I honestly don't know if this has been posted this year but here go's. I have them winning 10 games and making the playoffs for the first time ever as a franchise.
I say yes. Unlike last year they actually improved the personnel. Shanahan's expanded role will allow Kubiak to concentrate on the small things, thats going to have the biggest impact. You'll see...
I posted this in the AJ Commercial thread, plus their defense has improved and has added depth in pretty much every position. Not just bodies but actual depth.
I think Antonio Smith will make a huge difference on the otherside of Mario plus help Okoye on the inside in passing downs but the secondary scares me a bit hopefully the pass rush will make the difference. I am stoked about Cushing and Barwin along with Mario taking the next step to all world defensive force he is! Texans "O" will be dominate and with the Jets' DEs both out for the opener we whould have our way with those guys! I actually think the Pats will rest everyone week 17 so the Texans will finish 10-6 and pickup important AFC victories vs the East...PLAYOFFS BABY!!!!
they added a 1,200-yard rusher, a starting left tackle, a starting center, a (possibly) starting OLB, a starting CB and two starting safeties last year. did you mean other than that?..........
I think that if we can finish up the season winning every game or at least having more points than our opponents when the clock hits 0:00 at the end of the game, we will have the Super Bowl in our possession. Of this, I am sure.
They acquired some solid talent but I don't think you can honestly say they made a concerted effort to upgrade the roster last year. That 1200yd rusher was an afterthought probable 3rd down back. The linemen, projects. Safeties? Weak spot. What I am saying was the expectations were too high last year. This year we are flying under the radar.
I don’t know. For the past 2 seasons, I’ve predicted a breakout season and we’ve been DECIMATED by injuries. I am cautiously optimistic. Key word being cautiously…. I will probably spend the entire season this year waiting for the next DEVASTATING injury.
Yeah, I know the feeling. This season that breakout feels more imminent than ever, though. So many little things that add up to give us high expectations... -A proven 1000yd rusher and homerun threat (no more wondering if Ahman Green is going to stay healthy) -Year two of the zone-blocking scheme and Alex Gibbs. -Duane Brown with a year under his belt. -Schaub enters year three as a starter and we know what he is capable of now if he stays healthy -DEPTH on the defensive front seven with the additions of A.Smith, Barwin, Cushing, June. -A new defensive coordinator and philosophy on defense. The only question mark is the secondary, and I think we'll be better than expected there. This is a team that trotted out Petey Faggins, CC Brown, and whatever scrap they could find at free safety a couple of years ago.
Of all the valid points you listed, I think THIS is the one that can really make a difference. Who knows...maybe the front 7 being more aggressive will make our secondary look better than it really is. It's certainly happened that way before with other teams.
he's done it once - that's not "proven." to me, slaton is our biggest question mark, certainly on offense (outside of schaub's health, of course - but that's not really something we have a tremendous amount of control over). i have no idea what to expect from slaton this year. i'm always a little dubious of smaller guys, projected to be third down backs and/or returners, who break out and put together the kind of season he had last year. was it a fluke? will he have the same success with defense keying on him? can he stay healthy? the last guy i remember doing this was domanick davis........
I think more of it has to do with a quality o-line and Gibbs' scheme. He has constantly produced great results for running backs no matter where he's gone. As long as you can see the holes, hit them, and have some speed you are going to be productive at running back in this system. What impressed me last year was his ability to absorb contact, break tackles, and carry defenders for extra yardage. That's what makes me think he is more than just a product of the system. As long as we don't overload him and break him down, he should be fine. I think you can simply look at the highlight tapes and see that it wasn't a fluke with some of the plays he made. EDIT- Also, by "proven", I meant that he has proven he can rush for 1000 yards.
