Despite the events that were taking place in San Diego outside of Qualcomm Stadium, there was something inside that left Texans fans in disgust.
Everyone realized on Sunday, after a hard fought start to the 2007 season, that it was time to start thinking about next season. The Texans began the season strong with a 2-0 record, giving fans reason to believe that something special might happen. But after injuries plagued the team and they have trouble with execution, it's time to wonder where in the draft order we will fall.
Quarterback Matt Schaub has gone from tremendous to mediocre to check for a pulse, none of this being his fault. Schaub has left the game early two games in a row because of a dreadful performance from the offensive line. Don't get me wrong, Schaub will be the future of this football team, and had the line not taken a time machine back to the David Carr Era, we still might be battling. But now Schaub is bruised up and the Texans sit at 3-5 in last place of the AFC South.
On top of that, the Texans bring a junior varsity running game to the table, ranking next to last in the NFL. On Sunday, someone finally stepped up, when practice squad running back Adimchinobe Echemandu was brought in and rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries. Nothing to write home about, but so much better than what we have seen in the past few weeks.
Now I know it might be early to write them off, but going into week nine the future of this season doesn't look bright. The Texans head to Oakland to face a 2-5 Raiders team in which their record doesn't justify their talent. Then, after a bye week, the Texans come back home to take on the New Orleans Saints.
So it went from thinking, "10-6, playoffs baby!" to "9-7, we still have a shot," to "8-8, hey .500 isn't bad," to "I'm going to go stick my head in the microwave."
But to look at all of this positively, maybe we can get yet another top ten pick, finally draft a running back, and become a playoff team next season. That is until week one, when 14 players get injured.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Bitter Taste
At one point on Sunday, I wondered if a bitter taste could be taken out of my mouth. As you all remember, back in 1993 the Houston Oilers were involved in "The Comeback Game," in which they gave up a 32-point lead in a playoff loss against the Buffalo Bills.
Back to Sunday. I sat and watched the Houston Texans play one of their worst games in the history of the franchise for three quarters, and then something happened. With Matt Schaub knocked out of the game with an ankle sprain, backup Sage Rosenfels struggled to lead the team back. Somehow, he did just that. After three quarters of play the Texans were down to the Tennessee Titans, 32-7. And then Rosenfels and the offense composed a 29-point fourth quarter, putting the Texans up 36-35.
I couldn't really believe what I was watching. With two minutes off the clock in the fourth, the Texans scored their first offensive touchdown of the game, putting the score at 33-15. I was still in the middle of writing this column, which took me five drafts until I came to this. I wanted to talk about how much the Texans were moving in reverse. How I felt like it was 2005 all over again.
I mean, after a 2-0 start, the Texans have constantly moved backwards. I understand that there is a plague of injuries on both sides of the ball, but they still don't seem to be a productive football team. Instead of thinking they might be a contender and might be a dark horse team to get into the playoffs, they are hopeful to get by this season with an 8-8 record. Even saying they will get to .500 seems like a stretch.
And as I pondered all of these things, I notice that Texans reciever Kevin Walter just caught another pass from Rosenfels. 32-22 Titans. I stopped writing. After Titans kicker Rob Bironas made the score 35-22 with a field goal, I wanted to see if the Texans had anything left. Rosenfels connected with tight end Jeb Putzier to put the score at 35-29.
I began to sweat. I was nauseated. I felt like I was going to go into labor. We were one score away from winning with 1:43 left in the game. Now the Texans needed the ball back. An onside kick was attempted and recovered, but flags were flying everywhere. The Texans were called for illegal procedure and had to retry the kick. How many things can possibly go wrong in one game? The second onside kick was attempted and recovered by the Texans. At that point I didn't really know what to do with myself. The Texans would have the ball with 1:40 left, and could win the game with a touchdown.
Games like these aren't good for the weak at heart. It is the type of game that makes you want to drink bleach. On second down, Rosenfels connected on a 53-yard pass to Andre Davis and the Texans took the lead. I was now in a euphoric state. I had no clue what just happened. I just knew that the bitter taste from 1993 just exited. Something good finally took place for Houston football.
