Gary Kubiak Press Conference

[thunderkyss]

Negative. And the game was getting out of hand because we didn't run it enough to start with.

We didn't run it at all the first possession. 4 plays, punt.

We ran the ball three times in a row the second possession. two pass plays, punt.

We ran the ball thrice in a row the next possession, two pass plays, punt.

Matt was intercepted on the next possession (this is our 4th possession)

5th possession started with 2 run plays, then 2 pass plays, punt

6th possession of the first half with 46 seconds left, 4 pass plays.​

Short of running the ball every play, I don't think we could have tried to run the ball more in the first half. It wasn't an issue of going away from the run game, it was an issue of not being able to stay on the field.

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

But this, "He's too stupid to come up with a good game plan against the Colts." crap is stupid..... he's the same guy who came up with the game plan week 1.

 

[hradhak]

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

​

I think this is at the heart of the problem. Our first half production has been awful this season. After the first game, have we even been ahead in the first half? This offense really needs to get stared in the first half of games, we're coming up against teams that aren't going to allow us to get back into it.

I, and I think everyone else here, would be fine with passing the ball if we could get it into the end zone. The bottom line, though, is that the Colts had an enormous weakness and we failed to exploit it.​

 

[Maddict5]

acctually there is U run 3 times teams will simply not respect your pass and put all 10 in da box not even AP or CJ can get +yards from that most of the time

worked week 1 didnt it?

still unbelievably pissed he didnt get grilled alot more about it

 

[Maddict5]

We didn't run it at all the first possession. 4 plays, punt.

We ran the ball three times in a row the second possession. two pass plays, punt.

We ran the ball thrice in a row the next possession, two pass plays, punt.

Matt was intercepted on the next possession (this is our 4th possession)

5th possession started with 2 run plays, then 2 pass plays, punt

6th possession of the first half with 46 seconds left, 4 pass plays.​

Short of running the ball every play, I don't think we could have tried to run the ball more in the first half. It wasn't an issue of going away from the run game, it was an issue of not being able to stay on the field.

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

But this, "He's too stupid to come up with a good game plan against the Colts." crap is stupid..... he's the same guy who came up with the game plan week 1.

alot of those drives stalled when we got pass happy. 1 drive comes to mind0 the long arian run. after that play we ran again for something like 4 then two incompletes & we punt. we keep running and that a TD drive no doubt in my mind.

the colts couldnt stop the run!! AGAIN!! they were killing us from the 2nd pass play (THE 1ST play 1 step drop worked) on! this game couldve gone exactly like week 1 if kubiak wasnt so stubborn. look at my post history- im a huge kubiak supporter but monday night was indefensible so just stop trying

why not come up with the same gameplan against a team that couldnt stop the run then and still cant? why help them by playing to their strength? in a loud environment where passing games nearlt always struggle? he outsmarted himself plain & simple and cost us the game. i hate to say it but we're firmly on the road to 8-8 again with this crap & even I wont want him back then

 

[Blake]

Short of running the ball every play, I don't think we could have tried to run the ball more in the first half. It wasn't an issue of going away from the run game, it was an issue of not being able to stay on the field.

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

I would criticize Kubiak for not seeing Schaub and the WR's struggling with the aggressive pass rush. The interception is a good example to me that the Colts knew the ball was coming out quick. Schaub made a late read and BAM, down by 14. That in addition to the way we won against the Colts in week 1.

But this, "He's too stupid to come up with a good game plan against the Colts." crap is stupid..... he's the same guy who came up with the game plan week 1.

Week 1 gameplan? Lets look at that game.

*********1st Possesion************

1-10-IND 31 - M.Schaub pass short left to 83-K.Walter to IND 24 for 7 yards
2-3-IND 24 - M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 44-V.Leach
3-3-IND 24 - M.Schaub pass short middle to 12-J.Jones to IND 18 for 6 yards
1-10-IND 18 - A.Foster left tackle to IND 12 for 6 yards
2-4-IND 12 - 23-A.Foster right tackle to IND 8 for 4 yards
1-8-IND 8 - A.Foster left guard to IND 7 for 1 yard
2-7-IND 7 - M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 81-O.Daniels
3-7-IND 7 - M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 12-J.Jones
4-7-IND 7 - N.Rackers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty
4-12-IND 12 - N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD

*********2nd Possesion************

1-10-HOU 16 - M.Schaub pass incomplete deep middle to 83-K.Walter. PENALTY on IND-26 - Defensive Pass Interference, 53 yards
1-10-IND 31 - M.Schaub sacked at IND 38 for -7 yards
2-17-IND 38 - M.Schaub pass short left to 23-A.Foster pushed ob at IND 31 for 7 yards
3-10-IND 31 - M.Schaub pass incomplete short left to 12-J.Jones
4-10-IND 31 - N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD

*********3rd Possesion************

1-10-HOU 20 - A.Foster left tackle to HST 25 for 5 yards
2-5-HOU 25 - A.Foster right end to HST 29 for 4 yards
3-1-HOU 29 - A.Foster left guard to HST 33 for 4 yards
1-10-HOU 33 - A.Foster right guard to HST 34 for 1 yard
2-9-HOU 34 - M.Schaub pass short right to 12-J.Jones pushed ob at IND 43 for 23 yards
1-10-IND 43 - 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 80-A.Johnson to IND 22 for 21 yards
1-10-IND 22 8-M.Schaub pass deep middle to 83-K.Walter for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

4 straight runs including a 1st down. Then Schaub and his WR do the rest.

*********4th Possesion************

1-10-HOU 14 - 23-A.Foster left end to HST 21 for 7 yards
2-3-HOU 21 - A.Foster right end to HST 31 for 10 yards
1-10-HOU 31 - M.Schaub pass deep middle intended for 80-A.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 33-M.Bullitt at IND 46.

