supertankman
Noob
Anyone still questioning Domanick Davis as our main back next year?
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Domanick Davis, any questions?
- Thread starter supertankman
- Start date
Fiddy
All Pro
Have any of yall noticed that when Davis has a good run, one of the annoucers says "great block by ____." Davis cant make things happen by himself. Franchise backs make things happen by themselves with no help. Example: Jamal Lewis today had a play where it was 3rd or 4th down with 13 yards to go. Boller was rushed and Lewis caught if for 3 yards and then broke 3 tackles to make sure he got the 1st. Davis cant put his will on defenders...AndreJ said:
big sarge
Waterboy
This is true. While Davis is a good back, I don't think Davis is a good fit for the Texans. They need a physical back that can make people pay for trying to tackle him. It's kinda like when your a kid and your dad hovers over you and beats the fear of God in you, and you grow up to respect him. I think opposing defenses will let Davis get his 100 yards a game because they know for the Texans to win, Carr has to be on the mark and in control. Thats what a QB does.
God!
Family!
Country!
Texans!!!
God!
Family!
Country!
Texans!!!
AndreJ
Rookie
I think its pretty obvious, that he isn't a J. Lewis or Ahman Green, Duce McCallister. But how many running back in the league can 3 tackles and drag a defender on his back to carry them across the 1st down line. Sure he's not the greatest, but he has been getting the job done in the past two weeks.
And of those players i mentioned above. When was the last time one of them had 201 total yards of offense.
And of those players i mentioned above. When was the last time one of them had 201 total yards of offense.
Fiddy
All Pro
Getting the job done doesnt make you a franchise back. Heck, Emmitt Smith is getting the job done in Arizona but he isnt the franchise back over there. (And I hate to tell you that Smith and Davis are both averaging 3.6 yards per carry)AndreJ said:
I really dont want to pull up the stats but I can predict that the last time each of the three players you named got 201 yards, their team won. The 201 yards Davis got were empty because the Colts gave them to him because it would help the Colts win the game.
----Edit
Okay, I lied. I looked up stats for Green and the last time he got 200+ yards was against the Broncos at the end of last season when he put up 227 total yards and the Pack won 31-3.
AndreJ
Rookie
Fiddy said:
I'm sorry but that may have been the stupidest thing i have ever heard. I dont understand how and why a team gives 201 yards to anyone to help them win a game. first its not his fault they lost the game. Carr played horrible that game and the passing game was shutdown. Not to mention our D went up against the what i recall is the 1st ranked offense in the league. If it hadn't been for Davis putting the offense on his back we would have seen antoher blowout like we did in INDY. DD accounts from damn near 50% of the Texans offense.
And if you don't mind me asking what is your definition of a franchise back?
I still question it. I love the guy but he simply is not durable enough to be the back that we need. he has already shown that.
He has the skills...but that isnt enough for the offense we want to run. I really dont want to see him leave.. but if we get a big workhorse back that can do the job.. I hope we can trade him to someone for a nice profit.
on the other hand.. if our Oline improves and gives Davis some nice holes.. his durability wont be as much of a factor and he COULD be our franchise back. Or if he just toughens up.. that is a possibility too.
Time will tell.. but no, at this point in time he is not, in my mind, our franchise back.
He has the skills...but that isnt enough for the offense we want to run. I really dont want to see him leave.. but if we get a big workhorse back that can do the job.. I hope we can trade him to someone for a nice profit.
on the other hand.. if our Oline improves and gives Davis some nice holes.. his durability wont be as much of a factor and he COULD be our franchise back. Or if he just toughens up.. that is a possibility too.
Time will tell.. but no, at this point in time he is not, in my mind, our franchise back.
