Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!

State of the O-line

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Yeah, we’ve heard it all before.
Watson does good, it’s because of Watson. Watson does bad, it’s because of OBrien. Blah blah blah.
Wait....aren’t you up well past your bedtime. Time to take that propeller cap off Skipper and go go to bed......but I will give you something to dream about. What accomplishments would the Texans have if Watson wasn’t in Houston? OB would be out of a job and out of Houston.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Wait....aren’t you up well past your bedtime. Time to take that propeller cap off Skipper and go go to bed......but I will give you something to dream about. What accomplishments would the Texans have if Watson wasn’t in Houston? OB would be out of a job and out of Houston.
We might actually be better off under those circumstances …. QB or no QB.

I don't think this team , this QB or any other gets to the promised land as long as long as OB coaching the team …. hell , he could be water boy and screw that up.
 

KarlK

Waterboy
Wait....aren’t you up well past your bedtime. Time to take that propeller cap off Skipper and go go to bed......but I will give you something to dream about. What accomplishments would the Texans have if Watson wasn’t in Houston? OB would be out of a job and out of Houston.
Well let’s see: OBrien has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years with Watson, and has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years without him.

So to answer your question: OBrien would probably “accomplish” 2 division titles and 1 playoff win from 2017-2019 without Watson.....just like he did from 2014-2016 without Watson.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Well let’s see: OBrien has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years with Watson, and has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years without him.

So to answer your question: OBrien would probably “accomplish” 2 division titles and 1 playoff win from 2017-2019 without Watson.....just like he did from 2014-2016 without Watson.
Man the truth must suck for some.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Well let’s see: OBrien has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years with Watson, and has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years without him.

So to answer your question: OBrien would probably “accomplish” 2 division titles and 1 playoff win from 2017-2019 without Watson.....just like he did from 2014-2016 without Watson.
Who would the QB be to make this miracle happen? The defense really sucked arse that 2nd 3 year run.
 

Texecutioner

Hall of Fame
Dude this is our team so we know more than you guys looking in from the outside.
That is some of the flimsiest logic I've ever heard. Because you root for a team and a desire to see them win, you declare that it makes you "automatically" better at evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of that football team based on "devotion?" Lol!

KarlK has been on this site for quite some time, and knows plenty about the Texans. It doesn't make his opinions more or less accurate either way. Actually most "homers" on fan sites are generally some of the worst evaluators there are because they are way to emotionally attached and are in denial of certain flaws that exist.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Well let’s see: OBrien has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years with Watson, and has won 2 division titles and 1 playoff game in 3 years without him.

So to answer your question: OBrien would probably “accomplish” 2 division titles and 1 playoff win from 2017-2019 without Watson.....just like he did from 2014-2016 without Watson.
Is Rick Smith coming back to build him a top 5 defense or draft him a franchise QB?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Is Rick Smith coming back to build him a top 5 defense or draft him a franchise QB?
I guess you enjoyed those yrs of mediocrity and yes, unfortunately RS left us DW4. RS is the incompetent gift that keeps on giving.

Is Wade coimg back too? Because before Wade got here RS defenses sucked too.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Good thing I wont have to worry about another lost decade plus. Even though it looks like he left fans with another 7-10 yrs of lost time. LOL

Rick's philosophy on QB's - "Just a guy will do , your system makes the QB" didn't help this team transition from Schaub's injury and subsequent decline in quality of play thru the QB carousel that ended with Watson …. for now.

Eventually we'll be looking for another signal caller …. the question is if that's sooner or later. Really , how good is Watson ? A quality QB or an inconsistent maker of highlight reel material that the offensive output suggests (at least from my point of view - yours may differ).

If I've said it once , I've said it a thousand times , I really want to see Watson with another coach , particularly one who operates a WCO system with lots of play action and easy check downs.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Rick's philosophy on QB's - "Just a guy will do , your system makes the QB" didn't help this team transition from Schaub's injury and subsequent decline in quality of play thru the QB carousel that ended with Watson …. for now.

