I think we have a good 5-year window with this team and then it will be up to Smith/Kubiak/Phillips to reload the talent base as we go.
We really need to nip this in the bud; I've seen it way too often: there is no "first place schedule." Opponents were set prior to the 2002 season, save for two slots, which, yes, will be filled by other first-place finishers - but in this case, its Baltimore and Denver. Otherwise, we play the same out-of-division schedule as Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Tennessee. I would argue the Texans' regression happened last year. They were absolutely a playoff contender on the final week on the 2009 season. Regression is very common for young, immature, inexperienced teams. I think the Texans have gotten that out of their system. They seemed to really come together this year. Chemistry, trust and system buy-in are such huge factors in solidifying teams. The Texans seemed to ace all three this year. I would be very surprised if they regress.
The franchise is amidst a perfect storm right now... on paper. Too many times I've seen teams take a step back in the NFL from one year to the next -- just look at Tampa Bay. If I had to guess I'd say more teams get worse from one year to the next, than actually get better. That's just how the NFL works. Not too worried about it... just something to think about.
I don't think there is any easy to pinpoint "window of opportunity" with this team. We don't have one player that our success completely hinges on -- you could possible make the argument that Dre is that player, but I think we could plug in a lesser #1 WR (say Jeremy Maclin, Vincent Jackson caliber) and still be very good as an offense. Foster is great, but we could find another RB (or Tate) and still be a top running team. If anything, the success might hinge on the O-line. It's tough to build the continuity that we have there. But other than that, we don't have a Brady, Manning, or Roethlisberger/Polamalu that are absolutely carrying our franchise.
I completely agree. It seems like everyone is forgetting 2009 and 2010 and acting like this season came out from of nowhere. 2009 was this-close to being the 1st playoff year. 2010 was a regression from that and lots of lessens learned. 2011, to me, is the beginning of a long stretch of prosperity. They've built a team with no core guys being close to the end. There's depth. If this year did anything else, it gave players who otherwise wouldn't have had an opportunity to play meaningful minutes in big games. That's huge for going forward. They know what's expected should the injury bug bite again in the future. They are now a team that finally knows how to win. There's really no major holes to be filled. WR2, CB depth, DL depth, and a new kicker are really it. That's not bad considering the history of this team from season to season. I haven't been this excited about the next season to start for a Houston team since the 90's Rockets and the early 00's Astros.
Really good teams/organizations don't necessarily get stuck with sporadic and limited windows of opportunity. They establish a culture of success and renew it on a yearly (or near yearly) basis as part of their ongoing evolution. For instance, how many down years does a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers have? Not too many. I'll even go out on a limb and say that, personally, I think the Texans actually have the potential to be one of those kinds of successful teams over a pretty long haul, despite limited success over their initial developmental years. That's just my gut feeling based on how dedicated I believe the organization is to developing a winning team -- and developing themselves into a winning organization.
And here comes the blatant and delusional homerism. The NFL is a league of parity. We are not immune to it. Show me a great team with success over the long haul with out a great QB or a HOF defense. We have neither.
what does that have to do with anything he said? So you're saying the texans defense isn't/wasn't elite this year? And that it can't even be better, given injuries and the youth of the squad? you're trolling is getting old.
Both finished with identical records. Lions are overall a little bit better on offense while the Falcons are a little better on defense. Both teams are good but not elite. Playing in Detroit on Thanksgiving doesn't scare me, if the Texans continue to do what they did this year.
You're wrong in your assessment because you confuse optimism with homerism. I said the Texans have the potential based on what I see as their organizational commitment. I know they could fail just as any other team or organization, but long-term winning starts with an organization-wide commitment to excellence, and I see a lot of signs of such commitment starting to pay off with the Texans. It has taken a long time, but I believe the organization is getting there. Choose pessimism if you must (I realize some can't help it), but I choose optimism based on what I see, not just what I wish for.
Shouldn't scare you, but they will improve on defense (secondary) . The Lions are our NFC counterpart.
You should give serious consideration to finding a new team to root for; it doesn't sound like you actually *like* the team.
