October 18, 2012|By Matt Vensel
His special teams failures against Baltimore in the playoff game, ones that a player with years of experience should have known not to do, was the last straw for a lot of fans. Many fans weren't happy when he was re-signed prior to last year, but I believe that happened because the lockout made it difficult to learn up new receivers. They also used that draft to help their defense. So with draft picks available for new wide receivers to develop this year, Jones became expendable.
As for his reception, I'm not sure it will be much of anything unless Jones does one of his more flamboyant celebrations. If Baltimore fans have a chance to meet Jones, he's a very funny, engaging guy. Just needs fans to root for him that don't remember his many mistakes.
MV: The Texans have never beaten the Ravens, and it always stings when a team knocks you out of the playoffs. Do you get the sense that there is extra motivation there to finally beat the Ravens and maybe get a bit of revenge? Or was the loss to the Packers jarring enough to make sure their focus was on solving their problems? The latter seemed to be the case for the Ravens a few weeks ago heading into their game with the rival New England Patriots.
SS: With this particular group of Texans, I'm never worried about their effort or motivation. I tend to be more concerned about different players pressing too much, trying to do things that they can't do. I'm certain they don't want to lose to the Ravens again, or go into the bye week after two bitter losses in a row after such a good start of the season. They very much want the playoffs, and they want home field in the playoffs, and they know that beating the Ravens is one part of that.
The bigger concern to me are not these motivational intangibles but more basic football tangibles: What will the Texans defense look like without Brian Cushing? Can the right side of the offensive line perform in a consistent manner? Will the Texans continue to struggle with special teams penalties and coverage, and continue to put the Texans offense in bad field position situations?
Despite the best record they've had as a franchise, I do not think the Texans have played their best ball yet. I think they are still learning who they are. Last year, they had all their offensive starters returning except for Vonta Leach. This year is the biggest transition for the Texans offense in a while, and often with change, it can look encouraging and discouraging in the same game. And with the exit of Cushing, the defense is working through their own transition.
