I hope the Texans pull it off. Can't wait for the 1st team offense to kick some ass! Texans 21 Chargers 14
Blowout. We have to get the Chargers back after the way they showed us up in 02. Seau was jumping around like they won the Super Bowl. Texans 31 Chargers 13 L.T. 22 carries 115yds Brees 2 Ints, sacked 4times Carr 275yds passing 3tds Davis 25carries 130yds Johnson 8 catches 120yds 2tds
The Texans will be the first expansion team to win their first three openers. The road to a much improved 8-8 begins.
cant wait for this game and the season to start.....its like christmas day.....but every sunday!!!! Texans 24 Chargers 10
I'm pretty excited to see the real offense for a whole game as well. During the preseason, it seemed like just when we started to get on a roll, it was time for the 2nd string to come in. I want to see what our 'triplets' can do! Texans 24 Chargers 10
1st Priority: LaDainian Tomlinson Sept. 7, 2004, 12:48AM No. 21 first on Texans' list RB Tomlinson is main concern against Chargers By CARLTON THOMPSON Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Spend enough time in the Texans' locker room, and you just might forget LaDainian Tomlinson has a name. Monday was the Texans' first practice devoted solely to preparing for Sunday's season opener against the San Diego Chargers, and priority No. 1 could not be more clear: Contain the player referred to simply as "21." That's what happens when players throw themselves so deeply into their film studies that they memorize numbers, not names on the backs of the jerseys. By now, the Texans' players have watched so much film of Sunday's opponent at Reliant Stadium that they don't see Tomlinson's impeccable credentials as much as they see the No. 21 on his back, and they see it a lot. Tomlinson, the versatile running back who led the Chargers in rushing yards and receptions last season, accounted for 45.9 percent of San Diego's total yards in 2003, so it's no secret where the Texans' focus should be as they try to win their third consecutive season opener. The Texans are 4 1/2 -point favorites. Before Monday, there had been some uncertainty whether Drew Brees or rookie Philip Rivers would be the Chargers' starting quarterback, but almost to a man the Texans' defensive players were more concerned about Tomlinson. After the Chargers' practice Monday, coach Marty Schottenheimer named Brees the starter with 41-year-old Doug Flutie the backup. "As long as I know 21 is starting, that's who you have to worry about," defensive end Gary Walker said. "Twenty-one is their team. Not criticizing the other guys on that team; if you ask them, I'm pretty sure they're going to say the same thing. When you have a running back like that, it doesn't matter which quarterback is in there. If you can run the ball, you can throw the ball." The Texans ranked next-to-last in total defense in 2003, and stopping the run was among their weaknesses. They allowed at least 160 rushing yards in eight of their 16 games and four individual rushers topped 150 yards. Maybe Smith will help The Texans ranked 31st in run defense but hope to be much improved because of a reloaded defensive line that includes free-agent acquisition Robaire Smith and returning starters Walker and Seth Payne, who played in a combined six games last season. With Tomlinson, who rushed for 1,654 yards in 2003, coming to town, the Texans will get an early-season opportunity to measure their progress. "If you don't think he's the best back in the league, you're going to say he's in the top three for sure," Texans defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He does everything very well. He's got strength, power, speed and elusiveness. He's an excellent pass receiver and a competent blocker. He's a great football player." In addition to the obvious challenges Tomlinson presents in the running game, the Texans also must be mindful of his role in the passing attack. He caught 100 passes for 725 yards last season. "I don't want to sit here and say this is the LaDanian Tomlinson show because they have a lot of good players on that team, but we know he's their No. 1 guy and they try to put the ball in his hands a lot," cornerback Aaron Glenn said. "We have to pay special attention to the guy and try to limit the amount of yards he gets." Room for improvement The Texans allowed an average of 148.1 rushing yards a game in 2003, an obvious area for improvement. "We have to be up to the challenge," linebacker Jamie Sharper said. "Fifty percent of their offense revolves around (Tomlinson). He's probably the hardest downhill running back in the league. He's coming right at you. He can do a lot of things. It comes down to our defensive line and our linebackers trying to match him play for play."
Texans 27 Chargers 13 Domanick will have a huge game to start the season. I'm thinking in the area of 130 yards rushing and 50 receiving. GO TEXANS!!!!!!
My Shishkabob Marinade and Venison Sausage Balls say that the Texans first-string offense will ROLL!! Don't know if I'm more excited about Game day eating and drinking or the actual game....hmmm
