A Season on the Brink: Houston Texans’ Season Turns Disastrous with Oakland Loss

The Houston Texans, standing at 1-2, host the Oakland Raiders this Sunday at Reliant Stadium.  There’s no point in rehashing, but the Texans are a disappointing 1-2 after getting out-manned by the New York Jets and fumbling victory away against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This game against Oakland means much more than a typical early season game.  If the Texans win, they will even their record at 2-2.  The season will continue.  The Texans will still be able to make the playoffs.  Not all will be lost.  Coach Gary Kubiak won’t be fired.

If the Texans lose, however, all bets are off.  Kubiak might not last the season.  Defensive coordinator Frank Bush surely won’t last the season.  Whole sale changes surely will result.

This is a must win game.  As big as any game in Texans history.  But, there is still hope.  Thankfully, the Texans play the Raiders this week.

In the past two seasons, the Texans have gone 12-4 at home.  Losing their first two games at home this season has been nothing but surprising.  Hosting the Raiders should cure all that ails the Texans.

I expect the offense, led by Matt Schaub, to continue its aerial assault and put up big numbers.  Oakland’s defense is led by Nnamdi Asomugha and plays a physical style.  But the Texans simply have more talent on offense and should score 30 plus points.

Ordinarily, scoring 30 points in the NFL is a harbinger of success, but this Texans team has no ordinary defense.  The Texans are on an historic pace to give up more than 6500 yards.  Things must change, and now. 

Bush and his coaches must figure out a way to slow down opposing offenses.  Again, thankfully, the Raiders are coming to town. 

Granted, the Raiders have an impressive rushing attack.  Darren McFadden and Michael Bush form a potent combination.  But the Raiders quarterback is JaMarcus Russell, he of the 39.8 passer rating.  Russell could go down as one of the all time busts not named Ryan Leaf.

In order to win, and stop me if you’ve heard this before, the Texans must stop the run.  There is no way the Raiders can beat the Texans without their rushing attack running wild. 

The Texans simply must stop the run.  At all costs.  Dare Russell to throw as much as he wants.  Russell has 4 interceptions this season and only one touchdown pass.  No Raiders has more than 8 receptions.  Tight end Zach Miller is the team’s only proven receiving threat, although former Florida Gator Louis Murphy could emerge as a solid NFL player when/if he plays with a competent quarterback.

What does all this mean?  The Texans are simply too good to lose, at home no less, to a team as bad as the Raiders.  If they do lose to Oakland, heads must roll.

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Texans Fumble away Victory: A Recap of Keys to Victory

Before Sunday’s Week Three loss to rival Jacksonville, the Houston Texans were on the verge of a winning record. While ordinary teams are not often quick to celebrate such things, the Texans are no ordinary team.

In Week Two’s victory, the Texans were able to overcome horrific run defense. Chris Johnson was able to run all over the field, but the Texans came back to win.

This week, the luck ran out. Houston’s defense played equally bad, or worse. Maurice Jones-Drew had three touchdowns and ran all over the field. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? 

The Texans have the worst run defense in the league. You know it, I know, and you can bet opposing coaches know it and salivate over that stat. The Jaguars offense came alive against the Texans this week. This may be a refrain we often repeat.

Sure, Chris Brown fumbled into the end zone. Sure, the pass interference call on Kevin Walter could have gone either way. But it should never have come down to such plays.

In order to stop the physical Jaguars, it was imperative the Texans take an early lead and force the Jags to catch up through the air. Houston was unable to do so and paid the price in the end.

The first key I identified last week, forcing the David Garrard to sling his way to victory, was not achieved. The Texans defense allowed Jones-Drew to remain a huge factor.

Giving credit when it’s due, Jones-Drew was the story for the Jags. Jacksonville averaged nearly six yards per carry, an other-worldly figure.

Another key I identified was the Houston pass rush running over and past the Jaguar’s  rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. Again, swing and a miss. The Texans notched exactly zero sacks in the game.

Britton and Monroe are talented players who were taken early in this year’s draft, but keeping Mario Williams and company off the scoreboard completely is inexcusable.  Simply put, the Texans must generate a pass rush from somewhere. Whether the problem is scheme, effort, or talent, a solution must be identified. And quickly.

The time of possession for each team was fairly close, with the Jags holding the bar for almost two more minutes than the Texans. The score was close throughout the game. 

