Stuck in NFL Purgatory

[Bag0b0y]

This season was promising to begin with and the playoffs finally looked like a real possibility until the injuries ravaged this team.

With our QB likely out for the rest of the year we're probably looking at 7-9 AT BEST which means we're stuck in the middle round of the draft + no playoffs = NFL purgatory

In any case I've wondered when this team will rise from mediocrity. I know Kubiak has this team headed in the right direction going into his 3rd season next year and that we have a great GM and all but didn't we see the same prospects in the last group (Casserly, Capers et al)??? I mean nobody saw the 4th year collapse coming prior to the the 7-9 record in 2004. In fact people were predicting playoffs in 2005 for the texans.

I was just wondering how short of a leash will mcnair give his current managerial and coaching staff this time given with what had occured previously.

And speaking of the owner (he's a great guy and all) but I was just wondering what type of owner is he? Is he the passive type to just leave all the football business to the football people as long as he's making business? I'm from dallas and obviously I get a lot of cowgirls news here and hear about how jerry jones is so involved with the teams decisions that he practically drafts the players he wants. How involved is McNair? I certainly hope he doesn't pull a Bud Adams on us after the novelty of the stadium wears off and he starts losing money.

This team is more talented than the previous teams I have to admit but if they can't stay healthy it makes no difference. Just to note our starting qb,rb, a good mix of ol, and ALL our pro bowlers have been seen time on the pine due to injuries. This team can't catch a break. (no pun intended).

Anyways, being the NFL whipping team really sucks. Yes, the dolphins haven't won a game yet (but at least they get the number 1 pick) but the fact of the matter is that this team hasn't given us much to root for come playoff time.

Even though I don't get to watch their games up here as much (I actually spent 45 bucks for payper view to watch them play the falcons.) I still find myself with renewed hope every Sunday and in the beginning of every season. I just wish I had more to root for than who they will pick in the up coming draft.

[gunn]

With our QB likely out for the rest of the year we're probably looking at 7-9 AT BEST which means we're stuck in the middle round of the draft + no playoffs = NFL purgatory

Don't worry. They're not going to win another game this season. 5-11 and a shot at McFadden.

[weslinder]

Curse of Kris Brown.

[Dennis2112]

NFL Purgatory = Miami Dolphins

We are on the right track and have more talent on this team then we ever had. Of course injuries have shown that we are still thin but at least we have been in most of the games this year.

The way the draft is a hit or miss, just having a high draft pick does not equate to a great player. We have found many of our current players in the later rounds and they HAVE contributed. Unlike the previous regime, this one has an eye for talent. One more year of drafts like the previous 2 will show us to be a playoff contender. I realize we have waited so long but this team is heading on the correct path to success.

[doboyz]

NFL Purgatory = Miami Dolphins

We are on the right track and have more talent on this team then we ever had. Of course injuries have shown that we are still thin but at least we have been in most of the games this year.

The way the draft is a hit or miss, just having a high draft pick does not equate to a great player. We have found many of our current players in the later rounds and they HAVE contributed. Unlike the previous regime, this one has an eye for talent. One more year of drafts like the previous 2 will show us to be a playoff contender. I realize we have waited so long but this team is heading on the correct path to success.

Your voice of reason has no place in a Texans thread :p

[JayZ750]

Don't worry. They're not going to win another game this season. 5-11 and a shot at McFadden.

that would be awesome. dude is like a healthy AP.

[HillBoy]

With all due respect, being an Oilers' fan (especially during the early 1970s) was the definition of NFL purgatory.

[JamesC]

Don't worry. They're not going to win another game this season. 5-11 and a shot at McFadden.


I love McFadden but with the Texans luck he'll be long gone by the time they pick.

[Oski2005]

NFL Purgatory = Miami Dolphins

We are on the right track and have more talent on this team then we ever had. Of course injuries have shown that we are still thin but at least we have been in most of the games this year.