Eventually we'll be looking for another signal caller …. the question is if that's sooner or later. Really , how good is Watson ? A quality QB or an inconsistent maker of highlight reel material that the offensive output suggests (at least from my point of view - yours may differ).

If I've said it once , I've said it a thousand times , I really want to see Watson with another coach , particularly one who operates a WCO system with lots of play action and easy check downs.
Spot on

DW4's not taking the checkdowns in BOB's offense what makes you think he would take them in a WCO? This is one of his biggest issues, take the checkdowns and keep moving down the field. After 3 years he's no further along than he was as a rookie in this area.
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Spot on

DW4's not taking the checkdowns in BOB's offense what makes you think he would take them in a WCO? This is one of his biggest issues, take the checkdowns and keep moving down the field. After 3 years he's no further along than he was as a rookie in this area.

Someone posted the stat elsewhere , and Watson is 7th in the NFL of taking those check downs at 8.9% of the time. Link This list was populated by bottom end QB's.

He was also 10th in 2nd read throws Link.

Where he wasn't in the top 10 was in first read throws …. and that top ten list was filled with 6 players who had superbowl appearances , 5 of them winning superbowls.

What those statistics tell me is that first read throws might be more important than going thru the progressions. I don't know where Watson falls in this category as it was only a top 10 list.

Still , another reason to want to see Watson in another offense …. It's really hard to know what we have in him running OB's QB unfriendly system ….
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Someone posted the stat elsewhere , and Watson is 7th in the NFL of taking those check downs at 8.9% of the time. Link This list was populated by bottom end QB's.

He was also 10th in 2nd read throws Link.

Where he wasn't in the top 10 was in first read throws …. and that top ten list was filled with 6 players who had superbowl appearances , 5 of them winning superbowls.

What those statistics tell me is that first read throws might be more important than going thru the progressions. I don't know where Watson falls in this category as it was only a top 10 list.

Still , another reason to want to see Watson in another offense …. It's really hard to know what we have in him running OB's QB unfriendly system ….
Previously, we talked about how defenses were playing the Texans' offense. If you look at the Bills' playoff game. On multiple occasions, you see Watson double clutching or changing his mind because the first read was well covered.

Based on your observation, I wonder if defenses are aware of the Texans' tendencies and doing a great job eliminating the first reads or the routes for the first reads need to be improve or Watson is not taking the first read option as much as he should.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Someone posted the stat elsewhere , and Watson is 7th in the NFL of taking those check downs at 8.9% of the time. Link This list was populated by bottom end QB's.

He was also 10th in 2nd read throws Link.

Where he wasn't in the top 10 was in first read throws …. and that top ten list was filled with 6 players who had superbowl appearances , 5 of them winning superbowls.

What those statistics tell me is that first read throws might be more important than going thru the progressions. I don't know where Watson falls in this category as it was only a top 10 list.

Still , another reason to want to see Watson in another offense …. It's really hard to know what we have in him running OB's QB unfriendly system ….
I learned something today.

Thanks guys.

One things for sure, the QB play they're getting now isn't good enough to win a SB.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Man it was more than Rick Smith’s doing Geezzz. And he did not set this team back 7-10 freaking years. Please stop the insane amount of madness.

On to the read thing. Man every Quarterback tries to go to their first read. They are coached up to do that. If it’s not there and time permits, go through your progression. Unfortunately that man doesn’t have that type of time and his receivers aren’t getting separation that often.

As far as the check downs. my thing is the time we the fans expect or want him to check it down. But as we can see he did his job more often than not.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Man it was more than Rick Smith’s doing Geezzz. And he did not set this team back 7-10 freaking years. Please stop the insane amount of madness.

On to the read thing. Man every Quarterback tries to go to their first read. They are coached up to do that. If it’s not there and time permits, go through your progression. Unfortunately that man doesn’t have that type of time and his receivers aren’t getting separation that often.

