Let me start this off by saying, I am not a doctor of anything. I am not a psychologist. I am just an observer. I am going to make a proposal, a projection, of where I think the NFL is going in regard to it's policy and rules on head bumps. Also, this issue is probably so far out there, I don't really expect much reaction to it except perhaps the random comment about sculpture or head size studies. No prob. I just wanted to get out there what I think is going on right now.

Hard tackles and the resultant head bumps are inherent in the game of football. I do not think there is a way of avoiding head bumps. There is a way of minimizing the number of head bumps. But, head bumps will never be eliminated. Here is my projection of where the game of NFL football is going and the rules it will develop in an attempt to respond to head bumps. The game of NFL football will eventually develop a way of categorizing the degree of the head bump. Then they will keep count of the head bumps for each individual. Then, when that individual reaches a certain threshold of head bumps, that player's career in the NFL will be over. That is the simple explanation. The getting there will be the difficult part.

We recently saw what happened when the NFL Owners tried to institute new rule changes regarding players wearing knee and thigh pads. The NFLPA stepped in and said, "Hold on, this was not negotiated in collective bargaining." Imagine if the proposed rule change was as complicated as the head bump issue and the long term mental health of that individual and his ability to earn a living in the NFL? Now, I am not playing up the NFLPA as bad guys on that pad issue. And, I am not saying they are bad guys on the head bump issue, either. I am just saying rule changes are complicated issues when it comes to players and their health and when the NFLPA has put themselves into position to be in the middle of it; good, bad, or whatever. As with any issue that involves a player's health, there is probably some science behind it. So, getting to a determination that head bumps can be categorized and ranked, and that the totality of their effects can be ascertained and agreed on would probably involve a lot of science. But, getting there is most definitely a priority. And, getting there will involve the NFL Owners, the NFLPA, doctors, scientists, psychologists, and a lot of lawyers.

A group of former NFL players has filed a lawsuit against the NFL regarding head bumps. I should state now, that I am also not a lawyer, but, that won't stop me from talking, will it? There is the lawsuit filed last fall and NFL lawyers are asking for it to be dismissed because it is "intertwined" with the CBA. The plaintiffs are saying they need a "smoking gun" to get around that, "something that shows concealment or conceit," that the NFL knew about the dangers of head bumps. Now, Junior Seau has committed suicide and since then many other former NFL players are getting involved. This is why it will become a priority. Money or the threat of money being lost. What are the Owners to do? They just voted on a new pad rule and the NFLPA objected. How will the NFLPA react to a rule that measures head bumps and results in the subsequent termination of individuals who attain a certain "measured" level of head bumps? I think the NFLPA getting involved with pad rules may relate to lawsuits against the NFL Owners about head bumps. I think the NFLPA may be setting themselves to get sucked into that lawsuit and any future lawsuit. I think any future rule will have to include the NFLPA. Again, they are not the bad guys, just part of the whole thing, now that they are putting themselves there. I think this issue is a lot more than just, as the NFLPA would like us to think, "collusion."

This entire issue is an area that is fertile ground for pschologist-, doctor-, and lawyer-wannabes. It's complicated.

Sporting News has released perhaps the most nonsensical rankings of the offseason; NFL Head Coaches. The Texans' Gary Kubiak is behind the Bengals' Marvin Lewis who he beat twice last season and ahead of the Jets' Rex Ryan who has owned him. At the top, Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick are 1, 2, suprise. The AFC South is rerpresented by Mike Munchak of the Titans at 18, Mike Mularkey of the Jags at 25, and Chuck Pagano of the Colts at 29. Mularkey has yet to coach the Jags in a game, and Chuck Pagano is making the Head Coach leap for the first time with the Colts. The five Head Coaches at the bottom of the rankings have never been an NFL Head Coach. The Saints' Interim Head Coach Joe Vitt, who is suspended for the first six games, brings up the rear at 32.

What can we learn from this? Next year after the Texans have won the Super Bowl, Kubiak will be ranked number 1 and whoever lost the Super Bowl will be ranked number 2? Very scientific.

When Grantland Rice saw the long offseason,
he saw dreary months bleak and dark and bereft of hope.
Yet we know that the offseason is just
another step in the cycle of the NFL.

But blogging here among the people of BattleRedBlog
and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts,
I couldn't imagine a better fate
than a long and lustrous offseason.

How do we measure time during the offseason? Is it the mock drafts that beat out a clouded syncopation, pick by pick, leading up to that fateful day in April? Is it the losing and gaining of free agents? Is it the number of times that a hibernating bfd reveals himself, checking his shadow as he posts his meandering Sunday thoughts. "Football, beer, Grim Burger, Blue Moon Screwdriver, crawfish, and football" are topics we all need to know more about. However you do it, you get through the offseason. Time passes by. You survive on tidbits of news interspersed with Tweets, BRBapaloozas, "I'm the next Andre Johnson" quotes and misquotes, and group disbelief that the critics are still critics and they will never anoint your Houston Texans preseason Super Bowl champs because they simply don't love us. We do it. We get there. We get to NOW! Football! OTAs! Men wearing uniforms and cleats, sweating in the gym, and leaving it on the field. Formations being practiced and classrooms filled with players studying those same formations on whiteboards and video. Whirlpools are lined up, filled and whirling. Reports fill the internet. This is what we have been waiting for. Coaches are coaching. They are no longer talking about coaching. Players are practicing. We are ready. We are educated. We know who they are. We all have our favorites. We are playing football again. May 21, OTAs start.

And, I leave you with this Grantland Rice gem:

"For when the One Great Scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes - not that you won or lost
But how you played the Game."

Go Texans!

Loni Fangupo orders two Run-Stuffer Platters on his way to the Training Room

Did the title grab you and draw you in? Yes? Then you are as sick as me.

I should explain myself. I was just doing a little personal research into some of the Undrafted Rookie Free Agents signed by the Texans. I was interested in the Nose Tackle position because, well, it is considered a weaker area of the Texans D. The Texans did not address that area in the draft, but soon after the draft ended they signed Hebron "Loni" Fangupo from BYU. I have seen Fangupo described in typical Nose Tackle terms such as "I think he'll be a plugger in the middle and can really hold the point of attack well....he's got the talent to be a solid player in the pros." Of course that comment was stated by Nolan Nawrocki.

Nolan Nawrocki, you may remember is the Pro Football Weekly Editor who caused a stir last year when he ripped Cam Newton, describing him as a "fraud, delusional about his past, con-artist.... Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup," Maybe Nawrocki has learned from that experience and he now keeps his personal feelings about a player's personality out of his analyses. I would also like to stay away from describing Fangupo's personality and stick to football terms. But, I reserve the right to wander just a tad.

Let's look at Fangupo's trail to the Texans. Fangupo started his football career at Mt. San Antonio College in 2007 and 2008. He then transferred to USC for 2009 and 2010. As you know, USC incurred NCAA sanctions in 2010, giving anyone on the team a free out, and reportedly due to family reasons as reported by Lane Kiffin, Fangupo transferred again to Brigham Young University for 2011. In his last season with BYU, The 6'-1", 330 lb Fangupo amassed 26 tackles, 6 for a loss, with no reported sacks. I am not in awe.

