Quote:
Originally Posted by OILFAN #81
Trojan 97, are you the diehard Texans fan? I can't remember if it is you or not.
Anyways if you are, what are your expectations for this season? Every year it seems people think Houston will take that next step but they haven't yet.
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That would be me. I can't tell you how nice it is to finally be asked "Do you think they'll take the next step to be an elite team?" as opposed to "A Texans fan!?!?! What are you a sucker or something..."
Anyways, to answer your second point first. Despite various analysts calling for them to rise up and make the playoffs the last few years, I simply don't think the Texans have had the personnel or the right attitude to take that next step. They should have made it last year but had a bizarre combination of fumbling running backs, missed field goals (many at the end of games), and a general lack of "killer" mentality (ie. Chris Brown fumbling into the endzone with 2 minutes left against Tennessee which would have tied the game, not scoring on 3 tries from the 1 against Arizona with seconds left on the clock that would have tied the game also). The fact they had seven losses and only one was by more than eight points (in week one) is fairly telling of the team they were, talented (against a fairly weak schedule) but just too inexperienced to have developed a true killer instinct. I will say though, the way they closed out (an admittedly depleted) New England in week 17 with the season on the line was unlike anything I've ever seen from a Texans D. It's obvious they learned something along the way, now they just need to carry it over with them to the new season.
Looking ahead to this year? They have the hardest schedule in the NFL, they face the Chargers, Cowboys, Jets, Ravens, Eagles, Redskins, Broncos, Chiefs out of division which is going to be extremely tough. Cushing is suspended the first month which hurts, getting off to a good start will be huge for the team and without him the D takes a step back.
Barring injury though, this is a playoff team. Schaub is Schaub and his injury "concerns" are way overblown, Arian Foster closed out the season as the starting RB and has received praise from Gary Kubiak so far in camp for his mature attitude and performance, he seems cemented in the starters spot. Ben Tate and Slaton have looked good also. The Texans have suddenly gone from no depth at RB to a potential 3 headed monster, if Slaton rectifies his fumbling issue, he is going to be dynamite as a third down back. O-line will be a bit of a weak spot again but Antoine Caldwell seems ready to step in full time at RG which is an immediate upgrade to the bums they had filling in when Chester Pitts went down last year. It's almost a certainty that the o-line will be better from what they had last year as they were getting literally nothing out of them at many points in the season and couldn't run the ball because of it. Owen Daniels in on the PUP list, no real word about his status for opening day, not looking great at the moment though. Jacoby Jones took a big step last year and has come into camp acting like a veteran (which is huge cause Kubiak has always flirted with releasing him given his immaturity) the coaches seem extremely impressed by him and he may even push Kevin Walters for the #2 spot.
Defensively, Bernard Pollard seems to have taken the title of defensive leader away from Demeco Ryans and Mario Williams. You could see it coming last year as the season progressed and he has really embraced it this year, so far he's easily the most talkative and intense player on the field. It's great to see him bring that attitude to the team as the Texans have been "nice guy" team for far too long. Mario Williams has a bad hip which is a little nerve wracking but the rumours of Aaron Schobel coming in would really ease any concerns there. Rookie DT Earl Mitchell has been great so far. DT Frank Okam is an unmotivated, useless twat who is about to "not care" his way out of the NFL. Linebackers look great as always and the secondary looks pretty good minus Kareem Jackson who is getting burned on a daily basis, I'm not too worried at the moment as he's lining up against Andre Johnson but if it continues later on in camp the Texans will have some tough decisions. CB Antwaun Molden is finally healthy and looking great so far, he's the most likely replacement should it get to the point with Jackson.
I feel the Texans will either have a GREAT year (ie. 12-4/11-5) or flounder again to a 8-8ish type record. The depth is finally there for the team to withstand the usual injuries that occur over the course of the season, now it's just a matter of executing rather than making excuses.