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Texans random thought of the day

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-by-average-grade-week-5
Ranking all 32 NFL offensive lines by average grade, Week 5

29. Houston Texans
Average offensive lineman grade: 49.2
2017 didn’t start well for the Texans offensive line, as the unit surrendered 31 total pressures in their first game against Jacksonville, which is more than what Oakland’s offensive line allowed in the first five games of the season. While it has been slightly better since, Houston still has in its lineup two of the 10 lowest-graded guards in the NFL. Left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo also ranks 67th among guards in pass-blocking efficiency as he has given up a league-high four sacks, while right tackle Breno Giacomini currently ranks last among tackles with a pass-blocking efficiency of 87.2, surrendering a league-high 31 total pressures, including four sacks, on 189 pass-blocking snaps.

1705-O-LINE-RANKS-1-10-768x432.jpg
 
PapaL said:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-by-average-grade-week-5
Ranking all 32 NFL offensive lines by average grade, Week 5

29. Houston Texans
Average offensive lineman grade: 49.2
2017 didn’t start well for the Texans offensive line, as the unit surrendered 31 total pressures in their first game against Jacksonville, which is more than what Oakland’s offensive line allowed in the first five games of the season. While it has been slightly better since, Houston still has in its lineup two of the 10 lowest-graded guards in the NFL. Left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo also ranks 67th among guards in pass-blocking efficiency as he has given up a league-high four sacks, while right tackle Breno Giacomini currently ranks last among tackles with a pass-blocking efficiency of 87.2, surrendering a league-high 31 total pressures, including four sacks, on 189 pass-blocking snaps.

1705-O-LINE-RANKS-1-10-768x432.jpg
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Despite many seeing the Emperor's clothes, it is exactly what it has looked like.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Despite many seeing the Emperor's clothes, it is exactly what it has looked like.
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And yet, in the last three games the offense has averaged 400 yards and 40 points, while the line has given up 2 sacks per game and the Texans have the 4th best running game in the league.

Hard to reconcile ranking formulas with actual results. We all know this is a below average line, but it would almost be statistically impossible to be this bad and put up those offensive numbers.
 
sandman said:
And yet, in the last three games the offense has averaged 400 yards and 40 points, while the line has given up 2 sacks per game and the Texans have the 4th best running game in the league.

Hard to reconcile ranking formulas with actual results. We all know this is a below average line, but it would almost be statistically impossible to be this bad and put up those offensive numbers.
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It's not hard to reconcile formulae with actual results: 1:2
 
Does anyone pay any attention to anything from houstontexans.com? Still showing JJ and Merci on depth chart and continually showed FullerV
 
DocBar said:
Does anyone pay any attention to anything from houstontexans.com? Still showing JJ and Merci on depth chart and continually showed FullerV
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Official site is notoriously slow in posting anything of substance
 
This is Jadeveon Clowney's defense now.
I hope he rises up and becomes a true leader.

We need Clowney to become a dominating force.
Like he was for a good portion of last season.

The best thing we can do is play hard for Watt and Mercilus. They may not be back until sometime during the 2018 season, but that doesn't mean we have to give up without them.

I'm still saying 10-6 and an AFC wild-card spot (6th seed).
The Jaguars are looking tough. I think they could go 11-5.
But making the playoffs, Deshaun on the big stage, would be fun.
 
Shishkabob said:
are you implying Watson can't beat a blitz?
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Not at all. Before Watson defenses would rush us with extra fervor, I think, because more times than not it resulted in a negative play for us. Even more so with a blitz.

Now with Watson, & his ability to generate big plays, and move the chains, defenses have to rush with less fervor, even on a blitz.

We could have drafted six first round OLmen & signed the top free agents but never "fixed" the OL with David Carr in the backfield. Switch in Matt Schaub, we could trade a 6th for a center, spend a third on a RT, & start an UDFA at guard & have one of the best lines in the league.

With Watson, I believe we'll see more & more of our linemen with good grades, especially if they stay healthy.
 
thunderkyss said:
Not at all. Before Watson defenses would rush us with extra fervor, I think, because more times than not it resulted in a negative play for us. Even more so with a blitz.

Now with Watson, & his ability to generate big plays, and move the chains, defenses have to rush with less fervor, even on a blitz.

We could have drafted six first round OLmen & signed the top free agents but never "fixed" the OL with David Carr in the backfield. Switch in Matt Schaub, we could trade a 6th for a center, spend a third on a RT, & start an UDFA at guard & have one of the best lines in the league.

With Watson, I believe we'll see more & more of our linemen with good grades, especially if they stay healthy.
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ok I was confused for a second, like this kid just made one of the best blitz dialing d coordinators of all time(dick labeau) stop calling blitzes on him because he was killing it.