As far as the check downs. my thing is the time we the fans expect or want him to check it down. But as we can see he did his job more often than not.
The question has to be asked................Are the receiver not really getting separation?...............or is it that Watson is not able to take advantage of separation within small windows of space as well as small windows of time?.............going to the points relating to true "accuracy" first brought up by Corrosion.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
The question has to be asked................Are the receiver not really getting separation?...............or is it that Watson is not able to take advantage of separation within small windows of space as well as small windows of time?.............going to the points relating to true "accuracy" first brought up by Corrosion.
What’s true accuracy? Is this something you guys just made up because I don’t ever hear anybody talking about true accuracy. It’s either you’re accurate or not. And it’s been proven on numerous occasions that the youngster is pretty accurate. He’s not accurate like the future HOF Brees is but he’s good enough. Now as far as putting the ball in tight windows, yes he’s shown he can do that. Not only that but it’s be proven that our receiver are not consistently getting separation. Shoots Hops wasn’t getting it either and Watson didn’t have any issues getting him the ball in that tight window or coverage. Did y’all even factor that into this so called true accuracy?
 

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Previously, we talked about how defenses were playing the Texans' offense. If you look at the Bills' playoff game. On multiple occasions, you see Watson double clutching or changing his mind because the first read was well covered.

Based on your observation, I wonder if defenses are aware of the Texans' tendencies and doing a great job eliminating the first reads or the routes for the first reads need to be improve or Watson is not taking the first read option as much as he should.

That's something I'm going to look at in the next few days on film and scrutinize that first read …. when I have a couple hours to burn.
One thing to take note of is he has a slightly elongated motion so it takes a few extra tenths of a second for him to release the ball …

The Bills played him as well as any team did all season - their linemen played with great integrity - didn't over run / over pursue and just collapsed the pocket making him make plays from the pocket for the vast majority of that game.
They weren't the first team to do that - I believe that was Carolina but the Bills did it better - all but the one big play they let him get out of the pocket. Denver & Tampa employed much the same approach.

Lets hope that the book isn't written and that's how you beat him ….
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
What’s true accuracy? Is this something you guys just made up because I don’t ever hear anybody talking about true accuracy. It’s either you’re accurate or not. And it’s been proven on numerous occasions that the youngster is pretty accurate. He’s not accurate like the future HOF Brees is but he’s good enough. Now as far as putting the ball in tight windows, yes he’s shown he can do that. Not only that but it’s be proven that our receiver are not consistently getting separation. Shoots Hops wasn’t getting it either and Watson didn’t have any issues getting him the ball in that tight window or coverage. Did y’all even factor that into this so called true accuracy?
Schaub type accuracy and yes Corrosion/CnD/otisbean etc... have talked about this many times. Why could he only fit it in to Nuk? Why couldn't he fit it into WFV/Stills etc... ?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
That's something I'm going to look at in the next few days on film and scrutinize that first read …. when I have a couple hours to burn.
One thing to take note of is he has a slightly elongated motion so it takes a few extra tenths of a second for him to release the ball …

The Bills played him as well as any team did all season - their linemen played with great integrity - didn't over run / over pursue and just collapsed the pocket making him make plays from the pocket for the vast majority of that game.
They weren't the first team to do that - I believe that was Carolina but the Bills did it better - all but the one big play they let him get out of the pocket. Denver & Tampa employed much the same approach.

Lets hope that the book isn't written and that's how you beat him ….
I believe the book has been written, but it takes playoff level defenses to execute the plan. DW4's going to have big games next yr against the Lions/Jags/Browns/Bengals defenses.

Not so much against the playoff teams defenses and particularly the Bears defenses.
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
What’s true accuracy? Is this something you guys just made up because I don’t ever hear anybody talking about true accuracy. It’s either you’re accurate or not. And it’s been proven on numerous occasions that the youngster is pretty accurate. He’s not accurate like the future HOF Brees is but he’s good enough. Now as far as putting the ball in tight windows, yes he’s shown he can do that. Not only that but it’s be proven that our receiver are not consistently getting separation. Shoots Hops wasn’t getting it either and Watson didn’t have any issues getting him the ball in that tight window or coverage. Did y’all even factor that into this so called true accuracy?

