Gary Kubiak Deserves One More Year WIth The Houston Texans

(Photo caption: Gary Kubiak applauds my approval of one more year at the helm of the Texans.)

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a big Gary Kubiak fan. I’ve written more than once on this site about my dislike for Kubes.

And you know this. No need to recap.

But I’ll say this now: Kubiak deserves one more year to show he’s the right man for the job. 

Or, if you’re slightly less optimistic, Kubiak has one more year to show that he’s in over his head.

I don’t think Kubiak should get an extension or a raise on his current contract. The original deal was five seasons for $10 million. 

Pretty decent salary for a first time head coach, even if he did have ties to Houston.

Owner Bob McNair should let this contract run its course. If the Texans are in the playoffs next year, or even make some noise, an extension is warranted. If the Texans don’t make it to the dance…well, the leader of the band should be sent home.

Has Gary done much to prove he deserves to stick around longer? His career record is 31-33. He’s coming off of his first winning season. But I think there is room for improvement.

In the National Football League (imagine Ron Jaworski saying that), you are what your record is. I don’t think that’s a debatable point. So, based on his record, Kubes is a slightly below average coach. So far.

But let’s go further. Other coaches have started their careers slowly. The Great Hooded One started 36-44 in his first head coaching gig in Cleveland. I’m not comparing the two coaches, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, if you follow.

Bill Parcells went 3-12-1 his first season. Bill Walsh went 2-14. Not many coaches win Super Bowls right out of the gate. 

You get the point. A slow start doesn’t mean a guy can’t coach.

Even I think that Kubiak deserves one more year to show he can be more than an offensive coordinator. There is no doubt his offense works. And we can build on that.

Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels are proof of how well the offense can function when good players run it. Undrafted running back Arian Foster showed how well the running game can work when blocked effectively (granted, New England wasn’t playing his top lineman, but an NFL defense coached by Bill Belichick is nothing to scoff at).

But there is a long line of guys who can draw up the Xs and Os. Being the top dog means more than that. I’ll point to Cam Cameron, Charlie Weis, and even Norv Turner (before this season) as recent examples. 

Being a successful NFL coach is about leadership and attitude. Look at Super Bowl winning coaches: Vince Lombardi, Belichick, Parcells, Jimmy Johnson. These were leaders who coached with a certain attitude and toughness. Their teams embodied those ideals.

I’m not saying that a coach must be an in-your-face or mean S.O.B. type. 

Look at Tony Dungy and Bill Walsh: genuinely nice men who were winners. But these two were still tough, even if they weren’t screamers and yellers and intimidators (that’s a word). 

Inner toughness, quiet toughness…Whatever you want to call it, these men had it.

Let’s go back to Norv Turner. He ran great offenses at every stop he had in the NFL. But he couldn’t ever be the top guy until this year. Maybe something changed in his attitude or outlook. Maybe his message got through to the players better this year than in years past. Either way, he’s a more successful coach than ever before.

This is who Texan fans must hope Kubiak emulates. Kubes has had his run of good offenses, both in Mile High City and the Bayou City. The time has come for him to turn it all around and become the head coach the Texans need.

We all know he can run a great offense and put together plays. We all hope he does a better job next season. He won’t get another chance in Houston if the Texans fall short of the playoffs. Kubes needs to do more than just come up with good plays.

I think the Texans are a few tweaks away from being a serious contender. More talent in the backfield, and improved health and play from the interior of the line on offense. A top-notch cornerback and free safety on defense. Maybe a big defensive tackle. Huge changes are not needed.

The same can be said about Kubiak.

If it were up to me, I’d demand Kubiak improve his body language on the sidelines. Not looking at field goals is something for fans to do…not NFL head coaches. Man up, Gary.

The coaching staff (who are a reflection of Kubiak) must do a better job of keeping their feet on the gas. How many more times will the Texans race out to a lead, only to lose it later? Not under Kubiak.

That is, if he wants to keep his job.

The Texans must become more aggressive and develop a killer instinct. Or bring in more players who play like Brian Cushing and Bernard Pollard. Toughness is more than just yelling and screaming. And leadership is more than just saying the right things.

Kubiak must prepare the team to play tough games right away. Winning games when the pressure is off is for high school, not the NFL. Laying eggs like the Steelers game in 2009 and this season’s opener against the Jets are only two examples. 

Bring it from the beginning, Kubiak.

Kubes has one more season to get over the hump. Otherwise, he might be joining his old boss Mike Shanahan and current offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Washington in 2011. Or maybe he’ll be on TV. 

All I know is, he won’t be coaching our Texans.

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Houston Texans’ First Winning Season: Reason To Celebrate?

Before we get started, let me ask you to excuse my lack of writing recently.  I started a new job and had my wisdom teeth pulled. 

These were both very positive changes in my life, but didn’t leave me much time to write about our beloved Houston Texans.

With that being said, let’s get back to business. 

Should we celebrate the team’s first winning season? 

Absolutely, we should!  This is a team who has never been more than 8-8.  One game above that, while it ends short of the playoffs, is a 9-7 season worth celebrating. 

In the spirit of the New Year and the team’s (relative) success, let’s take a moment to look at the positives that came out of this season.

Matt Schaub was able to play a full season and led the NFL in passing yards.  This is (hopefully) a major development for Schaub.  He is emerging as a leader for this young team and his stats certainly back up a claim that is among the elite in the game.

Andre Johnson continues to amaze.  If Andre isn’t the best receiver in the NFL, he’s on a very short list.  I suppose cases could be made for Larry Fitzgerald or Randy Moss, but I’m partial to AJ.

Arian Foster emerged late in the season as a viable option in the backfield.  Is he a franchise back?  No.  He could be part of an effective rotation with Steve Slaton, however.  More on Slaton later.