Would you like another opinion of Fangupo? How about Bleacher Report? Haha! I'm picking all the plums for your distinctive tastes, aren't I? Anyways, Bleacher Report says that Fangupo "is a classic immovable object... with brute strength... and great awareness. He compares with current KC Chief Kelly Gregg." Kelly Gregg is a 6'-0", 320 lb defensive lineman who toiled for 10 seasons at Baltimore prior to going to the Chiefs in 2010. Gregg was a two-time All-Big 12 player at Oklahoma who led his team in tackles each of those years, with 117 in his senior season and ranks in the top ten for sacks for the Sooners, so immediately, other than size, I'm missing the comparison. Fangupo was no Gregg during his college career.

There are lots of ways to describe Fangupo, but it seems that he is consistently described as a "run-stuffer." I'm starting to get the feeling that if Fangupo makes the team, we should come up with an hors d'oeurves platter that can be served at Reliant called the "Run-Stuffer" and that would likely be a big seller.

Now, I did not see where anyone said he can't play the pass. In fact, I believe it was said that he could be a 3-down player because of his athleticism. But, I think, right now, he is not a force on passing downs and that would be a skill he would have to develop. So, how does he make the team? Well, not as a Special Teamer, would be my opinion. And, as we know, if you are not number 1 or 2 in the pecking order at your position, it is helpful to be a ST contributor on this 53-man roster.

The experts out there, Nawrocki, Bleacher Report, Scout.com, and others are saying Fangupo has NFL talent. Well, guess what. Those experts are expert talkers and promoters. They are selling their spiel. They have no stake in whether the players they sell actually make it.

Whether Sean Cody and Earl Mitchell are entrenched or not at the NT position, is a debatable topic. Is there room for one more in that rotation? We have talked about rotating Earl Mitchell to DE, but I'm thinking with Jared Crick being drafted, that DE position is suddenly crowded. I wasn't enamored with the thought of Mitchell making that transition anyways. In two seasons, Mitchell hasn't projected himself to have DE skills, IMO. He has been merely adequate in the skill department. I don't have high hopes of Mitchel making the move to DE.

Cody evidently remains the starter because the Texans simply don't have anyone on the roster that can displace him. They have not sought to bring anyone in to displace him, which, I think is contrary to every edict we have heard about team philosophy regarding competition at every position. Is Fangupo that guy who can challenge Cody? An undrafted, untested, oft-injured rookie was brought in to provide competition at perhaps the weakest position of the Texans D? I'm sorry BRBers. Unless Fangupo magically achieves fantastical football skills that he has never before demonstrated, I believe the reality is that Fangupo will not make the Texans team. Nose Tackle fantasy extinguished... and hopes of the Run-Stuffer hors d'eourves platter dashed... I am not buying any Fangupo today. Fangupo does not meet what I have come to believe is the prototypical Wade-NT. He is not mobile and he does not penetrate any gaps. He may consume two blockers at times, but that may just be because he is easier to find.

But I'm just a guy writing a FanPost on a blog. I am no expert. I am just a guy with an opinion and a few minutes on my hands to press Publish. I think, in the above situation, Sean Cody keeps his NT1 status. I think Earl Mitchell, while not causing me to exude great confidence, keeps his NT2 spot. And, Hebron "Loni" Fangupo receives a dose of reality, NFL-style, and gets cut. The worst part of this is the Run-Stuffer Platter is just an afterthought of this unfulfilled Texans fan.

I'm really just providing the link to this story about Dwight Jones, the Texans undrafted rookie free agent who agreed to terms a few minutes after the draft ended. Let me say this, Dwight Jones doesn't think about failure. When it comes to football, he is only concerned with showing us what he can do and that is what he is working for. But, in the world of reality, he has a family with two children and signing with the Texans provides him with an opportunity of a God-given challenge. Character issue concerns came to the forefront at the Senior Bowl and that is why he was not drafted. So, here he is as an undrafted rookie. He says he is the "next Andre Johnson" and he stands by that statement. Jones is no stranger to Houston. He trained here from January to April prior to the draft. T.J. Yates is his former QB at North Carolina. What more can I say, except, read the article in the above link. It's a good read.

I'm just reporting the news here and then addng my own comments on the situation. The Houston Texans are losers, says Yahoo Sports Experts. They were lumped in with the Indianapolis Colts, the New York Jets, the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The good news is that Division rivals Indy and Jacksonville are losers, too. The BESF's weren't included in the write-up, which I guess means they were neither good nor bad.

Why did they say the Texans were losers? The obvious; the Texans lost Mario Williams and Joel Dreessen to free agency. They didn't mention Mike Brisiel going to the Raiders, bad on Yahoo. They mentioned Eric Winston departing, who was the victim of being a payroll cut. They also mentioned the trade that sent DeMeco Ryans to Philly and the pickup of Bradie James not being a net gain. They talked about Mario, yes he barely played last season, but how can losing him not be a negative? There was no mention of the thought that this team, in some respects, is just enacting a changing of the guard, so to speak. The Texans are thoughtfully building their team for the long haul. Younger players naturally supplant older players in the rotation. You look at Williams, Brisiel, and Ryans, and you see players with a few miles on them, that have broken down in the past, and who knows how many miles are left? Who can really say that the team is going to be at a disadvantage going forward without these players?

Look what is in store for the future. The Texans have some depth at OLB. They have Connor Barwin, Brooks Reed, Jesse Nading and Bryan Braman. All those guys took part in the "Next Man Up!" philosophy last season, and they held up in strong fashion. I can see the Texans picking up a young gun in the draft in one week and this unit will be ready to represent next season.

At ILB, yes, Darryl Sharpton was nicked up last season, but his injury is not seen anywhere as serious in the long-term as the Achilles injury that DeMeco incurred. Yahoo mentioned the addition of Bradie James, who I will classify as a little better than bringing in a journeyman LB. Brian "He's Everywhere" Cushing is about as good as they come at the other ILB position. Tim Dobbins and Mister Alexander are still here to provide depth.

The O-Line losses are not to be taken lightly. Winston provided steady T play and when healthy, Brisiel helped make the O-Line one of the best in the NFL last season. But, we have seen Antoine Caldwell and Rashad Butler come in and play steady before. I see this simply as the changing of the guard. I definitely see the Texans continuing to build up the depth at the O-line in the draft.

Joel Dreessen was the leading receiving TD guy on the Texans last season. But, look at what the Texans still have. OD is one more season stronger from his knee surgery and we have hopes that he will be 100% this season. Garrett Graham will now have a chance to make his mark, and I am trusting in Kubiak and Dennison to utilize him much in the way that they have always used their TEs.

Yahoo didn't mention the departure of FB Lawrence Vickers, but my thinking on that move is that the coaches are comfortable with the all-around play of James Casey and if they need more depth at that position, they may look for a low-cost free agent or undrafted rookie with some promise. FBs are not obsolete in the NFL, but they are certainly not as utilized as they once were. Having Casey as a potential pass-catching FB is not a detriment at all to this multi-pronged offense.

