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TEXANS ATTEMPTING A REBOUND AGAINST THE RAVENS IN WEEK 2
- Thread starter CloakNNNdagger
- Start date
I feel dumber for listening to this PC.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
McClain: Randall Cobb got it right. Texans played some ‘bad ball’
John McClain Sep. 17, 2020 Updated: Sep. 17, 2020 9:22 p.m.
Veteran receiver Randall Cobb said his first game with the Texans was some ‘bad ball’ and that offense needs to improve and play with sense of urgency.
The Texans’ offense was a huge disappointment in the opening loss at Kansas City and must show substantial improvement against Baltimore to avoid an 0-2 start.
Because the defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs’ running game, allowing 166 yards rushing, the Texans had the ball for 25 minutes, 13 seconds compared to Kansas City’s 34:47. Now the Texans play the Ravens, who set an NFL record last season for yards rushing. Baltimore ran for 256 yards in its 41-7 victory over the Texans.
“We can’t go out and play like we did on Thursday night,” receiver Randall Cobb said Thursday. “That’s bad ball. That was bad ball across the board, and we can’t put that on film because that’s the film we’re putting out for the rest of the league to see.”
Cobb is a 10-year veteran in his first season with the Texans, and he speaks from experience — eight years with Green Bay and one with Dallas. He knows the Texans looked in mid-preseason form at Arrowhead Stadium, and the defending Super Bowl champions looked in midseason form.
“Every game, especially right now, is important as far as us getting on track,” said Cobb, who had two catches for 23 yards in the fourth quarter. “Having a win, obviously, builds a lot more morale around the team. We’ve got to be better as a group and individually. I hope to get involved a little earlier and do everything I can to help put us in a better position.”
Against Kansas City, the offense looked discombobulated, and the defense was close to helpless against the running game. The Texans were underdogs at Arrowhead Stadium, but trailing 31-7 in the fourth quarter was an embarrassment, especially for an offense that’s supposed to be more productive.
THE REST OF THE STORY
John McClain Sep. 17, 2020 Updated: Sep. 17, 2020 9:22 p.m.
Veteran receiver Randall Cobb said his first game with the Texans was some ‘bad ball’ and that offense needs to improve and play with sense of urgency.
The Texans’ offense was a huge disappointment in the opening loss at Kansas City and must show substantial improvement against Baltimore to avoid an 0-2 start.
Because the defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs’ running game, allowing 166 yards rushing, the Texans had the ball for 25 minutes, 13 seconds compared to Kansas City’s 34:47. Now the Texans play the Ravens, who set an NFL record last season for yards rushing. Baltimore ran for 256 yards in its 41-7 victory over the Texans.
“We can’t go out and play like we did on Thursday night,” receiver Randall Cobb said Thursday. “That’s bad ball. That was bad ball across the board, and we can’t put that on film because that’s the film we’re putting out for the rest of the league to see.”
Cobb is a 10-year veteran in his first season with the Texans, and he speaks from experience — eight years with Green Bay and one with Dallas. He knows the Texans looked in mid-preseason form at Arrowhead Stadium, and the defending Super Bowl champions looked in midseason form.
“Every game, especially right now, is important as far as us getting on track,” said Cobb, who had two catches for 23 yards in the fourth quarter. “Having a win, obviously, builds a lot more morale around the team. We’ve got to be better as a group and individually. I hope to get involved a little earlier and do everything I can to help put us in a better position.”
Against Kansas City, the offense looked discombobulated, and the defense was close to helpless against the running game. The Texans were underdogs at Arrowhead Stadium, but trailing 31-7 in the fourth quarter was an embarrassment, especially for an offense that’s supposed to be more productive.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Watson doesn't like up tempo. Processing can't be sped up. Yet somehow, he has more 4th quarter comebacks (8) over 2018 and 2019 than Mahomes, Wilson, Brady, and Rodgers. Go figure?
Who is this "good source within the organization"?
Texans down 17, 10:49 left in the 3rd Quarter. Probably should go up tempo, I guess. Here's what the Texans do.
The play caller has the Texans run the ball 5 of the 1st 7 plays. After the last 2 runs, Howard is burned by a vet pass rusher on 3rd & long. Ending a 4:46 drive with zero points. Watson is 2-2 on the drive.
