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Texans random thought of the day

Texans pleased with kicker Nick Novak
Published 3:44 pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Texans veteran kicker Nick Novak has displayed accuracy and leg strength during the first half of the regular season.

Novak has connected on 18 of 21 field goals and 11 of 12 extra points, scoring 65 points. He's 13 for 13 under 40 yards, 4 of 5 from 40 to 49 yards and and 1 for 3 for from 50 yards or beyond.

"He's had a solid year," Texans special teams coordinator Larry Izzo said. "He's a veteran kicker that's made some big kicks in his career. He's done a nice job so far doing what we've asked him to do on kickoffs.

"Moving forward, there's always going to be some bumps in the road – the missed PAT - but he's the kind of guy that has the mentality that he was able to come back and make the kick when it counted, so glad to have him."
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On the surface, this may be seen as relatively "impressive." But I am still not entirely sold on Novak. In a League where 50+ yd FGs are becoming more common, Novak is a close your eyes kicker. Who knows how many times the choice not to trot Novak out there because of his limitations, or changing strategy at crucial times of the game are pursued due to these limitations? This is not to mention the fact that when the situation dictates to send a kick into the EZ, the kick ends up short. And for those that most of his kicks are purposely kicked short in order to challenge the opposition to meet our STs head on..............why would his hang times be so short?
 
DBCooper said:
Look, Texian wrote an article:

http://www.houstonpress.com/news/as...the-franchise-will-always-be-mediocre-8927190
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My criticism of attitudes like this is they allow their disappointment cloud their judgement.
For example, going after Osweiler was not a "gutsy" move?
QB's tend to draw the criticism and "take the loss" when they lose, but 10-5 is a winning record and he still gets **** canned.
What do they attribute his winning record to here if it is not a dumbed down scheme and strong defense like Denver, etc, etc,?
The trouble with the Debbie Downers like this guy is they cannot see the forest for the trees.
Now, if he starts losing ground on his nice start and looks hopeless, then I'll join the chorus of dissenting voices. In the meantime, he deserves some kudos for winning while not looking flashy.
Look at it this way, the odds are he will get better and indeed his arrow has started pointing up.
 
Texans offense through 1st half of the season:

DEAD LAST (32nd out of 32 teams)
yards per attempted pass
yards per completed pass
offensive TDs
pass plays of 25 yards or more
red zone conversions

31st out of 32
passer rating
passer rating 1st half
yards per possession
points per possession

30th out of 32
total yards
points per game
pass yards per game
yards after catch

28th out of 32
completion percentage
red zone attempts
interceptions per game
yards at the catch
 
Speedy said:
Texans offense through 1st half of the season:

DEAD LAST (32nd out of 32 teams)
yards per attempted pass
yards per completed pass
offensive TDs
pass plays of 25 yards or more
red zone conversions

31st out of 32
passer rating
passer rating 1st half
yards per possession
points per possession

30th out of 32
total yards
points per game
pass yards per game
yards after catch

28th out of 32
completion percentage
red zone attempts
interceptions per game
yards at the catch
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So we have plenty of room for improvement? Wa Wa Waaaaaaaa...
 
Speedy said:
Texans offense through 1st half of the season:

DEAD LAST (32nd out of 32 teams)
yards per attempted pass
yards per completed pass
offensive TDs
pass plays of 25 yards or more
red zone conversions

31st out of 32
passer rating
passer rating 1st half
yards per possession
points per possession

30th out of 32
total yards
points per game
pass yards per game
yards after catch

28th out of 32
completion percentage
red zone attempts
interceptions per game
yards at the catch
Click to expand...
And yet we're 5-3 and leading our division.

If this offense ever starts clicking the rest of the AFC better watch out!
 
Speedy said:
Texans offense through 1st half of the season:
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Thanks for taking the time to compile the stats (no sarcasm intended). I'm a big advocate for patience and thought it would take until the end of the year for things to gel (and even next year before things really clicked). But I've got to admit that I had hoped to see more out of Brock and didn't think the offense would be as bad as you've pointed out to this point (I know all the arguments for why it hasn't been good -- I've made them all myself). Brock really needs to step things up and BoB needs to figure out what he is capable of at this point and adjust the offense accordingly.