Let me discuss, briefly, the other losers. The Colts made the list simply on the basis of losing future HOFer Peyton Manning. My thinking is yes, if Manning proves to be healthy this season, they are a loser for this season. But, they are guaranteed of getting Andrew Luck in the draft and long-term, I cannot say that they have lost. That is the honest truth. If Luck turns out to be what most of us think he will be, the Colts have not lost. The Dolphins were called losers because they couldn't get Manning. I guess, if Manning can guarantee a Division Championship. In a division with the Patriots, though, I don't think even a healthy Manning would guarantee that. Yahoo said the Jets are losers because of the off-field distractions due to the addition of Tebow. Adding LaRon Landry didn't help them either. I disagree with this analysis. I think Landry can be one of the best SSs in the league and with the ingenuity of their new OC Tony Sparano, who almost single-handedly reignited interest in the Wildcat offense, Tebow will prove to be a valuable asset to the team. The Jags are a different story. Adding WRs Laurent Robinson and Lee Evans, QB Chad Henne and CB Aaron Ross is probably not enough to turn that team into a Division champ.

In conclusion, the offseason is not over. There is still the draft to come. There are other free agents that still may be added for depth. Yes, the prime free agent pickings are gone. But, I certainly cannot criticize the Texans offseason moves as turning this team into losers. In every case of a player leaving, the Texans have an answer to what direction they want to go. It is safe to say right now that the Texans have a system that works. It is also safe to say that no one player determines where this team can go. Last year, during the season, the Texans lost the great DE/OLB Mario Williams, their Pro-Bowl QB Matt Schaub and future HOFer WR Andre Johnson and the Texans still fulfilled our dreams for their first playoff season. I do not see them taking a step back. This team will win again this season, in spite of what the Yahoo Sports Experts say.

We are arrogant Texans fans, you know. You've all heard that. You've heard it on the radio shows. You've read it in the press. You've read it on the blogs; this blog, even. It's out there. We Texans fans are arrogant. What right do we have to be arrogant?

Well, it's their bias, of course. We were losers. Now, we are winners. They react in the only way they can and call us arrogant. It's human nature. It is easy to despise us when we are winning. It goes with the territory, doesn't it? Living in Texas, aren't we THE MOST together, patriotic, flag-waving state in the country? Centered here in Houston, aren't we THE MOST warm, open-armed, "Howya doin'?" community anywhere? Yes we are. There is lots to despise, I tell you. Add having a winning football team to the mix and all of a sudden we are "arrogant." There is just no pleasing the outside masses.

I ask again. What right do we have to be arrogant, as others would would perceive it? Our Houston Texans had one playoff season in ten seasons. This Houston Texans team has only proven to be respectable, at best, and that was just last season. Along the way, this Texans team invented new ways to lose. We know. We experienced it. We lived it. We were the victims of our own fandom for rooting for a team that always let us down. But, all that changed last season and now we have hope for more winning; a lot more winning. Before, we hoped to be winners. Now, we are winners. Bring on the winning! ((If you need to be reminded of what the feeling feels like) Bring on the disrespect from the other fanbases! Let us embrace our arrogance; our want for more! How dare we be so arrogant!

We come from a checkered past. The team played it's first game in 2002, having taken the place of the Houston Oilers, who at the behest of despised Owner Bud Adams, vacated the city. The Texans popped up and revived us. The Texans won their first game ever against cross-state rival, the Dallas Cowboys. Rival? Cowboy fans scoff! The Texans, plagued by new expansion rules devised to hold them down and poor front office moves, didn't have a winning season until 2009. They didn't make the playoffs until 2011, their tenth season. The 2012 season schedule was just released and the Texans have games against three teams they have never beaten, the NY Jets, the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens. Is it arrogant for me to think that the Texans can and will beat all three of those teams this season? I reek of arrogance. The Texans will handle all of those teams.

The Texans won't just stop at righting a decade of wrongs. The Texans will win the AFC South again. The Texans will advance in the playoffs and Durga be willing, the "Next Man Up!" way of playing from week to week will not have to be employed. The team will stay whole and the Texans will advance all the way to the final and victorious goal that all NFL teams aspire to. The Super Bowl is in the sights of the Texans. We know it. We feel it. Is that arrogance? Dang right it is!

Howya doin'?

Every year at this time we see people talking about whether their team should make a trade to move up in the draft or trade down to move down in the draft. Why do they do this? You could answer this questions many ways, but it boils down to the thinking that their team is one player away from being in contention for the Super Bowl, for some. For those supporting teams that are clearly just looking for respectability, or some kind of competitive edge over their opponents. There are so many reasons to make that trade.

Anyways, let's take a look at some of the modern era draft trades that have occurred and see what kind of truth or consequences they have resulted in.

Continue reading this post »

Peyton Manning Doesn't Scare Me Anymore

There's a good chance that Peyton Manning just plain old can't do it anymore. He'll be 36 this coming season. There's not a lot of tread left on that tire. He just took a whole season off. That's a lot of rust to knock off. He won't have Reggie Wayne to throw to in the 4th quarter. That's a huge safety valve that won't be happening. He has had a few neck surgeries. I really don't know how many. But, reportedly, the last one in September 2011 was a level one cervical fusion. That not only sounds serious; it is serious. Do you know someone that has done this or have you looked to see what the experts say about it?

Stage 1 of cervical fusion surgery recovery lasts a few weeks and really consists of rest and relaxation followed by the staples or stitches being removed. Stage 2 of the recovery lasts a couple months and starts with passive treatments which may include heat and electro treatments and massage, building up to mild stretching, gentle exercising and learning ways to strengthen yourself. Towards the end of Stage 2, the patient should be learning how not to re-injure himself. Stage 3 of the recovery continues the exercising and getting back into what you consider to be a normal lifestyle. If that includes taking hits to the head and neck by 300+ pound football players, then so be it. I'm sure you can find a doctor somewhere who will give you clearance to do that.

You know, back when Peyton Manning was healthy and the Texans weren't as good as they are now, I remember beating the Colts. Now he is well on the downside of 30, with time off from the game, going to a new team and certainly not as fit as he was, what am I scared about? I would think that Manning's number one goal isn't throwing TDs anymore. It's keeping the pass rush from hitting him. He is going to have one eye or two eyes on the pass rush at all times. For that reason alone, I don't see him being as effective as he once was. One hit is all it will take. What if he does take a hit and he stands back up with no ill effects? Does that mean that he is the same player he was before all this happened to him? No way. From this day going forward, he will never be able to not be watching for that next hit. He could get his share of TDs. He could have his moments. But, I'm not scared.

It's Just Business

Eric Winston is the casualty of payroll reduction. Chris Myers is visiting the BESFs. Mario Williams is talking to the Bills who are waving a ton of money in front of him. Arian Foster is sewn up for the next five seasons. Do we need any further proof that the NFL is a business?

The St. Louis Rams didn't need the 2nd pick of the draft, because they already have their franchise QB. The Washington Redskins wanted it and they sold the farm for it. The Redskins gave up their 1st rounder (6th overall) this season, their 2nd rounder this season, their 1st rounder in 2013 and their 1st rounder in 2014. Ouch! To add insult to injury, the NFL went back and took a look at how the Redskins did business during the uncapped year of 2010 and decided to reduce their 2012 cap by $36 million. That is salt on the wound right there. But, it's just business.

