Week 3 QB Cutups (All 22)

[Nitrofish]

Mallett played well and is improving. Obviously the run game helped him a lot keeping the defense off balance. They either respected Mallett's arm, or did not respect Blue at all. 6 and 7 in the box most of the time until near the end of the 4th quarter.

As was discussed the Texans did keep at least one, and many times both TE's in to block, which played a key role in why the running game was successful. You won't see any RB plays in these cutups, just passing on what I saw while cutting these up. One thing of note is that the TD Blue ran for should have been called back due to an Aboushi --who played well-- hold which you will not see in the QB cutups, but have a look at this screen cap. Not sure how the refs missed that one. If it wasn't called, it didn't happen I guess eh?

Mallett probably should have had at least two more INT's, but because of the speed of his throws, and the short distances, the best the LB's could do was get a hand on it. Luckily they dropped to the ground due to their low trajectory, and none were popped up except the one. One play --10:00-- while throwing out of our own end zone the blitzing CB got his hand on the hot read throw. Initially while watching the game I thought this was a low throw by Mallett, but you can see the CB knock it down while blitzing causing the incompletion. Mallett recognized this blitz before the CB tipped his hand so this shows great pre snap read capabilities. I found in interesting O'Brien had the confidence in Mallett to throw while backed up into our end of the field.

There is some good, bad and ugly in these cutups. That said, overall Mallett improved and led the team well but it's clear to me he is being reigned in to some extent. Just trying to move the chains. Not much like we saw in the Browns game last year where they let him take some deep shots with Johnson from the slot.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

If you are experiencing choppy video, it is your browswer, not the video.

 

[Nitrofish]

Newton at 4:24 let's the first defender past him --likely by design-- but fails to get to his assignment. Both defenders are responsible for blowing that screen up. I know Newton is playing out of position, but man. Watch the other screens too.

 

[Nitrofish]

At 3:39, if that was Tom Brady, he would have seen that, called for the snap and tossed it out there for the easy TD. In the end, Hopkins still caught the TD on the very same play, but you cannot miss opportunities like that.

Edit: Didn't see the ref holding the play up. Must have been a substitution. Ref held the play up until the defender got into place.

Ooops... At 6:21 I left a run play in there.

 

[HOU-TEX]

Mallett played well and is improving. Obviously the run game helped him a lot keeping the defense off balance. They either respected Mallett's arm, or did not respect Blue at all. 6 and 7 in the box most of the time until near the end of the 4th quarter.

As was discussed the Texans did keep at least one, and many times both TE's in to block, which played a key role in why the running game was successful. You won't see any RB plays in these cutups, just passing on what I saw while cutting these up. One thing of note is that the TD Blue ran for should have been called back due to an Aboushi --who played well-- hold which you will not see in the QB cutups, but have a look at this screen cap. Not sure how the refs missed that one. If it wasn't called, it didn't happen I guess eh?

Mallett probably should have had at least two more INT's, but because of the speed of his throws, and the short distances, the best the LB's could do was get a hand on it. Luckily they dropped to the ground due to their low trajectory, and none were popped up except the one. One play --10:00-- while throwing out of our own end zone the blitzing CB got his hand on the hot read throw. Initially while watching the game I thought this was a low throw by Mallett, but you can see the CB knock it down while blitzing causing the incompletion. Mallett recognized this blitz before the CB tipped his hand so this shows great pre snap read capabilities. I found in interesting O'Brien had the confidence in Mallett to throw while backed up into our end of the field.

There is some good, bad and ugly in these cutups. That said, overall Mallett improved and led the team well but it's clear to me he is being reigned in to some extent. Just trying to move the chains. Not much like we saw in the Browns game last year where they let him take some deep shots with Johnson from the slot.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

If you are experiencing choppy video, it is your browswer, not the video.

I think it depends how the defense is playing. Wasn't TB playing a lot of cover 2? It sure seemed like there were two deep dang near every play. I don't get the All-22 anymore. Maybe you could verify when you've got the time?

 

[Troy Chapman]

Sound working for anyone on the video?

 

[amazing80]

I think we are lacking down field success becuase the oline is not protecting long enough. They just aren't good enough. There was one play around 800 minutes I think, where he threw to Hopkins at the bottom of the screen but had Washington at the top on an in breaking route, but the right side fell apart and he moved left so he threw left.

On the almost int around 900 minutes, same thing, the LT whiffed on a block and he had pressure almost immediately and threw a poor pass that was almost picked, he should have taken the sack there, luckily the INT was dropped.

All in all the team madee progress, need to continue to improve.

 

[Playoffs]

The good: Overall tempo and command looked much better.

The bad: Glad their LBs have awful hands.

 

[thunderkyss]

Newton at 4:24 let's the first defender past him --likely by design-- but fails to get to his assignment. Both defenders are responsible for blowing that screen up. I know Newton is playing out of position, but man. Watch the other screens too.

