Are you still there? Are you still watching?

[Hervoyel]

Being completely serious here I have to ask that question because the past few games have probably been harder to take than some of the early season blow-outs and we're going to lose some fans this year. There's going to be a number of "I'm out of here until they start winning" posts. Those are going to be a lot like cockroaches too. For every one you see there are probably ten people out there bailing on the Texans that you don't see. I'm here with some some relatively good news though so don't worry about it.

Are you ready to hear the good news? Well here it is; This is the worst it's going to get right now. It's not going to get any worse. We are literally at the most frustrating point in the Kubiak/Texans "development" so don't go bailing out on them now. Sure it might not get better (which would mean this regime was a failure) but it won't get worse, I give you my word on that.

Many of you will be saying right now that the beginning of the year with the terrible butt-kickings was worse. Technically speaking you're right but they weren't more frustrating then, they were just more inept. The progress (and yes there has been progress) has raised expectations and resulted in signs of the team having a pulse. This makes the mistakes harder to bear and it makes the current Texans harder to watch than probably any version of the team to date. We're at a milestone in the teams fortunes. In one direction lies improvement, respectability, and eventually a winning season (no, not this year of course but way to stay optimistic!). In the other direction lies failure and the Texans next head coach.

If you made it this far and you still care about what the Texans are doing you need to hold on until the end of the year. If things go nowhere the rest of the way then I'm not going to blame anyone for not coming back. I think that's more than reasonable. If you've invested 5 years in this team and you're just plain worn out by the losses then I can understand that. They're not an easy team to love at this point. Take a look at the Cowboys and how they've fared since that game in 2002. Do you know what their fans have that Texans fans don't (besides Super Bowls)? They have "the good times" to look back on. People in here tend to talk down about Cowboy fans living in the past but what do you do when you're team is rebuilding? You live in the past a little. Right now there are Titans fans out there suffering through another long losing season as they fumble around and rebuild but they look back at their first couple of years in Nashville and it gives them that little extra resolve they need to hang in with their team. That's the story throughout the NFL (with the exception of here, and maybe Detroit).

We don't have any good times to look back on to make this easier so we're all just going to have to suck it up and "take the pain". From Oiler days of old I know that this is the toughest part of the deal. This is "Hugh Campbell time" not "Chuck Studley time". This is where we find out if Gary Kubiak can do the job.

Heaven knows they're not good but they aren't bad either. Last year they were bad, no doubt about it. This year they've got a chance to win any game they're in from here on out. They'll tease you every week until they turn the corner or regress back to their former pitiful selves and all you can do is show up and hope for the best.

The good news is there's hope. That was in short supply this time last season.

 

[TEXANS84]

Amen, great post.

 

[Vinny]

I don't think I've ever followed a team that had the same basic problems for half a decade straight...it's been tough to get real excited even though I can see progress on some levels although some of our core problems never change.

 

[Runner]

I don't think I've ever followed a team that had the same basic problems for half a decade straight...it's been tough to get real excited even though I can see progress on some levels although some of our core problems never change.

I see this too. There is progress - some of our individual players are showing improvements, and sometimes our schemes/playcalling look very good. Both of these were rarities in the past.

However, we still have the same core problems - we have no depth, our offensive playbook is generally very limited, the team loses when the should win, etc. I think this team still has a losing attitdue; that hasn't changed. These deeper core problems are much harder to fix than those in the areas we've seen improvement.

 

[kingh99]

I'm sorry but I don't think the Texans will ever be more than mediocre and perhaps not even mediocre with the current on field leadership. Maybe, MAYBE the defense could evolve into something Ravensque but barring that, no way they become big winners with Carr taking snaps. He's the anti-excitement just in the way he manages games. He plays not to lose. Yeah that's the trend in the NFL but he takes it to ridiculous extremes. I think he throws all that garbage in the flat and such because he can't see downfield. He can't see downfield for beans. Who was Sage hitting every game for a bomb in the preseason? Sage threw more TD's in a half than it seems like Dave has thrown in 3 weeks. I said seems, maybe Dave-o has thrown more than 3.

 

[threetoedpete]

Yeah I'm with ya.

