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Texans random thought of the day

otisbean

Veteran
Contributor's Club
For all the criticism that Howard sees for his performance, let's make note that as a rookie in all the time that he played, he was responsible for giving up 2 sacks and penalized 5 times for 32 yds.
I have been really happy with Howard. I’m excited to see him develop over the years. Between Howard and Tunsil, we should have a monster set of bookends for the OL for at least the next decade
 

texan279

Hall of Fame
Texans not planning to hire a GM for 2020



When the Texans' courtship of New England Patriots top executive Nick Caserio fell through this past offseason, the thought was simple: Houston would wait until after the draft and hire Caserio then. That does not appear to be the plan, anymore.

Sources say that the Texans plan to continue this offseason and beyond with their current personnel structure rather than hire a true general manager in title. Coach Bill O'Brien has final say, though he essentially works with the team's executive vice president of team development Jack Easterby to be in charge of football operations.

 

banned1976

sleeper mode
For all the criticism that Howard sees for his performance, let's make note that as a rookie in all the time that he played, he was responsible for giving up 2 sacks and penalized 5 times for 32 yds.
I don’t think he’s received much criticism at all. Watson has received more criticism for holding the ball too long than the entire line has received for the sacks/hits he’s incurred.

Is there an entire Howard bashing thread I’ve overlooked?

The concern going forward for Tytus Howard is his health.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
Texans not planning to hire a GM for 2020



When the Texans' courtship of New England Patriots top executive Nick Caserio fell through this past offseason, the thought was simple: Houston would wait until after the draft and hire Caserio then. That does not appear to be the plan, anymore.

Sources say that the Texans plan to continue this offseason and beyond with their current personnel structure rather than hire a true general manager in title. Coach Bill O'Brien has final say, though he essentially works with the team's executive vice president of team development Jack Easterby to be in charge of football operations.

Clear as mud is how I would describe the Texans organizational structure.

Anyway, I’m actually happy about this. I want O’Brien to have as much power as possible over the duration of his contract. If it works out, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, he won’t deserve to stay.

I do believe, if what you posted is true and is indicative of the trust the organization has in O’Brien, he’s going to coach here for the foreseeable future. So we all might as well just get comfortable with the situation. Go Team O’Brien!
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
I don’t think he’s received much criticism at all. Watson has received more criticism for holding the ball too long than the entire line has received for the sacks/hits he’s incurred.

Is there an entire Howard bashing thread I’ve overlooked?

The concern going forward for Tytus Howard is his health.
There's no specific Howard bashing thread, but there has been significant criticism as to where he was picked and certainly criticism by some who have seen him as having regressed from the beginning of the season (not an accurate assessment in my opinion).
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
There's no specific Howard bashing thread, but there has been significant criticism as to where he was picked and certainly criticism by some who have seen him as having regressed from the beginning of the season (not an accurate assessment in my opinion).
Understood and fair points. I guess I’ve been too focused on the Watson versus O’Brien stuff to notice recent criticism of Howard. I still think the criticism on where in the draft he was selected is valid. Many, including professional draft analyst, believed the Texans reached out of desperation. I think if the Texans had a capable GM they could have traded down (while adding a pick later in the draft) and still come away with Howard.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
There's no specific Howard bashing thread, but there has been significant criticism as to where he was picked and certainly criticism by some who have seen him as having regressed from the beginning of the season (not an accurate assessment in my opinion).

Nobody has bashed him like that. Only one member said a few things in regards to both hom and Scharping not playing that great. But nobody has criticized him in that manner.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
On the flip side of that, they've played 8 games against teams that are 20th in scoring and worse, and half of those are against 3 of the 5 lowest scoring teams in the league.

They've only played 3 games against teams currently with a winning record. Struggled with one (Bills) but still won, got blown up by the Ravens, and crushed the Steelers.

I'm not about to say their D isn't good, or hasn't really been challenged (other than B-more, and I guess Dallas), because Gilmore is the real deal, but they really haven't played anybody.

How's that for trying to convince myself the Texans have a chance?
Huh. Maybe there's actually something to that?
 