Twitter is Evil

Haha! We all know it's true, but we like to read about it anyways. Am I right? The latest one I see is about a rumor that Jeremy Shockey wants to go back to the NY Giants on the veteran minimum of $925,000. Upon hearing about this rumor, another former Giant, Amani Toomer tweeted: "No!!Shockey"I will never play4 you again!"he yelled at jerry Reese in 08. Let him keep his word. Bad teammate, worse person." Shockey tweeted back: "Amani Toomer on Jeremy Shockey: Bad teammate, Haha. Well he was the lazy one that broke my leg!!" and "Go get a bucket of rocks and start throwing them at your glass house." Amani tweeted again: "Shockey,Thanks 4 proving my statement about being a bad person. Lieing about my EX.Low blow.Enough said.Have a nice day& good luck as a FA." It's interesting to see two ex-teammates coming together and spreading the love!

Twitter is evil, for sure. Blogs are much better!

Pancakes alluded to it. I'm saying it. Mario Williams will not be a Texan next season.

Now, this is neither a religious nor a political manifesto. That would not be tolerated here on BRB. It is more of a statement... a life stance, you could say, on facing reality; the departure of Mario Williams from our immediate NFL football interests, the Houston Texans. Banned, you say? Why? Because it is inevitable, you know. Mario is leaving for parts unknown. He is destined to not be a Houston Texan. Franchise Tag Day is coming up and for Mario, that ain't happening. He will officially be an Unrestricted Free Agent. That means he can negotiate with anyone he wants to. Mario Williams might as well be handed a blank check and given permission to write any number he so desires on it. Do I need to say more on this subject? Yes? Okay. This is a business. Mario is a professional football player. He is a one-man wrecking machine. Who doesn't want Mario Williams? Everyone wants Mario Williams. He is as good as gone. Wave goodbye to Mario!

Losing Mario leaves a void... on the bench. He played the first five games last season and went on IR. The Houston Texans had their best ever regular season. They made the playoffs and won a playoff game. Their defense did not falter. Did moving Conner Barwin to the other side and inserting Brooks Reed hurt the team? No. The defense actually performed like it has never performed before. The defense got better without Mario Williams. When Mario is gone, where is the void? Depth, I suppose. Because this defense, without Mario, is freakin' awesome! Putting Mario on the field puts either Conner Barwin or Brooks Reed on the bench. The defense elevated itself to #2 in the NFL with those two guys on the field and no Mario. Going into next year, where do they go? I don't see them going down. For all intents and purposes, Barwin and Reed are still growing into their own.

Barwin played more TE than DE or OLB in college. He virtually missed all of 2010 due to injury and last season he was coming off that injury. Is there anyone saying he can't get better? No way! Barwin is the real deal and he's getting better. Reed was a rookie, transitioning from DE in college to OLB in the NFL. Is anyone saying he can't get better? No way! Real deal, Reed is. Mario is still growing, but at what cost? Is it worth $20+ million to put Mario on the field and sit one of those guys? I think not, because when I say $20+ million, I mean perhaps $25 million or more.

Money in Mario's pocket... is that the only implication of signing Mario? Um, no....

If you sign Mario, there are other complications, me thinks. That is less money in other players' pockets, you see. If you sign Mario, there are other parts of the Houston Texans that will suffer. I have heard time and again that Mario makes the players around him better and I am not making an argument against that. When he is on the field, which we have already established is not an every-game occurrence, let's all agree that he is a better player than Barwin and/or Reed and let's all agree that the other players on the field are also better because Mario draws so much more attention from opposing offenses. Let's just say Mario is better. But, what does Mario do to the rest of the team relative to payroll?

Mario sucks the Houston Texans payroll dry, is what Mario does. If you pay Mario, where does the team find the money to sign Chris Myers, Arian Foster, Mike Brisiel and others? They don't. The Texans need those players, don't they? We are talking about the rest of the team. Mario is just one player in a defense that already works without him. Is that O-line working without Myers and Brisiel? Is the rush game working without Arian Foster? Do you want to find out the hard way if Kubiak's offense is plug-n-play like we all want to believe? There has to be some push and shove here, folks. Why would we expect Mario Williams to not want what is his, millions of dollars more than what fits into the Texans cap figure? I expect he wants that money, the prestige that comes with it, and the security of that guaranteed bonus he will get. He deserves it and he should take it. It isn't coming from the Texans.

The consequences of this reality is that Mario Williams will go somewhere else to get his millions. This is life in the NFL. This is one reality that has a probability of near 100% of happening. So, Pancakes skirted around the edges. He has prepared you for this news. Mario Williams will not be coming back to play for the Houston Texans. And, guess what.... life will go on for the Houston Texans.

Here's the offseason schedule. There are ten days to go before teams can apply the Franchise Tag. Meanwhile, GMs and Coaches are playing musical teams and dreaming up ways to save money. Players are already being cut as teams begin that process. Good luck to the Texans!

February 20 - March 5: Franchise Tag

February 22-28: NFL Combine

March 13: Free Agency Begins at 4 p.m.

March 25-28: NFL Owner’s Meeting

March 30-31: Super Regional Combine

April 26-28: 2012 NFL Draft

May-June: OTAs

Late July: Training Camp Begins

August: First Preseason Game, Opponent Unknown

Tony Dorsett looks at brain scans which show the damage due to repeated concussions

via l.yimg.com

As we enter the 2012 offseason, several of the Houston Texans players are facing negotiations for new contracts. As with every player in the NFL, they have a history of injuries of varying degree. To stay in the NFL, they face a future of more injuries. When they retire, the degradation to their bodies, brains and emotions remains and quite often worsens. Who can question why the players do this. Fame, taking care of their family, and personal satisfaction are high on the list of answers. What is it worth? How can the NFL take care of its players that have already gone through the system and retired? How can the NFL take care of its future retirees?

Some former players are trying to find answers in a lawsuit. Tony Dorsett is one of over 300 former NFL players who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. What will the outcome be? Would a court victory provide enough relief to satisfy the former players in the lawsuit? Will the former players ever find relief for the toll to their bodies, brains and emotions? I read through that article and I saw that former NFL player Steve DeOssie, who I met when he was with the Boston College Eagles, has not joined the lawsuit because he has not decided if the concussions he incurred while an NFL player have impacted him. This may be the case for many players. But, for others, they are definitely impacted.

Sure, the rules today are changing in favor of greater protection for the player, but that does not mean they will never be affected. Play has changed. Fines have been levied. The game is safer than it was. But, there are no guarantees. Severe injuries in the NFL will never go away so long as they still allow tackling, blocking, and running. No matter what, there will always be risks associated with the game of football at every level, not just the pro level. Concussions and other severe injuries can take place on the Pop Warner, high school, and college level, too. Are the rules in place now sufficient for the current players purposes and is the NFL's responsibility covered. Should lawsuits by current and future players go away as a result of today's rules? What are the answers? I don't know.

Is Mario elite? Is he worth a huge contract? Does Mario make the other players around him better? These are all questions Texans fans ask and answer every day on this blog. Some might call it a debate. But, when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what we think, when it comes to Mario's contract negotiations. It matters to the parties involved, Mario and Rick Smith, along with Mario's agent, Texans' owner Bob McNair and a multitude of others in bits and parts. But, that doesn't stop us from forming opinions and getting all emotional about it. That is why I am writing this.

