A Texans fan blog with Stephanie Stradley





Not only are they changing schemes, but their best DE is moving to linebacker, their best corner is moving to safety, they are introducing 3 rookies to the D who are expected to see significant playing time, two new starting free agents, and both starting inside linebackers are presently recovering from injuries.

Isn’t it to be expected that there might be some bumps in the road even if all does go well.

Why are they setting these expectations?

Spectacular comment.  Wraps up all the defensive issues in a bow. 

My thoughts on this:

1. Fans’ expectations don’t matter.   I don’t think the team really cares about managing fan expectations.  Fans of all teams will believe what they want to believe.  Everybody thinks their view of their favorite team is realistic, and everyone else is overly pessimistic, optimistic, kool-aid drinking, [insert favorite pejorative here].

2. Creating self-confidence.  How do you create confidence in a defense that has never been great?  That was the obvious albatross of the team last year? That has all the issues Jay mentions in his question? That is doing all of this during a short off-season?

You hire an experienced guy.  That experienced guy tries to create confidence in his group by pointing to his experience.  Experience that none of the previous defensive coordinators during the Gary Kubiak era has had.

I don’t know if the Texans actually believe that the transition will be quick.  But all the repeating about how easy this defense is to learn is mostly about creating confidence.

On Confidence and False Confidence.

The other night, I was listening to an interview on the radio with New Orleans drumming legend, Herlin Riley.  He was talking about teaching young musicians to not just be good individually but how to be good as part of a group.  He said two things are key:  Confidence and humility.  Confidence in your own skills, and the ability to push your limits in a way that works with the rest of the band.  And humility in knowing what you don’t know and being open to learning new things.

Think those lessons apply well to football as they do in life. Don’t think the Texans defense has had those things but who knows, maybe Wade Phillips can help provide it.

I leave you with music:

I wish I could leave you with more. But right now, we are in wait and prove it mode. Focus in camp right now is surviving it.

[Photo courtesy of Ed Machette www.edmatchettephotography.com]

Categories: Defense, Fans
Stephanie Stradley