Idle thoughts - The Houston Match up. (Texan fans welcome)

[longhornsk57]

The Texans front four does not resemble the NY Giants in scheme or talent. The Patriots offensive line can handle those guys in both the run and passing game. Gronk adds a dimension to the blocking schemes. The early lead plus the opportunities provided by the Patriots offensive line led to an almost perfectly balanced attack - 33 runs/35 passes by the Patriots.

The other thing about the Texans is that they couldn't keep track of Brandon Lloyd (7 catches) and Aaron Hernandez (8 catches) last time, even though they did a nice job on Welker. That was new for us as fans - it was the key game that told us that teams can focus on the slot and Lloyd will make them pay.

The problem for Philips is that it gets harder now with Gronkowski to account for in the passing game and on running plays - he's a good blocker if he doesn't break his friggin' arm. Gronk adds the dimension of drawing a linebacker in coverage on every play. If a team tries to drop a down lineman in coverage, Gronk just pushes him aside and runs away.

The idea that the Texans will get physical with the Patriots is not news nor a real concern. The Pats are one of the most physical teams in the NFL and get that every week.

The game comes down, in my mind, to whether Matt Schaub can throw accurately against the Patriots' secondary. He has to be precise and take what is provided, which will be a lot - it always is with these guys. Schaub just seems like a guy who locks onto a receiver early and who gets rattled when he gets knocked around.

You might be surprised if our LBs actually show up this time.

 

[IllegalContact]

True, but I don't think that can be determined until after Sunday. I know the 45 to 3 over Jets has been brought up, and it's a good thing to keep in mind. Different situation, different stakes. All of the pressure on is on NE to win this, everyone expects Houston to lose. We won't know what Wade is cooking till Sunday, but it had better be better than the crap he served last time.

yup....and last year, the pats beat the broncos by 20 in the regular season and then by 35 in the playoffs.....

LMFAO @ the notion that the pressure is on the pats to win...... pressure? they've won and lost SB's, AFCC's, divisional, etc.......pressure off the field is a non factor

 

[AzPatsFan]

Btw, Y'ALL are more than welcome to come say HOWDY over on our boards and clear up any misconceptions we have about your team.

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Thanks I think will...

 

[IllegalContact]

You might be surprised if our LBs actually show up this time.

they're all on IR, so they can't show up


the problem is that texans got nowhere near brady until they were down 2 TD's....they then bumped him around a bit....big deal, he's used to it.

the texans just don't have the defensive players to be able to change up their scheme.....they'll probably be forced to some big nickel and then the pats will run all over them

 

[mgcolby]

1) Not hurting because they already move around so muchand asking them to play more zone is not really a cataclysmic change. Also, we had zero pass rush the first time, and if our guys EXECUTE better there's no need for a drastic change.

2) I don't think a radical change is necessary. Minor tweaks can go a long way. More zone, better executed pass rush, healthy Joseph, healthy Reed etc...

3) I think he does think that if we EXECUTE, I mean look at last year's Superbowl and historically when Brady is made uncomfortable he does make mistakes. Our offense is actually our best defense. Know how to beat Brady? Keep his ass on the bench! Eat clock. We failed miserably the first time, but had 38 minutes I think last week, and #1 in the league this season in TOP. Foster is the key to beating Tom Brady, NOT our defense.

On your last question, they just executed better. Watt was hitting Brady, coverage was good, the run was stopped. That is Texans football played well, then the gas ran out again.


I am not saying we are going to win or are even likely, but I do think you will see a more physical team that is not going to make some really stupid mistakes.

For your sake you better hope that Kubiak doesn't come back for round 2 with that mindset otherwise it will be a long day for the city of Houston. Belichick is going to force Schaub to win the game, that is what he does, he will take away what the other team does best - damn near selling out on it.

That zone stretch won't work with Wilfork chewing up your center and guard....and you guys don't have the horses on the line to line up and play power football. And by power football I don't mean "running the ball", I mean lining up and having your O-line pushing foward and winning the one on battles in the trenches. The stretch zone stuff simply won't work mostly because of Vince as I stated above. Your team absolutely has to throw to set up the run. I know that isn't how your team has played most of the season, but that is the only way they have a chance to win outside some freak turnover game etc...

I hate to say for your sake but your best chance to win this game is for Schaub to have a great game and for your defense to be +2 or more in the turnover department.

 

[b0ng]

Still waiting for some Texan fan feedback on whether we are likely to see something different from Wade Phillips on defense this time around?