*********5th Possesion************

1-10-HOU 24 - 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 12-J.Jones.
2-10-HOU 24 - A.Foster up the middle to HST 22 for -2 yards (25-J.Powers).
3-12-HOU 22 - M.Schaub sacked at HST 20 for -2 yards
4-14-HOU 20 - M.Turk punts 58 yards to IND 22

2nd sack of the night.

*********6th Possesion************

1-10-HOU 23 - -M.Schaub kneels to HST 22 for -1 yards.

*********Half Time************

Seems to me that 6 of our 13 1st half points were from a short field thanks to Jacoby Jones return, And a 53 yard PI penalty. The rest was good running by Foster and the O-line. Schaub and the wide outs were mediocre at best.

Now here is where it gets fun.

*********1st Possesion************

1-10-HOU 34 - A.Foster right tackle to HST 42 for 8 yards
2-2-HOU 42 - A.Foster left tackle to HST 49 for 7 yards
1-10-HOU 49 - S.Slaton right guard to IND 45 for 6 yards
2-4-IND 45 - S.Slaton right tackle to IND 42 for 3 yards
3-1-IND 42 - 23-A.Foster left end pushed ob at IND 29 for 13 yards
1-10-IND 29 - A.Foster right guard to IND 23 for 6 yards
2-4-IND 23 - S.Slaton left tackle to IND 21 for 2 yards
3-2-IND 21 - A.Foster left tackle to IND 20 for 1 yard
4-1-IND 20 - A.Foster right end to IND 18 for 2 yards
1-10-IND 18 - A.Foster right tackle to IND 14 for 4 yards
2-6-IND 14 - M.Schaub pass incomplete short middle to 12-J.Jones
3-6-IND 14 - M.Schaub pass short middle to 80-A.Johnson to IND 8 for 6 yards (41-A.Bethea).
1-8-IND 8 - A.Foster left guard to IND 2 for 6 yards
Timeout #1 by HST at 07:43.
2-2-IND 2 - A.Foster left end to IND 1 for 1 yard
3-1-IND 1 - A.Foster right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

13 runs for the TD including the first 10 plays. 2 passes. Incomplete and 6 yards.

The rest of the half is chock full of BIG runs by Foster and Co.

So my question to you is why did Kubiak understand (mostly in the 2nd half) that we could beat the Colts with a good ground game, essentially limiting Mannings time on the field?

Schaub Week 1: 9/17, 107 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Schaub Week 8: 22/38, 201 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Kubiak had Schaub throw 2.3x more attempts in week 8 for some reason. No reason for that. Kubiak knows first hand how we beat the Colts in week 1. And it sure as hell wasnt with Schaubs arm.

 

[thunderkyss]

alot of those drives stalled when we got pass happy. 1 drive comes to mind0 the long arian run. after that play we ran again for something like 4 then two incompletes & we punt. we keep running and that a TD drive no doubt in my mind.

the colts couldnt stop the run!! AGAIN!! they were killing us from the 2nd pass play (THE 1ST play 1 step drop worked) on! this game couldve gone exactly like week 1 if kubiak wasnt so stubborn. look at my post history- im a huge kubiak supporter but monday night was indefensible so just stop trying

why not come up with the same gameplan against a team that couldnt stop the run then and still cant? why help them by playing to their strength? in a loud environment where passing games nearlt always struggle? he outsmarted himself plain & simple and cost us the game. i hate to say it but we're firmly on the road to 8-8 again with this crap & even I wont want him back then

I understand that..... again, I say the issue is that our #1 passing attack is dysfunctional. Even with a game plan that is heavily run biased, which is what we had for every possession except the first & last..... the passing game screwed the pooch.

Not even the #1 rushing offense runs the ball on every single down. The plays we called weren't complicated. Receivers were getting open. If it wasn't a problem with the delivery, it was a problem with catching the ball. But the plays were right.

& nobody knows what the "gameplan" was. Like Kubiak said, if we could have sustained the drives, you might have seen more rushing.

Even when Foster ran for 231 yards against the Colts, there were pass plays mixed in.

 

[thunderkyss]

I would criticize Kubiak for not seeing Schaub and the WR's struggling with the aggressive pass rush. The interception is a good example to me that the Colts knew the ball was coming out quick. Schaub made a late read and BAM, down by 14. That in addition to the way we won against the Colts in week 1.

That ball was intercepted because it came out late. It should have been thrown before KDub turned around, the Corner would still have been pushing up the field.

So my question to you is why did Kubiak understand (mostly in the 2nd half) that we could beat the Colts with a good ground game, essentially limiting Mannings time on the field?

Schaub Week 1: 9/17, 107 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Schaub Week 8: 22/38, 201 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Kubiak had Schaub throw 2.3x more attempts in week 8 for some reason. No reason for that. Kubiak knows first hand how we beat the Colts in week 1. And it sure as hell wasnt with Schaubs arm.

The pass plays looked pretty safe. He was hitting wide open receivers. If they made the catches, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. It's not like he was asking them to do anything complicated.

Even that bootleg where Matt eventually hit Andre out of bounds, had Matt threw that ball when he was supposed to, it would have been a big play that would have changed the way they were playing defense.
Andre had two guys beat from the word go, the fake run worked perfectly, Schaub hesitated. That's an execution thing, not a game plan thing.

 

[Blake]

That ball was intercepted because it came out late. It should have been thrown before KDub turned around, the Corner would still have been pushing up the field.

Yeah I know it came out late. That is what I said in the previous post that you quoted. Matt was late with the football. Walter didnt come back at all. I think we both agree that Matt wasnt sharp, and the WR were having mediocre games.

The pass plays looked pretty safe. He was hitting wide open receivers. If they made the catches, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. It's not like he was asking them to do anything complicated.

Even that bootleg where Matt eventually hit Andre out of bounds, had Matt threw that ball when he was supposed to, it would have been a big play that would have changed the way they were playing defense.
Andre had two guys beat from the word go, the fake run worked perfectly, Schaub hesitated. That's an execution thing, not a game plan thing.

