GameDay Review | HoustonProFootball.com 
August 26, 2007
Holy Jacoby: Book Two
by Blake Gifford
HoustonProFootball.com
While the first full day of NFL games that actually mean something is still a fortnight away (that’s 14 days for those of you without a dictionary), the buildup before the Texans preseason tilt against the Cowboys felt like the game was going to count in the standings.
Every Texan fan I know had been talking about this game for a week. Without a doubt, the third preseason game is always the most fun to watch because the starters typically play late into the third quarter. With the opponent being that team from Little D who has won the exact number of playoff games since 2002 as the Texans, the hype was huge. Not to mention, the Cowboys are expected to be an elite team in the NFC, so the game was going to be a good test for our refurbished team. If the 28-16 victory is any indication, 2007 has the makings of being the most memorable one for us long suffering (well, five years) Texans fans.
The new fan-favorite made sure that the pre-game excitement was worth it. Holy Jacoby Jones took the Cowboys’ first punt 91 yards to paydirt to further ignite an already raucous crowd. This kid’s speed and awareness is unreal. He found the open seam and cruised to the end zone.
Even b efore Jones took that back, one had a feeling it was going to be a good night after the defense held the Cowboys to three and out on their opening possesion. While there were too many plays where Tony Romo had way too much time to find the open receiver, the defensive line was more active than they’d been all preseason. Mario Williams recorded his first tackle and sack of the preseason while generally looking very energetic while he was in the game. Let’s hope this is a precursor for the regular season.
Staying with the defense for a bit, really can’t say too much about Dunta Robinson’s game last night. I’ll admit to having my doubts about the Gamecock as to whether or not he could be a true shutdown corner, but after his performance last night against Terrell Owens, he’s yet another reason to be excited about this defense’s potential. He was on TO like a blanket, on TO like white on rice, or on TO like any other non-creative cliché you can come up with for good coverage. Great game by #23.
Turning to the offense, after the Texans’ first drive faltered, their second drive reminded us what a fine-tuned offensive machine should look like. Higlighted by a sick 46 yard run by Ahman Green, the drive ended with a six yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson on a quick slant. 14-0, Good Guys. Of course, Johnson put the exclamation point on the score with a Reliant Rise? Ramp? Rabbit Hop? into the stands. We spent a good 10 minutes trying to figure out what to call our version of the Lambeau Leap and really couldn’t come up with anything. Suggestions welcome.
The Cowboys finally found the scoreboard when Romo hooked up with Owens for a 35-yard TD pass and ran where three Texans defenders tripped each other up. Mr. Most Annoying Kicker (Martin Gramatica, as if I needed to tell you) ended up missing the extra point so the Cowboys were still eight points back, 14-6.
After the two teams swapped possessions without scoring, Texans’ fans had a chance to see the revamped offense in the two-minute drill right before the end of the half. They didn’t disappoint. Schaub ran it to perfection culminating with a play that made everyone count their blessings that David Carr is no longer a Texan. Flushed out of the pocket and scrambling, Schaub lofted a ball to the right side of the end zone into the arms of a leaping Jones to give the Texans a 21-6 lead 42 seconds before halftime. Chills. I literally had chills after that play.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t catch much of the second half. Sometimes, a friend’s bachelor party is more important than part of an NFL pre-season game. Luckily, I didn’t miss a collapse by the Texans as they scored their most points ever against the Cowboys. The first half of the game has me more excited about a Texans’ team since their inaugural season. They finish up the preseason on Thursday with a trip to Tampa. It’ll be a match-up consisting mostly of guys fighting for their paychecks rather than the starters, so I’m guessing the LSU-Mississippi State game will be on at our casa. But only 14 days until they start to count. Can’t get here soon enough.
Preseason Week 3 
Mario Williams corrals a helpless Tony Romo in the backfield. Final Score Houston Texans 28 Dallas Cowboys 16 Lookin’ Good
Jonesing
Many candidates for this one including Dunta, Schaub, and the rushing game (142 total yards), but for the second week in a row, I have to give it to Holy Jacoby. You have to give it to a rookie who accounts for 12 points, six of them coming on a 91 yard punt return.
Oh, my eyes!
Maybe a Pierre?
Not a lot to pick from for this, so I’ll go with our QB pressure. While the DL looked the best they’ve looked so far this preseason, there were still too many snaps where Romo had time to grab a drink of water before finding the open man.
2007 Schedule Date Opponent Result 08.11 Chicago 19-20 08.18 at Arizona 33-20 08.25 Dallas 28-16 08.30 at Tampa Bay 24-31 Regular Season 09.09 Kansas City 20-3 09.16 at Carolina 34-21 09.23 Indianapolis 24-30 09.30 at Atlanta 16-26 10.07 Miami 22-19 10.14 at Jacksonville 17-37 10.21 Tennessee 36-38 10.28 at San Diego 11.04 at Oakland 11.11 BYE — 11.18 New Orleans 11.25 at Cleveland 12.02 at Tennessee 12.09 Tampa Bay 12.13 Denver 12.23 at Indianapolis 12.30 Jacksonville Overall Record 3-4 