What's going on in Houston

What's going on in Houston?

 Been extremely busy, with personal stuff, to keep up with posts this season but things are just insane out there. Something needs to be said but where to start? Let's start with the big one....QB controversy!


 I've said before, and I stick to my guns, that Matt Schaub is an extremely intelligent QB. The man can read a defense with the best of them. Unfortunately, Matt is seems to have a very difficult time getting his body to do what his mind knows needs to happen. Those closer to me already know my theory on that.

 T.J Yates is a younger, stronger but inexperienced version of Matt Schaub. I see T.J. being a very good starting QB for a team that really needs a good QB to help move the ball down the field but, the Texans aren't that team because they already seem to have that guy and with a contract coming up, it wouldn't be smart business to pay your back up more than your starter. That, and it would be a waste of a pretty strong QB to keep him on the bench if he can make a difference somewhere else.

 Case Keenum is the guy to mold. With all of Keenum's skill, he really needs to learn when to stay inside the pocket in order to let his blockers do their job and he needs to learn to better read blitzes. Let's go back to Schaub. If Schaub is willing, he should transition into a QB coaching position. Yes, the Texans already have a pretty good QB coach but Matt has the on field modern experience to work hand-in-hand with the young Keenum to develop him into a strong defense reading machine. Keenum has a physical skill set that you don't see in either Matt or T.J.. However, if you can stuff Matt's defense reading intelligence into Keenum, Schaub can still get a Superbowl ring, next year, with the team that he has sacrificed so much for.

 If Matt can take the route that Kubiak took when realizing that he wasn't going to lead a team to the championship on the field, he will see his great mind leading those who are on the field. And, that is just as important as being out there. So, in short, roll Schaub over to a coaching position, let T.J. prove his talents on a team that can pay him as a starter and start Keenum the rest of this season and let Schaub work with him to strengthen his weaknesses for the rest of this season and during the off season and keep Schaub on the coaching staff to mine his knowledge.

 As for the rest of our mess? Well, I'll just slap it all together and make it short and sweet. Okay, maybe not so sweet.

 Andre Johnson deserves a ring! Not just a ring, he deserves a ring with the organization he has been loyal too for so many years. This man, I"m sure, has gotten offers galore over the years but he has stayed where he knows people love and respect him. Even in off years, fans still wore his jersey, wished him well and a quick return to the game and basically never wavered from seeing him as the greatest Texan to ever take the field. Johnson has allow adjustments to his contract in order to help open cap space to help the team gain new talent. Johnson has stuck with the city and organization through thick and thin. The man has been inspirational off the field as well, especially during the holiday seasons where he selflessly help so many under privileged children have something to look forward to on Christmas morning. This organization owes this man a ring!

 Now, for the not-so-sweet part.... Replace Brice McCain, now! Bullock needs a vet to work under to build on his mechanics to better develop accuracy. We should have brought back Niel Rackers or Shane Graham  to help Bullock. I see potential in Bullock. The kid has as strong a leg as any special teams coach could ask, he just needs to be trained how to better use it!

 Do something with the right side of the O-Line. If the Texans get early draft picks, we desperately need a solid corner (replacement for McCain), right side help with the offense and stronger depth in the linebacker positions. If the Texans do pick up a QB in the draft, it should be later down the road and that person needs sit back and learn.

 At the running back position, with a few releases, we should be able to pay Tate and Watt. There is no need to explain the need for Watt but let me explain Tate. Foster is a beast on the field, as is Tate. Foster may be coming of a surgery that could weaken his game in the future. As much as I would love to see Foster come back with a full recovery, we must have a plan in place for what may happen while keeping in mind the business side of the game. Foster is getting paid. If we pay Tate, too, we will have to luxury of deciding which one we want to keep while putting them in a better position for their careers.

 If Foster comes back strong as ever and Tate is already getting paid, he will be worth more to other teams that have a need for the position. If Foster comes back struggling, someone will still be willing to gamble on him developing a come back so, it's a win-win for everyone. Which ever one might get traded, Texans get a good chunk of money to cover other needs that might arise by that time.

 Anyway, this has been a bit long winded for a sports blog post but like I said, there was much to say and even though I've put a lot out here, I left a lot on the drafting pages 'cause I could certainly take up more of your time with all that's going on. I just wanted to address the bigger issues.

Backup QBs in Houston

 Here we go into another season of football! y'all know I love this time of year.

