There is certainly something different if you are a Texans fan. Instead of hoping for a win against any team at any point in the season, you have now gotten to the point of disgust if they lose.
Before, you were shocked if they won a game, and now you expect them to win them all.That’s why the 26-16 loss on Sunday to the Falcons gave every Texans fan a nauseous feeling in their stomach. The Texans were supposed to win that game. After this game in Atlanta, I had the Texans pegged at 2-2, but one of the losses not coming from this depleted Falcons team.
So in a way the Texans are right on schedule, but they should be ahead of it. Poor clock management and bad play calling seemed to doom them this time. I will never understand why a running play should be called on third-and-ten. I will also never understand why a pitch play to Ron Dayne is called on third-and-one on the goal line. A quarterback sneaked wouldn’t have worked?
Moral victories are out the window. Now, we can start criticizing the Texans as a legitimate team. And yes, injuries are playing a part in our losing efforts, but we are still putting up a challenge each game. The Texans could very well be 4-0 right now.
Schaub’s 317-yard and one touchdown performance seemed to be the only positive note about Sunday’s game. The only other production came from wide receiver Andre Davis (117 yards, one touchdown), who should have secured a starting job after the receptions he made.
The defense did not cause a turnover for the second week in a row, and seven penalties for 78 yards kept the Texans in reverse. If the secondary can get their act together, I don’t see a reason to hit a panic button yet.Just remember, we are only entering week five. As I stated before, the Texans are right where they should be. And now they come back to Houston to face a winless Miami Dolphins team.
Everyone expects them to win that game. Right?
My prediction: Texans 20, Dolphins 14.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Texans Still Impress In Loss
The Texans somehow continue to impress me, even with a loss at home against the Colts on Sunday. After the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Jerome Mathis, I had to be resuscitated.
And that Mathis kick return was the fastest score in Texans history coming just 21 seconds after the start of the game. What I wasn't prepared for is that I would soon want to trade in that fast score for four quarters of scoring. Well, I would have traded in my iPhone for a win against the Colts.
Once I awoke, things started to go downhill for a while. The Texans were losing for the first time this season at halftime, something I wasn't used to. I also developed a nervous tick out of anger from watching Peyton Manning audible twenty-seven times at the line of scrimmage on one play.
The second half is when I became intrigued. At one point, the Texans were trailing 27-10 and it looked as if the excuses could start rolling in. My first priority became to start a petition to check Manning for steroids. My next was to attempt to clone injured wide receiver Andre Johnson. I have another request for the NFL. When a quarterback (Matt Schaub) throws to a receiver (Jacoby Jones) and it bounces off the receivers chest and is then intercepted, why is it a statistic against the quarterback? Should we not give interceptions to wide receivers as well? Just a thought.
I will say, the defense did give up 30 points to the Colts, but allowed Manning to throw only one touchdown pass. And even with all of the injuries and sloppy play, the Texans were still within a score of winning. I asked Mario Williams after the game if he could see the loss as positive. "Well even with one more turnover the outcome could have been different," Williams said. "If we could have that fumble at the end of the game, the offense could have had more time to work. When you are playing a team of that caliber, you have to have turnovers."
Which is exactly what the Texans needed. One big break. One fumble recovery. With one change in the game, the Texans could be sitting at 3-0 on top of the AFC South. So despite the fact that the injuries in this game made Reliant Stadium look like a scene out of '300', there was still a way they could have won.
But you have to think to yourself, "what if." What if the Texans had Andre Johnson? What if Ahman Green and Ron Dayne weren't out of the game? What if the Texans would have had that one turnover that Mario was talking about? Ill tell you...the Texans would have won.
However, I will not take credit away from that Colts team. Going 8-14 on third down conversions, committing no turnovers and averaging 9.3 yards per pass, that's a solid day on offense. On the Texans end, rushing for only 40 yards in a game isn't going to cut it. And Schaub didn't have his greatest game (27-33, 236 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions), but he did enough to keep them close in the final minutes, and that's what the Texans need. On another positive note, the next four games look like easy wins on paper. Did you ever think the Texans would have a chance to be 6-2 going into week 9?
Next week the Texans go into Atlanta to face the 0-3 Falcons. Even if the dog fighter himself was playing, I would still take the Texans in this game. My prediction: Texans 24, Falcons 13.
(This column appeared in the September 24, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
And that Mathis kick return was the fastest score in Texans history coming just 21 seconds after the start of the game. What I wasn't prepared for is that I would soon want to trade in that fast score for four quarters of scoring. Well, I would have traded in my iPhone for a win against the Colts.