Interesting. My first thought was why did Fiedo not get that guy... at least chip him on his way to the other DB, give Newton some time to get there.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

The good: Overall tempo and command looked much better.

The bad: Glad their LBs have awful hands.

I think it was Boomer during the radio broadcast of the Green Bay talking about Aaron Rodgers and compared him to Brady in saying that Brady told him he likes to throw short throws with a lot of velocity because if a LB gets his hand on it it will be unlikely he'll get the pick. They aren't used to catching the ball so a lot of them just can't handle a fast ball at medium distance.

Even if it takes receivers time to get used to it, he'd prefer a guy have a few drops adjusting to the throws than himself adjusting and throwing balls that were easier to pick off. Incompletions>Int's.


I meant to mention that when I heard it because it so much applies to our situation for many reasons.

Your comment just reminded me.

 

[Nitrofish]

I think it depends how the defense is playing. Wasn't TB playing a lot of cover 2? It sure seemed like there were two deep dang near every play. I don't get the All-22 anymore. Maybe you could verify when you've got the time?

I will look again, but if I recall correctly they were actually playing single high more than cover 2. The SS was playing a lot where he was not in the box, but not deep either. Looked liked he was there to support the run, but also help on Hopkins. I posted the ALL 22 in that video. You can look for yourself.

Sound working for anyone on the video?

No sound in these videos.

Interesting. My first thought was why did Fiedo not get that guy... at least chip him on his way to the other DB, give Newton some time to get there.

Fiedo needed to get to his assignment which was way outside. Had he delayed, that defender would have blown up the play IMO. The defender Newton let go was supposed to keep rushing the passer, but he was fast and recovered very quickly to get in on the tackle.

 

[Scooter]

I'm a bit busy and cant watch the whole thing, but the first 3 plays looked fantastic in regards to what Mallett does. First play he's got Hopkins singled - Mallett holds his eyes towards the center of the field just long enough to detract any cheaters, then fires a fast ball low that only Hopkins can get to. Second play he does well to step into a throwing lane and again a fastball, but this time Washington isn't at his mark. Third play takes a second look since in the first A22 the near receiver appears to be wide open, but on the second look you can see Mallett 'takes what the defense gives him'. Mallett isn't looking at his targets, he's watching the linebackers ... 54 slides wide pre-snap, Mallett turns his head to distract, then locates #58 turning his back to indicate the TE will be option #1.

Mallett seems to be excellent at diagnosing who's going to be open pre-snap. Marking your target like that can lead to disguises being an issue, but he's doing well to take what the defenses are giving him.

I realize that I've been heaping praise on Mallett, and IMO he deserves it. He's played very well considering the circumstances. That absolutely does not mean I think the Texans should be married to him. We've got a lot of season to go and he'll need to prove an ability to carry the team as well as the 'it' factor that we need to keep me from suggesting QB with our first pick.

 

[leebigeztx]

One thing I noticed, no respect for any Texans wr getting behind the defense.

 

[Nitrofish]

One thing I noticed, no respect for any Texans wr getting behind the defense.

Seemed that way with the Bucs, but that does not mean they can't. Several did. In fact Hopkins should have caught the deep ball thrown to him when he had a step. And how about that play with Washington. Man if he had just been doing his job. It's like he was in la la land. "Oh wait, you threw it to me?"

 

[Scooter]

And how about that play with Washington. Man if he had just been doing his job. It's like he was in la la land. "Oh wait, you threw it to me?"

I especially gave Strong all types of hell on here for it, but (I may need to re-watch your 22's) that seems to be a theme. I've randomly picked up several times live that off receivers would coast their routes or flat give up, I'm assuming because they don't expect to be part of Mallett progression. This is a coaching error IMO. At no point should a receiver have the idea that they're along for the ride - every route matters. You're expected to be on the same page as the quarterback, but receivers don't have the field of vision a quarterback does - if he catches a LB/FS swap and wants to test the waters, you better be on your spot and expecting the ball. Hard to tell, but another example may be on that same play - the far receiver appears to be jammed into oblivion and has quit the route before the ball is in the air ... seems this combination was supposed to go to an interior target.

 

[Marshall]

I especially gave Strong all types of hell on here for it, but (I may need to re-watch your 22's) that seems to be a theme. I've randomly picked up several times live that off receivers would coast their routes or flat give up, I'm assuming because they don't expect to be part of Mallett progression. This is a coaching error IMO. At no point should a receiver have the idea that they're along for the ride - every route matters. You're expected to be on the same page as the quarterback, but receivers don't have the field of vision a quarterback does - if he catches a LB/FS swap and wants to test the waters, you better be on your spot and expecting the ball. Hard to tell, but another example may be on that same play - the far receiver appears to be jammed into oblivion and has quit the route before the ball is in the air ... seems this combination was supposed to go to an interior target.

I wonder if each receiver gets a "grade" for every play whether he's targeted or not? I suspect so and would love to see the "report cards."

ps Do they still have "Report Cards?"