petey hoping he doesnt get thrown at.
Good grief! Because he got beat twice by Lee Evans means he's not any good? Man, that is an old, silly argument that every ignorant Texan fan in the city uses because that's all he's got. Would you like me to list two plays he's made over the course of his career as proof that he's a great cb? I could do it.

Cowboy fans had a similar relationship with JReeves- who was a young nickel CB for them that got pressed into starting duty for them last season and played pretty well. Of course, the fans blamed him for every misstep in the secondary. Now he's gone and they're relying on AHenry and M.Jenkins... They're much worse as a result.
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Harrison isn't a starting caliber player and won't be shocked if he isn't in the league very long after this season, frankly I don't think much of his play at all....too soft, doesn't fight through blocks and doesn't sell out his body to make plays.

I thought Bullman had a nice game but don't see him mentioned....so there. ;)

You may be forgetting about 2006 when lee eveans made a name for himself against petey .... Personally I like the guy he is really nice..but he has let us down as a secondary player. Teams look for him on the field and the Texans play hide the petey hoping he doesnt get thrown at.
I don't know what you are watching but Faggins has been one of the bright spots on the team this season. Lee Evans is a Pro Bowl caliber player who already had a name way before matched up with Faggins.
 

alphajoker

Veteran
1. Despite Brown's rough game, the only real issue on the oline is Meyers and Briesel. Many plays blew up because Meyers was thrown back 5 yards into the play. Also, Briesel has a tendency to whiff blocks. The two tackles are playing excellent football. Even though Brown and even Winston do get beat occasionally, the rest of the time they are sealing the backside of the play or drive blocking on the playside of run plays.
Most of the run plays that went to the left were for losses or back to the line of scrimmage. At first I thought it was because of Brown but it was mostly because Meyers got blown into the backfield. We definitely need an upgrade at center.
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
That's clearly not true. Perhaps it's just a funny quip. But, with all the hatrid that Petey has received on these boards the past few years I can't assume that. Petey was a solid CB for us every season but 2007. He's been playing pretty well this season too.
He has over achieved, but there is no way your D has any credability if he starts. He isnt that great in coverage, a tackler, or a play maker. He brings nothing. Bennet is a good to decent starting CB. He played great vs Indy and then gets benched. Faggins is easily on the short list for the worst player on our team, and Im not being funny.
 

BigBull17

Hall of Fame
Good grief! Because he got beat twice by Lee Evans means he's not any good? Man, that is an old, silly argument that every ignorant Texan fan in the city uses because that's all he's got. Would you like me to list two plays he's made over the course of his career as proof that he's a great cb? I could do it.

Cowboy fans had a similar relationship with JReeves- who was a young nickel CB for them that got pressed into starting duty for them last season and played pretty well. Of course, the fans blamed him for every misstep in the secondary. Now he's gone and they're relying on AHenry and M.Jenkins... They're much worse as a result.
And Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, Dennis Northcut, Joey Porter, Drew Bennet, Justin Gage, Justin McCarens, The buster scrub WR's from Miami(who ran past him a few times), Anyone else I left out...? He gets beat alot...
 

HJam72

Hall of Fame
I wasn't knocking Faggins as much as I was praising Bennett for his performance last year. I think the guy's got serious potential and just needs to get it together. I did hear that he was "benched" BEFORE the Indy game (not starting, but still playing plenty), so I think the coaches must agree and are trying to light a fire under him.

I must admit that I don't remember how much he played in this last game. Random things escape my attention sometimes.
 

Ole Miss Texan

Hall of Fame
Most of the run plays that went to the left were for losses or back to the line of scrimmage. At first I thought it was because of Brown but it was mostly because Meyers got blown into the backfield. We definitely need an upgrade at center.
I'd like us to look at a Center during the draft. In the mean time, I'd like to know if they're are thinking of playing Myers at guard at all. I can't remember off the top of my head but weren't most of his starts in Denver at Guard? please correct me if i'm wrong.
 

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
I also would like to add how impressed I was with Tim Bulman. He is probably our 2nd best pass rusher at the moment.
I agree. Mario's second sack came as a result of Bulman's pressure. It forced Pennington to move up in the pocket and Mario got him with his closing speed. I think we found our guy. It's no coincidence either. He did this in preseason too. Play Bulman!!!!!!
 

