The year of no excuses.

TEXANRED · Apr 26, 2009

I gave a mini run down of how I feel about this upcoming 2009 Houston Texan squad in a post in another thread and figured it deserved its own thread.

There is no excuse this year for this team to not take the next step. There is no excuse why this team should not be talked about in the same sentence as the Steelers, Titans, Ravens, Patriots. This is a very talented, young team that with the right direction should not only be competing for the division title, but should also be playing for a Championship.

If Frank Bush is the guy that Kubiak says he is then this is what our defense will look like:

The Front seven is comprised of Mario Williams, Amobi, Travis Johnson, Antoine Smith, Brian Cushing, Demeco Ryans, and Xavier Adibi. Of those seven I see 5 future pro-bowlers in Williams, AO, Cushing, Ryans, and Adibi. That is a hell of a front seven. (and yes I know that Ryans and Williams went to the pro-bowl but I am speaking of future bowlers) Now add our depth to the Mix with Okam, Robinson, Bentley, Diles, Barwin, Bulman, and Thompson. I also feel that AO and TJ are going to look all world this year with the Defense allowing them to attack -vs- read and react. I believe that plays more to there strengths.

In the back half of the house we got DRob, Reeves, Wilson, and Barber. Except for Wilson they are young and athletic. They also just improved with the front seven improving. I don't care what some say but Reeves is fast, athletic, and led our team in INT's last year. DRob should be a monster this year cus he will be auditioning for a new team, so I expect to see no less than 10 INT's from him this year. We also got very very fast with Mccain, Quin, and Nolan. So really we just added fast on fast when your roster already had Bennett and Moldin.

Our 3rd ranked offense got better too. Sure we didn't come out of the draft with a big back, which might come back to haunt us, but lets hope not. We got James Freakin Casey. Are you serious? Is someone out there really telling me that we are going to have James Casey and O.D.? With both of those TE's on the roster there is no excuse why Schaub won't finish the season with no less than 25 TD passes and our Red Zone scoring just dramatically improved.

So our offensive skill weapons are going to be AJ, Walter, Slaton, OD, and Casey? Combine that with an OLine that played together for an entire year and has a full year of experience in the ZBS, we should average 32 points a game.

There are no excuses. This team is loaded with talent, but, like a car, it is only as good as the driver behind the wheel. So if Kubiak can find it within himself to not challenge plays that take away a time out, put points on the board instead of going for it and then end up chasing them for the rest of the game, and manage the clock correctly, there is no reason this team can not dominate this season.

But that is just my opinion.

TheIronDuke · Apr 26, 2009

TEXANRED said:
DRob should be a monster this year cus he will be auditioning for a new team, so I expect to see no less than 10 INT's from him this year.

This is the only thing that caught my attention. You do know Dunta's only had 13 picks for his entire career right?

Edit to mention his career high is 6 picks his rookie year. I don't know why anyone is so high on him.

The1ApplePie · Apr 26, 2009

Playoffs are a possibility but beyond that is unrealistic

Secondary is full of holes and D-Rob is either washed up or about to be let go

Defensive tackle is a glarring weakness. Hopefully the new scheme will help Okoye from becomming the next TJ

The offense hasn't been that improved, a few situational players were added

Will Schaub be the "Fragile Mattie" of years past or the gutsy clutch QB he has shown flashes as?

The Texans got better but it is a tough road to hoe

Marcus · Apr 26, 2009

TEXANRED said:
I gave a mini run down of how I feel about this upcoming 2009 Houston Texan squad in a post in another thread and figured it deserved its own thread.

There is no excuse this year for this team to not take the next step. There is no excuse why this team should not be talked about in the same sentence as the Steelers, Titans, Ravens, Patriots. This is a very talented, young team that with the right direction should not only be competing for the division title, but should also be playing for a Championship.

If Frank Bush is the guy that Kubiak says he is then this is what our defense will look like:

The Front seven is comprised of Mario Williams, Amobi, Travis Johnson, Antoine Smith, Brian Cushing, Demeco Ryans, and Xavier Adibi. Of those seven I see 5 future pro-bowlers in Williams, AO, Cushing, Ryans, and Adibi. That is a hell of a front seven. (and yes I know that Ryans and Williams went to the pro-bowl but I am speaking of future bowlers) Now add our depth to the Mix with Okam, Robinson, Bentley, Diles, Barwin, Bulman, and Thompson. I also feel that AO and TJ are going to look all world this year with the Defense allowing them to attack -vs- read and react. I believe that plays more to there strengths.