I'm thinking if someone was concerned about the tempo, fewer runs would have been called. What I think the play caller was concerned with was slowing down the pass rush that was getting home without the benefit of the blitz. Didn't work, but that seems to be what was happening in the game.
I don't have a source (good or bad) within the Texans organization. I just watch the game and look at the facts.
The play caller has the Texans run the ball 5 of the 1st 7 plays. After the last 2 runs, Howard is burned by a vet pass rusher on 3rd & long. Ending a 4:46 drive with zero points. Watson is 2-2 on the drive.
I'm thinking if someone was concerned about the tempo, fewer runs would have been called. What I think the play caller was concerned with was slowing down the pass rush that was getting home without the benefit of the blitz. Didn't work, but that seems to be what was happening in the game.
I don't have a source (good or bad) within the Texans organization. I just watch the game and look at the facts.
Translation, “He betnaught hold the ball that long against my boys.”
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ColeThornton
Waterboy
Cloak, he's not a rookie. They've gone no huddle and hurry up before, what has changed?
Even if one accepts that, which I don't, because OBriens play calling and system have always been terrible, it would mean OBrien is doing a terrible job developing a fantastic talent like Watson, and thus should be fired.
ColeThornton
Waterboy
Well I hope we didn't just make a guy who is too "slow" to go up tempo, the second highest paid QB of all time.
I agree with you about OB.
I don't think it makes any sense. Bob to me is the one who is always too slow
You don't think it could be a combination of the two ?
Take for instance the last drive of the 3rd quarter against the Chiefs they are down 24-7 at this point.
They get the ball first and 10 at the 5 with 1:12 on the clock and get off two plays before time expires.
Texans 20-34 Chiefs (Sep 10, 2020) Play-by-Play - ESPN
Play-by-play action for the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game from September 10, 2020 on ESPN.
www.espn.com
Watson was asked about this by Doughnuts in a recent interview .... Watson's answer was comical - "we didn't want to leave the Chiefs any clock" ..... down 24-7.
Probably the toughest post game question he's ever been asked .... I wouldn't be shocked if they ran McClain outa town for that one.
Here's the link to the presser - start at 2:30.
Official Site of the Houston Texans
Houston Texans Watch: The official source of the latest Texans videos.
www.houstontexans.com
ColeThornton
Waterboy
"You play too fast and you're 3 and out then the defense is back on the field and now they're tired..."You don't think it could be a combination of the two ?
Take for instance the last drive of the 3rd quarter against the Chiefs they are down 24-7 at this point.
They get the ball first and 10 at the 5 with 1:12 on the clock and get off two plays before time expires.
Texans 20-34 Chiefs (Sep 10, 2020) Play-by-Play - ESPN
Play-by-play action for the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game from September 10, 2020 on ESPN.
There has to be more urgency than that down multiple scores in the second half.
Watson was asked about this by Doughnuts in a recent interview .... Watson's answer was comical - "we didn't want to leave the Chiefs any clock" ..... down 24-7.
Probably the toughest post game question he's ever been asked .... I wouldn't be shocked if they ran McClain outa town for that one.
Here's the link to the presser - start at 2:30.
Official Site of the Houston Texans
Houston Texans Watch: The official source of the latest Texans videos.
It sounds like OBs game plan may have been not to get beat too bad. The slower you can go three and out, the less time KC would have with the ball.
Texansballer74
The Marine
Now go listen to O’Brien’s presser. He said he thought the temp was fine. And that the offense moved the ball and he was pleased. Paraphrasing of course
Texansballer74
The Marine
Texansballer74
The Marine
I will find the one where O’Brien said the tempo was fine. McClain is the one that brought up the tempo.
God that was the dumbest answer I've heard to a question since the Denny Green rant. With that mentality it's going to be a long season. I don't know who to blame the lack of getting a play off on, Kelly or DW4 but this has to change. Sad thing is is this isn't the 1st time this has happened.
I don't remember this happening with Fitz/Hoyer but I could be wrong, my memory could be failing me.
You don't think it could be a combination of the two ?
Take for instance the last drive of the 3rd quarter against the Chiefs they are down 24-7 at this point.
They get the ball first and 10 at the 5 with 1:12 on the clock and get off two plays before time expires.