Fiddy
All Pro
I wish I could find that article about empty yards that John Clayton wrote on ESPN.com. I will. You can think its stupid but it worked for the Colts. They didnt want AJ/Gaff/Bradford to touch the ball so they allowed Davis to get the ball virtually every play because they knew Davis couldnt kill them and AJ could. Have any of you guys ever noticed that Davis is always open in the flat??? If defenses were really scared of him, wouldnt they tell a LB to cover him??? They dont tell LBs to cover him because they want Davis to get the ball. The passing game was shut down because the Colts focused on the WRs and didnt worry about Davis. And when Davis accounts for 50% of the offense, we lose.AndreJ said:
My defenition of a frachise back is someone who can last most of the season and doesnt always have nagging injurys. A franchise back also has to be someone who can get the tough yards and make something out of nothing. Has to be able to run over people and run past people.
ComstockLode
Waterboy
supertankman said:
Get back to me when he stays healthy through a whole season, and averages over 4.0 ypc. Or maybe even a good performance against a good defense...
Fiddy
All Pro
Bingo. An Example of empty yards: Empty Yards by John ClaytonFiddy said:
There is another one I am trying to find, though.
Fiddy
All Pro
Good night, but he doesnt have potential. Someone who has potential has top line speed or is someone who has unbelievable strength. What you see with Davis is what we are going to get for years to come if he is our franchise back...AndreJ said:Ok im just gonna stop here, its 12:16 in the morning and frankly i dont give a damn anymore i think he has a lot of potential with it only being his second year and you don't.
Glad you feel that way
Bottom line good game today, We win evrybody is happy.
See yall l8r today.
Vinny
shiny happy fan
The most important stat is touchdowns. When Dom gets his huge yardage figures off of dump passes, they have worth, but exactly what is that worth when you are not scoring TD's? Dom has 55 receptions and 1 TD. Next, compare that to a running back that puts fear in an opposing defense when he catches a dump off pass. Brian Westbrook gives the Eagles offense incredible diversity and puts real fear in opposing defenses. Westbrook has 65 receptions and 6 TD's so far. Westbrook is a pure threat. He can beat you with a simple dump off pass on a given play. This reception stat line isn't "empty" for Westbrook because he makes teams pay. Dom's 55 touches with one TD does not strike any fear in enemy defenses over the course of a season (two more games and its over this year).
Dom is going to make a great complimentary back for a long time here, but durability is his other fatal issue as an NFL lead back. The NFL season is too short to be unsure if your back is durable enough to take on a season without missing games. Each game is extremely important, next year we want to make a playoff run so I can't see us going into next year just hoping that Dom stays healthy. Heck, one more win and we are still talking playoffs around here this week. One game can blow your playoffs slot or simply being nicked up during the playoffs will make us change our offense if we rely on Dom and just hope he will do what he has never done.
I am stealing this next part from what I posted at hpf but I don't mind.
I think those who think that we will not pursue a back next year isn't looking deep enough at what kind of offense we are trying to model. Look at what happened when the Steelers shored up their running game with Staley. Last year they knew that Bettis would need to give up touches and the Steelers have pounded the league to a one-loss season so far as Staley has allowed them to keep within their offense. Last year they were 6-10. Staley isn't a superstar, but he was another solid back to give the Steelers a dependable running attack from game to game. The season is too short to become a playoff factor having to rely on a back like Dom with Wells and Hollings as the only other alternatives. We can't 'rely' on Hollings or keep assuming we will get him up to the level of an NFL feature back (if it happens it happens at this point) and I don't consider Wells a quality starter on a playoff caliber team.
Dom is going to make a great complimentary back for a long time here, but durability is his other fatal issue as an NFL lead back. The NFL season is too short to be unsure if your back is durable enough to take on a season without missing games. Each game is extremely important, next year we want to make a playoff run so I can't see us going into next year just hoping that Dom stays healthy. Heck, one more win and we are still talking playoffs around here this week. One game can blow your playoffs slot or simply being nicked up during the playoffs will make us change our offense if we rely on Dom and just hope he will do what he has never done.
I am stealing this next part from what I posted at hpf but I don't mind.
I think those who think that we will not pursue a back next year isn't looking deep enough at what kind of offense we are trying to model. Look at what happened when the Steelers shored up their running game with Staley. Last year they knew that Bettis would need to give up touches and the Steelers have pounded the league to a one-loss season so far as Staley has allowed them to keep within their offense. Last year they were 6-10. Staley isn't a superstar, but he was another solid back to give the Steelers a dependable running attack from game to game. The season is too short to become a playoff factor having to rely on a back like Dom with Wells and Hollings as the only other alternatives. We can't 'rely' on Hollings or keep assuming we will get him up to the level of an NFL feature back (if it happens it happens at this point) and I don't consider Wells a quality starter on a playoff caliber team.
