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MMQB: On Bill O’Brien and Those Overachieving Texans

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On Bill O’Brien and Those Overachieving Texans
Andy Benoit|MMQB

No coaching staff got more out of less last year than that Texans. But with Arian Foster out and still no clear answer at quarterback, is a great scheme plus J.J. Watt enough to earn a Wild-Card spot?

Last season, the Houston Texans were the best-coached team in professional football. This never stood out because they never got hot at any point. But in the aggregate, comparing their roster and injury reports to the game-by-game film study notes on them, it was apparent this was a team that should have at some point gone cold. They never did, though.

Under first-year head coach Bill O’Brien, the Texans finished 9-7, just one year after going a league-worst 2-14. This despite O’Brien giving meaningful snaps to four different quarterbacks, the most experienced of the bunch being hit-and-miss journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick. And it’s not like there were dynamic receivers aiding this quarterback-less passing attack. Andre Johnson had lost a step. DeAndre Hopkins, while impressive in his second season, did not—and does not—quite have the explosive second gear that petrifies a defense. He was still highly productive, though, particularly downfield. O’Brien did a fantastic job constructing route combinations for him, stressing both single-high safety coverages and quarters coverages (safeties around the deep part of each seam).

O’Brien also installed a lot of unbalanced formations that helped dictate coverages, simplifying the game for the offense and creating natural leverage and angles. One of Houston’s staples: a twin tight end closed formation. That’s where two tight ends line up shoulder-to-shoulder outside of an offensive tackle, with both receivers split to the other side. From this formation—and others—the Texans did a lot of damage, much of it from the simple rules of geometry.

This formation also set up a lot of the running game, which O’Brien smartly prioritized. Houston’s 30.3 pass attempts per outing was third lowest in the league. Their 34.4 rushing attempts per game were the most in the league. In both realms, they were aided by O’Brien’s selective use of the hurry-up—a tactic he thrived with as New England’s offensive coordinator in 2011.

This is the best approach you can ask of a team that is weak at quarterback but has a star tailback like Arian Foster. O’Brien was also wise to maintain many of the zone-blocking concepts that the 28-year-old Foster has grown accustom to running behind—and that his O-line, constructed under zone aficionado Gary Kubiak, has become deftly synchronized in executing. The only time there was a firm commitment to man-blocking “attitude” runs was when the Texans were protecting a lead late in the fourth quarter. Here, they often rode Alfred Blue, who performed well.

Much of Houston’s offense, including the ground game, also took place out of shotgun, a more modern, flexible approach given the nature of today’s NFL. This fit Foster’s gliding, patient style. (Think of Foster as a more powerful Matt Forte.) When Foster was out with hamstring problems, O’Brien went with more man-blocking again, tailoring the running game to Blue. With Foster’s groin injury keeping him out the first few months this season, O’Brien now has a difficult decision: alter the running game schematically (i.e. more man-blocking concepts) or try to survive with a low-level backup zone runner? It’s a nightmarish question given that this team has questions at quarterback.

Last season, O’Brien also tailored the passing game to Ryan Mallett when he made his first career start in Week 11. Under Mallett—who only lasted eight quarters before being shelved for the year with a torn pectoral muscle—there was more three-step timing and quickly defined throws. If newcomer Brian Hoyer earns the job, that would be more incentive to stick with the zone ground game. Hoyer is much more effective off play-action where the pocket often moves. Everything we’re talking about here illustrates an offense that found ways to control the action. That’s not easy to do when, again, you play four different quarterbacks, and the main one is Fitzpatrick.

It is easy to control the action defensively when you have J.J. Watt, however. The gap between Watt and the second best D-lineman in the league is as big as the gap between any two top players at any single position. The 26-year-old has a chance to be a First Team All-Timer. But it’s not like O’Brien’s defensive coordinator, the well-traveled Romeo Crennel, simply lined ’em up and hoped that Watt would take over. Crennel shrewdly aligned the superstar in a variety of formations throughout the season, playing Watt regularly at not just his usual five- and four-technique positions, but also as a wide defensive end and on both sides of the formation. This was a bit of a changeup from what the previous staff had done, and it gave offenses fits.

Watt also displayed versatility after the snap. The Texans did a lot with stunts and twists, including off of blitzes. So already having the league’s most difficult player to block individually, Crennel schemed a defensive line that became one of the league’s most difficult to block tactically.

Another thing he did was use double-A-gap blitz concepts, both pre-snap and post-snap. This is the NFL’s trendiest pressure tactic; by aligning would-be blitzers in each of the A gaps (i.e. between the guards and center) you stress an offense through the most immediate path to the quarterback, challenge the least athletic blockers (guards and centers), set up a litany of different disguises and zone blitzes and, in the very least, command one-on-one blocking for everyone else up front. (Including Watt.) If an offense wants to hinder this, they have to leave extra bodies in to block, which decreases the number of eligible receivers. That leads to the quarterback holding the ball, which is often perilous against the league’s best defensive lineman.