Texans 20-34 Chiefs (Sep 10, 2020) Play-by-Play - ESPN
Play-by-play action for the Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs NFL game from September 10, 2020 on ESPN.
There has to be more urgency than that down multiple scores in the second half.
Watson was asked about this by Doughnuts in a recent interview .... Watson's answer was comical - "we didn't want to leave the Chiefs any clock" ..... down 24-7.
Probably the toughest post game question he's ever been asked .... I wouldn't be shocked if they ran McClain outa town for that one.
Here's the link to the presser - start at 2:30.
Official Site of the Houston Texans
Houston Texans Watch: The official source of the latest Texans videos.
Soiunds to me like that was the strategic plan for the coach. Bill O'Brien was happy with the pace.
In that clip McCLain mentions that O'Brien said it was fine.
This has always been O'Brien. The only time O'Brien played fast pace was Watson's rookie year when he let Watson install the Clemson offense.
I, for one, never blame the line when the QB holds on to the ball.
But you may want to listen to what Harbaugh said about the scheme.
When the D rushes only 3, the line needs to be able to protect longer.
When the O stays in Max protect against 5 rushers.
Same thing.
Clemson averaged over 80 offensive plays in Watson's sophomore year and increase that to 81.2 his last year.
Watson definitely didn't have any problem with uptempo.
OB can't afford too fast because his team is bad. The more time the opponents have, the sooner they will score and it will become an avalanche since the Offense can't keep up.
Texansballer74
The Marine
They just played that audio on 610. Lol
Houston's running game under O'Brien (number of rushing attempts as compared with the rest of the league):
2014: most rushing attempts (riding Foster to the ground).
2015: 5th most
2016: 6th most
2017: 11th most
2018: 4th most
2019: 12th most
O'Brien had never wanted a fast paced game.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Here I can put this in perspective......OB is coaching to save his job season to season. This season could be a tad different b/c he may be coaching to prevent the blowout and getting him ever closer to that well deserved pink slip.
austins23
Hall of Fame
OB was still quivering from the ass whippin the Chiefs handed him in the playoffs. Dude was flat out scared to death of getting another beat down. Guess what, you got one anyway, the score just didn't indicate it.
News flash OB, you are not the smartest guy in the room!
dream_team
Hall of Fame
Well let's look at the stats. Football Outsiders keep track of "Pace stats", which are basically seconds per play under different situations.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/pace-stats/2019
I just plucked out the key stats of when BOB started in Houston. First column is seconds/play (total), 2nd column is seconds/play (when trailing 7+)
2014 --- 27.15 ---- 24.21 ---- Fitzpatrick
2015 --- 25.58(3) - 22.64(2) - Hoyer/Mallet
2016 --- 27.32 ---- 24.82 ----- Osweiller
2017 --- 27.5 ----- 25.85 ----- Watson/Savage
2018 --- 27.37 ---- 25.89 ---- Watson
2019 --- 27.2 ----- 24.84 ----- Watson
Some interesting numbers. Excluding 2015, the numbers seem to be similar pre & post Watson. You could make a fair argument that Watson has been a tad slower. But overall, BOB offense tends to be about average when it comes to pace of play.
Now there's an outlier there in 2015, when we were one of the faster offenses in the league. Why? Hoyer started most of the games, with Mallet getting a few starts as well. Was Hoyer the only guy that knew how to run BOB's offense?
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/pace-stats/2019
I just plucked out the key stats of when BOB started in Houston. First column is seconds/play (total), 2nd column is seconds/play (when trailing 7+)
2014 --- 27.15 ---- 24.21 ---- Fitzpatrick
2015 --- 25.58(3) - 22.64(2) - Hoyer/Mallet
2016 --- 27.32 ---- 24.82 ----- Osweiller
2017 --- 27.5 ----- 25.85 ----- Watson/Savage
2018 --- 27.37 ---- 25.89 ---- Watson
2019 --- 27.2 ----- 24.84 ----- Watson
Some interesting numbers. Excluding 2015, the numbers seem to be similar pre & post Watson. You could make a fair argument that Watson has been a tad slower. But overall, BOB offense tends to be about average when it comes to pace of play.