The team was able to survive the loss of Owen Daniels.  Joel Dreessen stepped up, as did Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and David Anderson.  Daniels should be locked up long term but the Texans proved they can move the ball without him.  He certainly makes them better, but his absence is not crippling.

On the other side of the ball, rookie Brian Cushing showed why he was taken so early in the draft.  I don’t need to list his stats to prove his worth to the team.  He brings an attitude and toughness to a team that needs more of both. Simply put, if he’s not Defensive Rookie of the Year, the award becomes as big a joke as the Heisman Trophy to me.

DeMeco Ryans was re-energized by Cushing’s emergence.  Along with Zac Diles, the Texans have a trio of young and talented linebackers to lead the defense well into the next decade.

Bernard Pollard, claimed on waivers, was nothing short of a miracle.  He also brought toughness and tenacity to the Texans.  Without a doubt, Pollard is the best safety the Texans have ever had.  He must be locked up for the future.

Finally, Gary Kubiak demonstrated he deserves another season at the helm for the Texans.  I’m still not convinced he’s the best coach for the team, but he deserves another year to show what he can do. 

His offensive scheming is top notch (in the first half at least and unless he takes his foot off the gas).  He still makes errors in time management and challenges, but I’m no longer at the forefront of the “Fire Gary Kubiak” chant.  He can and must do better and should be allowed another season to show his mettle.

While there was plenty to be happy about, there were some, well, less than stellar developments this season.

Kicker Kris Brown, a life long Texan, is simply lost.  He led the NFL in missed kicks and is no longer reliable.  Hell, he even shanked a PAT in Week 17’s victory over New England.  A replacement kicker must be brought in.  I don’t have to tell you about missed opportunities in the kicking game.

Running backs Chris Brown and Ryan Moats are not NFL caliber players.  If somebody tells you differently, immediately question their knowledge of football.  Sure, they’ve shown flashes (brief flashes), but they cannot be counted on to hang onto the ball and score touchdowns.  This is not debatable.

Dunta Robinson is a shell of the player he once was.  He used to be aggressive in run support and as close to a lock down corner could exist in today’s NFL.  Today, he flails at run support and can’t cover any decent receivers. 

It’s too bad.  Dunta was once the heart and soul of the defense.  Now, he’s the appendix.  He brings nothing to the table and must be removed.  It’s honestly sad but true.

On defense, a top notch corner must be brought in to shore up the pass defense and a space eating defensive tackle must be acquired to help in the running game in the off season.  On the other side of the ball, more talent and size in the interior offensive line and at running back must be found.  

Finally, the most important lesson that the Texans must learn is to take care of business. 

They can’t lose five out of eight home games. They can’t lose four division games in a row. 

They can’t show up flat. They have to play four quarters.

My grandfather always told me that the best help is self help.  While his intention was to teach me to be self-motivated, the Texans must take lesson to heart.

The Texans can’t place blame on the Bengals for keeping them out of the playoffs. 

Take care of business and don’t rely on anyone else to help you get to the dance.  That’s what the most important lesson must be. 

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Don’t Be Fooled By Houston Texans’ Late Season Success

Now, I don’t want this to sound overly negative.  Any time the Houston Texans win a game is reason to celebrate.  And we all know there haven’t been enough celebrations throughout the history of the franchise.

But, a win against a reeling Seattle Seahawk team doesn’t mean much.  At 6-7, the Texans are still on the outside and looking in at the playoff picture.  The problems this team has had playing when the chips are down remain.

Playing well when games mean something is still a skill the Texans haven’t developed.  Coming into this game, the pressure was off and the Texans were able to play relaxed and aggressive football.  And beat down the Seahawks.

Sure, there was plenty to be happy about.  Some players deserve special recognition.

Andre Johnson again showed why he’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.  If he’s not the head of the class, it doesn’t take long to call role. AJ scored on the first play of the game on a deep ball when he just blew past corner back Marcus Trufant. 

It was great to see the Texans involve their best play maker early and often.  But it was maddening to wonder why this hasn’t been a bigger part of the game plan all season.  And it was also maddening to wonder why the Texans can’t play with the same aggression and confidence when the games matter.

Matt Schaub had one of the best first halves in league history and threw a total of four incompletions in the opening half.  Schaub checked to a toss sweep to the left side that turned into a touchdown.  It didn’t have the histrionics of Peyton Manning, but it was a great move by the Texans’ signal caller and was just as effective as any of Manning’s calls at the line.

The entire passing offense was rolling.  David Anderson and Kevin Walter made great catches and converted numerous third downs.  Joel Dreessen made plays.  Rookie Arian Foster had 54 yards in the passing game.

The defense also played very aggressively.  Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing played all out and were in Matt Hasselback’s face all afternoon.  Cushing crushed Hasselbeck on the first defensive play.

Amobe Okoye played well, too.  He caused some havoc in the middle of the pocket even if he didn’t sack Hasselbeck.  Zac Diles had some big hits and played well.  Kevin Bentley played like a demon on special teams.

Bernard Pollard ran an interception back for a touchdown.  The 70 yard return came on Pollard’s third interception of the season. He was also very physical in the middle of the field.

Rookies Brice McCain and Glover Quin played very well, specifically on a second half goal to go situation.  Quin made a great tackle on Justin Forsett on third and goal and McCain played blanket coverage on fourth and goal.

Yet, with all these positives, many problems remain. 

Jacoby Jones, one week after being left at home after missing a team meeting, fielded a punt inside the two yard line.  Jones remains one of the most frustrating Texans.  He can return any punt for a touchdown but sometimes his brain seems to shutdown and he makes a truly bone-headed play.  That didn’t hurt the Texans, but it’s still a bad play.

Ryan Moats ran ten times for 43 yards and a touchdown but fumbled in the second half.  In a closer game or against a better team, this could have truly come back to haunt the Texans.

