I started this year's blog telling you all that the AFC South would come down to coaching. I told you we would lose at least one coach in the AFC south, and that the last game of the season would be for the division, with the loser getting a wild card berth. It will be kind of tricky for the loser to get the wild card, but we will know before the Texans take the field tomorrow if they will be resting key players or playing for the division in Tennessee. To truly understand the quarterback carousel with the Texans, I went back to the last time a new coach took over the team, and compared it to how QB's have been handled in O'Brien's era. Rewind back 9 years ago when David Carr was the starting quarterback. Even after several successful outings by Sage Rosenfels, Kubiak said this after Sage came in and almost led the Texans to a victory against the Titans, “I’m going back to David because I know he’s the best thing for our football team,” Kubiak said Monday. Indicating that the franchise was still committed to Carr, Kubiak added that Carr’s “growth process and his leadership and the type of player he becomes is what’s important to the Houston Texans and this franchise. I’m going to do everything I can to make him the best possible football player he can be."This was after 4 years of Carr being with the Texans. This was after Sage went 18 for 25, 185 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Despite Sage showing flashes, we still went out and traded 2 second round picks for Matt Schaub. So making the move for Osweiler is not all that unfamiliar, but having a coach that is willing to make the decision to pull the 12 million this year, 18 million next year quarterback and go to Savage, I think speaks to O'Brien coming from the Bilichick/Parcells coaching tree. Now looking at the two coaches, you are not really comparing apples to apples. Kubiak took over a team with basically Andre Johnson. So it took 5 years to rebuild that roster. But should it have taken 5 years is the question. In Kubiak's first 3 years he went 22-26, O'Brien so far 26-20 if everything goes well O’Brien will have 2 playoff appearances. O'Brien has definitely brought a sense of accountability to the team, and has shown that you have to perform. Osweiler said it in an early press conference that the way O'Brien defined a leader was by "winning games". After losing 3 in a row, and performing very bad in the next 2, it was obvious that it was time to make a change. Jerry Jones was asked what would it take to switch back to Romo and he responded "You'll know it when you see it." Well we were happy that we saw it. But don't get too comfortable. Remember Fitzpatrick was benched for Savage before, and Savage was injured. Fitzpatrick came back and threw for 6 touchdowns against who?????? The Tennessee Titans. Not to mention the last time Brock was benched, he went on to win a Superbowl.
Well let's start with
the obvious. Gus Bradley gets the F for Fired. The Jaguars loaded
with talent is on deck for another high draft pick. This is very scary
considering the talent they have, especially considering if they can get a Tom
Coughlin, John Gruden, or someone like Bill Cower who may be ready to step back
on the field. Or even a Sean Payton who may be frustrated in New Orleans. With it looking like Pagano is set to miss the playoffs
with a Healthy Luck, I don't know as the coaching search begins early for Ram's
and Jags, that Pagano won't be given his walking papers. Mike Mularkey
has the Titans on a roll. Defeating teams that were picked to defeat
them. This team is on the rise, as expected. I am giving him a C+.
They have utilized the running game very well this year. Mularkey loses his points, in my opinion, not
winning the games you are supposed to win. Big wins over Green Bay,
Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, and loses to 3 teams in your very own soft
division is disappointing. O'Brien isn't too far from that. I have
him at a B-. Being undefeated in your division is huge, not mind blowing
given the division, but you are doing what you are supposed to do. A big
part of his grade will come tomorrow against the Bengals. If Savage has a huge game, his grade will
improve for A.- having the balls to make this move and B.- trusting Savage to help you win the game. I heard on sports radio where
they asked what quarterback has he developed. It takes an obvious special
person to play quarterback in this system. They failed to mention Matt
Cassle's time in the system under O'Brien where they won 11 games but didn't
make the playoffs. How he pulled Case Keenum off a deer lease and won a game, took Weeden from the Cowboy's where he couldn't win a game and won a game with him. None of these guys have left to light it up anywhere else. So how could it not come down to coaching. Insert the biggest thing I missed about Osweiler. If O'Brien could coach those guys in a week or in Savage's case a half and win a game, Osweiler has more than earned his opportunity to be successful in this system. O'Brien has definitely had his fair share of
questionable game management decisions this year. But so far, he seems to
be pretty spot on when it comes to QB's. Starting with his analysis of
the draft. Click here to listen to O'Brien define
the QB's up for the draft in 2014. I still say there is
no way you take a chance on Derek Carr. If he doesn't work out and
Clowney ends in Jacksonville wreaking havoc on the Texans, no way you survive
that. But looking at week 15 I'd take Savage over Bortles, Bridgewater
who is on injured reserve, haven't had the chance to see McCarron, definitely
not Manziel. He mentioned Savage and Garoppolo last. With Garoppolo
going in the 2nd round there was no surprise now that we grabbed Savage in the
4th round. Again this is not new to the Texans organization. They
were roasted for passing on Vince Young and Reggie Bush. Reggie Bush
crippled with injuries and Vince proving to not be able to last in the league.
I wouldn't count Osweiler out, but we've seem to have some pretty good
success with the Bengals when starting backups against them.
