My biggest concern is there is too much "caperism" in our first game scenario.
1) Kubiak said the Texans would do whatever it took to win.
2) Kubiak said it was his job to put players in situations they could excel at.
3) kubiak said the best players would play.
4) Kubiak said all phases of the game would be aggressive.
Things we were hoping not to see
1) getting a lead and sitting on it
2) playing the game close-'you don't score, we won't score'
3) counting on the 4th qtr to get back in the game
4) finding something that worked (Carr/passing on the 1st drive-blitzing in the pre-season) and not doing it again
5) sticking with things/schemes that aren't working
6) passive play calling
7) using the TE for almost 100% blocking
8) constant pressure on Carr
9) unable to put pressure on the opposing QB
10) unable to stop the run
11) no game time adjustments
12) weak game plan
IMO, there was too much of the 'old' and very little of the 'new' in this game, and this thought only got worse as the game went along. Where was all the 'whatever it takes to win' game plan? Where were the 'game time' adjustments to fix what was not working? Where was the agressiveness? Where was the attacking?
I can accept losing, just not like last year anymore, as we 'progress' with everything new. We gave Capers a 'long leash' and we NEVER questioned his broken promises until it was too late. Would it have helped to hold him accountable sooner than later? I don't know but I do know ignoring the 'warning signs' did not work either.
IMO, we need to listen to Kubiak and be 'wary' of what he promises and what we see on the field and question him about 'what happened?' For example, in pre-season, we were 'all over' the opposing QB with blitzes every where and thought-finally-we found our pressure 'solution.' But no. Everything changes in our 1st game--zero blitzing, zero pressure, and ultimate disaster...Then, out of the 'blue,' Kubiak says in his post game comments that he doesn't want to blitz. He wants the 'front four' to apply whatever pressure is needed. HELL-O! Where did this thought all of a sudden come from? Has Manning read this yet? Well, surprise surprise, it didn't work as our 4 could not beat their 6-7.
And, to make it worse, we NEVER made any adjustments.
OK, enough ranting, as I'm sure I'm probally the only one concerned here and-with time- everything will get 'all better.' I wonder if I could put 'time/better' in a bottle and sell it?