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Take aways from the Panthers game

Number19

Hall of Fame
Still can’t cover TEs and this secondary makes any WR look good.
I probably could have completed near 30% with the way they were running wide open. I hate the softness of that cover 2 crap. Unfortunately this team has zero **** down corners so I get it. But Lovie needs to be more aggressive
I don't disagree that I'd like to see improved coverage, but to put into perspective, the Panthers beat the Jets 19 - 14 and the Saints 26 - 7. The Texans score was 24 - 9.

So, the question is, given our personnel, what is the expectation for the Texans, who was projected to be one of the worst teams.

During the game I had the same reaction as expressed in your comment. But in retrospect, Lovie's game plan produced results in line with the Panthers two previous opponents, with two of our starting DB's out. Limiting an opponent to 24 points should give a team the opportunity to win.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
I don't disagree that I'd like to see improved coverage, but to put into perspective, the Panthers beat the Jets 19 - 14 and the Saints 26 - 7. The Texans score was 24 - 9.

So, the question is, given our personnel, what is the expectation for the Texans, who was projected to be one of the worst teams.

During the game I had the same reaction as expressed in your comment. But in retrospect, Lovie's game plan produced results in line with the Panthers two previous opponents, with two of our starting DB's out. Limiting an opponent to 24 points should give a team the opportunity to win.
McCaffrey.
 

Rich Schmidt

Myopicone
Cut Lindsay, play Scottie Phillips
Cut Andre Roberts, use Desmond King or another young guy
Neither are part of any future so just get rid of them.

Trade Cunningham if possible and when a contender has a injury. He is not a form tackler or all in. Even on that goal line when they pushed Darnold across, he was just kind of leaning against the pile. His effort is missing too often
Running game sucks bad. OL needs a retreat to get together and gel. Lindsay cannot make people miss so that is why I want him gone
Mills looked better than expected, cut him a bit more loose this week with more practice
Play Mercilus less, Greenard and Martin more.

Somebody fall on a live ball
Do some tackling drills please.
LB need to practice getting some depth
Send some Deez Nuts to Culley, for a bad team take more chances. He was a killer game 1, and since then they fully retracted.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
Whahaha! Why?
Why not? Lindsay, Ingram and Johnson, combined, are averaging 2.9 YPC for the season. The Texans carried 5 RBs on the roster. 2 of them haven't had a single carry, despite the other 3 averaging 2.9 YPC. Rex Burhead is one of those RBs, has played 29 offensive snaps in 3 games with 0 rushing attempts and 3 targets. Nice off-season pick up there.

I get that the o-line is bad in the ground game, but 2.9 YPC? Hate to say it but Mike Devlin had them doing better than that.
 

Double Barrel

Texans Talk Admin
Staff member
Contributor's Club
Not a QB in the league that doesn’t take a couple of good hits every week.

But I get what you’re saying. They can’t be too frequent & they can’t be for nothing. Culley had to find a way to get him some wins.
He got sacked four times and hit nine times in the first start in his career. Nobody can consistently take that kind of beating every week.

And while QBs certainly get hit all of the time, they also get injured a lot, too.

They've got to have a running game to keep the defense honest. They can't expect this kid to carry the team in any sort of way. That would just be dumb.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
So, the question is, given our personnel, what is the expectation for the Texans, who was projected to be one of the worst teams.
True. I can’t imagine anyone being upset about losing that game. Even if Tyrod was healthy & playing as well as he was, I only expected the Texans to be competitive in this game.

Rookie making his first start, pssshhh. We weren’t winning that game regardless.

Still, the run game was putrid. The defense only played two & a half qtrs. Our return specialist muffed a punt... & the thing that gets me the most, penalties. That wasn’t a well coached team.

Maybe they were trying too hard, to try to help the rookie QB... who knows? But they’ve got to get the penalties close to nil if they’re going to have a chance to win & that is almost 100% in their control.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
He got sacked four times and hit nine times in the first start in his career. Nobody can consistently take that kind of beating every week.
Not arguing that. Like I said I agree.

They've got to have a running game to keep the defense honest. They can't expect this kid to carry the team in any sort of way. That would just be dumb.
Agreed. I think Culley did as good a job as he could with what he had. Mills only threw it 28 times. That’s reasonable. Especially considering the effectiveness of the run game.

We need to run better. No one is arguing that.
 

leebigeztx

Keep it Movin!
They are a 1-2 team, exactly what I'd expect since they will likely be out-talented against most NFL teams, but they battle hard, so we've got that.