It can be very difficult to play this way when you’re light in the secondary, which the Texans were, particularly down the stretch. At points late in the year, injuries and a general lack of depth at cornerback left this defense relying on the likes of Andre Hal (slow), Darryl Morris (unrefined), A.J. Bouye (inconsistent) and Jumal Rolle (inexperienced). This for a secondary that wants to be complex, often operating out of split-safety coverages that carry highly specific zone matchup principles.

So now you know Houston’s schematic templates. The question is: Can they build on their quiet, surprising success of 2014? It will be easier on defense. That secondary was revamped with the first-round selection of cornerback Kevin Johnson. Incumbents Kareem Jackson (surprisingly decent in the slot last year) and Johnathan Joseph (still tremendous at breaking on passing lanes and at stymying deep balls) were re-signed, setting the nickel rotation for at least the next four years. Changes were made at safety; the unsteady D.J. Swearinger is out; either Eddie Pleasant or, more likely, playmaking ex-Giant Stevie Brown, will take over. Either way, fewer mistakes will stem from this position. At free safety, Kendrick Lewis is now in Baltimore. His awareness in Quarters coverage—one of this D’s staples—will be missed, but ex-Bronco Rahim Moore can be an adequate replacement.

Up front, Watt is good to go and now stationed next to veteran pickup Vince Wilfork, who still has light feet for a man the size of a small house. Talk about formidability against the run. At linebacker, Brian Cushing is healthier (let’s hope) after making it through to the end of last season following two years of different leg injuries. On the outside, Jadeveon Clowney is also healthy and will be paired in plenty of tandem concepts with Watt. Opposite Clowney, another former first-rounder, Whitney Mercilus, is coming off a second half of the season in which he finally showed a regular kick and pass-rushing creativity.

Offensively, things are pretty much the same, only this time O’Brien’s caretaker quarterback is likely to be Hoyer. Expect O’Brien to use the former Brown on rollouts and bootlegs. Before stumbling down the stretch last season, Hoyer thrived in this capacity. On-the-move quarterbacking naturally fits the zone scheme that Houston already has in place.

It reasons that this team should be a tick or two better than it was a year ago. A tick or two better for a 9-7 club playing in a still-weakened AFC South means a possible Wild-Card berth. Of course, pro football rarely follows this sort of steady, logical trajectory. At some point, something will go wrong. But at least the Texans will have the right coaches leading them when it does.

Texans Nickel Package

1. It will be fascinating to see what the Texans get from DeAndre Hopkins. He’s coming off a 1,210-yard campaign after posting 802 yards as a rookie. With the rest of the receiving corps filled out by Cecil Shorts, Nate Washington and third-round rookie Jaelen Strong (who, based on O’Brien’s history and the complexity of his scheme, will likely capture nothing higher than Damaris Johnson’s No. 4 job early on), Hopkins will attract the main attention from opposing defenses week in and week out. As mentioned above, he’s not a dynamic second-gear runner. But he was still very fruitful on deep passes last season, with playmaking ability due to the ability to snag tough balls away from his body. He could have anywhere from 800 to 1,500 yards receiving this year.

2. This offense needs more from receiving tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. The 2014 third-round pick never carved out a niche as a rookie. Presumably, O’Brien wants to play with two tight ends as much as possible (all the better for flexibility and tempo). Fiedorowicz must show more for that to happen.

3. Center Chris Myers will be missed. Now 33, it’s become increasingly difficult for the 290-pounder to win power battles in a phone booth. But Myers still showed the necessary quickness to reach-and-seal defensive linemen on stretch blocks last season, and his awareness in the zone scheme ensured stability in the middle front line. Replacing Myers is Ben Jones, who was fine as a starting guard a year ago. The question now is whether Jones’s replacement, 2014 second-round pick Xavier Su’a-Filo, is ready for a fulltime role. He saw minimal action as a rookie. The Texans are counting on Su’a-Filo; unlike previous years, they don’t have encouraging depth up front.

4. Left tackle Duane Brown must be sturdier in pass protection. Brown is great when he’s the aggressor. But by Pro Bowl standards (he’s been to three), he can be inconsistent as a reactor.

5. Simply staying healthy won’t be enough for Clowney to fulfill his considerable potential. He must become more bendable. Clowney has great suddenness off the snap, but if he can only go north and south with it he’ll be a five-sack a year hybrid pass rusher reliant on the scheme to help get him in the backfield. He must learn to dip and turn while on the move.
 
bill-obrien-2015-texans.jpg


On Bill O’Brien and Those Overachieving Texans
Andy Benoit|MMQB

No coaching staff got more out of less last year than that Texans. But with Arian Foster out and still no clear answer at quarterback, is a great scheme plus J.J. Watt enough to earn a Wild-Card spot?

Last season, the Houston Texans were the best-coached team in professional football. This never stood out because they never got hot at any point. But in the aggregate, comparing their roster and injury reports to the game-by-game film study notes on them, it was apparent this was a team that should have at some point gone cold. They never did, though.

Under first-year head coach Bill O’Brien, the Texans finished 9-7, just one year after going a league-worst 2-14. This despite O’Brien giving meaningful snaps to four different quarterbacks, the most experienced of the bunch being hit-and-miss journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick. And it’s not like there were dynamic receivers aiding this quarterback-less passing attack. Andre Johnson had lost a step. DeAndre Hopkins, while impressive in his second season, did not—and does not—quite have the explosive second gear that petrifies a defense. He was still highly productive, though, particularly downfield. O’Brien did a fantastic job constructing route combinations for him, stressing both single-high safety coverages and quarters coverages (safeties around the deep part of each seam).

