Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Houston, We Have A Problem!
By Bob Dove
There are two solutions to the Texans ineptitude against pressure. One can happen this week. The other must happen soon if the Texans still have high hopes for this season.
The first solution is for Brock Osweiler to up his game. That rests squarely on his back and the Texans coaching staff that must coach him up and install a game plan that effectively counters defensive pressure. Don’t hold your breath.
Yes, Duane Brown may be back. Hopefully, Braxton Miller will return to add more firepower for the short dump routes. But the Texans line is not good enough, even with Duane Brown, to keep Osweiler clean.
And an Osweiler under pressure is a very challenged quarterback. This week, “Houston, we have a problem.”
To consider the second, more permanent, solution we can compare how the Vikings and Texans front office react to season threatening weaknesses. The Vikings weakness came when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a season ending injury. The Vikings had the choice of adopting a wait until next year strategy or fixing the problem at whatever the cost.
They chose the latter. The Vikings traded for Sam Bradford, arguably a better quarterback than the fallen Bridgewater. They paid a high price, future 1st and 4th round draft picks. But the Vikings see their future as now.
They refused to wait for Bridgewater to heal and 2017 draft choices to develop. They are a better team today than before Bridgewater’s injury, and that will continue into 2017 and beyond.
The Texans should be in the same “win now” mode. They have a talented roster with one glaring weakness, the offensive line. Granted it’s easier to replace one player than to improve a 5-man position group, but one high quality player added to the Texans offensive line, plus the return of Duane Brown, can do wonders.
And next year, with the return of Nick Martin, the Texans line will be even stronger. Getting him back is like getting a high draft choice, so why not spend one now? It is like having the best of both worlds now and in the future.