Battle Red Radio

Seven years. Seven. Seven years. And it all has come to an end now that Cal McNair has pulled the plug on the Bill O’Brien era. Death isn’t the end, it’s not something to fear, it’s the goal, a cause for celebration, a time for nine person podcasts, twelve packs of malt liquor, a new haircut, and an excuse to put on that suit that doesn’t fit anymore. Finally. It’s over. The nightmare is over. We all have our favorite football team back again. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston, Diehard Chris, Joe, Carlos Flores, Uprooted Texan, and Scott (L4blitzer) square dance on the end of the Bill O’Brien era. Topics include: why Bill O’Brien was fired, his lasting legacy, what his biggest downfall was, how he fared as a head coach compared to as a general manager, possible head coaching candidates, if this will be a highly sought after job, where do the Texans go from here this season, and of course, your wonderful and beautiful listener questions. Let’s start the show. While you’re at it, give it a five

It's year S7even of the Bill O'Brien era. Seven (!!!!!) years. And still, after seven years, after taking over playcalling duties once again, the Houston Texans failed to attack the Vikings' deep pass defense, played a ball control offense until falling behind, and still got exactly what they wanted, a close game where they could win the game at the very end. This week they didn't. After three run attempt failures, Will Fuller dropped an almost game tying touchdown catch, the same type of catch DeAndre Hopkins has made at least 15 times while he was in Houston. As a result, the Houston Texans lost another close game. They're 0-4. The season is effectively over. But, hey, at least Gary Kubiak got his REVENGE. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston and Joe review the Texans loss to the Minessota Vikings and their 0-4 start. Topics include: ranting about the Houston Texans offense (sorry, I'm no Seth Payne), why Bill O'Brien's playcalling was atrocious, if Deshaun Watson is regressing, where was Brandi

The 2020 and 2018 Houston Texans are tethered together. The 2020 Houston Texans, like the 2018 Houston Texans, have started the season 0-3. In 2018, the Texans lost to New England, the Blaine Gabbert led fake punt touchdown passing Tennessee Titans, and the Eli Manning-Odell Beckham Jr. combination. They then proceeded to win nine straight games, and the AFC South, until losing at home to the Colts in the Wildcard round of the NFL playoffs. This version of the Houston Texans have their crowbar ready, and are trying to claw themselves out of the same crypt. So, let’s have ourselves a bean party, hike around the Canadian Rockies, make a Halloween trip to Vegas, and lay on the couch hungover, and do the things we did back then, because once again, it’s time to party like it’s 2018 all over again. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston and BigFatDrunk review the Texans loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their 0-3 start. Topics include: Houston’s successful first half offensive attack, Deshaun Watson’s

See, this is more than a podcast. These are more than words. This is more than a conversation between friends who love each other as much as they love the game of football. This is a real cool place for real cool people to hang out while they do real cool things. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt and his good friend Taylor preview Week Three of the 2020 NFL season. Topics include: new screams, our producer’s new favorite segment SMOOTHGRANDMAA’S questions, praying for Deshaun Watson, Josh Allen’s 415 yard game, the same old same old from the Dallas Cowboys, and if Kansas City and Baltimore can rise above business casual in the BIGGEST game of the year. Let’s start the show. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can subscribe/listen on Stitcher here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston hangs out online with Ike Taylor, former 12 year veteran with the Pittsburgh Steelers, to talk about the 2020 Steelers. Topics include: Pittsburgh’s decision to trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Mike Hilton’s emergence in the secondary, Vince Williams blitzes, Big Ben Roethlisberger’s BIG picture, the potential of Pittsburgh’s offense, Ike’s thoughts on why the Houston Texans are struggling, and his pick for this Sunday’s game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s start the show. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can subscribe/listen on Stitcher here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens improved this offseason. The Houston Texans didn’t. In fact, they got worse, by turning DeAndre Hopkins into Brandin Cooks and David Johnson and a slight draft capital jump to take Ross Blacklock, by adding only Eric Murray to one of the league’s worst defenses, and by losing D.J. Reader and Tashaun Gipson. Because of this 0-2 isn’t unreasonable. Losing to the same teams that clubbed them in blowouts last year was expected. Yet, the general ennui, the listlessness, the emptiness, surrounding these losses and the abysses they were played in are what’s different. 0-2 isn’t surprising. The nothingness is. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston, and Joe Critz review Week Two between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. Topics include the inevitable 0-2 start, Houston’s offensive struggles, easy sources of offensive generation, Deshaun Watson’s performance, the difference Anthony Weaver has made, some things to like, and, of course, your beautiful and wonde