In the back half of the house we got DRob, Reeves, Wilson, and Barber. Except for Wilson they are young and athletic. They also just improved with the front seven improving. I don't care what some say but Reeves is fast, athletic, and led our team in INT's last year. DRob should be a monster this year cus he will be auditioning for a new team, so I expect to see no less than 10 INT's from him this year. We also got very very fast with Mccain, Quin, and Nolan. So really we just added fast on fast when your roster already had Bennett and Moldin.

Our 3rd ranked offense got better too. Sure we didn't come out of the draft with a big back, which might come back to haunt us, but lets hope not. We got James Freakin Casey. Are you serious? Is someone out there really telling me that we are going to have James Casey and O.D.? With both of those TE's on the roster there is no excuse why Schaub won't finish the season with no less than 25 TD passes and our Red Zone scoring just dramatically improved.

So our offensive skill weapons are going to be AJ, Walter, Slaton, OD, and Casey? Combine that with an OLine that played together for an entire year and has a full year of experience in the ZBS, we should average 32 points a game.

There are no excuses. This team is loaded with talent, but, like a car, it is only as good as the driver behind the wheel. So if Kubiak can find it within himself to not challenge plays that take away a time out, put points on the board instead of going for it and then end up chasing them for the rest of the game, and manage the clock correctly, there is no reason this team can not dominate this season.

But that is just my opinion.

Sounds to me like you're just trying to set yourself up to be disappointed and/or have an excuse to create a bunch of "Fire (fill in the blank)" threads.

But that is just my opinion.

TexansLucky13 · Apr 26, 2009

TheIronDuke said:
This is the only thing that caught my attention. You do know Dunta's only had 13 picks for his entire career right?

Edit to mention his career high is 6 picks his rookie year. I don't know why anyone is so high on him.

The reason he has so few interceptions is because QBs are afraid to throw the ball in his direction....

*insert heated discussion about CB stats*

TexansFanatic · Apr 26, 2009

TheIronDuke said:
This is the only thing that caught my attention. You do know Dunta's only had 13 picks for his entire career right?

Edit to mention his career high is 6 picks his rookie year. I don't know why anyone is so high on him.

Agree. Dunta is a good corner. He is not elite and never has been.

m5kwatts · Apr 26, 2009

You're forgetting a huge piece --- Cato June the starting ROLB .... i think he'll win out over Adibi because of his experience and knowledge and the fact that adibi is better suited for ST

GNTLEWOLF · Apr 26, 2009

Let me give you a few excuses..... No real back-up Rb..... DB's do we really have any that are good?....and we still really know nothing about Frank Bush's defensive scheme and if it is any better than Richard Smith's

rarazz00 · Apr 26, 2009

I agree with TexanRed. I feel we should make bigger strides than last year. Our team is developing continuity(ala O-Line) we have a more favorable schedule than last year. We need a little luck and to get HOT at the right time. A Championship would be great, though we should make the post season. It does look good on paper :thinking:

I also feel that Coach Kubiak needs to make some better decisions in terms of challenges and team preparation...Kyle Shanahan is supposed to call the plays this year so maybe "Kubs" can focus more on being the HC as opposed to HC/OC...fingers crossed for the 09 season. :fans:

threetoedpete · Apr 27, 2009

Well you peel the onion away on all of this....I place a bet, I place my money with the man with big money clips. there is no way Robinson will win tihs pissing war. and any man who'd pass up 9.5 million is either stupid or running scared. Robinson is not going to hold up McNair. If the Texans cut him loose he'll end up wth the vet minimun. He's gotten some bad advise here from some one who has nothing to lose if Robinson loses. McNair doesn't strike me as a man who folds at a big wind. If Robinson wants out of town he's found the quickest way to get there. And he's not going to get out there what McNair has just offered him.

threetoedpete · Apr 27, 2009

The1ApplePie said:
Playoffs are a possibility but beyond that is unrealistic

Secondary is full of holes and D-Rob is either washed up or about to be let go

Defensive tackle is a glaring weakness. Hopefully the new scheme will help Okoye from becoming the next TJ

The offense hasn't been that improved, a few situational players were added

Will Schaub be the "Fragile Mattie" of years past or the gutsy clutch QB he has shown flashes as?