O’Brien also installed a lot of unbalanced formations that helped dictate coverages, simplifying the game for the offense and creating natural leverage and angles. One of Houston’s staples: a twin tight end closed formation. That’s where two tight ends line up shoulder-to-shoulder outside of an offensive tackle, with both receivers split to the other side. From this formation—and others—the Texans did a lot of damage, much of it from the simple rules of geometry.

This formation also set up a lot of the running game, which O’Brien smartly prioritized. Houston’s 30.3 pass attempts per outing was third lowest in the league. Their 34.4 rushing attempts per game were the most in the league. In both realms, they were aided by O’Brien’s selective use of the hurry-up—a tactic he thrived with as New England’s offensive coordinator in 2011.

This is the best approach you can ask of a team that is weak at quarterback but has a star tailback like Arian Foster. O’Brien was also wise to maintain many of the zone-blocking concepts that the 28-year-old Foster has grown accustom to running behind—and that his O-line, constructed under zone aficionado Gary Kubiak, has become deftly synchronized in executing. The only time there was a firm commitment to man-blocking “attitude” runs was when the Texans were protecting a lead late in the fourth quarter. Here, they often rode Alfred Blue, who performed well.

Much of Houston’s offense, including the ground game, also took place out of shotgun, a more modern, flexible approach given the nature of today’s NFL. This fit Foster’s gliding, patient style. (Think of Foster as a more powerful Matt Forte.) When Foster was out with hamstring problems, O’Brien went with more man-blocking again, tailoring the running game to Blue. With Foster’s groin injury keeping him out the first few months this season, O’Brien now has a difficult decision: alter the running game schematically (i.e. more man-blocking concepts) or try to survive with a low-level backup zone runner? It’s a nightmarish question given that this team has questions at quarterback.

Last season, O’Brien also tailored the passing game to Ryan Mallett when he made his first career start in Week 11. Under Mallett—who only lasted eight quarters before being shelved for the year with a torn pectoral muscle—there was more three-step timing and quickly defined throws. If newcomer Brian Hoyer earns the job, that would be more incentive to stick with the zone ground game. Hoyer is much more effective off play-action where the pocket often moves. Everything we’re talking about here illustrates an offense that found ways to control the action. That’s not easy to do when, again, you play four different quarterbacks, and the main one is Fitzpatrick.

It is easy to control the action defensively when you have J.J. Watt, however. The gap between Watt and the second best D-lineman in the league is as big as the gap between any two top players at any single position. The 26-year-old has a chance to be a First Team All-Timer. But it’s not like O’Brien’s defensive coordinator, the well-traveled Romeo Crennel, simply lined ’em up and hoped that Watt would take over. Crennel shrewdly aligned the superstar in a variety of formations throughout the season, playing Watt regularly at not just his usual five- and four-technique positions, but also as a wide defensive end and on both sides of the formation. This was a bit of a changeup from what the previous staff had done, and it gave offenses fits.

Watt also displayed versatility after the snap. The Texans did a lot with stunts and twists, including off of blitzes. So already having the league’s most difficult player to block individually, Crennel schemed a defensive line that became one of the league’s most difficult to block tactically.

Another thing he did was use double-A-gap blitz concepts, both pre-snap and post-snap. This is the NFL’s trendiest pressure tactic; by aligning would-be blitzers in each of the A gaps (i.e. between the guards and center) you stress an offense through the most immediate path to the quarterback, challenge the least athletic blockers (guards and centers), set up a litany of different disguises and zone blitzes and, in the very least, command one-on-one blocking for everyone else up front. (Including Watt.) If an offense wants to hinder this, they have to leave extra bodies in to block, which decreases the number of eligible receivers. That leads to the quarterback holding the ball, which is often perilous against the league’s best defensive lineman.

It can be very difficult to play this way when you’re light in the secondary, which the Texans were, particularly down the stretch. At points late in the year, injuries and a general lack of depth at cornerback left this defense relying on the likes of Andre Hal (slow), Darryl Morris (unrefined), A.J. Bouye (inconsistent) and Jumal Rolle (inexperienced). This for a secondary that wants to be complex, often operating out of split-safety coverages that carry highly specific zone matchup principles.

So now you know Houston’s schematic templates. The question is: Can they build on their quiet, surprising success of 2014? It will be easier on defense. That secondary was revamped with the first-round selection of cornerback Kevin Johnson. Incumbents Kareem Jackson (surprisingly decent in the slot last year) and Johnathan Joseph (still tremendous at breaking on passing lanes and at stymying deep balls) were re-signed, setting the nickel rotation for at least the next four years. Changes were made at safety; the unsteady D.J. Swearinger is out; either Eddie Pleasant or, more likely, playmaking ex-Giant Stevie Brown, will take over. Either way, fewer mistakes will stem from this position. At free safety, Kendrick Lewis is now in Baltimore. His awareness in Quarters coverage—one of this D’s staples—will be missed, but ex-Bronco Rahim Moore can be an adequate replacement.