Now there's an outlier there in 2015, when we were one of the faster offenses in the league. Why? Hoyer started most of the games, with Mallet getting a few starts as well. Was Hoyer the only guy that knew how to run BOB's offense?
I highly doubt he was happy with the pace being down three scores. I know while I was watching the game I wasn't at all happy about the lack of urgency / use of time. It's like they had conceded the game and just wanted to keep from being totally embarrassed.
As to his response when asked about it - What would you expect him to say ? Blame the signal caller / offense for lollygagging ?
Down 17 with just over a quarter to play , you pretty much have to be in hurry up mode.
As I stated above - what do you expect him to say ? - My QB had his head up his ass ? My Offense sucks ? - No , he's not going to say anything negative at all. he fell on his sword .... like most other coaches would deflecting blame from the players. They did what I asked ....
If you are down three scores with 16:30 left on the game clock ... are you in hurry up or not ?
Doesn't strike me that OBrien is a guy who falls on his sword. Everytime OBrien says something dumb, people say it's just coach speak, but then he goes out he next game that he means it.
banned1976
sleeper mode
If O’Brien was upset about the tempo of the game he has the authority to change that during the game.
There’s nothing damning about a coach telling the media “on offense we didn’t play with a sense of urgency that we should have played with when we fell behind.”
Anyway, I was also critical of Watson in the game thread, too, specifically calling out his own lack of urgency.
Maybe the Texans offense just isn’t good at playing uptempo. Maybe it’s because of all the new pieces on offense. Maybe it’s something else, I don’t know. I do feel like a good head coach, especially one that was touted as being some kind of offensive genius when he got here should be able to improve that aspect. And good news! Here comes Baltimore! Lets see if O’Brien and Watson figured some things out in 10 days in regards to how quickly they can claw their way out of hole.
I always ask myself when I look at QBs is what would Joe Montana have done.
Texansballer74
The Marine
This is not the first game under Obrien tenure that his team didn’t go into hurry up once being down by more that 7-21 points. This has been going on for 7 freaking years.
At this point he needs to do something to light a freaking fire underneath their boondocks. He surely didn’t hold back his punches when he addressed the defense. Why is that?
With Fitztragic and Hoyerable they spent a lot of time in hurry up ....
I think he knows where his bread is buttered ...
Yeah , someone needs to light a fire under their collective backsides.
My expectations for this week are grim .... If they play like they did last week , the Raven's might pitch a shut out. 37-0. How's that for a home opener for the marketing team ?
Coach speak = fall on his sword .... I had the same intent behind the phrase.
Can he really say anything else without throwing the players under the proverbial bus ?
austins23
Hall of Fame
I didn't even realize the game was at 3pm Sunday. And luckily only the Baltimore area and the some of Texas will see it. Thank goodness for the NFL darlings playing the Chargers on the National Game.
I just do not see any way the Texans win this game. I've grown tired of getting my hopes up. I'm prepared for the beat down.
I just do not see any way the Texans win this game. I've grown tired of getting my hopes up. I'm prepared for the beat down.
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ColeThornton
Waterboy
Interesting question. For years now, I'm so sick of him saying... "It's on me, I've got to coach better etc..." I for one find it refreshing to get "anything" different. So when he says the pace was OK when everyone knows it wasn't, at least it's different. I laughed when I heard it, so at least there's some comic relief in this tragedy. I also heard him say, when asked about the OLine, that they did OK and the problem was other players not doing their part in pass protection. He explained how others missed there assignments while the OLine was doing their job. This was even more interesting in that he was finally calling some players out. When a player screws up and it's not the coaches fault, I think it's OK to be honest about it and not have to protect the "feelings" of a player by blaming it on the coach. Obviously this can get out of hand, but if the GOAT can be criticized by Arians, is there really anyone on the Texans that is above scrutiny. Of course this was self serving for OB to defend his OLine after he mortgaged the future on them, but at least he seems to be opening up a little instead of the pat answers we have heard for years now. Some of this is probably due to frustration and that seat getting a little warmer, but I'm glad we finally got anything different out of him. His press conferences had become so predictable there really wasn't much point in watching them as they were all the same. At least now they might get a little more entertaining.