The Texans got better but it is a tough road to hoe

Why ? Why are the play off unrealistic ? Because the second day guys were off your radar ? They just bought two guys who should help them pass the thirty sack mark....and that's being conservative.

Brown last week was reported to have lost another ten pounds and is working very hard in the of season. Smith said today they had thee chances to draft RB's....and they chose to take a high rated guy on their board. I mean either we trust this set of scouts or we don't. According to smith's coment from today....they got who they wanted.

Your still drinking from the bitter cup because your guy wasn't drafted...
get over it and get on board. they needed weapons on defense and drafted them.

And I don't know how many times you have to read it...but here it is one more time.....they Like Travis Johnson . and he is executing exactly precisely what they want him to do.

Silver Oak · Apr 27, 2009

Marcus said:
Sounds to me like you're just trying to set yourself up to be disappointed and/or have an excuse to create a bunch of "Fire (fill in the blank)" threads.

But that is just my opinion.

I agree.

We can be optimistic, but contained optimism is best. The other teams in our division drafted this weekend too, and I don't think they went after underachievers.

We're not cellar dwellers, we're on the right track...that's my mindset anyways.

Runner · Apr 27, 2009

GNTLEWOLF said:
Let me give you a few excuses..... No real back-up Rb..... DB's do we really have any that are good?....and we still really know nothing about Frank Bush's defensive scheme and if it is any better than Richard Smith's

These are definitely excuses and not reasons. The DBs have been a long term problem and back-up RB is a known problem they chose not to address yet. If they shore up these areas between now and the season, great. If they don't, why didn't they?

No excuses this year. The Texans have their rebuilt team, the schedule doesn't look "too hard" or unfair, etc. Comparing schedules, it looks to me that a 10-6 record this year equates to 8-8 last year. Anything less than 11-5 is treading water in comparison to the rest of the league. The Texans need to be gaining this year, not maintaining status quo.

Texans_Chick · Apr 27, 2009

Runner said:
These are definitely excuses and not reasons. The DBs have been a long term problem and back-up RB is a known problem they chose not to address yet. If they shore up these areas between now and the season, great. If they don't, why didn't they?

No excuses this year. The Texans have their rebuilt team, the schedule doesn't look "too hard" or unfair, etc. Comparing schedules, it looks to me that a 10-6 record this year equates to 8-8 last year. Anything less than 11-5 is treading water in comparison to the rest of the league. The Texans need to be gaining this year, not maintaining status quo.

Eh, the difference between excuses and explanations is often just one of semantics.

Personally, I think the hardest task for the Texans in the upcoming year is figuring out the defense. Even if Frank Bush is the best defensive coordinator on the entire planet, the Texans have a group of players who haven't played together much and are depending on young guys as key players for key positions.

It's been my experience in any sport that a team where the teammates are used to playing together and know each other well, can beat a team of better athletes who aren't used to playing together.

And what I know of most rookies, no matter how talented, is that they make mistakes. All NFL teams make mistakes, and the best teams are able to play through mistakes. But rookies make more mistakes, and more = more opportunities to be burnt by them. The Steelers have thrown in some young players, but usually they don't have to depend on them for key positions...they are developed.

It's my belief that the Frank Bush hire was an attempt to flatten the learning curve of a new coordinator learning who can play and what they are best at.
Think of the best defenses in the league--they tend to have quality players who have had a core group of guys who know their system without having to think.

I think the most extreme illustration of my point is Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis has been with the Ravens since 1996. Before the Texans were even a thought.

I am not sure that the Texans can play NFL playoff caliber defense. I think their offense will be better. I think the Texans defense's next step is just average. Their next step is to have a consistent lineup that they feel confident in instead of having to try so many different things because the stuff they are doing is sucking so bad.

And sometimes offenses or defenses just click from one year to the next. Maybe that happens for the Texans d.

Marcus · Apr 27, 2009

So where are we going exactly with this "no excuses" thing, other than justing wanting to pull the hair-trigger on the "fire everyone" gun?

Runner · Apr 27, 2009

Marcus said:
So where are we going exactly with this "no excuses" thing, other than justing wanting to pull the hair-trigger on the "fire everyone" gun?

If I can attempt to interpret your motivations in posting as you are trying to interpret mine, I'd say you seem to be locked into knowing that is what people really mean by no excuses, so I don't know that you really want the question answered.