Look at us now. After a summer indoors, what a sick air conditioned nightmare that was, where nothing was certain, the NFL got through one week of the 2020 NFL Season, and will play another week of football. Look at that! That’s good, even if Houston is probably going to start 0-2 with a murderous game against the ravenous Baltimore Ravens. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt and his good friend Taylor preview Week Two of the 2020 NFL season. Topics include a Tre’Quan Smith update, Smooth Grandmaa’s questions, how ugly Houston v. Baltimore can get, the stupid Dallas Cowboys and their stupid 4th and 3 failure, Kyler Murray sack dodging, being happy that Cam is happy, and a shoutout to Bill Belichick who is definitely a loyal Battle Red Radio listener. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can subscribe/listen on Stitcher here. Learn more ab

I want it all. I want to fill my cup all the way up. Dripping chalice. Devouring until I pop. Anything and everything around me. Whether it’s seven soggy cheese dogs, translucent skin, frozen lasagna, protein powder coffee, bean bongs, or NFL football, I’m irascible and terrible, and need to stop time, save the summer, so I’ll never have to put my floaties in the garage, and lose the scent of sunscreen again. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt and his good friend Taylor preview week one of the 2020 NFL season. Topics include: three big thoughts on Houston’s loss v. Kansas City, 2021 time traveling (get here already!!!), Baltimore’s improved run defense, who plays linebacker in Cleveland, Josh Allen’s deep ball, 84 years of quarterback, and Dallas tearing the ribbon off Los Angele’s new stadium. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can s

Wait, I thought you liked football? I thought the Texans were going to put 37 on the Kansas City Chiefs, Randall Cobb was going to exploit the center of the field, the offensive line was going to lock down Kansas City’s pass rush, the pass defense was going to bounce back thanks to internal development, and if the game was close, Deshaun Watson would be able to pull off the miracles necessary, like a Saint George figure, to slay the dragon once again. None of this happened. The Texans are still the Texans. And they still run the ball up the middle, pick and pop, pick their shots downfield (and didn’t even really thrown downfield this game), want to play ball control, and don’t have the horses to stop offenses like Kansas City. It’s all good though. It’s only one week. What’s the worst that can happen? On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston, Carlos Flores, and Joe Critz review Week One between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. Topics include: Tim Kelly’s extreme vertical offense, the bouncin

After nine months of waiting, the Houston Texans have finally broken free from the iron bars of the calendar, and head up to Kansas City to enact their revenge on last season’s disintegration. After giving up 41 straight points and blowing a 24 point first half lead, Houston begins the season refreshed and anew by chasing after those demons that devoured them in January’s mustard drenched hell. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston and BigFatDrunk preview week one between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. Topics include: how Houston should attack Kansas City's defense, the difficulties the Chiefs' secondary provides; what to expect, if you should expect anything from a Tim Kelly offense; how Houston will try and replace DeAndre Hopkins's targets against this opponent last season, the single coverage matchup advantage Houston's secondary has, J.J. Watt's usage, the wonky things that need to occur for the Texans to pull off the upset, and of course, your beautiful and perfect listener questi