Mills showed some potential, but he's never going to realize it if they "David Carr syndrome" the kid with lack of consistent protection. He took some hits last night. That can't happen every week if they expect him to stay out there.
Watson got hit alot, didn't bother him. Ben and Rogers got hit alot too
 

Dejaview

All Pro
Both Mills and Cooks today made comments about their preference for an up tempo offense. Mills said it was easier for him to get into a rhythm during that two minute TD drill.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
Can’t run the ball when there’s no lanes to run through. That’s on the offensive linemen. So how can anyone say X player is a massive failure without saying the entire offensive line is one. Not only that, the box was stacked because the Panthers were not scared of the passing game.
 

badboy

Hall of Fame
Why not? Lindsay, Ingram and Johnson, combined, are averaging 2.9 YPC for the season. The Texans carried 5 RBs on the roster. 2 of them haven't had a single carry, despite the other 3 averaging 2.9 YPC. Rex Burhead is one of those RBs, has played 29 offensive snaps in 3 games with 0 rushing attempts and 3 targets. Nice off-season pick up there.

I get that the o-line is bad in the ground game, but 2.9 YPC? Hate to say it but Mike Devlin had them doing better than that.
Trade all of our running backs for a sixth-round pick in 22.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
So I based my evaluation of Davis Mills on how a seasoned vet played the same defense the very week before. I’ll also look to see how a seasoned vet will play against that defense next week. & I took into consideration there was no real practice between our previous game & this one.

With that in mind I have to ask myself how did Alvin Kamara do against the Panthers defense?
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
So I based my evaluation of Davis Mills on how a seasoned vet played the same defense the very week before. I’ll also look to see how a seasoned vet will play against that defense next week. & I took into consideration there was no real practice between our previous game & this one.

With that in mind I have to ask myself how did Alvin Kamara do against the Panthers defense?
He was terrible:

8 rushes for 5 yards
4 catches for 25 yards

The entire team rushed for only 48 yards with 17 attempts. Winston lead the charge with 19 rushing yards.

Winston also threw for only 111 yards with a QBRat of 26.9.

The Panthers defense is the real deal.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
Not arguing that. Like I said I agree.



Agreed. I think Culley did as good a job as he could with what he had. Mills only threw it 28 times. That’s reasonable. Especially considering the effectiveness of the run game.

We need to run better. No one is arguing that.
32 pass plays. 4 were sacks. They only ran 49 offensive plays. 65% pass.

Year to date rushing stats.

86 attempts
284 yards
3.3 yard average
3 rushing TDs
Take out the QB yardage and the RBs are averaging 2.9 YPC.
 

banned1976

sleeper mode
Year to date rushing stats.

86 attempts
284 yards
3.3 yard average
3 rushing TDs
Mark Ingram

Game 1 - 26 carries...85 yards
Game 2 - 14 carries...41 yards
Game 3 - 6 carries...21 yards

Lindsay
Game 1 - 8 for 25
Game 2 - 5 for 2 yards
Game 3 - 7 for 5

David Johnson - 11 carries this year for 46 yards.

Caserio, and whoever else is involved, they're going to run this trio of mediocrity en route to total ineptness. While that's happening, it's baptism by fire for Mills. You really couldn't make things more difficult for a green quarterback. If Mills succeeds over the next few games while Taylor gets "healthy", it's not going to be for any other reason than his shear determination to be successful. Or, there's a very dramatic change in offensive philosophy which results in the Texans running the ball much better.

BTW, I don't think simply inserting Scottie Phillips the answer.
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
Mark Ingram

Game 1 - 26 carries...85 yards
Game 2 - 14 carries...41 yards
Game 3 - 6 carries...21 yards

Lindsay
Game 1 - 8 for 25
Game 2 - 5 for 2 yards
Game 3 - 7 for 5

David Johnson - 11 carries this year for 46 yards.

Caserio, and whoever else is involved, they're going to run this trio of mediocrity en route to total ineptness. While that's happening, it's baptism by fire for Mills. You really couldn't make things more difficult for a green quarterback. If Mills succeeds over the next few games while Taylor gets "healthy", it's not going to be for any other reason than his shear determination to be successful. Or, there's a very dramatic change in offensive philosophy which results in the Texans running the ball much better.

BTW, I don't think simply inserting Scottie Phillips the answer.
Fire Culley?
Fire Campen?
 

Texan Asylum

Hall of Fame
Yep. I think Mills at his future lowest is going to make a fine and reliable backup QB, the kind you like to have on your team. I am not going to predict his future high because it's just to frikking early for that crap.
This is the best assessment of Mills posted to date…
 

Dejaview

All Pro
Mark Ingram

Game 1 - 26 carries...85 yards
Game 2 - 14 carries...41 yards
Game 3 - 6 carries...21 yards

Lindsay
Game 1 - 8 for 25
Game 2 - 5 for 2 yards
Game 3 - 7 for 5

David Johnson - 11 carries this year for 46 yards.

Caserio, and whoever else is involved, they're going to run this trio of mediocrity en route to total ineptness. While that's happening, it's baptism by fire for Mills. You really couldn't make things more difficult for a green quarterback. If Mills succeeds over the next few games while Taylor gets "healthy", it's not going to be for any other reason than his shear determination to be successful. Or, there's a very dramatic change in offensive philosophy which results in the Texans running the ball much better.