Once I awoke, things started to go downhill for a while. The Texans were losing for the first time this season at halftime, something I wasn't used to. I also developed a nervous tick out of anger from watching Peyton Manning audible twenty-seven times at the line of scrimmage on one play.
The second half is when I became intrigued. At one point, the Texans were trailing 27-10 and it looked as if the excuses could start rolling in. My first priority became to start a petition to check Manning for steroids. My next was to attempt to clone injured wide receiver Andre Johnson. I have another request for the NFL. When a quarterback (Matt Schaub) throws to a receiver (Jacoby Jones) and it bounces off the receivers chest and is then intercepted, why is it a statistic against the quarterback? Should we not give interceptions to wide receivers as well? Just a thought.
I will say, the defense did give up 30 points to the Colts, but allowed Manning to throw only one touchdown pass. And even with all of the injuries and sloppy play, the Texans were still within a score of winning. I asked Mario Williams after the game if he could see the loss as positive. "Well even with one more turnover the outcome could have been different," Williams said. "If we could have that fumble at the end of the game, the offense could have had more time to work. When you are playing a team of that caliber, you have to have turnovers."
Which is exactly what the Texans needed. One big break. One fumble recovery. With one change in the game, the Texans could be sitting at 3-0 on top of the AFC South. So despite the fact that the injuries in this game made Reliant Stadium look like a scene out of '300', there was still a way they could have won.
But you have to think to yourself, "what if." What if the Texans had Andre Johnson? What if Ahman Green and Ron Dayne weren't out of the game? What if the Texans would have had that one turnover that Mario was talking about? Ill tell you...the Texans would have won.
However, I will not take credit away from that Colts team. Going 8-14 on third down conversions, committing no turnovers and averaging 9.3 yards per pass, that's a solid day on offense. On the Texans end, rushing for only 40 yards in a game isn't going to cut it. And Schaub didn't have his greatest game (27-33, 236 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions), but he did enough to keep them close in the final minutes, and that's what the Texans need. On another positive note, the next four games look like easy wins on paper. Did you ever think the Texans would have a chance to be 6-2 going into week 9?
Next week the Texans go into Atlanta to face the 0-3 Falcons. Even if the dog fighter himself was playing, I would still take the Texans in this game. My prediction: Texans 24, Falcons 13.
(This column appeared in the September 24, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Post-David Carr Era
Welcome to the post-David Carr era, Houston fans. I won't take any shots at the former quarterback, I will just say one thing. It must have been very uncomfortable watching a man in your previous jersey dominate your new team.
With that said, the Texans 34-21 stomping of the Panthers on Sunday proved something to me. It showed me that even I can underestimate this team. I had the Texans picked to lose seven games. Then, after watching them plow through the Chiefs a week ago, I thought a 10-6 record wasn't out of the question. I thought that one of those losses would definitely be coming in Carolina.
Well, Matt Schaub backhanded my prediction in the face. Schaub's 227 yards passing and one touchdown doesn't begin to explain what happened in Charlotte. After the Texans trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, they rallied off 34 unanswered points against the Panthers. If a previous Texans team would have gone down by two scored that early, they would have laid down and admitted defeat.
Not this team. They have that professional swagger about them that is letting everyone know, this isn't your sub-500 Houston Texans team. After Schaub connected on a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson with three minutes left in the first quarter, things changed. The defense took over the game, shutting down the Panthers on every drive. The offense clicked, on the ground and in the air. Ahman Green looked five years younger as he found holes everywhere in the Panthers defense. And speaking of, how about that Texans offensive line? Who knew they were capable of blocking. The Panthers didn't see the end zone again until the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter, when they already trailed by 20 points.
So where does this bring the Houston fans now? Do Texans fans take this as the win that proved things are changed? Or is it too early to determine anything yet? I say if a team can have possession of the ball for 34 minutes and string together 16-play, 80-yard drives, then they are ready to compete. Don't hesitate to celebrate Houston. This Texans team is like nothing before. And if nothing else, at least enjoy watching internet clips of David Carr's priceless face during the game. Well, I almost made it through a column without a Carr joke.
Next week the Texans take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. Houston split wins with
the division rivals last season, winning at home against the Colts 27-24. I have to believe they can do the same, with a much better team.
My prediction: Texans 28, Colts 24.
(This column appeared in the September 17, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
With that said, the Texans 34-21 stomping of the Panthers on Sunday proved something to me. It showed me that even I can underestimate this team. I had the Texans picked to lose seven games. Then, after watching them plow through the Chiefs a week ago, I thought a 10-6 record wasn't out of the question. I thought that one of those losses would definitely be coming in Carolina.