I don't care how good deshuan is though we need a pretty big over haul on our line.
 
thunderkyss said:
Not at all. Before Watson defenses would rush us with extra fervor, I think, because more times than not it resulted in a negative play for us. Even more so with a blitz.

Now with Watson, & his ability to generate big plays, and move the chains, defenses have to rush with less fervor, even on a blitz.

We could have drafted six first round OLmen & signed the top free agents but never "fixed" the OL with David Carr in the backfield. Switch in Matt Schaub, we could trade a 6th for a center, spend a third on a RT, & start an UDFA at guard & have one of the best lines in the league.

With Watson, I believe we'll see more & more of our linemen with good grades, especially if they stay healthy.
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Sounds like HOF'er Alex Gibbs built Schaub's OL. I don't know who was the OL coach when Carr was here, but that poor guy didn't stand a chance.

The OL talent this yr is really poor, but Watson's mobility and quick release has made it look better than it is. With that said, I'm still worried about Watson getting hurt because Ricky chose not to put talent on the OL to protect him.
 
DocBar said:
Does anyone pay any attention to anything from houstontexans.com? Still showing JJ and Merci on depth chart and continually showed FullerV
Click to expand...


I find more accurate / up to date info on this site concerning transactions and injuries than is posted on the "official" site.

Kudo's to texanstalk.com and its posters.

:coffee:
 
steelbtexan said:
Sounds like HOF'er Alex Gibbs built Schaub's OL. I don't know who was the OL coach when Carr was here, but that poor guy didn't stand a chance.

The OL talent this yr is really poor, but Watson's mobility and quick release has made it look better than it is. With that said, I'm still worried about Watson getting hurt because Ricky chose not to put talent on the OL to protect him.
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All because some players didn't work out as planned doesn't mean he didn't put the talent around him. Like I said a few times already to you, the oline was decent right around the Halfway point of last season. They started off rough but got it together. Therefore, Rick and O'Brien didn't think they had to address the line like you wanted them to. Meyers made a great point a few weeks ago when he said the oline needs to be together for some years before they could truly build great chemistry. (Paraphrasing of course)

The Cowboys oline became great because they have played together for some years.

And as far as Watson is concerned, you didn't even think he would be starting right now. The young man also knows how to protect himself.
 
steelbtexan said:
The OL talent this yr is really poor, but Watson's mobility and quick release has made it look better than it is. With that said, I'm still worried about Watson getting hurt because Ricky chose not to put talent on the OL to protect him.
Click to expand...

We need to get better up front, no doubt. But Ricky spent two 2nd round picks to put next to our 1st round pro bowler. They need time on the field to get better. Poor QBs do not help them learn the game & get better. With Watson, hopefully they'll be able to hone their craft & live up to their draft positions.
 
thunderkyss said:
We need to get better up front, no doubt. But Ricky spent two 2nd round picks to put next to our 1st round pro bowler. They need time on the field to get better. Poor QBs do not help them learn the game & get better. With Watson, hopefully they'll be able to hone their craft & live up to their draft positions.
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I dont care that he spent two 2nd rd picks. Can they play is all I care about. They could be UDFA's for all I care.
 
Texansballer74 said:
All because some players didn't work out as planned doesn't mean he didn't put the talent around him. Like I said a few times already to you, the oline was decent right around the Halfway point of last season. They started off rough but got it together. Therefore, Rick and O'Brien didn't think they had to address the line like you wanted them to. Meyers made a great point a few weeks ago when he said the oline needs to be together for some years before they could truly build great chemistry. (Paraphrasing of course)

The Cowboys oline became great because they have played together for some years.

And as far as Watson is concerned, you didn't even think he would be starting right now. The young man also knows how to protect himself.
Click to expand...

We have a different opinion of the talent level on the OL and the word decent. My eyes and the stats both say the OL is bad. I do agree OL play is better the more guys play together, but these guys could play together for 10 yrs and they would still be bad. Watson better know how to protect himself with this OL in front of him.

As bad as the defense has been playing, I still want Ricky to fix the OL 1st and foremost. I would like for Watson to be protected and then we can see how really well he can develop.
 
steelbtexan said:
As bad as the defense has been playing, I still want Ricky to fix the OL 1st and foremost. I would like for Watson to be protected and then we can see how really well he can develop.
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I'd like to see what Mike Devlin can do before I decide what needs to be done first. For the most part, Rick's done about all he can do... only so many players he can acquire right now.

It's time for the coaches to do their job.
 
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thunderkyss said:
I'd like to see what Mike Devlin can do before I decide what needs to be done first. For the most part, Rick's done about all he can do... only so many players he can acquire right now.

It's time for the coaches to do their job.
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How long will it take for you to decide if Devlin is good at his job. I think he might be a good OL coach, but with the lack of talent on the OL (Thanks Ricky) we will never know.