Then, Tennessee quarterback Kerry Collins drove the Titans down the field, and with :02 seconds left, Bironas kicked a 29-yard field goal to break the record for most field goals made in a game (eight) and win the game.
Maybe 14 years from now I can get the bitter taste of this game out of my mouth.
Back to Sunday. I sat and watched the Houston Texans play one of their worst games in the history of the franchise for three quarters, and then something happened. With Matt Schaub knocked out of the game with an ankle sprain, backup Sage Rosenfels struggled to lead the team back. Somehow, he did just that. After three quarters of play the Texans were down to the Tennessee Titans, 32-7. And then Rosenfels and the offense composed a 29-point fourth quarter, putting the Texans up 36-35.
I couldn't really believe what I was watching. With two minutes off the clock in the fourth, the Texans scored their first offensive touchdown of the game, putting the score at 33-15. I was still in the middle of writing this column, which took me five drafts until I came to this. I wanted to talk about how much the Texans were moving in reverse. How I felt like it was 2005 all over again.
I mean, after a 2-0 start, the Texans have constantly moved backwards. I understand that there is a plague of injuries on both sides of the ball, but they still don't seem to be a productive football team. Instead of thinking they might be a contender and might be a dark horse team to get into the playoffs, they are hopeful to get by this season with an 8-8 record. Even saying they will get to .500 seems like a stretch.
And as I pondered all of these things, I notice that Texans reciever Kevin Walter just caught another pass from Rosenfels. 32-22 Titans. I stopped writing. After Titans kicker Rob Bironas made the score 35-22 with a field goal, I wanted to see if the Texans had anything left. Rosenfels connected with tight end Jeb Putzier to put the score at 35-29.
I began to sweat. I was nauseated. I felt like I was going to go into labor. We were one score away from winning with 1:43 left in the game. Now the Texans needed the ball back. An onside kick was attempted and recovered, but flags were flying everywhere. The Texans were called for illegal procedure and had to retry the kick. How many things can possibly go wrong in one game? The second onside kick was attempted and recovered by the Texans. At that point I didn't really know what to do with myself. The Texans would have the ball with 1:40 left, and could win the game with a touchdown.
Games like these aren't good for the weak at heart. It is the type of game that makes you want to drink bleach. On second down, Rosenfels connected on a 53-yard pass to Andre Davis and the Texans took the lead. I was now in a euphoric state. I had no clue what just happened. I just knew that the bitter taste from 1993 just exited. Something good finally took place for Houston football.
Then, Tennessee quarterback Kerry Collins drove the Titans down the field, and with :02 seconds left, Bironas kicked a 29-yard field goal to break the record for most field goals made in a game (eight) and win the game.
Maybe 14 years from now I can get the bitter taste of this game out of my mouth.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Madden Curse
If you aren't aware of the "Madden Curse" by now, allow me to bring you up-to-date. The popular video game series, Madden NFL, has a jinx that has been going on since 1998.
Before that year, John Madden himself appeared on the cover on the game. Since, an NFL athlete has been nominated as the cover boy and it hasn't gone very well due to injuries or other reasons.
Starting in 1999, 49ers running back Garrison Hearst was the first athlete ever on Madden's cover. The year prior, Hearst had his best season of his career, rushing for over 1,500 yards. Then, suffered an ankle break in the first round of the playoffs and we wouldn't hear of Hearst again until 2001.
In 2000, Lions running back Barry Sanders posed as the cover athlete. Sanders, one of the greatest running backs of all-time, was closing in on Walter Payton's rushing record. Then, Sanders abruptly retired prior to the season's beginning...cutting his career way too short.
In 2001, Titans running back Eddie George posed for Madden. George had a good season, but fumbled seven times and it seemed to be the aftermath that brought the curse back. After that 2001 season, George rushed for career lows in every rushing category. A toe injury nagged George for the rest of his career, in which he never rushed for over 3.4 yards per carry again.