Well, Matt Schaub backhanded my prediction in the face. Schaub's 227 yards passing and one touchdown doesn't begin to explain what happened in Charlotte. After the Texans trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, they rallied off 34 unanswered points against the Panthers. If a previous Texans team would have gone down by two scored that early, they would have laid down and admitted defeat.
Not this team. They have that professional swagger about them that is letting everyone know, this isn't your sub-500 Houston Texans team. After Schaub connected on a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson with three minutes left in the first quarter, things changed. The defense took over the game, shutting down the Panthers on every drive. The offense clicked, on the ground and in the air. Ahman Green looked five years younger as he found holes everywhere in the Panthers defense. And speaking of, how about that Texans offensive line? Who knew they were capable of blocking. The Panthers didn't see the end zone again until the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter, when they already trailed by 20 points.
So where does this bring the Houston fans now? Do Texans fans take this as the win that proved things are changed? Or is it too early to determine anything yet? I say if a team can have possession of the ball for 34 minutes and string together 16-play, 80-yard drives, then they are ready to compete. Don't hesitate to celebrate Houston. This Texans team is like nothing before. And if nothing else, at least enjoy watching internet clips of David Carr's priceless face during the game. Well, I almost made it through a column without a Carr joke.
Next week the Texans take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. Houston split wins with
the division rivals last season, winning at home against the Colts 27-24. I have to believe they can do the same, with a much better team.
My prediction: Texans 28, Colts 24.
(This column appeared in the September 17, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
Monday, September 10, 2007
Schaub, Williams Solid In First Start
Where do I begin? I could start off with the fact that Mario Williams has more touchdowns this season than Reggie Bush. Or that I contemplated buying a Mario Williams jersey. Or that I definitely gave the Kansas City Chiefs too much credit.
We will hear this until next week: The Texans shouldn't take too much pride in the win because after all, they beat a team that wasn't picked to do much of anything. Well, Kansas City has one of the top five running backs in the NFL in Larry Johnson, and the Texans held him to 43 yards on 10 carries. The defensive side of the Texans looked possessed. The Texans caused four turnovers out of the Chiefs offense, and held them to 219 total yards. Mario Williams added two sacks to his fumble recovery touchdown. The only bad thing that happened on defense was Jason Simmons’ injury, which unfortunately, sidelined him for the rest of the season.
On the offensive side of things for the Texans, there was a bit of inconsistency. Matt Schaub made an out-of-character pass that was intercepted, but turned that around with his touchdown pass to Andre Johnson. The only thing I am still worrying about is the Texans offensive line. They are adjusting from David Carr to Matt Schaub. Carr would always take off and run with the ball if he was hurried out of the pocket, and Matt Schaub sits back and buys time to throw. That's why those "ineligible receiver downfield" calls kept occurring. The offensive line would start running down the field, thinking Carr was following. Schaub was also sacked twice and hurried nearly every other play.
A positive note on offense, however, was Johnson. If he can manage a 140-yard game every week, then I will need to add more wins to my 9-7 record prediction.Nevertheless, it was a great win for the Texans, and their first opening-day win since 2003. These guys actually looked like a mature and professional team. But then again, that could be because we aren't put through the torture of watching David Carr.
The difference in this season from years past will be that Texans fans can actually be confident about their football team. And, fans won't have thoughts of jogging off a cliff after a game. Next week, the Texans travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers, and I think everyone will be able to see if this team is for real or not after that. My prediction: Carolina 20, Houston 17.
(This column appeared in the September 10, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
We will hear this until next week: The Texans shouldn't take too much pride in the win because after all, they beat a team that wasn't picked to do much of anything. Well, Kansas City has one of the top five running backs in the NFL in Larry Johnson, and the Texans held him to 43 yards on 10 carries. The defensive side of the Texans looked possessed. The Texans caused four turnovers out of the Chiefs offense, and held them to 219 total yards. Mario Williams added two sacks to his fumble recovery touchdown. The only bad thing that happened on defense was Jason Simmons’ injury, which unfortunately, sidelined him for the rest of the season.
On the offensive side of things for the Texans, there was a bit of inconsistency. Matt Schaub made an out-of-character pass that was intercepted, but turned that around with his touchdown pass to Andre Johnson. The only thing I am still worrying about is the Texans offensive line. They are adjusting from David Carr to Matt Schaub. Carr would always take off and run with the ball if he was hurried out of the pocket, and Matt Schaub sits back and buys time to throw. That's why those "ineligible receiver downfield" calls kept occurring. The offensive line would start running down the field, thinking Carr was following. Schaub was also sacked twice and hurried nearly every other play.