This isnt about Matt and Andre. This is about the lack of rushing attemps with a ground game that can and was pounding the Colts.

Week 1: 39 attempts - 260 yards - 6.7 YPC
Week 8: 17 attempts - 107 yards - 6.3 YPC

WHY did Kubiak decide to take the game out of Arian's hands, and put it in Schaub and the WR's hands when they so obviously were having off games?

 

[GuerillaBlack]

We didn't run it at all the first possession. 4 plays, punt.

We ran the ball three times in a row the second possession. two pass plays, punt.

We ran the ball thrice in a row the next possession, two pass plays, punt.

Matt was intercepted on the next possession (this is our 4th possession)

5th possession started with 2 run plays, then 2 pass plays, punt

6th possession of the first half with 46 seconds left, 4 pass plays.​

Short of running the ball every play, I don't think we could have tried to run the ball more in the first half. It wasn't an issue of going away from the run game, it was an issue of not being able to stay on the field.

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to
sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

But this, "He's too stupid to come up with a good game plan against the Colts." crap is stupid..... he's the same guy who came up with the game plan week 1.

So, why didn't Kubiak stick to what worked instead of trying to be all fancy and try new things? On Monday Night Football no less? Yes, Kubiak is stupid for that.

 

[HuttoKarl]

TBH on some plays the colts did stop our run for no gains

And i with kube on this u dont run the ball when your down like 27-7 in the 3rd Qtr

You can run it in the second when you're down 14-0 though.

 

[Blake]

You can run it in the second when you're down 14-0 though.

Agreed!

This one bothered me alot too.

HST 17 IND 30
Houston Texans at 07:23 1-10-HOU 29 - 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete deep left to 80-A.Johnson
2-10-HOU 29 - 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster to HST 31 for 2 yards
3-8-HOU 31 - 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster to HST 30 for -1 yards
4-9-HOU 30 (5:51) 1-M.Turk punts 50 yards to IND 20

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

Over 7 minutes left in the 4th Qtr, down by 2 scores. 3 passes for 1 net yard and a punt. Still have all 3 Time Outs. Playing right into the hands of the Colts Freeney and Mathis. Give up the ball, Manning runs time off the clock essentially ending the game.

 

[El Tejano]

I honestly believed that Kubiak felt we had to put up points quickly and from the beginning of the game because he felt Indy was going to be more focused on stopping the run. Since our defense has been giving up over 400 yards per game in the air, he felt it would be a good decision to get Matt into a rythm because he was expecting a shoot out.

I kind of don't blame him for that but IMO if you are going to do that, go ahead and go deep to keep the D honest instead of all this over the middle stuff ...oh yeah, Dwight Freeney is in Matt Schaub's butt by the time he sets himself.

That's why you just run at Dwight Freeney all game long to tire the dude out. That's what we did in week one and that is what Jville did, which by the way are Indy's only two losses.

 

[thunderkyss]

This isnt about Matt and Andre. This is about the lack of rushing attemps with a ground game that can and was pounding the Colts.

Week 1: 39 attempts - 260 yards - 6.7 YPC
Week 8: 17 attempts - 107 yards - 6.3 YPC

WHY did Kubiak decide to take the game out of Arian's hands, and put it in Schaub and the WR's hands when they so obviously were having off games?

No, this is about Matt & Andre. I don't believe the plan was to go away from Arian. We couldn't stay on the field, because the passing game wasn't there. & it wasn't because of the pass rush (it didn't help, but Indy's pass rush never nullified our offense like that before).

Again, if they would make the catches, if the ball was thrown with the accuracy & timing required, we would have sustained drives, you would have seen more Foster.

 

[thunderkyss]

So, why didn't Kubiak stick to what worked instead of trying to be all fancy and try new things? On Monday Night Football no less? Yes, Kubiak is stupid for that.

New things?

Two of the first three possessions, we ran the ball 3 straight times. Threw the ball twice each time. Throwing the ball is nothing new. With our QB, & the depth of receivers we brag about, this isn't bad game planning to get them involved in the game.

This is not "taking the ball out of Arian's hands."


This is something we should be able to do, no matter who we're playing. & if we can't do it against a "depleted" Colts team, we don't stand a chance against the Chargers, Ravens, Titans, Jets, Eagles, Broncos, or Jaguars.

 

[BigBull17]

We didn't run it at all the first possession. 4 plays, punt.

We ran the ball three times in a row the second possession. two pass plays, punt.

We ran the ball thrice in a row the next possession, two pass plays, punt.

Matt was intercepted on the next possession (this is our 4th possession)

5th possession started with 2 run plays, then 2 pass plays, punt

6th possession of the first half with 46 seconds left, 4 pass plays.​

Short of running the ball every play, I don't think we could have tried to run the ball more in the first half. It wasn't an issue of going away from the run game, it was an issue of not being able to stay on the field.

If you want to criticize Kubiak, criticize him for that. We haven't been able to sustain a drive in the first half all season long.

But this, "He's too stupid to come up with a good game plan against the Colts." crap is stupid..... he's the same guy who came up with the game plan week 1.

Yeah they could have. You do it till they stop you. Thats how you beat the Colts. You have to make their sprinter DE's play the run. You get them on their heels and make them band their head. You dont let them pin their ears back and go. We blew it from a play calling point of view. No doubt.

 

[Blake]

No, this is about Matt & Andre. I don't believe the plan was to go away from Arian. We couldn't stay on the field, because the passing game wasn't there. & it wasn't because of the pass rush (it didn't help, but Indy's pass rush never nullified our offense like that before).

TK, We didnt need the passing game in week 1! What makes you think we needed it in week 8?

Again, if they would make the catches, if the ball was thrown with the accuracy & timing required, we would have sustained drives, you would have seen more Foster.

If, if, if, that is alot of ifs there. We arent always going to be able to throw the ball around for whatever reason. The ground game was proven against them and was even working the limited amount that we did run the ball. You basically are saying that if Schaub and his WR's arent flowing together that we are going to lose the tough games. Because even though we can run the ball effectivly you are going to keep passing no matter the outcome of said passes.

