Game Plan Thoughts for Houston?

[RelocatedPatFan]

My big question is how "all out" from a playbook perspective do we go if we may see this team again in the post season? I doubt BB and McD hold any tricks up their sleeves and that all teams are what they are at this point.

In one word, Inijuries. The biggest one being Brian Cushing who is out for the season with a torn ACL after a cheap shot by Clasuon of the Jets. Despite that injury the Texans continue to win. Other injuries have Jonathan Joseph out and that has really hurt. Brooks Reed is also injured and even with JJ Watt wrecking offenses, the Texans have not been getting as much pressure on the QB. Although they did sack Locker 6 times yesterday. But we realize Tom Brady is no Jake Locker.

It will be interesting to see what the breakdown/fallout of the Miami game will be. their defense (ranked #21) did a great job with handling the Patriots. What will the patriots get from that they'll allow them to get better and what will the Texans see that they can use and what wrinkles they add on their own.

 

[The Gr8est]

In one word, Injuries. The biggest one being Brian Cushing who is out for the season with a torn ACL after a cheap shot by Clasuon of the Jets. Despite that injury the Texans continue to win. Other injuries have Jonathan Joseph out and that has really hurt. Brooks Reed is also injured and even with JJ Watt wrecking offenses, the Texans have not been getting as much pressure on the QB. Although they did sack Locker 6 times yesterday. But we realize Tom Brady is no Jake Locker.

You'll find that you can't go wrong by hating the Rats here.

 

[BradyBranch39]

1) Score more points than the other team
2) Stay healthy

 

[sevengables_2207]

In one word, Injuries. The biggest one being Brian Cushing who is out for the season with a torn ACL after a cheap shot by Clasuon of the Jets. Despite that injury the Texans continue to win. Other injuries have Jonathan Joseph out and that has really hurt. Brooks Reed is also injured and even with JJ Watt wrecking offenses, the Texans have not been getting as much pressure on the QB. Although they did sack Locker 6 times yesterday. But we realize Tom Brady is no Jake Locker.

The Reed injury looks to be one that will not be as damaging since Mercilus has stepped up. Cushing was a huge loss, and if Joseph is out then that will weaken the secondary.

If Joseph did play, would the Texans deploy him to shadow Welker or Lloyd? I would suspect that Joseph would be better equipped to handle the latter, but I have not seen many Texans games since he arrived there as a FA.

 

[gwallaia]

My big question is how "all out" from a playbook perspective do we go if we may see this team again in the post season? I doubt BB and McD hold any tricks up their sleeves and that all teams are what they are at this point.

Interesting point. These two teams could possibly meet again in the AFC Championship. I would suspect the Texans to try everything for a win. We want that potential game at Reliant Stadium.

 

[gwallaia]

The Reed injury looks to be one that will not be as damaging since Mercilus has stepped up. Cushing was a huge loss, and if Joseph is out then that will weaken the secondary.

If Joseph did play, would the Texans deploy him to shadow Welker or Lloyd? I would suspect that Joseph would be better equipped to handle the latter, but I have not seen many Texans games since he arrived there as a FA.

Agreed, Mercilus has stepped up after starting the season mostly playing special teams and not being much of a factor when he did get on the field for the defensive unit. And to be honest, Brooks Reed has not been playing that great this season anyway.

I'm not sure if Joesph will be on the field or not. Kareem Jackson has improved this season and Daniel Manning continues to play well. Not sure how the coaching staff will use Joseph but Bryce McCain and Alan Ball will need to play well.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I'm a big Cushing fan, hell, I like most of Houston's D, I'm very jealous. Sorry you guys lost Cushing and Reed, both were draft binkies of mine a few years ago, along with Connor Barwin. BTW, JJ Watt is a BEAST, what a player. He can win a game by himself practically, with tipped passes, sacks, forced fumbles, what a beast.

Hopefully it'll be a close, injury free game. I've always liked the Texans, and root for them to win except against the Pats. Well maybe not this year , you guys have a 2 game lead for the #1 seed.

 

[sevengables_2207]

Agreed, Mercilus has stepped up after starting the season mostly playing special teams and not being much of a factor when he did get on the field for the defensive unit. And to be honest, Brooks Reed has not been playing that great this season anyway.

