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Texans random thought of the day

Texansballer74

The Marine
That Clemson offense was enough for the Texans to lead the NFL in scoring during that stretch with Watson....not to mention Watson set some rookie records along the way. That was the only blip on the 6 year OB "Offensive Life Alert Monitor". Instead of building on that success, OB chose to go backwards as he pushed his tried and true but unsuccessful offense.

The thing is dude knows this so why is he acting like he has selective amnesia around these parts. He beat the flip out of those drums around that time. The following season he said the youngster was stupid because he couldn’t run O’Brien high octane offense. Then he went on to say we need to run Clemson’s playbook since Watson couldn’t run a pro style offense. Then the regression and can’t win a championship mockery begun. Oh and don’t forget Watson needs to change the way he plays to satisfy him.

When you really go back and look at the entire picture. You would see exactly what happened here. O’Brien going back to his offense, “might I add hasn’t been successful yet“ is what really regressed. Instead of owning up, he’s actually pointing figures, thus the reason why he said, “Hopkins wasn’t running the right routes and not practicing”.
 
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Earl34

Hall of Fame
I wonder sometimes if OB forgets about the TE's on the team. They go invisible for stretches of games.
This is a "feature" of O'Brien's game plan offense. Cecil Shorts mentioned this as one of the frustrating things about playing in this offense. Some games, you get targets and then you go multiple games with minimum to no targets. He mentioned it's another reason for the inconsistency and why young players struggle. No identity.

This is a very good listen from a former player who actually played in the offense. Every poster who has questions about why Watson and the offense are inconsistent or why the offense struggles or why the coaching and scheme impacts the offense should listen to this link before commenting on the offense

https://omny.fm/shows/payne-pendergast/the-texans-offense-system-needs-to-change
 
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Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Not too sure where OB will find an offense this year.

:coffee:
You know I'm a charter member of the Fire OB club …..

But I gotta say , after going back and breaking down quite a bit of game tape , it isn't all OB's fault.

More often than not , his plays are well designed in theory - maybe not so much in practical implementation.

Sometimes players have too many options and take the wrong one , others its just a mistake or getting beat , missing a blitz pickup … or what have you.

It's always something going wrong and its his job to fix it. If it's too complicated , He needs to start with the mindset of what can go wrong will go wrong and simplify things / limit the options which will minimize mistakes by players …. one guy doing the wrong thing while everyone else is doing the right thing monkey's up the whole thing.

Along with that , he needs to figure out what his players do well and do it - build an identity and make the other team stop it. Line up , do what you do best , don't let someone else dictate what you do …. they will invite you to do what you aren't good at.

No more of this smartest guy in the room multiplicity week to week gameplan crap.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
You know I'm a charter member of the Fire OB club …..

But I gotta say , after going back and breaking down quite a bit of game tape , it isn't all OB's fault.

More often than not , his plays are well designed in theory - maybe not so much in practical implementation.

Sometimes players have too many options and take the wrong one , others its just a mistake or getting beat , missing a blitz pickup … or what have you.

It's always something going wrong and its his job to fix it. If it's too complicated , He needs to start with the mindset of what can go wrong will go wrong and simplify things / limit the options which will minimize mistakes by players …. one guy doing the wrong thing while everyone else is doing the right thing monkey's up the whole thing.

Along with that , he needs to figure out what his players do well and do it - build an identity and make the other team stop it. Line up , do what you do best , don't let someone else dictate what you do …. they will invite you to do what you aren't good at.

No more of this smartest guy in the room multiplicity week to week gameplan crap.
You just captured some of the major points being made during that discussion between Cecil Shorts and Wade Smith.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
But I gotta say , after going back and breaking down quite a bit of game tape , it isn't all OB's fault.
It may not ALL be his fault, but a good portion of it is. I think the design of the offense IS flawed. Just too often receivers are all bunched together, an area of the field has no one in it, and it’s too predictable. When they do pass on 1st down and it’s incomplete, 2nd and 10 is almost always a run. If Duke is on the field it’s almost always a pass.

Along with that , he needs to figure out what his players do well and do it
Then there’s that. Poor design of the offense on top of the inability or willingness to adapt to his player’s strengths.

Unless Kelly is truly given the reigns, and I don’t just mean play calling, I’m talking different philosophies, different design, then it’s probably going to be pretty much the same. Play calling can help in not being so predictable, but if it’s the same offensive design, bunching receivers in the same area, leaving areas wide open, etc, things aren’t going to change too much.

