BARRY WARNER'S VIEW
Off the top of my bald head: Texans were no match for Rams
Nov 13, 2017, 8:46 am
When the 20127 schedules were released, the game against the Rams was one I quickly circled. I figured that Deshaun Watson would finally be starting, going up against Wade Phillips’ defense.
Without the new face of the franchise, it’s a free fall, an out of control sports car going the wrong way down a one way.
The Son of Bum is more than twice the age of wunderkind Rams head coach Sean McVey, whose brilliant play calling has the Rams 7-2, while the Texans are 3-6.
This is uncharted waters for Bill O'Brien, who has never been three games below .500 after the midway point of his previous three seasons.
Even if Watson had remained healthy, the Texans were not a playoff contender. But they were fun to watch.
Tom Savage faced a typical Son of Bum Defense. In the first possession, Aaron Donald threw Xavier Su’a Filo around like a Cabbage Patch Doll and came up with a strip sack. A few plays later and the Rams were up 3-0.
Even with a shaky Savage. Jadeveon Clowney was wreaking havoc, and the Rams’ offense repeatedly stalled. They had only six total yards in the first quarter. Even getting double teamed on the majority of snaps, Clowney has a dozen tackles for losses this season.
Wade showed no mercy, varying up where the pressure was going to appear next.
It looked like blitzers were coming from Manhattan Beach, the Valley, Santa Monica and Dodger Stadium.
One good thing for those of us not drinking Texans Kool Aid. They keep giving us great material to work with. You can’t make this up. The not so special teams cannot even count, burning a timeout lining up for a 34 yard FG.
They didn't have enough guys on the field. This is with two special teams coaches. I hate to think what would happen weekly if there was only one deep thinker.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Texans caught a big break. Punter Johnny Hekker, a former high school quarterback, threw a pass out of punt formation. The Rams came up short, giving Houston the ball on the 38 and momentum to take the lead into the locker room.
But Savage threw his first interception of the season at the worst possible time as former Alabama All American Mark Barron got the pick with 1:35 left.
“Ridiculous” Bill O’ Brien barked at the obligatory network interview, when asked about the Savage pick.
This was typical Texans, failing to capitalize on a huge break on the road.
The fourth-year quarterback did not appear to know the difference between scratching his watch and winding his ass.
Would someone in the PR department write some new material for the head coach of the Textanic?
O’Brien was in typical coach speak, reverting to his weekly post game refrain ‘’ I haven’t done a good job coaching this team this year, and that was my message to the team. I have to figure out how to coach this team better and try to get them to play better.”
Players must execute, something that even a novice can see is not happening.
They have been consistent the last two games.
Only one touchdown.
Father Time is catching up with Jonathan Joseph again. Last week it was T.Y. Hilton. Sunday, it was Robert Woods on a 94-yard bomb.
Second year quarterback Jared Goff completed 25 of 37 passes for a career-best 355 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, against the Texans Swiss cheese secondary
Lineman Aaron Donald and linebacker Samson Ebukam forced fumbles and linebacker Barron and defensive back Blake Countess intercepted passes for the Rams.
The Rams managed three Greg Zuerlein field goals on their way to a 9-7 halftime lead.
But the Rams came alive in the third quarter.
On a second-and-eight play at the Rams’ six-yard line, Goff took a snap and dropped back into the end zone. From three yards behind the goal-line he lofted a pass to Woods streaking up the middle of the field. Woods caught the ball at the 50 and sprinted past Jonathan Joseph to the end zone for a 94-yard touchdown.
Later in the quarter, Goff connected on a catch-and-run that Sammy Watkins turned into a 17-yard touchdown and 23-7 lead.
On the next series, Ebukam sacked Savage and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Rams at the Texans’ 12.
Goff tossed a short screen pass to Woods, and the former USC All-American ran the ball into the end zone for a 30-7 lead.
The Texans averaged 39 points per game over the last four Watson games. They have scored 21 total in 10 quarters Savage has played.
It was yet another forgettable starting experience for the likeable Savage. A four-turnover meltdown on two picks two fumbles, and he had a pick six called back that would have made it five turnovers.
For the day, he completed 18 of 37 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions.
When O’Brien came from Penn State, he was hailed as a “quarterback whisperer.”
Maybe he needs to get Tom Savage some Q-tips to remove the wax blocking his ears. That’s the only explanation I can figure for the kid who holds on to the ball too long. There were some moments that he looked improved, before going back to bad fundamentals.
O’Brien and his veteran staff were outcoached by a 31-old kid as the head coach. They were innovative and did something the Texans failed to do; execute like professionals.
Sports is now the entertainment industry. Except there is nothing entertaining about watching paint dry. With nearly two months left in the regular season, I guess we will have to watch politicians and scandals for amusement. Or more Hollywood harassment cases. Maybe fans can start planning for the after -Christmas sales.
I have already purchased tickets to the new The Last Jedi. The movie will have more action in the first two minutes than third round project Braxton “Wildcat” Miller all season.
We don’t have to look for entertainment to come from Kirby Drive.
Who will start Sunday against Arizona at NRG?
Does it really matter?
Chirp!
CJ Stroud put a lot of Texans fans at ease when he showed up to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and participated in throwing drills. Many were concerned that Stroud might have received surgery in the offseason, and that was keeping him from throwing at voluntary OTAs last week. But Stroud put that narrative to bed, denying any offseason surgery.
Stroud told the media that he's been working on getting his body right this offseason, focusing on, among other things, lowering his body fat, improving his hip flexibility, and gaining speed.
CJ implied that the extra training this offseason might have been a factor in the soreness that kept him from throwing last week, but that should be expected. Pushing your body can sometimes lead to soreness, but it's not anything to be worried about.
He also said he had been throwing prior to minicamp on Tuesday, but this is the first time the media has been around to witness it.
Thoughts on the new system
CJ had positive things to say about the Texans' new OC Nick Caley. He pointed out that he cares more about the "person" than the system. He likes the energy from his new OC, even saying Caley calls him frequently, but doesn't always answer because Caley is “always yelling.”
Stroud also confirmed that the new offense allows him to have more control at the line of scrimmage, something we heard he was wanting last season.
Caley and CJ have watched old videos from 2003 and 2004 of Tom Brady working with Josh McDaniels. They believe this will help Stroud learn how to take “ownership” of the protections.
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
So what else happened at mandatory minicamp?
Newly signed running back Nick Chubb participated in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans credited GM Nick Caserio with signing the four-time Pro Bowler.
Nick Chubb takes the handoff in first #Texans practice @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/P4X9NGXB4B
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 10, 2025
How did the receivers look?
The big play of the day came from 2nd round receiver Jayden Higgins, who caught this pass from Stroud against Kamari Lassister. This looks like a connection the Texans will count on for years to come.
🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/4wLhMtduBd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 10, 2025
3rd rounder Jaylin Noel was in attendance but didn't participate.
Nico Collins and Stroud appear to be in midseason form.
Nico Collins showin’ ‘em how it’s done. #MiniCamp #Texans pic.twitter.com/Ir4qrGsL15
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 10, 2025
Anything new with the offensive line?
Not really. The Texans lineup up from left to right with Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Tytus Howard, and Blake Fisher. Later on, rookie Aireontae Ersery got some work in at left tackle.
Current #Texans O-Line combination protecting Stroud: LT Airenontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Tytus Howard, RT Blake Fisher.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) June 10, 2025
The Texans will wrap up minicamp Wednesday, and we'll keep you in the loop with any further developments.