After the fumble, Dunta Robinson was immediately whistled for a face mask.  Dunta better hope he doesn’t get fined, because he needs to start saving some money.  In all seriousness, however, more composure from a supposed team leader is needed.  Had this been a game against the Colts, what could have happened?  We all know what has happened recently.  Let’s not get into it.

Kris Brown missed another field goal and another was blocked.  For the season, three kicks have been blocked and he has missed a total of eight field goal attempts.  He’s among the league leaders in one of the worst categories.

The team continues to struggle in the running game and averaged only three yards per carry.  For an offense that is predicated on play action and misdirection, not being able to run the ball is even more damaging.

Yes, the Texans won, but it doesn’t mask the bigger problems.

Even more troubling was the fact that the team took their foot off of the gas and let up some in the second half. 

Scoring three offensive points against a beaten and injury-riddled opponent shows me that the Texans are still missing killer instinct.  Even after starting so well in the first half and playing aggressively, something happened at halftime.  A switch was turned off, a lever was pulled.  Whatever metaphor you’d like to use, something changed. 

Even though they scored 34 points, the Texans left a lot of points on the field.  There were the two missed field goals.  But even before the blocked kick, a botched snap on third and two cost the Texans a chance for a touchdown. 

Again, early in the third quarter, on a third and two from inside the red zone, the Texans couldn’t convert and had to settle for a field goal.

Had this been against a better team or earlier in the season, what would have happened? Leaving so many points of the field and taking the foot off the gas does not work well against playoff caliber teams.

We all know what the Texans do when the pressure is off.  We saw it last season.  The team finished 8-8 and fooled a lot of people into thinking they could be big winners this season. 

Don’t get fooled again.  A little makeup (the win against Seattle) can cover some warts (the lack of killer instinct, the inability to play with pressure, or however else you’d like to phrase it) might hide the warts to some degree, but the underlying warts remain.

 

 

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Steve Slaton Injury Prompts “Wait Till Next Year” Cry from Houston Texans

By now we’ve all heard or read that Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton is out for the rest of 2009 with a neck injury.

Early reports indicate that the nerve damage is not career-threatening and that Slaton will be ready for next season.

Next season. Wait till next season. Houston fans were not supposed to hear these words until well into January.

The team was 5-3 and rolling. The offense was one of the league’s best, and the defense was coming together. The playoffs were in sight.

Well, many NFL commentators have said that the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and the Texans are yet another example of that old adage. Injuries, stupid plays, and a crippling inability to close games have left the Texans out in the cold.

It’s clear that this season is over. There is a slight mathematical chance the Texans could make the playoffs. But by virtue of me owning a set of golf clubs, there is also some mathematical chance of me making the PGA Tour. The word mathematical does not mean likely or even probable.

In other words, it’s just not going to happen. Consider the 2009 season over. 

With that being said, the Texans are not a lost cause for the future. There are some good pieces in place. Matt Schaub has demonstrated he can stay healthy and rank among the best passers in the NFL. 

Andre Johnson continues to amaze. Brian Cushing has been better than expected and is an impact player. He is solidly in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

There are, however, some questions surrounding the team. Let’s take a look at some of the major holes on the roster. I’ll examine the offense today and take a look at the defense and special teams tomorrow.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

At backup quarterback, Rex Grossman looked nothing short of horrible when he played early against Jacksonville in place of the temporarily injured Schaub. 3-of-9 with an interception for a passer rating under 6.0 against rookie cornerbacks is embarrassing. 

We don’t know what Dan Orlovsky has to offer, but if the coaches are more comfortable with Grossman as a replacement for Schaub, Dan is certainly not the man. A solid veteran quarterback is needed unless the light magically switches for either Grossman or Orlovsky.

While Slaton has not been able to follow up his remarkable rookie year with a successful sophomore campaign, his value to the team remains high. Slaton’s shiftiness and speed are big parts of the passing offense. What must be determined is whether or not Slaton can be a feature back in the NFL. Can he learn to hang on to the ball? Can he run effectively between the tackles?

A big back must be brought in to complement and perhaps even overtake Slaton if Slaton is unable to improve on this season’s less than stellar performance. Chris Brown is clearly not the man for the job, and if somebody says differently, they haven’t been watching the right games.

The interior of the line must also be addressed. Have injuries to both starting guards sapped the strength of the running game? Will lifelong Texan Chester Pitts be able to play after being injured? Will the team sign him? 

Who will replace Kasey Studdard in the lineup? Studdard is intense and passionate. That’s clear. What he does not have is the athleticism to play guard in the NFL—which is too bad, because I think Studdard brings a little bit (OK, more than a little) of that nastiness a good running team needs. 

At center, Antoine Caldwell was drafted last year after a great career at Alabama. He’s big, he’s tough, and he’s a good player. He should start next season. He’s simply bigger and better than Chris Myers. After learning the system this year, he should crack the lineup in 2010.

The tackles, Duane Brown and Eric Winston, are both good young tackles. Brown could use a little more nastiness in the running game, but he has held up well in most games. Keep in mind, he’s only played left tackle for three years. Still, a dependable veteran backup brought in for insurance would be a smart move. 

At receiver, Kevin Walter is a free agent after 2009 and has had a good season. Is he irreplaceable? Probably not. Jacoby Jones is actually making headway as an NFL player and could be a bigger contributor next season. Bringing in a veteran is a smart move, but breaking the bank for Walter is not. If his contract demands are exorbitant, consider him an ex-Texan.

Lastly on offense, the status of Owen Daniels is huge. The Texans have yet to win a single game this season without OD. The injured tight end is simply one of the best in the game and must be signed. Without him, the offense goes from dynamic to good. James Casey and Anthony Hill are going to be solid players in the NFL, but Daniels is on the verge of stardom. He simply must be retained.