I'm befuddled by the draft All Day (Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma)#1 guys though. How, after you watch what you watched yesterday, could you possibly believe that a power back is going to elevate this group to the play offs ? Mind Boggling. No speed at the safty positions. Not one lb, not one mind you who can get to the QB consitantly on the blitz. A corner, who at best is a nickle DB. We're down to third team tackles on the o-line and street free agents at DT. The only thing postivie for the future is that Erick Winston is seeing some playing time. Everything else is something Kubes has to clean up from the last regime. Yeah you're right Vinny and one day someone in the organazation is going to get it. You build a frachise form the inside out. Not the outside in. This team dosen't have the tallent to win two in a row. Doesn't have the tallent to come out of the locker room and earn a feild goal try. When the best palys in the game are the suicide squand guys on punts, your team needs an infustion of tallent, desperatly. One running back ain't going to do it.

 

[Spike]

I absolutely agree that the last couple of losses were harder to swallow than the early season blowouts, or even many of the losses last year. That being said, I have followed this team from its first game and have thought several times that it couldn't get any worse. There is no reason to expect this team to win against teams with superior talent. We have too many holes and are still making too many mistakes to beat a superior team that plays an average game against us (See the Giants game).

What is absolutely killing me, even a day after the game, is that this team can't put two wins together and put together some momentum after a win. We had two excellent chances this season to put together back-to-back wins and try to get on some sort of roll (Tennessee and Buffalo) and both of these games this team totally failed to put things together. We have five turnovers against Tennessee on the road, and we lose by three. Yesterday, our defense - which has played so well the past couple of weeks - gives up two huge plays in the first five minutes of the game and we lose in the last minute of the game.

I guess what is making this team so hard to watch is that we seem incapable of making any consistent improvement from one week to another. You never know what team you are going to watch and you never know who or what part of the team is going to let you down. At times, it is like this team simply refuses to turn the corner.

Yesterday, I posted a message to this point asking whether anyone was really surprised about the outcome. Of course I wanted a better outcome, but what has this team ever done to make you think that they could pull it out two weeks in a row? I don't know whether it is inconsistent play or this organization just still doesn't know what it takes to win. I was really hoping to see that improve the second half of this season, but we completely failed yesterday by losing to a team with comparable talent, at home. You can't do anyting as an organization until you beat the teams you are supposed to beat...at home...in front of the home crowd.

 

[Kaiser Toro]

It was a heartbreaker, but the fan in me will take it. When we went down 14-0 the way we did, the rag tag defense could have folded. But they held and scored a TD as well. Bruised and battered they could not stop the Bills on the last drive, but who thought that the defense would be where it is today given a change in defensive philosophy, starting two rookies and dealing with the injuries.

Kubiak made the right call due to the way the defense has played and hoping to kick start the putrid offense again.

I expected 6 wins and incremental improvement. The six wins is still feasible and the improvement is everywhere and how Kubiak acts on the final results of the season by leveraging our strengths, cutting our non producers, another draft and signing FA's will be fun to watch.

Not to often do we win, but not to often do they entertain. I was entertained and am looking forward to next week's contest. This is not the Texans from 2002-2005 except for Carr of course.

 

[Malloy]

I don't think I've ever followed a team that had the same basic problems for half a decade straight...it's been tough to get real excited even though I can see progress on some levels although some of our core problems never change.

Cheering for Denmark in international soccer-tournaments is worse. It's been at least 14 years since we last roared.. It'll prolly be another 14 before anything happens again

Great post Herv. And to answer your question, yeah, I'll be here next season too

 

[texan279]

After going down 14-0 so quick my knee-jerk reaction was "well this game is over" because of the way we have played from behind in the past. IMO we showed improvement just by coming back and taking the lead and holding onto it until the last 1:30. We lost the game sure and it is tough to swallow, but seeing we can come from being behind by 2 scores was good to see IMO. Maybe I am just trying to find something positive to find out of a loss, I dunno.

 

[threetoedpete]

I'm sorry but I don't think the Texans will ever be more than mediocre and perhaps not even mediocre with the current on field leadership. Maybe, MAYBE the defense could evolve into something Ravensque but barring that, no way they become big winners with Carr taking snaps. He's the anti-excitement just in the way he manages games. He plays not to lose. Yeah that's the trend in the NFL but he takes it to ridiculous extremes. I think he throws all that garbage in the flat and such because he can't see downfield. He can't see downfield for beans. Who was Sage hitting every game for a bomb in the preseason? Sage threw more TD's in a half than it seems like Dave has thrown in 3 weeks. I said seems, maybe Dave-o has thrown more than 3.