HoustonFan
Veteran
Never questioned DD as the main back. Just wishing they'd let Carr throw the ball more.
STEEL BLUE TEXANS
Hall of Fame
DD is a good 3rd down back. Nothing more, nothing less.
jacquescas
Veteran
All things being considered, Davis will start his career with consecutive 1000 yard seasons. Its about as good as a start you could ask for from a 4th round pick.
No, he is not an edgarin James or a Ricky Williams, but he has an extremely promising start to his career. With better blocking up front, and getting over that fumbling problem he should be even better next year.
At least he is fine for the next season, no draft picks or high draft picks need to be invested in the RB position.
No, he is not an edgarin James or a Ricky Williams, but he has an extremely promising start to his career. With better blocking up front, and getting over that fumbling problem he should be even better next year.
At least he is fine for the next season, no draft picks or high draft picks need to be invested in the RB position.
rittenhouserobz
Veteran
I am just wondering. If it is Hollings instead of DD would the opposing defense have to respect him a little more?
dalemurphy
Hall of Fame
STEEL BLUE TEXANS said:
Look, Davis is a lot more than "a good 3rd down back"... I'd like to see an upgrade at RB also. However, Davis does have many of the tools that great backs posess. I think his main problem is durability- most troubling, is I think he doesn't run well when he's banged up. That being said, if the team is able to address two areas of this team in the offseason, I'll be extremely disappointed if it's RB... It need to be the defensive front 7 and the OL!
By the way, what kind of season do you think DD would have behind the KC offensive line?
Davis has really been playing well in the last few weeks and looks like he's
gotten over his fumbleitis problems from early in the year - holding on to the
ball in Chi-town yesterday while "the hawk" was kicking tail was a big test for
any back and Davis passed with flying colors. But I still think we need to upgrade to a RB who has more durability and has that sudden burst out of the backfield that's a half-step quicker than DD. Stabilizing the offensive line and finding a TE are more important priorities for the offense, but upgrading DD is important to.
gotten over his fumbleitis problems from early in the year - holding on to the
ball in Chi-town yesterday while "the hawk" was kicking tail was a big test for
any back and Davis passed with flying colors. But I still think we need to upgrade to a RB who has more durability and has that sudden burst out of the backfield that's a half-step quicker than DD. Stabilizing the offensive line and finding a TE are more important priorities for the offense, but upgrading DD is important to.
STEEL BLUE TEXANS
Hall of Fame
DD is a very good 3rd down back. Better?
Hervoyel
BUENO!
I think that Davis is a good fit for the Texans IF a couple of things happen.
IF the run blocking becomes what the Texans coaches intend for it to become then yes, Davis is a good enough back. In fact I think with his running style he'll flourish in that system and end up looking a lot better than he probably is.
IF the Texans can actually master the fine art of fielding an offense that's capable of both passing (to actual recievers) and running the ball then again, yes, Davis is a good enough back. The pass protection has to be there all the time, not just when Carr finally loses it and starts screaming at the linemen (which by the way was a good thing to see. They had it coming bigtime)
Can you find a better back? Probably and I don't think the Texans are in love with Davis to the point of not being willing to upgrade the position. They just might do it this coming draft or they might wait another year. Eventually though I expect them to draft someone who's going to push Davis and then take the job away.
IF the run blocking becomes what the Texans coaches intend for it to become then yes, Davis is a good enough back. In fact I think with his running style he'll flourish in that system and end up looking a lot better than he probably is.
IF the Texans can actually master the fine art of fielding an offense that's capable of both passing (to actual recievers) and running the ball then again, yes, Davis is a good enough back. The pass protection has to be there all the time, not just when Carr finally loses it and starts screaming at the linemen (which by the way was a good thing to see. They had it coming bigtime)
Can you find a better back? Probably and I don't think the Texans are in love with Davis to the point of not being willing to upgrade the position. They just might do it this coming draft or they might wait another year. Eventually though I expect them to draft someone who's going to push Davis and then take the job away.