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Uncle Rico

Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
There's no specific Howard bashing thread, but there has been significant criticism as to where he was picked and certainly criticism by some who have seen him as having regressed from the beginning of the season (not an accurate assessment in my opinion).
Tytus Howard has DEFINITELY regressed. Once the coaching staff pulled their heads out of their asses and figured out that "hey the tackle we drafted to play tackle isnt really playing good as a guard, but guess what he actually plays really good as a tackle!!" epiphany hashed itself out Howard flourished. He was at or near the top of the LEAGUE in RT stats, until the injury bug hit I GUESS or maybe the rookie wall. Either way its not accurate to say he hasnt regessed because the simple grading analytics would disagree. After watching him play AS A RIGHT TACKLE I feel better about his career arc. Poor Brian Gaine - sacrificed for the sins of Bill OBrien LOL.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Would anyone have guessed the strengths of the team would be:

Corner
Safety
Running backs
Offensive Line
Wide Receiver

Our pass rush would look better with JJ Watt back.

Just need to put the pieces together.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
Would anyone have guessed the strengths of the team would be:

Corner
Safety
Running backs
Offensive Line
Wide Receiver

Our pass rush would look better with JJ Watt back.

Just need to put the pieces together.
Disagree with that list a bit. I think our strengths are QB, Receivers, and the interior defense (Reader, McKinney, Cunningham).

Secondary & OL are MUCH improved, but wouldn't consider them a team strength. I think our OL is actually just mediocre, but that is MUCH improved compared to last season.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Disagree with that list a bit. I think our strengths are QB, Receivers, and the interior defense (Reader, McKinney, Cunningham).

Secondary & OL are MUCH improved, but wouldn't consider them a team strength. I think our OL is actually just mediocre, but that is MUCH improved compared to last season.

As you can see they left out the QB position. I wonder why
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Disagree with that list a bit. I think our strengths are QB, Receivers, and the interior defense (Reader, McKinney, Cunningham).

Secondary & OL are MUCH improved, but wouldn't consider them a team strength. I think our OL is actually just mediocre, but that is MUCH improved compared to last season.
Sorry. I should have typed some of our strengths and not the strengths implying that was the only ones.

However - i think our secondary and OL are strengths of this team.

You can multiple areas of strengths.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
As you can see they left out the QB position. I wonder why
Bwahahaha!

Is it going to be like this for the foreseeable future? I mean, it should already be known that the QB position is a strength on this team? I was highlighting some of weaknesses have turned around this year.

Seriously - is this what this board is now? We have to be circle jerking to Watson in every post?
 
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dream_team

Hall of Fame
Sorry. I should have typed some of our strengths and not the strengths implying that was the only ones.

However - i think our secondary and OL are strengths of this team.

You can multiple areas of strengths.
This is your opinion and I respect it.

I definitely am happy about the improvement of the OL and I think alot of pieces are in place for pro-longed success. I think they still struggle against blitzes, stunts, and simply aren't very good run blocking right now. As good as our offense was last night, the RBs only ran the ball 2.9ypc.

I'm more bullish on the secondary, though. Very worried about Reid's shoulder holding up.
 

Uncle Rico

Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
This is your opinion and I respect it.

I definitely am happy about the improvement of the OL and I think alot of pieces are in place for pro-longed success. I think they still struggle against blitzes, stunts, and simply aren't very good run blocking right now. As good as our offense was last night, the RBs only ran the ball 2.9ypc.

I'm more bullish on the secondary, though. Very worried about Reid's shoulder holding up.
Im confused how a guy can say cornerback is a strength of this team when 2 out of 5 were just acquired within the last month. One guy has been hurt half the year, we have a rookie flag machine, and the other guy has to take arthritis meds before every game, and rolls into the stadium in a mobility scooter! If you look up the defensive grades for the HOU DBs you would probably be shocked - and NOT in a good way!