Bloody hell. Just cut Carr and pick up Snake next year...You'll see. I know everyone is frustrated but Carr is not the problem. Cut the cord if you want. I'm tellin' ya Carr is not the problem. Tired of posting it. Do what you wanna do. I'll be here the next ten years regardless. If you can't respect a guy for going when he's hurt, then I've got nothing for ya. Five years is long enough for this mess. Wanna do a Bud ? Cut the cord.

 

[Texan_Bill]

Bloody hell. Just cut Carr and pick up Snake next year...You'll see. I know everyone is frustrated but Carr is not the problem. Cut the cord if you want. I'm tellin' ya Carr is not the problem. Tired of posting it. Do what you wanna do. I'll be here the next ten years regardless. If you can't respect a guy for going when he's hurt, then I've got nothing for ya. Five years is long enough for this mess. Wanna do a Bud ? Cut the cord.

^^^^^What he said^^^^^^

 

[Vinny]

who's snake? Pliskin or Stabler?

 

[Marcus]

Can we cut to the chase here?

"Core problems" means who is the starting quarterback. Correct?

 

[kingh99]

who's snake? Pliskin or Stabler?

Either one sounds cool.

 

[kingh99]

Can we cut to the chase here?

"Core problems" means who is the starting quarterback. Correct?

Of course. But Mr. McNair has 5 million reasons for making it work. And Gary Kubes is a QB maker. Dave just doesn't have the tools to be big time. He aint Carson Palmer k. He doesn't throw the ball like everyone seems to think. His balls flutter half the time.

 

[Vinny]

Can we cut to the chase here?

"Core problems" means who is the starting quarterback. Correct?

The entire offense has been turned over except for Carr and Pitts since year one. Same basic lack of production from the QB with entirely new players from 2002-2006

 

[Sco-tai]

I am definitely still watching....and agree that this team is heading in the right direction. This positive progress in my opinion began the day we hired Kubiak.

Did yesterday's loss get "fans" down? Sure. I honestly can't say it got me down. Not because I don't care, of course I care. But because the bigger picture shows me that our players fight and try (which could not have been said about last year's team). We were down 14 - 0 almost immediately...but still fought back and could have won. I think that speaks volumes for the belief and effort that this coaching staff has created. Next year will be even better, and I don't think playoffs are out of the question in Kubes 3rd year. Just look at the young players that are contributing with 2 or less years in the league! I'm VERY encouraged.

And thank goodness this year's draft is HEAVY on elite defensive talent, because we definitely need an elite safety and another Ryans-caliber LB.

Keep your chin up y'all. Sure, I'd like to see us be a playoff team this year...but another year or two is fine with me.

 

[valleytexfan]

great post, and I'm still here.

 

[Double Barrel]

Great post, Herv, and good to see a pulse of your love for the team is still beating!

I've always been in this for the long haul, whatever that means. Tailgating definitely helps take the sting out of watching your home team flounder around. It was a beautiful day, had many friends show up to our tailgate (along with my wife and son for the first time!), and other than a Texans win, I couldn't ask for anything else.

These losses suck beyond measure, because it concerns me that we are building a foundation of ineptitude and loser mentality. I certainly hope Kubiak is the man, and believe it accordingly. But a little voice in my head keeps wondering if he can bring the team up, or will this franchise bring him down. It's the age-old battle between the head and the heart, between optimism and pessimism, and I certainly have no idea what the future holds. But perseverance as a fan is all I've got. I have to believe that someday, somehow, some way, our ship will come in. And maybe through my dedication, I'll have front row seats at the docks.

 

[NATHANHALE]

JMO, but we're playing too much this year like we have in the past. 2002 might be the exception to this because we played well for a first year team, ending the year with hope for the future. The first half of 2004 was our best football--no doubt about it--but then the decline started, leading to the final game of the season against the Browns. We know now that that game was 'no fluke,' as it carried over to 2005.

I know Kubiak is a first year HC but-IMO-he mirrors a lot of 'things/results' that Capers got on the field. When he was hired and through his first talks to the media/fans, we were left with the feeling that this team would be totally different from a 'Caper's' coached team, but IMO that has not been the case. Here is why--

1) team is ready to play one week, but not the next
2) team is unable to beat the teams it should and often plays the better
teams more competitively
3) game planning is very weak, as are the adjustments to that weeks plan
4) team plays 'not to lose,' including
-low scoring- 'you don't score, we won't score'- last team with the ball
wins//TOP is more important than scoring//get the lead, sit on it//
conservative play calling unless playing catch-up//etc.
5) team seldom plays with 'fire' in their eyes--plays flat
6) too predictable play calling
7) afraid to stretch the field with a vertical passing game
8) 'dumb down' the play book instead of expecting player(s) to grasp/learn
it
9) use lack of 'desired' player personnel as the reason for lack of agress-
ion

Too, both coaches won't even try 'something' until they have 'all' the right players in the right positions. How do they know their current players can't make that 'something' happen. This notion really frustrates me.

Finally, JMO, but your living in a 'fog' if you didn't think we'd see more offensive 'fire power' with Kubiak as our HC---especially as it translates to the scoreboard. We may score fewer points this year than last, as we are not even averaging 1 passing TD a game---Carr has gone 4 straight games w/o throwing a TD. Sorry, but a high completion percentage w/poor YPA is not putting points on the board.

I know. Time. But, as we found out with Capers, the coaching 'style/philosophies' he started out with in our first year, never changed---start to finish, we were coached 'not to lose.' Finally, Kubiak promised to take it one game at a time and do whatever it took to win 'that' game. Period. Leaving most of the playbook 'unused' and not even trying 'things' because we don't have the 'right' players???...GIVE ME A BREAK.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

Is there any question?



This is my team and they're already performing better than I expected them to be this year. The losses to the Titans and the Bills were rough because those were winnable games that we let get away from us. But we're not a good team, yet. We're going to lose games like that against other bad teams.

Immediately after the game yesterday, I was really let down. But this team is obviously playing much better football than they were last year. Last year, I only expected to win if the other team gave it to us; now I expect us to be able to play with almost anybody. We might not win, but I expect us to be right there.

 

[OzzO]

Still here, still watching, still numb to the losses.

I think it was noted best above, these games are at least more entertaining to watch than what we've had in the past. The team is not giving up and are actually making the games close - starting to see flashes of "hey, we can actually win this one" vs a 20 game preseason of non-executing.

But as I noted in another thread, these moral victories are still tasting like losses. I have hope that soon the Texans and their fans will taste wins many more times and consistantly in the future. Maybe 1.... 2 more seasons?

 

[Runner]

The entire offense has been turned over except for Carr and Pitts since year one. Same basic lack of production from the QB with entirely new players from 2002-2006

Makes me feel for some of the players who were scapegoated...

 

[Texan Asylum]

Excellent post, and a very positive message. I feel that we're just about there. I was sure hoping for a closer step yesterday, and perhaps it was there, just not in the win column. I seen a team with composure for pretty much the entire game. You can seen the confidence growing every week.

Next week is the Jets, and another chance to mature some more. People are taking notice, and the AFC South is starting to sweat...maybe not for this season, but for the SEASONS to come.

Keep the chin up and expect the best, it'll be here before we know it.

 

[HoustonTexans]

Yeah, If the texans beat the jets next week, I'll be extremely pleased. Being a Houston fan from Connecticut, I'll be at the game because my dad is a Jets fan. SO far I have seen them play twice (Jets in 2004 in NY and Colts on Battle Red Day in TX in 2005) I would like them to win this one for all of us Fans

 

[Mr teX]

Being completely serious here I have to ask that question because the past few games have probably been harder to take than some of the early season blow-outs and we're going to lose some fans this year. There's going to be a number of "I'm out of here until they start winning" posts. Those are going to be a lot like cockroaches too. For every one you see there are probably ten people out there bailing on the Texans that you don't see. I'm here with some some relatively good news though so don't worry about it.

Are you ready to hear the good news? Well here it is; This is the worst it's going to get right now. It's not going to get any worse. We are literally at the most frustrating point in the Kubiak/Texans "development" so don't go bailing out on them now. Sure it might not get better (which would mean this regime was a failure) but it won't get worse, I give you my word on that.