In my case it is just an indication of raised expectations based on the where the team should be this year. The organization has had plenty of time to get it's act together and be better than average. I think having raised expectations based on real team growth as opposed to hopes and wishes is a good thing.

I don't define success for the team by being able to spin a scenario where this year's 8-8 team is much better than last year's 8-8 team which was easily better than the previous year's 8-8 effort...

I don't want to hear at the end of this year that this is the best 8-8 team EVER, and I should be happy because if not for half the players, a couple of coaches, and the NFL in general the Texans are really Super Bowl champions. Of course what I want and what I get are often two different things.

I guess what I really want is to not be excoriated for not being able to take a 3-3 team and project that to a 12-4 season record based solely on the fact that I'm supposed to be a fan. Sometimes I can be so negative!

Do I think there should be accountability? Yes! Am I eager to see people fired for their failures? Not usually, but if a formula isn't working something has to change.

I'd rather see wins then firings.

InterestedJeff · Apr 27, 2009

TexansLucky13 said:
The reason he has so few interceptions is because QBs are afraid to throw the ball in his direction....

*insert heated discussion about CB stats*

Dunta was thrown to quite a bit last season and he gave up more than a fair share of defendable balls. I gave him a pass becuase he was coming back from the PUP list but there's no reason to blow sunshine up his butt. He had multiple blown coverages and he was beat off the line multiple times. I think he'll be better this year but I doubt he'll be all world.

Marcus · Apr 27, 2009

Runner said:
If I can attempt to interpret your motivations in posting as you are trying to interpret mine, I'd say you seem to be locked into knowing that is what people really mean by no excuses, so I don't know that you really want the question answered.

Good observation and point taken, and frankly, you're right, I think that is what what most people really mean by 'no excuses'. There are exceptions of course, and you may well be one of them. But I've been around this board since before Season One, and that's allowed me to be able to get a good read on where people are coming from. Case in point, there was, and still is, a sizable number of posters who wanted Kubiak fired last year, and disappointed that he wasn't. That they are the same ones that are on this "no excuses" kick, well, let's just say I have the same attitude about coincidences as cops. I don't believe in them.

Runner said:
In my case it is just an indication of raised expectations based on the where the team should be this year. The organization has had plenty of time to get it's act together and be better than average. I think having raised expectations based on real team growth as opposed to hopes and wishes is a good thing.

I don't define success for the team by being able to spin a scenario where this year's 8-8 team is much better than last year's 8-8 team which was easily better than the previous year's 8-8 effort...

I don't want to hear at the end of this year that this is the best 8-8 team EVER, and I should be happy because if not for half the players, a couple of coaches, and the NFL in general the Texans are really Super Bowl champions. Of course what I want and what I get are often two different things.

I guess what I really want is to not be excoriated for not being able to take a 3-3 team and project that to a 12-4 season record based solely on the fact that I'm supposed to be a fan Sometimes I can be so negative!

Do I think there should be accountability? Yes! Am I eager to see people fired for their failures? Not usually, but if a formula isn't working something has to change.

There are just so many factors that go into whether or not you have a winning season, and like TC alluded to in her post, excuses, explanations, and reasons all fall into the grey umbrella. There is no black and white, especially when you throw injuries into the picture.

Runner said:
I'd rather see wins then firings.

Sometimes I wonder, runner. Maybe not you, but others . . .

Texecutioner · Apr 27, 2009

Runner said:
If I can attempt to interpret your motivations in posting as you are trying to interpret mine, I'd say you seem to be locked into knowing that is what people really mean by no excuses, so I don't know that you really want the question answered.

In my case it is just an indication of raised expectations based on the where the team should be this year. The organization has had plenty of time to get it's act together and be better than average. I think having raised expectations based on real team growth as opposed to hopes and wishes is a good thing.

I don't define success for the team by being able to spin a scenario where this year's 8-8 team is much better than last year's 8-8 team which was easily better than the previous year's 8-8 effort...

I don't want to hear at the end of this year that this is the best 8-8 team EVER, and I should be happy because if not for half the players, a couple of coaches, and the NFL in general the Texans are really Super Bowl champions. Of course what I want and what I get are often two different things.

I guess what I really want is to not be excoriated for not being able to take a 3-3 team and project that to a 12-4 season record based solely on the fact that I'm supposed to be a fan Sometimes I can be so negative!