*************************
Around the NFL

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2016 06:45 AM

Quarterback accuracy: A complex (and crucial) puzzle

When four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia is training younger quarterbacks at the beginning of their gridiron experience, the intended target for a football starts quite large.

First, it should land between the receiver's waist and head. Then maybe the chest and head. After years of mechanical footwork, hip movement, arm-slot adjustments and timing exercises, it all leads to the gold standard: A 12-inch-by-12-inch moving target, one that travels with a receiver's stride or remains stationary with a static pass catcher.

"And at times, it goes to (six inches by six inches)," Garcia told me this week. "And at times, it goes to (two inches by two inches). That's what differentiates the greatness of some of these guys from the rest of the crew. I always was focused on that 12-inch-by-12-inch area, especially when you're working against air."

The gradual progression from wide target to small target that every quarterback goes through got us thinking about Kirk Cousins, who said last week that his No. 1 wide receiver in Washington -- the 5-foot-8 Jamison Crowder -- makes him a more accurate quarterback. His reasoning was based in Crowder's ball-tracking skills; the ability to essentially chase down anything near the intended catch-target point. But in examining the factors that impact quarterback accuracy -- and accuracy in general -- could aiming at a smaller target (person) in practice and in games, day after day, have a refined impact on people who already throw a football for a living? Does size of a receiver really matter at all?

According to NFL.com research, of the 10 most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL this season in terms of completion percentage, six play on teams that rank in the bottom third of the league when it comes to average receiver height. Excluding tight ends, the tallest of Cousins' top three targets is barely 6-foot (Pierre Garcon).

To better understand the aforementioned questions, and what it truly takes to be an accurate quarterback, NFL.com enlisted the help of a former star/current quarterback tutor (Garcia) and former Jets/Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, who currently owns the second-highest career completion percentage of all time among qualifying passers (66 percent over 89 games, or 2,471 attempts).

Like the position itself, the answer to being a truly accurate quarterback and the secrets behind it are quite complex.
"I think it's more a quarterback's ability to talk to his receiver with his ball placement," Pennington told me. "You see Peyton (Manning) do that a lot. Talk to the receiver, let him know what is around him by where you put the ball. Be able to put the ball in places where only your guy can get it."

* * * **

For Garcia, receiver size only made him a more "accurate" quarterback in one situation: tight coverage. For a quarterback who never thought about the real difference between some of his biggest targets (the 6-foot-3, 224-pound Terrell Owens) or his smallest (the 5-8 Brian Westbrook), the only difference was a slightly larger margin for error in that 12-by-12 window.

THE REST OF THE STORY
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
That's something I'm going to look at in the next few days on film and scrutinize that first read …. when I have a couple hours to burn.
One thing to take note of is he has a slightly elongated motion so it takes a few extra tenths of a second for him to release the ball …

The Bills played him as well as any team did all season - their linemen played with great integrity - didn't over run / over pursue and just collapsed the pocket making him make plays from the pocket for the vast majority of that game.
They weren't the first team to do that - I believe that was Carolina but the Bills did it better - all but the one big play they let him get out of the pocket. Denver & Tampa employed much the same approach.

Lets hope that the book isn't written and that's how you beat him ….
It would be interesting to see what was the difference in the Patriots versus the Bills game. Was it more man or zone played against the first reads.

BTW, I sense a derailment coming. Should these posts be moved to the more appropriate Deshaun Watson thread instead of the state of the OL? It's a interesting conversation to have and I don't want it be derailed.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
It would be interesting to see what was the difference in the Patriots versus the Bills game. Was it more man or zone played against the first reads.

BTW, I sense a derailment coming. Should these posts be moved to the more appropriate Deshaun Watson thread instead of the state of the OL? It's a interesting conversation to have and I don't want it be derailed.

The game plan for ever team was to take Hopkins the first read out of the game. The Bills did an excellent job. They also won in the trenches more often than not . Got great pressure up front and kept Watson inside the pocket. Credit to them for playing a disciplined brand of football. Add in the fact that we just didn’t have creativity in our offensive game plan. We’ve said on a numerous occasions that we were so predictable.
 