Wade Phillips will change some things against an opponent they have faced before depending on how successful or unsuccessful they were in the previous meeting. Last year, the first game we faced the Ravens in the regular season at Baltimore and the defense got torched by Joe Flacco and the pressure packages employed did not work in the least.

In the playoff game later that year (also in Baltimore) while the Texans did not win the game Flacco was harassed a hell of a lot more and Wade threw different actions up front with more DE/LB stunts. Unfortunately we are not at full strength on the ILB position and this means that we are probably not going to throw too many blitzes with the ILB's this time around which would've been different than the last time the Pats and the Texans face off.

I don't think that the score will be as lopsided as last time, and that the Texans defense is going to play this upcoming game with a gigantic chip on their shoulders due to being embarrassed as badly as they were last time around. Whether Matt Schaub and the disappearing/re-appearing offense can keep finishing their drives off then it'll certainly be a good game.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Wade Phillips will change some things against an opponent they have faced before depending on how successful or unsuccessful they were in the previous meeting. Last year, the first game we faced the Ravens in the regular season at Baltimore and the defense got torched by Joe Flacco and the pressure packages employed did not work in the least.

In the playoff game later that year (also in Baltimore) while the Texans did not win the game Flacco was harassed a hell of a lot more and Wade threw different actions up front with more DE/LB stunts. Unfortunately we are not at full strength on the ILB position and this means that we are probably not going to throw too many blitzes with the ILB's this time around which would've been different than the last time the Pats and the Texans face off.

I don't think that the score will be as lopsided as last time, and that the Texans defense is going to play this upcoming game with a gigantic chip on their shoulders due to being embarrassed as badly as they were last time around. Whether Matt Schaub and the disappearing/re-appearing offense can keep finishing their drives off then it'll certainly be a good game.

I agree. Will be a tough game IMO because you guys are playing with extra motivation to erase the humilating prior loss.

Welcome to our forum!

 

[patfanken]

Wade Phillips will change some things against an opponent they have faced before depending on how successful or unsuccessful they were in the previous meeting. Last year, the first game we faced the Ravens in the regular season at Baltimore and the defense got torched by Joe Flacco and the pressure packages employed did not work in the least.

In the playoff game later that year (also in Baltimore) while the Texans did not win the game Flacco was harassed a hell of a lot more and Wade threw different actions up front with more DE/LB stunts. Unfortunately we are not at full strength on the ILB position and this means that we are probably not going to throw too many blitzes with the ILB's this time around which would've been different than the last time the Pats and the Texans face off.

I don't think that the score will be as lopsided as last time, and that the Texans defense is going to play this upcoming game with a gigantic chip on their shoulders due to being embarrassed as badly as they were last time around. Whether Matt Schaub and the disappearing/re-appearing offense can keep finishing their drives off then it'll certainly be a good game.

Thanks for your input. What you offered makes a lot of sense. At least it shows that Wade is willing to change things up

 

[b0ng]

Thanks for your input. What you offered makes a lot of sense. At least it shows that Wade is willing to change things up

I think the real conundrum for Wade this time around (which is probably the same as last time really) is that he can't hide the 10 feet of manure the Texans are currently starting at ILB. The Pats can triple up Watt, dare Antonio Smith, Shaun Cody/Earl Mitchell, Connor Barwin, and Brooks Reed to beat them and with how that's gone so far against the Texans, is not a bad strategy to take. Most teams in the NFL have seen the Texans run their DE/OLB stunt and are ready for that action up front so he's going to need to come up with something different than that, which he really hasn't so far. My guess is that he's going to be in nickle/dime (probably more dime than nickle) while yanking out Barrett Ruud from his starters spot and put in either Shiloh Keo or Quentin Demps or both. Glover Quin will probably play a pseudo-ILB role in most of the non-base formations which means runs up the middle are probably going to be the go-to audible for the patriots if they don't like the alignment for a pass play.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Brian Baldinger was on 98.5 as I was driving home. I kind of stopped caring what he said a few years ago when he said the game had passed Belichick by — but he did have a good pont tonight: The big problem for the Texans last time was just the pace of the Pats offense. Said the Texans D would basically be looking to adjust their alignments based on the Pats' when BAM the ball would be snapped. Just no time to think. Maybe there's a way they can anticipate based on film and if they see tendencies (such as matchups the Pats may have targeted last time), but I'm not sure there's much they can do.