The above questions really are a combination of objectivity and subjectivity. To try to answer these questions, can we look at the most recent Mario? Shouldn't that be the closest thing to what we might get in the near future? "Yes" say some, and "no" say others. I am writing this, so I will say "yes" and that is what I will look at.

I know that Mario has finished the last two seasons on the IR list. That is a strike against Mario, because that means I am filling his spot on the roster with another player who is not the designated starter. The only good part about this point is that another player is getting starter minutes and experience. But, that isn't a positive for Mario.

The question has arisen, does Mario make the players around him better? To answer that question, what do I look at? I could look at team record with-Mario vs. team record sans-Mario. Wouldn't that be an indicator of how he impacts the players around him? Maybe. Let's just look at 2011, for starters, and see what it says. In 2011, Mario played in 5 games. In those five games, the Texans beat a lousy Colts team; beat a lousy Dolphins team; lost to an excellent Saints team on the road; beat a good Steelers team at home; and lost to a Raiders team at home; going 3 and 2, one game over .500. Over the next 11 games of the season, the Texans went 7 and 4, including a 7 game win streak, and along the way they lost starting QB Matt Schaub, as they limped into the playoffs. Few would argue that if not for the Matt Schaub injury and injuries to others, this team may have gone 8 and 3 or better over that period. I should also point out that three of those losses came with either rookie T.J. Yates or journeyman Jake Delhomme QBing. But, it is what it is and the Texans did go three games over .500 over those last 11 games. I am looking at that and I am not seeing any indication that the team fell off as a result of losing Mario Williams.

Some will argue that Mario was learning the new OLB position in the new Wade 3-4, so how can you use those 5 games? Well I can because, in fact, for every argument made that Mario was learning a new position in a new D, I could counter with the argument that the player who took Mario's place in the lineup was a rookie who was also transitioning to OLB for the first time.

In fact, if Mario is the player who makes everyone around him better, you would expect there to not just be a falloff because he was not in, but you might expect the learning curve to go back down to zero because a rookie is coming into the lineup to take his place. Well, I don't see that. How can I say that? Is it as simple as wins and losses? Maybe, maybe not, so let's look at some other team measurements and see how they compare.

In the first five games, the defense gave up an average of 19.0 points per game. In the next 11 games sans-Mario, the defense gave up an average of 19.4 points per game. That comparison doesn't favor the with-Mario Texans or the sans-Mario Texans.

How about yards by the opposing offense? In the first five games with-Mario, the defense gave up an average of 314.0 yards per game. In the sans-Mario last 11 games, the defense gave up an average of 263.7 yards per game. That means the defense gave up 19.1% more yards per game with-Mario than sans-Mario.

How about first downs by the opposing offense? In the first five games with-Mario, the defense gave up an average of 18.2 first downs per game. In the sans-Mario last 11 games, the defense gave up an average of 16.3 first downs per game. That means the defense gave up 11.7% more first downs per game with-Mario than sans-Mario.

Someone might complain that the Saints game skews all the stats and makes them irrelevant. Well, if I don't consider the Saints game at all and throw it away, then take a look at the other four games with-Mario, only in one of those games did the defense hold the opposing offense to fewer yards than the average for the sans-Mario defense. I am not making this up for the purpose of saying that Mario sucks, folks. These are the stats for the Texans playing in the Texans Wade 3-4 defense with-Mario in his OLB position and sans-Mario in the same defense.

Based on the above, I think it is reasonable to conclude that Mario neither is elite or makes the other players better. It is also reasonable to hold to that belief that he is elite and he makes the other players better if you choose to, because these are just numbers and this is a team. It is not an individual sport by any means. There are players that impact games in different ways. There are players with certain skills and there are players with certain deficiencies.

Mario is a super athlete, no doubt. But, he is a pass-rusher with limited moves. After six seasons it would have been nice to see him develop something other than a bull-rush move. He has a great bull-rush, but the lack of any other move makes him predictable and easier to scheme against. Elite athleticism can overcome some deficiencies but it does not always equate to being an elite football player.

So, does Mario make the players around him better? I'm sure he does. But, if you look at team wins and team defensive stats, I cannot say that is true to any great extent. Is Mario an elite player? I can't say he is. I love Mario on this team. I wish he was there right to the finish. I think the team could only have benefited if he had not been injured. But, he was injured and the team went on. The team went on to the playoffs without Mario. If I was Bob McNair and Rick Smith, that would be in my mind when addressing Mario's contract negotiations. This team is bigger than the player. The team is bigger with the player, certainly, but the team is also pretty damn big without him. So, where does that leave us? I think contract demands should be tempered.

This is one person's opinion and that's all it is. And, what do they say about opinions? Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. So, fire away.

The writers of BRB have given us some exquisitely crafted letters of thanks to the whole Houston Texans team, inspiring me to put fingers to keyboard to pound out my own heartfelt thanks, reminiscing about some of the things that made this 2011 Texans' season simply so enjoyable. There are so many intangibles to appreciate, so stay with me here for a few moments and join me in saying "Thank You!"

But first, let's do something that has been long overdue. Let's complete the exorcism of the evil past. In previous years as a Texans fan, we have been beaten down like a child toying with ants, as we, as fans, witnessed and took part in a seemingly endless and absolutely horrendous series of events on the field of play. Who could ever forget Travis Johnson taunting an unconscious Trent Green; Dunta Robinson wearing his 'Pay Me Rick' shoes, Chris Brown's Halfback interception in the end zone, the Q-Tip, or (gasp!) the Rosencopter!!!... all events associated with losing Texans football teams. The pain has been harsh. The pain has been long. The pain has been mind-numbing. We have suffered together! We have cried together! We have hoped together! Do I need to go on? I will answer that. Not with that line of delivery.

Well, things have changed around here for the better, Jacoby Jones notwithstanding. The ghosts of Texans seasons past have been vanquished. This Texans team has not only made the playoffs, but they have also won a playoff game! They have made right, so many wrongs. Throw those old, tired, burdensome feelings away because this past season, we have been given new and joyous feelings; feelings of winning! Gone is the weight of wondering what it's like to win a Division Championship! Gone is season-ending argument about who should be coaching the team next season! Gone is the thought of giving up your season tickets! We have been reborn and we now have goals greater than any that we have ever rightly had before. Next season we want it all. We want the Super Bowl! We have more than just hope and hype!

But wait, let's get back to the subject at hand. Let's give thanks to some of those intangibles that contributed to to our winning Texans season.

Continue reading this post »

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Wow! With less than two minutes left in the first half, J.J. Watt leaped up and snagged an Andy Dalton pass that very likely was going nowhere, and then he galloped menacingly into the end zone with his arms raised to simply signal his own emotions! That was a game changer! A momentum turner! That play propelled everyone in the stadium into "we can win this" mode. Yet, this was just an extension of what J.J. does every day in practice.

So said Wade Phillips, "He does it every day in practice."

I have said it before and I will repeat it, because it is so true and we are all thinking it, J.J. Watt is only going to get better. He is a young man right now. He is big, strong, and athletic, but he will bet bigger, stronger and more mature over the next few years. He is dominating right now. He is making plays right now. The sky is the limit for this young man. We all have great hopes for him. We are all admirers. As fans, we are loving this moment, but I think we can expect more of these moments in the future. I'm enjoying it!