I dont understand why you dont admit that we can run the ball on the colts and passed too much. You are sticking to your guns that the play calling was fine, with no evidence to back it up.

 

[RTP2110]

No, this is about Matt & Andre. I don't believe the plan was to go away from Arian. We couldn't stay on the field, because the passing game wasn't there.

That's exactly what everyone is so upset about. Kubiak is saying that we didn't see enough runs because we couldn't stay on the field. We couldn't stay on the field because we weren't seeing more runs!!

I count 4 Texan first downs in the first half. Three of those came on run plays, and the only first down from a pass was the first play of the game. Forget balance forget getting Schaub in a rhythm. It's a simple matter of go with what works.

 

[thunderkyss]

Agreed!

This one bothered me alot too.

HST 17 IND 30
Houston Texans at 07:23 1-10-HOU 29 - 8-M.Schaub pass incomplete deep left to 80-A.Johnson
2-10-HOU 29 - 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster to HST 31 for 2 yards
3-8-HOU 31 - 8-M.Schaub pass short right to 23-A.Foster to HST 30 for -1 yards
4-9-HOU 30 (5:51) 1-M.Turk punts 50 yards to IND 20

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

Over 7 minutes left in the 4th Qtr, down by 2 scores. 3 passes for 1 net yard and a punt. Still have all 3 Time Outs. Playing right into the hands of the Colts Freeney and Mathis. Give up the ball, Manning runs time off the clock essentially ending the game.

I agree, this is the worst of them all.

 

[Dishman]

No, this is about Matt & Andre. I don't believe the plan was to go away from Arian. We couldn't stay on the field, because the passing game wasn't there. & it wasn't because of the pass rush (it didn't help, but Indy's pass rush never nullified our offense like that before).

Again, if they would make the catches, if the ball was thrown with the accuracy & timing required, we would have sustained drives, you would have seen more Foster.

You're talking like the pass sets up the run. That's not really the way it works. Besides, how can you say this is about Matt and Andre, when Matt hasn't looked sharp all year and Andre has been hobbled. This is about the coach not playing to the team's strengths.

 

[Hervoyel]

You're talking like the pass sets up the run. That's not really the way it works. Besides, how can you say this is about Matt and Andre, when Matt hasn't looked sharp all year and Andre has been hobbled. This is about the coach not playing to the team's strengths.

Or pressing the opponents weakness.

 

[thunderkyss]

I dont understand why you dont admit that we can run the ball on the colts and passed too much. You are sticking to your guns that the play calling was fine, with no evidence to back it up.

That's exactly what everyone is so upset about. Kubiak is saying that we didn't see enough runs because we couldn't stay on the field. We couldn't stay on the field because we weren't seeing more runs!!

I just think our problems are deeper than a lack of running. With the talent we have on this team, asking Matt Schaub to pick up a first down or two isn't stupid.

I'm focusing on the first half, because that is mainly where we built the hole. & looking at it on a possession by possession basis, I don't think we were out of whack. Sure we could have called 8 run plays in a row, but throwing it after 3 straight runs isn't poor game planing, especially when one of the plays is a play action bootleg & is a staple of our offense. That's what we do. Everything worked to perfection, except the execution of the pass.

We went into half-time down 17-3 (14 points).

In your opinion (to clarify what this argument is about) are you saying we should have ran the ball more before this point, or after?

 

[thunderkyss]

You're talking like the pass sets up the run. That's not really the way it works. Besides, how can you say this is about Matt and Andre, when Matt hasn't looked sharp all year and Andre has been hobbled. This is about the coach not playing to the team's strengths.

Not at all. Three run plays. Then a pass, with Matt Schaub & Andre Johnson on your team..... what is wrong with that, that's what I'm asking.

 

[Blake]

I just think our problems are deeper than a lack of running. With the talent we have on this team, asking Matt Schaub to pick up a first down or two isn't stupid.

I'm focusing on the first half, because that is mainly where we built the hole. & looking at it on a possession by possession basis, I don't think we were out of whack. Sure we could have called 8 run plays in a row, but throwing it after 3 straight runs isn't poor game planing, especially when one of the plays is a play action bootleg & is a staple of our offense. That's what we do. Everything worked to perfection, except the execution of the pass.

We went into half-time down 17-3 (14 points).

In your opinion (to clarify what this argument is about) are you saying we should have ran the ball more before this point, or after?

Not sure if you were asking him, me or both of us. But ill respond.

We should have been running more well before the INT.

The INT was the 10th passing play out of our total number of plays up to that point which was 16. Kubiak always talks about being balanced with play calling, runs and passes. Thats not very good balance to me. Especially when run defense is their Achilles heel.

****************1st serie*********************

1st/10 Pass 11 yards for a 1st down
1st/10 Pass Incomplete
2nd/10 Pass Incomplete
3rd/10 Pass SACKED (Freeney)
4th/16 PUNT

****************2nd serie*********************

1st/10 Run 5 yards
2nd/5 Run 9 yards for a 1st down
1st/10 Run 4 yards
2nd/6 Pass Incomplete
3rd/6 Pass Incomplete
4th/6 PUNT

****************3rd serie*********************

1st/10 Run 8 yards
2nd/2 Run 4 yards for a 1st down
1st/10 Run 2 yards
2nd/8 Pass 6 yards
3rd/2 Pass Incomplete
TIMEOUT
4th/2 Pass Incomplete

****************4th serie*********************

1st/10 Pass INTERCEPTED TOUCHDOWN

****************5th serie*********************

1st/10 Run 33 yards
1st/10 Run 0 yards
2nd/10 Pass 4 yards
3rd/5 Pass SACKED (Session)
4th/12 FIELD GOAL (Rackers)

****************6th serie*********************

1st/10 Incomplete Pass
2nd/10 Run 0 yards
3rd/10 Pass 9 yards
4th/1 PUNT


****************7th serie*********************

1st/10 Pass Incomplete
2nd/10 Pass 6 yards
3rd/4 Pass Incomplete
4th/4 PUNT

***************HALFTIME****************

Schaub is a horrible 5/15 for 36 yards and 1 INT with 2 Sacks. What do we do in the 2nd half? More of the same. He ends up with 38 passing attempts. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

Kubiak got way too cute with this game plan. Dom Capers could have won this game. And I HATED Capers.

