Defensive Play Calling - For Discussion

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

The playcalls looked good. In comparison to the offense's playcalling, that is.

I didn't see the problem with them using man coverage, so I didn't see a problem with the play call.

The defense just didn't stop them.

I think the defensive play calling is mind boggling. They seemed so much more aggressive at the beginning of the year, and now we're playing soft, like they're trying to cover up weaknesses rather than play to strengths. I would not mind seeing a new Def coordinator in there next year.

Texans_Chick said:

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

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On the big play at the end of the game , the LBs did some kinda of looping stunt that was stuffed . I guess I'd rather us shoot a gap or something instead of a long arc .

I think the defense can set a tone by being more of a risk taker .

We got 2 onside kicks in a row, how about pulling a Jacksonville and doing a surprise onside kick with 57 seconds left instead of kicking it deep - just kidding.

The seemed a little bland to me. Not enough blitzing (Meco's solo sack), and he should trade a 481st round pick for Petey.

Marcus said:

I didn't see the problem with them using man coverage, so I didn't see a problem with the play call.

The defense just didn't stop them.

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there was to much time to go into some type of prevent. they probably had help for whoever was on the other side and let d-rob handle is own. nothing wrong with that we just didnt pressure collins and he is a good passer without pressure, like any nfl qb.

Texans_Chick said:

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

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haven't seen enough of that prevent zone crap yet eh?

i have no problem with the blitz and man coverage in that situation.. tacks made a good play thats all

Texans_Chick said:

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

Click to expand...

I'm on the road in Atlanta and missed the entire 1st half.

IMO, we have a 2 fold problem. Incompetent playcalling and coaching and a lack of talent throughout our defense.

The playcalling and defensive schemes are way too passive. We have definite lack of talent in the secondary and OLB and why in the world would the coaches put our inferior talent in a man-on-man at the end of the game is beyond me!! Perhaps we are playing for another high draft pick so we can draft an impact dlineman!

Which brings up a point: Mario and Amobi have not shown to be any better than ND Kalu and Anthony Maddox and Earl Cochran. Travis Johnson is having his best year but, not as good as we have expected him to be. The dline is a dissappointment but, I also have to believe that some of the blame lies with the coaching, schemes, and play calling. Our OLB's are still below average and our secondary just sucks (except for DRob).

Another point: why in the world is Faggins still playing most of the game? He is already proven to be a liability at best and why not be grooming Bennett for the position?

Why do we have to wait for the off season to make a change at DC? I say do it now because it is clear that our defense is not progressing.

Texans_Chick said:

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

Click to expand...

I'm on the road in Atlanta and missed the entire 1st half.

IMO, we have a 2 fold problem. Incompetent playcalling and coaching and a lack of talent throughout our defense.

The playcalling and defensive schemes are way too passive. We have definite lack of talent in the secondary and OLB and why in the world would the coaches put our inferior talent in a man-on-man at the end of the game is beyond me!! Perhaps we are playing for another high draft pick so we can draft an impact dlineman!

Which brings up a point: Mario and Amobi have not shown to be any better than ND Kalu and Anthony Maddox and Earl Cochran. Travis Johnson is having his best year but, not as good as we have expected him to be. The dline is a dissappointment but, I also have to believe that some of the blame lies with the coaching, schemes, and play calling. Our OLB's are still below average and our secondary just sucks (except for DRob).

Another point: why in the world is Faggins still playing most of the game? He is already proven to be a liability at best and why not be grooming Bennett for the position?

Why do we have to wait for the off season to make a change at DC? I say do it now because it is clear that our defense is not progressing.

Texans_Chick said:

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

Click to expand...

I saw the same thing:

Aggressive, almost brilliant defensive playcalling the first two drives. Stunts, blitzes, etc. that worked well.

And then? Well, Richard did what Richard do--He disappeared for almost the whole remainder of the game. He went soft in the middle of the game, and maybe that was an attempt to not "gas" our guys too early.

Whatever it was, or why it was done, we DID make a strong push at the end of the game.

But, "yeah," I agree that he seems to try and get too cute--Goes strong when he needs to drop even a lineman into zone, or he drops ito zone and they bust a run on us.

The thing that has me the MOST upset is this team's inability to STAY HOME and bust up the screen pass. If I see our outside lineman overrun the screen pass one more time, I am going to make Richard Smith hop into the Delorean and hit 88 mph...to go back in time and to see what we see.

I find it hard to believe that Richard Smith is the BEST we could do when we changed HCs two years ago. I don't know if it's the penny-pinching ways of our owner who doesn't want to cough up the big bucks for a premier dcoordinator...and I've been "hated on" BIG TIME for suggesting that McNair is a tightwad...but I have never been remotely sold upon (or satisfied with) Mr. Richard Smith.