To have an identity they need to scrap OBs game by game philosophy. Find something they’re good at and build off that.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
As much credit is being given to Tim Kelly even by me, I am wishing and hoping he has the knowledge to make the offense click. All eggs in his brackets might still lead to scrambled eggs. We just don't know yet if he can be an OC. I can definitely see a couple bad calls and Coach resuming OC duties.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Texans offense is being built to be explosive around Deshaun Watson
Patrick D. Starr
3 hours ago

"Deshaun (Watson) is excited to get to work with these guys and see what they can do once they can all get together," Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly said of the new-look offense.

The Texans are moving forward in the "Deshaun Watson Era" of their franchise history, looking to build around their most prominent signal-caller. With additions of veterans Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and David Johnson, the group is here to help Watson take the next step as a quarterback.

But each veteran presence is here to accentuate what Watson does best on the football field. Watson has proven his worth with his play on the football field. Add in the Texans continue to string together wins with him at the helm of the offense, the arrow continues to trend up for Watson.

Kelly discussed the personnel being added to help Watson in 2020.

"I think when you look at the people that we have in our offensive unit room right now," Kelly explained. "You've got a lot of explosive players there for us. Guys that have unique skill sets, guys that are experienced and guys that have produced at a high level in this league."

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

otisbean

Veteran
Contributor's Club

Texansballer74

The Marine

Given our reliance on young players as well as players added late in the pre season over the past 2 seasons, this could be a reason for some of the up and down performances of our offenses the last 2 years

The defense as well especially in the secondary. I’ve been pointed to this fact for years. Every year Bill O’Brien was bringing in at least 2-3 different starting offensive linemen. This will be the first time we field the same starting 5.


Good find/ post
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Texans OC Tim Kelly on new duties, offense minus DeAndre Hopkins
Aaron Wilson , Houston Chronicle May 20, 2020

Second-year Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will have play-calling duties for the first time in 2020 as he helms an offense led by QB Deshaun Watson.

One of the major changes involving the Texans' offense involves what kind of stamp offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will put on the playbook as a new play-caller.

Kelly, 33, is entering his second year as offensive coordinator, and coach and general manager Bill O'Brien gave him additional responsibilities as the primary play-caller this offseason.

A former tight ends coach, Kelly first coached under O'Brien as a graduate assistant at Penn State. Kelly installed a lot of run-pass option plays and other creative wrinkles in the offense for quarterback Deshaun Watson last season as O'Brien called the plays. A former defensive tackle at Eastern Illinois, Kelly is regarded as an up-and-coming young coach.

"Any time you're doing something for the first time, there's going to be some form of learning process," Kelly said Wednesday during a Zoom conference with media. "Last year, being in the offensive coordinator position for the first time, I was learning from OB every week, every game, every day we were in there. Being able to take those lessons and being able to improve in certain areas was a good thing."

One of the biggest challenges Kelly will face is adapting the offense to an overhauled receiving corps. The Texans traded star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals for all-purpose running back David Johnson and also traded for former Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks and signed slot receiver Randall Cobb.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
This article attempts to put lipstick on a pig. The COVID "adjustments" on top of the new CBA's additional limits on players' padded contact experience, cannot do anything but decrease the quality of the game while increasing the number of the injuries....................for whatever the season that the NFL may be able to eek out this season.........if any at all.

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


Texans coaches push their players to learn in their virtual setting

Pavithr Goli
11 hours ago

During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the Texans coaching staff have faced a significant challenge in being able to spend quality time practicing with their players on the field and improving their game.

The Texans coaching staff have improvised and found creative ways to continuously improve their players even if they are not able to coach them in-person and on a football field.

Almost a month completed in their virtual OTAs, Both offensive coordinator Tim Kell and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have orchestrated virtual meetings that have been essential in teaching and developing players.
Kelly admitted that the situation was tough as he is unable to coach the team in person.

"I think any time you have the opportunity to get your hands on them and be able to get them out on the grass," Kelly said. "I think you'd rather do that, obviously, with being able to allow those players, those new pieces, to kind of build that chemistry on the grass."

Weaver also shared similar sentiments as Kelly. "We've tried to operate as best we could to keep things as we would if we were in the stadium."

Weaver emphasized a strong level of communication between coaches and players. With new terminology and thinking coming with Weaver, he is working hard to get all of the position groups on the same page to hit the ground running when they finally can get to the football field.

He said, "So, early on, all of us, the position coaches, had individual meetings with our players, and then right away, we decided to teach some of the changes we made from a terminology standpoint and then get right into the install."

Kelly still believes that communication has been enhanced between him, his other coaches, and his players.

Kelly added, "But as far as what we're able to do throughout these Zoom meetings, it's really kind of a unique deal because everybody seems to be more comfortable in front of the screen, whether it's in front of their phone or their tablet or their computer."

