Task Only Getting Tougher
November 9th, 2011Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, right, is one reason the Texans have the best defense in the NFL.
It was bad enough for Joe to learn defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a critical cog in the Bucs front line, is gone for the season.
It was bad enough for Joe to see that the powers that be at One Buc Palace still can’t get through to the coaching staff that LeGarrette Blount is not a weapon, if he only sparingly gets the ball.
But the news is getting worse. The Bucs will be facing what is now deemed as the best defense in the NFL in the Houston Texans, so writes veteran NFL scribe John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
In Wade Phillips’ first season as defensive coordinator, the Texans have allowed 274 yards per game. They rank fourth against the run (91.4) and second against the pass (182.6).
The dramatic improvement of the pass defense is astonishing. The Texans were last in 2010, allowing 267.5 yards per game.
One reason the Texans (6-3) have a 1½-game lead over the Titans (4-4) in the AFC South is because they’ve surrendered only 2,466 yards. Through nine games last season, they had allowed 3,687. That’s an improvement of 33 percent.
Right now it is futile to beg, plead, stomp for Blount to run the ball more because Joe’s cries are falling of deaf ears.
So for the Bucs to beat the Texans, Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman is going to have to channel his success of last year. In short, he will have to play his best game of the season.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Jonathan Joseph was a great pick up. It must be nice to have a front office that uses free agency wisely.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Unless our OL learns to block, there is little hope of a 2010 Freeman showing.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:14 am
On a more serious note, I think this game is going to be about our defense more than our offense. The Texans are too tough to score a bundle of points on. We have to somehow keep them out of the end zone. They’re going to run all over us, but somehow we need to find a way to hold them to field goals instead of touch downs, and force some punts. Can we do it? We need the 4th quarter Bucs to show up for a full game to beat these guys, but we can do it if that happens.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Best defense? Maybe before they lost Mario Williams and Danielle Manning.
November 9th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Meh
I seriuosly doubt we can come close to your strategy. Or any other strategy.
Blount is a great asset to our team. Paired with a shifty Sproles type we would have at least a fighting chance every game. Or something like a Giants team.
The Texans have too much game for the Bucs on BOTH sides of the ball.
But then you just never know….
November 9th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Maybe it is too tough for this team, but they have yet to put a full game together. To win this, that’s what they have to do. I may not be optimistic, but it is possible so… Go Bucs!
November 9th, 2011 at 9:45 am
I would not be suprised to see them shutout this weekend, it looks that bad
November 9th, 2011 at 9:54 am
lovethepewter:
The Texans have the No. 1 defense in the NFL, as McClain documented in his article. Here’s more proof.
November 9th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Lets take a look a who they’ve played shall we. Not hard to stop the run when a team stops running because they are down big early. You guys talked about the Bucs’ schedule last year and how it was easy. Same goes for these guys.
November 9th, 2011 at 11:16 am
I agree Nick, I checked their schedule and they are playing in the worst division in the league. the only win against a winning team is the one over the Steelers, and they barely pulled that one off.
November 9th, 2011 at 11:28 am
Its a super critical game IMO, maybe biggest of Rah’s tenure. Drop this and 4 dash 6 is right around the corner and, in effect, a season down the tubes.
Anybody really think we can beat the Packers?
All that being said, Rah has fooled us all before, so I expect a close game this week. If, and I say if, they can play disciplined error free football they have a shot. After all if they beat the Saints and Falcons at home, the Texans should be doable.
November 9th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Joe…..don’t know if he ever sniffs the field, but we picked up Nic Grisby to our practice squad. He may be the fastest RB we have ever had in our building, heres hoping he turns some heads.
November 9th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
We need a coordinator like Phillips. If only the Glazers could stomach paying for it! It would go a long way, I’m sure of it. They need to let Rah focus on being a head coach.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Great “roid” rage picture Joe.
November 9th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Texans are slightly overrated, but they’re definitely a cut above the Bucs. No doubt about that. I expect another Bucs loss and for the lynch mob to start looking like an occupy wall street gathering outside One Buc. Only instead of the “Eat the Rich” signs they’ll be carrying “Eat the Glazers” signs. Oh wait…
November 9th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Cushing and DeMeco Ryans pop steroids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everyone knows that.
November 9th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
is Andre Johnson playing?