BTW, I don't think simply inserting Scottie Phillips the answer.
What’s the answer then?
 

vtech9

All Pro
IMHO...Lindsay either needs to go, or be taught how to play WR, and work him into the slot rotation. Burkhead is not being used, so let him go. Ingram and Johnson are the 2 most effective RB's we have. Scottie can fill in and be the 3rd RB when needed. We need to fill holes in other places, like WR and CB, so let at least one of them go. By trying to play so many RB's, they aren't able to get into a groove. The experiment is over.
 

Number19

Hall of Fame
IMHO...Lindsay either needs to go, or be taught how to play WR, and work him into the slot rotation. Burkhead is not being used, so let him go. Ingram and Johnson are the 2 most effective RB's we have. Scottie can fill in and be the 3rd RB when needed. We need to fill holes in other places, like WR and CB, so let at least one of them go. By trying to play so many RB's, they aren't able to get into a groove. The experiment is over.
Nico Collins, Pierre-Louis, Tyrod Taylor and Vincent Taylor are all on IR and players will have to be cut from the current active squad to activate them. As these players come back is when it is most likely you may get your wish.
 

vtech9

All Pro
Nico Collins, Pierre-Louis, Tyrod Taylor and Vincent Taylor are all on IR and players will have to be cut from the current active squad to activate them. As these players come back is when it is most likely you may get your wish.
I think Lindsay can still fill a role here, but not as a RB. He has good hands, so if we can convert him into a slot WR, he can still motion to the backfield to be used as a RB in passing situations. However, using him as a RB, he is only taking carries away from one of the other RB's that are more effective in the running game.
 

thunderkyss

Just win baby!!!
Staff member
Contributor's Club
I think Lindsay can still fill a role here, but not as a RB. He has good hands, so if we can convert him into a slot WR, he can still motion to the backfield to be used as a RB in passing situations. However, using him as a RB, he is only taking carries away from one of the other RB's that are more effective in the running game.
the line needs to block better. Tell me David Johnson is done, has dead legs, I believe you. Tell me Ingram is ready for pasture, ok. I’m ready to believe you.

But David Johnson, & Ingram & Lindsay... nah. I’m seeing Ingram fight for every yard he gets, & there’s a stat floating around that first contact is at 0.97 yards or something like that.

I’d like to see Scottie Phillips just to confirm & see one more runner, but the line needs to block better. They need to hold their blocks half a second longer, & they need to block with a purpose at the 2nd level.

I think we’re over reacting a bit. While the average wasn’t great against Jacksonville & Cleveland, the run game was effective & helped move the chains.

Carolina was bad. But Alvin Kamara had a bad game as well. On par to how bad our guys did.

Jacksonville is allowing 3.4 ypc. About what we did.

Cleveland is allowing 3.1 ypc. About what we did.

Carolina is allowing 2.6 ypc. About what we did.

Then I remember we’re learning. Right now we’re only getting what we’re given & im holding out hope soon we’ll be taking at least a little more than we’re being given.

Buffalo is giving up 3.4 ypc. Hopefully we can get 3.5-3.7 ypc.

New England gives up 4.0 ypc. Hopefully we’re taking 4.2-4.3 ypc by then.

Indy is giving 4.5 ypc. Hopefully we’re taking 4.5 ypc by then.
 

Texansballer74

The Marine
I doubt any rb would make a big difference but I see no reason not to insert Scottie Phillps. The only way he could be worse is if he turns the ball over several times. Outside of that maybe he grinds out some tough yards and helps at least a little. I see no reason not to play him.
Might as well, this season is a wash anyways. That’s what most of the members on here suggested.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
Speak your mind brother, speak your mind.
LOL. The reason for the NVM.

I saw a Next Gen stat of the highest pressure rate in a single game and Mercilus was on the list. I got so excited that Mercilus still had a pulse, I started posting it and then realized it was an all time list and Mercilus' performance was week 3 in 2017 not 2021. BTW. Speaking of Mercilus, anyone noticed his snaps (48, 38, 31) decreasing?
1632914653942.png
 

76Texan

Hall of Fame
LOL. The reason for the NVM.

I saw a Next Gen stat of the highest pressure rate in a single game and Mercilus was on the list. I got so excited that Mercilus still had a pulse, I started posting it and then realized it was an all time list and Mercilus' performance was week 3 in 2017 not 2021. BTW. Speaking of Mercilus, anyone noticed his snaps (48, 38, 31) decreasing?
View attachment 9096
The second game saw fewer offensive snaps by the Browns.

Also, Mercilus may still be battling a hamstring injury.
 

OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
The second game saw fewer offensive snaps by the Browns.

Also, Mercilus may still be battling a hamstring injury.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Mercilus could put together a decent run of games so the Texans could finally move him and his contract in the off-season.
 
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