 

[Thunderkyss]

Brian Baldinger was on 98.5 as I was driving home. I kind of stopped caring what he said a few years ago when he said the game had passed Belichick by — but he did have a good pont tonight: The big problem for the Texans last time was just the pace of the Pats offense. Said the Texans D would basically be looking to adjust their alignments based on the Pats' when BAM the ball would be snapped. Just no time to think. Maybe there's a way they can anticipate based on film and if they see tendencies (such as matchups the Pats may have targeted last time), but I'm not sure there's much they can do.

I think this is the biggest "change" we're going to see from Wade. We're not going to put so much emphasis on trying to figure out what the Patriots are "trying" to do. We're going to line up the way we want & we're going to try to make the Patriots adjust.

Sounds odd, sounds like a losing plan, but that's what I believe he's going to do. Kj or Brandon Harris will share Welker responsibilities. So it's not going to matter "where" he lines up. & I think that was the major issue leading to the Texans' confusion. Locating Welker & adjusting.

We're still going to be aggressive with the blitzes...... that's just Wade. There are too many disadvantages to focusing so much energy on the back end. Too many receivers, too many combinations, too many possibilities. Pinning the QB in the pocket.... you know where he is, his options are finite. Still not going to be "easy" but there are a lot less variables to have to worry about.

Then we're going to try to work that 12th man in under the referee's noses.

 

[Joker]

I just have to chime in here after catching up with today's posts.

Nowhere in the Pats organization is ANYONE saying anything BUT positve things about the Texans. NOT ONE PERSON in the Patriots organization.

I can tell y'all THIS though...every defensive player in the Pats locker room has read Foster's tweets...and believe me, they are going to remember every single word he's uttered so far. He's a great running back but he's a stupid, ignorant moron painting the Patriots players with the mongoloid brush of a turd scumbag like Shaughnessy.

I have no idea why everyone else thinks this is going to pump up the Texans....it's the Texans showing THEIR TOTAL DISRESPECT by remaining silent to the idiocies that Foster has vomited up the past 24 hours.

 

[captain stone]

Yeah, I also want to comment on Joker's comments.

I haven't read what else Foster has said or written, but to any Texans fans in this thread,
I apologize for the ignorant, non-journalism pom-pom waving by the Curly-Haired Boyfriend
baseball-lover Shaughnessy. There is not one player or coach here who is treating this game
in any other manner than this: If the Pats do not execute to the best of their abilities, then
they will lose & Houston will win. Period. The Texans have too many excellent players on
both sides of the LOS not to take full advantage of any Pats mistakes or lapses in execution.
And if Schaub plays up to his capabilities, with the weapons he has at RB, TE & WR, our
defense will have its hands full, and then some.

Shaughnessy has no credibility in this forum. His opinion means less than nothing, and in
no way, shape or form represents the opinions of NEP fans or of the NEP organization.

I expect a very close, hard-fought game that will not be decided until the 4th quarter, and
will consider myself fortunate should we emerge victorious.

 

[Joker]

If I could like that post 1000 times, I would click it, Stoney.

and you know, it's idiots like Shankanancy and Gasbaggarotti that constantly reinforce a negative image of the Patriot fanbase...a fanbase that is the polar opposite of what they are portrayed as by jackazzes like these creeps.

 

[GhostRaider]

I can tell y'all THIS though...every defensive player in the Pats locker room has read Foster's tweets...and believe me, they are going to remember every single word he's uttered so far. He's a great running back but he's a stupid, ignorant moron painting the Patriots players with the mongoloid brush of a turd scumbag like Shaughnessy.

What exactly has Foster said/implied about the Patriots organization and players?

I have read his tweets and found nothing. Aside from him changing his avatar the only other tweet I have seen him directly reference the article was this:

Link:
https://twitter.com/ArianFoster/status/288475295391035392

Not at all. Just thought it was funny. RT @tconn2: @ArianFoster Do you feel disrespected that someone would write an article like that?

 

[Joker]

one picture speaks a thousand words....



that speaks for itself..."hi, I'm Arian Foster and I can tweet anything I want to about the New England Patriots so I'll post THIS to show you all what I feel about THEM and how they think".

Period. He should have posted NOTHING printed by that scumbag.

 

[supafly]

one picture speaks a thousand words....



that speaks for itself..."hi, I'm Arian Foster and I can tweet anything I want to about the New England Patriots so I'll post THIS to show you all what I feel about THEM and how they think".

Period. He should have posted NOTHING printed by that scumbag.

I'm not feeling the disrespect from Foster for pointing this out as motivation, Joker, but maybe you feel differently.

When I read your comments I expected to find a bunch of statements from Foster that were brash and boastful. While you're probably right in saying that he should have ignored it, the comments made in the article were so stupid and strong that I can't really blame him myself for using it as some extra motivation.

