We all know the Texans struggled to 1-5 inside the AFC South. We know the division turned in basically the greatest regular season ever by going 30-10 against all others. Did you realize that the Texans allowed more than 28 points in 7 games this year?
Against the Chargers, when the Texans had 5 turnovers and forced none, they allowed 35 points. All six other instances came in the games against division foes. Indy scored 30(H) & 38(A), Jacksonville 37(A) & 28(H) and Tennessee 38(H) & 28(A).
That's an average of 33.2 pts per game. Atrocious. That's was my question for Coach Kubiak at his season-ending press conference. "Does this indicate a huge gap b/w the Texans and the other 3?" He acknowledged that it's obvious they have things to correct against those teams, but pointed out they had the ball at the end of the game, just down a score against Indy, had two winnable games against Tennessee and closed out the season scoring 42 points in the win over Jacksonville. Having any winnable games among the first 5 meetings is a minor miracle considering they were a combined -9 giveaway/takeaway in those 6 games, while just a -4 in the other ten games.
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Andre Davis finished the year 2nd in the league in kick return average (to Cleveland's Josh Cribbs who is headed to the Pro Bowl.) Following his 2nd kickoff return for a touchdown on Sunday, Davis actually took over the top spot which would have been his for the season had he not been on the field for the final 2 kickoffs of the game. Neither were conventional kicks and he netted just 12 yards on the two returns - which cost him the league title.---------------------------------
I have been hypercritical of Hawaii throughout the season. I've seen them play; we've all seen them skate by the likes of Louisiana Tech (5-7), 45-44, or San Jose State (5-7), whom they topped in overtime; (they had to score two touchdowns in the final 4 minuets just to get to overtime.) They got a 2-pt win over Nevada (6-7) and scored in the final minute to escape Washington (4-9) with a win.I was adamant about the fact that they deserved no consideration for a BCS bowl, obviously none for the top spot in the country, although New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme disagreed and gave Hawaii his vote in the last regular season poll.
I predicted blowout city from the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl and that's what it was. It was U-G-L-Y. It wasn't because of QB Colt Brennan. While Brennan did have a bad night; he failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his three years in Hawaii (he played only two plays in the Nevada game - we won't count that.) His 169 yards were his career low in a game he started. He had 5 turnovers (3 INT, 2 Fum), but he had no help at all from his blockers.
His O-line was annihilated by the Bulldogs. He was hit nearly every single time he dropped back. That is why Hawaii was in over its head. They have some players who can play with the big boys, but basically none of them play in the trenches. That's why this one was easy to see coming, especially when Georgia got out front early.
The game did provide a lot of emotional play since both teams feeling disrespected. Georgia thought they should be playing for the national title, Hawaii felt nobody believed they belonged.
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For the New Year I hope...--- The Rockets realize that T-Mac is merely a piece to the puzzle, who must be forced to fit into their system, rather than the other way around. Watch how they play on the nights without him - that's the basketball that Les Alexander wanted to see (at least offensively) when he moved so quickly this offseason and made the move to Adleman. That type of basketball,sure, but it would be so much more effective if McGrady was out there in the middle of it. He can get to the basket whenever he wants. He can finish both inside and out. He can make the deft pass to someone who will score the ball. The rest of his teammates possess some of those skills, but none has all of them like he does.
There is no so such thing as better without him. The Rockets goal is not to be able to beat the likes of Memphis and Toronto. They are 30th and 13th best in the NBA respectively. The goal is to beat the good teams - like Golden State - who embarrassed the Rockets for the second time in as many tries to ring in the new year.
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--- The Texans realize they are a slow team. An unexplosive team. The game plan they employed - both offensively and defensively - was ultra conservative. It was also the right one considering their lack of speed and playmaking ability. Andre Johnson is the exception on offense. DeMeco Ryans is the exception on defense - and with his injury over the last several weeks of the season he wasn't himself. Mario Williams is close. He was very productive, not just with sacks, but in stopping the run and most importantly being disruptive - which actually is what he is supposed to do.The last two years in the draft the Texans have added 7 legitimate NFL players.
2006 - (1-Mario, 2-DeMeco, 3-Winston, 4-Daniels) Plus Spencer, who I'll allow was a good selection, albeit unfortunate that he's unlikely the LT of the future.
2007 - (1-Amobi, 3-J. Jones, 4-F. Bennett) Plus Zac Diles I think will actually be contributor next season if they do the right thing and shake-up the linebackers.
They must add a minimum of 2 contributors to next years team via the draft. I'd say three but that means their 4th round selection (somewhere around 114) would have to be a hit, since they do not have a 2nd round choice.
They hold the 18th selection in each round
The past ten years, the following players were drafted 18th overall.
2007 - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan (Bengals)
2006 - Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio St. (Cowboys)
2005 - Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (Vikings)
2004 - Will Smith, DE, Ohio St. (Saints)
2003 - Calvin Pace, DE, Wake Forest (Cardinals)
2002 - T.J. Duckett, RB, Michigan St. (Falcons)
2001 - Jeff Backus, T, Michigan (Lions)
2000 - Chad Pennington, QB, Marshall (Jets)
1999 - Matt Stinchcomb, T, Georgia (Raiders)
1998 - Robert Edwards, RB, Georgia (Patriots)
That list of non-Pro Bowlers can't possibly excite you. The Saints Will Smith has enjoyed an above average career in his 4 seasons, beyond that there ain't much. Hall seemingly had a decent year with 5 INTs, but their overall defense and especially their pass defense as a whole was atrocious. Carpenter is hardly a blip in Dallas, a major disappointment so far. James had a decent start in '05, but has played in only 8 games since, due to injury.
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-- The Astros realize nothing has changed in baseball. It's about pitching and defense. They will not have a top-tier pitching staff, nor defensive group. Both have been staples of every Astros postseason team ever. Not a good sign. They have virtually no pitching depth. Wandy, Sampson and Backe all must have strong years and remain healthy. The same is true for Woody - good luck with that. A line-up of Bourn, Pence, Berkman, Lee, Tejada, Wigginton, Towles and Matsui should be able to score a lot of runs and have very few days when the offense produces nothing. Keep in mind the line-up GM Ed Wade initially discussed had Matsui in the 2 hole and Pence in the 6 spot - hope that doesn't come true.Surfin' the Net
- (added) Jim Leyritz should be headed to jail after DUI killing (AOL Fanhouse)
- (added) Missed Lamar Odom on Sunday tackling Ray Allen??
- Cowboys fan vs. Cowboys fan in stands at season finale in D.C. (thanks, DMN)
- Iceman returns! Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 of Chuck v. Silva at UFC 79
- We don't care -- do we?? Reggie Bush to marry Kim Kardashian! Hours later...maybe not . I'll provide this pic, google her at your own risk.
- Raptors' Chris Bosh wants your All-Star vote (With Leather)
- Aggies' sights set on Nolan Cromwell to run offense (SA Express News)
- Just as the thread title states, things sting for Aggies this last week (Hornfans)
- I guess the goodie bag at the Fiesta Bowl didn't include a coat (DMN)
- UT's Charles headed to NFL (Bevo Beat)
- As always more updates throughout the day-------WEX
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