Was looking over our roster and was a bit surprised to see what a young team we have. Makes the future even brighter. Looking over the roster, specifically 1st and 2nd teamers (main ones anyway), only the following guys will be 30 or older going into 2012 season: Player - Age going into 2012 season Chris Myers - 30 Andre Johnson - 31 Joel Dressen - 30 Neil Rackers - 36 Danieal Manning - 30 Antonio Smith - 30 Wade Smith - 31 Kevin Walter - 31 Matt Schaub - 31 Most of the rest our "core" guys are 28 or younger.
Here are the notable Texans under 27 years of age: Connor Barwin 25 Duane Brown 26 James Casey 27 Brian Cushing 24 Quintin Demps 26 Arian Foster 25 Kareem Jackson 23 Jonathan Joseph 27 Brice McCain 25 Troy Nolan 25 Brooks Reed 24 DeMeco Ryans 27 Darryl Sharpton 24 Ben Tate 23 J.J. Watt 22 Mario Williams 26 T.J. Yates 24 One thing that jumps out is that the majority of them are on the defensive end. And there are some defensive stars on that list: Watt, Ryans, Reed, Joseph, Cushing, Williams. Did ya'll know the Texans are adding a 26 year old, top 5 in the NFL defensive lineman, to the league's 2nd best defense in 2011? That's ridiculous. We have to resign Mario - he just makes this defense absolutely dominant. 2012 draft is gonna have to be dedicated to the offense. Our defense is young and super talented. Time to get younger and more talented on the offensive side of things.
Yep. Same with Demeco. We must retain Mario or get a first and a second for him. Kareem gets so much hate yet he's only 23. Our future is bright and our window is larger than some make it out to be. Donald Driver didn't win one until he was past his prime. Jennings was had in the second.
I would not be surpsied if we regressed next year due to having a first place schedule and all. I have noticed in recent years teams who suddenly have a great season one year, follow it with a bad one then re-emerge the following season.
Yes, exactly. The Jets just a couple years ago were the dominant defense now aren't even in the playoffs.
Yeah, but Jets were put together by FAs. Houston's D is mostly built through the draft. I'm not seeing a drop off, especially if (when) Mario comes back. Too many guys with high motors that don't quit.
2012 Houston Texans Opponents Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions That's a worst case 9 wins, best case 13 wins, probably 11 wins schedule...not too terrible. Of course, a lot can change between now and next year.
The first place schedule that the Texans will play only adds 2 games, at Denver and revenge home game vs Baltimore. The divisions that the AFC South plays will be tougher next year.
It's pretty easy to get excited about the defense they should be top 5 for along time.... On offense Andre is getting up there. Foster is a stud but running backs come and go all the time. Schuab is above average/average QB who gets injured semi frequently... They are contenders for sure in 2012 probably 2013 after that it who really knows.. Unless you have a hall of fame type QB it'd be hard to be too optimistic about 3-4 years from now. I can really think of the Ravens as a team that seems to be there every year that doesnt have a great qb..
I just don't buy that next year's schedule is a lot tougher than this year. Take out the division games and Miami and the Ravens. So you're left with NO, Pitt, Oakland, Browns, Bucs, Falcons, Bengals, Panthers. Compare that to Buffalo, Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, NE, Jets, Denver and Detroit next season. NO=Green Bay, Pittsburgh=Chicago, Falcons=Detroit, Bengals=Jets, Oakland=Denver, Browns=Vikings, Bucs=Bills. So then you got NE and Carolina. Schedule is tougher by one game basically. And hopefully we won't have the injuries as we did this year. No reason to think the sky is the limit next season. For the first time in....ever...I think this team is capable of beating any of these teams on the schedule.
great window to grow the momentum from this year. our division is in transition, colts have the manning health issue, jax have a new coaching staff and young qb, titans also have an aging qb. because of our division and our youth i could see 3-5 years of competitive football from this group. the best thing about the schedule is we get baltimore and gb at home. i can see 11-12 wins if we can stay healthy.
the schedule wont be any more difficult then this years was...We should easily win our division and be an 11-12 win team... Hopefully get a first round bye and homefield advantage...Cant wait to see what we do in the offseason....
Nah we can keep it going longer than that if we draft well and make smart pickups in free agency as guys get older.
Falcons D > Lions D. Lions have a better front four but the ATL LBs and DBs are better than the Lions back 7. White, Jones, Douglas > Johnson, Burleson, Young (as a core). Turner > Best and Smith. Stafford > Ryan but ATL's O-line > DET's. In a game on a neutral field, ATL would beat DET by 2 scores. ATL at least TRIES vs. the run, unlike Detroit.