Wait till next year might be a frustrating and disappointing refrain to hear again from the Texans, but all hope is not lost. I’ll examine the defense and special teams tomorrow. 

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Houston Texans Loss Against Jacksonville Jaguars Typical For 2009 Season

Could there be a more emblematic series than the first half goal line stand where the Texans’ defense (with major props to weak side linebacker Zac Diles) fought tooth and nail to keep Jaguar’s running back Maurice Jones-Drew out of the end zone?

How does this sound as a microcosm for the entire season?  The Texans allow their opponent to the door step, fight hard for a short while, temporarily prevent the damage, yet still come up short in the end?

Let’s look at it from the viewpoint of the game against Jacksonville first.

The Jaguars moved down the field and had a goal to go situation.  First-and-goal from the seven yard line.  Jones-Drew runs for four yards.  On second down, again, a rushing play for two yards.  Then, with two plays from the one yard line, Houston kept Mo Jo out of the end zone. 

The Texans avoided falling any further behind and kept the deficit at three.  Yet, in the end, the Texans still lost the game.  Sound familiar?

If we look at the 2009 season as a whole, the Texans lost early to New York, Jacksonville, and Arizona.  They fought back and sat at 5-3 and were in the middle of the playoff picture.  Of course, we know now that the Texans would go on to lose four straight games they could have won, and now find themselves on the outside looking in on the playoff race.

Are the Texans actually eliminated from the playoffs?  Mathematically, perhaps not.  There have been four teams who have made the playoffs after starting 5-7, but do these Texans look like they have the necessary fight and intestinal fortitude to do so?  Consider the Texans realistically eliminated from any and all playoff discussions.

Going back to the Jacksonville game, was there a more poorly executed and conceived play than the Chris Brown half back pass?  Brown, who is certainly no favorite of mine, has attempted exactly ZERO passes in his career.  In 64 career games, he’s passed zero times.  Zero.

Why, on first-and-goal, after moving from the Houston 19 to the Jacksonville five yard line in six plays would the Texans attempt such a foolish play?  It reeked of desperation.  It makes no sense to me.  None at all.

The Texans had a chance to win the game, even without injured starters Steve Slaton and Glover Quin and a 13 point halftime deficit.  A touchdown on that drive brings the Texans within four points. 

There was still plenty of time left in the fourth quarter.  The offense had woken up.  Matt Schaub was playing well and was gutting out an injury to his left shoulder.  Jacksonville had nobody who could stay with Andre Johnson.  The defense, by dog piling on David Garrard for a safety, nearly outscored the Jaguars in the second half.  Running a half back pass fails to add up.

I’m all for opening up the playbook to an extent on the goal line.  Staying out of predictable patterns will help the team in the long run.  But, I’m talking about maybe running play action on second and goal or throwing deep on third and short.  I’m not talking about attempting a poorly conceived and even more poorly executed half back pass by backup running back.

Further, why would the play be designed to go to Joel Dreessen?  Andre Johnson just made a huge play in hauling in a 53 yard bomb.  The running game was working.  So,  throwing to Dreeseen was, well, let’s leave it at a “mistake” before my blood pressure goes any higher.  It makes more sense if Owen Daniels is on the other end of the pass, but not Dreessen. 

And, for the record, I don’t have any idea why Brown wouldn’t just throw the ball away.  Why did he throw the ball even as he was hit by Tyrone Brackenridge?  Why didn’t he just throw the ball away?  A poorly thrown ball fluttering in the air is easy for the defense to pick off, especially when four Jaguar defenders were in the vicinity.  Again, we’re left with more questions than answers.

I suppose it’s easy to say that hindsight is 20:20, but trick plays are only good if they work.  When they backfire or blow up in the team’s face, they look stupid.  And desperate.  Did I mention stupid?

Calling that play, much like this losing season, has to fall in coach Gary Kubiak.  It’s clear something is wrong with this team.  I don’t think the talent assembled equates to a 5-7 team.  But, in the NFL, you are what your record is.  5-7 is 5-7.  Talent be damned.  A litany of lost close games still count as losses in the standings.

It looks like one more year of “wait till next year” for the Texans and their fans.

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Houston Texans: Good Enough To Disappoint and Anger

I don’t think it is a stretch to say that this season has been a disappointment for the Houston Texans and their fans.

Before the season started, pundits were picking the Texans as a sleeper team to emerge as a playoff contender.  The team had improved in terms of talent and on-field production and was coming off back to back 8-8 seasons.  The offense was loaded and dynamic and the defense, led by first time coordinator Frank Bush, promised to be aggressive and hard hitting.

After all the hype, excitement and fanfare, the Texans came out and got thoroughly destroyed by the New York Jets in the season opener.  It wasn’t just that the Texans lost, it’s that they lost the physical challenge and were beaten up at Reliant Stadium by a team with a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach. 

I know it’s painful, and I don’t want to go into a game by game rehashing, but the Texans have been in a position to tie or win every other game this season. 

Kris Brown missed potentially game tying field goals against the Colts and Titans on back to back weeks.  Chris Brown, brought in for his supposed talents on the goal line, was unable to score to tie games late against Jacksonville and Arizona. 

In short, these Browns cost the Texans a chance to tie four games.  Granted, these games would only have been tied, but winning even one of these four games would put the Texans at 6-5 and not 5-6. 

Winning even one of those games is the difference between realistically being in the playoff hunt at 6-5 and only mathematically in the playoff hunt at 5-6.  In short, even one of those games would have been monumentous.  Sliding from 5-3 to 5-6 has taken the air out of this season.

What is the problem facing the team?

Is it the offense?  Led by Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub and Steve Slaton, the offense remains strong.  Even without stand out tight end Owen Daniels, the Texans have been able to move the ball and put points on the board.  The running game hasn’t been great, but has been effective at times.  Look at the first half of the home game against the Colts: the team was able to run the ball and put up points.

