MNF Notes: Texans-Jaguars

In a game that I was only watching for fantasy purposes (honest!), the Texans continue their odd defensive mastery of the highly disappointing Jags, who look like they've just quit on coach Jack del Rio. Given that del Rio doesn't seem very smart and that the organization keeps doing things like paying Jerry Porter a lot of money to not catch footballs for them, I can see the logic in the decision. A few points...

> I'm not one for caring too much about a jersey; laundry is laundry, and it's not like my Eagles have impeccable taste in clothing, especially when they go with those black things that literally everyone I know hates. But the red-on-red that they are wearing looks like it belongs in I-AA or the CFL. Seriously, people, change that, or risk a very long gestation period that will resemble the Buccaneers' tangerine orange days.

> When Matt Jones and his very occasional ability to get off the line of scrimmage is your best receiver -- and maybe it's actually tight end Mercedes Lewis, who they don't throw to enough -- you shouldn't win a lot of games. I'm not sure how this team was good last year, in retrospect, but I'm prone to underrating the importance of the offensive line.

> Speaking of Jones, you've never seen a guy with more skills who does less. Tall, strong, fast, blah.

> You'd never know that Houston is a terrible defensive team from watching this game tonight. Or that David Garrard is a threat to run at quarterback. He looked pudgy to me tonight.

> After scoring their first points tonight (a short field goal), del Rio chose to go for an obvious onside kick, with two kickers on the field, that was recovered fairly easily by the Texans. A long Steve Slaton screen later, and the Texans had the field goal back. It's not as if their defense was really struggling, either. del Rio's confidence in his defense wasn't, um, encouraging.

> With 12:21 left and a fourth and goal from the five, del Rio chose to go for it, rather than kick a field goal. Garrard stumbled coming away from center, then threw it up for grabs for an incompletion. And that, honestly, was the ball game, though it got points-wacky at the end.

> According to the MNF chuckleheads, Sage Rosenfels would do his mid-air breakdance fumble against the Colts again. No, seriously. Honestly, there's a reason why Sage Rosenfels should not start NFL games.

> With 2:45 left and the game out of reach, Maurice Jones-Drew took a ball out of the flat and proceeded to head-smash his way through three guys. MJD might not have a terribly long career, but you've still got to love the guy.

> Fred Taylor picked up his 70th touchdown in the late going, setting a new Jaguars team record (Jimmy Smith had 69). Considering how many years he got vultured at the goal line or fought lingering injuries, it really is a meaningful mark... and while he's not exactly someone you think of when you say the words "Hall of Fame", he probably gets there.

> I'd like to really thank the Jags' for failing to touch or care about Steve Slaton late, who took it to the house on his last two carries of the game, doubling his fantasy points for the game and putting me back in first in my points league. Way to show some holiday spirit! You're too kind!