Many of you will be saying right now that the beginning of the year with the terrible butt-kickings was worse. Technically speaking you're right but they weren't more frustrating then, they were just more inept. The progress (and yes there has been progress) has raised expectations and resulted in signs of the team having a pulse. This makes the mistakes harder to bear and it makes the current Texans harder to watch than probably any version of the team to date. We're at a milestone in the teams fortunes. In one direction lies improvement, respectability, and eventually a winning season (no, not this year of course but way to stay optimistic!). In the other direction lies failure and the Texans next head coach.

If you made it this far and you still care about what the Texans are doing you need to hold on until the end of the year. If things go nowhere the rest of the way then I'm not going to blame anyone for not coming back. I think that's more than reasonable. If you've invested 5 years in this team and you're just plain worn out by the losses then I can understand that. They're not an easy team to love at this point. Take a look at the Cowboys and how they've fared since that game in 2002. Do you know what their fans have that Texans fans don't (besides Super Bowls)? They have "the good times" to look back on. People in here tend to talk down about Cowboy fans living in the past but what do you do when you're team is rebuilding? You live in the past a little. Right now there are Titans fans out there suffering through another long losing season as they fumble around and rebuild but they look back at their first couple of years in Nashville and it gives them that little extra resolve they need to hang in with their team. That's the story throughout the NFL (with the exception of here, and maybe Detroit).

We don't have any good times to look back on to make this easier so we're all just going to have to suck it up and "take the pain". From Oiler days of old I know that this is the toughest part of the deal. This is "Hugh Campbell time" not "Chuck Studley time". This is where we find out if Gary Kubiak can do the job.

Heaven knows they're not good but they aren't bad either. Last year they were bad, no doubt about it. This year they've got a chance to win any game they're in from here on out. They'll tease you every week until they turn the corner or regress back to their former pitiful selves and all you can do is show up and hope for the best.

The good news is there's hope. That was in short supply this time last season.

typical of Houston fans period. I'm a homer & will always support HOUSTON teams until we do win. Those that are frustrated because they feel they've wasted money as season ticket holders, it's real simple guys............ just stop paying & let some of those others on the waiting list get a chance.

 

[austintexanite]

I'm not going anywhere, you can count on that. I was pretty sad after the game, but not at how the team played, it's part of the growing pains when a team doesn't know how to play with a lead...yet. I have faith in Kubes, but yesterday got me a lil frustrated with the playcalling, but if the guys would've executed then everyone would be singing a different tune. I still think we can finish up 7-9 to 8-8.

 

[axman40]

Still on the front line!

 

[El Tejano]

I don't think I've ever followed a team that had the same basic problems for half a decade straight...it's been tough to get real excited even though I can see progress on some levels although some of our core problems never change.

That sounds eerily like a Arizona or Detroit kind of franchise.

 

[El Tejano]

typical of Houston fans period. I'm a homer & will always support HOUSTON teams until we do win. Those that are frustrated because they feel they've wasted money as season ticket holders, it's real simple guys............ just stop paying & let some of those others on the waiting list get a chance.

No joke! I mean I saw people leaving with 2:40 left to play.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

No joke! I mean I saw people leaving with 2:40 left to play.

Were they sure we were going to win and trying to beat the rush?

BTW, I was at the Dallas game and Cowboy fans were leaving at halftime when we were up 6-3.

 

[Insideop]

who's snake? Pliskin or Stabler?

You're joking Vinny, right? Pete was referring to Jake "The Snake" Plummer. I heard (I think on this MB) he wants out of Denver and he wants to play for Kubes again. Personnally, and I'm with TTPete on this, I think Carr is way better than Jake and it would be a huge mistake (like when we traded Pastorini for the other "Snake") replacing Carr for Plummer. JMHO!

 

[HoustonTexans]

I am definitely still here and will continue to watch the Texans on NFL Sunday Ticket every sunday.

It is hard for me to get over some of their losses but I will stick with them cause I have hope for the future.

Most of you are from Houston which is what keeps you supporting the Texans cause they are your home team. For me it's different. I live in Connecticut and have no ties to Texas whatsoever. I have been a Texans fan since day one of their inception because I had formally been a Jets fan because of my Dad, but I was never very into football until I found a team of my own in the Texans. Heck, I had two hats before they ever played a game.

SO I will stick with this team for as long as it takes and I won't give up because the reward will be worth the wait.