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SB NATION NFL SHOW: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify The SB Nation NFL Show brings together the greatest fan-alysts from across SB Nation's NFL team communities in one place for the first time ever. Expect deep analysis, irreverent jokes, and plenty of bickering between rivals. It's a show for NFL fans, by NFL fans. Monday - Monday Football Monday (RJ Ochoa, Pete Sweeney, Michael Kist) Tuesday - Off Day Debrief (Brandon Lee Gowton, Rob "Stats" Guerrera) Wednesday - Palpably Unfair Podcast (Kyle Posey, Michael Kist) Thursday - The Look Ahead (Ed Valentine, Rob "Stats" Guerrera) Friday - Football Cheat Sheet (Jeanna Thomas Kelly, Ameer Tyree) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last year, on the Saturday before Labor Day, Bill O’Brien traded two first round picks, a second round pick, and Julien Davenport, for Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills, and traded Jadeveon Clowney for Jacob Martin, a third round pick, and Barkevious Mingo. From now on, always and forever, the Saturday before Labor Day is Bill O’Brien day. And what a joyous Bill O’Brien day yesterday was. Deshaun Watson announced his contract extension, Keke Coutee and Kahale Warring made the 53 man roster, and Jadeveon Clowney signed with the Tennessee Titans to turn the Texans v. Titans rivalry on, and make it something more than a bad man moving his bad team to a different city. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston and Carlos Flores discuss yesterday’s wonderful Bill O’Brien day. Topics include: Keke Coutee’s inclusion on the roster, Kahale Warring lust, what Houston’s plan is at offensive line, defensive line depth, the full cornerback room, A.J. Moore’s rise to safety number three, and Clowney’s decision to join

After making AFC predictions, it's time to go National, spill the remains at the bottom of the tea kettle, open our fists, study the stars, and play soothsayer by discussing the NFC. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, for your wet and wild Labor Day weekend, Matt Weston and his good friend Taylor, discuss the NFC by making a prediction for every team. Topics include: Dallas Cowboys arguing, the Washington football team and their defensive line, Green Bay expectations, how to relive 2010, the wild and reckless NFC South, and Arizona eyeing the worst to first jump. Let’s start the show. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can subscribe/listen on Stitcher here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The end of the summer, the summer that we never had is here. Dozens of men in Houston’s bubble, have been attending meanings, playing practice squad, working drill after drill with position groups, running ladders, moving sleds, and hitting one another, while fantasizing it was someone else. The sad truth, and the hard truth, is that after a month plus of exhausting work, a fourth of them will go home, sit, and wait for the phone to ring, while lifting weights in their garage and playing polygon football on a television laying on the floor. Most never will. Most have reached the end of their rope. Most will be names that we as fans may vaguely remember, and laugh about, while washing our hands in some far away gas station bathroom. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston, Carlos Flores, and Kenneth L., chomp away at the Texans bloated roster, eat the dreams of roster hopefuls, and cut the entire thing down to a slim and final 53. Topics include: how many quarterbacks the Texans will carry into 2020,

I always say, to understand the NFL, you must first understand the AFC South. After a month of interviews, discussions, film watching, number crunching, typing, and loving, the AFC South preview is complete, and now, from there, we can take off to look at the rest of the NFL entering the 2020 season. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Matt Weston and his good friend Taylor, discuss the AFC by making a prediction for every team. Topics include: Adam Gase’s job security, if the Bengals can steal our hearts, surprising Houston Texans analysis, John Gruden’s extreme quarterback makeover, and your 2020 NFL rushing leader. Let’s start the show. While you’re at it, give it a five star review and subscribe below: You can subscribe/listen on iTunes here. You can subscribe/listen on Android/Google here. You can subscribe/listen on Spotify here. You can subscribe/listen on Stitcher here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The last time the Houston Texans played a football game they went 24-0 on the Kansas City Chiefs and then proceeded to give up 41 straight points. That was a different world. Since then, DeAndre Hopkins has been traded, Bill O’Brien has wrapped himself around Cal McNair’s frontal cortex, the Texans have gone all in on this idea of speed, and nobody can stand six feet within each other. Whatever this world is, this is the world Bill O’Brien has spent the last four years building up to. It’s the last year of Deshaun Watson’s rookie contract, and in theory, this is the best chance the Texans have had to win a Superbowl, since well, about 3:30 p.m. on 1/7/2020. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Battle Red Blog alumnus Rivers McCown of Football Outsiders, joins the podcast to preview the 2020 Houston Texans. Topics include: vertical passing attack optimism, an outlook of what the new additions will bring to the offense, the occurrences necessary for Deshaun Watson to break into the NFL’s ELITE, how the offensiv