 

[Texan_Bill]

Game 1 v. Indy 39 rush attempts & 17 passing attempts = Win

Game 2 v. Indy 17 rush attempts & 38 passing attemps = FAIL


And I don't even want to hear that we had to resort to the pass because we got behind on the scoreboard. Arian Foster picks up chunks of yards in bunches. The first game against the Colts, the Texans had TD drives that took 3:34, 1:57 and 2:56...

The one that took just a minute 57, was a 4 play 91 yard drive... Getting behind and time, my ass!

I usually stick up for Kubes but this time instead of trying to outsmart the other coach, he outsmarted himself...

KISS - keep it simple, stupid!!

 

[RTP2110]

We went into half-time down 17-3 (14 points).

In your opinion (to clarify what this argument is about) are you saying we should have ran the ball more before this point, or after?

Sorry I wasn't more clear, but I was mainly talking about the first half play selection.

 

[Dishman]

Game 1 v. Indy 39 rush attempts & 17 passing attempts = Win

Game 2 v. Indy 17 rush attempts & 38 passing attemps = FAIL


I usually stick up for Kubes but this time instead of trying to outsmart the other coach, he outsmarted himself...

That's just the straight-up truth right there, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[thunderkyss]

Schaub is a horrible 5/15 for 36 yards and 1 INT with 2 Sacks. What do we do in the 2nd half? More of the same. He ends up with 38 passing attempts. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

Kubiak got way too cute with this game plan. Dom Capers could have won this game. And I HATED Capers.

3rd Qtr, there were 7 runs & 3 passes. We started the 4th Qtr running 15 times, passing 19 times.

Sorry I wasn't more clear, but I was mainly talking about the first half play selection.

So you are saying we shouldn't have attempted the first pass? We should have just run it every single down?

Are you saying we shouldn't have thrown on those downs when the pass was incomplete? instead that should have been a run?

Keep in mind that last possession was with 46 seconds left in the half.

 

[steelbtexan]

Kubiak said:

1. He thought the pass rush for the Texans was "pretty good"
2. He doesn't regret throwing the ball in the first half on 3rd and 2 and again on 4th and 2.
3. He doesn't feel they should have run the ball more in that first half.
4. "The problem with pass protection starts with needing to run the ball better."??? (really?)

As a long time Kubiak supporter, I've grown tired and disenchanted. Two weeks to figure things out and I can't tell this team apart from the 2008 version of the Texans. Same crappy defense, totally unable to take care of their zone responsibilities despite the bye week focus. Same poor pass rush. Same protection issues. Same mismanagement of the game... They should have rammed Foster down the Colts' throats and then thrown over top... not attempt passes underneath, unless it was a screen. They were 0-6 on third downs in the first half, passing on every single one, including a 3rd and 2, 4th and 2, and 3rd and 5. Even the next day, he doesn't realize their mistake!

Wow

DM did you spill koolaid on yourself Monday night? LOL

Seeing the light is a good thing. But I'm willing to wait the rest of the season out. No excuses, Playoffs or bust.

 

[dalemurphy]

Wow

DM did you spill koolaid on yourself Monday night? LOL

Seeing the light is a good thing. But I'm willing to wait the rest of the season out. No excuses, Playoffs or bust.

I'm not giving up on the season, but I am very disappointed in the preparation and implimentation of the gameplan Monday. This is the season with the personnel and experience in place to be successful... yet, the defense is much worse and the offense is making the same critical errors it was making two and three years ago.

 

[RTP2110]

So you are saying we shouldn't have attempted the first pass? We should have just run it every single down?

Are you saying we shouldn't have thrown on those downs when the pass was incomplete? instead that should have been a run?

Keep in mind that last possession was with 46 seconds left in the half.

You're making it sound as if I'm saying that we should have NEVER passed the ball. Obviously, that's not my point. The bottom line IMO, is that the passing game was not working in the first half. Blame Shchaub, the receivers, the o-line, blame whoever you want, but it just was not working. At the same time, the run game was very productive. It's just sound logic to keep doing what's working.

In week one, the Texans opened the second half with a 15 play TD drive that consisted of 13 runs and 2 passes. I don't see why that same approach wasn't used Monday night when it was working just as well.

 

[thunderkyss]

You're making it sound as if I'm saying that we should have NEVER passed the ball. Obviously, that's not my point.

That's what it sounds like I am hearing.

In week one, the Texans opened the second half with a 15 play TD drive that consisted of 13 runs and 2 passes. I don't see why that same approach wasn't used Monday night when it was working just as well.

Our 2nd drive of this game was 3 straight runs followed by a pass. It was incomplete, nothing special, a quick little route, Matt threw the ball too high. Had it been caught, it would have been a first down. The next 5 plays after that could have been runs..... we don't know that for sure, but since the first three plays of the next drive were also runs, I think it's a safe bet (the script & all). Had that simple little route been a completion we might have seen a 15 play 13 run 2 pass drive.

This was Matt's 5th pass attempt. He was 1 for 5 at that point. Who'd have thunk it?

 

[Blake]

3rd Qtr, there were 7 runs & 3 passes. We started the 4th Qtr running 15 times, passing 19 times.

TK what are you talking about? 7 runs and 3 passes? There were 11 plays my friend. 6 were passes. Have you even looked this up or are you just making it up as you go?

 

[Blake]

You're making it sound as if I'm saying that we should have NEVER passed the ball. Obviously, that's not my point.

That's what it sounds like I am hearing.