I'm not sure if Joesph will be on the field or not. Kareem Jackson has improved this season and Daniel Manning continues to play well. Not sure how the coaching staff will use Joseph but Bryce McCain and Alan Ball will need to play well.

Patriots receivers did not get much separation from the Phins coverage guys yesterday. Lloyd will have to step up, but Brady and he have not developed the same rapport that he has with Welker and the TEs.

I think the running game will be important for BOTH teams. We saw how the Patriots stuck with it when they needed to after all but abandoning it during the middle of yesterday's game. I expect them to be less sporadic on MNF with it, especially with Vollmer, Mankins, and Connelly likely out or dinged up and another stout front 7 on the menu.

 

[gwallaia]

Speaking of Vollmer, what are the Pat's fans opinion of him? In addition to be a Texan fan, I am a University of Houston alum and I can tell you Seabass was a fan favorite for us down here in Houston and a big part of our offense.

 

[JackBauer]

Speaking of Vollmer, what are the Pat's fans opinion of him? In addition to be a Texan fan, I am a University of Houston alum and I can tell you Seabass was a fan favorite for us down here in Houston and a big part of our offense.

One of, if not the best RT in the league when healthy. Only problem is his back is like linguine.

 

[PatsSox363804]

Speaking of Vollmer, what are the Pat's fans opinion of him? In addition to be a Texan fan, I am a University of Houston alum and I can tell you Seabass was a fan favorite for us down here in Houston and a big part of our offense.

Love the guy when he's healthy but those chronic back issues are really hard to deal with.

 

[gwallaia]

I hate to hear his back is giving him problems. I don't recall that being an issue when he was down here at UH.

 

[ATippett56]

I hate to hear his back is giving him problems. I don't recall that being an issue when he was down here at UH.

Back ailment sidelines Patriots lineman Vollmer - Sports - The Boston Globe

Vollmer, whose sophomore season at the University of Houston was wiped out because of major back surgery in 2006, is expected to be ready for training camp in late July.

 

[QB12]

Vegas has us as 4 point favorites:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

 

[gwallaia]

Back ailment sidelines Patriots lineman Vollmer - Sports - The Boston Globe

I guess I completely forgot. I just remembered the good things from the 2006 season. We won the Conference Championship that year. In any event, Vollmer was a great player for us.

 

[TexasTradition]

Sup Pats fans! Much respect for your team. Really looking forward to this matchup for obvious reasons. I have a little hope we can steal this one but not alot as our teams seem to be hitting different strides right now and I understand winning there in Dec is asking alot from anyone.

I think our def line is going to give us our best shot at winning. If you can neutrilize Watt and A Smith (easier said than done), then we will have a hard time keeping this one close. Getting S Cody back at NT last week I think really helped. But this is Brady we are playing against, and disrupting his rythym is no easy task. But expect a batted ball or two that could end up as drive spoilers or even a turnover. It really is amazing how many passes we knock down or tip drill every week. I expect to see quite a bit of screens this week from you guys.

So how is your defense playing? Stopping run first priority focused? Who will cover Andre? How do yall fair vs pass happy TE's?

Btw, I really doubt J Jo is not back for this one. My hunch is he could of played last week but we wanted to be sure and rest him a bit more for the stretch run.

Heres to an epic battle on Monday night with no big injuries!

Go Texans!!

 

[363839]

....... Vollmer was a great player for us.

Easy Dude! He ain't gone yet.

 

[gwallaia]

Easy Dude! He ain't gone yet.

....a great player for us at the University of Houston.

 

[76Texan]

Back ailment sidelines Patriots lineman Vollmer - Sports - The Boston Globe

I guess I completely forgot. I just remembered the good things from the 2006 season. We won the Conference Championship that year. In any event, Vollmer was a great player for us.

Hey Pats fans, a good day to y'all.

(Been in Texas since 1976 as a HS Senior)

I'm also from UH like my friend Gwaillaia here.
I knew that Sebastian had surgery back then, but he came back and played every game the next two years.

He was a sleeper back then that I talked quite a bit about during draft time.
I didn't figure he would go that high (considering the low profile) but I wanted him for the Texans and cursed the Pats for picking him up; as if you guys need another good OT.

The battery on my IPad is running low, but I will come back.
Love to talk a little Football with other fans.
Much respect to the Pats franchise!

 

[363839]

....a great player for us at the University of Houston.

My bad. :bricks: