Wanted...New Coach

[djanssen]

Coaches should utilize a teams strengths, running up the middle is not one of the Texans strenghts. Last year I watched the Texans loose four games in the final seconds, at home in which they led going into the forth quarter, and now last week against Green Bay. They get a lead in the first half by throwing the ball then start trying to run out the clock in the third qtr. Lets stay with what got us the lead. Our defense is not good enough to compensate for the lack of offense (three and out) the Texans have in the second half. The Titans and Viking games were prime examples, the Texans were behind most the game and had to play aggressive football for four qrts. I believe the Texans scored 21 points in the second halves of those two games.

 

[Number19]

I thought Lopez's analysis in this Monday's Chronicle was excellant :

...Palmer's approach regarding his tight end had more to do with Derick Armstrong's developement...using four wide receivers gives the Texans a better matchup with Armstrong's speed and catching ability..."what we've done is tried to identify a role for each and every player", Palmer said...but because of the check-offs Carr must make when he sees a defense that counters a four wideout set, he has checked to running plays that wound up futile...defensive coordinators were daring the Texans to run, and the Texans took the bait...(without a tightend) the line wound up looking bad. The play-calling wound up looking bad. The offense wound up looking bad...

A good argument for putting the blame squarely on Palmer. Bad decisions on his part and clearly out-coached by the opposition's defensive coordinators.

Palmer's deficancies may run deeper than this, but this is a good start. The question remains, will he continue to beat the same dead horse or will he have learned his lesson from Sunday's game. Without change, the Texans are not much better than a .438 team. Even looking ahead one year, and with another draft, is Palmer capable of using his personel effectively?

 

[aj.]

The play calling against Green Bay in the second half was horrible if they'd let Carr continue to throw they would have won

The Texans called 18 pass plays and 8 running plays in the second half against GB. Carr checked down from pass to run 3 times.

 

[AndreJ]

The Texans called 18 pass plays and 8 running plays in the second half against GB. Carr checked down from pass to run 3 times.

Yeah we didn't have a run game thats why he kept passing but without that running game and knowing they could get a good rush with 3 or 4 lineman they dropped so many back into pass coverage Carr had nowhere to throw the ball

 

[wags]

The Texans called 18 pass plays and 8 running plays in the second half against GB. Carr checked down from pass to run 3 times.

AJ, you know perception rules here, not reality.

 

[Double Barrel]

The Texans called 18 pass plays and 8 running plays in the second half against GB. Carr checked down from pass to run 3 times.

Well, his audibles are based on what he sees, and they are scenarios that the coaches have told him to audible to the run.

The fact is that we do not control the trenches. Without dominating the LOS, we cannot establish the running game. Without the respect for the run, defenses can play us on the pass. Plus, we cannot develop long pass routes if Carr is constantly being threatened by penetration.

It's as simple as that, folks. Control the trenches and your offense opens up in so many ways.

 

[rhc564]

The Texans called 18 pass plays and 8 running plays in the second half against GB. Carr checked down from pass to run 3 times.

....so we call passes that get us yardage like a run-- gotta love that
3 yarder to AJ in the GB game when we needed 7-- extended vertical
passes where we stretch the field were needed

 

[nunusguy]

I wonder about the internal chemistry of this team ? They had Carr miked up
for the Packers game, and well, he didn't sound very inspirational to me. I
wonder how much the O unit looks up to him ?
Jamie Sharper surely must be the leader on the D side. Glenn to probably ?
This is a huge, invaluable intangible that has a lot to do with the ebb & flow
of Mighty Mo (momentum) on game day.
Perhaps some of our insiders on the board could offer some insight ?

 

[bckey]

....so we call passes that get us yardage like a run-- gotta love that
3 yarder to AJ in the GB game when we needed 7-- extended vertical
passes where we stretch the field were needed

I agree. Our passing plays sometimes have me scratching my head.

 

[aj.]

....so we call passes that get us yardage like a run-- gotta love that
3 yarder to AJ in the GB game when we needed 7-- extended vertical
passes where we stretch the field were needed

Did you notice the defense that GB was in almost the entire 2nd half? This is stuff you can't see on TV but what I saw was two man-up corners, two deep safeties in cover 2, a nickel back and two LBs at least 5 yards off the line. That's 7 back and 4 up. It was extremely crowded in the secondary. You know why they could get away with that? Because our OL sucked that night like it has most of the season. Our OL couldn't block anyone so GB was getting away with rushing 4 and they were able to completely shut off our run AND to make matters worse they were able to put considerable pressure on Carr with 4 guys against 5 and sometimes 6 Texans blockers. Deplorable I tell ya. It all starts with the OL my friends. Palmer's play calling ain't perfect (show me an OC's whose is) but it's definitely behind OL performance and various aspects of defensive performance on the list of reasons of why we lost to GB, Denver, Indy, Minnesota, San Diego, and Detroit.