We will have $30 million in cap space next season...so I guess THEN we will be able to see if McNair is an owner who really wants to win, or if he's into the profitability of he and the other "interest holders'" football team.

I'll believe it when I see it, relted to the idea that we'll make a big splash in 2008 with our cap space.

Is cap space affected by coaching staff salaries? If so, please spend a lot on a dcoordinator who knows what hes doing.

A smart D can help out the most inpet offenses--See Baltimore and Chicago for examples.

All I can say is that Richard is not the answer. We have, IMO, a fairly competent dline and some LBs who can handle things. The dbacks are iffy, but maybe the draft and free agency can help it out.

But none of it matters, IMO, if our D is not led properly by the DC.

And I don't think R Smith is "it," as I look at the past two season.

Tired of typing on this. You can see where I'm at on this topic.

R Smith did this SAME thing last season, disappearing for the first 6 games of the season and then magically re-appearing the last 10 games to make us a good defense toward the end of the year.

Why does it take desperation for R Smith to finally do what we were all told he would do? We were told he would be an energizer who could get the D fired up and making hits on the offense...playing with energy, etc.

Well, let's see it from week 1 all the way to week 17 please. Because him disappearing is not working out well for us so far.

maddogmrb said:

I'm on the road in Atlanta and missed the entire 1st half.

IMO, we have a 2 fold problem. Incompetent playcalling and coaching and a lack of talent throughout our defense.

The playcalling and defensive schemes are way too passive. We have definite lack of talent in the secondary and OLB and why in the world would the coaches put our inferior talent in a man-on-man at the end of the game is beyond me!! Perhaps we are playing for another high draft pick so we can draft an impact dlineman!

Which brings up a point: Mario and Amobi have not shown to be any better than ND Kalu and Anthony Maddox and Earl Cochran. Travis Johnson is having his best year but, not as good as we have expected him to be. The dline is a dissappointment but, I also have to believe that some of the blame lies with the coaching, schemes, and play calling. Our OLB's are still below average and our secondary just sucks (except for DRob).

Another point: why in the world is Faggins still playing most of the game? He is already proven to be a liability at best and why not be grooming Bennett for the position?

Why do we have to wait for the off season to make a change at DC? I say do it now because it is clear that our defense is not progressing.

Click to expand...

Well they sent a corner blitz today...I guess you could say someone is telling someone to just get there. Still hold Richard Smith is giving them exactly what they are calling for. The fact that we still can't get there with five and six has been an on going problem for two years. And it's hell waiting on the two young 'uns to grow up. Can't do nothing else though can they ? Smith's not the problem. They may ax the guy to give the fans some fodder. It's not Smith's fault. Been a long list of folks fallen on their swords for the franchise. Might be you're correct and Smith will be next.

Agreed on Faggins. It's gone beyond the point of worring about the rooky's psyche. he needs to play. It's to the point now that it looks like they are thorwing games on purpose to work the '08 draft. And that there little thingy is called collusion. Sheriff Rodger gets wind of it...the whip will come down.

threetoedpete said:

Well they sent a corner blitz today...I guess you could say someone is telling someone to just get there. Still hold Richard Smith is giving them exactly what they are calling for. The fact that we still can't get there with five and six has been an on going problem for two years. And it's hell waiting on the two young 'uns to grow up. Can't do nothing else though can they ? Smith's not the problem. They may ax the guy to give the fans some fodder. It's not Smith's fault. Been a long list of folks fallen on their swords for the franchise. Might be you're correct and Smith will be next.

Agreed on Faggins. It's gone beyond the point of worring about the rooky's psyche. he needs to play. It's to the point now that it looks like they are thorwing games on purpose to work the '08 draft. And that there little thingy is called collusion. Sheriff Rodger gets wind of it...the whip will come down.

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Collusion? Already? We're in week 7 and you think Kubiak is working the draft angle already?

Wow.

I mean.....wow.

Slow down there, threetoedpete.

That's a lot of conspiracy theorizing you got goin' on.

Dom Capers and Charley Casserly are front and center in this crime scene. Kubiak and Rick Smith are leaps and bounds ahead of those two guys.

LOL.

Boogity, boogity, boogity! McNair and the mob are in cahoots with each other!

UFOs. Bermuda Triangle. Tainted water supply. Blood for oil.

Where does it end?

Texans_Chick said:

I am not sure about the defensive play calling.

I thought it was unusual to be playing man converage at the end of the game in that situation.

I liked the aggression with the DeMeco Ryans' play at the beginning of the game but it sometimes seemed like they were backing off when I thought they should be aggressive, and then overly aggressive when they needed to make sure a big play didn't happen.

I would like to have a rational conversation about this subject. What did you think about the defensive play calls?

Click to expand...