Last season the Colts were bland. White and royal blue. Mayonnaise protrudes. Jacoby Brissett check downs and muddy scampers, an average defense, a wild Brian Hoyer appears, and a lot of rushes from heavy formations. Indianapolis held onto playoff expectations after booing Andrew Luck off the field once his retirement was leaked, and was rewarded with a banal 7-9 season. This year that changes. Philip Rivers relocated here to hoot and toot and make a ludicrous mockery of the quarterback position. And by trading for the monster truck that is DeForest Buckner, the Colts have a legitimate star defensive player who can lift up the pass rush, and make things easy for an already great linebacker group. Last season’s playoff expectations have drifted back to this season, as the Colts join the Texans and Titans to compete for the 2020 AFC South Championship. On this episode of Battle Red Radio, Andrew Potter (@bighairyandy) with Football Outsiders joins the cast to discuss Philip Rivers treading the deep sandy pools

TITAN UP, is not a mere utterance, not something said casually, because if it was, than these words would mean nothing. TITAN UP is a sacred phrase reserved for Sundays. A holy set of syllables conjoined together to uplift the soul, higher, higher, until it reaches the heart, unifying the body, and the mind, every Sunday, as Ryan Tannehill torches defenses deep off play action, Derrick Henry liquefies tacklers, Taylor Lewan and Rodger Saffold dishevel bones, and A.J. Brown breaks tackles and runs forever. Then, and only then, can this sacred phrase, TITAN UP, be said. On today’s episode, Matt Weston has Justin Graver (@TitansFilmRoom) of Broadway Sports Media on the cast to discuss: if Ryan Tannehill’s 2019 season is sustainable, what Arthur Smith can add to this offense to continue to develop it, if Derrick Henry can maintain a 300 carry workload, who will win the starting right tackle position battle, how Dean Pees’s retirement affects the defense, where the pass rush will come from, if he’s seen Jadeveon C

There maybe a football season, there may not be, but for now, we are going to continue to do the things we usually do and act like there will be. One of the hallmarks of this time of year, of this set of time, are NFL previews, and for us specifically, it’s the AFC South season preview. It’s like getting sun burned and staring at dark green water and transcending. It’s like drinking orange coffee that curls your stomach and missing things you shouldn’t be missing. It’s like keeping the heater off so you can wear big jackets and fuzzy socks indoors. It’s like smelling every purple flower that blooms. This is the same sort of thing. Do you follow me? Do you get it? Do you follow me? On today’s episode, Matt Weston has Ryan Day of BIG Cat Country on the cast to discuss: Gardner Minshew’s rookie season, how he may look in Jay Gruden’s offense, where the hell did this version of D.J. Chark come from, if only Andrew Norwell was a walrus, which member of the 2017 defense will he miss the most, the cascading affect o

The last time we watched the Houston Texans play a football game they went up 24-0 on the Kansas City Chiefs, on the road, in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, and then proceeded to give up 41 straight points and lose 51-31. This is the closest the Texans have ever been to an AFC Championship game. Houston football fandom is divided into two different franchises. The Oilers, who played in Houston from 1960 to 1996, and eventually moved to Tennessee to become the Titans, and the Texans, who became the 32nd franchise in the NFL in 2002, and continue to play football against the Titans to this day. In the past there was a separation between those who were alive and loved the Oilers, who lived through the years of misery and defeat, and the generation of millennials and zoomers, who only know Houston Texans football. But after last season’s playoff collapse, there’s now a tether, a tie, an umbilical cord that binds these dizygotic twins who are fans of Houston football. Because like the 2019 Houston Texan