But it seems like the most objective outlook for the team would be optimistic considering that: we're already 5-3 with the offense only having room for improvement, the schedule gets slightly easier, and we have a new qb with young receivers gaining experience together. We may have the most potential for any team in the league to see an improved 2nd half along with Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Carolina (anyone feel free to chime in if I've missed someone).
 
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Well, we finally see a move to bolster our OL............Josh Walker has been moved from the PS to the active roster.............Walker was placed on IR by the Packers 2 months ago..........then released with an injury settlement............his injury was a Grade II MCL tear.........he's a big guy 6'5" 330 pounds with a problem with keeping his weight down........the Packers tried him at right guard and right tackle.........we will only use him inside (I hope) as he proved to be turnstile in pass protection at right tackle.

And with our WR corps being hit by the trauma bug........................we got back our speedster, Wendall Williams onto the PS................won't be surprising to see him get promoted to the active roster if the WR corps continues to be snake bitten.
 
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CloakNNNdagger said:
And with our WR corps being hit by the trauma bug........................we got back our speedster, Wendall Williams onto the PS................won't be surprising to see him get promoted to the active roster if the WR corps continues to be snake bitten.
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All right. Glad to see this news. Want to see what he can do.
 
Quenton Bundrage was evidently placed on the PS-injured list in order to make room for Wendall Williams. If the "injury" is legitimate, it is probable that it is related to his knee. He missed most all his college 2014 season (injured in the 1st season game) with an ACL rupture, and returned in 2015, but was still slowed presumably from this injury.
 
This season could turn out to be one of getting new guys NFL experience and the team gelling time. As long as we improve, I am ok with it but want to see weaknesses strengthened one way or another; including coaching.
 
So another really fast guy we may or may not be able to get the ball to?

I wonder what Wendall has been up to between final cuts and now.
 
PapaL said:
So another really fast guy we may or may not be able to get the ball to?

I wonder what Wendall has been up to between final cuts and now.
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Trying to hook up with a team.............try outs for Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears without luck.
 
Max said:
Brock really needs to step things up and BoB needs to figure out what he is capable of at this point and adjust the offense accordingly.
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I agree with this post as a whole, but I've got a nit to pick with this part. reading this, I think, puts too much focus on the QB.

I don't know that we necessarily need to "figure out what he's (Brock) capable of."

I think we've lost focus of what's important here. I think we need to focus on improving defensively & running the football.

that does not mean the QB doesn't need to get better. we can ask him to carry the team when we need him to carry the team. & right now, we don't need him to carry the team.

O'Brien needs to understand that. Win games. proving we didn't screw the pooch with Brock needs to be way, way down the list.
 
thunderkyss said:
I agree with this post as a whole, but I've got a nit to pick with this part. reading this, I think, puts too much focus on the QB.

I don't know that we necessarily need to "figure out what he's (Brock) capable of."

I think we've lost focus of what's important here. I think we need to focus on improving defensively & running the football.

that does not mean the QB doesn't need to get better. we can ask him to carry the team when we need him to carry the team. & right now, we don't need him to carry the team.

O'Brien needs to understand that. Win games. proving we didn't screw the pooch with Brock needs to be way, way down the list.
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Interesting take. I just don't see room for improvement on the defense. I've expressed concern about our run defense in the 2nd half and and I don't see how to improve it without a talent injection in the DL and upgrade over Cush. Maybe Cush can improve -- but I'm not seeing it on the DL. With JJ and KJ out, I feel like our defense is playing at their potential and maybe even beyond. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on where you see the room for improvement.

I also feel like we've run the ball well the last 3 weeks. The OL was a big concern for most of us 3-4 weeks ago -- I don't think it's a stretch to say that they're playing to their potential. I don't see the running game improving unless the passing game improves and we can get secondaries on their heels some. Interested in your take again.

I think the stats posted by Speedy tell the story about what needs to improve -- our passing game. We both acknowledge the need for improvement but it seems we have a somewhat different take. I want the majority of our focus to be on improving the passing game (and special teams). I don't want to wait to find out if Brock has what it takes when that time comes that we need him to put the team on his back. I've said it before and still feel this way -- the team goes as far as Brock will take us.
 
Brock has to get use to a team not the Broncos. As that it is going to be taking him much more time than ever. Plus would love for him to sign that over in the W.R. That he can throw too. Which would be nice!
 
