Notes from NFL Week 14

Texans @ Packers

Packers fans continue to impress. The place is packed even with the starting temperature of 6 degrees. Green, yellow, camoflauge and safety orange make up the most unique crowd scene in the NFL. Packers fans know their football. The first Green Bay punt of the game was a duck, travelling only 25 yards. It was the punter's first kick for the team and it had to be like trying to kick a block of ice. The second punt was boomed for a respectable 48 yards or so. The Lambeau field crowd started cheering as soon as the ball left the punter's foot. They appreciated and acknowledged the better punt. The crowd cheered after the third punt as well, even though it resulted in a touchback. Fans in Houston (and many other NFL cities) would have been halfway to the nacho cart instead of in their seats cheering for a punt.

Schaub just threw an interception. Williams jumped an out route, something that has happened a couple times earlier in the season. This is never a good sign.

I dislike the sports guy, but he's right about one thing. Gus Johnson makes every game a big game. He's called the last couple of Texans games and they have been enjoyable. Every play is a big play. FUMBLE!!! HE FUMBLED THE FOOTBALL!!! Jim Nance should take notes.

Eagles @ Giants

Fox showed a stat that John Carney led the NFL in points. Earlier this year, Carney was benched for Lawrence Tynes, a kicker they thought about cutting last year because of inconsistency. All Carney had done up to that point was make all of his FG attempts and all of his PAT. The Giants are back to Carney, probably for the rest of the year. It still goes to show that even 11-1, reigning Super Bowl champion teams aren't immune from dumb decisions.

Taking the ball up 17-10 with 9:26 left in the 4th quarter, the Eagles ran the ball with Westbrook 11 times on the 13 play drive, taking more than seven minutes off the clock. I didn't think I'd ever see this type of drive from Andy Reid and the Eagles. Sure I love it because I've got Westbrook on my fantasy team, but also because it's the right way to play against the best team in football when you've got one of the best running backs in the game.

Browns @ Titans

Ahmard Hall caught TD pass for the Titans in this one. It's another chapter in a pretty special story for Hall. He served for 4 years in the Marines, walked-on at Texas and played on the national championship team. For him to get a chance in the NFL, at least 4 years older than most players get a shot, playing the endangered fullback position, is remarkable. As this story mentions, Hall has good perspective. With all the problems the NFL has been facing recently, it would be nice to see a player like Hall succeed.

Houston Texans 2007 Season Wrap-Up

By almost any account, last year was the best season ever for the Texans. They finished with their best record ever, 8-8. After fourteen different weeks last year, they had their best ever record at that point in the season. (That might not make sense, take a look at the records spreadsheet.) Four weeks were spent over .500 in 2007, after only three weeks over .500 in the previous five years of Texans football. They spent 11 weeks at or above .500, after only 9 weeks at or above .500 in 2002-2006.

It was a banner year for the QBs as well. They set records in yardage, touchdowns, and rating. Individually, both QBs were at the top of Texans' records. Rosenfels threw the second most touchdowns in a season, despite only playing in nine games and throwing 240 attempts. He managed this by throwing at least one touchdown in every game in which he appeared. Schaub, was consistent, if not spectacular. His 87.2 passer rating set a record for Texans QBs, however, he only threw nine touchdowns in 289 attempts, a TD% of less than half of Rosenfels' record 6.3%. Schaub's Texans record 7.75 yards/attempt proved he was trying to move the ball vertically, which is a good sign.

The rushing "attack" was feeble last year, even by Texans standards. They managed only 12 touchdowns and 1586 yards on 3.8 yards/carry. Not very good at all.

The record last year was something to be proud of, especially since they played playoff teams nine times. I don't see Schaub's TD% exploding this year, but if he stays healthy, he should get more attempts. 500 attempts at 3.2% would be 16 TD passes. That's ok, but not spectacular. 7.75 yards per attempt times 500 attempts would equal an impressive 3875 yards.

The Texans look like they will try running the ball more this year. More attempts, but I'm not sure where the yds/carry will end up. They should be on track for at least 1700 yards rushing. Rushing TDs are tougher to predict, but anything less than 13 would be an absolute dissapointment.

The Texans' 2008 Draft

The draft went fairly well for the Texans. They moved down in the first to acquire more picks later, a strategy that many successful teams employ. The Texans filled their stated needs (OT, CB, RB) in order, and used later picks on some lesser needs (OLB, DT). Overall, I gave it a B.


They've shown the ability to find good players (DeMeco Ryans 2nd rd, Owen Daniels 4th rd, Fred Bennett 4th rd, Jacoby Jones 6th rd) which makes me think that one of the later picks will make an impact.