Kelly furthermore clarified, "So the communication that's going on right now between our players, between one another, between coach to player and player to coach, has really been encouraging."

"So, while yeah, you're able to kind of dive into those details and really… I think you'd always really want to be able to get your hands on them and be able to use the grass", Kelly further explained.

Kelly reiterated, "But for our guys to be able to come in here and approach this off-season the way they have in such an uncertain time, it's really been encouraging."

Weaver took this new form of training and teaching into stride. He furthermore emphasized, "The one thing about this format is we can get into some graduate-level details where we're not under the gun, we're not in a rush."
 

IDEXAN

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
4 is gonna have to get familiar with his new weapons fast.
I think Weaver's defense is gonna be entertaining and effective.
Will be interesting to see how he handles JJ.
I dunno why you think it will be effective ?
I'm not saying it won't or will be effective so how come you lean to positive side and I hope you are right.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
I think the players they have acquired will suit Weaver's style of D.
I hope I am right too.:jam:
My issue with this statement is these newly acquired players are 2nd & 3rd round pick rookies, and a career backup safety. Hope you are right too, but leveling my expectations. I'd be happy if they were just a mediocre defense next season.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
My issue with this statement is these newly acquired players are 2nd & 3rd round pick rookies, and a career backup safety. Hope you are right too, but leveling my expectations. I'd be happy if they were just a mediocre defense next season.
Right. Our defense is virtually void of playmakers.

3rd round picks don't generally come in & make a difference. They have to be "developed"

So we're really counting our previus developmental guys to make big contributions. Jacob Martin, Justin Ried, Duke Ejiofor, Dylan Cole, Lonnie Johnson.

& we're hoping an offseason with Conley & Hargreaves pays dividends.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Right. Our defense is virtually void of playmakers.

3rd round picks don't generally come in & make a difference. They have to be "developed"

So we're really counting our previus developmental guys to make big contributions. Jacob Martin, Justin Ried, Duke Ejiofor, Dylan Cole, Lonnie Johnson.

& we're hoping an offseason with Conley & Hargreaves pays dividends.
RD3 and RD4 players can be special year one.....depends on the coaching and system. I think the system will fit Blackson and Greenard just fine b/c it should showcase their strengths and both guys will play positions they’re familiar with. A better rush will certainly make things better for the DB’s.

If the offense clicks and gives the defense more leads to protect versus the alternative.....defense could be pretty special. Of course this is all predicated on both sides of the ball being healthy b/c the depth is questionable.
 
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Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
RD3 and RD4 players can be special year one.....depends on the coaching and system. I think the system will fit Blackson and Greenard just fine b/c it should showcase their strengths and both guys will play positions they’re familiar with. A better rush will certainly make things better for the DB’s.
Sure , they can make an impact .... but can you count on it ?

I like both Blackson and Greenard , problem is they are pretty much specialists - pass rushers.

We have no replacement for Reader against the run.

My fear is that teams are going to be able to pick up big chunks on the ground on first and second down .... minimizing the impact of those pass rushers. If teams are consistently in 3rd and short , those pass rushers have to respect the run.

You gotta get teams into passing situations to make those pass rushers effective.

That could in turn really expose the back end .....
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
Sure , they can make an impact .... but can you count on it ?

I like both Blackson and Greenard , problem is they are pretty much specialists - pass rushers.

We have no replacement for Reader against the run.

My fear is that teams are going to be able to pick up big chunks on the ground on first and second down .... minimizing the impact of those pass rushers. If teams are consistently in 3rd and short , those pass rushers have to respect the run.

You gotta get teams into passing situations to make those pass rushers effective.

That could in turn really expose the back end .....
I think you are giving Reader too much credit... he played barely 1/2 of the defensive snaps, and the Texans weren't great run stoppers
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
RD3 and RD4 players can be special year one.....
Of course they can. I never said different. But I doubt our 3rd & 4th rounders will be stating anytime this season unless forced to do so due to injury.

That's not to say they won't get much playing time. I think we'll see a lot of Blacklock. His main competition will be Jernigan.

Greenard will be competing with Mercilus, Scarlett, Ejiofor, & Martin.

We have no replacement for Reader against the run.
Blackson, Dunn, & Watkins were as instrumental as Reader in stopping the run. Reader was the best of the bunch, but not the end all, be all.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
I think you are giving Reader too much credit... he played barely 1/2 of the defensive snaps, and the Texans weren't great run stoppers

Sure Reader only played half the snaps …. but the vast majority of those were base defense / run downs - he wasn't on the field as a pass rusher.

We'll have to wait and see …. But I believe his loss might be the biggest of the offseason - more so than Hopkins.

Anyone have the DT PFF grades for comparison's sake ? ….
 
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