In 2002, Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was coming off a career best and almost MVP year, throwing for 4,000 yards and scoring a total of 40 touchdowns. Culpepper threw 13 touchdowns in the first 10 games of the 2002 season, then sat out the rest of the season with a back injury. Culpepper never got back to his old self, and has been shipped from city to city in hopes to find that talent he once had.
In 2003, Rams running back Marshall Faulk was one of the best backs in the league. In 2001, Faulk rushed for 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2002, Faulk rushed for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns and lead the 14-2 Rams to a Super Bowl appearance. In 2003, the Rams went 7-9. Faulk would never rush for over 1,000 yards again, and was forced to retire due to injury.
In 2004, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was the poster child for Madden. Vick, coming off a career season in 2003, fractured his fibula in a preseason game, and was out for most of the 2004 season. Then, Vick decided dog fighting was a good idea. He is no longer on the Atlanta roster.
In 2005, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis appeared on the cover. Lewis was the first defensive player to appear. After the Ravens winning their division the season before and Lewis finishing with six interceptions, Baltimore failed to make the playoffs and Lewis had only one interception in 2005.
In 2006, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was chosen for the cover. McNabb was coming off of a 13-3 year and Super Bowl appearance. McNabb suffered a sports hernia and had to have season ending surgery for it. The Eagles finished 6-10 and failed to make the playoffs.
In 2007, Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was on the Madden cover. Alexander was coming off of an 1,880-yard, 28 touchdown season, and a Super Bowl appearance. Alexander has only missed one start in his first 61 games, however, fractured his foot, sat out most of the season and failed to reach 1,000-yards rushing for the first time since 2000.
And now, the present cover of Madden 2008 features Titans quarterback Vince Young. Young was coming off of his rookie season, in which he won AFC Rookie of the Year. Young strained his right quadricep against the Tampa Bay Bucs on October 14. It has yet to be seen how the injury will affect him.
So the question I bring is this: Why do these athletes agree to be on the cover? I would be terrified out of my mind to risk it. Call it coincidence, but it is eight years of injuries and struggling. If a Texans player is ever on the cover, I will lock myself in a closet until that season is over.
Before that year, John Madden himself appeared on the cover on the game. Since, an NFL athlete has been nominated as the cover boy and it hasn't gone very well due to injuries or other reasons.
Starting in 1999, 49ers running back Garrison Hearst was the first athlete ever on Madden's cover. The year prior, Hearst had his best season of his career, rushing for over 1,500 yards. Then, suffered an ankle break in the first round of the playoffs and we wouldn't hear of Hearst again until 2001.
In 2000, Lions running back Barry Sanders posed as the cover athlete. Sanders, one of the greatest running backs of all-time, was closing in on Walter Payton's rushing record. Then, Sanders abruptly retired prior to the season's beginning...cutting his career way too short.
In 2001, Titans running back Eddie George posed for Madden. George had a good season, but fumbled seven times and it seemed to be the aftermath that brought the curse back. After that 2001 season, George rushed for career lows in every rushing category. A toe injury nagged George for the rest of his career, in which he never rushed for over 3.4 yards per carry again.
In 2002, Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was coming off a career best and almost MVP year, throwing for 4,000 yards and scoring a total of 40 touchdowns. Culpepper threw 13 touchdowns in the first 10 games of the 2002 season, then sat out the rest of the season with a back injury. Culpepper never got back to his old self, and has been shipped from city to city in hopes to find that talent he once had.
In 2003, Rams running back Marshall Faulk was one of the best backs in the league. In 2001, Faulk rushed for 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2002, Faulk rushed for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns and lead the 14-2 Rams to a Super Bowl appearance. In 2003, the Rams went 7-9. Faulk would never rush for over 1,000 yards again, and was forced to retire due to injury.
In 2004, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was the poster child for Madden. Vick, coming off a career season in 2003, fractured his fibula in a preseason game, and was out for most of the 2004 season. Then, Vick decided dog fighting was a good idea. He is no longer on the Atlanta roster.
In 2005, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis appeared on the cover. Lewis was the first defensive player to appear. After the Ravens winning their division the season before and Lewis finishing with six interceptions, Baltimore failed to make the playoffs and Lewis had only one interception in 2005.
