Texans 22, Dolphins 19: Defines 'Ugly Game'

Probably the only thing that this game will be remembered for is Miami quarterback Trent Green suffering a concussion after blocking Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson in the knees and flipping him onto his head. And Johnson angrily yelling and walking past the motionless body of Green. And then going into a tirade in the locker room about how Green's play was dirty. And then apologizing.

(There's lots being written and said about this--some inaccurate--so I suggest watching the video and deciding for yourself).

Whether or not Green's play was dirty, It's pretty ugly to watch someone scream at an unmoving body, or hear of such a locker room rant after a game being stopped for a long time after Green was being put on a stretcher. Apparently, Green has a concussion, and at least some are suggesting that this incident demonstrates that he should retire.

The game was nearly as ugly as the play on the field. Though Ted Ginn Jr. played well on returns against a good special teams, getting a great average field position for Miami, he also was part responsible for that broken play that led to Green's concussion. Miami fans are still waiting for his break out receiving game, though he did have one catch for a 36 yard gain.

Ugly defines the Texans running game. Against the worst run defense in the league, the Texans managed to get 59 yards from their backup running backs, Ron Dayne and Samkon Gado for an average of 2.4 yards a carry. The Texans need Ahman Green back and healthy, but given his history so far, they are in desperate need for a Plan B.

So what wasn't ugly? Brown.

Miami running back Ronnie Brown was beautiful to Miami fans, in how he exposed the Texans run defense. He had his third 100 yard rushing game in a row, averaging 5.0 yards a carry. This against a Texans run defense that had been prior to this game, relatively respectable. The only other Miami running back to ever have three 100 yard rushing games in a row was Ricky Williams.

Texans kicker Kris Brown made Texan fans day beautiful by kicking a game winning 57 yard field goal with one second left in the game. He is the third NFL kicker in history to have three 50+ yard field goals in one game, and the first to have three 54+ field goals in a game.

So the Cam Cameron Dolphins are now 0-5, and the Texans squeak a win while trying to survive the injuries to its main offensive playmakers. Ugly.

I left a lot of ugly out as my fingers are getting tired, and I can think of lots of ugly things. You have anything more you want to add to this?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-08-2007 @ 10:30AM

Steve Swisher said...

Green needs to hang it up,

John Doe said...

I don't like to see players hurt, but there was no reason for Green to backside block at TJ's knees. A glancing blow up higher would have been enough to slow his pursuit.

3-5 seconds after the play is when the taunting occurred. TJ was probably thinking Green had either had the wind knocked out of him or that he was woosie.

Watching the play live, you just knew someone was going to get hurt as bodies were flying everywhere when the play reversed field.

Get well Trent...good playing TJ!

James said...

if trent green didnt get hurt, he should have gotten fined for the illegal block,,an illegal block like that could end someone's career - instantly,,it is more deliberate and intentional and reckless than the hit the New england guy put on the Bronco's QB a few weeks ago,,so now we know what to do,,you make an illegal/dirty hit on somoene, STAY DOWN and you wont get penalized or fined

10-08-2007 @ 2:20PM

Bill said...

He's a quarterback! What do they know about blocking? There's a snowball's chance in Hades that he had any idea what he was doing and it showed. It was crazy throwing himself in front of someone that size moving at that speed. It wasn't pretty and may have been a penalty (I don't know the rules that well so forgive me on this one) but it looks like a guy desperate enough to take one for the team.

10-08-2007 @ 5:46PM

da Bull said...

Stephanie,

Watching yesterday’s game from the end zone area (Bull Pen) I had primarily three areas of irritation:
1. Run Game: ...or the lack thereof. Neither Gado nor Dayne looked to be competent NFL running backs. Dayne looked OK midway through the end of last season and in the KC game. So what is it: brilliant opponent defensive scheming; bad offensive line play with the substitution of Flannigan vs. McKinney; or did Dayne crest the hill during the KC game and is now on the career downslope?

In this case I think it’s both the jockey and the horse. The jockey in that the Kubiak/Sherman “amalgam” offense is not surprising anyone, Dom Capers included. I keep getting a flashback to the Chris Palmer/David Carr era when even I could predict the next offensive play…..accurately. The horse, more so regarding Flannigan than Dayne. Yup! Flannigan knows Sherman’s System, but it appears that he can’t effectively run block anymore (he must have at one time with the Packers). If Sherman is over-the-top loyal to Flannigan, then we’re back to the jockey again.

2. Non-aggressive defensive play: I asked you a couple of weeks ago about your thoughts regarding Richard Smith and Frank Bush. I don’t know if RS is not quick on the uptake and is incapable of making adjustments until he’s seen a complete opposing, offensive package or if this tack is dictated to him by the head coach; or he’s getting assistance at half-time by the likes of Frank Bush. ....or again, do we not have the right horses (If we don’t it’s going to be a long, long, next few years)?

3. Time management: Even though the offense moved the ball during the last 2-minutes of the game they looked somewhat out-of-sync, not having any flow from one play to the next. Time evaporated that couldn’t be regained. Again, is this back to Kubiak/Sherman conferring on a play before it is chosen or just indecision on Kubiak’s part?

I lied, there was a fourth irritant yesterday. On most defensive plays there seemed to be at least one defense player waving his arms and worrying more about cheer-leading the crowd than getting into position for the next play. If these guys can only function properly with the energy of the crowd behind them they’re in the wrong business.

Sorry about the rant. But, I do appreciate your thoughts and perspective.

Thanks,
Bob