 

[bckey]

Did you notice the defense that GB was in almost the entire 2nd half? This is stuff you can't see on TV but what I saw was two man-up corners, two deep safeties in cover 2, a nickel back and two LBs at least 5 yards off the line. That's 7 back and 4 up. It was extremely crowded in the secondary. You know why they could get away with that? Because our OL sucked that night like it has most of the season. Our OL couldn't block anyone so GB was getting away with rushing 4 and they were able to completely shut off our run AND to make matters worse they were able to put considerable pressure on Carr with 4 guys against 5 and sometimes 6 Texans blockers. Deplorable I tell ya. It all starts with the OL my friends. Palmer's play calling ain't perfect (show me an OC's whose is) but it's definitely behind OL performance and various aspects of defensive performance on the list of reasons of why we lost to GB, Denver, Indy, Minnesota, San Diego, and Detroit.

AJ I agree with you about our offensive line. The only reason they looked good against the Titans was because they were missing A. Haynesworth and they already start 2 rookies there also. 1 cb, both safeties, and the lolb out also.
Palmer stinks period. He always has. His offense is bland and uninspiring.

 

[aj.]

Palmer stinks period. He always has. His offense is bland and uninspiring

He always has?

He always has?

 

[rhc564]

He always has?

He always has?

...well, at least Palmer--- GOOD or BAD --- has found a place he can stay
for awhile, regardless of results because there is a 'plan.'

 

[bckey]

...well, at least Palmer--- GOOD or BAD --- has found a place he can stay
for awhile, regardless of results because there is a 'plan.'

Too bad it includes him.

 

[rhc564]

Defenders of the Texans offense when it is unable to move the chains
or score, ala the GB game, blame it on 2 things-- the OL and cover 2. This
thinking sets a nice table for the rest of the NFL because we've found no
way-- at least against the better teams-- to over come this. Thus, we
either get blown out by the good teams or, as has happened several times
in the last 3 years, we play them close but-bottom line-- we lose.

I'll leave the OL alone for now and talk about cover 2. What I'm hearing on
this board is that the Texans are doomed to failure/losing as long as the
opponent uses cover 2, end of story for those thinkers. Other board posters
believe someone on the Texans should be charged with counter acting with
a plan that deals with cover 2 and still lets the team move the chains and
score, giving the team a chance to win those close games.

This is where the OC comes in. It matters little what he did with other teams
in the past or even with the Texans last year--- what is he doing about
cover 2 now? I know, OL. Built in excuse. Like a couple coaches mentioned
after losses last week, "we had 11 players on the field, they've got to step
up, no excuse.' The Patriots are playing and winning with a 'gutted' secondary, using a variety of coverages including LB's or receivers, whatever
it takes--- like their Coach says, there are no excuses.

Sure, the easy road is to make excuses for failure but that sets a dangerous
path because the problem is-- once you accept excuses, you'll always accept
them. Bad OL today. Bad weather tomorrow. Drop balls the next game, etc.

...at least try- use some imagination- what worked yesterday may not work
the next time so think ahead--- play the game to the fullest with the players
we have today...like so many coaches have said, these players are paid
to 'step up.'

 

[wags]

The best way to beat the cover 2 is to run the ball. If you can run then the safety eventually has to come down. Problem is we have only 2 good games running the ball.

 

[aj.]

Poor offensive line play isn't an excuse. It's a fact. It's one of the main reason why the Texans haven't been able to run the ball consistently this season.

I asked Aaron Glenn his opinion of how to best defeat the Tampa 2. He said "send a quick TE up the middle seam."

 

[infantrycak]

I'll leave the OL alone for now and talk about cover 2.

Other board posters
believe someone on the Texans should be charged with counter acting with
a plan that deals with cover 2 and still lets the team move the chains and
score, giving the team a chance to win those close games.

This is where the OC comes in.

You can't leave the OL out is the problem. If the game plan is run and throw to the seam but your OL sucks and lets the RB get hit in the backfield and the QB sacked whose fault is it that the game plan doesn't work?