Last edited:

Corrosion

Idealist
Staff member
Schaub type accuracy and yes Corrosion/CnD/otisbean etc... have talked about this many times. Why could he only fit it in to Nuk? Why couldn't he fit it into WFV/Stills etc... ?
Nuk doesn't need much separation ….. he just snatches everything remotely catchable.

I'm really gonna hate seeing him suit up for someone else …. still hate that trade. That and Reader leaving are the two biggest things that happened this offseason.

WFV outruns everyone and their pet cheetah … and Stills is pretty quick in his own right.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Nuk doesn't need much separation ….. he just snatches everything remotely catchable.

I'm really gonna hate seeing him suit up for someone else …. still hate that trade. That and Reader leaving are the two biggest things that happened this offseason.

WFV outruns everyone and their pet cheetah … and Stills is pretty quick in his own right.
Reader is the bigger loss. IMHO

Cooks is as fast as anybody on the team too and a good route runner. He's got better hands than WFV.

I'm really looking forward to next yrs offense. It should be much more explosive and able to overcome WFV's injuries. The new WR corps also should fit DW4's skillset better since he's good at throwing the deep ball. See everything I say about DW4 isn't bad. LOL
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
I believe the book has been written, but it takes playoff level defenses to execute the plan. DW4's going to have big games next yr against the Lions/Jags/Browns/Bengals defenses.

Not so much against the playoff teams defenses and particularly the Bears defenses.
I think your conclusion is a bit premature. Are you ignoring how he played against the Saints (13th), Patriots (1st), Titans (12th), and Chiefs (7th) playoff defenses? Yes, he struggled against the Ravens (3rd) defense, but do you even consider Fuller being out, the OL play (6 sacks), and going against a very good defense? If Colvin doesn't blow that coverage against the Saints, the Texans could have gone 4-1 against playoff teams when Watson started.

I think this is another case where we have to evaluate more than just the QB. I look forward to @Corrosion's first read review.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Nuk doesn't need much separation ….. he just snatches everything remotely catchable.

I'm really gonna hate seeing him suit up for someone else …. still hate that trade. That and Reader leaving are the two biggest things that happened this offseason.

WFV outruns everyone and their pet cheetah … and Stills is pretty quick in his own right.
I really hope Fuller evolves into a true WR1 this season. Fuller's success was 100% asscoiated to Hopkins consistently pulling double coverage leaving him in a lot of one on one situations. I'm looking forward to seeing how Fuller fights off double coverage and if he can have the same impact as Hopkins so Cooks, Cobb and Stills will exploit their mismatches.
 

Texecutioner

Hall of Fame
I really hope Fuller evolves into a true WR1 this season. Fuller's success was 100% asscoiated to Hopkins consistently pulling double coverage leaving him in a lot of one on one situations. I'm looking forward to seeing how Fuller fights off double coverage and if he can have the same impact as Hopkins so Cooks, Cobb and Stills will exploit their mismatches.
He is capable of putting up the numbers, but I doubt anyone is hopeful that he can stay healthy all year to do it. He is simply unreliable unfortunately. It really sucks too, because he is maybe the most exciting player the Texans have ever had on offense to me, and his chemistry with Watson is really good. I don't think he needs Hopkins at all to get open or to make plays either. What he needs is some luck in keeping his body healthy.
 

Texecutioner

Hall of Fame
I believe the book has been written, but it takes playoff level defenses to execute the plan. DW4's going to have big games next yr against the Lions/Jags/Browns/Bengals defenses.

Not so much against the playoff teams defenses and particularly the Bears defenses.
The 49ers went to the SB with Kaepernick when Kap was playing at a pretty high level that year. Watson is better than he was to me, but even if he plays at that level then he is capable as well with a good supporting cast. If you look at the Texans offense now that they have pretty good pass protection I mean this is a very scary group of receivers to try and guard if they're all healthy. A guy like Watson is pretty scary and capable with that. The problem that gets in the in the way is O'Brien. That's where the rubber meets the road.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
I really hope Fuller evolves into a true WR1 this season. Fuller's success was 100% asscoiated to Hopkins consistently pulling double coverage leaving him in a lot of one on one situations. I'm looking forward to seeing how Fuller fights off double coverage and if he can have the same impact as Hopkins so Cooks, Cobb and Stills will exploit their mismatches.

