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Kubiak: 'We took a step backward'
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Gary Kubiak talks to Matt Schaub during the Saints game Saturday night (AP photo/Dave Einsel)
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak met with the media Sunday afternoon, providing updates on injury status and sharing additional thoughts on the embarrassing loss to the Saints Saturday night.
You can read the full transcription of the press conference at houstontexans.com.
My main takeaways from Kubiak's comments: (first, the injury status)
- Cliff Washburn (#4 offensive tackle) has a calf strain and may miss the rest of the preseason. I watched Washburn leave the field and he couldn't make it without help. Even when he reached the sideline, he needed help getting to the bench.
- Tim Bulman and Joel Dreessen are day to day with a quad issues.
- Antwaun Molden could return to full duty this week depending on how he does in practice.
- Chester Pitts should return to full duty this week.
- Chris Myers and Travis Johnson will practice on a limited basis.
- Brian Cushing will do individual work with Johnny Holland after practice but will likely not see action against the Vikings.
Additional thoughts from Kubiak:
- "(Coach Marciano has) 10 goals we try to reach every week (on special teams), we didn't reach any of them,"
- The first team offense continues to perform well, according to Kubiak, with four drives and two touchdowns in preseason. Editors note: The Texans didn't run the ball very well at all against the Saints, with the exception of a few gutsy individual efforts by Steve Slaton.
- "Bottom line we weren't physical enough." Editors note: How exactly does that happen? Do you flip a switch this week and say 'be more physical?' Were they not ready to play or properly motivated? Was it technical? Are they worn out from weeks of practicing in beastly heat? Is it a talent/skill issue at certain positions? Should I channel Amobi Okoye and not worry because it's only preseason?
- "We were very, very poor against the run. There were some missed assignments that also led to that. It's not the group that I've seen practice the last two weeks, so it's disappointing as we try to move forward here and move onto this week." Editor's note: It's Kubiak's job to not let this linger past 8 a.m. Monday.
- "When you give up 120 yards on 14 carries in the first half, it's kind of hard to sit here and say you found anything good. I would hope that (the players) would feel the same way." Editor's note: After the game, Okoye said: "I see it as a preseason game... I don't think necessarily I'm going to be disturbed about it."
A major part of an NFL head coach's job is to be able to lead and motivate through tough times. Team psychology and button pushing is as much or more important a skill as game planning.
There are times when I've listened to Kubiak and have wanted to run through a brick wall for him. At other times, like today, it's almost depressing to listen to his laments about the team's performance, even if they are true. It almost gets into 'woe is us' territory at times.
Teams feed off the vibes from their coaches and it's important for the Texans to quickly put the Saints loss behind them, change the attitude, and get on with the business of winning football games like they did against the Packers, Titans and Bears late last season.
This week's preparations for the regular season audition on Monday Night Football is as much of a test of this coaching staff's ability to lead as it is the players' ability to play.
Extras: Texans GM Rick Smith flew solo on the sideline late in the 4th quarter of the Saints game. Usually owner Bob McNair and his son Cal accompany Smith to watch the last few minutes of the game at the south end of the Texans bench area.
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