The way the draft is a hit or miss, just having a high draft pick does not equate to a great player. We have found many of our current players in the later rounds and they HAVE contributed. Unlike the previous regime, this one has an eye for talent. One more year of drafts like the previous 2 will show us to be a playoff contender. I realize we have waited so long but this team is heading on the correct path to success.


The Dolphins are in NFL Hell. Purgatory is in between heaven and hell and that is where we are here. We have the players to at least be decent, but they keep getting hurt and the team makes a lot of stupid mistakes and turnovers.

[msn]

I think we're firmly on planet earth, myself. Perhaps with our faces (and our QB's shoulder) ground into the mud.

[pgabriel]

a tough division, doesn't help, the texans are 0-4 vs the division and still have a game against j ville and indy. if the texans were in the west, they'd be in the hunt and probably more competitive in the East, obviously not against the Patriots.

[Achilleus]

The Texans just need to keep adding depth through the draft and free agency. Their an expansion team created after rules made it more difficult for expansion teams to build their rosters. They got a lot of unlucky breaks this season (and the seasons before), but a large part of sports is about luck (which is difficult for some fans to come to grips with since it makes them even more helpless as non-participants). They just need to continue plugging up the holes (hopefully on the offensive line). They're bound to catch a break one of these days...

[gucci888]

I love McFadden but with the Texans luck he'll be long gone by the time they pick.

It wouldn't be because of our luck, the kid is really good and if the top teams were in need of a RB, he'd probably be the #1 pick.

As of now...

1. Dolphins- Ronnie Brown, plus they have a ton of holes.
2. Rams- Steven Jackson, need to look to replace Pace.
3. Jets- Thomas Jones, possible destination but have bigger needs.
4. Patriots- Laurence Maroney, can't believe they'll have a lottery pick.
5. Raiders- Al Davis is crazy, but not this crazy. McFadden + Russell= :eek:

[gucci888]

The Texans just need to keep adding depth through the draft and free agency. Their an expansion team created after rules made it more difficult for expansion teams to build their rosters. They got a lot of unlucky breaks this season (and the seasons before), but a large part of sports is about luck (which is difficult for some fans to come to grips with since it makes them even more helpless as non-participants). They just need to continue plugging up the holes (hopefully on the offensive line). They're bound to catch a break one of these days...

Some luck is involved, but to say its a large part of sports is kind of an excuse IMO. The Panthers had a lot of success shortly after coming into the NFL, IIRC they won their division in their 2nd season. The truth is that the Texans have made some horrible personnel decisions and I'm not sure who is to blame (Casserly, McNair, Carr? :D ) but like you said, we just need to keep adding depth and hopefully starting talent through depth and FA.

[Achilleus]

The Panthers had a lot of success shortly after coming into the NFL, IIRC they won their division in their 2nd season.

Their an expansion team created after rules made it more difficult for expansion teams to build their rosters.

......

[Achilleus]

They're... :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Achilleus]

Let me clear up what I was trying to write. I had said in my first post that the Texans were an expansion team created after the rules made it more difficult for expansion teams to build their rosters. The Panthers and Jaguars started before the expansion rules were changed, which is why they have had much more success than the Texans and (I think) the Browns.

[gucci888]

......

Achilleus- Which rule are you speaking of? The amount of money avaiable to teams for FA after the expansion draft?

Don't forget that the Panthers also had to share an expansion draft w/ the Jags while the Texans got their pick of the litter.

[yobod]

Don't worry. They're not going to win another game this season. 5-11 and a shot at McFadden.

In a dream world, if we could somehow get him in a Texans uniform, I honestly think that would be the final piece to a playoff puzzle. However, even if we were to go 5-11, there would still probably be a good 7-9 teams ahead of us/tied with us in the draft.
Miami
New England (via SF)
Minnesota
Oakland
Cincinnati
NY Jets
Baltimore
Atlanta
All these teams have worse records than us, and there are a few other teams that are within a game of us. On top of that, there are only about 2-3 teams behind us in the standings that couldn't use a top-notch RB. Unless we can somehow move up (which I don't see happening since we're giving up some picks to Atlanta), Darren McFadden won't be a Texan.

