Wow. This is not complicated. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say about this game as the week goes on, but really – what more is there to say than this:
Run the ball. Run it. See the ball? Yeah – RUN IT!
Arian Foster is a star. He’s not just a system guy. He’s a game-changer and a difference-maker. If you run Foster and he’s getting stuffed over and over – fine, you rely on the pass. But Foster was getting big chunks of yardage from the START today (well, when Gary Kubiak and/or Rick Dennison finally let him run it). So why abandon it? I’m going to tell you why.
*Deep breath*
Okay. I have no idea why the Texans do this, but it’s been happening all throughout the Kubiak Era. The Texans CONSTANTLY try to be cute. They want to outsmart people. They want to outcoach the other team (which I honestly don’t think has ever happened). The only time I can think of when they DIDN’T try to get cute… was the first game of the year against Indianapolis!
It doesn’t matter if the other team knows what you’re going to do. The question is – can they stop it? Did the Colts stop the Texans running game in game one of the season? No. Did the Texans stop running the ball in the first game of the season? NO! Did the Colts stop the run tonight on Monday Night Football? NO! Did the Texans stop running it? Well, I guess you have to START running to actually be made to stop, don’t you? Unbelievable. Inexplicable. Inexcusable.
I don’t understand. Dwight Freeney continued his complete and utter dominance of Duane Brown. The Texans didn’t get Brown much help, and by passing SO much in the first half, they forced themselves into passing a lot in the second half. When Freeney knows the Texans are going to pass, he’s even MORE dominant over Brown than he usually is.
Can’t put this one on the defense
Sure, the Texans only gave up 23 points on defense, but as they have all season, they still broke when it mattered most. They didn’t get enough pressure on Manning, they didn’t stop the Colts on third down enough, and they gave up long, extended drives. Another big problem that isn’t getting better, as much as I hate to say it, is that Bernard Pollard is getting absolutely destroyed out there. His coverage has gone from bad to worse, and now he’s inexplicably starting to miss a lot of tackles.
There will be more to discuss, of course. I’m sure there will be some interesting nuggets from tonight and tomorrow’s Kubiak press conferences. As always, he will blame himself… but will he blame himself for the right reasons? “Aw shucks, it’s on me” is one thing, but how about “I really blew it by not running the ball more. We ran the ball effectively all game long, but I really want everyone to think I’m super-smart, so I tried to outsmart everyone and it was a total disaster, and it cost us a REAL chance to when a game when the Colts were not at their best.”
This was a very frustrating game. The Texans honestly could have won this game, had they played to their strengths and not repeatedly exposed their weaknesses. My mind boggles with bewilderment at what went on out there. We could all see the problem, but apparently our offensive brain trust could not.
So let’s all vent, shall we?
Nov 2, 2010 at 08:01:00
What frustrated me more than anything in the game last night? The RUN game!!! We finally have a great running back that runs for a 7 yard avg every time he touches the ball, yet we refuse to utilize him. WHY??????
And can we give Schaub a little breathing room? You know, maybe a little longer than 2 seconds to throw the ball!!!
This game was very frustrating, hoping they’ll fix things by Sunday.
Nov 2, 2010 at 08:49:46
Well said about the run game and I think everyone saw that last night. However, there are a couple other things that bothered me:
1) I (as a fan) am getting tired of the Texans being out-coached. It was brushed upon in the reading but needs to be beaten down with the biggest hammer you can find. (I guess that’s what you get from an AGGIE!)
2. When will our defense make something happen? I look at other defenses around the league and they make stuff happen (i.e. fumble, interception, sack(S)). The Texans just can’t make it happen.
I think it would be funny to start a fill in the blank. I’ll start,
“I feel sorry for the defense when…” The Texans run the ball extremely well and are able to keep the best QB in the NFL off the field, but refure to do so.
Nov 2, 2010 at 09:29:50
I could not agree more with your write up. It’s hard to explain just how frustrated I was during the first half. I was screaming at my TV for the Texans to run the ball and yet they just kept attempting passes and getting dominated.
