Sam, I cant understand why one wouldn't get into the Texans. The Oilers were such a cursed franchise, constantly providing heartbreak to their fans. Now Houston NFL fans have a new hope. The owner is better, the whole organization is better. Casserly knows how to build winners. The Texans don't have any cursed stigma attached to them, and there is no reason to believe it will ever come with McNair as the man and with Casserly as the GM, with the successful pedigree he has. Get into the Texans. They are gonna bring championships to Houston, at least that is what I believe.
I didn't like the Oilers, but I love the Texans. I was pumped up to see them before they even played their first game. I've been to almost every home game and atmosphere is just awesome. I think they've been a real competitive team and if a few more things go their way, they win four more games last year. This year I predict them to go 8-8. The Texans have a great core in the making in Carr-Johnson-Daviss. How could you not get pumped up for multiple Pro Bowlers?
I probably get psyched up more for Texans games than any other professional sports game. With the Oilers, I had this religous ritual that I followed before each game. After the Broncos playoff loss in 1993 where Elway converted a couple of 4th downs on that last drive, I was physically ill for a week. After the Buffalo game a year later, I was just in shock. I was one of the few that went to every home game in the final 1996 season. The Texans haven't achieved that status yet, but as they improve, I'm sure I'll ratchet up the obsession. They grow on you as you become more familiar with the players and watch their career progression. Drew Hill, Haywood Jeffries, Ernest Givens and Webster Slaughter -- what a receiving corps -- that Buddy Ryan 46 defense team was the best they fielded during the 90's. It's a shame it ended when Keith Cash spiked that ball into the Buddy Ryan poster after catching the pass from Montana in the Dome. Ugh.
Sam, you're not alone. I feel the same way. I was pumped when the franchise was awarded... really excited, but I can't seem to get worked up about them now that they're playing, except for that first game with the fairies up in Dallas. I'm sure a lot of it is not going to a game yet at Reliant. If I still feel this way after that, I won't know what to think. I guess I just had too much invested in the Oilers. I started seeing them with my Dad their first season in the AFL and remember, as a kid, them winning the first 2 championships. I've always thought it unfair that they didn't get the credit they should have for that. Yes, it was the AFL, but it was damn good football. I saw Blanda kick the first 50 yard pro field goal. I cheered, sweated, screamed and stopped just short of killing myself because of that damn team many times. I just don't feel that for the Texans. And I hate the name. It's boring and stupid, in my opinion. That doesn't help. With any luck, I'll go to at least one game this season, and maybe I'll feel differently. I hope so.
I love the Texans. Great core of young players, classy organization, great stadium, unbelievable nail biters... too many things to list. I can't wait for football to start!
I'm not sure how it's possible that one could find the Texans boring? They played so many close games in one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. They are a 2nd year team playing over and beyond expectations. Did you miss the game against the Titans at home, I guess so. Didyou miss the game against Patriots, probably. How about the Jacksonville game, Actually do like football? If you don't live in Houston, I may understand; but the problem is not the Texans, but rather the lack of familiarity with the team. It shows when those who claim thay get "bored" qoute the win-loss record as the basis of their arguement. Of all three teams in Houston, the Texans are the last team I would call boring. Anyway, whatever . . . it takes all kinds.
Well, assuming that's not a joke, I'm sorry I can't hate you back. You're obviously too immature to bother with.
i'm sorry...boring colors?? boring name?? are you a girl?? this sounds like something my 15 year old niece would say! what's exciting about the cowboys' colors?? what's exciting about the patriots' colors?? who has an exciting name?? or exciting colors?? (you know i'm just giving you a hard time, pgab...but i don't get it!)