Yankee_In_TX
Dance Lindsay!
Muahaha, I am tired. Ignore that.
*still don't know how to delete posts*
I am happy DD is probably going to get his 1k this year!
I think my boy Wells is a darned good 3rd down back. However, he can do so much more else where as a starting back. I'll be sad to see him go, but I think it's in his best interest.
*still don't know how to delete posts*
I am happy DD is probably going to get his 1k this year!
I think my boy Wells is a darned good 3rd down back. However, he can do so much more else where as a starting back. I'll be sad to see him go, but I think it's in his best interest.
Hervoyel
BUENO!
aj. said:
Which means exactly nothing since Hollings speed never comes into play while he's inactive and nursing an injury. If in fact Davis is "injury plagued" (and I tend to agree that he is) then Hollings is absolutely fragile. At least he has been this season.
I want to see Tony Hollings do what he's supposed to be able to someday do but at the moment he's the starting RB on my "Texans All-Time Greatest Players Who Were Hurt All The Time" team.
The offense is filling out nicely on that team by the way. We're already starting Tony Boselli, Ryan Young, Bennie Joppru, and Tony Hollings!
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Fiddy said:
Funny that you should say that after the Chicago game--where there was a play that DD got smooth hit by two guys at the line of scrimmage due to poor blocking and made it into a 6-7 yard gain purely on individual effort. He ain't a top tier RB, but there is no need to make stuff up about him.
And PS--there is a lot of distance between pro-bowl RB and 3rd down back. DD is somewhere in between--just dumb to act like he is at either extreme.
Wolf
100% Texan
Davis is a solid player, but he isn't one that gives defenses nightmares. They don't game plan to stop Davis .. Basically they game plan to stop AJ and with that, it seems, it stops Carr (on most games) because who else does he throw to? AJ and Davis..
AJ is the playmaker and Davis isn't
It would be nice if davis was a step faster and maybe Santa will bring that.
AJ is the playmaker and Davis isn't
It would be nice if davis was a step faster and maybe Santa will bring that.
Yankee_In_TX
Dance Lindsay!
Maybe it's just me, but he seems to pause, just for a second, and holes fill up.Wolf said:
Instead of just running north/south, or having the naturally instinct for cutting into holes, IMO he pasuses for too long and loses himself yards.
BornOrange
Rookie
The Texans need a back who can consistently break tackles. There were several plays where Davis was able to break some tackles, but most of the time he is tackled by the first defender to lay a hand on him.
When the Texans have a back who can get yardage when the other team knows the Texans are going to run, that is when the Texans will be a dangerous team.
When the Texans have a back who can get yardage when the other team knows the Texans are going to run, that is when the Texans will be a dangerous team.
Wolf
100% Texan
get out of my head BornOrange!
I was just thinking the same thing.
about the gameplaning.. someone on this thread posted about Davis getting "empty yards" (200 and something). that basically proved the theory of defenses not gameplanning to stop Davis and just to stop AJ. What I remember is even with Davis getting the yards. Aj isn't getting the ball because teams still roll 2 players on AJ. I don't know the stats, but seems our offense suffers when Davis gets the load. I am not knocking DD, but seems our offense goes one dimentional.
and when DD has those games, I don't recall teams stacking the line or bringing a safety up just to stop the run.
I was just thinking the same thing.
about the gameplaning.. someone on this thread posted about Davis getting "empty yards" (200 and something). that basically proved the theory of defenses not gameplanning to stop Davis and just to stop AJ. What I remember is even with Davis getting the yards. Aj isn't getting the ball because teams still roll 2 players on AJ. I don't know the stats, but seems our offense suffers when Davis gets the load. I am not knocking DD, but seems our offense goes one dimentional.
and when DD has those games, I don't recall teams stacking the line or bringing a safety up just to stop the run.
shinerbock_girl
All Pro
Fiddy said:
Yeah and when he gets a good run, ITS CALLED BACK BY STUPID PENALITIES ....GEEEZZZZ....