After 11 yrs some on this MB think Ricky is good at his job. LOL

Does Devlin get 11 yrs since he's dealing with the talent or lack there of, that Ricky has provided Devlin?
 
[
thunderkyss said:
I'd like to see what Mike Devlin can do before I decide what needs to be done first. For the most part, Rick's done about all he can do... only so many players he can acquire right now.

It's time for the coaches to do their job.
Click to expand...



So it's Devlins job to make good Olinemen out of Filo and Giacomini?

"Ricks done about all he can do."... Really?

Sadly, OTOH, that is probably true. Low expectations.

:coffee:
 
Sure seems like picks have been spent on OL. Brown holding out and Newton basically losing both legs haven't helped. I don't expect use to have 1st and 2nd round picks at every position. The middle of our OL should be our strength...but it's not.

1st (Brown), UDFA (Clark), 4th (Davenport)
2nd (XSF), 7th (Fuller)
2nd (Martin), UDFA (Mancz)
2nd (Allen), 4th (Johnson)
5th Round (Giacomini), 7th (Newton)
 
steelbtexan said:
...As bad as the defense has been playing, I still want Ricky to fix the OL 1st and foremost. I would like for Watson to be protected and then we can see how really well he can develop.
Click to expand...
Acknowledging there are exceptions, I'm a firm believer that to have quality play at a position in the NFL, you have to start with quality talent, meaning you have to draft the quality talent from the college ranks.

It all depends on talent evaluation, but if an OL'man is evaluated as a lower round draft choice, then throughout his NFL career, defensive players drafted higher should get the best of him. He'll undoubtably improve, but so will the defensive players, maintaining the pecking order established in college. Like I said, there will be exceptions.

We need the core of our OL to be first and second round talent, with the other starters being third round talent. Without the draft picks next season, we can't assemble the OL I'd like to have. If we start with lower round talent, and expect to coach them up over several years, we'll probably be disappointed.

In other words, I'm not sure we can fix our OL first and foremost.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
This is Jadeveon Clowney's defense now.
I hope he rises up and becomes a true leader.

We need Clowney to become a dominating force.
Like he was for a good portion of last season.

The best thing we can do is play hard for Watt and Mercilus. They may not be back until sometime during the 2018 season, but that doesn't mean we have to give up without them.

I'm still saying 10-6 and an AFC wild-card spot (6th seed).
The Jaguars are looking tough. I think they could go 11-5.
But making the playoffs, Deshaun on the big stage, would be fun.
Click to expand...
I just hope Clowney, Joseph and McKinney able to play. No practice Weds or today. Kevin Johnson should be ready by Seattle.
 
sandman said:
Man, I don't want to get snake bit by Cleveland and just get into the bye week for some rest and planning for this decimated defense.
Click to expand...

I am a bit worried for the game due to the injuries on the defense. Felt better with Kizer going this game as he throws the ball all over the place.

Going to have to hope Cleveland's awful passing defense rears its ugly head.
 
steelbtexan said:
How long will it take for you to decide if Devlin is good at his job. I think he might be a good OL coach, but with the lack of talent on the OL (Thanks Ricky) we will never know.

After 11 yrs some on this MB think Ricky is good at his job. LOL

Does Devlin get 11 yrs since he's dealing with the talent or lack there of, that Ricky has provided Devlin?
Click to expand...

I think Devlin did a good job with pretty much this same bunch last season... with a slow baby giraffe in the backfield. Good run production, middle of the pack surrendering sacks... I very well may find another area of the team warrants a higher priority.

cuppacoffee said:
So it's Devlins job to make good Olinemen out of Filo and Giacomini?
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What's the point of paying position coaches if you have to supply all-pros before they can field a competent unit? As much as we want to complain, last year's OL was competent.

cuppacoffee said:
"Ricks done about all he can do."... Really?
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If he could do the draft over right now, maybe he would. But he can't. Other than Duane Brown, there aren't any studs out there waiting by their phone. So what's he going to do? Right now, not a lot more he can do. It's time for the coaches to go to work.
 
thunderkyss said:
I think Devlin did a good job with pretty much this same bunch last season... with a slow baby giraffe in the backfield. Good run production, middle of the pack surrendering sacks... I very well may find another area of the team warrants a higher priority.



What's the point of paying position coaches if you have to supply all-pros before they can field a competent unit? As much as we want to complain, last year's OL was competent.



If he could do the draft over right now, maybe he would. But he can't. Other than Duane Brown, there aren't any studs out there waiting by their phone. So what's he going to do? Right now, not a lot more he can do. It's time for the coaches to go to work.
Click to expand...


Lets just say we see the OL Much... Much.... differently.
 
thunderkyss said:
I think Devlin did a good job with pretty much this same bunch last season... with a slow baby giraffe in the backfield. Good run production, middle of the pack surrendering sacks... I very well may find another area of the team warrants a higher priority.