Prior to jumping straight to the OC, you also have to consider the QB. Anyone here want to tell us that against all the cover 2 teams this year that Gaffney, Armstrong and the TE's haven't been running patterns up the seams? Funny, seems to me they are there but the ball isn't in their hands. Is that the OC's fault or Carr's fault?

Ultimately Palmer has to be accountable second to Capers, but game plans can't only be judged by results. How about a reverse example--who should get more of the credit in Indy for their offense, the OC or Manning, Harrison, Edge, the OL that has only given up 6 sacks all year? JMO, but it is good, consistant execution that makes them great not some hinky, special game plan.

 

[rhc564]

...results, how do we get acceptable results?..and, who decides how we
get those results?...and, when?

 

[infantrycak]

...results, how do we get acceptable results?..

By getting consistant solid performances out of all the various little bits that make up a team--coaching and players. For reference, see New England Patriots.

and, who decides how we
get those results?...

That would be everyone also--the coaches by game planning and inspiring the players and the players by executing to their potential consistantly.

and, when?

When the OL starts opening holes for the RB.
When DD doesn't drop the ball (seems to be fixed) isn't tentative (probably fixed) and stays healthy.
When the OL gives David Carr all day long like coincidentally most of the folks that currently are regarded as the great QB's have--see Favre sacked 5 times this year and Manning sacked 6 times this year. It is a lot easier to have vision, not throw INT's etc. when you aren't on your back.
When Carr consistantly makes progressions, improves his play fake, looks for the seam, improves his pocket awareness and decides if he is the QB that sent the ball to AJ in triple coverage or the one that will avoid single coverage to dump down to the RB.
When Walker steps up his play to his 2002 form.
When Babin, Peek, Robinson, Coleman and Earl all get some time under their belts and used to their in many cases new position.

 

[rhc564]

By getting consistant solid performances out of all the various little bits that make up a team--coaching and players. For reference, see New England Patriots.



That would be everyone also--the coaches by game planning and inspiring the players and the players by executing to their potential consistantly.



When the OL starts opening holes for the RB.
When DD doesn't drop the ball (seems to be fixed) isn't tentative (probably fixed) and stays healthy.
When the OL gives David Carr all day long like coincidentally most of the folks that currently are regarded as the great QB's have--see Favre sacked 5 times this year and Manning sacked 6 times this year. It is a lot easier to have vision, not throw INT's etc. when you aren't on your back.
When Carr consistantly makes progressions, improves his play fake, looks for the seam, improves his pocket awareness and decides if he is the QB that sent the ball to AJ in triple coverage or the one that will avoid single coverage to dump down to the RB.
When Walker steps up his play to his 2002 form.
When Babin, Peek, Robinson, Coleman and Earl all get some time under their belts and used to their in many cases new position.

...shame it's not a perfect world!!! I don't think all your 'when's' are going
to happen, at least not at the same time--- but I'm a hopin!

 

[bckey]

I thought I would revive this thread from last season. We were already getting concerned after the Denver and Indy losses. Some were concerned the day they anounced Capers as hc.

 

[NativeJPR]

He got the Panthers to a Championship game,so I think he knows how to do it. I'm to the point this year that i'm happy if they sweep the hated Titans and end the year at 6-10 or better.If they only go 5-11 or 4-12 I say off with their heads.

Capers needs to go NOW, the players obviously don't want to play for him and he obviously doesn't know how to get 100% out of them. About the Titans.......you can't sweep a team that has already beat you.

 

[Exascor]

About the Titans.......you can't sweep a team that has already beat you.

That post was from 11-25-2004. It's tough to tell when an old post gets bumped like that though.

 

[Bsacamano]

What do you guys think of getting Stoops as the head coach and Mike Leech as the offensive coordinator in 2006? I think both of these guys would provide a certain swagger and level originality that this team is sorely lacking.

 

[fball]

Hey guy's how bout this, I read on espn that mike martz is not happy with the rams because of the president, maybe when we fire capers at the end of the year we can make a pitch to him. I think we need a offensive minded coach and I think he would do well here, what do ya'll think?

 

[Texas]

Capers is too conservative. I beleive we need to get a more aggressive coach/ playing style and use our players like they are supposed to be.

 

[NativeJPR]

why doesn't Capers at least abandon the 3-4 D, our guys apparently can't handle it or the staff can't properly coach it