Up front, Watt is good to go and now stationed next to veteran pickup Vince Wilfork, who still has light feet for a man the size of a small house. Talk about formidability against the run. At linebacker, Brian Cushing is healthier (let’s hope) after making it through to the end of last season following two years of different leg injuries. On the outside, Jadeveon Clowney is also healthy and will be paired in plenty of tandem concepts with Watt. Opposite Clowney, another former first-rounder, Whitney Mercilus, is coming off a second half of the season in which he finally showed a regular kick and pass-rushing creativity.

Offensively, things are pretty much the same, only this time O’Brien’s caretaker quarterback is likely to be Hoyer. Expect O’Brien to use the former Brown on rollouts and bootlegs. Before stumbling down the stretch last season, Hoyer thrived in this capacity. On-the-move quarterbacking naturally fits the zone scheme that Houston already has in place.

It reasons that this team should be a tick or two better than it was a year ago. A tick or two better for a 9-7 club playing in a still-weakened AFC South means a possible Wild-Card berth. Of course, pro football rarely follows this sort of steady, logical trajectory. At some point, something will go wrong. But at least the Texans will have the right coaches leading them when it does.

Texans Nickel Package

1. It will be fascinating to see what the Texans get from DeAndre Hopkins. He’s coming off a 1,210-yard campaign after posting 802 yards as a rookie. With the rest of the receiving corps filled out by Cecil Shorts, Nate Washington and third-round rookie Jaelen Strong (who, based on O’Brien’s history and the complexity of his scheme, will likely capture nothing higher than Damaris Johnson’s No. 4 job early on), Hopkins will attract the main attention from opposing defenses week in and week out. As mentioned above, he’s not a dynamic second-gear runner. But he was still very fruitful on deep passes last season, with playmaking ability due to the ability to snag tough balls away from his body. He could have anywhere from 800 to 1,500 yards receiving this year.

2. This offense needs more from receiving tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. The 2014 third-round pick never carved out a niche as a rookie. Presumably, O’Brien wants to play with two tight ends as much as possible (all the better for flexibility and tempo). Fiedorowicz must show more for that to happen.

3. Center Chris Myers will be missed. Now 33, it’s become increasingly difficult for the 290-pounder to win power battles in a phone booth. But Myers still showed the necessary quickness to reach-and-seal defensive linemen on stretch blocks last season, and his awareness in the zone scheme ensured stability in the middle front line. Replacing Myers is Ben Jones, who was fine as a starting guard a year ago. The question now is whether Jones’s replacement, 2014 second-round pick Xavier Su’a-Filo, is ready for a fulltime role. He saw minimal action as a rookie. The Texans are counting on Su’a-Filo; unlike previous years, they don’t have encouraging depth up front.

4. Left tackle Duane Brown must be sturdier in pass protection. Brown is great when he’s the aggressor. But by Pro Bowl standards (he’s been to three), he can be inconsistent as a reactor.

5. Simply staying healthy won’t be enough for Clowney to fulfill his considerable potential. He must become more bendable. Clowney has great suddenness off the snap, but if he can only go north and south with it he’ll be a five-sack a year hybrid pass rusher reliant on the scheme to help get him in the backfield. He must learn to dip and turn while on the move.
Great article! Thanks for the read.
 
I quit reading less than half way through. All we have is Watt? Raheem Moore (upgrade), Wilfork (upgrade) Crick better second half as he got familiar with system (2015 upgrade over 2014 Crick), Jackson, Joseph and K. Johnson (upgrade), ILB and OLB upgraded.

Offense: TEs should be upgrade over 2014. QBs definitely an upgrade regardless who starts, Washington, Nuk, Shorts 3, Strong and Mumphery upgrade over 2014 five. Jones will be at least as good as Myers (not in league as of today). Yes, he mentions some of these players but in an more "wish it could work out".

2015 Texans were and are not just Foster and Watt.
 
Actually, the 2014 Houston Texans were underachievers and if they had better coaching and execution they would have won the division instead of being 9-7.

Hopefully this year we achieve what we should.
 
I quit reading less than half way through. All we have is Watt? Raheem Moore (upgrade), Wilfork (upgrade) Crick better second half as he got familiar with system (2015 upgrade over 2014 Crick), Jackson, Joseph and K. Johnson (upgrade), ILB and OLB upgraded.

Offense: TEs should be upgrade over 2014. QBs definitely an upgrade regardless who starts, Washington, Nuk, Shorts 3, Strong and Mumphery upgrade over 2014 five. Jones will be at least as good as Myers (not in league as of today). Yes, he mentions some of these players but in an more "wish it could work out".

2015 Texans were and are not just Foster and Watt.
I took the article as it was written: fairly disinterested sports writer not wearing rose colored glasses. I thought it was a fair assessment of talent on the team.
 
Actually, the 2014 Houston Texans were underachievers and if they had better coaching and execution they would have won the division instead of being 9-7.

Hopefully this year we achieve what we should.