Here's an article written by Chris Baldwin and just posted today about J.J. and how he is just doing what he has been practicing; with plenty of quotes from Antonio "Ninja Disruptor" Smith, Shaun "On The Nose" Cody and of course, J.J. "Hands Up" Watt.

What's In: Tsunami Wave Clouds. These phenomenons of nature occurred recently at Birmingham, Alabama, thrilling local residents who were in awe of the spectacle. The easy explanation is that it represents the Kelvin-Helmholtz theory of one air layer moving faster over a slower moving air layer.

What's Out: a Fan Wave while the offense is on the field. Read and listen to TexansChick and Conway Twitty, if you doubt me. Seriously, don't do it.

What's In: Rookie Quarterbacks who actually did something at the collegiate level. Before the season started, Cam Newton was controversially panned by many so-called experts in the sport of NFL football. He was described as a run-first QB who could never lead his team to a Super Bowl by those so-called experts who had actually played the game before. In the meantime, Newton is rewriting NFL history with his arm and legs, and I don't think many are doubting the possibility that we may see him in a Super Bowl some day. Add Andy Dalton to this list. Perhaps in the future, T.J. Yates can join that list.

What's Out: Rookie Quarterbacks with high IQs that never really did anything at the collegiate level. I speak of Blaine Gabbert. Here is a rookie QB who really never accomplished much on the collegiate level, but he did impress in the test room, scoring high marks on his Wonderlic and thereby garnering a 1st round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. How did this happen? Ask Wayne Weaver who swindled new owner Shahid Khan of $760 million for the purchase of said Jaguars, who donated two wins for the AFC South Division Champs, Houston Texans.

What's In: Dreaming about the playoffs for the first time in ten years!: The Houston Texans are going to the playoffs! EOM.

What's Out: Vince Young's Dream Team Philadelphia Eagles. Haha! Last summer after the Philadelphia Eagles obtained Tennessee Titans toss-off and backup QB Vince Young, Young made a bold statement at a press conference and described his new team as a "Dream Team. It's beautiful to see where we're trying to go." And that is, Vince? Not to the NFL playoffs. Eliminated!

What's Out: Tebowing. Let's face it, 99% of the public always thought it was foolish. It's time that the other 1% figured it out. Tim Tebow is not the Christ, you know. He's just an individual with strong beliefs. /Looks both ways before running to the truck during a storm.

What's In: Teboozing. This involves, surprise, getting down on one knee and holding up any kind of alcoholic beverage. It could be a beer, Crown & Coke, Zima,... so long as it's alcoholic.

What's In: Archer. Funny as all get out! You can see a weekly Archer quote in MDC's TDH. It is that good! Also, and you probably knew this already; I post in Archer-voice. BTW, Season 1 can be had for $14.99 at Target, right now.

What's Out: Michael Lombardi's Soft Label. With Pro Bowlers OLB Mario Willams, QB Matt Schaub, and WR Andre Johnson out with injuries and multiple other players going down at different parts of the season, this team has been anything but soft as they have battled and gritted their way to the AFC South Division Championship. They are now onto their 3rd string rookie QB going on five games this week

What's In: Wade Phillips' Never Stop Coming 3-4 Defense. They have incurred injuries and using their Next Man Up philosophy of filling the voids left by All-Pro Mario Williams and super-healing Danieal Manning they just don't stop coming. Give credit to the D for the team's turnaround from a ten loss team a year ago to a ten win team this season.

What's Out: The NFL Referee Conspiracy Against the Texans. From calling incomplete passes, fumbles to good fundamental tackles, roughing the passer; it is astounding that the Texans have maintained their coolness on and off the field of play. The coaches and players, while not liking it, have continued to not let it get to them and represented themselves like true professionals.

Matt Schaub: Okay guys! We are in a unique position. We made the playoffs, but the heads of the Houston Chimera are getting cut off one by one. We went to the Houston Hydra, but by golly, that isn't working either. We need a new identity if we're going to beat those evil Manningless Colts Thursday!

Mario Williams: Oh, here we go again....

Darryl Sharpton: Hold on, my Big Dog! I'm up for something new, Schaubby, my man. The D has your back covered, my sneaky QB.

Mario Williams: This is gonna be good...

Dominique Barber: That's right! Count me in! We may be hobbled, but we have to stick together and help our team anyway we can. But, maybe we should get away from all the mysticism of Chimeras and Hydras. That stuff just freaks my out! I have a phobia for lizards, anyways. you can't house-train them.

Mario Williams: How about if we come up with a name that is like a bunch of superheroes? I already have a Superman tattoo!

Matt Schaub: Naw! I don't think anyone would buy that, because none of us really have any super powers. Especially, when I'm riding around in a power chair and wearing a boot.

Mario Williams: But, that's the beauty of it! It's a disguise!

Matt Leinart: Big Dog, Big Dog, Big Daaaawwwwwwg!!!... take it from me, brah! The ladies don't like guys that wear capes, okay? So, I'm voting against the superheroes theme. Besides, do you really want to see my chicken legs in tights? No, didn't think so!

Kasey Studdard: I got it, guys! Let's go with a Hollywood movie theme! Yeh! That's right! I really like action movies, you know,... blood, bullets, beer, women, more beer... kind of like a typical Friday night in Austin!

Brett Hartmann: Now you're talking! I'm a big movie guy myself! Besides, I'm not into any of that roaring or hissing. But, put an automatic assault weapon in my hands and it's all over but the wiping up the blood!

Darryl Sharpton: Hitman, my donkey punter, you are onto something here! Schaubby, this gets my vote, my weak-kneed QB on wheels.

Matt Schaub: Okay, I'm calling an audible right now. Let's go with the action movie theme! Any ideas?

Andre Johnson: I plan to play again this season come playoff time, so I'm begging out of this one. Besides, I don't want OD to stop his hissing. It keeps me on point on those crucial third and shorts. So, you guys will have to go on this mission without me...

Brett Hartmann: I got it! I got it! This just may be the Hollywood action hero in me talking, but how about, The Expendables! Yeh! The Expendables! You know, with Stallone, Stratham, Jet Li, Lundgren! Hahaha! I want to be Lundgren! "Whoops! Aimed a little low...." Hahahaha!

Dominique Barber: I like it, Hitman, I mean, Dolph! We can be like The Expendables in the movie and go on a mission to Indy in an attempt to sabotage those Manningless Colts! Hahahahaha! Explosions! Fast cars! Wooooo-hooooooo!

Mario Williams: But, isn't that suicidal?

Brett Hartmann: Now, you're getting the idea!

Matt Schaub: Wait, guys! We're getting ahead of our plan here. We don't want to blow up the stadium or shoot anyone! We just simply want to cause a little commotion, maybe steal the gameplan, if they actually have one. After all, they are only a one win team. Orlovsky could never follow any of our game plans, so why would he be able to follow one of theirs?

Kasey Studdard: Oh Matt! You're so fucking stiff! What would the real Expendables do, is the question. Flamethrowers! That's what we need!

Dominique Barber: "You guys aren't gonna start sucking each other's dicks, are you?" Hahaha! Love that movie...