Great points by the way from you and Captain Stone in stating that the organization and fanbase as a whole do not feel anything like what that drivel stated in the article.

I hope that the majority of the real world and Texan fans realize this.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm not feeling the disrespect from Foster for pointing this out as motivation, Joker, but maybe you feel differently.

When I read your comments I expected to find a bunch of statements from Foster that were brash and boa(Please be quiet - edited)l. While you're probably right in saying that he should have ignored it, the comments made in the article were so stupid and strong that I can't really blame him myself for using it as some extra motivation.

Great points by the way from you and Captain Stone in stating that the organization and fanbase as a whole do not feel anything like what that drivel stated in the article.

I hope that the majority of the real world and Texan fans realize this.

Nobody should feel disrespected by Arian Foster or his subsequent actions. He's been stupid enough to zero in on one media commentator where many others are trumpeting a similar message.

As mentioned, if Foster needs external motivation or needs to broadcast publicly his thoughts, then the Texans have already lost this game. The more I think about it the better it is hearing nothing but praise from the Patriots for opponents. It's just so damned smart.

As for Texans fans, they've been pretty good here. As a matter of fact, they've come here talking football and it's been welcomed after the hysteria of the bye week shenanigans.

 

[PatriotSeven]

You know I always get a little bit annoyed with the image some of us force on the fan base to be "classy and nice" to others during playoffs. And some feel the need to deliver this sense of fear upon the fan base because of freaking smack talk. Personally, I never actually understood why people look to the NFL for their role models and example of class and modesty.

Don't get me wrong. I love the fact our organization and players are like this and for the most part so is the fan base. But this is the playoffs. The fans and our media have a right to talk smack and enjoy their success. And if our team hasn't earned us the right to do so with what they have been over the past decade, then which team in the NFL did?

They may not have to like it. But they do have to deal with it and accept it and prove otherwise on the field. As far as us? So what if we end up with egg on our face because some part of our fan base wanted to bask in the fact we are the big dog in the house? Won't be the first time. But we clean up pretty well the following season, and the season after that, and so on and so on.

It's the playoffs. If some of us want to talk smack, let them!!! Enjoy it. Have fun. This is what it's all about!

If the Texans are so mentally fragile they can't take a low blow under the belt from some Boston media beat writer, I'm already licking my chops.

EDIT: Oh yeah and one more thing. For example, I'm not afraid to say that both Schaub and Kubiak looked like a deer in the headlights against the Bengals out there. They know it and we know it. And it's not unreasonable to suggest that if they haven't figure it out the first time they played us, and the lights were still too bright for them this past weekend, it will probably repeats itself. I smell weakness, and I want to point that out. I am not buying Foster's show of motivational leader. If it was Schaub I might be impressed. If you want to help your team out, it might be better to take Schaub to a shrink rather than add additional pressure on his shoulders by potentially doubling the oncoming embarrassment. Just my two cents....twitt that!

I can see it now:

@ArianFoster: Patriots fan said Schaub and Kubiak looked like deers in headlights in playoffs. Likely to choke again!

 

[ausbacker]

You know I always get a little bit annoyed with the image some of us force on the fan base to be "classy and nice" to others during playoffs. And some feel the need to deliver this sense of fear upon the fan base because of freaking smack talk. Personally, I never actually understood why people look to the NFL for their role models and example of class and modesty.

Don't get me wrong. I love the fact our organization and players are like this and for the most part so is the fan base. But this is the playoffs. The fans and our media have a right to talk smack and enjoy their success. And if our team hasn't earned us the right to do so with what they have been over the past decade, then which team in the NFL did?

They may not have to like it. But they do have to deal with it and accept it and prove otherwise on the field. As far as us? So what if we end up with egg on our face because some part of our fan base wanted to bask in the fact we are the big dog in the house? Won't be the first time. But we clean up pretty well the following season, and the season after that, and so on and so on.

It's the playoffs. If some of us want to talk smack, let them!!! Enjoy it. Have fun. This is what it's all about!

If the Texans are so mentally fragile they can't take a low blow under the belt from some Boston media beat writer, I'm already licking my chops.

It's more about the smack talk coming from someone not attached to the Patriots being used as some sort of motivation PatriotSeven. Had the smack talk been from someone attached to the Patriots, then that's fair game for Foster.

It's mental midget stuff from Foster disregarding what the Patriots have been saying about the Texans, specifically BB. As for smack talk, good luck to the people who use it. It either works or it doesn't.