So your unhappy with the 7 game improvement, despite playing 4 different QBs, and the other injuries we sustained - DBs, Clowney, Foster etc? Man, you might have set your expectations a little unrealistically high
 
Actually, the 2014 Houston Texans were underachievers and if they had better coaching and execution they would have won the division instead of being 9-7.

Hopefully this year we achieve what we should.

Wow. Better coaching? Not sure Lombardi, Landry or Shula could have done better with the 2014 group than O'Brien and his staff did.
 
So your unhappy with the 7 game improvement, despite playing 4 different QBs, and the other injuries we sustained - DBs, Clowney, Foster etc? Man, you might have set your expectations a little unrealistically high

While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.
 
No human is/was as good as the hyperbole associated with their legendary status.
While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.
I suspect that the Colts are facing that perfect storm this season. But that's what I thought about the Patriots early last year too.

ps I don't know how two responses wound up in this one post. It wasn't intentional.
 
While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.


You sir get the BOB seal of approval.

 
While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.

Don't disagree with any of this, but not sure how it supports his premise that the 2014 Texans underachieved. If this team, how it was built with a hot garbage QB and a rookie HC, was going to be in the 7-9 to 9-7 range, then it's not underachieving if they don't beat the Colts, don't win the division and don't get to 10 or 11 wins. That they were in position to do such things, and had they succeeded, would have been overachieving, IMHO. There is not a poster here going into the season who thought the Texans with Fitzmagic at QB would get to 11 wins, beat the Colts and win the Division.
 
Andy Benoit ‏@Andy_Benoit
#Texans Notes: Fiedorowicz never found niche last season. That has to change.

#Texans Notes: Jared Crick stylistically – only stylistically – similar to Watt.

#Texans Notes: FS Lewis will be missed, was smart cover guy. Swearinger will NOT be missed, was opposite of Lewis.

#Texans Notes: Kareem Jackson better in slot than I expected, interested to see where and how he plays this yr.

#Texans Notes: CB Joseph still excellent against deep ball. Great in 2-high safety matchup zone concepts.

#Texans Notes: Watt moved around formation a lot more last yr. Expect that to continue, especially with Wilfork (also movable) now aboard.

#Texans Notes: If Watt is a 10 on 1-10 scale of D-linemen, then by comparison, whoever is second best has to be no more than a 6.

#Texans Notes: Clowney must become more pliable. Explosive but very straight-lined. Elite sackers can swivel around the edge.

#Texans Notes: Will ILB Cushing regain status as everydown player? Wasn’t as quick in pass situations last yr.

#Texans Notes: LT Brown can still run block, but needs to be more consistent in pass pro to keep living up to Pro Bowl standard.

#Texans Notes: O’Brien great job last yr at getting Hopkins in favorable downfield scenarios through route designs.

#Texans Notes: WR Hopkins doesn’t strike me as true No. 1, but surprised he showed up positively in my film notes a TON when I reviewed them

#Texans Notes: Arian Foster a more powerful Matt Forte. Can swivel, is patient, runs high but in command. His loss kills HOU.

#Texans Notes: C Myers will be missed. Lacked raw strength, but technique and IQ was fantastic in zone scheme.

#Texans Notes: RT Newton showed improvement in all facets inn ’14, particularly run game.

#Texans Notes: Texans still a zone running team; man blocking O’Brien tends to save for obvious running situations.

#Texans Notes: O’Brien great job with three-step timing pass game and hurry up. Supplements high volume run game.

#Texans Notes: This all-around was best-coached team in NFL last year. 9-7 with four different QBs just one year after going 2-14.

#Texans Notes: New QB Hoyer at his best when on the move by design. (Rollouts, bootlegs.) That fits HOU’s zone ground game.​
 
There is not a poster here going into the season who thought the Texans with Fitzmagic [Mallet/Fitzpatrick/Savage/Keenum] at QB would get to 11 wins, beat the Colts and win the Division.

FTFY
 
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Don't disagree with any of this, but not sure how it supports his premise that the 2014 Texans underachieved. If this team, how it was built with a hot garbage QB and a rookie HC, was going to be in the 7-9 to 9-7 range, then it's not underachieving if they don't beat the Colts, don't win the division and don't get to 10 or 11 wins. That they were in position to do such things, and had they succeeded, would have been overachieving, IMHO. There is not a poster here going into the season who thought the Texans with Fitzmagic at QB would get to 11 wins, beat the Colts and win the Division.


There is not a poster here going into the season who thought the Texans with Fitzmagic [Mallet/Fitzpatrick/Savage/Keenum] at QB would get to 11 wins, beat the Colts and win the Division.
FTYU

Gentlemen. I'm going to win this (albeit on a technicality) I give you "The Mango-King"

We're gonna go 16-0 and win the next seven super bowls in a roll.

Now pardon me while I pour myself another Jack Daniels and roll another joint.

I'm a fan, what the **** am I supposed to hope for? LOL

Thorn The Mango King is the answer to every improbable question.
 
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While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.

It's highly rare I agree with you but yes, exactly this.

We were never as bad as 2-14. I said it constantly. Going into last year I thought we were 9-7 and 10-6 for sure. We ended up 9-7 but blew 3-5 games with multiple lapses in multiple games. Dallas, Pittsburgh, Cincy, Indianapolis. If we even won 2 of those, we would have been 11-5. We got to where I thought we would be going into the year but given how the games and season played out, we could have and should have won more and probably won the division. That's what I mean by underachieved.