ColeThornton
Waterboy
I think this is obvious. He just mortgaged the future on Tunsil. He just traded away one of the league's best receivers and most popular players to change the offensive philosophy and spread it around more. With all his recent GM moves on offense how in the world could he blame them. I know he's responsible for the defense too, but with all his recent moves on offense this is the easier way out.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
Lol...it’s sacrilegious to believe that the reason something’s not going right on the field is actually completely b/c of DW4. Surely it’s has to be b/c that’s what BoB wants and is “making” him do.....
Same circular thinking many used when we were “just a qb away”...When BoB is fired and we still have issues, what will be the go to for y’all then? At some point, the players on the field gotta take responsibility for what goes on on it....star player or not....seeing as they have the most control.
Same circular thinking many used when we were “just a qb away”...When BoB is fired and we still have issues, what will be the go to for y’all then? At some point, the players on the field gotta take responsibility for what goes on on it....star player or not....seeing as they have the most control.
You're making excuses for BOB before he's gone already. How comical.
I just want the chance to beyotch about something different
My point is he'll go out and do the slow down offense the rest of the year, proving it's not coach speak. He's done a slow offense his entire tenure here.
Like when he praised hoyer and mallet. People said it was coach speak. No, he meant it.
amazing80
Hall of Fame
BOB has said it plenty of times, you guys just aren’t listening. His entire game plan is to run, run, run, run , run, control the clock, hit them deep. He’s been doing it since he got here with every QB he’s trotted out there. Watson and the offense always seem to take it up a notch when we go up tempo, but OB and staff never commit to it. The defense makes that a big risk. They are not good enough to be put into tough positions, like a quick 3 and out. It makes OB pucker up more and be Even more conservative. He said it last year in the playoffs, the goal is to control the clock and not leave much time for the Chiefs because they score a lot. The problem is, he doesn’t understand how QUICKLY they can score too. He needs to be more concerned with keeping up with them, not limiting their chances.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
As was in my original post, it should be obvious that O'Brien has been and is protective of his QB, as it should be. I presented information that was shared with me through a respected source. One can chose to incorporate it into part of their overall evaluations, or can chose to turn a blind eye to it altogether, which is also OK.
O'Brien regularly used the up temp/no huddle offense in New England. It was a staple of his Penn State offense. He frequently used it with every Texans QB ever since he joined the Texans, including with Savage who preceded Watson. Now it is left for us to believe that because he is such a terrible evaluator of his QB's abilities, all of a sudden for no cause, he has virtually abandoned the concept for Watson.........purposely instructing him to lead a slow plodding offense in the face of an obviously urgent 2nd half situation. If Watson now as the $160 million franchise QB wanted to play up tempo/no huddle, you can be sure the Texans would be playing accordingly.
powda
The bridge between stupid and useless is short.
Personally I've always enjoyed watching an uptempo offense. Obviously it stresses defenses but I think most importantly it gets the qb in rythm. I think that's highly underrated for most quarterbacks.
By now it's clear OB feels 1 of 3 ways because he just doesn't do it:
1. Watson isnt capable and/or the offense is so mistake prone it's not worth it. (Maybe they have some metric to justify that?)
2. The defense needs all the rest they can get? He doesn't trust their performance or conditioning.
3. Ob is so supremely confident in his offense he believes time is no factor. "Dont hope for a mistake by the defense. Execute the play properly and it will be effective."
By now it's clear OB feels 1 of 3 ways because he just doesn't do it:
1. Watson isnt capable and/or the offense is so mistake prone it's not worth it. (Maybe they have some metric to justify that?)
2. The defense needs all the rest they can get? He doesn't trust their performance or conditioning.
3. Ob is so supremely confident in his offense he believes time is no factor. "Dont hope for a mistake by the defense. Execute the play properly and it will be effective."
ColeThornton
Waterboy
That all makes sense. I just hope it isn't true. How can a NFL offense "not" be able to run the hurry up, play up tempo, what ever you want to call it. It's such a basic part of the game, it would be an absolute joke it they can't do it.
But in Penn State he had a very mediocre offense. And the one year he was an OC in new england, he ran it too much, got shut down by the Jets and bounced in the first round.
Yes, it's reasonable to think he's a terrible evaluator of talent considering his personnel decisions.
Because Watson is dumb, so the argument goes.