In 2006, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was chosen for the cover. McNabb was coming off of a 13-3 year and Super Bowl appearance. McNabb suffered a sports hernia and had to have season ending surgery for it. The Eagles finished 6-10 and failed to make the playoffs.
In 2007, Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was on the Madden cover. Alexander was coming off of an 1,880-yard, 28 touchdown season, and a Super Bowl appearance. Alexander has only missed one start in his first 61 games, however, fractured his foot, sat out most of the season and failed to reach 1,000-yards rushing for the first time since 2000.
And now, the present cover of Madden 2008 features Titans quarterback Vince Young. Young was coming off of his rookie season, in which he won AFC Rookie of the Year. Young strained his right quadricep against the Tampa Bay Bucs on October 14. It has yet to be seen how the injury will affect him.
So the question I bring is this: Why do these athletes agree to be on the cover? I would be terrified out of my mind to risk it. Call it coincidence, but it is eight years of injuries and struggling. If a Texans player is ever on the cover, I will lock myself in a closet until that season is over.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
What To Say After That One...
I'm almost speechless after that one. The Texans didn't just lose to the Jaguars on Sunday, they got a reality check. A 37-17 beatdown was all I needed to bring me back down to earth. I guess I never really saw flaws in this team because the Texans had yet to be blown out. Then they went to Jacksonville.
The fact that the Jaguars haven't beaten the Texans in four of the last six meetings made the loss worse. The Texans seem to always beat the Jaguars, and the roles were reversed on Sunday. Matt Schaub even played a subpar game, throwing for 259 yards and an interception.
So instead of the Texans improving to 4-2 and taking over second place in the AFC South, the Texans move in reverse to 3-3 and last place in the division, something Houston fans got used to seeing.
Don't get me wrong, I am not writing this team off. As I have mentioned before, I might have too high expectations for the team. But when you watch a team like the Jaguars struggle mightily in the first half and commit three turnovers in the game, you have to wonder where it all went wrong.
The Texans entered the fourth quarter trailing 16-9, and still in the game. And then the Texans forgot how to tackle. Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew took over the game, and Jacksonville scored 21 points in the final quarter to complete the pounding.
It looked good to see Texans running back Ahman Green out there for the first time in three games, but the offense was still held to only 60 yards on the ground. Offensive penalties seemed to bring any big play back, and the offense couldn't score a touchdown in the red zone to save their life. On the Texans first drive, they had three plays from the 2-yard line and still had to settle for a Kris Brown field goal. And on another chance to score, wide receiver Andre Davis fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line into the endzone for a Jacksonville touchback. It was definately a stomach punch game to some degree.
Next week the Texans host the Tennessee Titans, in Vince Young's second homecoming. Wide receivers Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones should be back, and hopefully can give the team the boost they need.
My prediction: Texans 23, Titans 17.
The fact that the Jaguars haven't beaten the Texans in four of the last six meetings made the loss worse. The Texans seem to always beat the Jaguars, and the roles were reversed on Sunday. Matt Schaub even played a subpar game, throwing for 259 yards and an interception.
So instead of the Texans improving to 4-2 and taking over second place in the AFC South, the Texans move in reverse to 3-3 and last place in the division, something Houston fans got used to seeing.
Don't get me wrong, I am not writing this team off. As I have mentioned before, I might have too high expectations for the team. But when you watch a team like the Jaguars struggle mightily in the first half and commit three turnovers in the game, you have to wonder where it all went wrong.
The Texans entered the fourth quarter trailing 16-9, and still in the game. And then the Texans forgot how to tackle. Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew took over the game, and Jacksonville scored 21 points in the final quarter to complete the pounding.
It looked good to see Texans running back Ahman Green out there for the first time in three games, but the offense was still held to only 60 yards on the ground. Offensive penalties seemed to bring any big play back, and the offense couldn't score a touchdown in the red zone to save their life. On the Texans first drive, they had three plays from the 2-yard line and still had to settle for a Kris Brown field goal. And on another chance to score, wide receiver Andre Davis fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line into the endzone for a Jacksonville touchback. It was definately a stomach punch game to some degree.
