Vic Carucci on Texans

[Buffi2]

This is what I like about the Houston Texans' offseason moves: Their willingness to make what could very well prove to be a turning-point move for the franchise by releasing quarterback David Carr and trading with the Atlanta Falcons for Matt Schaub.

Carr never lived up to his status as the top overall pick of the 2002 draft. He didn't have much help from a porous offensive line, but he also didn't do a whole lot to help himself stay upright with indecision and a general lack of awareness in the pocket.

link

Carucci also has some positive things to say about Schaub -

he has shown encouraging signs for being mostly consistent and knowing how to avoid pressure.

and how Schaub's leadership skills are something Kubiak wants.

He also writes positively about Green, Amobi, and Jones. Carucci's only concern is a second WR and our secondary. He isn't alone there!

Not a bad little article. He doesn't make jokes or snide comments or mention those who shall not be named from last year's draft.

I know a winning season will help immensely, but I do think that there are a few writer type folks out there who are beginning to "get it" as far as the Texans are concerned.

 

[Maddict5]

i like how the national media are starting to give DC his fair share of blame for all the sacks in his time here..

and you know we have to be doing something right when one of #5's (NOLA) biggest fans has decided to stop mentioning it in most articles like he did last year

 

[Double Barrel]

Another unbiased article about the Texans...? what's going on here?

I share his concerns, too. We have a lot to prove at many of our positions, but at least we have a lot of potential in some of these areas.

The Texans did nothing to immediately upgrade their offensive line. They can only hope that Schaub's quicker and better decisions will minimize the time their linemen have to hold their blocks.

I think this is a big part of the equation in the dynamics between a QB and his offensive line. I'm glad to see someone in the national media actually giving it some thought for a change.

 

[beerlover]

captain obvious, "Free-agent running back Ahman Green, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, takes over for Domanick Williams (formerly Davis). Green should be an upgrade. He has the ability to be highly productive, as he proved last season by rushing for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns. Green's presence should help take pressure off Schaub".

yes he should be an upgrade considering Domanick Davis/Williams never took a snap last season.

& again, "Third-rounder Jacoby Jones, a wide receiver from tiny Lane College, is an intriguing choice. He has the speed to be a game-changing force as a return specialist. Once he refines his receiving skills, he'll make a strong contribution to Houston's offense".

its not just his speed its his change of direction & cutting skills. hes not going to hold anything back either its all going to be resting on Kubiaks desire to expose him in game time situations.

still any positive gloss come the Texans way is appreciated

 

[HuttoKarl]

captain obvious, "Free-agent running back Ahman Green, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, takes over for Domanick Williams (formerly Davis). Green should be an upgrade. He has the ability to be highly productive, as he proved last season by rushing for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns. Green's presence should help take pressure off Schaub".

yes he should be an upgrade considering Domanick Davis/Williams never took a snap last season.

& again, "Third-rounder Jacoby Jones, a wide receiver from tiny Lane College, is an intriguing choice. He has the speed to be a game-changing force as a return specialist. Once he refines his receiving skills, he'll make a strong contribution to Houston's offense".

its not just his speed its his change of direction & cutting skills. hes not going to hold anything back either its all going to be resting on Kubiaks desire to expose him in game time situations.

still any positive gloss come the Texans way is appreciated

No joke...I would have been an upgrade over Domanick Davis last season...my three year old son would have been.

 

[TK_Gamer]

No joke...I would have been an upgrade over Domanick Davis last season...my three year old son would have been.

I think he meant an overall ability at the positon, not comparing last years production. I'm kinda gettting tired of the whole offensive line thing though, we did upgrade the offensive line last year, and we added some UDFA's this year that could improve depth. I guess untill the QB can put up gawdy numbers on this team, we will continue to have to hear about the effect of the O-Line.

 

[nunusguy]

"Okoye also should help the Texans get more out of defensive end Mario Williams, the top overall pick of '06 whose disappointing rookie season was caused in large part by injury."
********************
That's a fair assessment, but Marios grace period is now over and its time to produce. Big time and right now !

 

[real]

I wouldn't call Mario's rookie season "dissapointing"...I guess it's in the eye of the beholder...

 

[Texans Horror]

I'm coming around to the sacks part. The Texans have a great offensive line, and this guy is just a twit to think otherwise. The Texans only allowed 43 sacks last year, most of which were clearly Carr's fault. By virtue of having a QB that can step forward, the sacks should be cut down in half. That's down to 20, and one of the best in the league.