 I may not have any influence over anything but I have to voice my opinion on the backup QB position the Texans are facing. I will more than likely get some negative feedback as well as positive 'cause in ANY QB controversy there will be those that have venomous support of their guy to get the bigger job.

 I'll start off by saying that I am very impressed with both of the backup guys under Schaub. I honestly feel that Yates has proven himself as a young, starter quality QB that could just use a full year as a starter to work out a few kinks. With Schaub just signing a nice little deal for a few more years with the team, I don't see a number 2 guy moving up in the ranks any time soon which is why I would like to see Keenum be the number two guy.

 I know some are probably taking a step back and thinking "Wait, you just said TJ was a starter quality QB". Yes, I did. In fact, it would be a waste, in my opinion, if TJ stuck around as a number 2 for the duration of Schaub's new contract. TJ needs to get picked up as a starter in a rebuilding season on a good team. I'd hate to see him go but I don't see him being allowed to 'move up' in a timely manor where he is.

 Regardless of what people think of Schaub (I've heard from haters and supporters) the reality is, is has the contract and ain't goin' no where any time soon. So, that being said, we need a solid young guy that needs a little more development but that already shows good promise. Keenum, I think, is that guy.

 It might be a bit late to find a team willing to buy out Yates' contract to move him into a starter position this season so it might be for the best to leave him at number 2 just to help keep him in spot light for a starter position next year. But, I can't deny the obvious progress made by Case Keenum and the scramble ability he showed while keeping composure in the pre-season opener. There was one play where he was on the run and was still able to square off the shoulders and make an impressive TD pass (I believe that was to Lestar Jean) while in motion.

 Yates will make a great starter for some lucky team and I will follow him where ever he goes and voice support but when it comes to the future of he Texans, considering contractual obligations for the near future, Keenum will end up being the future of the Texans.

 Now for the usual disclaimer. These are my personal opinions and I have absolutely zero say in any decisions made in the Texans organization. These are only my opinions and they are based on what I see from various sources including game situations as well as practice videos and interviews from the Texans organization. I'm not a professional journalist, I only play one on the internet.

Texans, Patriots rematch (Playoff addition)

 If writing were my primary job, I'd be updating far more often, unfortunately, I've missed opportunities to provide the posts I'd like to have made. Well, here we are back in the second round of the playoffs, again.

 "The Brady Bunch" has weaknesses but everyone has to be on top of their game if they want to exploit those weaknesses. Special teams can continue as they have in the last part of the season (Minus a few penalties) but there needs to be some movement with the offense and defense to make the biggest impact against this Patriot team.

 I'll sound like a broken record when discussing the offensive attack. Score early and score often. The Texans must grind down the clock with the offense and find a way to put 7s on the board every chance they get. This will probably be done best with an explosive ground game and quick, short passes just to move the chains. The Texans must keep their defense fresh to the very end of the game, especially with all the injuries to so many starters.

 To keep things simple, the offense has two goals in this up coming game against the Patriots. Score with every possible opportunity and hold on to the ball as long as possible.....KEEP BRADY OFF THE FIELD!

 The defense has to stay with the "Bulls on Parade" mentality. To keep Brady from taking advantage of his key players, the back field must stick to their guy like glue, unless the ball goes somewhere else. What do I mean by that? Corners safeties and inside linebackers need to back each other up while stumping their primary assignments.

 Brady is a quick strike QB. One thing Brady does well is get rid of the ball, fast. Key? Don't let him. Do not give the tight ends or backs any breathing room off the line. Those guys thrive of catch and run in the check downs and design short plays. The Texans secondary must keep Brady searching for open targets and cut his ability to find them.

 Second responsibility for the secondary will be to back each other up. Once the ball is in the air, attack the ball....even if that means leaving the guy they are covering in order to back up their brother in arms. It's a nice maned coverage that morphs into zone tackling as the play evolves.

 As for the front guys, do what (Watt) you do. Attack the man with the ball. If Brady is holding on long enough, well.....need I say more? Aside from introducing Brady to the turf as often as possible, watch for the runs and scrambles. When doing a Pinch attack, keep an inside linebacker or Safety ready to come up the middle. It's nice to collapse the pocket from both sides but the middle seems to be the weak point of a pinch.

 Well, that's my 2 cents. I guess I'm about as qualified to as any other arm chair QB with a keyboard. As I say all the time. I just call it as I see it.