Man Fuller has the potential to be a beast. Unfortunately the injury bugs loves the heck out of him. And them darn butterfingers tends to get the best of him in some games. Steel asked why DW4 doesn't throw it to him in tight coverages. This is why, he doesn't have hands like Nuk and neither does Stills.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
The 49ers went to the SB with Kaepernick when Kap was playing at a pretty high level that year. Watson is better than he was to me, but even if he plays at that level then he is capable as well with a good supporting cast. If you look at the Texans offense now that they have pretty good pass protection I mean this is a very scary group of receivers to try and guard if they're all healthy. A guy like Watson is pretty scary and capable with that. The problem that gets in the in the way is O'Brien. That's where the rubber meets the road.
Look what happened to Kaep once the book was written on him. His game fell way off. (Not discussing the kneeling)

I dont expect DW4's game to fall off as far because he's better than Kaep ever was, but will that be good enough to win a championship? If the last 6 games of the season is any indication of which way DW4's career is headed then the future isn't nearly as bright as many fans think it is, regardless of who the HC is.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
I really hope Fuller evolves into a true WR1 this season. Fuller's success was 100% asscoiated to Hopkins consistently pulling double coverage leaving him in a lot of one on one situations. I'm looking forward to seeing how Fuller fights off double coverage and if he can have the same impact as Hopkins so Cooks, Cobb and Stills will exploit their mismatches.
I'm hoping if they double Fuller, Cooks stays healthy and is able to exploit his matchup. It the safeties are helping out on Fuller or Cooks then Cobb, Johnson and Duke will have room to operate. It all depends on health or it can go bad quickly.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Look what happened to Kaep once the book was written on him. His game fell way off. (Not discussing the kneeling)

I dont expect DW4's game to fall off as far because he's better than Kaep ever was, but will that be good enough to win a championship? If the last 6 games of the season is any indication of which way DW4's career is headed then the future isn't nearly as bright as many fans think it is, regardless of who the HC is.
Nm
 

KarlK

Waterboy
Is Rick Smith coming back to build him a top 5 defense or draft him a franchise QB?
Oh, so Rick Smith is highly thought of now around these parts?

My God, for years he was the reason the Texans were losers. Now he’s Bill Polian all the sudden.

You hacks will no doubt be talking about OBrien in the same revisionist history manner after he leaves and the next coach fails. Anything good the next coach does will be from riding OBriens coattails, anything bad will be his doing.
 

KarlK

Waterboy
It would be interesting to see what was the difference in the Patriots versus the Bills game. Was it more man or zone played against the first reads.

BTW, I sense a derailment coming. Should these posts be moved to the more appropriate Deshaun Watson thread instead of the state of the OL? It's a interesting conversation to have and I don't want it be derailed.
The difference is half the Patriot team had the flu when they played the Texans.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Previously, we talked about how defenses were playing the Texans' offense. If you look at the Bills' playoff game. On multiple occasions, you see Watson double clutching or changing his mind because the first read was well covered.

Based on your observation, I wonder if defenses are aware of the Texans' tendencies and doing a great job eliminating the first reads or the routes for the first reads need to be improve or Watson is not taking the first read option as much as he should.
When first option is frequently one player it isn't difficult for opponents to figure out. Of course DW had to get it there and that increased #10 worth but also more and more the guy. If Kelly allows DW to "settle" on one WR, he should be fired. I think this group of WRs will be similar to his Clemson year.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
That's something I'm going to look at in the next few days on film and scrutinize that first read …. when I have a couple hours to burn.
One thing to take note of is he has a slightly elongated motion so it takes a few extra tenths of a second for him to release the ball …

The Bills played him as well as any team did all season - their linemen played with great integrity - didn't over run / over pursue and just collapsed the pocket making him make plays from the pocket for the vast majority of that game.
They weren't the first team to do that - I believe that was Carolina but the Bills did it better - all but the one big play they let him get out of the pocket. Denver & Tampa employed much the same approach.