Is the offensive line perfect?  No, but it is solid.  Tackles Duane Brown and Eric Winston have played well.  Schaub is facing less pressure in the pocket this season than in seasons past. 

Of course, losing both starting guards hurts, but this is the NFL.  Every team has injuries.  Teams must move on.  Chris White and Kasey Studdard have been adequate replacements for life-long Texan Chester Pitts and Mike Brisiel. 

In my opinion, center Chris Myers is not big enough or strong enough to hold up against elite interior defensive linemen, but so are most centers.  There are only a few players in the league who can matchup with monsters such as Shaun Rogers or Kris Jenkins. 

On the other side of the ball, the defense has at times played very well.  Linebackers Demeco Ryans and Brian Cushing have been great.  Cushing should be on the short list of Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates.  He makes an impactful play every week and his physical and aggressive style is contagious. 

On the line, Mario Williams has not played as well as he did in 2008 and 2007, but his shoulder injury must be worse than either he, or the team is disclosing.  He has still played the run well and has been the team’s best defensive linemen.

Free agent Antonio Smith might have more personal fouls (3) than sacks (2) on the season, but he hasn’t been the only big name player to disappoint on the line. 

The light has yet to come on for Amobi Okoye.  He may never develop into the elite pass rusher the team hoped for, but he can still turn into an effective and useful defensive tackle.  He has shown flashes this season of turning the corner, but must become more consistent.

In the secondary, Bernard Pollard has turned into a top performer.  His big hits are only part of the story.  He has actually played well in coverage in recent games.  Granted, he’s not at his best when forced to cover elite slot receivers, but he’s in the lineup for thunderous hits and intimidation in the middle of the field.

Eugene Wilson was solid before his season-ending injury.  Rookie Glover Quin has been solid, as has Jacques Reeves.  Even Brice McCain has played well in limited action.

The only disappointing player in the secondary has been former Pro Bowl cornerback Dunta Robinson.  Once famous for bone-crushing hits and blanket coverage, Robinson is now known for wildly flailing at runners as they fly past him and largely ineffective coverage. 

If it’s not the talent, it must be the coaching, right?  In my opinion, a team that is skittish, unable to finish, draws numerous penalties and makes stupid mistakes is a team that lacks leadership from the head coach.  If it were up to me, Gary Kubiak would finish the season and then pack his bags. 

Firing him now would only lead the team to play out the string and wouldn’t solve anything.  However, replacing Kubiak with an established and experienced head coach can help put the Texans over the top.

As fellow writer Robert Vega has written, Kubiak does deserve a special place in the hearts of Texan fans for driving the team out of the mediocrity of the David Carr years.  Yet his inability to make the Texans anything more than average will, in my opinion, lead to his downfall as the head coach of the Texans.

Fans are still very passionate about the Texans.  In those early years, fans knew that the Texans weren’t going to compete for the playoffs right away.  We were just happy to have a hometown team to root for.  We threw our support behind the team even more with the glorious Sunday Night Football upset of the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s a good sign that the fans are upset.  It shows they care and expect more than just showing up from the Texans.  It’s time for the Texans to be about more than “wait till next year.”

If it’s not the offense, if it’s not the defense, if it’s not the special teams and if it’s not the coach, what are we left with in the end?  A team that teases and tantalizes but does not deliver in the end.  In short, another season of disappointment.

Where does the team go in the future?  First, as I’ve said numerous times, a top flight coach must be hired.  Owen Daniels and Demeco Ryans must be signed to long term deals.  Ryans is seemingly re-energized playing alongside Cushing and Daniels’ absence has been felt despite rookie James Casey’s emergence and potential.

A big time corner also must be added to the mix.  Dunta Robinson may be an emotional leader of the team, but his inability to play at an even average level is hurting the team.

Bernard Pollard should be locked up in a long term deal.  He’s been an incredible find for the Texans.  A free safety who can play exceptional pass defense is desperately needed, as Eugene Wilson is coming off season-ending injury and has lost a step and John Busing is really more of a special teams player. 

The interior of the offensive line and defense line must be improved, as well.  A massive defensive tackle to play alongside Mario and Okoye must be signed or drafted.  A mauling run blocking guard or two is also required. 

It’s disheartening to say that the Texans are still loaded with unlocked potential and have the talent to be a playoff-caliber team.  It’s clear more good players are on the team now than in other seasons.  The Texans are no longer an expansion team.  There are more good players on this team than bad.

Learning how to finish must be an offseason assignment for the entire team.  I don’t know if that can be taught by a new head coach, but it’s certainly not being taught by the current head coach. 

The most disappointing and angering feature of the Texans is that inability to finish.  If they simply weren’t good enough to be competitive, it would be one thing.  But to lose close games to good team, and even to beat good teams on the road, shows me that the Texans are close.  Disappointingly close.

 

 

 

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Fire Gary Kubiak Before Another Season Is Wasted

The Houston Texans played almost a flawless first half and jumped out to a 20-7 lead at halftime.  Sure, some points were left on the field and there were a few mistakes, but leading the Colts by 13 at the half is pretty good.  At one point the Texans were up 17-0. 

(Photo caption: Gary Kubiak looking away from another Houston field goal attempt)

Then the second half started.  Something snapped.  The wheels came off the bus.  The Texans took their foot off the gas and scored exactly ZERO meaningful points while the Colts went up and down the field and scored four unanswered touchdowns to take a 35-27 victory.  Jacoby Jones’ touchdown with 18 seconds left might have made the onside kick meaningful, but it did little to change the game.

What happened in the second half?  Where was the leadership?  Matt Schaub certainly made some mistakes and threw two back breaking interceptions.  Let’s break these down a bit further.

On the first pick, there was some sort of breakdown.  Andre Johnson ran one route and Schaub threw to a second route.  The only problem was that two Colt defenders were there to pick off the errant pass.  It was like fielding a punt the throw was so offline. 