Offensive Line issues are more disturbing considering the lengths the team went to improve that group. All Pro LTs dont let guys fly by them unblocked for sacks on 3rd down passing. They dont get flagged every single game. They need to lead by example. Tunsil needs to get better if the sticker shock from the deal will ever go away.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Im confused how a guy can say cornerback is a strength of this team when 2 out of 5 were just acquired within the last month.
It’s almost as crazy as saying a college QB who has never played a down in the NFL is the next Michael Jordan of football and proclaiming him jesusincleats when he hasn’t even won a playoff game.

Edit: forgot the bwahahaha!
 
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powda

The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
Im confused how a guy can say cornerback is a strength of this team when 2 out of 5 were just acquired within the last month. One guy has been hurt half the year, we have a rookie flag machine, and the other guy has to take arthritis meds before every game, and rolls into the stadium in a mobility scooter! If you look up the defensive grades for the HOU DBs you would probably be shocked - and NOT in a good way!
I'm not sure how recently acquired talent means they aren't good? I don't care when they got here as long as they produce. It's true 2 have been often injured. Another has likely lost a step and another is a rookie with early season growing pains.

It really doesn't matter.

A full compliment of reid, gipson, Robey,Joseph, Conley, Hargreaves, and Lonnie looks pretty to me.

I actually think gipson is the most underrated of the bunch. I know there are literally zero splash plays out of him ,but he soaks up a lot or real estate and is always in to assist.

I pretty much agree with everything you said on tunsil. I pretty much disagree with everything you said about our secondary...

I imagine if you see Tom Brady's production and side line temper tantrum you'll understand his feeling on the topic.
 

Uncle Rico

Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
I'm not sure how recently acquired talent means they aren't good? I don't care when they got here as long as they produce. It's true 2 have been often injured. Another has likely lost a step and another is a rookie with early season growing pains.

It really doesn't matter.

A full compliment of reid, gipson, Robey,Joseph, Conley, Hargreaves, and Lonnie looks pretty to me.

I actually think gipson is the most underrated of the bunch. I know there are literally zero splash plays out of him ,but he soaks up a lot or real estate and is always in to assist.

I pretty much agree with everything you said on tunsil. I pretty much disagree with everything you said about our secondary...

I imagine if you see Tom Brady's production and side line temper tantrum you'll understand his feeling on the topic.
Healthy is better I guess. I mean if you find 1st round draft picks on the trash heap there is a reason for it. Using future 3rd round picks on past 1st round busts hoping YOU can get the most out of them is wishful thinking, but hope is all you have at times I suppose.

My thoughts on our secondary?

Roby - for the same price tag I would have retained Kareem Jackson. I get the whole "age" thing with Roby and being on the "good" side of 30, but his tackling is ABYSMAL and his coverage is average at best, but he has blazing speed and you cant teach that plus he's a true island corner vs Jackson being a slot guy, I think there could have been a similar player added on the outside that gave you the chance to keep KJAX - our run defense would have been better. OR we could have just drafted the best CB in the draft and thrown him in the fire instead of Howard, but that is a deep, dark rabbit hole we should probably avoid.

Joseph - my favorite DB. FAther time. Most multi-pass defensed games in NFL HISTORY (hit that mark this last weekend pretty cool) he gets **** on alot, but he's the best coverage guy we have, sadly the wheels arent what they used to be and he is a liability vs world class speed, but still he sits at 13th in the NFL with 11 passes defensed so far this year.

Conley - "work in progress" giving up a 3rd for him kinda hurts. TBD. He seems lost at times in the backfield, Im thinking his main issue is a read and recognition problem trying to do to much, process too much. He needs to relax and just play. The whole "zone vs press" CB argument for him was entertaining.

Hargreaves - this one is easier to swallow. I like his speed in the slot, and feel that he has more tools than Conley, but his issue has been attitude and work ethic and you cant coach those up. Its up to him to realize his potential and he shows flashes. Still he was cut for a reason and nobody claimed him among a bunch of other needy teams just makes you wonder, and until he shows he can be a true professional its also TBD - at least this one doesnt cost you picks.