Do I think there should be accountability? Yes! Am I eager to see people fired for their failures? Not usually, but if a formula isn't working something has to change.

I'd rather see wins then firings.

Where have you been? I miss your NON HOMERISH POSTS. :goodpost:

Runner · Apr 27, 2009

Marcus said:
There are just so many factors that go into whether or not you have a winning season, and like TC alluded to in her post, excuses, explanations, and reasons all fall into the grey umbrella. There is no black and white, especially when you throw injuries into the picture.

Yes there are many factors. I take one exception to the injury equation though. If Matt Schaub misses 4 or 5 games (or more, ugh) - that shouldn't be a surprise. It will be a continuing trend. If QB guru Kubiak and staff field a replacement that is less than adequate - not great, but not even OK - then they have failed at that position. They had Kubiak's hand selected back-up in Sage, they found him wanting, and they are trying another route. They should have no excuse in having a decent backup QB after this many years on the job.

Other than that, all teams face similar challenges through the season. There's a lot of luck involved at times, but preparation has a way of making luck. The Texans look pretty well prepared at this early stage. They need to perform this year.

Fox · Apr 27, 2009

The Texans have no excuse not to have a solid answer at every position and it's back up. It's not like there's a lot of turn over on NFL rosters or anything.

Lucky · Apr 27, 2009

Texans_Chick said:
It's been my experience in any sport that a team where the teammates are used to playing together and know each other well, can beat a team of better athletes who aren't used to playing together.

The Texans offense has been together for the same time period as the defense. The offensive line had 2 1/2 new starters in '08 (Brisiel had 4 starts in '07). The QB was only in his 2nd season with the club. A rookie RB carried the weight of the running game. I'm not saying that it was a playoff offense. It wasn't. But, they had as much cohesion as teams like the Dolphins and Falcons. Who did make the playoffs.

Dunta, Mario, DeMeco, and Travis will begin their 4th season together. Okoye and Bennett will begin their 3rd season. Wilson, Reeves, and Antonio Smith are vets with playoff experience. The Texans are playing defense with NFL talent. Not superstars at every position. But, as much ability as many teams who have made the playoffs. And this is Frank Bush's 3rd year with the team, so even though he has never coordinated a defense, he should know what these guys can do and put them in a position to succeed.

No, the 2009 Texans are not the 2008 Steeler defense. But, the 2004 Steeler defense played with 5 new starters and led the league in fewest points and yards allowed. Why can't the 2009 Texans defense be the 2004 Steelers defense? New players and new coaches aren't reasons for a team not excell. They're excuses. Which aren't allowed in the year of no excuses.

ObsiWan · Apr 28, 2009

Lucky said:
The Texans offense has been together for the same time period as the defense. The offensive line had 2 1/2 new starters in '08 (Brisiel had 4 starts in '07). The QB was only in his 2nd season with the club. A rookie RB carried the weight of the running game. I'm not saying that it was a playoff offense. It wasn't. But, they had as much cohesion as teams like the Dolphins and Falcons. Who did make the playoffs.

Dunta, Mario, DeMeco, and Travis will begin their 4th season together. Okoye and Bennett will begin their 3rd season. Wilson, Reeves, and Antonio Smith are vets with playoff experience. The Texans are playing defense with NFL talent. Not superstars at every position. But, as much ability as many teams who have made the playoffs. And this is Frank Bush's 3rd year with the team, so even though he has never coordinated a defense, he should know what these guys can do and put them in a position to succeed.

No, the 2009 Texans are not the 2008 Steeler defense. But, the 2004 Steeler defense played with 5 new starters and led the league in fewest points and yards allowed. Why can't the 2009 Texans defense be the 2004 Steelers defense? New players and new coaches aren't reasons for a team not excell. They're excuses. Which aren't allowed in the year of no excuses.

we don't have Dick Lebeau - 2004 was when he took over the Steeler defense.
Coincidence? ...maybe
but I don't think so.

Frank Bush may be > Richard Smith
but Dick LeBeau > Frank Bush until proven otherwise

DBCooper · Apr 28, 2009

GNTLEWOLF said:
Let me give you a few excuses..... No real back-up Rb..... DB's do we really have any that are good?....and we still really know nothing about Frank Bush's defensive scheme and if it is any better than Richard Smith's

If he has a scheme, it will be better than Dick's.

For me, the excuses ended last year when the Steelers took us apart like little kids against warriors.

The year of no excuses.

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