[nWo34Life]

5. Raiders- Al Davis is crazy, but not this crazy. McFadden + Russell= :eek:

With the way Fargas is running, I doubt they will take McFadden. Plus w/ Lamont Jordan and Rhodes on the team, they're set at RB.

[gucci888]

With the way Fargas is running, I doubt they will take McFadden. Plus w/ Lamont Jordan and Rhodes on the team, they're set at RB.

Ya...I was thinking about that, but Davis is known to be crazy for the athletic freaks.

[gunn]

Minnesota


Minnesota is 6-6

[nWo34Life]

Here's the updated draft order as of 12/4/07 per GBN Report:

http://www.gbnreport.com/weeklydraftorder.htm

http://i15.tinypic.com/86g321w.jpg

Some of the mock drafts I've seen us picking Kenny Phillips - S from Miami. I think we're set at CBs w/ Bennett and Dunta. We are desperate for a good S.

I wouldn't mind having Ryan Clady or Gosder Cherilus. Definitely help our OL.

[Achilleus]

Achilleus- Which rule are you speaking of? The amount of money avaiable to teams for FA after the expansion draft?

No, there was more than just the percentage the Texans were required to spend on expansion draft selections. The Panthers and Jaguars got more draft picks. I'll find the specific rule changes in a second.

[Groogrux]

Achilleus- Which rule are you speaking of? The amount of money avaiable to teams for FA after the expansion draft?

Don't forget that the Panthers also had to share an expansion draft w/ the Jags while the Texans got their pick of the litter.

IIRC, both the Jags and Panthers had more draft picks than any other team in the draft. They did away with that after their draft.

[Ric]

IIRC, both the Jags and Panthers had more draft picks than any other team in the draft. They did away with that after their draft.
the texans did have additional draft picks; like cleveland, houston picked once in the first round and then twice in each subsequent round (in '02). in '95, car/jax were granted the same number of picks (14), but were able to to draft at both the start and end of each round, including the first. houston had the lone first round pick and then the first and 15th pick in rounds 2-7 (with the final pick of the draft in round 7). so while car/jax each had three of the top 32 picks, the texans had just one.

also, free agency and the salary cap was still relatively new when car/jax debuted and they, flush with an empty roster, were able to take advantage of the process' infancy.

more importantly, the landscape had changed so massively by '02; not only were teams up to speed on free agency, but had learned from their mistakes with car/jax and were able to prepare - the texans had a 2+ year lead-up.

[rimrocker]

With the way the NFL schedules games, it's easy to get stuck in the purgatory similar to the Lions during the Sanders years... you get good enough to beat crappy teams and increase your wins dramatically in a year, maybe even make the playoffs and catch a few breaks. Next year, you play a lot of stronger teams and lose a lot. The year after, you get an easier schedule and you maybe make the playoffs. Repeat, repeat with no hope of ever really winning the Super Bowl.

[Ric]

Repeat, repeat with no hope of ever really winning the Super Bowl.
the NFL no longer does this; the scheduling is much more structured. each team receives two games based on the previous year's standings - that's it. the other 14 games have already been scheduled years and years in advance.

for instance, we already know that the texans will play the the bears, lions, packers, vikings, bengals, browns, raven, steelers, and then the colts, jaguars and titans twice each next year. the two remaining slots we be against teams from the AFC's other two divisions (east and west next year, since they're playing all teams in the north) that finished in the same place as you. so the dolphins and raiders.

obviously, divisions as a whole can ebb and flow and provide easier/harder match-ups; but the schedules are no longer loaded to help lesser teams (or hinder better teams).