I don't know if we blitzed on that play at the end of the game, but if we did, I'm for it... if you're going to send extra defenders at the QB, your going to be man up some where, and we got the best matchup we could hope for in that situation... DRob matched up against a mostly mediocre receiver... the play call wasn't bad, IMO, and the coverage was very tight. I just have to tip my hat to the receiver in that situation. He made a play against our best DB... dude just made a play.

Defense wasn't the problem. They allowed two touchdowns and the rest of Tennessee's scoring were field goals. The problem is what it's been for the past few weeks, the offense isn't getting the job done.
They say that the Texans read these things and I hope they do. If they do then I REALLY HOPE Schaub reads this.
MATT ANDRE JOHNSON IS NOT YOUR ONLY RECEIVER. LEARN HOW TO THROW THE BALL TO PEOPLE OTHER THAN HIM. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN HE (LIKE NOW) MIGHT BE INJURED. THE ABSENCE OF ONE PLAYER SHOULD NOT EFFECT AN OFFENSIVE UNIT THE WAY ANDRE'S ABSENCE HAS. AS THE LEADER OF THE OFFENSE YOU SHOULD ADAPT TO LIFE WITHOUT YOUR STAR PLAYER. Also...NEVER under any circumstances let your back up show you up. I've seen Steve McNair and Donovan McNab play with broken feet and ankles respectively. You're a great guy and have what it takes to lead the team Schaub. Prove it.

GP said:

I find it hard to believe that Richard Smith is the BEST we could do when we changed HCs two years ago. I don't know if it's the penny-pinching ways of our owner who doesn't want to cough up the big bucks for a premier dcoordinator...and I've been "hated on" BIG TIME for suggesting that McNair is a tightwad...but I have never been remotely sold upon (or satisfied with) Mr. Richard Smith.

We will have $30 million in cap space next season...so I guess THEN we will be able to see if McNair is an owner who really wants to win, or if he's into the profitability of he and the other "interest holders'" football team.

I'll believe it when I see it, relted to the idea that we'll make a big splash in 2008 with our cap space.

Is cap space affected by coaching staff salaries? If so, please spend a lot on a dcoordinator who knows what hes doing.

Click to expand...

The choices available for defensive coordinator when we were looking was kinda lame. Kubiak wanted a Smith/Frank Bush co-coordinator tandem of the available people, but the Cards wouldn't make Bush available. We hired Bush this offseason when the Cards shook up their staff.

Jim Bates was available then, but uh, it wasn't a issue of money, I heard it was because he was full of himself. Ask people in Denver what they think of Bates.

I do not like Smith, and I think McNair was fine with paying for whomever, but I think that there weren't many good options available. You know, like defensive-minded head coaches getting canned and willing to do coordinator work again.

Coaches salaries do not go against the salary cap. So you can spend a zillion dollars on coaches and not worry that it will cut into the players you can acquire.

Though the Texans will have more salary cap money next year, proportionally, as I understand it, many other teams will have more. IIRC, I think it is the following year that we have more money.

All that being said, any time I have an offensive minded head coach, I'd like to see an experienced defensive coordinator with a track record. They are hard to find, no matter what the status of your check book.

Dread-Head-001 said:

They say that the Texans read these things and I hope they do. If they do then I REALLY HOPE Schaub reads this.
MATT ANDRE JOHNSON IS NOT YOUR ONLY RECEIVER. LEARN HOW TO THROW THE BALL TO PEOPLE OTHER THAN HIM. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN HE (LIKE NOW) MIGHT BE INJURED. THE ABSENCE OF ONE PLAYER SHOULD NOT EFFECT AN OFFENSIVE UNIT THE WAY ANDRE'S ABSENCE HAS. AS THE LEADER OF THE OFFENSE YOU SHOULD ADAPT TO LIFE WITHOUT YOUR STAR PLAYER. Also...NEVER under any circumstances let your back up show you up. I've seen Steve McNair and Donovan McNab play with broken feet and ankles respectively. You're a great guy and have what it takes to lead the team Schaub. Prove it.

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Um . . . Earth to Dread-Head, Earth to Dread-Head . . . Carr plays backup for the Panthers now.

I guess those 12 passes to Kevin Walter for 160 yards last week must have been some figment of my imagination.

I hope Schaub does read it. He'll need a good laugh while he's getting treatment.

Marcus said:

Um . . . Earth to Dread-Head, Earth to Dread-Head . . . Carr plays backup for the Panthers now.

I guess those 12 passes to Kevin Walter for 160 yards last week must have been some figment of my imagination.

I hope Schaub does read it. He'll need a good laugh while he's getting treatment.

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...wasn't TALKING about last week. *"Quit livin' in the past Marge!" I was talking about today. Schaub seems to be throwing to other receivers because he has no choice. It's he's going to the prom with the quiet girl in his algebra class because the head cheerleader has another date.
Rosenfels did a much better job at spreading the ball around. I like Schaub, but he needs to get his head in the game because today...it wasn't and his play showed it.