At this moment, there was some sense or feeling that things were going to get worse.

And worse they got.  Schaub threw another horrible interception that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Clint Session.  Schaub just made a poor decision and made a bad pass to James Casey.  Apparently, he didn’t see Session undercutting the route.

Schaub also held onto the ball too long and was stripped by Robert Mathis when the outcome of the game was still in the air. Chad Simpson scampered into the end zone moments later and the game was effectively over.

But this loss does not fall onto Schaub’s shoulders.

Why did the Texans take their foot off the gas?  You can’t let a great team like the Colts hang around.  The Texans must learn how to finish games.  Houston’s lack of killer instinct came back to haunt them again.

What is the problem?  Is it the talent?  I don’t think so.  The offense is loaded with play makers even without injured Owen Daniels.  Andre Johnson is flat out amazing.  He routinely makes incredible catches. James Casey looks promising in his rookie year.  The offensive line is playing well.  Steve Slaton is (hopefully) over his fumbling issues.  Kevin Walter is a very effective second receiver.

On the other side of the ball, the defense has come around.  Mario Williams pressured Peyton Manning all day.  Brian Cushing and Demeco Ryans are good linebackers.  Bernard Pollard and Glover Quin have made the secondary better.

One quick note.  There is a major problem with Dunta Robinson, however.  He cannot cover anyone anymore.  Granted, Reggie Wayne is a great receiver, but Robinson couldn’t get near him without interfering.  Was there a bigger off season blunder bigger than Robinson’s leaving $23 million guaranteed on the table?  He’s not going to get anything close to that in the future. 

My point is, the talent is there.  That’s not the problem.  Again, I urge you examine Gary Kubiak’s role in another loss. 

Who made the decision to take the foot off the gas?  Who is the leader of the team?  Who made minimal at best half time adjustments?

Kubiak.  Kubiak.  Kubiak.

There is almost a sense of panic in the way that Kubiak coaches.  When the Colts got a little momentum, Kubiak went for a big play down field.  Never mind that the running backs had just picked up 15 yards on two plays to move the chains.  That seems like a great time to go for a home run. 

Now, I’m all for being aggressive.  This is football, not soccer.  But being aggressive just for the sake of it?  Insane. Can Antonio Smith’s three personal fouls in the past 6 days be indicative of the panic coming from the head coach?  Is Smith’s lack of composure a reflection of Kubiak’s?

Kubiak seemingly panics whenever adversity shows up.  It’s permeating the entire team.  People always say that a team takes on the personality of the head coach.  Well, the Texans seemed to panic and were unable to finish the game.  Sound familiar?

There is too much talent on this team being wasted by an inept and ineffective coach.  As a offensive coordinator under a strong willed head coach in Denver, Kubiak was successful.  Let’s pause to mention Mike Shanahan and John Elway.  But, note the strong head coach.

In Houston, Kubiak has hired baby-faced Shanahan Junior and a first time defensive coordinator in Frank Bush.  Where is the strong personality leading the team?  Who is the one in charge?  Is is the coach who doesn’t even look at field goal attempts?  I say, emphatically, no!

The Texans were 5-3 and are currently riding a three game losing streak.  Every game has been close, minus the season opener.  Couldn’t some better coaching help this team win even one of those games?

Blown challenges, poor clock management, poor leadership.  Minus the success and 200 pounds, Kubiak does a pretty good Andy Reid impression. 

Could the Texans win out and make the playoffs?  Yes, it’s not entirely out of the question but it seems unlikely. 

But isn’t four years enough time to determine what kind of coach Kubiak is? 

I say, again, yes.  It’s been enough time.  We’ve seen what Kubes can do.  It’s time for a real coach. 

Before another season is wasted.

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Gut Punch: Immediate Analysis of Houston Texans Loss to Tennessee Titans

In a word, this game was deflating. 

Coming off of a bye week and two weeks of hype after a close loss to the Colts, the Houston Texans returned home to face a 3-6 Tennessee Titans team. 

A home game against the last place team in your division should be as good a get well recipe as grandma’s chicken soup. 

But, alas, it was not meant to be.  The Titans came into Reliant Stadium on Monday Night Football and found a way to win 20-17. 

Let’s just get this part out of the way.  Vince Young might not be the best passer, but he does win games.  (Question:  What is uglier?  Vince’s passing attempts or his post game brown suit with buttoned shoulder flaps?  You decide.) 

Young is now 22-11 as an NFL starter and 2-0 in Houston.  Sure, he was 11-of-22 for 116 yards, but he scrambled for 73 yards and picked up what seemed like every third down conversion. 

Only the most delusional Young supporter would argue it was the sexiest game, but quarterbacks are ultimately measured by victories, and Young came away with yet another close victory. You really can’t argue with that.

When the Titans got the ball back after a late fourth quarter punt, it seemed like this was the type of game Vince Young was made for.  Tie game, three minutes to go.  That’s VY’s time.  It simply cannot be argued.

It might be frustrating as all get-out for Texans fans, but at the end of the day, VY led his team to victory.

But, did the Titans win or did the Texans lose?  In my mind, there is a difference.  Let’s first see if the Titans won the game (clearly, they did win the game, but this analysis is slightly different).

The Titans’ most dangerous weapon is Chris Johnson, and he ran for over 150 yards.  Granted, nobody has really slowed Johnson down this season, but the Texans consistently led him pick up handfuls of yardage time and time again.

In the passing game, there were only a handful of attempts that Young threw down field.  The longest completion was 27 yards to Bo Scaife.  No receiver had more than four catches or more than 42 yards.  But Young was able to scramble and run option plays for first downs time and time again.

Nothing pretty, nothing fancy, but the Titans did enough to get a victory.  But, is that winning or not losing?  Let’s continue our analysis.