Next week the Texans host the Tennessee Titans, in Vince Young's second homecoming. Wide receivers Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones should be back, and hopefully can give the team the boost they need.
My prediction: Texans 23, Titans 17.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Texans Struggle Against Winless Dolphins
Well, if I was a betting man, I would have been upset with the Texans game on Sunday (five-point spread). In a way I still am, the Miami Dolphins had no business contending. Give credit to the Dolphins, however, who stayed in the game until the very end until Kris Brown ended it with a 57-yard field goal to give the Texans a 22-19 victory.
I woke up on Sunday and decided to get to the game early and go tailgate. If you ever head out there, be sure to make a stop in the Red Lot. The white tent next to the entrance has great food, and there are some of the nicest fans you can meet.
A few sidenotes from the game itself:
• Have you ever noticed that Texans running back Ron Dayne is the football equivalent of San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili? And by that I mean the falling down and flopping part. He takes the handoff, then it's one step and fall. Touched or not. At least I have come up with a new nickname for him. Ron "London Bridge" Dayne.
• Remember a few weeks ago when I asked why wide receivers couldn't get interceptions when its not the quarterback's fault? That happened yet again due to a pass being deflected by tight end Jeb Putzier.• When I awoke on Sunday morning, I kept saying to myself, "I really hope to see a field goal battle today. None of this 'touchdown' nonsense. Just all kickers." Wish granted.
• For the first time since 2003, Miami scored on first four possessions. At halftime, I noticed that David Carr was carted off the field in the Panthers game against the Saints. Apparently, he suffered a fractured hair follicle. I had to get my weekly jab in there.
So the Texans struggle yet again against a winless team, but thankfully get the win this time, improving to 3-2 on the season. I know the Texans are injury plagued right now, but you would think they could still get the job done a little better than what they have been doing.
Matt Schaub is still getting the job done even though it wasn't the greatest performance. With a depleted wide receiver corps, Schaub still threw for 294 yards.
I will say this: That was hands down the greatest performance by a field goal kicker I have ever seen. Texans kicker Kris Brown had a ridiculous day.Brown set an NFL record with three 50-yard field goals in one game. One of those being the 57-yarder that won the game. What many people aren't aware of is that he did that with an injured kicking foot. "The kid took a shot at halftime for his foot," Kubiak said. "So he came out and did that hurt. He did that for his team."
However, on a pessimistic note, the Texans still struggle to run the ball. That will change once running back Ahman Green returns from injury, but until then it will be painful to watch. It also seems like after every big play the Texans have on offense, it is called back because of an offensive line penalty. If these problems can be fixed has yet to be seen.
The Texans defense allowed a 100-yard rusher for the first time this season, giving up 114 yards to Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown. "They're gonna get him touches," Kubiak said. "They have a lot of weapons, but he is the big puzzle piece in their game."
Next week, the Texans head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars in an AFC South showdown. With the Jags winning on Sunday and improving to 3-1, it would be a big win for the Texans. But at this point, I have no idea what to expect.
My Prediction: Toss-Up.
I woke up on Sunday and decided to get to the game early and go tailgate. If you ever head out there, be sure to make a stop in the Red Lot. The white tent next to the entrance has great food, and there are some of the nicest fans you can meet.
A few sidenotes from the game itself:
• Have you ever noticed that Texans running back Ron Dayne is the football equivalent of San Antonio Spurs forward Manu Ginobili? And by that I mean the falling down and flopping part. He takes the handoff, then it's one step and fall. Touched or not. At least I have come up with a new nickname for him. Ron "London Bridge" Dayne.
• Remember a few weeks ago when I asked why wide receivers couldn't get interceptions when its not the quarterback's fault? That happened yet again due to a pass being deflected by tight end Jeb Putzier.• When I awoke on Sunday morning, I kept saying to myself, "I really hope to see a field goal battle today. None of this 'touchdown' nonsense. Just all kickers." Wish granted.
• For the first time since 2003, Miami scored on first four possessions. At halftime, I noticed that David Carr was carted off the field in the Panthers game against the Saints. Apparently, he suffered a fractured hair follicle. I had to get my weekly jab in there.