That is not what he is saying. He is saying there was no reason to throw the ball 38 times that game. Please see Texan_Bill's post.

I think you are "hearing" what you want to hear. Which makes this so called debate worthless.

 

[thunderkyss]

TK what are you talking about? 7 runs and 3 passes? There were 11 plays my friend. 6 were passes. Have you even looked this up or are you just making it up as you go?

Houston Texans at 11:30, (1st play from scrimmage 11:23)
1-10-HST 41 (11:23) (Run formation) A.Foster up the middle to HST 45 for 4 yards (A.Francisco).
2-6-HST 45 (10:51) (Run formation) A.Foster left end to 50 for 5 yards (C.Session, P.Angerer).
3-1-50 (10:13) (Run formation) M.Schaub up the middle to IND 49 for 1 yard (R.Mathis). R5
1-10-IND 49 (9:38) (Run formation) M.Schaub pass short left to A.Foster to IND 35 for 14 yards (A.Francisco). P6
1-10-IND 35 (8:59) D.Ward right end to IND 30 for 5 yards (A.Bethea).
2-5-IND 30 (8:26) (Run formation) A.Foster up the middle to IND 28 for 2 yards (G.Brackett).
3-3-IND 28 (7:47) M.Schaub pass deep right to A.Johnson for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. P7​

That's 5 runs 2 passes on the first possession of the 3rd Qtr

Houston Texans at 1:18, (1st play from scrimmage 1:10)
1-10-HST 14 (1:10) M.Schaub pass short left to A.Foster to HST 24 for 10 yards (K.Hayden). P8
1-10-HST 24 (:28) M.Schaub pass short right to V.Leach pushed ob at HST 31 for 7 yards (K.Hayden).
2-3-HST 31 (:04) (Run formation) A.Foster up the middle to HST 32 for 1 yard (J.Hughes).
PENALTY on IND-J.Hughes, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at HST 32. X9
1-10-HST 47 (:00) M.Schaub pass incomplete short right to J.Jones.​

1 run, 3 passes.

Yeah, I don't know what happened there. I obviously have a problem counting.

 

[thunderkyss]

Sorry I wasn't more clear, but I was mainly talking about the first half play selection.

So you are saying we shouldn't have attempted the first pass? We should have just run it every single down?

That is not what he is saying. He is saying there was no reason to throw the ball 38 times that game. Please see Texan_Bill's post.

I think you are "hearing" what you want to hear. Which makes this so called debate worthless.

To make sure, I asked him specifically what we were talking about. He's talking about the first half play selection. One drive we went run, run, run, pass, pass........ another we went run, run, run, pass, pass.....

I think we could have won the game if we ran the ball more.

No doubt about it.

I also don't believe we would be having this conversation if Matt wasn't 5/15 or whatever he was to start the game.

I also think we would have won the Giants game & the Cowboys game, if Matt Schaub didn't play as bad as he did in those games.

I believe the defense would have played better week 1, week 2, week 4, basically every game this year, if Matt Schaub would play as well in the first Qtr as he has in the 4th Qtr.

I don't care what the game plan is, don't care what the play calling is, if Matt Schaub can't start better, we will not win 4 of the next 9 games.

 

[GP]

So you are saying we shouldn't have attempted the first pass? We should have just run it every single down?

It's actually that we did not try high-percentage pass plays, such as curls/slants/bubble screen/etc.

Dennison is doing these long, drawn-out pass plays that ake 5 seconds to develop. The VERY first pass play was a three-step drop by Matt and a missile to AJ for a first down.

See what we mean?

It's the complete and utter abandonment of anything SIMPLE.

Sometimes, your guys just need three-step drops and play pitch-and-catch. It's what Kyle had his Redskins do against us the whole first half of the Texans-Skins game. It works. It gets your guys into a rhythm and keeps the clock AND the chains moving.

Plus, if your receivers and TEs are not having that ball hit their hands early and often, they aren;t going to catch it in the 4th quarter. They bobble it, they act like they have never caught a football before. So you have to get that ball hitting their hands, making them get into football shape out there (both physically AND mentally).

So, "YES," you can mix in the pass with the run...so long as you call the right pass plays for the situation that exists.

Instead, we're trying to hit a homerun on every pass play. Even ther receivers themselves seem to be like "WTH?" with having to sprint 20 yards downfield on every play.

Dennison is a fail in the pass playcalling/scheme. EPIC fail. Congrats to him on the run plays, unless that's really more credit that's due to Foster than Dennison. Which is probably true.

 

[Blake]

That's 5 runs 2 passes on the first possession of the 3rd Qtr

Yeah, I don't know what happened there. I obviously have a problem counting.

Dont be an asshole. You originally wrote "3rd quarter", not "first possession of the third quarter." Read your post before hitting submit.

3rd Qtr, there were 7 runs & 3 passes. We started the 4th Qtr running 15 times, passing 19 times.

 

[thunderkyss]

Dont be an asshole. You originally wrote "3rd quarter", not "first possession of the third quarter." Read your post before hitting submit.

I'm not being an asshole, I'm agreeing with you. I screwed up. I can't count.

If you read it correctly, I go through the second possession, where there is 1 run & three passes.

6 runs, 5 passes in the third Qtr...... 11 plays, just like you said.

My numbers don't jive.

Forgive me.

 

[thunderkyss]

It's actually that we did not try high-percentage pass plays, such as curls/slants/bubble screen/etc.

Dennison is doing these long, drawn-out pass plays that ake 5 seconds to develop. The VERY first pass play was a three-step drop by Matt and a missile to AJ for a first down.

See what we mean?

It's the complete and utter abandonment of anything SIMPLE.

Sometimes, your guys just need three-step drops and play pitch-and-catch. It's what Kyle had his Redskins do against us the whole first half of the Texans-Skins game. It works. It gets your guys into a rhythm and keeps the clock AND the chains moving.

