The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotions from the aftermath of a game diminish into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover no longer haunts the mind. With that, a review of Preseason Week 2:
Slovis takes the lead in the QB3 battle. Again, without insight into the coaches’ room, if going off game action, Slovis appears to be in good shape to open as the QB3 for the team. Given the 3rd quarter, Slovis made the most of it. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping
(5-of-12 for 51 yards), he did make some game plays that showed a competitive fire, and will do much to help his case for a roster spot. His improvisation quick dump off on a 3rd and short while taking a massive shot that delivered a drive-extending 3rd down showcased some field awareness and guts and set up a FG. His turning a busted play into a long 1st down scramble on the subsequent drive also showcased some needed fight. He didn’t make the major mistake, and while disappointing he couldn’t finish a key 3rd quarter drive with a TD on a 4th-and-goal at the 5 to start the 4th quarter, he certainly showed some things that would make him a good 3rd string QB. Mertz, at least, didn’t make the dumb mistake, but given the course of the game in the 4th quarter, there wasn’t much for him to showcase. This sets up perhaps the biggest plot line for the 3rd preseason game…who wins the QB3 spot.
John Metchie…his Texans’ finale. Looks like one of the intriguing roster questions just got an answer. The former second rounder showed flashes of potential, but just never seemed to elevate his game. Yes, he whooped cancer’s [KITTEN] while coming back from a torn ACL, but he never lived up to the 2nd round billing. His last Texans game: 1 catch for 8 yards on 3 targets. Didn’t exactly get the biggest showcase, mainly playing in the second and third quarter (Mills and Slovis being the QBs). This would be the second highly drafted Texan sent to Philly, as Howie Roseman took a flyer on Kenyon Green. Metchie leaves Houston with 40 receptions for 412 yards and one TD. Oh, and Houston gets back the 5th rounder they sent out with Green.
The interior of the line still looking good, again. It is preseason and the 1st unit wasn’t out there long, and it was against Carolina, but man, did that line get some legit good push up front. Nick Chubb had 25 yards rushing on 5 carries, but in watching his runs, you noticed that Chubb didn’t get touched until he was well past the line of scrimmage. Give Chubb that much head of steam, especially with a back known for power, and good things can and will happen. Both the left and right sides of the line moved bodies around and Stroud didn’t face all that much pressure. There are some encouraging signs, but you are only as good as your last play. The Rams will present a more formidable when this counts for real.
The latest fashion accessories for the Texans: Arm Braces: Most probably noticed that Al-Shaair and Will Anderson Jr. were sporting some significant arm braces. Anderson did have a history of arm injuries, so a strong arm brace can be seen as a help, even after the original injuries subside. This joins Al-Shaair, who also has a history of arm/elbow injuries and has worn the arm brace for some time (as many pointed out after the infamous Lawrence his last season). As most long-time Texans fans know, key defenders sporting arm braces are not exactly a new phenomenon for the squad. The most prominent among them…some former hybrid DL-man out of Wisconsin who is now working as a color analyst for CBS.
FUN WITH NUMBERS:
10: Total points led by Davis Mills this preseason: What a change a year makes. Last season, you could have had some legitimate questions about whether Mills would be the #2 QB, or if Houston would go with Case Keenum. Instead, Mills has locked down the backup spot. Not saying that Houston would be a contender if Mills had to play any significant amount of time, but needed to fill in for a game or two, the confidence level is better now than it was a year ago.
GAME BALLS:
QB Kedon Slovis: Already discussed him, but balling like he did could be the difference between a 3rd string position and having to live and die by phone calls for a practice squad roster tryout.
RG Ed Ingram: Again, noting all the previous caveats, there is some optimism about the interior of the O-line. The starters, for the 2 drives that they played, did well to keep a talented Carolina D-line off of Stroud and open some good running lanes. Ed Ingram, the one-time Vikings guard, had a particularly nice day blocking. He might be locking down that RG spot. Again, early, but perhaps an improvement over the Shaq Mason failures.
ND Kalu: Not that he will give Greg Olsen a run for his money as a color analyst, but this is just the appreciation that it is him and not Spencer Tillman. For a preseason game, he was solid, especially in talking about the defensive side of the ball.
SHOULD BE FORCED TO CLEAN UP AFTER JOHN MCCLAIN AFTER SAMPLING ALL OF NRG’S EATING OPTIONS THIS SEASON:
DB Damon Arnette: Some tried to spin this as a comeback story. He did have some legal issues and has been out of the NFL since 2022. However, Houston figured they could take a flyer on the guy. He did make the biggest highlight possible for a DB with his 4th quarter INT deep in Carolina territory. However, the guy was holding the football like he was Deion Sanders in the open field. Well, he wasn’t Deion, and he wasn’t in the open field. The Panthers stripped the ball from his hands, but Houston recovered, fortunately (if he could have only held on to the ball like he did once he actually caught it).
Panthers Passing Game: The overall passing unit for the Panthers may see better days, but like last season, the Texans defense was not particularly welcoming for road passers. Young (0-for-2 for 0 yards, 1 sack) looked bad on two of his three attempts (accounting for the INT that didn’t count). His receivers gave him no help (looking at you, Ja’Tavion Sanders). Then the rest of the team’s passing game. Dalton didn’t have a great time (2-of-4 for 22 yards), and he got injured. Then Jack Plummer (no relation to Jake), enters the game. Sure, he went 10 of 14, but for only 83 yards, got sacked twice and threw two INTs. 12-of-20 for 83 yards, 2 INTs and 3 sacks will not get it done, even in Carolina.
With that, the Texans now gear up for the final preseason game, this time slated for Detroit at Ford Field this Saturday, August 23rd at noon CDT. See everyone there.