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News out of Indianapolis is that the Colts have hired former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as the team’s new head coach. This could help re-shape the AFC South and turn it in the direction of becoming a defense-heavy division much like the NFC North. The Houston Texans are the most recent team to change their dynamic with Wade Phillips taking over defensive duties last year. However, Pagano’s hiring could do more to shake things up in the division than Phillips did.

Jan 26, 2012; Indianapolis, IN USA; Indianapolis Colts new head football coach Chuck Pagano (lefT) poses for a photo with owner Jim Irsay (middle) and general manager Ryan Grigson after a press conference at the team

Pagano and Peyton Manning

Colts QB Peyton Manning has been, for all intents and purposes, the major reason for the shake-up in Indianapolis. The Colts, it seems, are barely able to function without Manning, let-alone win games. His season-negating surgery last year spelled gloom and doom for the Colts who finished last season with their worst record (2-14) in 20 years.

Jim Irsay, the Colts owner, has a difficult decision to make this year when it comes to Manning. Irsay can keep Manning, let him leave for another team, or point him on his way to retirement. Now, with Pagano on the scene, things could be turning even darker in the Manning era. Continue reading this post »

My prediction is no. He is past his prime, he has uncertainties, and he is owed $28 million dollars very soon. With QB Matt Schaub and OLB Mario Williams, hopefully if moves are made,  back next year, the Texans are the heavy favorite to win the AFC South.

Continue reading this post »

The Texans’ fanbase seems unified in what they think the team’s two biggest positional needs are: WR and NT. Last week, I explored the former with North Carolina WR Dwight Jones being selected in my first mock draft. Now, onto the nose tackles. Let’s look at Fletcher Cox from Mississippi State.

Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle from Mississippi State.

Cox is a highly agile interior lineman. A junior who played 12 games as a freshman (pretty impressive for an SEC defender), he has now started the past 2 years. Cox won 4 SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week awards this past season, and was named First-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press. He has a great deal of upper body strength, is a solid tackler, a player that doesn’t take plays off, and a contributor on special teams—which Gary Kubiak values—with 4 blocked kicks in his time at Mississippi State. He’s also extremely versatile, capable of playing all over the line in the 3-4 and at DT and strongside end in the 4-3, giving Wade Phillips options on how to use him. If he were unable to play nose tackle in the NFL, he’d have a chance to replace Antonio Smith down the line, who is on the wrong side of 30.

Cox ran back a fumble recovery for 52 yards.

Cox weighs in at 295 lbs. While he definitely has room to add some pounds to his still-developing frame, he would be considered light for most nose tackles. Texans fans should be reminded of Wade Phillips and his scheme. Wade runs a unique 3-4, which is almost more akin to the 4-3 in its principles, especially at defensive tackle. A big part of the reason that I think the Texans will, in fact, go with a wide receiver in the first round is because Wade Phillips is very confident in his ability to find diamonds in the rough at nose tackle, much as he did with 285 lb. Jay Ratliff in Dallas, a seventh-rounder who was arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL soon after he was drafted.

Cox blocking a field goal.

Unlike Devon Still and Brandon Thompson, two good DT prospects, Cox should be available when Houston picks. He is lacking a bit in lower body strength, which is only compounded by the fact that he occasionally gets too high and cannot get leverage on blockers. He led Mississippi State with 5 sacks last season, but he still is very raw at pass rushing. That’s very fortunate for Houston, as it would afford them the opportunity to draft an athletic player who was productive in arguably the toughest conference in college football, and one who can  improve greatly. If anyone can help Cox, a player with a few technical issues that can easily be fixed by the right coach, to reach his full potential, it’s Wade Phillips.

What do the 1985 Chicago Bears, 1990 New York Giants, and 2000 Baltimore Ravens all have in common? They were all ranked in the top 10 defenses of NFL history. The allowed few yards, and even fewer points, while racking up the sacks. So, exactly how good were these teams? Let us take a look…

1985 Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears of 1985 had some fearsome leaders on their roles. DE Richard Dent and LB Otis Wilson were two of the team’s leaders combining for a total of 27.5 sacks, five interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. This was also the team of legendary player Mike Singletary. Altogether during the regular season this defensive unit allowed only 198 total points, 258.4 yards/game, and 4.4 yards/play. 

At the conclusion of the ’85 season this Bears defensive unit had held opponents to 198 points, 258.4 yards/game, and 4.4 yards/play. They finished the season ranked number one on defense and took their team all the way to a Super Bowl victory. Oh, by the way, did I mention that in the playoffs they held teams to an average of 3.3 points/game?!? Continue reading this post »

For those of you who have not yet seen it, the Houston Texans have posted a great video honoring the fans of the team. This short video provides a highlight of the season, highlights from the Texans first ever playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and a personal “thank you” message from the team’s Head Coach, Gary Kubiak.