Lonnie - Love his size and tenacity at the position, just needs to work on his body control and positioning while engaged. He's been hit with 5 flags so far this year, and while that isnt "too bad" its still an issue when you look at context of when those flags occur. (edit: 7 total flags/3 have occurred on 3rd downs)

Reid is an elite level safety, super smart great instincts and football IQ, but as typical with Houston football luck - he has a recurring bum shoulder that is starting to be concerning, Addai is the other S I like, and Gipson "the TE whisperer" is more like the TE megaphone being targeted 22 times and allowing 16 receptions on those targets!!

RAC called a brilliant game VS the Patriots. He put his guys where they needed to be to make plays and they made them. So many injuries among the DBs all year make it hard for there to be some cohesion and chemistry among the guys so Im hoping with more playing time together they will gel and become a good overall unit - there is promise, but Im not ready to go thinking our pass coverage ailments are cured just because we have a bunch of 1st round picks back there. Tom Brady was confused on Sunday night thus his temper tantrum on the sideline the Texans came out with a good game plan and took away everything they probably worked on all week and they didnt have a contingency, first time I've seen Belichek lose the situational coaching battle with OBrien.

One thing I dont like to do is be the eternal dreamer. The guy who thinks he's going to find a Picasso at a garage sale. Its nice when guys like Carlos Hyde come in and give you stats that quite honestly ANY OTHER PRO RB could have given you due to scheme and volume running attempts and they give you the illusion of a franchise type player. Same thing applies in the secondary, we are getting woo'd by the allure of 1st round draft pick busts of other teams because of the initial valuation, but the reality of today is that we have a bunch of average/below average CBs with potential - I mean Marcus Peters was obtained for a 5th round draft pick. We gave up a 3rd for Gareon Conley .. who would you rather have on this current team? Not looking 5 years into the future, not working off of potential .. who gives us the best chance to win now? OBrien said it himself this is an "all in" year - and for me making a bunch of moves doesnt equate making a FEW GREAT moves.

Hope springs eternal ... I get it. Im just a cup half empty kind of guy until proven otherwise. Houston teams have made me the sports cynic I am today!!!
 
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Max

Veteran
For some reason, if we play NE again in the playoffs, I like our odds of winning better if we play them in NE. I can't put my finger on the reason, but I think that it has something to do w/ feeling that playoffs at home is a huge advantage (refs and all) if you're the juggernaut that everyone expects to win. I get the sense that we're near the end of that w/ NE and I could see the refs tipping the scales in our favor at NE (yes, I think refs can favor a team, and no, I don't think the NFL is fixed). But if the game were at home, I think that 75% of the fans in the stadium would be expecting us to get pounded and the refs would be happy to oblige the fans in doing there part to make it happen. Can't tell you what made me think of this. But this is the random thought thread after all.
 

PapaL

Loose Screw
It’s almost as crazy as saying a college QB who has never played a down in the NFL is the next Michael Jordan of football and proclaiming him jesusincleats when he hasn’t even won a playoff game.

Edit: forgot the bwahahaha!
Got a link to that? As far as I remember it was Dabo that called him Jordan in cleats but I may he wrong.
 

TexansBull

Hall of Fame
Got a link to that? As far as I remember it was Dabo that called him Jordan in cleats but I may he wrong.
Reading the posts from this board prior to the draft, post draft, and after last weeks win.

I bet I could find commentators saying the same thing.
 

mws

Rookie
Reading the posts from this board prior to the draft, post draft, and after last weeks win.

I bet I could find commentators saying the same thing.
Excerpt from article from Sports Illustrated 1/24/2017.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says that any team passing on quarterback Deshaun Watson in the upcoming NFL Draft is like passing on Michael Jordan.

"He comes to every meeting prepared,” Swinney said. “That’s how you change things, you change the culture, through...for me it’s through discipline and recruiting, staffing and all that stuff. For them, it’s decision-making, it’s who you pick. And I’m just telling you: They pass on Deshaun Watson, they’re passing on Michael Jordan. I mean, I don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, I’m just an old funky college coach, but Deshaun Watson is the best, by a long shot."
 

ROO

Tweak the offense already!
Does anyone have the video of O'Brien getting the gameball? Or a link? The video posted on TexansTalk was from Twitter and when I try to open twitter videos, it says "video can't be played in your browser"

Any suggestions? I can't watch any videos that are linked through twitter. Suggestions?