The Texans have spent a lot of high draft picks (2002 - 3rd, 6th, 7th, 7th; 2003 - 3rd, 6th; 2004 - 1st, 7th; 2005 - 1st; 2006 - 1st; 2007 - 1st; 2008 - 5th) and a lot of money on the defensive line, so I was happy that they didn't go there again. They haven't spent high picks on offensive line players. The OL picks by round (2002 - 2nd, 3rd; 2003 - 3rd, 7th; 2004 - NONE; 2005 - 5th; 2006 - 3rd, 3rd; 2007 - 2nd, 5th; 2008 - 1st). The Texans haven't even tried an OL in the first, so there isn't much track record there.


It does feel like the Texans kinda got burnt by the Dallas Cowboys. They got both Felix Jones, a coveted RB and Mike Jenkins, a CB who was probably on the Texans' draft board. When Jenkins came off the board right in front of the Texans' pick, it sure didn't look to me like there was anyone there for them to pick. I was rooting for another trade, letting the Texans slip lower (where they probably still could have picked Duane Brown) and pick up another 3rd round pick. Jerry Jones didn't think there was anyone good enough to pick in the 3rd, but Dallas is a lot better team than the Texans.


Draft Pick #1 - Duane Brown, Virginia Tech, OT


The Good - "I think I can fit in great with what (Alex Gibbs, a new assistant head coach) does," Brown said about the zone blocking system. "His zone scheme fits athletic tackles and guards. My athleticism is my biggest asset, being able to move, get on the second level and cut (block) down." That's the hope anyway.

- Brown was the fastest player at his position at the combine, running the 40-yard dash in 5 seconds.


The Bad - "Brown was a former tight end like Texans right tackle Eric Winston." Winston is just that, a right tackle. Hopefully Brown can stay at the left tackle position and doesn't need to get hidden at G.


The Ugly - "The Texans will ask Brown, who allowed 8 1/2 sacks as a senior, to make the field a safer place for Matt Schaub" 8 1/2 sacks as a senior?!? That's not very good. Jake Long hasn't given up a sack in like two years. The NFL will be harder than college, and if he allowed that many sacks in college...


Draft Pick #2 - Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky, CB


"Molden will compete for the nickel job." Ouch. Hopefully that's meant for just this year. In the third round, you'd like to get a guy who could compete for the #2 CB spot, especially with Dunta Robinson down through half the season. Not a glowing endorsement.


Draft Pick #3 - Steve Slaton, West Virginia, RB

"Slaton should become the third-down back with speed that's been missing." - He's projected to play in certain situations, a reasonable expectation for the first year of a third round pick. That means the Texans will be looking again next year for a #1 RB. That said, I've always liked Slaton. The WVU offense that they ran with Pat White was one of the most fun to watch over the last three years.


"Slaton (5'9/197) might get run over in pass pro. Chris Brown is a pretty good third-down back already and Darius Walker can work those downs too. The Texans have a whole lot of competition at tailback with nothing set in stone. " - good thoughts, but the Texans haven't been afraid to cut RBs loose. They might see Chris Brown as a #1a RB (which I'd be ok with) and Slaton as the 3rd down back. Walker is probably back to the practice squad.


Draft Pick #4 - Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech, OLB

Technically, Adibi was listed as an inside linebacker at Virginia Tech, but he said he played more like an outside backer. - That's convienent, considering the Texans really need an OLB. If nothing else, they could use him as a PR person next year. 'Technically, we were a 6-10 team, but we played more like a 10-6 team'

Draft Pick #5 - Frank Okam, Texas, DT

"The fact Okam lasted as long as he did speaks volumes about how many teams question his desire. " - Uh oh. His redeeming quality is his sheer size - 328 lbs. That type of huge DT seems better suited for a 3-4 type defense (think Wilfork) but the Texans have the luxury of experimenting with one of the DT spots already filled for the forseeable future.


Draft Pick #6 - Dominique Barber, Minnesota, S

"Barber is the younger brother of Cowboys running back Marion Barber III and the son of former Jets running back Marion Barber Jr." - Not good if that's the only thing they had to say.


Draft Pick #7 - Alex Brink, Washington State, QB

"Brink started for 3 years for the Cougars in the pass-happy Pac-10. He set the school's career passing records of 76 touchdowns and 10,913 yards. Kubiak likes the fact that Brink has been chased by some very good players and knows how to get rid of the ball. " - Well, I suppose Kubiak is only being practical (in that Texans' QBs usually get hammered)

Texans Win!

Texans had a big home win against the playoff bound Bucs. Tampa Bay was without Jeff Garcia, and their best WR, "Old Man" Joey Galloway was probably a step slow coming off an injury; however, Houston wasn't at full strength either. Ahman Green has been placed on IR, and Ron Dayne went down with an injury early in today's game. The Texans were able to manage the clock through short, controlled passes by Sage and a decent running game from rookie Darius Walker. They always seemed to get just enough for a first down. The Texans were effective on third down (10-17, 59%) which allowed them to keep the ball for most of the game.

