Texans Week Two - vs. Titans 9/15 12:00

[Mr. E]

Houston has their season opener in their big, shiny, state-of-the-art stadium (with the worlds largest screen) which is right next door to the old, broken-down former home of the former residents whom we happen to be facing this week. As far as those people go, my Mother always told me that if you couldn't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all...unless it's about the Titans, Jazz or Cowboys.

The Texans get a key piece of the defense back this week in Antonio Smith. Still no idea when Ed Reed is returning, but at this point I don't think that it's a good idea to rely on him. Instead we need to see Shiloh, Manning & Swearinger continue to step up like they did in the second half of the last game.

Speaking of stepping up - hopefully the ring rust will be knocked off of Arian Foster, but for right now I am perfectly fine with Ben Tate getting the bulk of the carries. Houston sports radio seemed to be making an issue about Foster's attitude, but I think that is a non-story. Once he is full-speed Houston will once again enjoy the production of the best 1-2 ground punch in football.

Schaub started off the last game about as poorly as humanly possible, but proceeded to have a fantastic game when all was said & done. The guy has a lot of targets this year and he looks like he's ready to spread it out. Of course, when one target is Andre, the Great that really opens things up for your tight ends and other receivers. I'm thinking that we'll see the first 100-yard game of DeAndre Hopkins' NFL career this week.

The defense from the second half of last week's game needs to show up for four quarters a game from here on out. I don't want to see a habit of falling behind. Watt, Cush & the guys need to look across the line at the former Astrodome residents and knock them the hell back to Tennessee where they belong. If possible, they need to pick up Bud Adams and take him there as well. If he wants his team to play in Tennessee then he should just freaking move there already!

...no, I'll never get over it, so don't ask me to try!

Halftime entertainment for those at the game will be Robby Van Winkle. Like most of you I was surprised to find out that he's still alive. Seriously - I thought that the dude OD'd back in the 90s. Glad to know that he's still around!

GO TEXANS!!!

[Nebula1]

They said they'd be working out Reed today and see if he's ready to go. Personally I'm in no hurry to get him on the field this early in the season when he'll be far more important down the stretch.

I expect a better showing this time around against a weaker opponent and with Watt/Foster getting their reps in San Diego.

[Nebula1]

Hijacked from the OT Thread

I was so disapointed ESPN didn't replay this during the game. Knew when I got home Deadspin would have the hookup. They delivered.

[zapatasblood]

Smith will be back so the defensive pass rush will be somewhat better. Don't really care much about The silverback Ed Reed. To young to really care about the Oilers but Bud Adams f**ked Houston I hope Houston runs a train on him.

[Nebula1]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9664799/arian-foster-frustrated-following-houston-texans-plan

HOUSTON -- Arian Foster conceded Wednesday that he was frustrated with his playing time in the Texans' season opener.

As he, his coaches and his teammates see it, that's a good thing.

"They had a game plan going in about how much they wanted me to play and they were trying to ease me back into it, but my competitive nature, of course you want to be in," Foster said.

"It's getting to crunch time, it's the fourth quarter and you want to be out there. But this is kind of how it played out. In my opinion, you would be concerned with a player that's happy he's not in there in the last minutes of the game when the game is on the line."

Foster rushed 18 times for 57 yards in the Texans' Monday night win at San Diego. To make the biggest comeback in franchise history and win 31-28, the Texans had to turn to their passing game at a higher volume than they usually do. They threw the ball to Foster six times, with him catching four of the passes.

Foster shared plenty of playing time with backup Ben Tate, who ran nine times for 55 yards. Tate also caught both passes he was thrown.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday and Wednesday that for now he wanted to keep their carries similar. He had hoped they would be more even in the opener. He added that he plans to watch the running backs closely.

"That has to be OK with me," Foster said. "Like I said, we're chess pieces. Coach makes the final ruling. But as a competitor, I've been in this league, I felt that I've played well throughout my tenure here. You want to be out there. You feel like you've earned that right to be out there. That's just where the frustration comes from."

As a backup, Tate, who Foster called one of his best friends on the team, understands that frustration. He wants to be the starter and he lets Foster know.

"I tell him every day, I come for his spot every day," Tate said.

How does Foster react?

"He just laughs," Tate said

.

[Nebula1]

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Shiloh-Keo-to-start-Week-2-but-Ed-Reed-progressing/73cd4a62-7050-4b1a-b83d-8a75e5a58ed7


The comeback continues for free safety Ed Reed, but whether or not he plays against the Titans will likely be decided on Sunday morning. But no matter what, Shiloh Keo will start Week 2.

"Shiloh will start the game," head coach Gary Kubiak said Thursday. "If Ed plays it will be a certain percentage of plays. There will obviously be a play count on him when he plays. Hopefully that will be this week."

The veteran signed with the Texans in late March and has been recovering from a hip injury h suffered shortly thereafter. Kubiak said Reed took a few more reps Thursday in pads than he did this time a week ago. That has the head coach enthused, but it hasn't changed the way the

Texans have prepared.

"We're making good progress," Kubiak said. "We'll keep preparing the way we've been preparing and when we get there it will be a big plus."

Although he was inactive in San Diego, and won't start against the Titans, that hasn't changed the way Reed has gone about getting ready.

"I’m preparing always to play," Reed said. "Like I said, it’s day-to-day, game-to-game. We’ll see how it goes. Work went good today. Worked out well."

After a walkthrough on Wednesday, the Texans donned pads for Thursday's practice. Reed described how his time at the Houston Methodist Training Center went.

"Did some scout team reps, even played nickel a little bit to get some other movement around," Reed said. "Feeling much better than I felt last week, so we’ll see how it goes.”

The return from injury has been a collaborative effort, as Reed has dealt with head athletic trainer Geoff Kaplan and company, as well as specialists in Vail, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia. Plus, general manager Rick Smith has a role as well. Reed had a hip injury in 2010, and has said this go-round has been easier and less painful.

"We're having to listen to him a great deal, becuase he's been through it," Kubiak said. "But I think we all get together. That's the way we've been doing it. Between Ed and I, Kap, his doctors and Rick, there's a lot of people involved in this process."

Kubiak said it will be "exciting" when Reed winds up hitting the field for game action.

Game time decision, but no hurry. He'll be key when it's time.

[Icness]

Titans can be a tough matchup if Jake Locker completes 60% or more. Houston can't let up on special teams either.


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[Mr. E]

Tennessee is moving the ball too easily.

[Mr. E]

JJ SWATT!!!

[RaoulDuke79]

I thought that was pretty good coverage on the TD, just a great throw and catch by Locker/Wright.

[Mr. E]

Nice catch by Hopkins! Glad he held onto that one.

[RaoulDuke79]

Andre...hope he just got the wind knocked out of him on that.

[RaoulDuke79]

So much for thinking we had a good kicker this year.

[Mr. E]

Well, that was a disappointing series.

Hope the defense bails them out of that one.

[RaoulDuke79]

Nice to see Sharpton out there, he's made two good tackles already today.

[RaoulDuke79]

Nice stop! Ninja!

[Mr. E]

Nice to see Antonio Smith back!

[Mr. E]

Oh man, I hope that Duane Brown is OK! That would be a huge loss for the offense.

[RaoulDuke79]

Son of a whore...

[RaoulDuke79]

Andre!