Hotmail
Houston Texans Strategy and Personnel
by Sports Xchange
Steve Slaton had five days of vacation to get over his fumble problem. They need him to hold the ball and run effectively, like he did last season when he was one of the league's most productive backs. If Slaton fumbles, he'll be benched again.
Schaub has thrown four interceptions in the last two games, and that's not going to cut it in the next two against Tennessee and Indianapolis. Schaub has to start strong and stay in control because he's the leader of the offense. He has to get WR Andre Johnson involved early and often.
Defensively, the Texans have to be disciplined when RB Chris Johnson gets the ball or QB Vince Young takes off and runs. They have to stay in their gaps. They have to handle their assignments. They can't try to do too much. Over the last six games, the defense has done an outstanding job, allowing only 280 yards a game, including 60.5 rushing.
PLAYER NOTES
--TE James Casey, a fifth-round draft choice, missed the last game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He's 100 percent now. Watch him get a few passes thrown to him. He has excellent hands.
--WR Jacoby Jones, who has 13 catches, an 18.3-yard average and three touchdowns, is nursing a calf injury that won't get better. Jones is doing rehab around the clock to make sure he plays against the Titans. He's also vital to the return game. He averages 11.5 yards on punt returns and 27.5 on kickoff returns. He has one kickoff return for a touchdown.
--WR Glenn Martinez, who also returns punts, could be active for the first time this season. He had an excellent camp and a good preseason and impressed the coaches enough to keep him on the roster. If Jacoby Jones can't play, Martinez will return punts. Interestingly, when he played for Denver, he returned one for a touchdown in a Monday night victory over Tennessee.
--TE Anthony Hill, a fourth-round pick, had his first catch in the last game against the Colts. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, he's a huge blocker. When the coaches have tight ends on the field, they like to utilize them in the passing game.
--DE Jesse Nading was moved from the regular roster back to the practice squad to make room for RB Arian Foster.
--DE Mario Williams, who leads the team with four sacks, was pronounced 100 percent fit after the bye week by coach Gary Kubiak. Williams has been bothered by a badly bruised shoulder, according to the team.
--QB Matt Schaub is 10-4 as a starter at Reliant Stadium. He hasn't thrown an interception at home since the opener against the Jets.
--RB Steve Slaton had 24 carries for 100 yards in the Texans' 13-12 victory over the Titans at Reliant Stadium last season. Chris Johnson, a rookie like Slaton, carried 13 times for 65 yards.
GAME PLAN: The blockers must protect QB Matt Schaub because passing is what the Texans do best. They're ranked sixth in offense, including third in passing. They use the pass to set up the run. Schaub has to be comfortable in the pocket. It would help if he got off to a good start. He's thrown early interceptions in each of the last two games. If Schaub is protected, he could play extremely well against the Titans for the third consecutive game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Texans WR Andre Johnson vs. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan. Both are Pro Bowl players. Since Finnegan became a starter in 2007, Johnson has averaged eight catches for 125 yards and one touchdown against the Titans.
Texans MLB DeMeco Ryans vs. Titans QB Vince Young. Young has been throwing low-risk passes. In clutch situations, he likes to run for first downs. Ryans has to be disciplined in the middle. He can't overrun Young. When Young takes off, Ryans has to catch him and do a sound job of tackling.
INJURY IMPACT: TE James Casey (scope on knee) and S Dominique Barber (sprained ankle) will play. WR Jacoby Jones (strained calf) expects to play.
CB Antwaun Molden (strained quad) may not play.
Add a comment
advertisement