Sage and Matt Schaub have been around for about the same length of time in the NFL. Sage had a few starts and some relief appearances before this year, whereas Schaub hadn't had much experience at all. Still, Schaub is supposed to be the man. So why do I have more faith in the Texans when Rosenfels is starting? He seems to manage the game a little better, has thrown more TD passes and seems to put up more consistent numbers than Schaub. Joe asked whether anyone was talking about Sage starting instead of Schaub. I haven't heard any talk yet; the Texans believe Schaub is their starting QB of the future, and they will play him when he's healthy. However, it has to be reassuring to the Texans coaching staff and front office that they have a backup QB that can win games both as a starter and in relief.

The Texans' Record Setting Season
Best record through 13 games: 6-7 (.452) 2007
Total team TD passes: 17, 2007

Another Sage Sighting

Sage played again in San Diego, this time because of a Matt Schaub concussion. Unfortunately for Sage, Houston had already spotted the Chargers 32 points by halfway through the 2nd quarter. He still looked effective passing against a talented Chargers defense, even though the play calling was obviously skewed away from the run. It sounds like Rosenfels will get the start this Sunday vs. the Raiders, a winable game for the Texans. Hopefully they let Sage throw the ball around from the beginning.

The Texans Record-Setting Season
I can't think of anything right now.

Sage!!!

I'm officially the only Texans fan still excited. There's the tough matchup against the Chargers this weekend, the tough loss to the Titans last weekend and the embarrassment of the Sunday before that. What was once an over .500 season isn't even an even .500 season anymore. The prospects look grim at best. No playoff hopes. Last in the division, behind by 3.5 games. But I see something through the darkness ... behold ...

SAGE!!!

Sage's four fourth quarter TD passes were impressive, as were his 290 yards passing. Between last weeks heroics and the garbage time he played the week before that, Sage has thrown for 372 yards and 5 TDs. Schaub in those two games? 282 yards and 0 TDs. Here are the season lines for both QBs.

Sage has a slightly higher completion percentage, essentially the same yds per attempt, the same number of TDs (with only a quarter of the attempts), a higher rating, and maybe most impressive of all, he hasn't been sacked. Granted, he played garbage time against Jacksonville and the Titans were playing prevent in the fourth, but this was the same line behind which Carr got sacked 41 times last year. He should be getting sacked on accident!

It isn't set in stone that Sage will start. I hope he does, because I'd like to see him play. Unfortunately, Schaub will start the week after that and all through the rest of the season. Rosenfels probably deserves a chance to start at least part of a season, but he won't get that opportunity in Houston.

The Texans Record Setting Season

Even with the two losses, we're still in the midst of what could be the greatest season of Texans football ever. I'll add some new records every week and link to my ever growing list.

Most touchdown passes in a game: 4, Sage Rosenfels 10/21/07

New Blogger (It looks the same to me) = New Post

It's been a while (again). I've decided that more often I need to write things down when I think them. There's been quite a few times lately that the sports guy has stolen my ideas but I haven't had the hard facts to prove it. That changes now. And, it's hilarious to read past posts and see how prophetic they have become.

On the main page right now, two of my previous posts mentioned Brady Quinn as a possibility for the Texans. How close it came to being true! Only Houston would have been dumb enough to trade for Matt Schaub before the draft. I didn't think about this before, but wouldn't it make sense to see if you could land a QB with the 10th pick? If both Russell (who I would have loved to have had) or Quinn were gone, then start working for a trade for Schaub. Worst case, you end up with hometown boy Kevin Kolb in the 4th round or Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith in the sixth! I might have bought season tickets to watch Sage play for the first half of the season and then Troy Smith for the second half. Schaub doesn't do it for me and it makes Quinn - for half the money - look like a pretty good investment.

Biggest winner? Not Cleveland. ESPN made too much about Quinn playing for his hometown team. He never said anything about it before the draft or after the pick - only when somebody asked him about it. After falling that far, he didn't seem all that grateful that somebody moved up to get him in the first round. Everyone could have let him fall right into the second. The biggest winner, in my opinion, was Troy Smith. He'll play for a pretty decent team and behind a quarterback that was a mentor to (2006 Rookie of the Year) Vince Young. Boller is in the last year of his deal and McNair is getting older. Smith should get a shot, but he'll have a couple years to learn the system with a QB that isn't bitter about training his replacement.

We'll see about all this. At least in a couple years, when I read a Simmons article about how Troy Smith was the steal of the draft, I can say I said it first.