Caper's Philosophy

"I think we looked more like a team today," Capers said. "Our goal was to take the game into the fourth quarter and find a way to win. We put ourselves in position to win in the fourth quarter against the hottest team in the league."

This quote is from Monday's Ghronicle. This has been Caper's Philosophy since the Texans inception and will remain that way-by now, every team in the league knows this, making it that much easier to game plan against us. Unfortunately, our worse qtr Sunday was the 4th--multiple sacks,turn overs,16 plays/42 net yds. and-according to Capers-the 4th qtr is the only qtr we'll try to win in if the score has been kept close the other qtrs. It's called 'coaching not to lose.' Trade marks of this genre include keeping the score close-ball control/'eating' the clock up/not taking chances/being conservative/trying to score on final drive if everything else falls into place.

We start each game with a small window in which to win that game if the scenario pans out, so sit back and enjoy the games.

I agree totally. This is the root of the many problems that continue to plague this organization. I was replaying this same speech in my head on the way to work this morning except I didn't hear Capers say it, I heard it last night from Charlie Casserly on "Inside the Game" on ABC after the news. We need to go into the games with the attitude of blowing someone out..kick ***** and take names!

I totally agree. It's rather maddening, and it's a loser attitude and approach. I want someone in this organization to go into a game saying, let's go kick some ***, and trounce this team.

I must admit that I liked Capers .... especially his professionalism and approach to the game ..... but ..... it's starting to wear thin .... he has 13 games left as head coach of the Texans, IMHO

Heck, MY goal for the game is to make it to the 4th quarter and hope I can stomach it to the end.

Just 13 more games until good draft picks and a new coach who will fill "needs" rather than "wants"...

That was a good plan for the first year, but does not cut it now. Coach you need to go into every game trying to dominate and pour on the points. If your goal is to stay close, your setting yourself up for alot of close losses. Losses where a bad call can impact the game. This is not a first year team anymore, however, they are being coached as a first year team and this will no longer work for me. This is the first year, i have truly been dissappointed by this organization, from the new parking, to having us bake in the sun, to the poor performance on the field. I know Mr. McNair will not let this continue.

The kick *** and take names concept is long overdue for this team. The Colts had no problem w/ that last season after they demolished us in Indianapolis, and in my opinion just ran the score up - those busters Anyway, my signature says it all... WE WANT THIS ORGANIZATION TO WIN. And win consistently.

Runner said:

Heck, MY goal for the game is to make it to the 4th quarter and hope I can stomach it to the end.

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Yep. If I can keep it close and make it to the fourth quarter I'm probably going to be able to keep my chicken wings down. That's how I'm measuring success these days.

I also like Caper's professionalism. Unfortunately that and a dollar will only get you a cup of coffee. I have really rooted for the guy, and the team, to succeed. However I am also growing tired of the same old song and dance.

Heck, even when we did get a lead, he played not to lose instead of to win. This strategy seems to cost them more games than it has helped them win.

I agree too. It's as if we go into the game believing we are overmatched and our only hope is to somehow survive into the 4th quarter with a tie score or being down by 6 points or less. Then, hopefully a miracle will happen and we will pull out a last second victory. What kind of wimpy philosophy is that anyway.

Heck, even when we did get a lead, he played not to lose instead of to win. This strategy seems to cost them more games than it has helped them win.

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And there are at least a couple high-profile games that should have been won by our team, had it not been for this Capers philosophy (Pats a couple years ago, Packers last year). Winning is winning, and every game counts. But when you're an expansion team trying to establish yourself, certain games mean more. Those two would have been good feathers in the cap, so to speak.

you must enjoy his 610 weekly show and the 10 references to keeping it close and having a chance to win in the 4th quarter.

Capers is borderline giddy with his team's performance yesterday.

the wonger need food said:

Capers is borderline giddy with his team's performance yesterday.

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...winning is not Capers first priority, as he takes more satisfaction in things being done 'his way'--saying this, what were the Texans thinking when they hired Capers? He lost his job with the Panthers for doing to that team what he is now doing to this one--keeping it close for 3 qtrs is not a winning formula. When you are behind by 6 points with a minute to go with no time outs, it does not take a rocket science to figure out what you are going to do--what's really sad, though, is after all these years as a HC of putting his teams into this scenario, Capers has not figure out a way to score--especially TDs.

So, yes, Capers is all smiles today. It is not about winning for him...and, I dare you to mention the word 'change' to him...

I think some some football fans and media people from other parts of the country probably look back at the '92 Oilers as being a "playing not to lose" team, because one of the few things they remember about them was that one game against Buffalo. I know some football fans on here hate to be reminded of that and would like to if they had the chance, but I'm trying to make a point here. The Texans are, IMO, starting to build a reputation right now as being a "playing not to lose team". But, there's going to be a lot more people looking at them that way than there are with the Oilers if Capers either doesn't change (very likely he won't) or doesn't leave at the end of the season.

I don't like the phrases like "Keep it close," and, "Have a chance to win in the 4th,", but there is another team that likes this conservative philosophy, generally speaking. They like to run the ball a lot and play smash mouth football. They keep the passing to a minimum and, when they have a lead, they are known for burning up clock-time faster than you can count it. That team is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When I imagine a perfect team, I see more passing, plain and simple. I'm not saying it would be last year's Colts or bring back the pass-n-shoot, but I do see more passing there. However, as I have stated that conservative philosophy can work. Some of the NFL's best teams have been teams with aggressive D and clock burning running games who didn't pass much. When they did pass, they used play action (successfully) and tried to burn you deep. BUT, our running game is not THAT good yet and our pass rush isn't even in the right hemisphere. Furthermore, we have Carr and Johnson. We need to find a way to use Johnson. Right now....we almost need the receivers to stay in and pass block. :brickwall

Maybe AJ can stay in and help the left tackle.

Now, having defended Caper's philosophy (in general, anyway), I have to say that he's not getting the job done. There's a huge difference between having a philosophy that can work and actually making it work. Even when this team has been at it's best, they have done it OUTSIDE of that philosophy. DD is not the type of back that Capers wanted as a starter and the success of AJ last year does not fit into Capers philosophy. Oh, sure, he'll take it, but he didn't plan for that. The players just did it.

In the end, we have a HC who wants to win games by winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball. That's what he wants. He doesn't want to win with skills players, but rather by pure muscle. But, we have a team that is consistantly beaten up on both sides of the line. Can we blame Capers for that? I think I know one thing. Somebody needs to be fired. I'm sick of watching Carr run for his life.

HJam72 said:

I don't like the phrases like "Keep it close," and, "Have a chance to win in the 4th.

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Me either. If the game gets to the point by defensive stands that you have a chance to win in the 4th Qtr.---great.

I feel you have to strut your stuff earlier in the game. Play some long ball, do anything but conservative. Try to build a lead that will break the opponents backs. Knock them on their heels, maybe, then, you can coast with Capers conservative ball.

bobby 119C

Contrast Caper's attitude with Baylor football coach:

"We take no satisfaction in coming down here and just playing close," Baylor coach Guy Morriss said. "We came here to win this football game. We just didn't execute well enough offensively to beat a good team like Texas A&M."