The Division is still stacked. I think it will be hard for the Texans to get out of it alive. But an upset or two could even them out with the Colts for a Wild Card. Titans 13-3 Colts 11-5 Texans 7-9 Jaguars 6-10
There has been so much good karma about the Texans franchise from the start. I really do not get it how a football fan can be put off by the color of uniforms or the speaking style of the coach. If that's your gig, watch Queer Eye for a Straight Guy instead of football. By good karma I mean: 1. Having a great owner committed to do what it takes to win a SB 2. Having one of the most recognized and respected General Managers agree to sign on in Casserly 3. Buidling probably the best and most innovative stadium in the NFL today 4. Being the first team in the history of the NFL to win its opening game as a new franchise AND to do so against your most hated rival (that win, for me, was almost a championship in itself) 5. Challenging the best teams in the NFL weak in and weak out in close games I'm sure there are more, but maybe (just maybe) some of you are not used to the feeling of success. You prefer characters (Dan Pastorini?), color schemes (Columbia Blue?) and flashy but incompetent coaches (Glanville?). Unlike those days that I can now look at and laugh about, this group will be succesfull, much like the New England Patriots are successful.
I moved from Houston in 01 and I still find it difficult to get pumped up about the Texans. One of the problems is that the Texans don't have a heated rivalry yet.
Well, when you have a team that's not going to win, you have to look to other things (Glanville at least won some ballgames) for excitement. It's real hard for anybody to get happy about a Texans team that is aimiing for 6-10. Capers is just a freaking snoozefest. We were somewhat spoiled with the Oilers in that regard with guys like Bum, Glanville, Jack Pardee who was boring but had an interesting resume and at least brought an interesting offense to the table, and had the coordinator ****-fights on the sidelines. I recall watching Capers get interviewed on ESPN during the 2003 draft, they tossed him a total sofball question like: "Coach, what are you trying to get out of this draft class to help you improve next year?" his response was literally" Well, we're just going to try to improve and get better next year". Yawn. Then they asked Jeff Fisher the same question, and he said "Well, we drafted two Rockies and a Tank so I think our D will be a little tougher next year" (referring to rocky calmus, rocky boiman and tank williams). Now, that didn't exactly cause me to spit milk out of my nose in hilarity, but at least he shows a little life and said something borderline witty. If they aren't going to laugh, at least make it interesting Dom! The NFL is for entertainment purposes, right.
Bill Simmons did a column in 01 when he had to cover the first Houston Bowl between TCU and Texas A&M. He talked about Capers giving the teams a speech about success or something. And it was a list of 10 things such as, preparation, sticking to the goal, etc. Simmons talked about how boring it was, and joked about how boring Capers was. I didn't realize it then, but everytime I hear him give an interview I think about that column. I understand where you are coming from. Like I wrote earlier, the team is just seems too corporate, and its boring. The Oilers had a distinctiveness about them. From the Columbia Blue colors, to the coaches. And the Oilers just seemed like they were from Houston, instead of just some other NFL team. Don't get me wrong, I root for the Texans and I've attended a game. The game was exciting and I think the Texans are well on their way to success. But sometimes they just seem like another NFL team. Maybe that will change over time.
same and gabe - is your real criticism that you don't think CAPERS is the right guy? If that's all you are saying then fine, I don't necessarily disagree. For instance, I personally think his style of offense is far far too conservative. But the Texans franchise has OVERACHIEVED to date. For me, I like following teams that overachieve. I also give them greater odds of making it deep in the playoffs than teams that consistently underachieve (the Glanville Oilers). As for personalities, Steve McKinney is great and has a personality suited for old Oiler fans (kind of a more PC Carl Mauck). To fully "get there" the team will need to go through the ordinary cycles. Give them time. But, easily I think this is one of the most interesting new franchises in all of sports in the last 30 years or so.
Look, who cares if the Head coach doesn't "entertain" you. You are the type of consumer who the NFL targets when they have comedians broadcast during MNF or have William Hung sing during halftime. Watch professional wrestling if you're looking for "characters." My guess is that you are biased towards the Texans. You definitely havn't watched a game.
If you are a true Houston football fan, patience is a virtue w/ this team. It took a while w/ the Oilers when they got started. We should apply the same motive w/ the Texans. Give it a few years and they'll grow on you.