If that weren't the best news, it gets even better. Spencer could be back, and we all remember the awesome, stellar game and a half he gave, right? Big Nasty is going to be the best offensive tackle in the league, once he gets that jip knee working. And even if he can't make it back, no big deal. We have two of the best back-ups in the league, I-65 and Salaam. Flanagan is an awesome center, too. Just because he was benched for McKinney (who was benched for Flanagan) means nothing. And Winston will be playing with the poise of a 6-year vet next year.

Why would the Texans ever look into upgrading the line? It's perfect as is!!!!!

 

[Goldensilence]

I'm coming around to the sacks part. The Texans have a great offensive line, and this guy is just a twit to think otherwise. The Texans only allowed 43 sacks last year, most of which were clearly Carr's fault. By virtue of having a QB that can step forward, the sacks should be cut down in half. That's down to 20, and one of the best in the league.

If that weren't the best news, it gets even better. Spencer could be back, and we all remember the awesome, stellar game and a half he gave, right? Big Nasty is going to be the best offensive tackle in the league, once he gets that jip knee working. And even if he can't make it back, no big deal. We have two of the best back-ups in the league, I-65 and Salaam. Flanagan is an awesome center, too. Just because he was benched for McKinney (who was benched for Flanagan) means nothing. And Winston will be playing with the poise of a 6-year vet next year.

Why would the Texans ever look into upgrading the line? It's perfect as is!!!!!

I wouldn't say great offensive line. But we have something to work with i think. We have two solid gaurds in Pitts and Weary. Winston showed up and started to impress at RT in the last few games of the season, if his play carries on i think we have our RT for a while. That alone is huge coming into TC. Center we're still a bit shaky at. Personally i'd prefer a healthy Flanigan over McKinney, but that doesn't say much though. I'd take a monkey trying to type a Shakespeare novel over McKinney. Then of course there's the LT position. IF Spencer is ready to go by preseason i think most of Houston will be throwing a large party. Not sure i like the idea of either of the other two going all season there. I admit i am very very curious about their plans with Studdard and Frye.

Big bonus is we start off the season with KC who is turning over their entire roster pretty much and could look at the first 3 game winning streak ever.

 

[nunusguy]

I think either T-H is still smokin the good stuff from his Mem-Day holiday celebration, or he's just have a little fun with us.
But I'm really hopeful about our OLine. The rookie crop with Brandon Frye, the
2 Hawaniian guys Lucas & Tupola, & Kubiaks personal favorite and long-time family friend Studdard should provide some fresh depth and maybe even a find amongs the group to be a bona fide starter mid-season or when and if somebody goes out with injury. Biggest question is as always LT ?

 

[infantrycak]

Flanagan is an awesome center, too. Just because he was benched for McKinney (who was benched for Flanagan) means nothing.

McKinney wasn't benched for Flanagan, he was starting right next to him at RG. Flanagan then went down and Hodgdon did not perform well and McKinney went back to C.

 

[Porky]

I somehow think the community sarcasm detector button was accidently turned off.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

"Okoye also should help the Texans get more out of defensive end Mario Williams, the top overall pick of '06 whose disappointing rookie season was caused in large part by injury."
********************
That's a fair assessment, but Marios grace period is now over and its time to produce. Big time and right now !

Can we at least wait until the season starts?

 

[Texans Horror]

I've thought about the sarcasm button. I know better than to put it on.

I just can't wait to see the results of the year. Shall we start predicting the number of Texans who will make the Pro-Bowl this year on offense, or wait for the season to pan out?

 

[The Pencil Neck]

I'm coming around to the sacks part. The Texans have a great offensive line, and this guy is just a twit to think otherwise. The Texans only allowed 43 sacks last year, most of which were clearly Carr's fault. By virtue of having a QB that can step forward, the sacks should be cut down in half. That's down to 20, and one of the best in the league.

If that weren't the best news, it gets even better. Spencer could be back, and we all remember the awesome, stellar game and a half he gave, right? Big Nasty is going to be the best offensive tackle in the league, once he gets that jip knee working. And even if he can't make it back, no big deal. We have two of the best back-ups in the league, I-65 and Salaam. Flanagan is an awesome center, too. Just because he was benched for McKinney (who was benched for Flanagan) means nothing. And Winston will be playing with the poise of a 6-year vet next year.

Why would the Texans ever look into upgrading the line? It's perfect as is!!!!!

And thankfully, you only have a chance at the playoffs if you have the bestest line in the league and every position on your roster is an all-pro. I don't know why anyone would even play a game unless they had no discernable weaknesses.

 

[Texans Horror]

Weaknesses are for cynics and pessimists. With my new glasses, I'm having a hard time finding a team that can outgun our offensive line. I'd say I'd be disappointed if the Texans don't go to the Superbowl, but that sounds almost critical...

