Is that the mark of an offensive "guru"? Because out here in the world of us ordinary folks I would think something along the following lines: 1. You've got one of the best WR in the Country in Andre Johnson, a capable #2 receiver in Kevin Walter and a quality ball-control type in David Anderson (when he's not being knocked into next week going after a pass that's behind him). On top of all this you have James Casey, who's got some experience throwing the ball as a QB, and is a physical specimen to boot.
Based on all of that my first look would be to Andre, then Walter, Anderson and Casey. After that I'd look to Chris Brown. After all of that I might consider giving to ball to Casey and let him run the option pass. After all of that had failed, I'd take one look at the play Shanahan called (and Kubiak failed to overrule) and I'd rip the page out of the playbook and throw it in the trash.
It's bad enough that the Texans (the worst NFL expansion franchise in history, in case you already didn't know that) are 5-7 with no hope of the playoffs in sight. What's worse is that they're starting to be creative in the ways that they lose, as if just going out and sucking it up for 4 quarters isn't bad enough, now Texans fans have to live with Chris Brown's mistake of the week, or Matt Schaub's 'huh?' moment, or the Sex cannon coming into the game and mis-firing. How bad was the halfback option? "Stagger Lee" is being batted around. In case you don't know, the legend of Stagger Lee, there you go.
So now the Texans are looking at having to win out in order to obtain the first winning record in team history. Given that the schedule still contains playoff contenders Seattle, Miami and New England, I would argue at this point that 6-10 is more likely than 9-7. Any sports pundit mentioning "playoffs" and "Texans" in any other context than "only way they can attend is to buy a ticket" needs to be taken out back, tarred, feathered and be forced to watch 36 hourse of Andre Ware color commentary. If they honestly think the Texans still have a chance then throw in Marc Vandermeer on play by play. Honestly, I can't think of a punishment that would be more painful than that.
For now it's on to the Seahawks, a team whose 5-7 record mirrors the Texans and who have lost 5 of their last 6 games to mostly strong competition. However, the Seahawks don't have a particuarly good defense, they're not prolific on offense and they're not going to give anyone the hives from a preparation standpoint due to the fear of being out-coached. If you think about it, they're the mirror-image of the Texans, except they've won at some time in franchise history.
If the Texans lose this one the "fire Kubiak" chant will become deafening in its intensity. With good cause. Even if they win this game the guy needs to go. The biggest arguement used by his supporters (VanDerMeer, for one) is "who are you going to get that's any better to replace him?" At this point, the odds are slim that you're going to get anyone much worse.