TEXAN TUESDAY REPORT - SEAN GARZA - SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

TEXAN TUESDAY REPORT



Written by: Sean Garza
Date posted: 9/21/2010

“A wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows the public opinion” (Chinese Proverb).

I think this quote best applies to Texans head coach Gary Kubiak’s situation in overtime during Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins. Before we get into the “decision” (Sorry ‘bron, but this one is worth the wait), let’s talk about the positives, negatives, and overall review of the game.

The Houston Texans, fresh off of their high of beating the Colts in their season opener, looked to extend their winning streak and record to 2-0 against the 1-0 Washington Redskins and Kubiak mentor, Mike Shanahan. The Texans lucked out with the absence of Albert Haynesworth who was unable to play due to an ankle injury.

The Redskins did have Donovan McNabb who had a below average game in Week 1 vs. the Cowboys and looked to get it going against the Texans secondary. If there was something to exploit it was the young and roughly inexperienced secondary with rookie Kareem Jackson and 2nd year player Glover Quin. If you recall, Peyton Manning lit them up for 433 yards.

The first half of the game looked like a game of flag football for the Redskins. McNabb was throwing it around like a Brandon Jacobs helmet. McNabb had over 200 yards passing in the first half alone, setting up Clinton Portis for two 1-yard touchdowns. After a missed field goal by Neil Rackers and throwing an interception in the first quarter to Carlos Rogers, Matt Schaub found Jacoby Jones in the 2nd quarter for a 5-yard touchdown. Add a couple of Redskins field goals from the first quarter and the Texans faced a rather large deficit at halftime, 20-7.

When the 3rd quarter started, it looked as if the Redskins picked up right where they left off. After kicking a field goal bringing the Texans within 10, McNabb threw a wide open pass to TE Chris Cooley for a 22-yard touchdown extending their lead to 17. Normally, a Texan team would try to come back, but the amount of faith would be low. As the 3rd quarter came to a close, QB Matt Schaub tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Kevin Walter.

The 4th quarter is apparently where the light went on for several players on the Texans. After bringing the Texans within 10 with a field goal, the Redskins drove down the field deep into Texan territory and were lined up to kicked a field goal with about 6 minutes left, however Bernard Pollard came off the edge to block it and keep the Texans within a touchdown.

A possible big blow came to the team when Andre Johnson limped off the field on a pass attempt. On the sideline, they worked on Johnson’s ankle and eventually re-taped him. Coach Kubiak said Monday that he was told that Andre was “done”. Apparently, Andre came back out after getting taped and told Kubiak “he’s playing” and play he did. After a couple of catches to keep the drive alive, the Texans were facing a 4th down and 10 from the Redskins 34 yard line and down by 7. Cue Andre Johnson!

Johnson came down the left sideline as Schaub was escaping trying to buy time for Andre to get down field. Matt throws a long ball down field and Johnson climbed the ladder, on a bad wheel and snatched the ball from the highest point and quickly tucked it away for a Texans touchdown with a tad over two minutes to go in the 4th quarter (take notes Calvin Johnson). Overtime!




After winning the coin toss, the Texans quickly marched down the field and got to the point where they were in “field goal range”. The kick would have been about 53 yards, however, they were kicking into a little wind. Who cares right? Go for it! It’s the Texans chance to go 2-0 and put away the ‘Skins.

Well, the special teams came onto the field, but it was Matt Turk’s special teams not Neil Rackers' special teams. WHAT??? What the hell are you doing Kube’s??? I’ll admit that I, probably like EVERY single Texans fan, was wondering what Kubiak was thinking. You have a chance to win the game and you pass?

Well, at the beginning of my article I go back to the Chinese Proverb, “A wise man makes his own decisions; An ignorant man follows the public opinion”. The public decision was to kick the field goal. Coach Kubiak mentioned Monday that the reason he decided to punt was because the wind was coming in a bit and would extend the field goal to about 54 yards and change.

If Rackers misses, the Redskins only need to go about 20 yards to be in field goal range. Kubiak made his own decision to punt the ball and make the ‘Skins work for it. After the punt, Mario Williams gets a big sack to put them back. On 3rd down and 20, the Redskins converted with a 22 yard completion, HOWEVAH (thanks Stephen A.), the ‘Skins decided to hold Antonio Smith to buy time for McNabb to complete the pass.

After a Washington punt, Schaub hit two big pass completions. One to Jacoby Jones, which was held up upon review and gave the Texans a first down to keep the drive alive. Lastly, a pass to Joel Dreessen on 1st down from the Washington 46 down to the Washington 18-yard line. After a couple of plays to get the ball where the kicker likes it, Rackers gave the Texans their first ever OT win in team history.


The Negatives: As I have mentioned in my previous articles, the youth and inexperience of the secondary is causing a big problem. The defense is currently dead last in the NFL in pass defense. Now, they have played against two great passing QB’s in Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb, but you have to make it somewhat respectable. Allowing Manning and McNabb to throw for over 400 yards each is unacceptable.

Until they learn to be a threat on defense as opposed to a weakness, Jackson will be thrown at constantly until he proves he can defend and if he doesn’t, it is only a matter of time before the secondary blows a game for the Texans. Also, the offensive line had some trouble keeping Schaub on his feet by giving up five sacks. Unless you want to see Matt Leinart or Dan Orlovsky in the game, the offensive line needs to get straight and fast.

Lastly, we need to see better production from Steve Slaton as the kickoff returner. In a game of field position, we can’t have 10-15 yard returns negated by 10-yard holding or blocking in the back penalties.

The Positives: Mario Williams showing he will be a force for years to come playing defensive end. Mario put up three sacks yesterday and now has four in two games. The passing game doesn’t appear to have any affects from a pretty much no-show in Game 1 as Schaub passed for 497 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 INT. The running game was not a 231-yard performance, but it was effective and that is what you want in your running.

Arian Foster only rushed for 69 yards, however he did have 60 yards receiving also, which makes him a duel threat. Lastly and most importantly, the Texans showed the ability to come back from a 17-point deficit and MAKE plays to win. This does a lot for a team like the Texans. Instead of wanting to believe, the Texans NOW believe that they can go out, come from behind and win a road game in a hostile environment.

My parting words are "be careful". The Dallas Cowgirls come to town with an 0-2 record, but do not take that as weakness. They are still a talented football team with a lot of weapons. Tony Romo presents escapability which could pose a problem. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten can cause matchup problems for that secondary.

It doesn’t get any easier for Kareem Jackson, so be prepared rookie. I have faith that Jackson will put it together. I only hope it’s this week. Nothing would please me more then seeing K-JACK pick off Romo and take it to the bullpen! GO TEXANS!

SEAN GARZA


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