So the Texans struggle yet again against a winless team, but thankfully get the win this time, improving to 3-2 on the season. I know the Texans are injury plagued right now, but you would think they could still get the job done a little better than what they have been doing.
Matt Schaub is still getting the job done even though it wasn't the greatest performance. With a depleted wide receiver corps, Schaub still threw for 294 yards.
I will say this: That was hands down the greatest performance by a field goal kicker I have ever seen. Texans kicker Kris Brown had a ridiculous day.Brown set an NFL record with three 50-yard field goals in one game. One of those being the 57-yarder that won the game. What many people aren't aware of is that he did that with an injured kicking foot. "The kid took a shot at halftime for his foot," Kubiak said. "So he came out and did that hurt. He did that for his team."
However, on a pessimistic note, the Texans still struggle to run the ball. That will change once running back Ahman Green returns from injury, but until then it will be painful to watch. It also seems like after every big play the Texans have on offense, it is called back because of an offensive line penalty. If these problems can be fixed has yet to be seen.
The Texans defense allowed a 100-yard rusher for the first time this season, giving up 114 yards to Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown. "They're gonna get him touches," Kubiak said. "They have a lot of weapons, but he is the big puzzle piece in their game."
Next week, the Texans head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars in an AFC South showdown. With the Jags winning on Sunday and improving to 3-1, it would be a big win for the Texans. But at this point, I have no idea what to expect.
My Prediction: Toss-Up.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Live Blog: Dolphins @ Texans
10:30 AM: I decided to get to the game early and go tailgate. If you first enter the Red Lot of Reliant Stadium go directly to the left, and you will find the white tent next to the Miller Lite blow-up bottle. The food is ridiculously good and there are some of the nicest people you can meet.
12:00 PM: A fan at the tailgate told me some insight about last year's draft. Apparently the Texans drafted Mario Williams because of this:
- Reggie Bush wasn't going to sign. He wanted too much money, and his agent refused to sign with the Texans pre-draft. One thing you want to do if you have the number one pick is make sure that player is signed before draft day (See: Jamarcus Russell).
- The Texans were never going to take Vince Young. They said it was a possibility to please the UT fans in the Houston area.
- Mario Williams could be signed pre-draft without any hassle, and for 20 million dollars less than Reggie Bush would have started asking for.
12:01: With 12 seconds off the clock, Schaub goes for a bomb to Kevin Walter. Dolphins cornerback Will Allen molests Walter, and there is no flag. I'm going to throw my lap top across the room.
12:04: Did you notice that Ron Dayne is the football equivalent of Manu Ginobili? And by that I mean the falling down part. He gets the handoff, takes one step, and then falls. Touched or not. Where is Dominick Davis/Williams?
12:06: Schaub to Apostrophe Davis. 49-yard strike to the one yard line. Followed by Ron Dayne "falling" for three downs then finally scoring. 7-0 Texans.
12:20: False start keeps the Dolphins away. Field goal. 7-3. Trent Green ran for like 30 yards to get them close. I just a comment IMed of: "Trent Green! Its Trent Green. He is three years away from getting social security." Shout-out to D, Mike, Jason R, Touch, Simpson, Casie and whoever else is reading.
12:25: Remember a few weeks ago when I asked why wide receivers couldn't get interceptions when its not the quarterback's fault? Thanks Jeb Putzier.
12:27: Trent Green gets away with clipping, and nearly kills himself in the process. Travis Johnson then taunts Green's corpse, and gets a 15-yard taunting penalty. I don't want to "laugh", but I am. (Sidenote: Trent Green gets the fumble on his stats. Good play Trent.)
12:33: Is it 2006? Trent Green getting taken off in a stretcher? I swear this has happened before.
12:35: When I woke up today, I said to myself: Man I hope I get to see Cleo Lemon. And can we trade for Ronnie Brown? Im willing to give up Demarcus Faggins and Ron Dayne.
12:39: Ronnie Brown scores. 10-7 Dolphins. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
12:40: Trent Green suffered a concussion and will not return. Deja Vu.