This Houston team, however, is simply not well equipped to win close games. The defense gave up too many points and did not generate enough turnovers. The offense did not score enough points and gave it away too many times. Sounds a lot like years past, doesn’t it?

All of a sudden, next week’s match up with Oakland takes on much more meaning.  Falling again at home would signal an ineptitude that will only lead to the loss of employment for both players and coaches. Oakland possesses a shut down cornerback and a physical defensive line. The Texans are in for a dog fight. Is there any fight in them? Only time will tell.

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Kevin Walter’s Return Means the Return of the Texans’ Dynamic Offense

Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter, coming off of a 2008 season that saw him catch 60 balls for nearly 900 yards, is likely to return to action this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Walter has yet to play in the regular season due to a hamstring injury.

Last season, with a healthy Walter complimenting superstar Andre Johnson, the Texans ranked third in the league in offense. This season, without their undisputed number two wide receiver, the Texans have played one embarrassing game and one terrific game. 

How much has Walter’s absence impacted the Texans? 

It’s hard to say that a healthy Walter would have had any impact on the manhandling the offensive line received against the Rex Ryan led New York Jets. The problem there was not the wide receivers, but the time given to quarterback Matt Schaub.

Against division rival Tennessee, Schaub was given more time, Andre Johnson worked his magic, and the Texans won on the road. In addition, Schaub was awarded AFC offensive player of the week. How much more could Walter have helped in the passing game?

In his absence, two other Texans have tried to replace Walter. First, against the Jets, Andre Davis stepped into the lineup. We all saw his alligator armed attempt to catch a key third down pass from Schaub. Clearly, Davis is not the possession receiver Walter is. 

Catching clutch third downs has become Walter’s specialty over the past two seasons in Houston. Of his 125 receptions over the past two season, 82 have gone for first downs, an outstanding number. 

Jacoby Jones next tried to replace Walter in the starting lineup against the Titans. Jacoby is the model of inconsistency.  On back to back plays, he dropped an easy first down and followed that up by scoring a 29-yard touchdown.

Jones was not terrible in replacing Walter, but was far from the clutch possession receiver Walter has become for the Texans.

Jones excels in speed routes. He doesn’t run precise routes, and scouts have said he rounds his routes off, telegraphing them to the defense. Further, Jones’ hands pale in comparison to Walter’s hands.

On the other hand, Walter runs precise routes. He breaks sharply in and out of routes.  Walter is also adept at using his size (6’3″, 218 pounds) to overpower opposing defensive backs.

If Walter is able to return this week from his hamstring injury, the Texans receiving corps will be at full strength for the first time all season. Walter means a great deal to the offense.

In addition to being an above average blocker in the run game (something neither Davis nor Jones are even average at), Walter’s return brings stability to the offense. Jones, Davis, and even David Anderson are able to return to their defined roles.

Andre Johnson remains the superstar receiver and will continue to face double teams over the top to prevent him from catching deep balls. Underneath, Walter will return to his strength and help the Texans move the chains.

While using the term in the most positive manner, Walter is the true definition of a possession receiver. Nearly 66 percent of his receptions over the past two seasons have gone for first downs. Walter can help keep drives alive by picking up first downs.

Walter can also help in other phases of the game. He can help keep the offense on the field and get the defense some rest. His return will allow Jones to return to punt return duties and Davis to return to kickoff duties full time. Both can be at full strength for special teams work. 

Walter can open things up in the run game both by blocking and drawing attention from linebackers and safeties who are concerned with his underneath routes.  I don’t know if Walter’s absence has led to running back Steve Slaton’s early struggles, but his return can only be positive.

Owen Daniels, fresh off of his first Pro Bowl, will be another beneficiary of Walter’s return.  The middle of the field will be more difficult to cover with both Walter and Daniels running routes.  Defenses will be unable to double team both, and if Schaub is given enough time and protection, the Texans will move the chains and score more points. 

In the end, Walter’s return means everything to the Texans. For a team that has forged an identity on being a dynamic offensive team, playing at full strength means a great deal. 

Walter’s return is worth more than his 60 catches and 899 yards. His return signals the resurgence of Texans firepower.

 

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The Enigma That is Jacoby Jones

Could Jacoby Jones be the perfect embodiment of the Houston Texans?  Filled with talent and potential, Jones has yet to make meaningful impact in his three NFL seasons.  Sure, he did have  two punt return touchdowns in 2008.  But he hasn’t done much else since.