On the other hand, Steve Slaton was not only a non-factor in the running game (5 carries for 21 yards) but he dropped a key third down pass from Matt Schaub in Titans territory. 

That play occurred was on third and 10, and it’s not a given Slaton could have gotten the first down, but a fourth and three or four at least leaves the option of going for the conversion on the table. Fourth and 10 equals punt.

That is a catch that must be made.  Houston punted, and Young and Johnson did enough to get a field goal attempt.

Second, and perhaps most egregiously, Kris Brown missed two field goals.  Yes, neither was a gimme attempt. 

But a kicker isn’t paid over $1.4 million to miss two field goals on home against a hated rival on Monday Night Football. Kicking is a results-oriented profession, and Brown has looked, in a word, bad recently.

All this season I have railed against running back Chris Brown.  I’ve said he’s not tough enough and he’s not good enough to play for the Texans.  Look like I might have not have been broad enough in my vitriol against players named Chris or Kris Brown. 

Kris Brown has cost the Texans two chances to tie games late with missed field goals.  That is inexcusable.  Chris Brown has cost the Texans two chances to tie games by failing to score touchdowns.  That, too, is inexcusable.  Look for left tackle Duane Brown to be the only player surnamed Brown playing for the Texans next season.

Third, is there any question Dunta Robinson is a shadow of the former Pro Bowl player?  He gave up Young’s only touchdown pass when he simply could not cover rookie Kenny Britt on a crossing pattern.  He was flagged for defensive holding. 

Robinson missed tackles on Young and couldn’t cover a single Titan effectively.  Guess Rick Smith got lucky that Dunta foolishly didn’t sign a long-term contract. 

If you ask me, the Texans did more to lose the game than the Titans did to win the game.  Is that just a matter of semantics?  Perhaps. 

Does it make me or any other Texan fan feel any better?  No, not really.  And, in the end, doesn’t Tennessee get another victory at the expense of the Titans?  Again, yes.

Look, I know there were some cheap shots by the Titans that were not penalized.  Courtland Finnegan took some swings at both Brown and Slaton in pile ups. 

Kyle Vanden Bosch catapulted himself helmet first at Matt Schaub numerous times.  Schaub was driven to the turf a number of times by Titan defensive linemen. 

Yes, none of these were flagged, but whining about the refs blowing this game might make you feel better but is only masking the real problem. 

This is football and the Titans plays a certain way.  The Texans play a certain way.  At the end of the day, however, all that matters is the win or the loss. 

Is all hope for the season lost?  No.  Houston remains in the playoff race at 5-5.  James Casey played well in the absence of Pro Bowl caliber tight end Owen Daniels. 

But that’s for another day.  All that matters today is the devastating and deflating loss to the Titans in a game the Texans lost more than the Titans won.

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Big Picture: Where Are the Houston Texans After Losing to the Colts?

We all know the Texans lost an opportunity for a signature win against the Colts on Sunday. Beating the Colts on the road for the first time would have been a huge moment for a team on the rise.

What does this loss mean in the big picture? More importantly, where are the Texans in the grand scheme of things?

(Photo Caption: Let’s hold on a second and look at the big picture)

First of all, in spite of Joel Dreessen’s solid play and the inclusion of Kevin Walter in the passing game, the Texans miss Owen Daniels. Not only was Daniels among the league leaders at tight end in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns, he was Matt Schaub’s security blanket. 

Daniels had built up great chemistry with Schaub, and the two were so locked in on third downs. It was like they were able to see what the other was going to do before it happened. That is very hard to replace.

Schaub has similar chemistry and connectivity with Andre Johnson. Perhaps Schaub trusts Johnson too much, as he threw into triple coverage and hoped Andre could out-wrestle three Indy defenders for the ball. Not even the otherworldly Johnson could keep this pass from being intercepted in the first quarter.

Daniels’ loss hurts in many ways. Not only is he absent from the lineup, but opposing defenses can afford to send more coverage towards Andre without fear of being burned. Other players such as Walter, Jacoby Jones, and David Anderson must step up to replace Daniels. 

Second, it appears the Texans have finally found a good player at strong safety in Bernard Pollard. This Kansas City castoff is a thunderous hitter and plays with an intimidating swagger. His infectious attitude energizes the other defenders. 

Not only does Pollard excel against the run, he is above average against the pass. Sure, one of his interceptions came off of Reggie Wayne, but Pollard still managed to pick off Peyton Manning. 

The Texans have cycled through so many players at safety over the years and even this season. Pollard has been a godsend at the position and can help this team going forward for years to come. He was a second round pick out of Purdue in 2006, so it’s not like he’s long in the tooth. I hope the Texans lock him up long-term.

Third, we saw that things remain just as cloudy, if not worse, at running back. Ryan Moats started because Steve Slaton fumbled too much. Well, of course, Moats fumbled on a controversial play near the end of the second quarter. More on this later. 

Adding to the uncertainty is that Slaton didn’t fumble and managed to score a rushing touchdown. Still, neither player was able to generate much on the ground.

At this point, not knowing what either back will bring on a week to week basis seems like it will be the only answer for the Texans this season. Moats may get four yards on a carry by falling forward, but Slaton is more likely to create an explosive play. 

Uncertainty is likely to hang over the running game for the remainder of 2009. How else can we explain the team kicking the tires on Larry Johnson, another player cut by the Chiefs? 

Maybe Johnson can be productive for the Texans behind a better offensive line, but perhaps (and probably more likely) he will continue to be one of the worst teammates in the NFL and a locker room cancer. 

Fourth, it’s time people recognize that the Texans have a good defense. Sure, Dallas Clark caught a lot of passes, and Manning threw 40 times in the first half. But most importantly, two early drives were turned into field goals and not touchdowns. Texans defenses of years past would have given up three touchdowns and fallen behind 21-0 rather than 13-0.

