Change Needed in Houston
This post will be either loved or hated by fellow Texans fans, but I think it is something that needs to be done. This franchise has been known for staying conservative, or as fans call it, being stubborn. The coaching staff doesn't play to win, it plays not to lose. We get a lead, we get out of the game plan and allow opponents back in the game. We play down or up to our opponent level. We play great teams great, and we play poor teams poor. We all remember a shootout with the Jacksonville Jags last season, as well as a rout of the Denver Broncos (who almost came back due to conservative play calling). Our
quarterback stares down his receivers like a rookie in the pocket, and he has no mobility. Our current ground game is mediocre at best even though we have two awesome running backs. We love Andre Johnson like a family member, and I believe that EVERYONE in the city wants this man to get a title before his amazing career is over.
quarterback stares down his receivers like a rookie in the pocket, and he has no mobility. Our current ground game is mediocre at best even though we have two awesome running backs. We love Andre Johnson like a family member, and I believe that EVERYONE in the city wants this man to get a title before his amazing career is over.
Houston Texans Options
I am not totally against Matt Schaub playing QB as most are. He can gun it with the best of them. Although it does seem that every time he throws a pick, it goes for six. Is a quarterback change needed? Yes and no. We have two great backups just itching for a chance to play. We know Yates is capable. The problem is that we have invested so much in Schaub. So be it. Kub has been a great coach despite being ultra conservative. Here is where people will think I am nuts, and that's fine. This just makes better sense to me.
I am 100% against our running game right now. I feel that Foster is back to health and deserves his spot back. No, he doesn't need to lead the league in carries. The thing I do believe is that he is a running back that needs to get in a rhythm. Trying to balance carries between he and Tate is hurting his game. Tate does fine because he has always played with this style of coming off the bench. Foster comes in for 3-5 plays and then they sub in Tate for equal plays. Foster NEVER gets a chance to get comfortable. The playbook has to change every 3-5 plays as well because Foster is a better receiving back. Again, flow interrupted. Get Foster back on track. He is still a top 3 running back in this league. But wait, that's not all!
The trade deadline is approaching. I personally believe that Ben Tate has to be traded for anything else positive to happen. Before you try to hunt me down, hear this. Tate is gone after this season regardless. His contract is up, and the Cleveland Browns absolutely love him. They WILL make him an offer he can't refuse, and we all know he wants to be THE man. Whether you want to believe it or not, Tate will no longer be a Texan after this year. We have too much tied up in Foster already. I'm cool with that. If you're going to lose Tate either way, why not get something for him while he is hot? Cleveland has already put players on the trading block, one of which is Houston native (Lamar High School) Josh Gordon. He is an electric young receiver with plenty to offer. Why not trade Tate and maybe even Lestar Jean or Keyshawn Martin? Get another great young receiver to play the slot along side Andre and Hopkins?
We have pieces in place already. Hopkins will be a great receiver and will lead the core after Andre is gone. Josh Gordon would add another. Andre Johnson will be a mentor to these young guys, who could end up being even better than the Roddy White and Julio Jones combo in Atlanta. You have Foster already with a good looking young running back in Cierre Wood. He can handle 3rd down situations and be a great player to train under Foster. We already have young QB's who can also take over when its time. We essentially have an entire foundation for years and years to come. We need as much fire power as possible to handle teams like the Broncos, who have 3 super WR's of their own. The issue? Houston refuses to make ANY changes. The option is on the table. But when is the last time you saw the Texans make a mid-season trade? Something needs to be done, and soon. If not, we will again be playing second fiddle to the Colts (who are NOT afraid to make a trade) as well as being the same team that exits the playoffs early, if we make it at all. I love Tate as much as the next fan, but we can all see the confusion in the ground game trying to force the issue of balance between the backs.
If you agree at all, please share this post all around. Get our voice heard as fans and supporters of this franchise. We all live and breathe Texans football. Its time the guys in the front office had the same passion for this team that we do!
The only problem here is, as nice as Josh Gordon would look in a Texans uniform, he is one bad decision away from a year-long suspension. He's too much of an off-the-field risk. He absolutely would not be worth giving up Tate +1 for. Even giving Tate for Gordon is too much.
ReplyDeleteIf the Texans are going to trade Tate for a wideout, they need to be getting a big name in return. I would send him to Denver for Demaryius Thomas, sweeten it up with a second round draft pick.
This works out for the Broncos, as Hillman and Ball certainly are not a dominant backfield. With Tate, the Broncos add an immediate, proven starter, and in Thomas, the Texans add a lean, long receiver with proven talent to run in the slot.
I don't want him going to a team that can already beat us! LOL I get your point though bud. There are options though. Sadly our front office is SO conservative that they will end up letting bounce right out for free:(
DeleteTrue...the main point is that they WILL lose Tate. That is a given. JJ's contract is up and they can't afford to pay both. They need to get something for him before he walks free. Gordon was listed simply because Cleveland has made it know publicly that they will pursue Tate and have already put Gordon on the trading block. I think Houston can keep Gordon under control. They have a great no nonsense organization. But as stated, just get something. He is far too talented and wanted to just let him walk for absolutely nothing
ReplyDeleteTate has looked better than Foster in every single game. I would give Tate the starting role and have Foster be the passing downs and goal line back. I think that would make us a better and more balanced team. And I don't think you know how playbooks work if you think we have to "switch playbooks" every 3-5 plays when the RBs switch. Over half off the NFL teams in the league have a starting RB and then a RB that gets more work on passing downs (and sometimes goaline). Think about Cincy with what they are doing with Green-Ellis/Bernard or Miami and Lamar Miller/Thomas. It happens a lot and it works a lot. Even great players like Ray Rice and CJ Spiller (although he hasn't produced this year) share a lot of carries with Bernard Pierce and Fred Jackson respectively.
ReplyDeleteI would almost try to move Foster for a 2nd and future 3rd round pick and then have Tate be the starter, if you are looking at trades.
Missing the whole point bud. Right over your head. What you said can also work, but TATE IS GONE AFTER THE SEASON! What then? He walks, and for free. What part of that is so hard to understand? He and JJ have contracts due. We can afford ONE. We tied up too much money in Schaub and Foster. I know, next complaint is "Trade them then", but its not that easy. Teams don't have enough to eat the costs on contracts that big. Its called a salary cap. So while your option is good for 13 more games, what is your answer afterwards? This was a great post that should make fans think if they could comprehend just a little bit of what is going on.
Deletein my opinion, I think we should just shake things up a bit. Yes we have invested and over paid a soft QB in Schaub. SIT HIS AsS DOWN ON THE BENCH. isnt Kub still a coach????? Is this not a business like KBR, and Dyncorp? Anytime an Exec. is screwing up we send them down the road to another region. its time someone to grabs their nuts and make that call. And one last thing, we as fans do have a say in this but are to dumb to do something about it. As a city we have the power to elect officals. Do we not have the power to make a stand for a change and call them out by reducing our turnouts to the stadium? Or do you just want to sit around and be ESPN sportscasters and complain. This is not 1970 anymore Houston. We have the power to let them know our dissatifaction with the team.
ReplyDeleteRight on! That's the fire our front office needs!
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