Plus, if your receivers and TEs are not having that ball hit their hands early and often, they aren;t going to catch it in the 4th quarter. They bobble it, they act like they have never caught a football before. So you have to get that ball hitting their hands, making them get into football shape out there (both physically AND mentally).

If we are talking about the first half, look at the pass plays that ended the drives. They were slants, quick outs, & the INT was a curl. Schaub took too long to throw the ball & KDub did not work back too it.

If you don't have access to the game, I'll concede the point.
But here's a link of the 4th & 2 fail..... a quick slant that hits KDub in the hands. The pass play before that one, was what looked like it was supposed to be a back-shoulder throw to KDub Matt threw it 8 feet behind him. Walter looks at Matt like, "WTF?"

Here's the INT

So, "YES," you can mix in the pass with the run...so long as you call the right pass plays for the situation that exists.

Exactly.....

Instead, we're trying to hit a homerun on every pass play. Even ther receivers themselves seem to be like "WTH?" with having to sprint 20 yards downfield on every play.

Dennison is a fail in the pass playcalling/scheme. EPIC fail. Congrats to him on the run plays, unless that's really more credit that's due to Foster than Dennison. Which is probably true.

I don't know if that's the case. I respect your opinion, but when I watched the game again (because I was just as mad as everyone else the first time I watched it), it was either a poorly thrown ball, or a dropped ball. (I should probably throw a little badassery by Freeney & poor blitz pick-up by the Texans, but nothing we haven't overcame before or won't have to overcome in the future).

Obviously I would have liked to have had this win. I think we need to sweep a division opponent to prove we've arrived. That was a perfect opportunity... didn't happen, we haven't arrived anywhere.

We're not going to beat the Jets, Ravens, Titans, Broncos, Chargers if we don't have a passing game.

We're 7 games into this, & our passing game hasn't shown up until our backs are against the wall. Whatever is happening that ignites that sense of urgency in the 4th Qtr, we've got to find it & make it happen in the first.

 

[Blake]

I'm not being an asshole, I'm agreeing with you. I screwed up. I can't count.

If you read it correctly, I go through the second possession, where there is 1 run & three passes.

6 runs, 5 passes in the third Qtr...... 11 plays, just like you said.

My numbers don't jive.

Forgive me.

Sorry, I took that post the wrong way.

 

[Rey]

In your opinion (to clarify what this argument is about) are you saying we should have ran the ball more before this point, or after?

Can't speak for the poster you quoted, but I think we should have run the ball more to start the game off with. Had we done that I don't think we put ourselves in that big hole to begin with.

It seems as if Kubiak tries to get too cute at times. Instead of making a team adjust to your strengths, he tries to stay 5 steps ahead AKA, getting too cute.

Here's what I think happened:

With the way we ran on the Colts last time and with all the talk by them leading up to the game about how they were determined to stop the run, I think Kubiak wanted to come out and catch them with their pants down and throw it on them. I think he was too busy trying to out smart the opponent (AKA getting too cute), that he failed to come out and take advantage, and jump on their weakness.



He should have come out and pounded them. At east attempted to assert his will. Attack their weak spot. Forced them to overly commit to the run. And if we continued to get 3-4 yards a pop, just stick with it. If Matt only needed to throw the ball 10 times in that game, so what....

Why in the hell would you come out and play to their strength? I don't care what they were expecting you to do, it is just asinine to come out and try to pass the ball on a team that you have been so successful running against. Makes 0 sense. Kubiak failed with his initial sequence of plays. Kubiak failed by putting D.Brown in that kind of situation. Kubiak failed because Matt pretty much throws at least one pick against the colts every single freaking time we play them. Never fails.

The more and more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that he just doesn't get it.

There is no way that any hard nosed coach comes out and gets cute like Kubiak did. They would have pounded the Colts until they proved without a doubt that they were going to stop it....Then they would have went to some alternative plays...

I do not for the life of me understand how you come out with that initial sequence of plays and then constantly fail to keep it on the ground.

I have hope that this team does well for the rest of the year, but honestly, Kubes is a dumb ass.


And I can't even complain about defense this game. Yeah they made mistakes, but I doubt that any time in the near future there will be a game where a unit fails to make a mistake. That happens.

And at some point you have to give the opposition credit. We were going against Manning, so he was going to get his and make things happen...injuries or not. He was decisive with his throws and his receiving targets did a good job making catches and getting open. They also have a good offensive system. Most games, Colts are going to put up points.

That said, our defense played well enough for us to win that game. They forced some punts. Made the Colts work to complete some passes. Got some pressure on Manning early on. And I don't feel like our secondary was abused all game long. They lost some battles, but they won plenty as well. They aren't going to break up every pass...especially not against that team..

Offense doesn't put us in that hole with that pick six and defense likely can come out and stick to the game plan. Colts would have had more pressure to score points. Manning probably would have been forced to hold the ball longer and look for more plays down field. I thought defense did an o.k job which is a huge step up from putrid.

 

[thunderkyss]

Here's what I think happened:

With the way we ran on the Colts last time and with all the talk by them leading up to the game about how they were determined to stop the run, I think Kubiak wanted to come out and catch them with their pants down and throw it on them. I think he was too busy trying to out smart the opponent (AKA getting too cute), that he failed to come out and take advantage, and jump on their weakness.

Jacksonville Just beat them by running over them a few weeks ago. Maybe he was thinking after the bye, the Colts would be better equipped to stop the run.

I just find it hard to believe anyone is that stupid.

Instead, I'm watching all our games, & from week 1, we've had a thread on this board, "Is there something wrong with Matt Schaub?"

I think there is, I think there has been, & I think Kubiak knows he has to get it fixed before we get to the meat of the schedule. He started the game with some easy, quick passes, that we should have been able to complete, but we didn't.

We weren't trying to do anything difficult, it was simple stuff. Receivers were open, receivers were getting their hands on the ball (so it's not all on Matt, I know I make it sound like that sometimes, but that's not what I believe).

After that first possession, if I'm GK I'm going, "WTF???!!!"