We blew those games due to coaching including game management and playcalling, and horrendous execution by the players.

So no, Bill O'Brien didn't run over my dog after he pissed in my Wheaties. Surprised you didn't go with the "did he bang your wife or something?"

It is possible to hold opinions without those things happening, despite what simple-minded, trite, nonsensical responses come from from people who can't even begin to comprehend that someone might feel differently about something and dares to express that opinion.
 
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Went back and looked at a few of the posts I made last year before the season started talking about my expectations. While most everyone else thought 4-12, 5-11, 6-10 because they thought we were closer to 2013 than 2011/2012, I'm proud I held a different view.

May - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2342177/

July - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2361641/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2363544/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2372609/

September - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2378905/
 
While I see your point I do also understand what he was saying. We were a couple of bounces and a few better decisions away from 10-6/11-5 and that's with all the issues we had in 2014. We came pretty close to winning the division last year (and in my opinion should have/would have if the Colts hadn't broken Fitz's leg on a cheap shot). So close yet so far. The 7 game improvement was great but I never really thought we were a "2-14 talent" team. We had injuries strike us hard in an area we could ill-afford to have them (RB) and we had a melt down in scheme/coaching that had been a long, slow time coming. We'd seen the weaknesses in this team under that HC in the years before whenever we went up against the better teams and in 2013 (I believe at least) that we saw Gary lose enough believers on the team to see the wheels come off. Everything snowballed on him and with Schaub in decline and the RB's all banged up and hurt it all fell apart.

But the talent on this team was always in the 7-9 through 9-7 range even with the RB's out and playing the backup QB.

2-14 seasons are rarely indicative of how terrible a team is. Most of the time they're the result of some kind of perfect storm of injuries, coaching, and a numbers of players not buying into the teams scheme anymore. Bad teams are regularly under .500 and sometimes 2-14 (or 1-15, 0-16) but most teams can manage 4 wins a year just through dumb luck.

We didn't have any of that either last year. I expected OB to get this team to .500 or better. A lot of people did here. Stupid crazy optimism? Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.


Agree somewhat, except if the talent on the team was so good the injuries shouldn't have had a 2-14 type impact or Kubiak did a really crappy job of coaching. I'm leaning with the guy that wrote the article, there was also talent deficiencies on the roster in addition to the annual Kubiak flubs.
 
Went back and looked at a few of the posts I made last year before the season started talking about my expectations. While most everyone else thought 4-12, 5-11, 6-10 because they thought we were closer to 2013 than 2011/2012, I'm proud I held a different view.

May - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2342177/

July - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2361641/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2363544/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2372609/

September - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2378905/

You my friend, are the real MVP
 
Went back and looked at a few of the posts I made last year before the season started talking about my expectations. While most everyone else thought 4-12, 5-11, 6-10 because they thought we were closer to 2013 than 2011/2012, I'm proud I held a different view.

May - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2342177/

July - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2361641/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2363544/

August - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2372609/

September - http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2378905/

Ok, so you were pretty much spot on with your W-L predictions. Kudos!

But I don't get how that translates to you dumping a bucket full of O'Brien hater-ade on the floor because of it. I don't understand the connection.
 
Ok, so you were pretty much spot on with your W-L predictions. Kudos!

But I don't get how that translates to you dumping a bucket full of O'Brien hater-ade on the floor because of it. I don't understand the connection.

Well, I've been very clear as to how it's connected and why I and others feel the way we feel about this so that's unfortunate that you don't understand it. Oh well.
 
Well, I've been very clear as to how it's connected and why I and others feel the way we feel about this so that's unfortunate that you don't understand it. Oh well.

We know you hate everything Pats. Hopefully the Texans win a SB doing things the Pats way. Obviously the Pats are only interested in winning and not what others like you think about their methods to achieve their goals.

Not to worry though, the McNair's care more about their corporate brand than doing everything necessary to win like the Pats do, so that should keep you happy for the next 5-8 yrs of the BOB regime. Then the McNair's will reshuffle the deck and get on the right track again with a HC more of your liking. Who might that be and what kind of HC do you want?
 
Who knew that Steelb would show up here? Funny that Kubiak put our entire offense of scrubs into the probowl, and now they're our "O'Brien took a team completely void of talent to 9 wins". I mean, it was basically the same team that had 12 wins, but let's not mention reality.
 
Who knew that Steelb would show up here? Funny that Kubiak put our entire offense of scrubs into the probowl, and now they're our "O'Brien took a team completely void of talent to 9 wins". I mean, it was basically the same team that had 12 wins, but let's not mention reality.

Then tell me if they had all of this talent how did they end up 2-14 and why has there been so much roster turnover? In short was it the talent level or the coaching that caused 2-14? Would you say BOB is an upgrade over Kubiak and maybe Kubiak lost his team during the 2-14 season?
 
Then tell me if they had all of this talent how did they end up 2-14 and why has there been so much roster turnover? In short was it the talent level or the coaching that caused 2-14?

