Antonio Smith - "You’ve got to accept nothing but the Superbowl"

I don't think Smith is one to give a peppy tebow-esque response when interviewed. It may be a bit off that it's externalized, but if a reporter asks him about his expectations for the season, he's brash enough to not beat around the bush.

I remember his first tv interview played during a preseason game, and it wasn't flowery or anything, he just talked about what he would be able to do.

 

as long as outside forces that cannot be controlled don't get in the way, we will be unbeeetable.

the power of the ninja should never be doubted.

 

This is exactly what I would expect from all professional athletes. However, I hope the fans can be more realistic(right, good luck with that). Personally, I feel that the Texans are still in building mode, especially on offense.

In order for the Texans to make the Superbowl, a lot of things have to fall in place. New players, including some rookies have to perform at a high level. The Texans have to avoid injuries to key players like Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Foster. It's possible everything could fall into place this year, but I really feel the Texans are a year or two away. I'm concerned about our WR's, tight ends, and offensive line. It will be fun to see how this season unfolds.

 

There's a reason the Texans are almost unanimously in the top 5 for odds to win the 2013 Superbowl.

 

Guys... Let me reiterate: This *should* be the goal; that's not my issue. I just prefer they do it, not talk about doing it. Those who talk about doing it… they don’t do it so often. I don't want to hear a team with two playoff games under its belt spew "Super Bowl" every other word. Tom Brady doesn’t talk about the Super Bowl – his whole team already *knows* that’s the expectation.

I much prefer Kubiak's attitude: "“I have the same sense of urgency every year." There ya go. Business as usual - Super Bowl was the goal in 2006; it's the same goal in 2012. Now shut up and play.

 

Was this an unprompted declaration or in response to a question. That makes a huge difference in me determining if you whiners have an iota of a point here.

 

Disagree with the AFC weaker than it has ever been. The AFC has the Texans, a great football team. The AFC South has had lots of weaker seasons with one great team. It is just different that the Texans are the great team.

 

I forget where, but there's a chart online somewhere showing the AFC vs. NFC win records over the last 20 something years.

The AFC had a significant lead over the NFC in the early 2000s, which has slowly declined over the course of the decade, and last year for the first time in a long time, the NFC actually overtook the AFC.

He's really right, the AFC as a whole is weaker than it has ever been, including the AFC South. It's Superbowl berth or bust.

 

I understand what you are saying, and if Schaub and Johnson stay healthy and if all the new players perform well, then this may be the Texans big year. However, I think it is a bit of a long shot. I'm very concerned that Schaub and Johnson will go down with injuries and then we will be depending on rookies and other players with very little playing time to carry the team. So, basically we will have a bunch of new players getting major playing time for the first time in their careers. WR's, TE's, QB's, all learning on the fly. I sincerely hope our key players stay healthy and we have a great year, but this year may end up being a year where our players of the future gain experience for the future. I know I'm being a little pessimistic, but I'm just trying to be realistic and not ignore the fact that some key players are coming off injuries, and that we will need major contributions from some young players this year for the Texans to make the Superbowl.

 

Exactly. I think people are being too sensitive, he didn't just stand on the practice field and start gathering people around before he yell this out. Judging from the quote, it sounds like he was asked a question along the lines of "what are the team expectations this year or what would be an acceptable outcome to the season?" and he gave a true and honest response that reflected the team's goal. It would have been worse if he said "no comment". I guarantee almost every player in the NFL will give the same response Antonio did when asked this question, even Tom Brady (and he probably has). You even hear rookies on draft night get asked "what are your goals coming in" and their response is "to come in and help win the Super Bowl".

And he's not even predicting the Texans are going to win it all just that everyone should be hungry to win and how everyone in that locker room should be feeling if they don't.

 

Did not realize the AFC had a losing record with so few teams less than .500 (6 teams). I think this coming season, the Texans will be better than Indy is bad.

 

I can't imagine how some of you hate hearing Correa say his goal is to be a Hall of Famer.

 

Antonio, what are the team's expectations for this year?
" Continue what we started last year. We did not like how our season ended. It's motivating all of us."

Are the Texans Super Bowl contenders in 2012?
"That's for other people to decide. ESPN doesn't pay me for my opinion. Right now, we're focused on working hard and getting better."

Easy. Humble. But with a subtle touch of hunger; some urgency. And most importantly, he doesn't mention a game that's scheduled for February.

I'm going to be physically ill if I have to endure six months of Super Bowl talk from a team with a franchise playoff record of 1-1. In my experience, losers talk about playing in the SB; winners play in the SB.

 

Some people around here just love to be miserable and/or find things to b**** about.

Which, after the abject hell Houston football fans have had to endure for the better part of 20 years, is very strange.

On my list of things to worry about regarding the Texans, this rates about a jack point s*** on my give-a-f***-o-meter.

If anything, this is encouraging and the proper attitude to have, given the talent the team has and the situation they find themselves in.

 

Me? ME?!!!. I'm Mr. The Texans Are Shooting Rainbows Out of the Rear Ends according to most everyone here.

It's just a personal preference. Do. Don't talk. I still remember Ray Childress spewing "Super Bowl, Super Bowl" on his stupid show with Bob Allen during the 11-game win streak in '93 that forever tainted me. Losers talk. Winners do.

 

What was the context of this quote. If someone asks him what their expectations are for this season, is he just supposed to say "no comment"?

 

Say this.

Context is irrelevant, IMO.