Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[B][U]Redskins[/U][/B] [B][U] Texans[/U][/B]

AVG. YDS (RK) CATEGORY AVG. YDS (RK)
234.4 (15th) Pass Off. 238.3 (14th)
135.2 (7th) Rush Off. 108.9 (20th)
243.5 (20th) Pass Def. 195.2 (5th)
110.6 (14th) Rush Def. 122.4 (19th)

[B][U]TEAM LEADERS[/U][/B]

WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Robert Griffin III 274 456 3203 16

Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Alfred Morris 276 1275 4.6 7
Robert Griffin III 86 489 5.7 0

Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Pierre Garcon 113 1346 11.9 5
Jordan Reed 45 499 11.1 3
Santana Moss 42 452 10.8 2
Leonard Hankerson30 375 12.5 3

HOUSTON TEXANS

Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Matt Schaub 219 358 2310 10

Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Ben Tate 181 771 4.3 4
Arian Foster 121 542 4.5 1

Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Andre Johnson 109 1407 12.9 5
DeAndre Hopkins 52 802 15.4 2
Garrett Graham 49 545 11.1 5
Keshawn Martin 22 253 11.5 2


[B][U]Redskins-Texans Preview[/U][/B]
By JEFF BARTL (STATS Senior Writer)
15 minutes ago
AP - Sports

Robert Griffin III knows he'll always have his critics, but he's only concerned with two - himself and new coach Jay Gruden.

The embattled Washington Redskins quarterback has moved past an injury-plagued season that saw him struggle and into a new-look offense set to debut Sunday on the road against a formidable Houston Texans defense.

Griffin helped the Redskins make the playoffs with a stellar 2012 rookie campaign before tearing his ACL in a postseason loss, and though he was ready for last year's opener, nagging injuries and tension with former coach Mike Shanahan led to him being shut down for the final three games.

His struggles - he had an 82.2 quarterback rating compared to 102.4 as a rookie - led to criticism, which increased during the preseason as he looked tentative at times.

For Griffin, he feels like that just comes with the territory.

"I've learned that not everybody's going to like you, and that's just the nature of the business," Griffin said. "You just have to move on from that kind of stuff. I think Jay being here has helped me grow as a person. Trust me, I'm not worried about anybody liking me.

"Our job is to ignore the noise and stay focused on what we have to."

Griffin has expressed a desire to be more of a conventional pocket passer rather than being known as a running quarterback despite thriving in Shanahan's read-option offense his first season.

Washington also has a more-than-capable workhorse back in Alfred Morris, who has rushed for 2,888 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the league.

''I made my name throwing the ball in college,'' Griffin said. ''I won a Heisman Trophy with Baylor.''

He'll get plenty of opportunities to throw this season under Gruden, who took over after Shanahan's firing following Washington's 3-13 campaign. The Redskins signed former Philadelphia standout receiver DeSean Jackson and return Pierre Garcon, who led the league last season with 113 receptions.

Gruden isn't concerned with Griffin's ability to grasp the system and improve as the season begins.

''It will come,'' Gruden said. ''He's got the ability to do it, he's got the smarts to do it, he's got the wants to do it. He's just got to do it.''

For 11 straight seasons a team has gone from worst to first in its division, and Washington is hoping to extend that run to 12. Same goes for Houston, which finished 2-14 in 2013.

"They're going to come out wanting to right their ship, we're going to come out wanting to right out ship," Griffin said. "We're both going to play hard for our (new) coach. They have a lot of good players on that defense and we're going to have our hands full."

Bill O'Brien is now leading Houston after it fired Gary Kubiak in December. O'Brien inherits an imposing defensive front led by J.J. Watt, who just signed a six-year, $100 million contract extension with $51.8 million guaranteed.

''Money doesn't motivate me, greatness does,'' Watt said. ''I'm so fortunate that I don't have to worry about the money, so I can focus on the greatness. At the end of the day, I want to play this game because I want to be the absolute best I can be.''