Wade Phillips: Hey guys! What's up?

Mario Williams: Oh man! I knew this wasn't going to be good....

Houston Texans rookie QB, T.J. Yates was voted in by fans as the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week last week for his outstanding performance in the Texans-Bengals game at Cincy. We all remember that game for Yate's
last drive heroics, now known in the annals of history as "80 for 80," that won the game, propelling the Texans to their seventh straight victory and their first outright AFC South Division championship in club history. Pinch yourselves Texans fans, when you read that, because you aren't dreaming! What a week! What a season!

T. J. Yates isn't just the Pepsi Rookie of the Week to Texans fans, he is also one of the Texans in the growing list of Next Man Up!, substituting in for the injured Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. And, the Texans picked a good week to lean on their young QB as he led the offense from the 20 to the TD, which included a 17 yard scramble on 3rd and 15 to keep the drive going. Yates remained poised every play on that drive. The "80 for 80" drive culminated with a memorable dart thrown to Kevin Walter on a crossing pattern at the goal line for the score with 2 seconds remaining that was finished with the winning extra point kick, as the Texans won 20-19. Also, not lost in the euphoria of this epic game was the repeated scanning by TV cameras during the game of the stadium's upper deck, where Yates' family had their visiting players seating. Many Texans watching from their living rooms shed a tear when the cameras went back to an upper deck shot of TJ's parents hugging in celebration after the victory was in the books.

Congratulations TJ, TJ's family, the Texans and all Texans fans everywhere!

This is it Texans fans. The start of the T.J. Yates era. What do you predict? We have heard all the pregame talk. TJ was drafted out of UNC because he was successful at the collegiate level in an offense that emulates the Texans offense. Now, here he is in the 12th game of the season and he is getting his first start. What are you predicting today? Success? Mediocrity? Total implosion? Highs and lows? Push vote and leave your comments below.

I see it has become acceptable to crown the Houston Texans as the 2011 AFC South Division Champions here on BRB after only half a season. Sure, why not? As has also been mentioned, it has no effect on what will really happen, negative or positive. So, why not hand out individual trophies for past performance based on only half a season?

Let's face facts. The defense is the most improved unit and a very appreciated unit it is, also. In nearly every category they are looking like a Top Ten or Top Five defense. And, they are improving. And, they are doing it without Mario Williams. And, they are coming up on what looks like on paper, the weakest part of their season. And, all along the way there has been one player who was shown up in every game and just torn it up, and I just don't see any way for it to be slowing down. That player is Brian Cushing. The First Half 2011 Houston Texans MVP Trophy goes to Brian Cushing!

Tackling, causing commotion, pressuring QBs, stopping ball carriers, covering sideline-to-sideline has become habit for Brian Cushing. Yesterday, Kubiak said about Cush, the guy is learning his craft, spending time watching his upcoming opponent, finding ways to "cheat," which for all you football aficionados, is what you know as knowing how to beat your opponent. "Cheating" is learning your opponents tendencies and then doing something on the field to get the jump on him. Always being one step ahead of your opponent puts you in position to make a play. Cushing is doing that, spending the extra time in the training room to study up and then taking it out on the field on gameday and making an art of it. He is literally beating the opponent.

A lot was said last season that Cushing can't think for himself, that he needed Meco to tell him before every play, what to do and where to go. This season, he is putting that talk to bed. How many times have you seen a play go somewhere and as soon as it gets there, you see Cushing there, too? It seems to be a habit, doesn't it? Kubiak said so himself, he hasn't seen anyone on film that looks as good as Cushing has looked. He is a monster out there. His game is together. He is doing everything. Last Sunday, he was in the right place at the right time to make a key interception. Just like his rookie season! This guy has earned his place on this team, this defense, this playoff contender, the AFC South Division Champs. Brian Cushing is my First Half 2011 Houston Texans MVP!

Let me be the one to ask this.

If the Texans lose to the Titans Sunday, does that sink their playoff hopes? Think about it.

If the Texans lose, that means they are 1-4 in their last five games, with only a home field win in that span. That means the Texans have four losses to the Titans two. That means the Texans have a losing record and half the teams in the AFC are ahead of them in the standings.

Four losses does not disqualify the Texans seven games into the season, but it doesn't paint a pretty picture either. So, what do you think?

Dear Coach Kubiak,

You know, I remember back when I was 13, playing little league baseball. I wanted to play third base. The only problem was the coach wanted another kid to play third base. That kid was his son, who by the way, couldn't make the throw to first and in all the years we played on the same team, I never saw him get a hit. I, on the other hand, got a hit almost every time up at the plate and I could whip the ball across the diamond on a rope on one step. I was simply befuddled sitting on the bench watching the other kid play as I wasted. The next season, I switched to catcher and used my arm to stop base-stealers and led the team in hitting. Sometimes I was the only one who got a hit. That team stunk....

Where am I going with this?

Far be it for me to tell you how to manage the Houston Texans football team. My baseball experience gives me too few reasons to think I'm qualified to give you good advice on how to lead your team to Ws. You are the Head Coach of the team and decisions on who plays on Sunday are your decision and yours alone. But, are you sure that Matt Schaub, who is not your son, is the long-term solution at Quarterback? Don't the Texans have a pretty good Quarterback standing by on the sidelines carrying his helmet every Sunday who might be capable of winning games? Doesn't he have some hardware in his trophy cabinet at home that says he was the best college player in his day? Has he had a fair chance to perform and show his stuff during his NFL career? Doesn't he have something left in his tank? Yes, Matt Leinart is waiting by, willing and able.

I'm just throwing this out there because, your current starter, Matt Schaub seems to be lacking at crucial points of games, sometimes. Not every time. He has won a few, in spite of having receivers to throw to named Jacoby Jones. But, let me just ask you this question. How long does it take for a QB to learn your system? Two months? One year? Two years? Never? That's not a wise-ass question. Never could be it for a particular QB. Maybe Matt Schaub and Jacoby Jones didn't hook up last Sunday on the last play because they haven't learned your system. Maybe they are incapable. Maybe they didn't hook up because they don't have what you call the "It Factor." But this leads me into my next point. When will Matt Leinart be up to speed enough to be in position to find his way off the sidelines and into a game? He has the "It Factor," you said once. Am I right? You did say that about Matt Leinart. I think it was a year ago, or so. Definitely before this season started. Actually, when you said it doesn't matter, because you did say it, therefore he has it, and he didn't just get it when you said it. He has had to have had it all along. So, he has been here, a QB with the "It Factor" learning, practicing and virtually under your wing for over a year, in your system. Isn't it time that we see what he can do?

It's just a question.

Sincerely,

Rip Jersey

Dear Coach Kubiak,

Give us a reason to believe in you, Coach Kubiak!

Even Shaun Cody is capable of making a play that impacts a game. He is on the field. He is in position, close to the action. The other team assigns an offensive lineman with the responsibility to stop him when they run a play. On third and three, the opposing QB could take five steps back into the pocket looking for the quick sideline pass to get the first down and stop the clock. Just by being there, Shaun Cody has the opportunity to surge around a blocker who missteps a bit on his sore knee, giving Cody that inch of space he needs to dip under the block, step towards the passer and pressure him into a throw that is 10 inches too high for the receiver causing him to leap in futility as the ball sails past his outstretched finger tips, forcing the other team to punt on fourth down, which hopefully isn't a fake. Yes, Shaun Cody does make enough impact plays that impress the coaches, I suppose, to keep sending him back out there, as foolish as that may sound, and as cheap as it is for me to write about, reaching for an easy laugh. Shaun Cody is good for that, because he plays.