12:46: Horrible play calling. Running back pitch/pass looking play on 3rd and 87. Im going to go find Mike Sherman in the bathroom. 12:22 left in the 2nd.
12:50: Texans defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in six-straight games, dating back to last season. Looks like Brown is going to end that.
1:01: Kevin Walter is pretty good........at replacing Jacoby Jones. No really, he is filling in nicely....at least he can get open.
1:02: Schaub fumbles after getting attacked from behind. That was the first Carr-esque looking play ive seen this year. Do the Texans know this is a regular season game?
1:09: 16-7 Dolphins. The only positive I have right now is that the defense isn't giving up TD's. We need to score before halftime. And we have 3:31 to do it.
1:10: Idea: Put Dexter Wynn at running back. Just try it. Hell, nothing else is working. Especially Ron "London Bridge" Dayne.
1:11: Every good play gets called back because of holding from the offensive line. And by offensive line I mean Chester Pitts. And by Chester Pitts I mean the guy who is on the cover of the Texans program this week.
1:18: Witch Hunt Time: Check Jason Taylor for 'roids.
1:19: Kris Brown is insane. 54-yard field goal. Longest in Texans history. Could that be the firecracker up the ass we needed?
1:23: 16-10 Dolphins. I'm going to go swallow bleach.
1:31: Sidenote: David Carr had to be taken off the field in the Panthers game. Sources say it was a strained hair follicle due to using the wrong conditioner.
1:39: CBS just showed the stat that the Dolphins haven't scored on their first four possessions since December of 2003....until this game. Then, C.C. Brown intercepted the ball, so I out the razor blade down.
1:46: I have slowed down I know. But I am in shock we are losing. 16-13 after a Kris Brown field goal. A colleague of mine (Not really colleague, but just a guy sitting next to me....I have just wanted to always say that) agrees that Kubiak is calling way too conservative of a game. Stop the Dayne B.S. and throw the ball. Just because Andre version 1 is hurt doesn't mean we can't stretch the defense. Apostrophe Davis can do the same things.
1:55: Doop Doop Doop Bah Doop Doop Doop Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doop Dah Doop Doo Doo. Super Mario.
1:58: I love Amobi Okoye. Going to be a bust eh? Well bust this. (I know you can't see what I am doing because this is being read not seen, but pretend.)
2:06: I am ready to say it. Kris Brown might be the greatest field goal kicker I have ever seen. Two...yes TWO 54-yard field goals in one game.
12:00 PM: A fan at the tailgate told me some insight about last year's draft. Apparently the Texans drafted Mario Williams because of this:
- Reggie Bush wasn't going to sign. He wanted too much money, and his agent refused to sign with the Texans pre-draft. One thing you want to do if you have the number one pick is make sure that player is signed before draft day (See: Jamarcus Russell).
- The Texans were never going to take Vince Young. They said it was a possibility to please the UT fans in the Houston area.
- Mario Williams could be signed pre-draft without any hassle, and for 20 million dollars less than Reggie Bush would have started asking for.
12:01: With 12 seconds off the clock, Schaub goes for a bomb to Kevin Walter. Dolphins cornerback Will Allen molests Walter, and there is no flag. I'm going to throw my lap top across the room.
12:04: Did you notice that Ron Dayne is the football equivalent of Manu Ginobili? And by that I mean the falling down part. He gets the handoff, takes one step, and then falls. Touched or not. Where is Dominick Davis/Williams?
12:06: Schaub to Apostrophe Davis. 49-yard strike to the one yard line. Followed by Ron Dayne "falling" for three downs then finally scoring. 7-0 Texans.
12:20: False start keeps the Dolphins away. Field goal. 7-3. Trent Green ran for like 30 yards to get them close. I just a comment IMed of: "Trent Green! Its Trent Green. He is three years away from getting social security." Shout-out to D, Mike, Jason R, Touch, Simpson, Casie and whoever else is reading.
12:25: Remember a few weeks ago when I asked why wide receivers couldn't get interceptions when its not the quarterback's fault? Thanks Jeb Putzier.