I think it's safe to say
the biggest thing with Savage is that he has to stay healthy. When you
ask someone when is the best time to bench a 70-million-dollar quarterback,
there is no answer for that other than "you'll know it when you see
it". Savage being put into the lineup is really not a big deal.
Or was it? In a division game that if you lose, you would then be a
game behind the Titans and no way to possibly clinch on Saturday with a Titans
loss. Looking back Savage definitely looked better than both Hoyer and
Mallet in the preseason, as well as Osweiler in my opinion. We were all grading Osweiler on the fact that we thought there was no way Savage would ever have a shot. At least for a couple of years. But the preseason doesn't mean anything,
especially after Brock had us all excited, going 4-0. It makes it pretty
easy. I told you all how many second half quarters the Texans have not
allowed a Touchdown. But under Romeo, the Texans are 18-0 when they have
a half time lead. We're not asking for Tom to be Tom Sr. Tom Jr.
and Bill Jr. will be just fine with me. But there are too many story
lines with all of this. If the Cowboys and Texans make it to the Superbowl,
you will have 2 QB's drafted 135th overall. If you reach the conference
championship, you have Tom and Bill vs Tom and Bill. You can't make this
up. I told you guys at the beginning of the year; it is HIGHLY unlikely
that we get to a Super Bowl in our own house. However, When I look at
what we have in weapons on the offense, and if we get the chance to rest a few
key people on defense next week, we might be the scariest team in the Playoffs.
I've said before that Bill unleashed a Savage Beast, I'm looking for him
to have a pretty good game. I also think you will see a change of the
guard at Tight End. CJ was Brock's guy, but you can tell that Ryan
Griffin was VERY happy to have Tom as they have had a good rapport in the past.
Savage immediately opened the playbook when he entered the game. At
least that's what I thought. Even wondered if O'Brien was holding back
some plays with Brock to get to Tom. Not the case, they were some of the
same throws Brock was ask to make. But put in better places for the
receiver to make a play on the ball. The completion to Ryan Griffin was
very similar to the one Brock made and Ryan fumbled trying to reach for the first down. The same exact play, different result. Then there is the rock solid back field. Lamar with the finesse,
Blue with the Grind, Grimes with the veteran presence on 3rd down, and Irvin
and Hunt as change of pace backs. Barring Lamar's injury, we should have
a really good game against the Bengals, and an even better one against the
Titans. I am predicting a Jacksonville win against the Titans.
Well I also told you I
thought that we would be activating JJ to return in a possible second round
playoff scenario. But bringing back Brennan Scarlett from IR has put that
opportunity to bed. Looking at JJ on the sideline's, you can tell that he
is nowhere near football shape. I'm not sure how much weight he will have
to put on, but I can tell you that this will be the longest off season ever
waiting to see both him and Clowney on the same field 100% HEALTHY. I'm
predicting at least the 2nd seed in the playoffs next season. Too soon???
Oh well. Looking at Clowney mic'd up, you can tell the difference
when JJ is in the building. He was pumping them up, but more important
you are starting to see Clowney emerge as the leader. The more special
plays he makes the more people will feed off that energy. Something JJ is
all too familiar with. I hope that the Texans don't go conservative and
abandon letting Tom throw the rock. Akeem Hunt who was a bright pop in
Green Bay continues to have fumbling issues. I look for a heavy dose of
Blue, if Lamar can't go. Even with him not practicing today, after 14 games, Lamar is not one that has to practice to play. I'm sure his status
will have a lot to do with the outcome of the Titan's Jag's game earlier in the
day. Getting CJ, and Simon back will be huge for the defense.
Nick Novak has
single-handedly delivered 2 division wins with his leg. He obviously was
in serious pain this past week. By not signing a kicker this week, speaks
to the health of Novak. But we all remember Wilfork's kicking
competition. In 3 seasons filled with injuries on all sides of the ball,
O'Brien has found a way to win and stay ahead of the division. I would
not be surprise to see Vince come off the sidelines for an extra point or 2 in
the case of a Novak set back. But when I say Wilfork will handle Kicking duties. I peg him as the main source of motivation and leadership that has this defense playing like JJ never left the field. When you look at the success of this
team, the success of the defense, I don't think enough credit has been given to
O'Brien for surrounding himself with WINNERS. He said when he arrived
that he wanted to change the mentality in that locker room. ALL OF THESE
GUYS BELIEVE THEY CAN MAKE IT TO THE SUPER BOWL AT NRG. As long as Wilfork is putting this team on his shoulders, I believe them. Listen, being
a leader is not about getting accolades. In fact, a true leader
celebrates the success of the people around him. I give you our secret
weapon. Wilfork's Wisdom!!!! Add Vabrel, Romeo, and now JJ. Why NOW JJ? JJ, even
on the bench is the best player in the NFL. But he's learning how to be
the leader, and not be the one doing all the work. He's now watching
Clowney, Mercilus, Simon, and will be able to come back and find a role where
these guys can keep doing what they do, and JJ still be able to wreak havoc.
Can you imagine that? I know I can! I'm not making a
prediction on the Bengals game because it has too much riding on what Tennessee
does. But I can tell you win or lose, I am stoked about the direction of
this team.
And as
always...........................
Go Texans!
DJ THE DJ
