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Can the Texans actually make the playoffs? For the city of Houston, it has been a dream farther from reality than living
on the moon. But, with six games remaining in the 2007 season, there is a seeping ray of hope. The Texans will be in a fierce
battle with eight other teams for the treasures of two open wild-card spots. Actually, if we assume that Jacksonville gets
one spot and not factor in any team under .500, then it will be a race with four other teams: Cleveland, Tennessee, Denver/San
Diego, and Buffalo. Of the four teams, the Texans play three (Cleveland, Tennessee, and Denver) in Weeks 12, 13, and 15.
For the first time in franchise history, the Texans actually control their own playoff destiny. Wins in both Cleveland and
Tennessee and against Denver will put us in strong contention with the big dogs and make football in the winter relevant again
since the run and shoot.
Wins against those three will put us at a minimum of 8-5 and drop those teams below us with at least 5 losses. Stealing at
least one against Tampa, Jacksonville, or Indy will put us at 9-7 and quite possibly in the playoffs. Its still early but
anything can happen. We have had to suffer through watching one of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history, one of the worst
general managers in sports history, and one of the worst drafting teams in world history (Lets not consider 2006 and beyond.
Factor in Jason Babin, Bennie Joppru, and trading for Phillip Buchanon, along with all the other crappy players that we never
heard of or are no longer with our team). Since patience is a virtue, the football Gods may soon cut us, the fans, a couple
of breaks and give us some playoff football.
If we can stay semi-healthy, if the defense can play like the way they played the Saints and the second half of last season,
and if Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson continue to get even better, then life will be great. Mario must also emerge as a leader
and destructive force, and the ghost of any good defensive coordinator must possess Richard Smith’s soul. However you
look at it, first things first, we must win in Cleveland and Tennessee.
Is my imagination running too wild? You’re damn right, like a wild-card.
By – Dr. illz
www.luvyasteelblue.com
houston@luvyasteelblue.com
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Watching this week’s game from a Las Vegas sportsbook really put into perspective of how lowly the Texans are looked
upon as an organization by an unbiased population. It has become really hard to defend this team with the history of bad
decision-making and poor play that we seem to witness on a consistent basis. The real, and obvious, issues are always covered
up or ignored, and we, as Houston fans, are not the confrontational type to challenge the assholes that make these bone-headed
mistakes. Let’s not talk about Reggie Bush or Vince Young, let’s not talk Chuck Casserole, and let’s not
even talk Tony Bosselli or David Carr. There is a new problem in town, and at the present time seems to be flying under the
radar: defensive coordinator Richard Smith, which will be addressed after we establish a foundation as to why he is overlooked.
What makes Houston a second-class fan city is the attitude of the fans towards the crap organizations that reside here. We
are so loyal to the teams that we are often blinded by their ignorance and arrogance. We forget that WE are the life of the
teams. If we do not support them financially, then they cannot exist. WE employ Rick Smith, WE employ Gary Kubiak, and WE
own Reliant Stadium. Once every fan in Houston embraces that idea and makes it hell for the losers that represent our city,
we can become a real sports town.
I’ve lived on the East coast and witnessed the rage of the fans, and it is no coincidence that cities like Boston, New
York, and Philadelphia always have COMPETITIVE (not winning) teams in almost every sport in almost every year. Teams are
held accountable for their actions and the owners know their fans will rip into them if they make sucky move after sucky move.
It is the responsibility of the media (which will be addressed in another article) for being the voice of the fans, rather
than saving the faces of the franchise and kissing front office asses.
Now, lets get to work on good ol’ Richy Smith. The guy is a terrible excuse for a coach. He should not even be allowed
to game-plan the janitors post-game stadium sweep. It is obvious to anyone that has one eye that the Texans have talented
players on defense that seem to play terribly on game-day. How could so many players look so crappy? Even if Mario were
not the number one pick, he would have been second. That establishes that fact that he has talent. Why is Anthony Weaver
invisible yet he was such a key figure in Baltimore? Why is the secondary exposed on every play? Why can we not stop a third
down, even to save our lives? Why not more pressure from different angles? What the Fuck?
Game planning has been horrible and will only get worse unless the coordinator problem is addressed. If there is no pressure
from the defensive front, common wisdom will tell you to blitz a bit more. If the secondary is the weak point of the defense,
why would we let the opposing QB take his time to make a play? Why not make him read and react quicker? Why only blitz towards
the end of the game? If we suck that bad, and blitzing will only get us killed, I would rather take my chances and get killed
quick instead of dying a slow death.
It is so blatantly obvious that Richard Smith is the problem and no one even seems to recognize it. It is absolutely disgusting
to watch the defense get punked on every third down. We either have to catch a break or have some miraculous screw-up by
the opposing offense to make a third down stand. If that doesn’t implicate Smith, then maybe the fact that Miami’s
Dom Capers defense had a better day against us should. We all know how bad of a defensive coach Capers was and now we should
realize that Richard Smith has the potential to be monumentally worse, because he actually has talent on his side of the ball.
If this guy is not gone soon, a shot at the playoffs will be gone even sooner. Why not give Jon Hoke a shot at the defensive
coordinator spot? I really can't imagine any one on this planet that can do worse.
By – Dr. illz
www.luvyasteelblue.com
houston@luvyasteelblue.com
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Travis Johnson’s uproar to Trent Green’s chop-block that ultimately led to a Green concussion may be exactly what
the Houston Texans defense needs to watch closely as they review game tape tomorrow. Although initially the incident seemed
class-less and heart-less, the fire Johnson showed after the play and after the game is what the entire defense needs to display
on a regular. The defense has no personality and seems to get punked by every crappy QB or slumping offense that they play.
It is known around the league that if you suck, whether as a single player or a whole offense, don’t worry when you
play Houston because they’ll help you come out of your funk.
Travis Johnson should be given the defensive game ball for being the only one on the field with a pulse. If you take his
nastiness and put it in Mario or Amobi Okoye, or even DeMeco, you may have a Lawrence Taylor-Suge Knight clone. We need some
thugs on our team to bring some fire to the nice guys. We should have signed Tank Johnson and let him stash all his AK-47’s
in his locker. We need some cold-blooded killers on our roster. Where’s O.J. at?
The first thing that needs to happen is for Richard Smith be fired for being a puss. He is the one stunting the growth of
this defensive unit. We need to get a Buddy Ryan-type coordinator to come in and punch some of these guys in the face on
the sidelines.
So, while most of these do-good journalist, reporters, and radio guys hate on Travis Johnson this week, I would like to applaud
his actions and say that his statement should be heard loud and clear, even if Trent Green didn’t hear it as he lay
unconscious.
By – Dr. illz
www.luvyasteelblue.com
houston@luvyasteelblue.com
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