Upon Further Review: Texans at Titans

Bam!  I just finished re-watching the Texans-Titans clash and even though I already knew the outcome, I'm still ready to throw down.  While watching it live, I nearly took a swing at my wife when she offered me some key lime pie.  

Normally, when I watch a Texans game on Sundays, I'm usually excitable to really analyze what's going on, so I like to re-watch the game later when I'm a little calmer.  That gives me a chance to break down the plays in a little more detail.

So here is my break down, bullet style.  Here's hoping I can get through this without hitting anyone.

Offense

• Last week, the team really struggled with both blitz pickup and blitz recognition.  The majority of this fell to Slaton and the offensive line, and I really expected the Titans to blitz heavily.  They did, and Slaton and company did a great job of keeping Schaub upright.
• What can you say about Andre Johnson?  Despite missing a few easy catches early, he made some tremendous catches and great plays.  His ability to stretch the field opened the middle for the tight ends to make plays.
• Speaking of the tight ends, Owen Daniels and Joel Dreesen had some huge receptions themselves.  That said, they are exempt from my aforementioned compliments on improved blocking.  I noticed this last week vs. the Jets and it continued today.  Daniels specifically must improve.
• Before I move on, how about a little love for Joel Dreesen?  I was a little concerned when I heard that he was going to be the long snapper in order to free up a roster spot, but he has excelled in that position (i.e. he hasn't screwed anything up) and has still contributed with some clutch catches.
• Back to my most recent obsession of blocking, I understand that Tennessee is one of the best run defenses in the nation, but I still saw the offensive line struggle to make effective first-level blocks and get to the second level.  This is critical to the zone blocking scheme.
  
• Regardless, Gary Kubiak's reliance on the run game was sufficient to make for an effective play action, and that's really the key to the Texans' offense.  This team is based on misdirection and play action so when the run game is no threat, as was the case against the Jets, it bogs down the entire offense.
• Staying with the running game, here are two fantasy tips for you.  First, if you own Steve Slaton, pick up Chris Brown.  I would be shocked (shocked, I tell you) to see Slaton starting next week with his fumbling problem.  Second, if you don't own Steve Slaton, make a move for him.  The odds of Chris Brown staying healthy for the full season are lower than the odds of Jacoby Jones retaining the kick return job.
• Ah, Jacoby "CA" Jones (the "CA" stands for "cardiac arrest").  His talent is unquestionable, as evidence by some of the plays he made as a receiver, but his hands are slipperier than a fish covered in Vaseline, and he was bailed out twice by the officials (no, I won't apologise for that).
• I loved (LOVED) both of the decisions to go for it on fourth down.
  

Defense

• I tried to think of something witty to write about not covering Chris Johnson, but I think it may have just been a late tribute to last year's defensive coordinator, Richard Smith.
• Continuing on that theme, the tackling was absolutely atrocious.  I'm still hoping that can be attributed to the teams sudden switch to a more aggressive defense.  Sometimes that can cause a team to lose discipline, and over-pursuit was definitely a problem.  It allowed the Titans a number of cutback opportunities.
• Chris Johnson aside, what a performance by this defense in the second half.  It would have been very easy for the team to mentally and emotionally break down after giving up so many big plays, but they shut down the Titans after the 91-yard run and came up with a clutch turnover late.
• I never thought I would say this, but thank God Eugene Wilson is back. 
  
• They won't show up on the stat sheet much, but Antonio Smith and Amobi Okoye played solid games.  Smith got some good pressure and was stout against the run, while Okoye is developing a tremendous knack for sniffing out the screen.
• Rookie Brian Cushing is playing great against the run, but is currently a liability in pass coverage.  
• Rookie Connor Barwin is a liability in run defense.  On Chris Johnson's first touchdown run, Barwin was taken out of the play way too easily.
  
• I love my wife, but if Mario Williams asked me out on a date, I would have to consider it.  Seriously, I can't think of a premier defensive end who plays the run as well as him. 
  
• At least one day in practice this week must be dedicated to fundamental tackling technique.  For two games in a row now, this team has consistently failed to wrap up when in position to make a play.

Special Teams

• Jacoby Jones has electric return ability, but this is negated by his inability to field a punt consistently.  It may be time to end this experiment.
• The kickoff coverage was fantastic.  The punt coverage was the opposite of fantastic.
• Having to use a time out on punt defense is a coaching mistake.  I can appreciate the fact that they needed to defend against a fake in such a critical moment, but the coaches need to have the team prepared for these situations.

There you have it.  That's my absolute best effort of breaking down the game without talking about the physical aspects.

Now let's talk about the physical aspects.

First off, I continue to say that Cortlan Finnegan is a cheap shot artist.  I'll credit him for being a decent (not great) defensive back, but this is not the first game where I've seen him take the hit just past the point of "good football."

Any team knows that when they step into Tennessee you're in for a fight, and this was no difference. 

If there was any question about what the Titans wanted to do, it was answered by the praise Jason Jones received from his teammates after throwing a punch and getting ejected. 

Clearly, making a statement about physical play is more important than staying on the field and making plays.  The Texans were ready and when the Titans hit them, they got up and hit back.

I wrote earlier that this rivalry, while young, is on its way to become one of the leagues most passionate.  There should be no question about that now.

What does it all mean?

It means that I can't wait until the Monday night rematch.