What roster turnover happened between 2-14 and 9-7? How did a coach with no experience further than being Tom Brady's errand boy take a team formerly coached by a guy with 3 superbowl rings to a pedestrian season that you ejaculated over?
 
What roster turnover happened between 2-14 and 9-7?

On the defensive side of the ball, Pickett/Clowney/Mohammed played more. In the secondary Morris/Rolle/Lewis etc....

This yr BOB has gotten around to changing offensive personnel Jones at C, Sua Filo or Adams on the OL. Blue/Polk at RB, Hoyer/Mallett at QB, WR's Washington/Shorts. Yea there has been quite a bit of roster turnover in BOB's 2 yrs since 2-14. But you already knew that.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Pickett/Clowney/Mohammed played more. In the secondary Morris/Rolle/Lewis etc....

This yr BOB has gotten around to changing offensive personnel Jones at C, Sua Filo or Adams on the OL. Blue/Polk at RB,Fitz/ Hoyer/Mallett at QB, WR's Washington/Shorts/Letting Daniels go and adding Fiedo. Yea there has been quite a bit of roster turnover in BOB's 2 yrs since 2-14. But you already knew that.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Pickett/Clowney/Mohammed played more. In the secondary Morris/Rolle/Lewis etc....

This yr BOB has gotten around to changing offensive personnel Jones at C, Sua Filo or Adams on the OL. Blue/Polk at RB, Hoyer/Mallett at QB, WR's Washington/Shorts. Yea there has been quite a bit of roster turnover in BOB's 2 yrs since 2-14. But you already knew that.

That's quite the list of players. Are you saying they've improved over their counterparts? Kubiak put damn near the entire offense into the Pro-Bowl ... how do you see that working out this year? Name those players since you have such a list. Damn I can't wait to tear apart this response, from XSF in the tub, to releasing 2 all-pros, to our lack of tightends, to Kubiak's worst lineman (Newton) becoming our second best under O'Brien. I'm loving our goalline work by the way.

What I'll give you is Kubiak's failure ... his defensive coaches. And I'll raise you O'Brien's offensive coaches. YOU have more experience than the guys accidentally calling a sneak on 3rd and 3.
 
While I'm at it. Blue a shadow of Tate and Slaton, and c'mon ... Foster. XSF is obviously not close to Brooks or anyone Kubiak has drafted. Comparing Feido to Daniels (or anyone) is insulting. O'Brien has no quarterback, and the only time our offense moved in 2014 was 'Red Kubiak - Set Hut!!!'.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Pickett/Clowney/Mohammed played more. In the secondary Morris/Rolle/Lewis etc....

This yr BOB has gotten around to changing offensive personnel Jones at C, Sua Filo or Adams on the OL. Blue/Polk at RB, Hoyer/Mallett at QB, WR's Washington/Shorts. Yea there has been quite a bit of roster turnover in BOB's 2 yrs since 2-14. But you already knew that.
10 roster spots a year is pretty typical, not the aberration. But you already knew that.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Pickett/Clowney/Mohammed played more. In the secondary Morris/Rolle/Lewis etc....

This yr BOB has gotten around to changing offensive personnel Jones at C, Sua Filo or Adams on the OL. Blue/Polk at RB, Hoyer/Mallett at QB, WR's Washington/Shorts. Yea there has been quite a bit of roster turnover in BOB's 2 yrs since 2-14. But you already knew that.

Relative to most teams picking #1 and getting a new HC our turnover has been extremely low.

Colts 2011->2012 8 new offensive starters, 7 new defensive starters
Texans 2013->2014 3 new offensive starters, 4 new defensive starters

Nice job putting 2 years of changes into a discussion of 1 year of results too.

And look at how desperate you are: draft picks, sorry don't count, every team has those every year; backups; c'mon Jones, he's a Kubiak/Smith pick; Adams, please, he's only playing because of a failed OB/Smith pick.
 
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That's quite the list of players. Are you saying they've improved over their counterparts? Kubiak put damn near the entire offense into the Pro-Bowl ... how do you see that working out this year? Name those players since you have such a list. Damn I can't wait to tear apart this response, from XSF in the tub, to releasing 2 all-pros, to our lack of tightends, to Kubiak's worst lineman (Newton) becoming our second best under O'Brien. I'm loving our goalline work by the way.

What I'll give you is Kubiak's failure ... his defensive coaches. And I'll raise you O'Brien's offensive coaches. YOU have more experience than the guys accidentally calling a sneak on 3rd and 3.

Well I have proven there has been a lot of turnover. Those pro bowlers you speak of, their production fell off to the point that 2-14 happened and it got Kubiak fired they couldn't score at a whorehouse in the 2nd half of games. Notice that BOB moved on from them. Before you place that all at the feet of Keenum, I did notice Keenum winning a couple games after leaving a hunting blind under BOB. If you want to make the case that all of these all pros Kubiak found quit on him then we are in agreement. Which is another reason I'm glad BOB has moved on from them. I will say that BOB rightfully has kept the OL mostly intact. The scheme seems to be more of a Sherman scheme these day instead of a Gibbs scheme which is why Myers was let go. Or maybe it's because Myers play fell off since he hasn't been picked up be another team.

