Fourth Down

First on a personal note:
I would like to thank all of you for your kind words and concern during the last ten days. Hurricane Ike has certainly had a devastating impact on the region (and the country for that matter), but it is so encouraging to see how much compassion can be found here in America. From me and my family -Thank you.


Houston vs. Tennessee
Fourth down. What in the world has happened to fourth down? The Houston Texans’ performance, and more to the point-choices, yesterday during fourth downs versus the Tennessee Titans was more frustrating than satellite television during a thunderstorm.

After digging a huge hole early in their game against the ‘Fighting Fishers’, Houston (although never really firing on all cylinders) found itself over and over again in scoring position. Inexplicably though, Coach Gary Kubiak chose not to take the points.

Here is a brief recount of just some of those possessions and what should have happened.

With 5:20 left to go in the third quarter and the score at 24-12 Titans, Houston chose not to kick a field goal. Fourth down and 4 yards to go, the Texans completed a 1 yard pass to Steve Slaton.

Field goal-Tennessee 24-Houston 15.


With 7:12 left to go in the fourth quarter and the score 24-12 Tennessee, Houston chose not to kick a field goal. Fourth down from the Titans’ two yard line, the Texans ran the ball with Steve Slaton and gain 1 yard.

Field goal-Tennessee 24- Houston 18

With 1:17 left to go in the fourth quarter and the score 24-12 Titans, Houston chose not to kick a field goal. Fourth down and 10 from the Titans 11 yard line, Matt Schaub threw an interception and it is returned for a touchdown.

Field goal – Tennessee 24-Houston 21

These were just the ones that directly cost the Texans points. They don’t even count the fourth and ten from the Titans 48 that was intercepted also.

I am all for those coaches with the “riverboat gambler” mentality and I am aware that Coach Kubiak was trying to get his team to play aggressive. But there is a point where it can become as absurd as a Boo Weekly quote. Maybe Boo would say something like this, “I reckon we dun went fishin’ on dry land.” I LOVE THAT GUY! More clearly, you may understand that this game was the equivalent of sitting down at the blackjack table, hitting on 18 all night, and then wondering why you left the casino so broke that you can’t pay for the flight home. You may have seen that new Madden ’08 commercial where Madden himself talks about those gamers that hate to kick the ball on fourth down. If you haven’t, check it out and think about this game.

This should have been a very close game, yet it ended as a 31-12 blowout and left the Texans 0-2 with a game versus perennial power Jacksonville next.

I will say this about Coach Kubiak. I like him. He has done more for the Texan franchise than anyone in its short history. Let’s just hope that this ugly 0 and 2 start hasn’t put his coaching job in its own precarious situation-his own personal fourth down.

PS- Ask Pittsburgh fans what they think about fourth down.