El Tejano

Hall of Fame
The other part I noticed was how we've moved the ball on good defenses. It really has come down to mental breakdowns about turning the ball over. If we don't do that over the course of the last 3 wks you can make a case for us to be 3-2 right now, 2-2 at least. The good news is that can be corrected. In the past our team killed our own drives with penalties and we've been good at that as of late.
 

TexansSeminole

Hall of Fame
Petey isn't that bad...He's just not a starting cornerback....

He'd make an excellent Nickel or Dime back...
I don't really think he does. You'd like your nickel and dime backs to have some ability to come up and make a tackle, and while I have seen Petey come up and make a play on a ball carrier the guy is just not a good tackler most of the time.

Sometimes he can flash some coverage skills, but I think it is negated by his inability to be a consistent tackler. His coverage skills aren't even that great.
 
P

Polo

Guest
I don't really think he does. You'd like your nickel and dime backs to have some ability to come up and make a tackle, and while I have seen Petey come up and make a play on a ball carrier the guy is just not a good tackler most of the time.

Sometimes he can flash some coverage skills, but I think it is negated by his inability to be a consistent tackler. His coverage skills aren't even that great.
errr....

If Petey weren't atleast a good tackler I doubt he'd be on special teams as much as he is...

I'm not sure what you guys have watched or seen, but I've seen Petey make plenty of good tackles since he's been a Texan...I've also seen him miss just as many as every other corner we've had not named D-Rob....
 

infantrycak

Hall of Fame
I don't really think he does. You'd like your nickel and dime backs to have some ability to come up and make a tackle, and while I have seen Petey come up and make a play on a ball carrier the guy is just not a good tackler most of the time.
Petey has clearly been working on his tackling this year and is doing a much better job. He has actually put some licks on people this season which could never really be said before.
 
I'm still amazed Sparano didn't challenge that "incomplete pass" by Schaub. I saw a coach on the sidelines go crazy, but Sparano was very calm.
Pretty sure that play was withing the final two minutes so it would have had to be reviewed upstairs like the "interception" that Schaub threw. I haven't seen it replayed but that looked like a textbook incomplete pass to me, how else does that ball travel forward so fast? I'll probably re watch it today, hurry up and get here already Sunday!!!
 

dalemurphy

Hall of Fame
Harrison isn't a starting caliber player and won't be shocked if he isn't in the league very long after this season, frankly I don't think much of his play at all....too soft, doesn't fight through blocks and doesn't sell out his body to make plays.

I thought Bullman had a nice game but don't see him mentioned....so there. ;)

I don't know what you are watching but Faggins has been one of the bright spots on the team this season. Lee Evans is a Pro Bowl caliber player who already had a name way before matched up with Faggins.
Yeah, I'm not sure why I didn't mention Bulman.

Regarding Harrison, I do see why you could call him soft after a couple of plays vs. Miami. However, I saw him really attack Brown for a one yard loss and some receivers as well, particularly against Indy. I think he has good instincts in the passing game and I've been very encouraged by what I've seen... Certainly, he's more of a FS than a SS though. It will be interesting to see how his season plays out.

Vinny, though, aren't you encouraged with the overall play and potential of this secondary with Dunta coming back and with Reeves' solid play. Since the Pittsburgh game, any play made by an opposing WR downfield has been in a very tight window.
 

ObsiWan

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I'm still amazed that Sparano didn't go for any of the several 4th and shorts he had all day. He has one of the best RB tandems in the NFL and is playing against a team that hasn't stopped a 4th down all season long. He could have put the game out of reach at a number of points in the game, but he played entirely too conservative.
I was too. Especially that fourth & an inch. Man, that must really tell his offensive line he believes in them.
 
Harrison isn't a starting caliber player and won't be shocked if he isn't in the league very long after this season, frankly I don't think much of his play at all....too soft, doesn't fight through blocks and doesn't sell out his body to make plays.