Lets hope that the book isn't written and that's how you beat him ….
IMO book is written. Question is can Dashaun issue a rewrite to be published this season.
 

dream_team

Hall of Fame
That's something I'm going to look at in the next few days on film and scrutinize that first read …. when I have a couple hours to burn.
One thing to take note of is he has a slightly elongated motion so it takes a few extra tenths of a second for him to release the ball …

The Bills played him as well as any team did all season - their linemen played with great integrity - didn't over run / over pursue and just collapsed the pocket making him make plays from the pocket for the vast majority of that game.
They weren't the first team to do that - I believe that was Carolina but the Bills did it better - all but the one big play they let him get out of the pocket. Denver & Tampa employed much the same approach.

Lets hope that the book isn't written and that's how you beat him ….
It would be interesting to see what was the difference in the Patriots versus the Bills game. Was it more man or zone played against the first reads.

BTW, I sense a derailment coming. Should these posts be moved to the more appropriate Deshaun Watson thread instead of the state of the OL? It's a interesting conversation to have and I don't want it be derailed.
I think it's unfair to say teams have figured out how to stop Watson and the book may be written on him. Why not the book has been written on the OL, or the offense as a whole?

This is true for EVERY QB in the league. If you can apply pressure w/o having to blitz, that QB will struggle. What I saw in the Bills game was they were able to apply pressure quickly & constantly by just rushing 4 guys.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I think it's unfair to say teams have figured out how to stop Watson and the book may be written on him. Why not the book has been written on the OL, or the offense as a whole?

This is true for EVERY QB in the league. If you can apply pressure w/o having to blitz, that QB will struggle. What I saw in the Bills game was they were able to apply pressure quickly & constantly by just rushing 4 guys.
Texans OL was routinely destroyed by 3 and 4 man fronts when teams deployed that attack. If the TE’s and RB’s could learn how to pick up the blitz and how to effectively chuck a rusher....it could have a profound affect on Watson’s growth and overall success.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
I think it's unfair to say teams have figured out how to stop Watson and the book may be written on him. Why not the book has been written on the OL, or the offense as a whole?

This is true for EVERY QB in the league. If you can apply pressure w/o having to blitz, that QB will struggle. What I saw in the Bills game was they were able to apply pressure quickly & constantly by just rushing 4 guys.
Exactly. Great post
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
I think it's unfair to say teams have figured out how to stop Watson and the book may be written on him. Why not the book has been written on the OL, or the offense as a whole?

This is true for EVERY QB in the league. If you can apply pressure w/o having to blitz, that QB will struggle. What I saw in the Bills game was they were able to apply pressure quickly & constantly by just rushing 4 guys.
Because the oline will be different as will offense as many changes in participants. Cannot say that about DW. Now will he be different type player? Perhaps.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Texans OL was routinely destroyed by 3 and 4 man fronts when teams deployed that attack. If the TE’s and RB’s could learn how to pick up the blitz and how to effectively chuck a rusher....it could have a profound affect on Watson’s growth and overall success.
Did anyone ever come up with a stat of how many snaps running backs were blocking?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
When first option is frequently one player it isn't difficult for opponents to figure out. Of course DW had to get it there and that increased #10 worth but also more and more the guy. If Kelly allows DW to "settle" on one WR, he should be fired. I think this group of WRs will be similar to his Clemson year.
It should be

I hope you're right.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I think it's unfair to say teams have figured out how to stop Watson and the book may be written on him. Why not the book has been written on the OL, or the offense as a whole?

This is true for EVERY QB in the league. If you can apply pressure w/o having to blitz, that QB will struggle. What I saw in the Bills game was they were able to apply pressure quickly & constantly by just rushing 4 guys.
They were able to keep him in the pocket by rushing the DE's wide and made DW4 stand in the pocket and deliver balls with accuracy and anticipation.
 
Top