* Homer Simpson

Dread-Head-001 said:

Defense wasn't the problem. They allowed two touchdowns and the rest of Tennessee's scoring were field goals. The problem is what it's been for the past few weeks, the offense isn't getting the job done.
They say that the Texans read these things and I hope they do. If they do then I REALLY HOPE Schaub reads this.
MATT ANDRE JOHNSON IS NOT YOUR ONLY RECEIVER. LEARN HOW TO THROW THE BALL TO PEOPLE OTHER THAN HIM. THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN HE (LIKE NOW) MIGHT BE INJURED. THE ABSENCE OF ONE PLAYER SHOULD NOT EFFECT AN OFFENSIVE UNIT THE WAY ANDRE'S ABSENCE HAS. AS THE LEADER OF THE OFFENSE YOU SHOULD ADAPT TO LIFE WITHOUT YOUR STAR PLAYER. Also...NEVER under any circumstances let your back up show you up. I've seen Steve McNair and Donovan McNab play with broken feet and ankles respectively. You're a great guy and have what it takes to lead the team Schaub. Prove it.

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I like you dred...but not sure I've ever seen a dumber post. Without AJ, Shaub was 3rd in the NFL in yardage, and had completed 70% of his passes rolling into the Titan game...and had the 3rd highest ypa (means he is getting the ball up the field instead of always taking a safe pass). Yesterday was about losing the battle in the trenches...simple as that. The Texans were dominated at the LOS....blaming Schaub is probably the dumbest thing I've seen in this thread....I'm sure I'll see dumber stuff today...but I just started a pot of coffee, so I'm ready for some brain damage. Does anyone honestly think that Frank Reich is a better QB than Jim Kelly? I didn't think so.

On the playcalling I think my first impression is that we were out coached on just about every level yesterday. I'm going to watch the game again before I throw down my overall thoughts.

I did see some early stunts with guys looping around that worked. I think the Titans made adjustments and we didn't. almost like we came into the game saying Plan A is "try these blitz packages and stunts" and Plan B is "hopefully we can run plan A all game." You have to consider that the Titans, I believe, started 7 drives on the Texans side of the field. You also have to consider that in order to get a record 8 FGs, their offense had to be doing something right. Disappointed.

As far as the last 5 minutes of the game gameplan wise......it was all radio for me as I was heading to Babie R Us and there was nothing I could do about it except sit in the car while they went inside.

HoustonFrog said:

You also have to consider that in order to get a record 8 FGs, their offense had to be doing something right. Disappointed.

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I would take a record 8 field goals as the Offense doing something wrong. But that's just me though.

HoustonFrog said:

I did see some early stunts with guys looping around that worked. I think the Titans made adjustments and we didn't. almost like we came into the game saying Plan A is "try these blitz packages and stunts" and Plan B is "hopefully we can run plan A all game." You have to consider that the Titans, I believe, started 7 drives on the Texans side of the field. You also have to consider that in order to get a record 8 FGs, their offense had to be doing something right. Disappointed.

As far as the last 5 minutes of the game gameplan wise......it was all radio for me as I was heading to Babie R Us and there was nothing I could do about it except sit in the car while they went inside.

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PapaL said:

I would take a record 8 field goals as the Offense doing something wrong. But that's just me though.

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The Titans were without their best WR, RB, and QB as well. They had reserves in for RB, WR1 and at QB. I've told all you guys many times that teams struggle in the red zone when their elite skill guys are out since the field shrinks and you no longer have to defend vertically and you don't have to over compensate for the gamebreakers...The Titans settled for lots of FGs.....notice a similarity to us somewhere in that regard? Us giving up that many scores regardless of FG/TD was just pathetic. That wasn't a great offense we were defending out there...and it was a banged up one to boot.

Vinny said:

The Titans were without their best WR, RB, and QB as well. They had reserves in for RB, WR1 and at QB. I've told all you guys many times that teams struggle in the red zone when their elite skill guys are out since the field shrinks and you no longer have to defend vertically and you don't have to over compensate for the gamebreakers...The Titans settled for lots of FGs.....notice a similarity to us somewhere in that regard? Us giving up that many scores regardless of FG/TD was just pathetic. That wasn't a great offense we were defending out there...and it was a banged up one to boot.

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Thanks for the explanation. That is what I was getting at. The Titans haven't been scoring points, they haven't been moving the ball and they pretty much were playing with Collins and other backups yet they somehow were in range that many times and others. 8 FGs sounds like red zone inefficiency but to me I was wondering how they could keep getting there. They aren't a team you worry about driving on you with 57 seconds left. As I said I'll put some on starting field position but they were moving the ball too. That's pretty much where I'm at with that PapaL