But, back to my point.

You, Coach Kubiak, are capable of making moves, establishing strategy, calling plays, motivating players, taking chances, grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat, getting a W. You are on the sidelines. You are in the locker room. You are on the practice field. You are in the War Room making decisions and plotting strategy. You have assistants ready to direct your players however you wish. You have players that you have helped to handpick ready to follow your lead on the field of play. Just by being there, you are in position to do something to make a difference,... like Shaun Cody. The other team has a HC doing the same thing, attempting to thwart you. That other Head Coach isn't perfect. He has lost games, too. He has his chinks in the armor. But, just by being there, irregardless of all the above, you have an opportunity, Coach Kubiak. You can make a call, change the pace of the game, insert a player,.... you can lead this team to the playoffs! How do you want to be remembered, Coach Kubiak? Do you want to be the Head Coach of a losing team or a winning team? What does it take to be that guy who leads a team to a playoff season? Do you know what it takes? I think you know what it takes to not make the playoffs. That has been established in your first five seasons. You now have the opportunity to change all of that because, you are there. What will it be, Coach Kubiak?

We are all watching you in "Your Moment.," Coach Kubiak!

Very truly yours,

Rip Jersey

Dear Coach Kubiak,

How many times have I heard you say, "It's up to me to put them in position?" Too many times. But, you know what? If putting players in position to make plays is a good thing, then you are one of the best coaches in the NFL. Because, you do do that, Coach Kubiak. You put players in position to make plays. But, there is a big problem with that reasoning. What is that? It is, if you put your players into position to make plays, guess what? You are also putting the opponents players in position to make plays, too. And, this is the NFL, Coach Kubiak. Those players on the other team are NFL players. Think about it.

No wait, I will tell you. I will translate for you, just what I mean.

You are an NFL offensive mastermind. You certainly know how to spread the offense out, forcing the defense to get in awkward positions, allowing your team to make plays. No one is denying that. You know how to read defenses to find out what they are giving you and you know what type of play can take advantage of that defense's weakness. Moving players around and utilizing their offensive strengths is an art form at times and you have mastered that part of the game. Your offenses are capable of giving opposing defensive coaches fits as they try to counteract the chess moves you make.

Then, something happens. You change the game plan. You get a lead, sometimes a big lead and sometimes a small one. And, you change your game plan. You forget about what was working for you 10 minutes ago and you change it. What is it that you are thinking? Are you thinking that you have put the team in position and now it is time for your players to make plays? They made plays using the obviously successful formula, so now they can carry that over into a different formula and keep the ball rolling? Is that it? You practiced it in practice and you talked about it all week and they should be able to keep the other team at bay.... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?

Why is it that you open the door to the other team and give them an opportunity to beat your team? What is it about your job that you don't like that causes you to hand the other team the opportunity to make plays? Those are NFL players on the other team! You give them a chance and they will make plays. Your strategy of keeping the game close and putting your players in position to make plays give the other team's players the same opportunity! The strategy of keeping the game close and hoping that your players are the ones who will make the plays is only good HALF THE TIME! Look at your record if you doubt me! Sub .500 for your career. This year you have an okay defense and guess what? You just lost your 2nd game and you are traveling this week to the home field of one of the preseason favorites for the Super Bowl. They are hoping that you maintain your strategy of just putting your players in position, because the Ravens know that with their home crowd and their defense, they will be happy to be the players making the plays.

I expect a loss this Sunday because I don't expect you to understand what you are doing, playing to put your players in position.

I don't think you realize that it is this strategy that loses games. "Bringing it" on defense, passing to set up the run was working in the first half, but you know what? This is the 2nd half, so you put your players in prevent defense formation; you decide to try to run the ball up the middle even though you know it won't work, three and out. Then an opportunity arises for the other team's players to make a play. Why? Because by you putting your players in position, now the other team's players are in position. A missed assignment on a fake punt later and now the other team has the advantage. It's a 50-50 proposition, Coach Kubiak. Either your player makes the play or the other team's player makes the play. Either your team wins the game or the other team wins the game. You might as well flip a coin to determine which team will win. That's about what the results are. Whichever way the ball bounces when the players are under pressure. Half the time it bounces your way and half the time it bounce the other way.

Hell, might as well say that you play for a tie and overtime, with the coin flip determining who will win. What am I saying? I have even seen you take a pass on kicking a winning field goal in overtime so you could punt, hoping that you would get the ball back one more time! Infuriating! And so, Coach Kubiak, to conclude, you have no idea how to go for the jugular! You play for the tie! You play for the coin flip! You play to put your players in position to make a play! Well, sometimes they do and sometimes the other guy's players do. LOOK AT YOUR RECORD IF YOU DOUBT ME!

Thank You,

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Game 1 is less than a week away. Rumors are flying like doves on the wing in Texas this time of year, about Peyton Manning.

"Colts president Bill Polian says that he is not aware that Peyton Manning needs a second neck surgery."

A lot could be read into that statement. Does Peyton Manning need a second surgery and is Bill Polian just uninformed? Or, is the report literally accurate and, in fact, Peyton Manning does not need a second surgery and that is what Bill Polian is aware of?

Either way, there are questions about Peyton Manning's health going into Game 1. The Colts list him as Doubtful. That literally means exactly that; it is doubtful that Peyton Manning will play. We can only speculate if he will play. But, we can do that, right? Our thoughts might be about more than just winning or losing the game, too. If he were to play, we might be concerned about his health after the game. When Peyton Manning plays the Texans, he does so at extreme risk, even when he is healthy. He has the biggest target on his chest of any player in the game when he plays the Texans. Witness last season's Game 1 if you question that statement. There are rumors that it was that game that put Manning in the condition he is in now.

Anyways, here is my poll. The question is simple. The answers are simple, But there are so many thoughts that go into the answers that ultimately, only Peyton Manning will provide. Will Peyton Manning play in Game 1?

Peyton Manning has a continuous start record hanging on playing in Game 1. Peyton Manning has Kerry Collins standing by ready to take his place if he can't do it. Peyton Manning has a mad Texans pass rush that has been waiting all off-season for this moment. Peyton Manning has a will that pushes him to heights that we as fans can only imagine. What will he do?

The CBA-wrangling shortened preseason resulted in an abbreviated practice schedule, less time for scheme implementation and four preseason games that emphasized quality over quantity. The pressure of whipping players into playing shape and synchronizing them into a usable, working unit was high. Some players responded and others are now being shown the door. It's unfortunate, but not all of our fan favorites will be with the Texans at the end of the day. Anyways, from what you have been able to see, which is fractional compared to what the coaches have seen, I would like to know what players do you think have done the most to elevate themselves to active and productive Texans football players? So, I put it into a poll. I won't qualify the poll by imposing any factors like: they have to be a starter, or they have to just make the team, or they have to be a future All-Pro, or whatever. This is just your personal basis of a player who has elevated himself.