dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
Well, I haven't done this for awhile and just spent 3 hours going through the game in great detail. Before my list of observations, I must say that this team is sooo much better than the one I was watching in September and October, especially from a confidence standpoint. It really looks like this team matured a lot this year. Okay, now for some specifics.
1. Bentley is probably the best backup LB we've ever had on the team. He's consistantly in the right place, doesn't overpursue and secures his tackles.
2.Greenwood is garbage and I look forward to him being cut this off-season.
3. Okoye actually caused the interception. He beat the guard and hit Collins arm right up the middle on as he was throwing the post into the endzone. Actually, Okoye won his battles about 1/2 the time. Interestingly, he either ended up in the backfield or totally washed out of the play. My guess is that is because he's quick and explosive but not strong enough yet to hold up at the POA. I think another year in the weight room and a thicker NT will help him greatly.
4. TJohnson is garbage. He can pursue along the line okay but doesn't get penetration and can't stand up to any double teams.
5. We only blitzed about 5-6 times but they were well timed and disguised better than in the past. Also, each blitz was unique. There was a safety blitz. There were a couple of variety of LB blitzes. There was even a delayed blitz on the 3-11 towards the end of the game.
6. Bulman, Robinson, Okoye, Weaver all got penetration in the run and pass throughout the game- though I wouldn't say any of them were dominate.
7. Dunta is still a little unsure about exploding off of his leg. He'll be better next season.
8. Salaam is done. He was on his butt, rocking backwards, getting thrown to the side all night long... not to mention a couple of penalties and the inability to dominate at any point.
9. Brown is still inconsistant. He only got beat badly twice... both times by Haynesworth, once on a bull rush and the next time on a speed rush, oddly. Clearly Haynesworth was in his head a little- understandable.
10. Briesel is light years better than he was in October. He made a number of excellent blocks in the run game and wasn't ever embarassed in pass protection. He's come a long way and this is from a guy whose been screaming for an upgrade at RG.
11. Myers handled Haynesworth pretty well. He got a lot of help but was rarely thrown back. And, he had some nice second level blocks. He's also looked better of late.
12. Pitts was very good on the back side of running plays. Especially Slaton's 13 yard run at the end of the game. He rode a guy from the middle of the field literally to the opposite sidelines. He seems to prefer not to cut and generally stays engaged even on the back side.
13. Winston got beat on a couple speed rushes. Both he and Brown had great moments but also some pretty bad ones. I guess that's not surprising for NFL tackles.
14. Once again, ODaniels made a number of good blocks and was left isolated on Kearse a couple times in the run and pass game. He handled himself quite well.
15. Slaton continues to impress picking up blitzers and helping in pass protection. He did have two breakdowns. But he also made a number of very good blocks.
16. Schaub looks great and doesn't seem so fragile anymore. He took some licks and was never rattled nor woozy!
17. I find it a little odd that the Texans don't ever run the end around or fake the end around on the zone stretch. I'm not sure why that is. However, they have been run a play that looks like the zone stretch but a TE actually doubles back and blocks on the back side- like a counter... I suppose that is the run play they're using to keep the overpursuit honest?
18. The passing game is basically unstoppable right now. And Schaub is getting much better understanding situation and taking care of the ball.
Guys, this team is right on the cusp! I can't wait until '09. By the way, we're gonna beat the heck out of Oakland this weekend. That, I guarantee.
1. Bentley is probably the best backup LB we've ever had on the team. He's consistantly in the right place, doesn't overpursue and secures his tackles.
2.Greenwood is garbage and I look forward to him being cut this off-season.
3. Okoye actually caused the interception. He beat the guard and hit Collins arm right up the middle on as he was throwing the post into the endzone. Actually, Okoye won his battles about 1/2 the time. Interestingly, he either ended up in the backfield or totally washed out of the play. My guess is that is because he's quick and explosive but not strong enough yet to hold up at the POA. I think another year in the weight room and a thicker NT will help him greatly.
4. TJohnson is garbage. He can pursue along the line okay but doesn't get penetration and can't stand up to any double teams.
5. We only blitzed about 5-6 times but they were well timed and disguised better than in the past. Also, each blitz was unique. There was a safety blitz. There were a couple of variety of LB blitzes. There was even a delayed blitz on the 3-11 towards the end of the game.
6. Bulman, Robinson, Okoye, Weaver all got penetration in the run and pass throughout the game- though I wouldn't say any of them were dominate.
7. Dunta is still a little unsure about exploding off of his leg. He'll be better next season.
8. Salaam is done. He was on his butt, rocking backwards, getting thrown to the side all night long... not to mention a couple of penalties and the inability to dominate at any point.
9. Brown is still inconsistant. He only got beat badly twice... both times by Haynesworth, once on a bull rush and the next time on a speed rush, oddly. Clearly Haynesworth was in his head a little- understandable.
10. Briesel is light years better than he was in October. He made a number of excellent blocks in the run game and wasn't ever embarassed in pass protection. He's come a long way and this is from a guy whose been screaming for an upgrade at RG.
11. Myers handled Haynesworth pretty well. He got a lot of help but was rarely thrown back. And, he had some nice second level blocks. He's also looked better of late.
12. Pitts was very good on the back side of running plays. Especially Slaton's 13 yard run at the end of the game. He rode a guy from the middle of the field literally to the opposite sidelines. He seems to prefer not to cut and generally stays engaged even on the back side.
13. Winston got beat on a couple speed rushes. Both he and Brown had great moments but also some pretty bad ones. I guess that's not surprising for NFL tackles.
14. Once again, ODaniels made a number of good blocks and was left isolated on Kearse a couple times in the run and pass game. He handled himself quite well.
15. Slaton continues to impress picking up blitzers and helping in pass protection. He did have two breakdowns. But he also made a number of very good blocks.
16. Schaub looks great and doesn't seem so fragile anymore. He took some licks and was never rattled nor woozy!
17. I find it a little odd that the Texans don't ever run the end around or fake the end around on the zone stretch. I'm not sure why that is. However, they have been run a play that looks like the zone stretch but a TE actually doubles back and blocks on the back side- like a counter... I suppose that is the run play they're using to keep the overpursuit honest?
18. The passing game is basically unstoppable right now. And Schaub is getting much better understanding situation and taking care of the ball.
Guys, this team is right on the cusp! I can't wait until '09. By the way, we're gonna beat the heck out of Oakland this weekend. That, I guarantee.