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Next Years Suprise Superbowl Contenders (Texans #1)

Discussion in 'Houston Texans' started by DFWRocket, Mar 12, 2009.

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  1. DFWRocket

    DFWRocket Member

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    http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=cr-nextyearscards031109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


    1. The Houston Texans


    Offense: The Texans believe they have an offense playing close to a championship level right now, but that belief might lie more in the pieces than in the actual execution. The pass-catching threats – wideouts Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter, and tight end Owen Daniels – are top shelf. Running back Steve Slaton appears to be a Pro Bowl-caliber talent, too. Even the offensive line is stacked with young and improving talent. However, the unit has the same significant problem that Arizona had when it began last offseason: quarterback. While Matt Schaub has shown some flashes of brilliance, and was very impressive in the final month last season, he hasn’t been healthy or consistent in two years. With 22 games as a starter under his belt since ’07, the coaching staff believes this is the year he hits it big … if only he can stay on the field.

    Defense: Another unit with some nice pieces which has been short on consistent results. Like Johnson on offense, defensive end Mario Williams is already one of the best players in the NFL. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans and cornerback Dunta Robinson are nice pieces, too, but the team needs some steady veteran leadership to guide this unit – in particular, young and enigmatic defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. It got some of that with the underrated signing of Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith, who was a great influence on teammate Darnell Dockett, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. And though it remains to be seen what impact new defensive coordinator Frank Bush will have on his unit, he replaces a coach in Richard Smith who simply was not getting results.


    Work to be done: Three areas have yet to be addressed adequately. First, the depth and quality at safety needs to be improved, even with the re-signing of Eugene Wilson. Look at the conference championship games last season. All four teams (the Cardinals, Eagles, Steelers and Ravens) had a Pro Bowl-caliber safety. That’s no coincidence: Top-shelf safety play is a must to advance deep into the postseason. Second, the defense needs to add quality at linebacker in an NFL draft rich with linebackers. With the 15th overall pick, the Texans should have a shot at a quality outside linebacker. If that pick gets spent on anything other than defense, it will be a shock. Finally, the failure to sign Cedric Benson to take some of the load off Slaton leaves a void at running back. There is no other running back on the roster who can take that load while also being a quality starter in a pinch. That will have to be addressed in the draft or free agency in the coming weeks and months.


    Bottom line: When it comes to breaking through in a big way, Houston is positioned as well as any of last season’s “mediocre” teams. But it’s going to take a big step by the quarterback and some depth and mental maturation on defense.
     
    #1 DFWRocket, Mar 12, 2009
  2. brentdapmp

    brentdapmp Member

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    I don't think any of those teams are super bowl contenders. This list might be more appropriately named the teams that are most likely to make the playoffs that didn't last year......except the Chiefs
     
    #2 brentdapmp, Mar 12, 2009
  3. SWTsig

    SWTsig Contributing Member

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    i just booked my flight and hotel room
     
    #3 SWTsig, Mar 12, 2009
  4. Rockets34Legend

    Rockets34Legend Contributing Member

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    Let's get to the playoffs first..... ;)
     
    #4 Rockets34Legend, Mar 12, 2009
  5. Two Sandwiches

    Two Sandwiches Contributing Member

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    Exactly.

    I'm friggin pumped for this year, and I would consider the playoffs a great season. The Superbowl would be absolutely AMAZING!

    We have been a pretty good "mediocre" team for at least the past 2 years, though...
     
    #5 Two Sandwiches, Mar 12, 2009
  6. DFWRocket

    DFWRocket Member

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    Wow..someones optimistic
     
    #6 DFWRocket, Mar 12, 2009
  7. Bogey

    Bogey Contributing Member

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    I think that is the point. Who expected Arizona to make it. The want to be able to pull this up if one of these teams happens to have one of those miracle seasons.
     
    #7 Bogey, Mar 12, 2009
  8. JLEW1818

    JLEW1818 Member

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    Just don't turn the ball over as much and we will be 11-5 this season.
     
    #8 JLEW1818, Mar 12, 2009
  9. pgabriel

    pgabriel Educated Negro

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    The Texans are the best team on that list
     
    #9 pgabriel, Mar 12, 2009
  10. shastarocket

    shastarocket Contributing Member

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    Easier said than done... wait didn't we get rid of Sage? Division title here we come!
     
    #10 shastarocket, Mar 12, 2009
  11. Kam

    Kam Contributing Member

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    I'm going to Miami.


    Something something something the heat is on.
     
    #11 Kam, Mar 12, 2009
  12. Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat Member

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    So you're the guy who took the last room!! :mad: :mad:
     
    #12 Angkor Wat, Mar 12, 2009
  13. Wakko67

    Wakko67 Contributing Member

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    Saying your excited almost sounds like every other fan in sports in the offseason, but I really think we have a great foundation. There are some ifs, but nothing impossible to get to the playoffs and maybe even sneak up and take the division.

    Matt Schaub's health more than anything concerned with him will be huge. I see him taking another step forward and being at least one of the top ten QBs in the league.

    We need help in the secondary. There's no other way around that. The article is spot on when it talks about a safety. We'd be ok with the corners we have if we address that. I really want to see if Molden pans out.

    LB help would be great especially if we can get a solid player and Adibi and Diles both return healthy to continue playing well.

    RB is another obvious one. Keep Slaton healthy baby!

    I know I'm echoing the article, but I've seen it this way since we signed Smith.

    I hope the years of ineptitude pays off some.
     
    #13 Wakko67, Mar 12, 2009
  14. Fulgore

    Fulgore Member

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    Why not. If the freaking Cards can go why not my Texans :cool:
     
    #14 Fulgore, Mar 12, 2009
  15. Naija Texan

    Naija Texan Member

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    You can usually how the Texans will play for the rest of their season within the first four games. It's not a perfect prediction of how their season will turn out but usually in the first four games, barring injury we will know who the Texans are and if we can bank on them.

    My hope is that we will get it done, but this is the NFL anything can happen in a season.
     
    #15 Naija Texan, Mar 12, 2009
  16. Two Sandwiches

    Two Sandwiches Contributing Member

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    If this is the case, then we would have been the Lions last year. We started out 0 and 4 and ended up 8 and 8.....
     
    #16 Two Sandwiches, Mar 12, 2009
  17. texanskan

    texanskan Contributing Member

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    2 games in Miami!!!
     
    #17 texanskan, Mar 13, 2009
  18. ROXRAN

    ROXRAN Contributing Member

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    Very true breakdown at the top. There is this buzz about the Texans for a reason.
     
    #18 ROXRAN, Mar 13, 2009
  19. imatexan

    imatexan Member

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    Believe it!
     
    #19 imatexan, Mar 14, 2009
  20. rrj_gamz

    rrj_gamz Contributing Member

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    Or on crack...;)

    Seriously, first the playoffs, then talk superbowl...
     
    #20 rrj_gamz, Mar 15, 2009
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