Texans at the break: The General's Midseason grades
Posted on October 28, 2012 at 8:48 am by
John McClain
http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...s-by-position/
Overall — A-
If not for the 42-24 blowout loss against Green Bay, this grade would be better. They haven’t been upset, and they haven’t been caught looking ahead, and they haven’t lost a game because they played down to the competition.
QB — B+
Matt Schaub is doing a terrific job of managing the game. He has excelled at taking what the defense is giving him. He’s protecting the ball, throwing it away rather than forcing it into coverage. He has 10 touchdown passes and four picks. He’s been sacked eight times.
RB — B+
Arian Foster leads the NFL with 659 yards rushing, nine touchdowns rushing and 10 TDs total. His 3.9-yard average per carry is worst among the top 14 rushers. Ben Tate hasn’t been as productive as last season because of nagging injuries. James Casey has done a good job as a blocker and has chipped in 18 catches. Justin Forsett, who averages 5.2 yards on 23 carries, has been a nice addition.
WR/TE — B
Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels have totaled 67 catches for 860 yards and six TDs. Johnson has been terrific at getting first downs. Daniels is Schaub’s go-to guy. Kevin Walter averages 14.7 yards a catch and has two TDs. Of the young receivers, none has stepped up convincingly. Garrett Graham is good enough to catch more passes, but there are only so many to go around.
OL — B
Center Chris Myers, left guard Wade Smith and left tackle Duane Brown have done a splendid job most of the season. Myers could be headed to his second Pro Bowl. Brown deserves to go to his first one. Right tackle Derek Newton and right guard Ben Jones are learning on the run. They make mistakes, but they’re improving every week.
DL — A
J.J. Watt has been the best defensive player in the league. He leads the NFL with 9 1/2 sacks. Antonio Smith is having an outstanding season against the run and has added four sacks. Nose tackles Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell have been solid against the run. Rookie Jared Crick has taken advantage of his playing time in the last two games.
LB — B
Without Brian Cushing, there’s a lot of extra pressure on inside linebackers Bradie James and Tim Dobbins to stop the run and pass. Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin are playing the run well, but they’ve combined for only 3 1/2 sacks.
DB — A
Kareem Jackson is the most improved player on the team. He leads the Texans with three interceptions. Jonathan Joseph, despite playing hurt, has been exceptional for the most part. Safeties Danieal Manning and Glover Quin have been as good as any NFL tandem.
Specialists — C+
Donnie Jones has a 46.9-yard gross average and a 40.6 net. Shayne Graham has made 13 straight field goals and is on pace for a team-record 146 points. But kickoff coverage and kick returns have been terrible. Punt returns and punt coverage aren’t much better.
Coaching — A-
Coach Gary Kubiak, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and the rest of the staff have done a splendid job with the exception of the Green Bay game. Aside from the kicking and punting, special teams must improve.