Agreed about the defensive staff, but it makes me wonder why Kubiak hired most of them back on when he got the Denver Job.
 
Now I know infantrycak's frustration when responding to Marshall.

Nice response, I'm not going to change your mind. But tell me do you think the team has been upgrade fro the HC down. Too bad they cant upgrade the owner/GM which are the real problems. IMHO
 
Relative to most teams picking #1 and getting a new HC our turnover has been extremely low.

Colts 2011->2012 8 new offensive starters, 7 new defensive starters
Texans 2013->2014 3 new offensive starters, 4 new defensive starters

Nice job putting 2 years of changes into a discussion of 1 year of results too.

And look at how desperate you are: draft picks, sorry don't count, every team has those every year; backups; c'mon Jones, he's a Kubiak/Smith pick; Adams, please, he's only playing because of a failed OB/Smith pick.

Well, we will have to agree again.

Not desperate just happy
 
1/5th of your starters turning over is not typical.

Really? So 4.5 is high in your book. I guess it was a regular massacre over at the no new HC already 12-4 division winning Patriots between 2013->2014 with 8 new starters. Wanna spot check some more to test your theory?
 
Really? So 4.5 is high in your book. I guess it was a regular massacre over at the no new HC already 12-4 division winning Patriots between 2013->2014 with 8 new starters. Wanna spot check some more to test your theory?


Your right, The entire secondary/2 LB spots and an all pro NT have been added in 2 yrs.

The WR corps/ QB's/RB's not named Foster and 2 OL starters Smith/Myers have been replaced in 2 yrs. But there hasn't been a lot of turnover. This doesn't even include the last 5-7 roster spots that are continuously churned.
 
Your right, The entire secondary/2 LB spots and an all pro NT have been added in 2 yrs.

The WR corps/ QB's/RB's not named Foster and 2 OL starters Smith/Myers have been replaced in 2 yrs. But there hasn't been a lot of turnover. This doesn't even include the last 5-7 roster spots that are continuously churned.

We're talking about what got to 9-7. You're basically conceding there was very little turnover to get there by your continual attempted slight of hand to 2 years.

And clearly you have no response for your purely self-serving estimate of turnover since you have been given 2 examples that you're off base and have failed to respond with anything.
 
Then tell me if they had all of this talent how did they end up 2-14 and why has there been so much roster turnover? In short was it the talent level or the coaching that caused 2-14? Would you say BOB is an upgrade over Kubiak and maybe Kubiak lost his team during the 2-14 season?

Roster turnover is common when a coach is fired and a different coach/staff comes in. It always happens like that and even quality players find themselves looking for a new team sometimes when a philosophy change happens. Very nearly every time an owner kicks a coach to the curb somebody else in the league gets a good player they wouldn't otherwise have.
 
1/5th of your starters turning over is not typical.
1/5th of the roster is and and that usually includes 3-5 starters PER YEAR. If you have less than that, it is a sign of success. But we're talking about determining a norm so we can determine whether we had higher than TYPICAL turnover.
 
We're talking about what got to 9-7. You're basically conceding there was very little turnover to get there by your continual attempted slight of hand to 2 years.

And clearly you have no response for your purely self-serving estimate of turnover since you have been given 2 examples that you're off base and have failed to respond with anything.

Self Serving? LOL

You are wrong to personalize everything. A very assholistic stance to take.
 
Self Serving? LOL

You are wrong to personalize everything. A very assholistic stance to take.

Self-serving as in you picked a number, without any research, suited to your claim of high turnover - whatever the Texans did you picked a number lower than that to call normal. You didn't give it an honest attempt at evaluation. It's a comment about what you rather than all posters have done so of course it is a personalized comment.

I gave you Indy above, but here's another 2 win coach changing team:

2012 KC -> 2013 KC 9 new starters on offense, 8 new starters on defense

Or let's look at last time we did 2 wins and a new HC:

2005 Texans -> 2006 Texans 8 new starters on offense, 6 new starters on defense

Again, we had 7 total. That's less than on either side of the ball for Indy or KC.

We clearly had low turnover.
 
Maybe. I bet this year we are in the 10-6 to 11-5 range. I bet this year we beat the Colts in Indianapolis.

Love you're optimism. I had my hopes as well, that this is the year. Then 7 tries from inside the 5... in a preseason game, I find myself doubting again. When a bad team, with nothing to play for decided to make a stand... we learned how tough we really are. Never mind the childish BS in Richmond.
 
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It's highly rare I agree with you but yes, exactly this.

We were never as bad as 2-14. I said it constantly. Going into last year I thought we were 9-7 and 10-6 for sure. We ended up 9-7 but blew 3-5 games with multiple lapses in multiple games. Dallas, Pittsburgh, Cincy, Indianapolis. If we even won 2 of those, we would have been 11-5. We got to where I thought we would be going into the year but given how the games and season played out, we could have and should have won more and probably won the division. That's what I mean by underachieved.

.

Lest not forget the Giants game where we were thoroughly out played by one of the worst teams in the league. It was that game, imo, that showed us how valuable Foster was to our ability to win. Not being able to get Foster going, falling behind, & having to depend on Fitzpatrick's arm... can't do it.
 
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