The defense, and the rest of the team, did not fold when things got tough. They fought back against the undefeated Colts. I know they didn’t win, and we’re too far along to celebrate moral victories, but this was an effort worth celebrating. It’s worth repeating: The Texans finally have a good defense.

Fifth, Gary Kubiak remains on the hot seat. A three-game winning streak was fine and dandy, but the time has come to win big games. I don’t want it to sound like I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth, but the time to win is now, and the time to celebrate every moral victory is long gone. The Texans must either make the playoffs or come very close in order for Kubiak to keep his job, in my opinion.

Sometimes, it appears Kubiak is the man for the job. Clearly the offense is humming along. The Texans haven’t looked outcoached very often this season. Also, the team is a franchise-best 5-4 and in the middle of the playoff hunt. But then again, sometimes the old ugly Kubiak comes out from wherever he was hiding. 

I know you don’t want to read all the grisly details, and I certainly don’t want to go into them (this still hurts), but waiting for the two-minute warning and allowing the Colts more than enough time to look at replays of Moats’ controversial fumble was flat-out foolish. 

I almost screamed myself hoarse trying to cajole the Texans the snap the ball. Yes, some of that blame falls on the coaches in the replay booth, but Kubiak is the captain of the ship. If the Texans’ ship sinks, Kubiak rides it to the bottom.

Something else Texans fans can take away from this game is that the Texans are close. Oh, man, are they close. 

They had three first half turnovers on the road against the Colts and still had a chance to tie the game. Schaub led the offense on a great two-minute drill to set up the field goal. The defense created turnovers and pressured Manning. 

These are all good signs. The Texans are close, but not quite all the way there. This game showed that the Colts are still the better team, but that gap has shrunk. The Texans are on their way. 

Finally, even after letting another victory slip though their hands, the Texans are still in the middle of the playoff hunt in the AFC. The Texans are competing with the loser of the AFC North race (either the Bengals or Steelers), Baltimore, New York, Jacksonville and San Diego for the two wild card spots. 

As of now, the Texans have a better record than the Ravens and Jets. They’ve beaten the Bengals. They have proved in the past capable of beating the Jaguars. Things are looking promising for Houston.

Also, the schedule looks good for the Texans. Only three road games remain, and all three are winnable. The Texans visit St. Louis, Jacksonville, and Miami. The Dolphins are the toughest opponent, but the Texans have played the run well this season. Are you concerned about Chad Henne and Ted Ginn running up points against the Texans? I didn’t think so.

At home, the Texans should be able to defeat the new-look Titans and Seattle. A home game against the Colts could be another win, and a week 17 matchup with New England could easily be won if the Patriots are resting starters. (Note I said “could.”)

I’m not saying the Texans are going to win the rest of their games this season, but those are all winnable games. Getting to 10-6 or 11-5 is possible. 

In the big picture, the Texans are not a perfect team. They are in the playoff hunt though, and that is reason enough to celebrate.

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Disaster: Texans Lose Heartbreaker Against Colts

Sure, Kris Brown pulled a potentially game-tying field goal wide left as time expired in Indianapolis. 

Sure, Matt Schaub went a second straight week without a touchdown pass. 

And sure, there were 13 penalties called on the Texans. Some of those were flat-out mystifying.  I still don’t know how Connor Barwin was offsides on an early call.  He sure didn’t look like it on replay.

Let’s not even mention the strange chain of events at the end of the first half when Ryan Moats fumbled on the 1-yard line. But this was not because of the refs.

(Quick side note: I have no idea why Schaub and Gary Kubiak decided to run the clock down to the two-minute warning instead of hurrying up to the line and running a play after the fumble.  I just don’t get it. Why give the Colts time to see the replay and challenge the play?  Why?

I was screaming at the TV for the Texans to run a play.  When the game went to the two-minute warning, I knew the Colts would end up with the ball.  Somehow, I just knew.  Let’s move on.  It’s still too painful and it still doesn’t make sense.)

Going back to the Brown kick, I will say that the snap and hold were nearly textbook.  Brown just pulled the ball left.  He knew it immediately.  I’m sure nobody is more upset about the miss than Brown is.

But the game should have never come down to a field goal to tie. A lot of people will blame Brown this week, but I don’t think this game was about the kicker.

There were some positives.  The Texans’ defense played fairly well.  Bernard Pollard snagged two interceptions, including one from Reggie Wayne.  The high-powered Colts scored only two touchdowns. 

Steve Slaton didn’t fumble (although Moats sure did) and Joel Dreessen played fairly well in replacing the injured Owen Daniels.  The Texans were able to move the ball and did a good job protecting Schaub against the fearsome Indianapolis pass rush.

The biggest problem that plagued the Texans was the sleepwalk that was the first 20 minutes or so of the game.  A quick three-and-out on offense.  Numerous stupid penalties.  A horrible throw by Schaub into triple coverage.  It seemed the Texans were not ready to play when the game started.

We can all agree that the Texans of years past would have laid down after falling behind early.  The Colts would never have been held to field goals instead of touchdowns.  The old Texans would have seen Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne running wild all over the field.

But, these Texans did hold the Colts to field goals.  Clark and Wayne did not cross the goal line.  The Texans did not lay down and were able to fight back. 

The Texans are good enough to play with the Colts.  That’s not debatable.  The Texans are not good enough to remain asleep for the first half.  That’s neither debatable or acceptable. 

In one of the most important games in franchise history, the Texans came out flat and lifeless.  Not many teams could spot the Colts nearly an entire half and still have a chance to win. 

I wonder what could have happened if the Texans were not sleepwalking in the first half.  

Teams lose games.  Even good teams lose.  But losing because you’re not ready to play is inexcusable.  This game was not lost because of Brown’s missed kick.  Houston lost because they were still asleep when the game started.  It’s shameful.

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