SHAKE IT UP!
Here's an easy fix to one of the most aggravating parts of watching Texans, NFL
Dec 21, 2021, 2:23 pm
Running the ball up the middle on first down is killing the Texans. Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images.
The returner catches the punt on his 25-yard line, evades the first tackler, breaks to the sideline, finds a wall of blockers and races 55 yards before being forced out of bounds. It’s a spectacular runback and sets his team up for a last-second field goal that will send the game into overtime. What a play!
Except for one thing. There’s a flag back on the returning team’s 30-yard line. The umpire clicks on his microphone and calls “illegal block on the receiving team.” It’s a 10-yard penalty, the offense now starts deep in its own territory, winds up throwing a desperation Hail Mary on 4th down that fails. Game over.
There used to be a comic strip in the Sunday paper called “They’ll Do It Every Time.” In the NFL, when a kick returner gains more than 20 yards, referees will call a penalty. At least it seems they’ll do it almost every time.
Special teams account for 17 percent of all penalties called in the NFL. That's an awful, and I do mean awful, percentage for players who aren't on the field that much.
It’s like the movie Jaws when the audience hears that scary “dun-dun-dun,” you know a shark attack is coming. In the NFL, when there’s an exciting kick return, fans start looking up-field for an inevitable yellow flag lying on the turf. Even the punt returner turns back as he crosses the goal line checking for a flag before he starts celebrating. Like in WWE wrestling when three heels are getting heat on a babyface, fans look to the entrance for John Cena to make the rescue.
The Texans are the sixth most-penalized team in the NFL with 95 total penalties. Illegal blocks during kick returns fall into the “others” category on the league's breakdown of penalties. The Texans have 24 of those, also Top 10.
There’s an obscure stat in the NFL called “lost yardage.” When a team returns a punt to the 50, but a penalty brings the ball back to the 20, that’s 30 yards of lost yardage. It adds up and it turns touchdowns into field goals and possibly wins into losses.
Illegal blocking penalties need to stop in the NFL. They drag down the game, waste time and steal excitement. Here’s one way to cut down on the problem: change the penalty from 10 yards to 30 yards, or half the distance to the goal line no matter where the block occurred. Make it hurt. That’ll put an end to illegal blocks on kick returns.
Do I have to come up with every good idea around here?
Here’s another play that’s ruining the fun of an NFL game: running the ball up the middle on first down. I’ll be watching a game on TV and turn to friends, “Here it comes, a run up the middle for two yards.” Sure enough, a handoff up the gut for two yards. So boring. The offense is immediately in a hole.
If I know it’s coming, doesn’t the other team’s defense? Obviously. That’s why the Texans are stuck with second down and 8 so often. The Texans are the third worst running team in the NFL.
Why up the middle? Offensive line blocking schemes are simpler and the shortest distance between two points, in this case the center snap and the goal line, is a straight line.
Fun stat: the two least successful plays in the NFL are running the ball up the middle on first down and passing on third down. Second down is the money play.
Solution to the tedium and predictability of the Texans running on first down? The same answer to all the Texans problems: Cal McNair fires Jack Easterby, hires a new head coach, apologizes to fans and sells the team.
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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