Clipped from: www.houstontexans.com (share this clip)

This season, for fans, was one of the greatest in the team’s history. For many, this season will be the best season ever – eclipsed only by the announcement of a team returning to Houston back in 2002. The Texans put together a defensive unit like none other. They have, for all intents and purposes, the best defense in the NFL and, when healthy, a top 10 offense as well.

While many fans were saddened to see the Texans lose to the Baltimore Ravens there was still a light at the end of the tunnel. Fans realized that next year, the Texans will be the team to beat in the AFC South. They will be one of the most feared defenses in the league and, for once, they will have the respect that they have worked so hard to earn.

So, Texans fans, now is your time to check out this great video. Stand tall, stand proud, shout it very loud…”I AM A TEXAN!”

Texans Thank the Fans

Part 1: http://torotimes.com/2012/01/19/seasoninreview1/

Following a busy offseason with no shortage of changes in terms of personnel, the Houston Texans began their 2011 campaign with a bang, dismantling the Manning-less Indianapolis Colts to the tune of 34-7, scoring all the points in the first half. On the offense, QB Matt Schaub connected with seven different receivers for 220 yards, 95 of them going to Andre Johnson, who also caught the lone TD pass of the game; RB Ben Tate filled in nicely for the injured Arian Foster, converting 24 carries into 116 yards and one score. Jacoby Jones also contributed a TD on a punt return. Despite the lack of practice due to a short offseason, the Texans had no problem adapting to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 system. They troubled Colts’ QB Kerry Collins all game long, highlighted by Mario Williams’ two sacks and a forced fumble. Continue reading this post »

It’s happened again.

A game featuring a fourth quarter that few will ever forget, the rematch of the 18-1 Bowl, Super Bowl XLVI is set for a 5:25 PM CST kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN on NBC.

Expect another close one.

The Giants are playing their best football of the season at just the right time of the year. Sound familiar? The Patriots? Well, they’re the Patriots. They played a decent game on Sunday against the Ravens, coaching their way to a close victory. These are two teams, at this point in time, that are very evenly-matched. There will be a few key matchups to watch for when these two teams meet, and they should have a big role in determining a winner. Continue reading this post »

San Francisco 49ers WR Kyle Williams, who has been returning punts in today’s game against the New York Giants, looks as if he has been studying too much Jacoby Jones footage.

Williams muffed an earlier punt when it bounced off of his knee and was scooped up by a Giants player. That turnover allowed Eli Manning and gang to score seven points and pull ahead late in the game. The 49ers evened the score when they followed through with a David Akers field-goal and sent the game into overtime.

Who will meet at Lucas Oil Stadium

Now, with the players battling it out in OT Williams again screws up – this time costing his team the game. He grabbed the ball cleanly but did little to protect it. The ball was easily stripped from his hands and recovered by the Giants at the 49ers 20-yard line. The Giants kept the ball alive, moved into the center of the field, and just kicked their way into this year’s Super Bowl.

Special teams has been a shining spot for the 49ers this season but today, as with the Houston Texans, it spelled disaster!

The New York Giants, led by QB Eli Manning, will face QB Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

According to FoxNews.com, Joe Paterno – the legendary coach from Penn State – has died. His condition was worsening overnight and sources are now claiming that he has, in fact, died.

Yesterday I delved into the possibility of the Houston Texans pursuing a NT in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. However, that was pure speculation as my best guess would be that the Texans would draft a wide-receiver in the first round.

The need for a receiver to compliment Andre Johnson was made glaringly clear this past season.

WR Jacoby Jones, who has become public enemy #1 in Houston, has proven that he does not have the football intelligence necessary to make a solid #2 receiver. On more than just a few occasions he was seen running horizontal, across the field, or backwards rather than turning his hips and getting upfield. Granted, he did his best to avoid getting hit but taking a net loss in yards is never acceptable when you can pick up at least one  or two yards.

Additionally, Jones has shown an inability to make consistent plays for the ball. He has had a few bright spots over the last five seasons. However, over those same five seasons he has only managed to accumulate 1,741 yards and 11 touchdowns. In comparison, over the same five-year period WR Kevin Walter had 3,405 yards and 22 TDs while Andre Johnson had 5,703 yards and 35 TDs. This means that Jacoby, who was supposed to be the #2 receiver, behind Johnson, had about half the yards and touchdowns as the #3 WR. In comparison to Andre…well, that just would not be fair…to Andre. Continue reading this post »