 

[Insideop]

I am definitely still here and will continue to watch the Texans on NFL Sunday Ticket every sunday.

It is hard for me to get over some of their losses but I will stick with them cause I have hope for the future.

Most of you are from Houston which is what keeps you supporting the Texans cause they are your home team. For me it's different. I live in Connecticut and have no ties to Texas whatsoever. I have been a Texans fan since day one of their inception because I had formally been a Jets fan because of my Dad, but I was never very into football until I found a team of my own in the Texans. Heck, I had two hats before they ever played a game.

SO I will stick with this team for as long as it takes and I won't give up because the reward will be worth the wait.

Good post kid! I think some of the so called "fans" down here could learn alot from you! And you're right about the reward will be worth the wait. The wins will come and they will be sweet!

 

[Khari]

I don't think I've ever followed a team that had the same basic problems for half a decade straight...it's been tough to get real excited even though I can see progress on some levels although some of our core problems never change.

buck up little soldier.........turn that frown upside down!

 

[run-david-run]

I see progress from last year. We havnt seen those frustrating as hell games where every other time Carr drops back he gets sacked. We havnt had franchises set team records for rushing yards against us (Seahawks), and I havnt turned off the TV in disgust. Do losses like the one against Buffalo hurt more then getting crushed by the Colts? Probably. But I see progress in the way we are playing, in Carr's pocket presence, in the pass protection. Just look at how Lundy ran in week 1 and how he ran last week.

 

[CenTexNative]

Being completely serious here I have to ask that question because the past few games have probably been harder to take than some of the early season blow-outs and we're going to lose some fans this year. There's going to be a number of "I'm out of here until they start winning" posts. Those are going to be a lot like cockroaches too. For every one you see there are probably ten people out there bailing on the Texans that you don't see. I'm here with some some relatively good news though so don't worry about it.

Are you ready to hear the good news? Well here it is; This is the worst it's going to get right now. It's not going to get any worse. We are literally at the most frustrating point in the Kubiak/Texans "development" so don't go bailing out on them now. Sure it might not get better (which would mean this regime was a failure) but it won't get worse, I give you my word on that.

Many of you will be saying right now that the beginning of the year with the terrible butt-kickings was worse. Technically speaking you're right but they weren't more frustrating then, they were just more inept. The progress (and yes there has been progress) has raised expectations and resulted in signs of the team having a pulse. This makes the mistakes harder to bear and it makes the current Texans harder to watch than probably any version of the team to date. We're at a milestone in the teams fortunes. In one direction lies improvement, respectability, and eventually a winning season (no, not this year of course but way to stay optimistic!). In the other direction lies failure and the Texans next head coach.

If you made it this far and you still care about what the Texans are doing you need to hold on until the end of the year. If things go nowhere the rest of the way then I'm not going to blame anyone for not coming back. I think that's more than reasonable. If you've invested 5 years in this team and you're just plain worn out by the losses then I can understand that. They're not an easy team to love at this point. Take a look at the Cowboys and how they've fared since that game in 2002. Do you know what their fans have that Texans fans don't (besides Super Bowls)? They have "the good times" to look back on. People in here tend to talk down about Cowboy fans living in the past but what do you do when you're team is rebuilding? You live in the past a little. Right now there are Titans fans out there suffering through another long losing season as they fumble around and rebuild but they look back at their first couple of years in Nashville and it gives them that little extra resolve they need to hang in with their team. That's the story throughout the NFL (with the exception of here, and maybe Detroit).

We don't have any good times to look back on to make this easier so we're all just going to have to suck it up and "take the pain". From Oiler days of old I know that this is the toughest part of the deal. This is "Hugh Campbell time" not "Chuck Studley time". This is where we find out if Gary Kubiak can do the job.

Heaven knows they're not good but they aren't bad either. Last year they were bad, no doubt about it. This year they've got a chance to win any game they're in from here on out. They'll tease you every week until they turn the corner or regress back to their former pitiful selves and all you can do is show up and hope for the best.

The good news is there's hope. That was in short supply this time last season.

Great post there buddy. I for one will never give up on the TEXANS. If I can't see them on the tube then I listen to the game over the internet, becaue I don't live in Houston. There are several other teams I like in the NFL but the TEXANS are my home team.