I blame this loss on the coaching staff. I don’t know if it was Kubiak or Dennison, but it really doesn’t matter. Whoever was calling the offensive plays for the first three drives completely failed. They single handedly gave away a very important game that was totally winable.
I don’t mind seeing the Texans lose as long as they are operating at their full potential. If you go out and give the other team everything you have and you still get beat, then I can live with that. But to see them go out there and not even utilize their best weapon? I’m speachless. That’s almost like the Colts refusing to let Manning throw the ball.
Nov 2, 2010 at 10:28:42
I’d like to point out that Jackson and Quin didn’t give up as many big plays as usual if that’s a positive.
Nov 2, 2010 at 11:35:26
I hate to say it but it looks like the “juice” works. Cushing since his return has been nothing like the dominant force he was his rookie year. Duane Brown, one game from his return gets destroyed. Granted it was by a top DE in the league but he looked 5 steps too slow out there.
Nov 2, 2010 at 12:17:30
This game reminded me of everything the Texans were before beating the Colts this season.
Nov 2, 2010 at 12:57:38
@JC – agreed. Eugene “I got hurt by Brett Favre” Wilson also had a couple of sweet pass defenses. It would just be great if they would actually catch one of those every now and then.
@everyone else – yes, it is frustrating that, to cite a reference to the videogame “Doom” – we had the BFG9000 (Foster) but we chose to fight the Cyberdemon (F’n Peyton) with a shotgun (Schaub, when being assaulted by “The Tasmanian Devil” Dwight Freeney)
I hope someone notices and can address this candidly with Kubiak, because it was a serious mistake to play with a hand behind our back simply because “they expected us to run”. Well, genius, do you know WHY they expect a run? BECAUSE Arian Foster kicked their @$$ last time!
Realize that this is the equivalent of The Colts opening with 10 of 16 rushes because “they expect us to use Peyton Manning”.
All of that said, breathe people. The Colts have to travel to Philly and we play a Chargers team that is 0-4 on the road. It’s not that crazy to believe we’ll be right back in a 3-way tie by Sunday night. (and for those who are worried about Phillip Rivers, well, we’re 2-0 when giving up 400+ yards in the air)
Finally, I pose a question: is going 9-7 and missing the playoffs grounds to fire Kubiak at the end of the year?
Nov 2, 2010 at 13:20:44
@ Kyle. A 9-7 year again I think would be grounds for Kubiak getting the boot. We have a lot of talent on that field but we aren’t playing up to our potential. We are way too inconsistent. I lay that blame on the coaching staff. Frank Bush needs to leave too. Does Buddy Ryan have any more kids? WE need a hardnosed, fire ‘em up coach to lead our defense. Shoot, lets just get Buddy Ryan himself. Then we can hire Gilbride again just so he can punch one last time.
Nov 2, 2010 at 13:39:38
Yes, that was an awful display of playcalling and scheme. More than just being cute, Kubiak punked out the entire game. Throwing on 3rd and 2 early in the game is an oft-cited example. I couldn’t believe the punt with 5:30 left in the game down by ten at 4th and 9. The game is over if you punt to Peyton Manning there with the worst defense in the NFL (and it was). You need two scores. You might as well take a shot. That at least sends a message. At least give your players a real chance to make a comeback rather than just punt it for scoreboard aesthetics.
Nov 2, 2010 at 17:58:23
I really want someone in the Houston media to demand an explanation to the non-running of Foster.
The best MNF I ever saw was Indy vs Miami: Miami ran the wildcat to perfection and had a time of possession of over 44 minutes! There were several plays when Ronnie Brown would hike the ball, then just stand there for a second while the Dolphins’ o-line crated massive chasms of running room. It took Peyton playing the game of his life to win.
I guess Kubes doesn’t watch TV.
Nov 2, 2010 at 19:35:38
What would you think of the Texans singing Randy Moss? Play Moss for about 3 weeks while Andre heals up. Once Andre is fully healed, cut Moss to minimize the locker room disruption?