Similarly, the Texans have accumulated NFL caliber talent. But they have yet to take the next step and become a playoff team. The answer as to why the team, or Jones, has not taken the next step is not clear cut.

Jacoby Jones, out of Lane College, is blessed with speed to accompany his 6’2″ frame.  He can beat almost any defensive back in the league in terms of speed. In addition to running like a deer, Jones is quick and can leap.

But, Jones has hands made of stone. In 32 career games, Jones has 20 catches. He also has seven fumbles and countless drops. 

On back to back plays against the Tennessee Titans, Jones dropped one pass and scored on the next play. Even on the touchdown, the ball rolled loose as Jones rolled into the end zone.

Every time he’s involved in a play, I hold my breath. I hope for the best, but I often cringe for the worst. We all remember his jumping for a punt and turning the ball over.

Even the game in which Jones scored his first offensive touchdown, Jones nearly caused multiple Houston Texan fans to develop blood pressure problems. Calling for a fair catch inside the ten yard line, Jones muffed the catch.

The Titans recovered and the game seemed nearly over. By a stroke of luck, seemingly, the officials returned the ball to the Texans because of an obscure fair catch rule.

The player signalling for the fair catch must be allowed an opportunity to catch the ball.  So, in essence, until the ball touches the ground, nobody but the return man can touch the ball. Had the call not been made, Jones could have cost the Texans the game.

Luckily, the Texans were not harmed by Jacoby’s special teams gaffe. His offensive plays were somewhat better.  But when Kevin Walter and Andre Davis return, expect Jacoby to return to a substitute package role.

In an overall analysis, I think it’s fair to say that Jones has not developed into the playmaker the Texans envisioned when drafting Jones in 2007. Is he still worth a roster spot? Can Jones be “coached up” to become a productive player? 

In my opinion, I believe this is the last season Jacoby Jones will be a Houston Texan.  What do you think?

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Houston Texans Get Tough in Tussle with Tennessee Titans

Redemption.  Coming off of one of the worst losses in franchise history, the Houston Texans bounced back in a major way in Nashville.

The Texans fell behind 21-7 early.  Chris Johnson was unstoppable early.  Coverage was blown.  The offense was stalling.  Things looked bad.

But then the Texans dug in and showed something.  Whether you want to call it heart or toughness or intestinal fortitude, the Texans responded after being punched in the mouth. 

No team can avoid adversity.  Responding to adversity is a hall mark of good teams.  I don’t know if this team is good yet.  This Texans team could be good.  But the Texans responded today.

I do know they’re inconsistent, but the good Texans showed up against the Titans.  I do know that when the Texans get tough, they can play with the most physical teams in the league.

Andre Johnson was unstoppable.  Normally a reserved superstar, Johnson shouted at borderline dirty Titans CB Courtland Finnegan after the former Sanford Bulldog jumped onto Johnson’s head and pulled him down to the ground.  No flag was thrown, but Johnson responded by barking and jawing with Finnegan.

During a second half scuffle on the Texans’ sideline, Mario Williams was throwing teammates out of the way to fight back against the Titans.  Eric Winston was seen shouting “You and me” to Titan defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch moments after Vanden Bosch dove into and twisted QB Matt Shaub’s legs late after a pass was thrown.

Eugene Wilson, never known as an overly physical safety, routinely banged heads both against the pass and run.  Demeco Ryans and Dunta Robinson played like the leaders they should be.  Brian Cushing was a force and a physical presence, as was John Busing.

The Texans showed today they were not going to pushed around again.  They responded to the very physical Titans.  The Texans pushed back. 

What does it all mean?  In the standings, it’s a conference win on the road against the most bitter of rivals.  The Texans are now standing at 1-1. 

But in reality, it means more.  Much more.  The Texans won on the road after laying an egg in the season opener.  Most importantly, the Texans showed they will fight back.

Is everything solved with one victory?  No.  Plenty of questions and problem areas remain.

WR Jacoby Jones is truly representative of the Texans.  On back-to-back plays, Jones dropped a sure first down and responded by scoring a touchdown. 

Jones also was bailed out by the rules when he muffed a fair catch which was recovered by the Titans.  Fortunately, by signalling for a fair catch, Jones and the Texans were awarded the ball since the Titans interfered by touching the ball before it touched the ground.

In addition, RB Steve Slaton was once again not the force he was last season.  The defense gave up too many big plays and was not able to generate much pass rush.  But, coming off of a victory, watching film and preparing for the Jaguars is much more palatable.

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