The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Stillers walked in to Houston to play the Texans for the second time in Houston�s existence.� The last time the two met had the Texans winning despite the Stillers having 450 yards total offense compared to the Texan�s 50 or so.� Maddox was the QB then and Ben was today, that is the difference.

 

The Texans are an inept team; possibly one of the weakest in the NFL.� Please remember this when putting this victory into perspective.

 

The Good:

 

• Big Ben R:� Much debate this week about his health and who would start.� Ben got the nod and showed us his injury was minor, if you could detect an injury from his performance going 14/21 for 254 yards and two TDs.� Ben put up the numbers and may have played his best game in the NFL.� For the second consecutive week, he had a perfect passer rating but may not have enough completions/yardage to put him up there with the leaders.� Ben did get some tough hits, particularly on one sack.� Played turnover free ball again.

 

• Willie Parker:� Not as many yards as last week, but a solid running effort.� Went over the 100 yard mark for the third time in his NFL career in three games.� He showed his quickness, ability to read blocks and toughness.� If or when Duce and the Bus can dress, we will be a difficult team to game plan against, rushing wise.� Does anyone wonder why Willie P. didn�t start at NC State?� Blows my mind.

 

• O-Line:� Overall, great performance.� Solid blocking for the run game and provided good protection for Ben.� Starks had a few pancake blocks on the rush.

 

• Spec Teams.� Reed�s kicks were a lot longer today compared to the Titans game.� For the second consecutive week, Gardocki didn�t have to boot the ball until late in the game.� Today, Gardocki got his first punt with 11:08 left in the 4^th and showed his acting ability on a roughing the kicker call.� Between Gardocki and Heath Miller, I�m not sure who has the easier job.� For the record, does anyone in the free world not know that Gradocki has never had a punt blocked?

 

• Troy P.� An absolute animal out there.� Harassment and difficult to read.� I�m not sure what his actual position is because he is all over the field like a rabid animal.

 

• Coaching.� I about dropped my beer when Cowher went for it on 4^th & 1 late in the 4^th Quarter.� Overall, quality game plan by all.� This was an easy game to overlook with the Pats on the schedule next.� The coaching staff took the task at hand and focused on Houston.

 

• Wide Receivers.� Hines earned his paycheck today with two TDs and six grabs for 84 yards.� The Smurf WR Corps played solidly.� Wilson made a great adjustment to Ben scrambling and hauled in a 40 yard reception late in the game.� Randle El also was able to catch the deep ball.� Solid performance.

 

The Bad:

 

• Defense.� Mark Twain once wrote:� �There are lies, damn lies and statistics.�� Statistically the D played a great game and made some stops at the right time.� I put them in the bad category because I thought they gave up far too much yardage against the run (113 yards) against a team with mediocre running backs and o-line.� Carr, who has spent as much time on his back in the NFL as thespian Ginger Lynn, was able to put up 167 yards passing and one TD.� I honestly thought, the D would shut out this team.� I understand I�m stretching things to put the D in the bad.

 

• Use of the Tight End.� One pass and completion for four yards (Tuman).� That is it.� We have a number one draft pick with great hands and is not integrated into the offensive scheme.� I�m going to harp on this week after week until we see some utilization.� Some side Trivia, the last time the Stillers drafted a TE at #1, we went to the Super Bowl.� For the record, as an official myself, I rarely criticize the zebras because I think they do a superb job 99% of the time and we are spoiled by multiple replays, something that they do not have the luxury of.� Having said that, absolute horrible holding call on Tuman.� Period.

 

• Penalties.� We did have 5 flags for 40 yards.� While not staggering, the flags did come at inopportune times today.� See above for my note on Tuman�s holding penalty.� Nothing of the magnitude as Houston, which demonstrated how un-synchronized they really are.�

 

The Ugly:� Other than Bill Cowher�s facial expressions, nothing significant to report in this category.

 

Some Other Notes:

 

• Talked to Mill this morning and he was with Tank at a tailgate in Houston.� Mill said he found a great tailgate with some quality Stiller fans.� Be sure to look for his post game analysis and grades.

 

• The Texans have to be the worst team in the NFL.�� Completely pathetic and all but self destructed this afternoon.� Perhaps the Black Knights of West Point and Houston might be an interesting game.

 

• The Stillers are 2-0 against some not so tough teams.� More importantly though is our offense and D are clicking and playing solid smash mouth football.� This is great momentum going into next weeks game against the Pats, who just lost to Carolina.

 

• We stopped the Patriots win streak last season.� Now they have the opportunity.� The Stillers are coming off two wins and the Pats are coming off a loss.� Expect the Stillers to be favored and a great game at Heinz.

 

• I miss Myron Cope.� I can�t stand these prime time announcers.� Haynes is not Hayes.�

 

Troy P. for the Hard Hat!� Six tackles and three sacks, but more importantly caused chaos all over the Texan offense.