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Texans Pulse
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A few positive signs in Houston |
The Texans will go into thier bye week with a surprising record of 4-5 and still in the playoff hunt in the AFC South. Although a run to the playoffs remains unlikely there are some positive signs for the 1st time in a couple of seasons:
1. QB Jimmy Clausen is finally making some progress, albeit limited. Clausen has now pushed his % completion for the season to over 50%, and has played 4 solid games in a row. Nothing to be excited about just yet, but there more of an air of optimism in Houston
2. The Texans are now 3-1 within their division after beating the Colts twice in the space of 3 weeks. The games were decided by a total of 4 points, but are critical for the confidence of this young team.
3. The remaining schedule is manageable but further improvements will be required to maintain the recent progress. However, the Texans have still yet to record back to back wins.
4. The injury report will be very critical to the team this week as HB Montario Hardesty went out injured after only 4 carries. Rookie backup Keiland Williams though did a sterling job as his stand in rushing for 87 yards on 21 carries.
5. Offensively, the Texans have improved in recent weeks although 25th in the league in points per game doesn't sound very impressive, it does represent a big improvement from last season.
6. The key to the remainder of the season is likely to be some more plays by the defensive backfield and for Clausen to continue his development. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Arnold on 07/16/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 22 |
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Latest Texans News |
The Texans improved to 2-3 with a victory against the Dolphins, and here are my 10 observations about the Texans through Week 5:
1. 2-3 implies a competitive team, and that is stretching the truth. The Texans have 2 tight games against struggling teams with losing records, however the 2 wins are encouraging.
2. The team have no option but to perservere with struggling 2nd yr QB, Jimmy Clausen. Although Clausen is only -1 on TD less INT's, his completion % of 41% is the biggest concern. Consider him on trial for the rest of the season.
3. The season-ending injury to WR Danario Alexander means that the Texans are currently starting 2 rookies at WR. Chris Carter impressed in the win against the Dolphins showing off his great 1st step.
4. MVP of this team is clearly HB Montario Hardesty. In his 2nd year, he is looking the future of this franchise.
5. Despite Hardesty's great progress, trades approaches for 3rd year rookie HB Keiland Williams have been rejected as he also has a future in Houston.
6. Mario Williams is struggling to get to thw QB this season, and he needs to step up to release the pressure on CB's Robinson and Wilhite.
7. After playing the Bills this week, the Texans encounter the 3 week stretch from hell with 2 games against the Colts and one against the Patriots both of whom are undefeated.
8. The restoration of Safety Eugene Wilson in place of Ko Simpson has given a boost to the defense and Simpson may struggle to regain his place.
9. Rebuilding cannot go on forever. It is time to see positive moves, even in defeats
10. New coach, Jim Fassel, is already feeling the pressure and knows improvements are required for him to keep his job. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Arnold on 07/03/2010)
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Replies - 5 :: Views - 33 |
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Texans find the answer at QB |
Due to injuries to QB's Jimmy Clausen and Daryl Clark, the Texans had to turn to Kicker Ryan Lindell at QB and suddenly the passing game improved markedly.
Lindell threw for 98 yards albeit in a losing effort, and he led them on a late TD scoring drive. His THA of 17 actually produced more accurate passing than Clausen, and it is thought that upon his return to fitness that Clausen may take over the kicking duties so that Lindell can concentrate on his QB development.
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Arnold on 06/28/2010)
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Replies - 3 :: Views - 47 |
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Texans considering a change after Wk3 Win |
The Texans improved their record to 1-2 after a surprising win against the struggling Jaguars.
After opening defeats to the Rams and Titans, the Texans came into their wk3 game against the Jags without starting QB Jimmy Clausen who is recovering from a sprained ankle.
Rookie QB, Daryl Clark replaced Clausen and led the Texans to a 19-16 win. Although Clark did not exactly threaten the airlines in the Jacksonville sky, he managed to avoid any interceptions - a feat that Clausen seems unable to match - and with a solid defensive effort highlighted by 3 interceptions of Sam Bradford, the Texans held on for a 19-16 win.
Views from the 1st 3 Weeks
1. With Clausen struggling, and Clark coming in to win his 1st game, the Texans are strongly considering putting Clausen on IR to open up a roster spot to sign a veteran QB. The Texans are also actively seeking a QB to acquire in a trade. If this happens, then Clausen has played his last snap as a Texan.
2. The prospects for the season are not encouraging for the Texans. A hammering against the Rams, followed by a defeat to a Titans team missing their starting QB do not suggest move optimism for this team this season. The win in Wk3 although good, does not suggest the improvements required to be competitive.
3. The defense has not played to the level required and changes are likely in the backfield.
4. HB Montario Hardesty is one of the few bright sparks in an otherwsie bad offense. He is just a big play or two away from making an impact, as he is averaging over 4 ypc, with a longest run of just 17 yards. |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Arnold on 06/25/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 12 |
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Texans Report |
How do you take any positives from a 38-10 humiliation at home on opening day?
Well, the answer is that you can't. There was genuine hope of a competitive game against the Rams, but when your QB only completes 8 passes in 30 attempts then you aren't going to have a successful day. Do not expect the Texans to let Clausen play like that all season. If it continues then you can expect the management to consider that they made a very grave error in drafting him.
This is actually a very young team who need a leader at QB, and that is currently lacking. The defense also produced a very disappointing performance in Week 1. They conceded 4 passing TD's as well as over 150 yards rushing, albeit against one of the top teams in the league.
In Week 2, the Texans come up against the reigning AFC champion Titans. They won't have to face 2nd year standout QB Tony Pike who is out injured, and gives an opportunity for Houston to compete in a game that won't be so one-sided as the Texans Week 1 performance.
What to look for in Week 2 for the Texans
HB Montario Hardesty had a useful performance in the Week 1 rout, and expect him to get plenty of opportunities to show he can be a major force
Rookie WR Shay Hodge managed to pull off a 90 yard TD reception in Week 1. Although it happened late in the game when the game was already lost, it will give Hodge some much needed confidence.
The Defensive Line will need to make a better effort at putting some pressure on the QB. The strength of the defense is definitely the front 7, and they need to improve to relieve the pressure from the back 4.
Prediction
Titans by 13 |
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Forum Discussion
(by R_Arnold on 06/20/2010)
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Replies - 3 :: Views - 28 |
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At A Glance
| AFC South |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #8 |
 Colts |
5-4-0 |
0.556 |
2-2 |
| #21 |
 Titans |
4-4-0 |
0.500 |
2-1 |
| #23 |
 Texans |
4-5-0 |
0.444 |
3-1 |
| #32 |
 Jaguars |
2-6-0 |
0.250 |
0-3 |
| TEXANS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
vs  Rams #6 |
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| 2 |
Sun |
at Titans #21 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at Jaguars #32 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
vs  49ers #5 |
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| 5 |
Sun |
at  Dolphins #15 |
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| 6 |
Sun |
at  Bills #27 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
vs Colts #8 |
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| 8 |
Sun |
vs  Patriots #7 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
at Colts #8 |
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| 11 |
Sun |
vs Jaguars #32 |
1:00pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
vs Titans #21 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at  Seahawks #14 |
4:05pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Ravens #12 |
1:00pm |
| 15 |
Sun |
vs  Jets #25 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sun |
at  Cardinals #28 |
8:30pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at  Chiefs #26 |
1:00pm |
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