[gucci888]

Here's the updated draft order as of 12/4/07 per GBN Report:

http://www.gbnreport.com/weeklydraftorder.htm

http://i15.tinypic.com/86g321w.jpg

I was going to bump my 2008 NFL prospects thread but thanks for the updated order. We still have a ways to go but I'm bored at work...

1. Miami- Glenn Dorsey: The Dolphins run defense is a laughing stock.

2. New England- Jamres Laurinaits: Pats could trade down, but he would be the perfect replacement for an aging LB core.

3. Jets- Chris Long: They need a defense, period.

4. Atlanta- Brian Brohm: Stud QB reuinted w/ college coach, enough said.

5. St. Louis- Jake Long: Need to start looking to replace Pace.

6. Cincinnati- Calais Cambell: Look at Jets.

7. Oakland- Darren McFadden: Not sure if he'll last this long, absolute steal.

8. Kansas City- Ryan Clady: Best OL available, if he comes out.

9. Baltimore- Matt Ryan: Best QB available.

10. New Orleans- Malcom Jenkins: They need a CB bad.

11. Houston- Kenny Phillps: BPA, Gosder Cherilus could be an option as well.

[Drewdog]

Lots of choices out there for RB in this years draft.

Personally Id like to have this guy:

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/mark_beech/10/05/oregon/p1_stewart_1005.jpg

or this guy:

http://images.athlonsports.com/d/4963-1/JH7Z1024.jpg

[Drewdog]

We need a f'ing Running Back period.

This James/Echumandouu/Gado/???? tandem blows.

[gucci888]

Lots of choices out there for RB in this years draft.

Personally Id like to have this guy:

or this guy:

[/IMG]

Either one of those guys would be awesome in a Texans uni. I really wish we had our 2nd rounder (or hopefully can obtain one) because the RB crop this year is deep and we could easily find a very good RB in the 2nd or later rounds.

Assuming McFadden, Stewart, and possibly Slaton go in the 1st. Guys like Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Mike Hart, Kevin Smith, Allen Patrick, etc...could all be had.

[updawg]

Don't you guys know the Texans only draft d-lineman with first round picks?
:D
(they have so many needs they should just take their highest rated player that is not a qb, wr or d-lineman)

[Bag0b0y]

Lots of choices out there for RB in this years draft.

Personally Id like to have this guy:

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/mark_beech/10/05/oregon/p1_stewart_1005.jpg

or this guy:

http://images.athlonsports.com/d/4963-1/JH7Z1024.jpg

I wouldn't mind the duck. Isn't the guy from rutgers only 5 foot 5?

[gucci888]

I wouldn't mind the duck. Isn't the guy from rutgers only 5 foot 5?

He's listed as 5'9" 205lbs. Maurice Jones-Drew is listed as 5'7" 208, they both have stocky builds and have a ton of power in their legs.

I really like watching both of these guys run, they run hard w/ a lot of power. Rice would be a nice fit in the zone-blocking scheme IMO, but then again, just about any RB w/ speed would look good.

[pgabriel]

man, we sure did take dominick davis for granted.

[Drewdog]

He's listed as 5'9" 205lbs. Maurice Jones-Drew is listed as 5'7" 208, they both have stocky builds and have a ton of power in their legs.

I really like watching both of these guys run, they run hard w/ a lot of power. Rice would be a nice fit in the zone-blocking scheme IMO, but then again, just about any RB w/ speed would look good.

Stewart and Rice have explosive power and SPEED - something that we have been dreaming about for the past 6 seasons.

Just like in Fantasy football, its always good to have a STUD RB: I think Stewart or Rice would fit very nicely into our system. Plus they both are great receivers out of the backfield.

[macalu]

I wouldn't mind the duck. Isn't the guy from rutgers only 5 foot 5?
if he can run like maurice jones-drew, i'll take it. it's good to have backs that D-linemen can't see over the O-linemen. makes them more elusive i would think.

[Blake]

Does anyone know our cap situation heading into next season? I was under the impression that we are still in bad shap cap-wise for one more season.

