Texans: Has Gary Kubiak lost his nerve?
Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak coaches against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Saints won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Greetings Texans Fans!
It’s a tough going this early start to the 2013 season for the Texans and the fans. Since the December disaster in New England, the Texans are 4-5, have just two first half touchdown passes, and are about to face the high-flying Seattle Seahawks. As has been noted, something has to change with the Texans. Studying the Texans, watching them, being as into the team as one can from the outside it’s obvious that the Texans have become predictable.
But why?
Did Bill Belichick crack the “Gary Kubiak Code?”
Did he pass on cliff notes as it were to the rest of the league? Prior to that game, the Texans were 11-1 with just a bad showing against a good Packers team. But they regrouped from that loss, but not the manhandling by the Patriots. In Baltimore, Kubiak’s comments were mind boggling. “Staying on Schedule” to create opportune third and short situations all game long meant Houston was easily defeated.
There are plenty of weapons in Houston’s arsenal on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Texans have a very solid group anchored by J.J. Watt, the insane Brian Cushing and now on the backside Ed Reed out in the deep areas making it dangerous for any quarterback to throw that way.
So why the heck are the Texans playing small ball for four quarters?
Kubiak was embarrassed, he lost his nerve … his mojo and he’s not gotten it back.
What makes a great on field general like Peyton Manning so good? Sure, he’s got an insanely high football IQ, and he’s not too shabby tossing the ball either. Manning adapts to the situation.
Back during the “Where will Manning land” frenzy before the Bronco’s landed him friends of mine wanted Manning in Houston. I knew he’d never go there because the Texans run a “Here’s the script, it shall not be deviated from” game plan. Manning knew what we’ve all seen, Kubiak’s genius is also his great weakness.
Since that New England game the Texans play calling has become routine except that San Diego game late, when desperation set in. The Texans went off script and succeeded.
How about a little of that inspired play and less “run, run, short pass” to move the chains and more “let’s win this thing and go home” play calling? Heck, let Schaub change things up.
Seriously, put yourself in Matt Schaub’s cleats. He’s been around a while, he’s probably as versed in reading the defense as Manning, but he hasn’t the freedom to change things up. How disheartening can it be if lining up on say third-and-8 knowing that the run to the left is going to be stuffed or the short pass to Owen Daniels is going to fail. It’s got to be maddening.
Before the season, I said the Texans had to come out swinging for the fences and Kubiak had to get creative or things would get ugly. We’re approaching the end of the fist quarter of the season, and things are looking ugly.
Radical changes might be the answer, but plodding along as is ain’t gonna do it. If we reach the bye week 3-4 Kubiak’s job should be on the line. The crazy part is, it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s time to get a little crazy and break the Kubiak Code from the inside guys.
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