THROWN FOR A LOSS
In CBS’ pregame narration, James Smith — his friends calls him LL — described the TexasPatriots matchup as “strength versus strength,” a highly-rated defense against the greatest quarterback of all time. • The writer of the piece went for a dramatic presentation, because the network wanted viewers of the expected blowout to tune in. • In reality, the AFC divisional playoff game, like most NFL games, was about weaknesses, not strengths.. • No coach in league history is better at exploiting a team’s weakness than the Patriots’ Bill Belichick. (See: New England’s touchdown passes to Dion Lewis and James White against a Texans linebacker in manto-man coverage in the 34-16 win.) But it didn’t take a genius to see the Texans’ greatest weakness.
If one had trouble spotting said Achilles’ heel, a play midway through the second quarter shined a petawatt of light on it. Here is Jim Nantz’ call: “Fake into the line. Osweiler … had Miller open underneath … missed him.” Yeah, he missed him all right. Like a pilot trying to land a 737 at Hobby, hitting a runway at Bush Intercontinental instead.
Osweiler is a nice enough guy. He has most of the qualities that a good leader possesses. He works hard. He studies his butt off. He is one heck of a teammate in the locker room and on the practice field.
Then the games begin and a receiver runs an 8-yard out … and Osweiler throws the football to the wrong airport.
In the NFL, particularly the millennial NFL, a team can’t win with a quarterback who can’t put the ball where he needs it to be.
Osweiler threw three interceptions against the Patriots. All were in the second half. All were on badly thrown balls.
Not since 2010 has a quarterback anywhere near Osweiler’s class advanced to a
conference championship game, but this year it is even more pronounced.
Check the résumés of the four quarterbacks still playing this season, two of whom will be in Houston for Super Bowl LI. Each is more accomplished than all the quarterbacks in Texans’ history combined.
• Tom Brady, New England — Tom Terrific has been the starter for 15 full seasons, the same number of years the Texans have been in the league, and he is about to play in his 11th AFC Championship Game. Has won four Super Bowls, and been named Super Bowl MVP three times.
• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh — The year before he came into the league, the Steelers won one more game than the Texans. Since, they have gone to three Super Bowls, winning two, and played in an additional conference championship game. The Texans drafted cornerback Dunta Robinson one pick before Pittsburgh landed Roethlisberger.
• Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay — A two-time league MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and the best passer in the game, Rodgers sat on the bench behind Hall of Famer Brett Favre for three years. Since he took over in 2008, Green Bay has had only one losing season, his first, and has won twice as many games (90) as it has lost (45).
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta — The four-time Pro Bowler and 2008 rookie of the year, is about to play in his second NFC Championship Game. His five most productive seasons yardagewise would rank first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in Texans history.
The Texans never have advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs. It would take a miracle — and perhaps Romeo Crennel, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to assistant head coach this week, can deliver it — for them to ever do so with Osweiler under center.
He has another guaranteed year in his current contract, meaning the Texans owe him $16 million next season.
The dead cap money of $25 million to release Osweiler would be a painful pill to swallow, but considering the team is all but wasting $19 million in cap space to keep him on the roster, is it really that big of a difference?
Maybe the Texans believe that offensive coordinator George Godsey was Osweiler’s problem. He was fired Monday.
They’re going without an offensive coordinator next year.
Head coach Bill O’Brien, who, if I’m not
Osweiler is a nice enough guy. He has most of the qualities that a good leader possesses. He works hard. He studies his butt off. He is one heck of a teammate in the locker room and on the practice field. Then the games begin and a receiver runs an 8-yard out … and Osweiler throws the football to the wrong airport.
mistaken was with the team this past season, will be the de facto coordinator and call the plays. Former receivers coach Sean Ryan will coach the quarterbacks.
The problem for the Texans is their obvious weakness didn’t get any stronger with this week’s coaching moves.
Fortunately, they have eight months to teach Osweiler, who will turn 27 next season, how to hit a wide-open running back just 10 yards away.
The smarter thing to do is find a better pilot.