So he comes out with a heavy dose of Arian Foster. Three straight runs, then an easy pass..... "okay, it's third down, pressure is on, he seems to do well when pressure is on, we'll call another pass".... incomplete (or a sack, I think that one was a sack).

So he comes out the third time...... three runs, then a pass, "my God, what is going on here? Now it's 4th down, surely he'll get it together on 4th down." Easy pass play...... hits the receiver in the hand, "If it ain't one thing, it's a freak'n nother."

He comes out the 4th time, "ok, he better have his rhythm now, I'll call a simple little curl..... dagnabbit.... he threw it too late & Walter didn't come get it!!!!"

Smart on GK's behalf?? not looking so much now, we'll see how the rest of the season turns out. But we've got to get our passing game together.

 

[thunderkyss]

That said, our defense played well enough for us to win that game. They forced some punts. Made the Colts work to complete some passes. Got some pressure on Manning early on. And I don't feel like our secondary was abused all game long. They lost some battles, but they won plenty as well. They aren't going to break up every pass...especially not against that team..

I think Brian Cushing did a fine job locking down the middle. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie..... they caught a pass in the middle, they didn't turn it into 100 yards. May have been different with Clark, we'll never know.

Not saying he didn't make some mistakes.... just saying he did fine.

 

[Rey]

Jacksonville Just beat them by running over them a few weeks ago. Maybe he was thinking after the bye, the Colts would be better equipped to stop the run.

I just find it hard to believe anyone is that stupid.

Instead, I'm watching all our games, & from week 1, we've had a thread on this board, "Is there something wrong with Matt Schaub?"

I think there is, I think there has been, & I think Kubiak knows he has to get it fixed before we get to the meat of the schedule. He started the game with some easy, quick passes, that we should have been able to complete, but we didn't.

TK, I just can't believe he would be doing that while potentially paying the price of losing games.

Surely he had to have realized that a win in Indy (no matter how it came) would have been a huge boost to this franchise. Surely he had to have realized that demoralizing the opponent by doing the exact same thing you did to them the first time and telling them to stop it or die trying would have gone a long, long way for this franchise.

Surely he had to have realized that those things were more important than attempting to fix the passing game in the midst of a heated battle.

If he wants to fix the passing game he needs to do that in practice.

If he can't correct problems in practice then he definitely is not the coach we need. He needs to be fired yesterday.


I just don't think that was the issue. I think he got too cute. I really think it's as simple as that.

 

[Rey]

I think Brian Cushing did a fine job locking down the middle. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie..... they caught a pass in the middle, they didn't turn it into 100 yards. May have been different with Clark, we'll never know.

Not saying he didn't make some mistakes.... just saying he did fine.

I thought Brian did really well. I like what Demeco brought to this team, but I really think that by the end of this year, Brian will be considered an upgrade to that position.

 

[BigBull17]

It's actually that we did not try high-percentage pass plays, such as curls/slants/bubble screen/etc.

Dennison is doing these long, drawn-out pass plays that ake 5 seconds to develop. The VERY first pass play was a three-step drop by Matt and a missile to AJ for a first down.

.

The first pass was damn near a step forward. It was an audible. I kept screaming for a shovel pass, or a screen, or anything that removes their pass rush. Then you get em on misdirection plays. Draws too. You have to beat the agression out of people like Freeney/Mathis.


EDIT: Did anyone notice the track star dlines they used? On a few 3rd downs they brought in more DE's to play DT. I would have checked to a damn power play if the biggest guy on your D is 250 lbs. Some of them were 3rd and 5-7. You are allowed to run the ball on 3rd down, if they have NO ONE near the LOS. Just a stupidly run team.

 

[Hervoyel]

Honestly? The only press conference I'm looking forward to is Bill Cowher's Press Conference.

 

[thunderkyss]

TK, I just can't believe he would be doing that while potentially paying the price of losing games.

Surely he had to have realized that a win in Indy (no matter how it came) would have been a huge boost to this franchise. Surely he had to have realized that demoralizing the opponent by doing the exact same thing you did to them the first time and telling them to stop it or die trying would have gone a long, long way for this franchise.

Surely he had to have realized that those things were more important than attempting to fix the passing game in the midst of a heated battle.

If he wants to fix the passing game he needs to do that in practice.

If he can't correct problems in practice then he definitely is not the coach we need. He needs to be fired yesterday.


I just don't think that was the issue. I think he got too cute. I really think it's as simple as that.

I don't believe a potential loss was considered... I don't think he decided to pass the ball 38 times. I think he planed to come out with a heavy dose of running.

According to Gruden, we had a run play called to start the game, but Schaub saw the soft coverage on Andre & checked to the quick slant.

The second play was an easy out to Dressen he threw high.

The third play was a bootleg off the play action Matt waited too long to throw. It was ran perfectly, Andre waved his hand, he was open, Schaub felt a little pressure held the ball & threw it late, instead of setting up throwing the ball & taking a hit.

If that was the case, was it wrong to allow Matt to change the run play to a quick slant to Andre?

Was it wrong to call a bootleg everybody bit on, putting Andre in position to score a touchdown on the third play of the game?

We're at 3rd & 10 now, do you want to run it?

 

[thunderkyss]

Manning came out, attacked our weakness, threw the ball 3 times... he went 3 & out.

We get back on the field run the ball three times in a row.

We then decide to pass, on 2nd & 6 Matt throws it away, because Freeney Bull rushes Brown.

We're now in the shotgun stacked receivers on the left, Jacoby is wide open. The ball is a little behind Jacoby, but catchable.

Was it absolutely, positively wrong for either of those pass play? No way in the world you call them?

 

[thunderkyss]

3rd possession, it's the same thing. Three straight run plays, a little screen to Ward for 5 yards. This is 3rd & 2. Walter pushes up the field, turns around, & the ball is thrown 3 yards behind him.

Yes, a run would have made more sense here. It would have made even more sense on 4th & 2, but these are plays we should be able to make.