Plays like this are part of the reason I blame the Texans for the loss. Was it smart football? Sure. It was also colossally stupid football.
The Texans were late to get in position because of the celebration from the previous play, which featured Robinson, Ryans and Amobi Okoye most prominently.
But even players who weren’t overexcited were outsmarted by the quick snap.
When Jeff Saturday sent the shotgun snap to Manning, I count nine of the Texans 11 defenders unprepared:
- Safeties Jon Busing and Bernard Pollard (with a hand in the air, apparently requesting information), cornerback Glover Quin and Cushing (with both hands on his helmet) are all facing the sideline.
- Ryans is not square to the line of scrimmage, his body sideways but his head turned to face Manning.
- Robinson is completely out of position, still on the inside edge of the numbers which Wayne is halfway between them and the sideline. Robinson is lucky he doesn’t trip himself up as he crosses his feet as he panics to try to get back in place to cover Wayne.
- Mario Williams is still walking to his spot at left end.
- Right tackle Okoye is crouching but doesn’t have a hand on the ground.
- Right end Tim Jamison is still a step off the line of scrimmage
Left tackle Shaun Cody is in position. Left corner Reeves may be a bit confused but is spaced out in a spot where he can play Garcon effectively. (Cue the applause.)
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