Houston wasn't nearly at its best last season, but that failure helped add South Carolina standout Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick. Watt now has plenty of help in the pass rush and said the two have been working together to improve throughout the offseason.

''Every day we work a little something,'' Watt said. ''As you've seen in the (preseason) games, he's a very talented player. I just try and teach him a couple of the things I've learned in my time in this league and ways that we can help each other because I really think it can be a lot of fun.''

The Texans have plenty of question marks on offense, though. They traded quarterback Matt Schaub to Oakland and handed the reigns to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will be starting for his third team in as many seasons.

"I think being in the league and having to do it multiple times has made it easier for me in terms of being able to step in here," Fitzpatrick said.

The health of running back Arian Foster also may be an issue after he missed eight games last season with a back injury that forced him to have surgery. Foster, who averaged 1,421 yards over his previous three seasons, said he's ready to go Sunday.

"I'm wonderful, physically," said Foster, who sat out all four preseason games. "I'm excited about that. I can't wait to play football."

It seemed during the offseason that leading receiver Andre Johnson might be playing football elsewhere. He grew frustrated after the Texans' dismal season and expressed a desire to be traded, but he didn't hold out and reported to camp on time.

Johnson should be a valuable target for Fitzpatrick, who will be backed up by Ryan Mallet after he was acquired from New England last week.

These teams haven't met since Houston's 30-27 overtime victory at Washington in 2010.

[url]http://sports.yahoo.com/news/redskins-texans-preview-204955695--nfl.html[/url]

Texans created video trailer for game (and a lot more videos from Texans website:

[url=http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Trailer-Texans-vs-Washington/863d120a-b38b-4bc8-aee6-37b7849a7a67#content-tools-link]Trailer: Texans vs Washington[/url]

What the enemy is saying about us (basically JJ Watt will put up a half seasons worth of stats against us) -Texanstalk fan forum

[url=http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106013]Week 1 VS Skins.....Lets Predict ;) - Houston Texans Message Board & Forum - TexansTalk.com[/url]

nfl.com Texans season preview:

[url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000381105/article/houston-texans-season-preview-jj-watt-gets-help]Houston Texans season preview: J.J. Watt gets help - NFL.com[/url]

nfl.com Redskins season preview:

[url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000383497/article/washington-redskins-season-preview-is-rgiii-back]Washington Redskins season preview: Is RGIII back? - NFL.com[/url]

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

I expect the defense to bend but not break and the offense to blow harder than Louie Armstrong.

Somehow, we still win.

Skins - 20
Texass - 17

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

good to see you back and posting DR!

i tried to space out the team and player stats at the top but it refuses to cooperate so it will just be jumbled.

I am also taking suggestions for changing the thread title to something more warpathian ..

Skins 27
texans 21

* i believe the spread is texans +2.5 but that will change

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

I think Jay and Robert have shown a lot less than what they have planned. However, I think the Texas defense will be fairly solid. On the flipside, our defense will be improved (not necessarily good) and their offense will struggle. In the end, a heavy dose of Morris and two big plays down the field (one to Reed and one to Jackson) and two long scrambles by Robert (over 12 yards each) help the Redskins squeak out their opener by a score of 20-17. Also, I have Kerrigan and Orapko down for a combined 3 sacks in this game.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;1080137]I expect the defense to bend but not break and [B]the offense to blow harder than Louie Armstrong.
[/B]
Somehow, we still win.

Skins - 20
Texass - 17[/quote]

:)

Offense struggles but scores thanks to some big plays. Defense looks impressive, gets turnovers, and scores.

Skins 27
Texans 13

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

People are gonna be singing a new song:
Skins 33
Texans 7

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Skins drop a low scoring close game.