Someone that knows for sure please tell me I am incorrect :D

[nWo34Life]

I wouldn't mind the duck. Isn't the guy from rutgers only 5 foot 5?

Maurice Jones-Drew is only 5'7 and I think he's doing ok... :p :D

EDIT: damn, macalu and gucci beat me to it... :p

[BigTex]

what do you guys think about kevin smith RB from UCF. hes about to break the single season rushing record. i think he'd be an interesting option if we trade down.

6'1", 211, with explosive speed

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4aUuzBgVT98&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4aUuzBgVT98&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
game where he had 320 yards and 4 touchdowns

[gucci888]

what do you guys think about kevin smith RB from UCF. hes about to break the single season rushing record. i think he'd be an interesting option if we trade down.

6'1", 211, with explosive speed



Smith declaring would make the RB class even deeper (obviously). I don't think he could stay another year if he broke the record, his stock couldn't go much higher. But I think he'll be one of those prospects where the combine will make or break him. His stats are unbelievable but playing in C-USA will bring up the doubters.

Like I said, this draft would be a great time to pick up a RB. A 2nd rounder would almost guarantee us a really good back (Rice, Jones, Choice, Smith).

[Mr. Clutch]

We are in worse shape than being in purgatory.

With Schaub's continuous injuries, we may have to invest in a new QB. That means several more draft picks in a trade, or a #1 pick, plus the years it takes to get the new QB acclimated and experienced.

We were already a few years a way from contending. Add a few years on top of it if we have to replace Schaub.

Not saying we have to replace Schaub yet, be he sure looks injury prone. At the LEAST, we probably need another capable backup QB.

[Summer Song Giver]

I can't believe we are already hearing "replace Schaub" talk, how about we FINALLY invest in the Oline instead of throwing another QB on the scrap heap. Let Schaub do his thing and let's build the line around him, if in two or three years Schaub isn't the answer, at least we'll have built a solid line to protect whoever is back there, most Lineman have longer careers than the average NFL QB not to mention Texans QBs who have about a three year shelf life to this point.

[Drewdog]

This is Schaub's 1st year as a starter, so I imagine its been a learning experience for him, and injury wise, the guy has taken some CHEAP, CHEAP shots. No way Im giving up on him yet - too much potential, poise, leadership, and QB know-how to give up on him yet.

I dont mind waiting till the 2nd (if we can pick up a pick) or 3rd round to grab a running back. One only needs to look at Denver to see the thoroughbreds they have brought through their system to pound out 1,000 yard seasons: Davis, Gary, Anderson, Droughns..... None of them were top picks, but were able to succeed because of the O-line.

Still..... I would salivate to have a stud RB on our team that could hit some homeruns for us.... McFadden would be fun to have.

[gucci888]

This is Schaub's 1st year as a starter, so I imagine its been a learning experience for him, and injury wise, the guy has taken some CHEAP, CHEAP shots. No way Im giving up on him yet - too much potential, poise, leadership, and QB know-how to give up on him yet.

I dont mind waiting till the 2nd (if we can pick up a pick) or 3rd round to grab a running back. One only needs to look at Denver to see the thoroughbreds they have brought through their system to pound out 1,000 yard seasons: Davis, Gary, Anderson, Droughns..... None of them were top picks, but were able to succeed because of the O-line.

Still..... I would salivate to have a stud RB on our team that could hit some homeruns for us.... McFadden would be fun to have.

Agreed. But the key phrase is "able to succeed because of the O-line." If the Texans don't do something to significantly improve the O-line this offseason, I'll officially come to the conclusion that they have no idea what their doing.

We'll see how McKinney recovers from his inury, Winston at RT has been very solid for us, I think both Pitts and Weary are decent but I wouldn't mind replacing either one (White or Studdard), but Salaam has to go!! That first hit Schaub took last week was completely on Salaam, he didn't even touch the rusher.

McFadden will be long gone before we pick, but a guy like Rice would be a perfect fit for us IMO.