What's the point of paying position coaches if you have to supply all-pros before they can field a competent unit? As much as we want to complain, last year's OL was competent.



If he could do the draft over right now, maybe he would. But he can't. Other than Duane Brown, there aren't any studs out there waiting by their phone. So what's he going to do? Right now, not a lot more he can do. It's time for the coaches to go to work.
Click to expand...

steelbtexan said:
Lets just say we see the OL Much... Much.... differently.
Click to expand...

I agree with steelb... Devlin has been an Osweilian-esque (yeah another new word for 'Cak to give me grief over) disaster
 
JB said:
I agree with steelb... Devlin has been an Osweilian-esque (yeah another new word for 'Cak to give me grief over) disaster
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I'm just going by results. One of the better rushing attacks. One of the less sacked QBs in 2016.
 
Texansphan said:
TK does have a good point.
If you have an all pro line, you don't have much cash left to spend on other shiny objects.
For mine, you need a combination of both worlds - good coaching and competent talent.
Olines usually take time to gel and a competent QB helps as well.
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Well said Texansphan.
 
Looks like the Texans are going to try to move into Mercilus' place.

Role expanding for Texans OLB Ufomba Kamalu
October 13, 2017

When the Texans signed Ufomba Kamalu last year as an undrafted free agent from the University of Miami, they viewed him as a hybrid pass rusher.

Kamalu played defensive end in college, but the Texans decided to shift him to outside linebacker. Although listed at 6-5, 300 pounds on the roster, Kamalu is extremely mobile.

His role will expand now that outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus is out for the season with a torn pectoral. Kamalu had one tackle for a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday night after recording five tackles, two for losses and one sack as a rookie last season in four games and one start.

“He was in between.," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said of Kamalu's position. "He was a defensive end and then we asked him to lose some weight and play some outside linebacker in the base scheme and then also be a DPR [designated pass rusher] on third down. So, we felt like if we could maybe trim down a little bit, that maybe he wouldn’t be so in between, if that makes sense.

"I think he’s a tough guy, I think he’s a guy that can help us on special teams and now his role on defense, he’s going to be out there a little bit more on defense. He played well in the Tennessee game last year, I think he had a sack (and) deflected a ball. I think the guy’s played well when we’ve asked him to play. He’s a very, very tough guy, comes to play every day and we’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do to help us.”
 
The Texans have invested in the offensive line. I don't think you can argue against that.
  • 1st round pick on Duane Brown
  • 1st pick in the 2nd round on XSF
  • Traded up in 2nd round for Nick Martin
  • Paid significant money to sign Jeff Allen
  • Paid significant money to retain Derek Newton
Rick did NOT totally ignore the OL. Besides Derek Newton (not much we can do with him right now), the players need to simply step up and validate the price we paid for them.

DB needs to show up.
Everyone had XSF as a low first, high second round player. He was graded by most as the best guard in the draft. The dude needs to play like as expected.
Jeff Allen was a good guard in KC and was one of the highest rated guards in FA. He needs to warrant his salary.
 
thunderkyss said:
& my main point is other than kowtowing to Duane Brown there ain't a whole lot Rick Smith can do right now.

Our only hope is that our coaches can make it work.
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I guess that was the point I was attempting to make earlier.

We hope our coaches can make it work, but failing to do so isn't always the coaches fault.

You can make lemonade if life hands you a lemon... but.... if life hands you a rutabaga what are you supposed to do?

We just might have a couple of rutabagas on the OL.

:coffee:
 
cuppacoffee said:
I guess that was the point I was attempting to make earlier.

We hope our coaches can make it work, but failing to do so isn't always the coaches fault.

You can make lemonade if life hands you a lemon... but.... if life hands you a rutabaga what are you supposed to do?

We just might have a couple of rutabagas on the OL.

:coffee:
Click to expand...

Like dream team said, Rick ain't giving them rutabagas. XSF, Martin, Allen, all played better before they got here. Mancz was a stud before his injury in college.

Duane Brown played well, very well after coming back from injury.
 
Rick hasn't ignored the oline as much as some people want to think, but he also hasn't done that much for it as others think.

he drafted X who had a high round grade on him cool, Jaelen Strong was also thought as as a 1st round receiver fell to the 3rd where we picked him out of desperation after the Seahawks nabbed lockett in front of us. he signed Allen who was a highly touted guard that off season sure, but he let Brooks walk for not much more who was even more highly touted and would have kept our line together which would have aided in the continuity that is so important for our line.

just because a player is a projected 1st round talent, or a top free agent doesn't give the GM a pass when that player flames out on their team, the GM's job is to see past the media b.s., know how the player will adapt to their team, their system, they need to know the make up of the man so they know when he gets some money his work ethic won't go to ****. I totally agree Rick has stressed our line enough, he just has not addressed it with the right players
 
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