 

[threetoedpete]

I wouldn't say great offensive line. But we have something to work with i think. We have two solid gaurds in Pitts and Weary. Winston showed up and started to impress at RT in the last few games of the season, if his play carries on i think we have our RT for a while. That alone is huge coming into TC. Center we're still a bit shaky at. Personally i'd prefer a healthy Flanigan over McKinney, but that doesn't say much though. I'd take a monkey trying to type a Shakespeare novel over McKinney. Then of course there's the LT position. IF Spencer is ready to go by preseason i think most of Houston will be throwing a large party. Not sure i like the idea of either of the other two going all season there. I admit i am very very curious about their plans with Studdard and Frye.

Big bonus is we start off the season with KC who is turning over their entire roster pretty much and could look at the first 3 game winning streak ever.

Nice post GS.

Agreed Nunsguy.

The big "if". Spencer's carlidge. If he's back we're locked and loaded...and very deep at the position (o-linman) that has given us head aches for five years. If he's not....Brandon Frye is in the pipline if Salaam goes down and Black...whoever else can't handle it. I believe Frye and the long snaper, Brain Pttman, are the only two uncutable palyers on the rooster at this point If Charles is still up in the air by training camp, door swings open for roster spots for Black and Frye. Pitts isn't a young man any more, but he is our most consistant o-lineman. Frye could back up LG as well. Keeping eight o-lineman ? Nine or ten ? Going to be fun. They keep nine or ten who gets the visit from the turk ? Erick is the RT. Center is up for grabs. JMHO.

 

[TK_Gamer]

In only a year of watching Kubiak at work, I can tell you that the probable starters barring preseason injuries will be a no brainer, salaam pitts flanagan weary winston. That doesnt mean it wont change, but Kubiak has consistently put out who he thought should start and they had to basicly lose the position due to injury or meltdown. the good news is he does rotate players quite a bit so the young guys will get some snaps, but I dont see any UDFA's starting the season unless they have stellar camp results or the starter goes down. IMHO

 

[maddogmrb]

Comon guys!! You know we've got one of the best olines in NFL history. We all know it was "you know who's" fault for 75% of the sacks the past 5 years. The only reason the other 25% happened is because the linemen were p-o'd at "you know who" and let the pressure thru hoping to get "him" out of the game.

I was comparing them to the best Oiler line of all time and these guys are just so much better. I mean look at the guards. Pitts and Weary are just lite years ahead of Munchak and Matthews. Center, no contest, Flanagin/McKinney kicks the tar out of Mauck/Matthews; and RT .... well Steinkhuler could not hold a candle to Winston. And LT, well there just is noone to compare to Spencer/Salaam/Black.

With Schaub at QB this year, no sacks, super bowl, 60-0 route of the Cowboys. Every player on our oline is starting in the pro bowl.

Just another walk in the park for our Texans!

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Comon guys!! You know we've got one of the best olines in NFL history. We all know it was "you know who's" fault for 75% of the sacks the past 5 years. The only reason the other 25% happened is because the linemen were p-o'd at "you know who" and let the pressure thru hoping to get "him" out of the game.

I was comparing them to the best Oiler line of all time and these guys are just so much better. I mean look at the guards. Pitts and Weary are just lite years ahead of Munchak and Matthews. Center, no contest, Flanagin/McKinney kicks the tar out of Mauck/Matthews; and RT .... well Steinkhuler could not hold a candle to Winston. And LT, well there just is noone to compare to Spencer/Salaam/Black.

With Schaub at QB this year, no sacks, super bowl, 60-0 route of the Cowboys. Every player on our oline is starting in the pro bowl.

Just another walk in the park for our Texans!

You're right. We've got the worst offensive line in history. No QB in the history of QB's could have performed well behind it. David Carr never did anything wrong. He never missed a read. He only stared down AJ because he didn't have any other receivers on the field. Every time he got a ball batted down, it was because the o-line didn't keep the guys from raising their arms and not because of his sidearm delivery. All the film showing him not seeing open receivers was shot from angles that don't really show what was really there. DC played everything exactly the way Kubiak coached him to. The only reason we won 6 games last year was because Carr carried us to those victories.

Now we're going to take an unproven QB with no mobility and put him behnd the same crappy line. He's going to get massacred because he's a total Bledsoe-esque statue that won't be able to run away from DE's and LB's. He's going to have to stare down AJ because AJ is going to be triple teamed because we don't have a true #2 receiver.

We're not going to win a single game. Oh woe is me.

And it's all because Kubiak is too proud and stupid to look at the film and see the reality of what was wrong.