12:27: Trent Green gets away with clipping, and nearly kills himself in the process. Travis Johnson then taunts Green's corpse, and gets a 15-yard taunting penalty. I don't want to "laugh", but I am. (Sidenote: Trent Green gets the fumble on his stats. Good play Trent.)
12:33: Is it 2006? Trent Green getting taken off in a stretcher? I swear this has happened before.
12:35: When I woke up today, I said to myself: Man I hope I get to see Cleo Lemon. And can we trade for Ronnie Brown? Im willing to give up Demarcus Faggins and Ron Dayne.
12:39: Ronnie Brown scores. 10-7 Dolphins. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
12:40: Trent Green suffered a concussion and will not return. Deja Vu.
12:46: Horrible play calling. Running back pitch/pass looking play on 3rd and 87. Im going to go find Mike Sherman in the bathroom. 12:22 left in the 2nd.
12:50: Texans defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in six-straight games, dating back to last season. Looks like Brown is going to end that.
1:01: Kevin Walter is pretty good........at replacing Jacoby Jones. No really, he is filling in nicely....at least he can get open.
1:02: Schaub fumbles after getting attacked from behind. That was the first Carr-esque looking play ive seen this year. Do the Texans know this is a regular season game?
1:09: 16-7 Dolphins. The only positive I have right now is that the defense isn't giving up TD's. We need to score before halftime. And we have 3:31 to do it.
1:10: Idea: Put Dexter Wynn at running back. Just try it. Hell, nothing else is working. Especially Ron "London Bridge" Dayne.
1:11: Every good play gets called back because of holding from the offensive line. And by offensive line I mean Chester Pitts. And by Chester Pitts I mean the guy who is on the cover of the Texans program this week.
1:18: Witch Hunt Time: Check Jason Taylor for 'roids.
1:19: Kris Brown is insane. 54-yard field goal. Longest in Texans history. Could that be the firecracker up the ass we needed?
1:23: 16-10 Dolphins. I'm going to go swallow bleach.
1:31: Sidenote: David Carr had to be taken off the field in the Panthers game. Sources say it was a strained hair follicle due to using the wrong conditioner.
1:39: CBS just showed the stat that the Dolphins haven't scored on their first four possessions since December of 2003....until this game. Then, C.C. Brown intercepted the ball, so I out the razor blade down.
1:46: I have slowed down I know. But I am in shock we are losing. 16-13 after a Kris Brown field goal. A colleague of mine (Not really colleague, but just a guy sitting next to me....I have just wanted to always say that) agrees that Kubiak is calling way too conservative of a game. Stop the Dayne B.S. and throw the ball. Just because Andre version 1 is hurt doesn't mean we can't stretch the defense. Apostrophe Davis can do the same things.
1:55: Doop Doop Doop Bah Doop Doop Doop Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doop Dah Doop Doo Doo. Super Mario.
1:58: I love Amobi Okoye. Going to be a bust eh? Well bust this. (I know you can't see what I am doing because this is being read not seen, but pretend.)
2:06: I am ready to say it. Kris Brown might be the greatest field goal kicker I have ever seen. Two...yes TWO 54-yard field goals in one game.
2:09: A few things. 1. Ronnie Brown is the first back to get over 100 yards on the Texans defense this season. He is good. 2. Kris Brown hit over 800 points with that field goal, and its the first time he has hit two 50-plus field goals in one game. My friend Mike just pointed out "Whoever scores the most points is going to win the game." Brilliant.
2:19: Feely hits another field goal. 19-16 Dolphins. I wished for a kicker battle. Screw all of this "touchdown" nonsense. Shoutout to Gina.
2:27: Chester Pitts must have been listening to "You really gotta hold on me" on the way to the game.
2:31: Why can't we have a Green Bay-style only passing offense? We have Matt Schaub! When does he NOT find a man open? He even hits open people with Chester Pitts on the O-Line.
2:36: Kris Brown. Again. 19-19. Im going to ask him to come home with me tonight.
2:58: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! KRIS BROWN! IM HYPERVENTILATING! Texans win 22-19!
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