Texans 20
Skins 17

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

28-17 skins

RG3 1 TD 1 INT
Morris 3TDs
Def 2 TOs

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote][B]On if safety Duke Ihenacho could start Sunday:[/B]

“Right now it looks like it will be [safety Bacarri] Rambo but we still have another day or two of practice and we will see how it goes. Just have got to make sure he gets up to speed and then we will make that decision probably Friday or Saturday depending on where he is mentally.”[/quote]


Quote from Gruden. Already up to taking Rambo's spot? Either our safeties suck or Denver is stacked at the position and had to let him go.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1080157]Quote from Gruden. Already up to taking Rambo's spot? Either our safeties suck or Denver is stacked at the position and had to let him go.[/quote]

If this guy walks in off the street and starts over Rambo then that's sad. Nacho is not that good of a player.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Maybe he's just like Hoody and doesn't show his hand.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Rob will have his struggles but will ride to victory on the back of Alfmo and a stout defense that will keep the latest knockoff incarnate of of Warren Moon largely on his back......
REDskins 24
Oilers light-14

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1080160]If this guy walks in off the street and starts over Rambo then that's sad. Nacho is not that good of a player.[/quote]

It's not as if this guy just walked in off the street. He went through all of camp and preseason with the Broncos. He's in excellent shape, and the safety position isn't rocket science.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=skinsy;1080167]It's not as if this guy just walked in off the street. He went through all of camp and preseason with the Broncos. He's in excellent shape, and the safety position isn't rocket science.[/quote]

He was cut from another team. Isn't the safety position one of the hardest positions to play in the NFL? There is a reason it takes a lot of players so long to understand and play the position well.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1080145]People are gonna be singing a new song:
Skins 33
Texans 7[/quote]

Redskins 38
Texans 10

Griffin goes for 350 and 4 TDs
Morris goes for 125 on the ground and a score

We force 5 turnovers and sack Fitzpatrick 6 times, Mallett comes in during the 4th and does nothing.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

we need that online to play well. if they can step up well take this easy.

Ryan Kirkpatrick isnt gettin the win vs this team.

The online most likely will look like Garb vs Cushing, Watt, Jadeveon, but i expect to see RG, Mo, Pierre, DJax, Roberts, Reed firing on all cylinders, trent will be ready though hell have that blind edge.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Speaking only for myself, the time for me to be analytical is over. It is now time for me to gear up and go into Redskins Fanatic mode.

[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Sienna"]Go Redskins! Just win, Baby![/COLOR][/SIZE]

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

38? I know Houston's defense isn't all that good but that's awfully optimistic.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

If we can limit Clowney and Watt this game will have win sauce spread all over it.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=skinsy;1080167]It's not as if this guy just walked in off the street. He went through all of camp and preseason with the Broncos. He's in excellent shape, and the safety position isn't rocket science.[/quote]

The dude started the Super Bowl for them last year and was their 17 week starter. They got one guy back off of IR at SS and signed TJ Ward. Duke was caught in a numbers game and got cut. Is he a pro bowl player? No. Is he better than what we have here currently (especially missing BW for the first two games and only god knows how many others this season)? Yes.

We didn't have another experienced SS on the roster who had played a game in the NFL. Rambo is a FS who is being moved to SS out of nessecity. Thomas has never been healthy enough to play a game and the other guy (Davis I believe) is best suited as a special teamer who could develop into someone who can play from scrimmage.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

I may regret this on Sunday but I love the optimism of this thread right now.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Ask yourself this regarding Ihenacho: Would you rather have him or Reed Doughty?

Mostly I think Ihenacho, but I think that's about what we are looking at, a sure tackler, a little slow in space, but good on special teams.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

A younger and faster Doughty. Thats about who Duke is.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=artmonkforhallofamein07;1080219]A younger and faster Doughty. Thats about who Duke is.[/quote]

Better hearing too.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=mredskins;1080220]Better hearing too.[/quote]

ahhh snap

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;1080204]If we can limit Clowney and Watt this game will have win sauce spread all over it.[/quote]

I wonder how much impact Clowney is really going to have. While he did have some nice plays in preseason and played fairly well overall I thought, we have no idea how he'll perform with a gameplan designed against him. He is a rookie, after all, so if he lines up on Trent's side, he might as well be on the bench. If he lines up on the "other" side, we might have some problems, but I think we'll probably see a lot of Helu and Paulsen out there.

