Will everyone please step away from the ledge. I told you back in my
season predictions that we would lose about 4 games for the season. I
also told you that I felt that we would be battling for the division against
the Titans the last game of the season. It was also in that same blog
that I told you I felt that the Colts would take a step back. The Texans
have faced 3 really good defensive teams. Do not snooze on Dick LeBeau.
With 2 Superbowl wins, several appearances in the playoffs, the Titans
aren't the easy push over that they used to be. Every win in the NFL is a
good one. But not every loss means that your team is headed to doomsday
BULLYvard. As a fan, I try to remain grounded in the fact that your team
is not going to win the Superbowl every single year. In fact, most
organizations will go decades and scores before even sniffing the Big Day.
I look at the number of first round picks the Browns have spent on
Quarterbacks. The amount of picks that the Redskins gave up to go get
Robert Griffin III. The times that sports talk radio in Houston was
flooded with calls, even spouting racism as a reason for us not drafting Vince
Young, and passing on Reggie Bush. Turned out to be a pretty good move in
the long run. But could you imagine the position we'd be in if Mario
would have given a home town discount to return? But we have lost pretty
good to what I think may just be the top two teams in the league. Denver
seems to be taking a step back, the Panthers are on downward spiral, and all
the teams we thought would struggle without their starting QB are on an amazing
run. Oh wait, didn't I tell you Dak would have a pretty amazing go, and
Romo's return would be a spectacle? While we are waking up, also don't
dismiss the season that Clowney is having. Leading the lead in Tackle's
for a loss, knowing that sacks sometimes come in bunches, he has definitely
made a step forward. But the question now remains WHO IS THE CAPTAIN NOW?
JJ has always been the heartbeat of this team. On the sidelines
before the game, pumping up the crowd just by raising his hands. This
Colts game has to have someone walk in that backfield and punch someone in the
mouth. Get up and light up that crowd with vigor and no remorse. We
need QB hits, hurries, and horror. It will be important for Luck to be
rattled and have no time in the pocket. The injuries in the secondary are
scary, but that's where the running game and controlling the clock is important
on every possession. I'm looking for someone on the defense not to
replace JJ's stats, because that will take a few people to accomplish that.
But I'm looking for someone to be that guy to punch them upside the
helmet and get them ready to run through a brick wall. Now don't get me
wrong, Cushing is the captain of the defense. But if we are going to keep
that explosive offense off the field, someone on that defense is going to have
turn all 11 of those guys into savages.
I keep hearing everyone referring back to the 70 million we paid
Brock. First of all, like WE, paid it and second of all like we gave it
all to him before he played one down in the regular season. Now I'm not
going waste any time on listing all the free agents available in 2016 and the
one's coming up in 2017. I will tell you at the top 5 were Kirk Cousins
(28), Brock (25), Fitzpatrick (33), Sam Bradford (28). Chase Daniel (30).
Coming up next year is Kirk Cousins (29), Fitzpatrick (34), Case Keenum
(29), Shaun Hill (37), and E.J. Manuel (27). So tell me what name off
this list you would want to invest your future in. Get out of here with
who you would pick in the draft, because if that was a winning way Jarred Goff
wouldn't be 3rd string. This season is going according to schedule.
I will get into injuries in just a bit, but up and through these 5 games,
we are ahead of the curve on what we've done in the past. Looking at the
last 2 seasons, we have new quarterback's as starters. ALL 3 OF THEM,
Fitzpatrick, Hoyer, and Mallet combined for 12 and 13 interceptions each year.
Fitzpatrick threw 6 out of his 8 interceptions in the first 5 games.
This system is complex. But what's even more important that the
quarterback knows it, is that the offensive line knows it even better.
Brock has some work to do like not taking long strides to back up in the
pocket, and to get the ball out faster. But we also have to call better
plays and utilize Lamar as a receiver out of the back field. Johnathan
Grimes going down has shown on special teams, and also with the amount of
carries that Lamar has received. Out of the gate he was on target to triple
the amount of carries he had last season. Was definitely on pace to catch
Adrian Peterson at 327 attempts. Alfred Blue who struggled with an injury
in the preseason seems like is being worked back into the backup role. I
don't think it was a coincidence that we abandoned the run against the stout
defense of the Vikings. Coach O'Brien has always been known for saying
this season isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. But I strongly believe that
his production is a product of his offensive line struggles. Look at his average
per carry vs what he's done so far as a Texan.
Lamar Miller Average Per carry down to 3.7 from 4.5 Click Here
2011's nightmare of injuries was probably as bad as I remember.
Having to bring in retired QB's Jeff Garcia, and Jake Delhomme was
probably about as low as it gets. But we were sure ready to deny that
Brett Favre would ever be asked to come back. With 5 players already
ruled out, Jeff Allen is the biggest concern of them in my opinion.
Special Teams are missing Peters, Grimes, and the defense will definitely
miss Demps at Safety. But with Andrew Luck being sacked 5 times by the
Chicago Bears, it will be extremely important that the crowd is louder than
they've ever been when Indy is on Offense. The Colts defense has shown an
inability to line up and be ready for the snap. Brock will need to get us
into plays and move the ball. Clowney has been getting into the backfield
at will. It will be important that he continues his streak for tackles
with a loss, and the Ninja Antonio Smith has shown improvement in two games and
Wilfork is having one of his best seasons as a Texan. We will need to
continue to open the playbook. Hopefully Braxton Miller is healthier now,
and can once again become a threat across the middle. Brax, Lamar, Ryan
G. and C.J. must draw attention to free up DHop and Fuller V. The
secondary, likely without Kareem and a banged up J Jo, will need to not let TY
beat them deep. After chasing around Will Fuller V and Braxton Miller in
practice, Kevin Johnson, A. J. Bouye, and Eddie Pleasant will have to step in
as the next man up. I've told you the importance of great coaching and
that I felt we have the best coach in the AFC South. However, we have had
some calls, like a screen play on 4th and 16 that has caused many of us to
question this thought. Winning this division is predicated on sowing up
the number one spot. The same old Texans would lose this game to make it
interesting. As we would then become in a tie for first, and then
possibly be playing for our lives when we head north to play at Lucas Oil
Stadium. Where, let's face it, our record isn't all that stellar. The
same old Texans would show up and be blown out on national TV. Brock
would throw several interceptions and we would all be talking more about what
this guy is being paid than we are talking about what the second half of the
season will be. But now the Same Old Coach O'Brien Texans would perform
better in the second half than the first. 2014 last 11 games 6-5, 2015
8-3, if we improve just 1 game this year from last we're finishing 12-4.
The Colts game is even more important to tell us who this team is and who
they are trying to become. Houston is tired of having its hope lifted,
only to be let down. This team has the offensive and defensive talent to
win now. With Denver on the horizon this team needs to show us some
Testicular fortitude. And Afterwards I don't want to hear "It was
just the Colts".
and as always..............................................................
Go Texans!
DJ THE DJ
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