Also, I did an internet search and didn't find the video.
 
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Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller

ROO

Tweak the offense already!
[QUOTE="Speedy, post: 3023339, member: 169"]link to video[/QUOTE]

Thanks Speedy, much appreciated. That was a very nice moment for Bill O'Brien. Good stuff!
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
A challenge Carter has been burdened, with few people that were/are aware of. Tough disease to have, tough disease to control, tough disease to play NFL football through.

********************************************************************************************

Type 1 Diabetes not slowing down WR DeAndre Carter


On Sunday, the Texans will wear their custom cleats for the NFL’s fourth annual My Cause, My Cleats campaign. After the game, players will have an opportunity to raise funds for their causes by auctioning off those cleats at NFL Auction, where 100 percent of the funds raised will be donated to their selected charities.
DeAndre Carter will don a Texans helmet, a Battle Red jersey and Liberty White pants this Sunday, but his shoes will look a little different. Carter’s wearing bright royal blue and cherry red cleats with a white JDRF logo on them, as he’s supporting the organization that’s fighting to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Carter’s been an insulin-dependent diabetic since his freshman year of high school.
“I’ve had it for awhile, so I’ve got pretty good control over it,” the second-year receiver said. “But it’s just an added responsibility that you’ve got to make sure you stay on top of. Checking your blood sugar throughout the game, halftime, in between quarters. Making sure your blood sugar’s not too high, too low during the game or in practice.”
Carter is one of 1.25 million Americans who have Type 1 Diabetes, which is commonly referred to as ‘juvenile diabetes’. It’s an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood-sugar levels. There is no cure, and there’s also no way of preventing it.

Carter wears a monitor that continuously checks his blood sugar. He also gives himself multiple insulin injections daily, mainly before meals. He has to keep a stricter control on his diet, and must be careful in consuming food or drinks high in carbohydrates. Despite all that, you won’t find Carter feeling sorry for himself. He shrugs it off and keeps a positive outlook.

“It’s not a big burden,” Carter said. “It’s just something extra that you’ve got to stay on top of.”

Many of his coaches and teammates are unaware of Carter’s diabetes. As the team’s kickoff and punt returner, as well as being a regular contributor at receiver on offense, he’s all over the field and in various meeting rooms during the work week. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly sees a player who’s contributions and work ethic are good examples “for the younger players to look up to.”

Kelly also didn’t know Carter was a diabetic until recently.

“It’s incredible that he’s able to fight through and do what he has to do,” Kelly said. “You never notice any dip. You never notice any lack, or anything along those lines. He’s high energy and he’s always out here giving it his all.”
Texans legend Andre Johnson, who now works for the franchise as a special advisor to the head coach and front office, spends a lot of time in the meeting rooms and on the practice fields with the wide receiver group. He’s liked what he’s seen from the young pass-catcher this season, and like Kelly, was also unaware Carter is a Type 1 Diabetic.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

Uncle Rico

Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was
For all the criticism that Howard sees for his performance, let's make note that as a rookie in all the time that he played, he was responsible for giving up 2 sacks and penalized 5 times for 32 yds.
damn its almost like he could have done a good job as a LT and maybe saved the team 2 first round picks and 100Ms of upcoming salary!?!?
 

Uncle Rico

Ur apology should be as loud as Ur disrespect was


damnit .. how I can I spin this so that it looks like Deshaun is solely responsible!!?? :kitten:

Here's where I give the entire offensive coaching staff their props .. starting with OBrien. I wish I could pin this post or something for all the times I'll get accused of trashing OBrien without ever giving him his due. Nice to see this surfing around.
 

Rich Schmidt

Myopicone


damnit .. how I can I spin this so that it looks like Deshaun is solely responsible!!?? :kitten:

Here's where I give the entire offensive coaching staff their props .. starting with OBrien. I wish I could pin this post or something for all the times I'll get accused of trashing OBrien without ever giving him his due. Nice to see this surfing around.
We could be #1 if we pulled our head out in the 1st quarter!
 
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