I think I'm trying to say that I would be a lot more worried if we were facing the Ravens, 49ers when all there, or the Cowboys.

Three things about the game that help with the optimism. #1: Johnathan Joseph will be limited with a foot injury. #2: Ryan Fitzpatrick is their starting quarterback. #3: Kendrick Lewis is their starting FS(say hello to #86, son).

In keeping with my prediction in a different thread, I think the Redskins win... 27-23. Alfred has a huge game, JReed catches 7 passes on 7 targets, Garcon and Jackson are quiet the whole night, the boys up front combine for 4 sacks, and Kai nails 2-2, including one late to help seal the win. Griffin goes 19-32 for 193 yards with a TD.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=Skins4L;1080176]we need that online to play well. if they can step up well take this easy.

[B]Ryan Kirkpatrick isnt gettin the win vs this team. [/B]

The online most likely will look like Garb vs Cushing, Watt, Jadeveon, but i expect to see RG, Mo, Pierre, DJax, Roberts, Reed firing on all cylinders, trent will be ready though hell have that blind edge.[/quote]

That is about the only guarantee this weekend, I don't think he gets a win all season for that matter.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Who the hell is Ryan Kirkpatrick?

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Who starts when porter can't suit up for us this Sunday? Treeland or Biggy? Like to see the rookie in there.

Porter not practicing again today

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=Chico23231;1080231]Who starts when porter can't suit up for us this Sunday? Treeland or Biggy? Like to see the rookie in there.

Porter not practicing again today[/quote]

Keim said Biggers will get the nod.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

It's going to be interesting to see if we use the option to control the pass rush from Clowney/Watt.
I really don't want RG3 standing in the pocket all day.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[quote=Lotus;1080232]Keim said Biggers will get the nod.[/quote]

To my surprise, Biggers played well in preseason. I think he has improved since last season. Good for him! I feel fine about him in the slot, now.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Irresepctive of the outcome, I want the Redskins to play mean -- for guys to look for contact, deliver hits that they Texans will feel for a week, and otherwise look to dominate every play. The Seahawks had that attitude last year to be sure, as do the consistently good teams (49ers, Patriots). So no tentative play, no letting another team hang around, no hanging your head with a bad call or play -- just get after it. So more than anything, I want to see the attitude of the team change. If we do that, the scores will start to take care of themselves.

I think the Redskins show us all something and win convincingly, 27-13, even with Watt and Clowney showing everyone what a scary combo they can be.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Yahoo fantasy twitter feed isn't giving any love to the Skins. I just won't believe that Griffin is going to be some babbling incompetent qb like some seem to say. Even in his bad year last year, his stats ended respectable. I know it was stats only, but that's what fantasy is.

Can't wait to see the team show something positive. Just hope Gruden steers the reins well.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Ugly, boring, frustrating game. Offense sucks and defense gets worn out. Skins lose in the last two minutes.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Doh.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

[QUOTE=Zorny;1080258]Ugly, boring, frustrating game. Offense sucks and defense gets worn out. Skins lose in the last two minutes.[/QUOTE]
That's the new season spirit

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

opps..wrong thread.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

i'm all ginned up now for the game. i didn't watch much of preseason and only a quarter of the game last night, but woke up this morning ready to roll.

skins win - 35-17. Jackson and Garcon will look like the best tandem in the league. Griffin will make all you nay sayers shut up for for at least a week :) Morris will prove once again he's way underrated. Amerson will have a pick and look good doing it. Hatcher/Orakpo/Kerrigan will show us enough to make us wonder if they could be better than any of us hoped.

the store will be sold out of burgundy colored glasses by noon Monday.

Re: Redskins v. Texans Pregame Thread
 

Key to this game is stopping 3 people:

JJ Watt, Clowney and Foster. We do this, we should win