Max said:
Interesting take. I just don't see room for improvement on the defense. I've expressed concern about our run defense in the 2nd half and and I don't see how to improve it without a talent injection in the DL and upgrade over Cush. Maybe Cush can improve -- but I'm not seeing it on the DL. With JJ and KJ out, I feel like our defense is playing at their potential and maybe even beyond. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on where you see the room for improvement.

I also feel like we've run the ball well the last 3 weeks. The OL was a big concern for most of us 3-4 weeks ago -- I don't think it's a stretch to say that they're playing to their potential. I don't see the running game improving unless the passing game improves and we can get secondaries on their heels some. Interested in your take again.

I think the stats posted by Speedy tell the story about what needs to improve -- our passing game. We both acknowledge the need for improvement but it seems we have a somewhat different take. I want the majority of our focus to be on improving the passing game (and special teams). I don't want to wait to find out if Brock has what it takes when that time comes that we need him to put the team on his back. I've said it before and still feel this way -- the team goes as far as Brock will take us.
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Biggest improvement the defense needs to make is getting turnovers & getting off the field on third down. we're poster boys for the almost team in both regards. we need short fields & defensive scores. look at the last several Super Bowl winners. we're almost in that range on defense.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Quenton Bundrage was evidently placed on the PS-injured list in order to make room for Wendall Williams. If the "injury" is legitimate, it is probable that it is related to his knee. He missed most all his college 2014 season (injured in the 1st season game) with an ACL rupture, and returned in 2015, but was still slowed presumably from this injury.
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Aaron Wilson ‏@AaronWilson_NFL 12h12 hours ago


The reason why the Texans placed Quenton Bundrage on practice squad-injured list: He suffered a major knee injury, including ACL tear, .Mon.
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otisbean said:
Maybe it's just me but it seems like Braddock only posts negative info about the Texans.
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Last year, he was essentially ostricized from "insiders" Texans Communications access due to his overtly antagonistic writings. In response, this year, he has actually very much toned it down and presented his writings in a more subtle approach. But the facts are the facts, and with all the rainbows being shot out constantly by the Texans FO and their surrogates, even the negative facts need to be presented.
 
otisbean said:
Maybe it's just me but it seems like Braddock only posts negative info about the Texans.
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He's been negative on the Texans since 2014... either the passing of a QB or the firing of Kubiak rubbed him wrong
 
JB said:
Damn, I ain't drunk enough to read that...
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She just said what I did (in the post prior to hers) but she was more articulate. I'll let her take over with my discussion with Thunder if she's up to it - I think she has a better chance of getting through to him.
 
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Max said:
She just said what I did but was more articulate. I'll let her take over with my discussion with Thunder if she's up to it - I think she has a better chance of getting through to him.
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huh? :mcnugget:
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
Last year, he was essentially ostricized from "insiders" Texans Communications access due to his overtly antagonistic writings. In response, this year, he has actually very much toned it down and presented his writings in a more subtle approach. But the facts are the facts, and with all the rainbows being shot out constantly by the Texans FO and their surrogates, even the negative facts need to be presented.
Click to expand...

We certainly deserve some criticism that's for sure. However, it seems in some folks eye nothing we do deserves any credit. I don't understand that. i think the next positive thing I see from Braddock will be his first.
 
thunderkyss said:
I think we need to focus on improving defensively & running the football.
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The last 3 games we’re averaging 135 yards/game rushing. If we had averaged this for the season – we would be ranked 4th in the league in rushing. This behind a makeshift offensive line that most of us felt would be the team’s weakest link. We have already focused on improving running the football.

We don't have JJ or KJ, a 3 year old thread has been revived discussing the need to replace our starting ILB and the defensive lineman taking the 2nd most snaps in the last game had 7 tackles all of last year and spent August and September of this year on his couch eating potato chips. Yet we have the 5th ranked defense.

Per Speedy:

DEAD LAST (32nd out of 32 teams)
yards per attempted pass
yards per completed pass
pass plays of 25 yards or more

31st out of 32
passer rating
passer rating 1st half

30th out of 32
pass yards per game
yards after catch

28th out of 32
completion percentage
yards at the catch

Seems to me the room for most improvement is passing the ball – thus the need to focus on it.
 
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