DreamCatcher
Noob
DD is looking good and will do the job for the Texans if the run blockers continue to work well with him.
Personally, I love watching DD run, he fights for every yard he can get. He's had his share of problems with the fumbles, health issues, lack of confidence but he's back in great form. 3rd down back, goes down after one hit, etc. I don't know which running back you've been watching but it's not this guy. I give him till the end of next year to make a final decision on the situation but I've got a feeling he's going to make alot of people's opinions change about him between now and then.
Beastlyman2003
Waterboy
Domanick, over the past few games HAS been wreckin on people. hes been catchin passes for consistent 7 yard gains, and why not? I'll take a consistent 7 yard gain all day long if it gets us into position to score. And what is this **** about other coaches give him 200-yard games? They dont want to be ran all over and they DO HAVE LBs covering him most of the time. He is much faster than 260lb Linebackers, and he is going to get open in the open field if being covered by a LB. Empty yards?
STUPIDITY IS ANNOYING!
STUPIDITY IS ANNOYING! 
HJam72
Hall of Fame
DD has been getting empty yards. He's been running against mostly all zone pass coverages. He's not explosive enough to make them stop running those and then, when we pass, he looks even better because he gets the receptions because they're still shutting down the wide-outs, BECAUSE HE NEVER DID ENOUGH AGAINST THE ZONE PASS COVERAGES. I'm sure some of this is the line's fault, but I don't think DD is the answer. Those stats that Fiddy put out were really telling. This team has suffered when DD has SEEMED to be at his best and it's all being orchestrated by the opposing defensive coordinators. They're not giving DD 200 yds., but that's what he should get, because they are giving him 100. I'm refering to RUSHING yards, of course.
Fiddy
All Pro
Did we win the game where he got 200 yards??? No. So talk about how many yards he get a game, but guess what. We LOSE the games he gets yards!!! In his 5 career high games in yards, the Texans are 1-4. What are teams measured by??? Wins. The Patriots are the 11th ranked defense in yards per game, but they are 4th in scoring defense. Therefore, the yards teams are putting up on them are empty because no one can score. Davis gets 201 yards, we only score 14 points and lose. Carr looked bad because teams werent falling for any playfake. They were covering AJ, Gaff, and Bradford and pinned their ears back and rushed Carr. Davis gets a step one them, no problem. He wont rip off the 50 yarder, so he wont kill them.Beastlyman2003 said:
IGNORANCE IS ANNOYING! 
wags
Veteran
Fiddy said:
I just don't understand your logic. Your correlation between DD and our win-loss record might have merit if we were a good team. We are a bad team and we lose the majority of our games regardless of how DD plays. You can't blame DD for our record. Can the Titans pin there last two losses on Billy Volek? No. You know why? Because the Titans stink. Football is a team sport and one individual doesn't cause a win or loss.
How many receptions did Marshall Faulk have during the Rams glory days? Did they just give him these receptions because he wasn't a big play threat? With Isaac Bruce,Torry Holt and the greatest show on turf, how could Marshall Faulk be their leading receiver? How could the Rams win the Super Bowl in a year where Marshall had 80-85 receptions?
HJam72
Hall of Fame
AndreJ said:
I think we need a better STARTING RB. Yes, it's a team sport. If we had the old Cowboys O-line and Montana at QB with Rice and AJ as wide-outs, then we would certainly still win with DD. Also, nobody is accusing DD of a lack of effort here. The guy just doesn't break defenses. He's a 3rd down back and Wells is a goal-line back.
Fiddy
All Pro
I am not blaming him for the loses, but saying that the yards he gets are empty. If any other back get 201 total yards, their team will most likely win. But when Davis gets these yards, the team doesnt win. Even when bad teams RBs get 200 total yards they win, we dont.wags said:
Marshall Faulk was a game breaking back. He could take a 7 yard dump off and take it 40 yards for the TD. I have yet to see Davis do that once. It is an insult to Marshall Faulk to compare him in his prime to Davis.