I thought Bullman had a nice game but don't see him mentioned....so there. ;)

I don't know what you are watching but Faggins has been one of the bright spots on the team this season. Lee Evans is a Pro Bowl caliber player who already had a name way before matched up with Faggins.
From what I have seen of Faggiins this year, I agree. Why all the hate on poor Petey! Not you Vinny. Actually, yoou never hear anyone talk about thhis part of it, but he is always fired up, comes out trying to rev up the crowd, is always upbeat. I like the guy!
 

disaacks3

Moderator
Staff member
1. Despite Brown's rough game, the only real issue on the oline is Meyers and Briesel. Many plays blew up because Meyers was thrown back 5 yards into the play. Also, Briesel has a tendency to whiff blocks. The two tackles are playing excellent football. Even though Brown and even Winston do get beat occasionally, the rest of the time they are sealing the backside of the play or drive blocking on the playside of run plays.
For those looking for another reason to be annoyed by John McLame...this is from his chat session:

12:03 [Comment From Art]
Hi John, Can you evaluate the play of Brisiel and Meyer? Do we need an upgrade at either of those positions? Thanks.

12:05 John McClain: In my story in the Chronicle today, I showed how the running game has improved from 99.1 yards last season to 114 this season. I expect it will continue to improve as the players get more plays in Gibbs' system. Myers has problems with power players, but he handled Jason Ferguson for the most part Sunday. Brisiel is the most underrated player on the line.
 

barrett

All Pro
i think it's still to early to have a fair asessment of Harrison. He does some good things sometimes and some bonehead things other times. he needs more time to develop or disappoint i guess is a way to put it. same could be said for brisel. both are in only their 2nd year so perhaps time is what is needed for both. meyers on the other hand is in his 4th and 4th with this scheme as well so his issue may be more of a talent issue than an inexperience issue.

some guys that are above average just seem to perform strait outta the gates though. slaton seems to be both physically capable as well as cognitive right off the bat. obviously RB is a less complicated position than OG or S but just as I make my argument that those two guys need more time i'm convincing myself that they may need help.

and what's with Bennett?

Tivo people, why is he 2nd string? what has he done worse this year? i must admit that i learned last year to stop watching him because he was always doing his job. please enlighten me.

actually, i'd love some analysis of brisel from last year to this as well. what's happened there?
 

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Yeah, I'm not sure why I didn't mention Bulman.

Regarding Harrison, I do see why you could call him soft after a couple of plays vs. Miami. However, I saw him really attack Brown for a one yard loss and some receivers as well, particularly against Indy. I think he has good instincts in the passing game and I've been very encouraged by what I've seen... Certainly, he's more of a FS than a SS though. It will be interesting to see how his season plays out.

Vinny, though, aren't you encouraged with the overall play and potential of this secondary with Dunta coming back and with Reeves' solid play. Since the Pittsburgh game, any play made by an opposing WR downfield has been in a very tight window.
My observation of Harrison is on his entire body of work (he doesn't have much to go on though) and not just a few plays vs Miami (I've made this observation earlier to my friends). I've just don't like soft safety play and had chances to stick his helmet in there a few times and was way too passive as he watched the play come to him instead of attacking the ball carrier or the blocker. He may improve but right now I consider his play unimpressive and mediocre.
 

TexansSeminole

Hall of Fame
Petey has clearly been working on his tackling this year and is doing a much better job. He has actually put some licks on people this season which could never really be said before.
I think he is playing better than he was last year, but there were a few plays where his effort in tackling was pretty weak. See the "fake" punt in the Jags game.

He tends to make good tackles on swing passes or plays where he has to come up on a running back or TE, but in coverage after catches or on long runs where he has to chase a play down he tends to swipe at the ball rather than tackling. I don't know if this is a technique the Texans teach or just something Petey does.

I like Petey in his role with the Texans right now but I think we should let Bennett play through adversity, especially with his buddy D-Rob coming back.

My observation of Harrison is on his entire body of work (he doesn't have much to go on though) and not just a few plays vs Miami (I've made this observation earlier to my friends). I've just don't like soft safety play and had chances to stick his helmet in there a few times and was way too passive as he watched the play come to him instead of attacking the ball carrier or the blocker. He may improve but right now I consider his play unimpressive and mediocre.
Yea, and it's not encouraging for these young safeties that we have on the team. Looks like we have a bunch of backups. Hopefully we will address the safety position sometime in the near future. Demps is the only trustworthy safety we have. However, I do agree with barrett Harrison and Barber both could grow into good players, they are both very young and inexperienced.
 
Last edited:

D-Frank

Waterboy
Dale, thanks for the tivo info, i dont have it
so i cant review each player, keep ur good threads up

D Frank
 
Top