A positive note on offense, however, was Johnson. If he can manage a 140-yard game every week, then I will need to add more wins to my 9-7 record prediction.Nevertheless, it was a great win for the Texans, and their first opening-day win since 2003. These guys actually looked like a mature and professional team. But then again, that could be because we aren't put through the torture of watching David Carr.
The difference in this season from years past will be that Texans fans can actually be confident about their football team. And, fans won't have thoughts of jogging off a cliff after a game. Next week, the Texans travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers, and I think everyone will be able to see if this team is for real or not after that. My prediction: Carolina 20, Houston 17.
(This column appeared in the September 10, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
Changing For The Better
Now that the NFL preseason has come and gone, the 2007-08 season kicks off this Thursday. And, as I have attempted to analyze everything about the new Houston Texans, here are some awards for the past four weeks of preseason play.
The "David Carr Award" goes to quarterback Matt Schaub. Thank you to Texans general manager Rick Smith for making that move. If I had to watch one more year of David Carr, I would have stuck a hot fork in my eye. Many can argue that the Texans lost athleticism in the deal, but they gained everything else in the process. Schaub is a born leader, and you are about to witness your first winning football season in Houston since the days of the oil derrick.
The "Welcome Home Award" goes to wide receiver Keenan McCardell. You passed on the Vikings to sign with your hometown Texans, only to be cut two weeks later. It could be the age, it could be the injury, or it could be because of the person that receives the next award.
The "Dominique Wilkins Award" goes to the Texans human highlight film, wide receiver Jacoby Jones. Jones has become a standout in a month of play, took the role that McCardell was brought in to do and gave the Texans the next Devin Hester. My goal is for him to guarantee me that he will do one thing this season: on Nov. 18, when the Saints come to town, Jones needs to run back a punt and end the return with the Reggie Bush "flip" into the end zone. It's the only way.
The "Arthur Blank Award" goes to none other than Falcons owner Arthur Blank. You had so much faith in Michael Vick that you and general manager Rich McKay decided it was a good idea to unleash Schaub. Now that Vick is in the doghouse — no pun intended — you are stuck going to war with Joey Harrington. Wait, this was the Texans awards...sorry I blacked out for a minute there.
And finally, the "Jason Jennings Award" goes to underachieving linebacker Jason Babin. When you were drafted in 2004, you were made out to be a dominating force at linebacker. After having less tackles in three seasons (135) as linebacker Demeco Ryans had in all of his rookie year (155), the Texans have shipped you off to Seattle to fill their need in the secondary with strong safety Michael Boulware.
Now that Smith has brought in the talent needed, and coach Gary Kubiak has put the pieces together, the Texans look prepared to move forward instead of reverse. The Texans start the season this Sunday, at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. My prediction: Houston 24, Kansas City 17.
(This column appeared in the September 3rd, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
The "David Carr Award" goes to quarterback Matt Schaub. Thank you to Texans general manager Rick Smith for making that move. If I had to watch one more year of David Carr, I would have stuck a hot fork in my eye. Many can argue that the Texans lost athleticism in the deal, but they gained everything else in the process. Schaub is a born leader, and you are about to witness your first winning football season in Houston since the days of the oil derrick.
The "Welcome Home Award" goes to wide receiver Keenan McCardell. You passed on the Vikings to sign with your hometown Texans, only to be cut two weeks later. It could be the age, it could be the injury, or it could be because of the person that receives the next award.
The "Dominique Wilkins Award" goes to the Texans human highlight film, wide receiver Jacoby Jones. Jones has become a standout in a month of play, took the role that McCardell was brought in to do and gave the Texans the next Devin Hester. My goal is for him to guarantee me that he will do one thing this season: on Nov. 18, when the Saints come to town, Jones needs to run back a punt and end the return with the Reggie Bush "flip" into the end zone. It's the only way.
The "Arthur Blank Award" goes to none other than Falcons owner Arthur Blank. You had so much faith in Michael Vick that you and general manager Rich McKay decided it was a good idea to unleash Schaub. Now that Vick is in the doghouse — no pun intended — you are stuck going to war with Joey Harrington. Wait, this was the Texans awards...sorry I blacked out for a minute there.
And finally, the "Jason Jennings Award" goes to underachieving linebacker Jason Babin. When you were drafted in 2004, you were made out to be a dominating force at linebacker. After having less tackles in three seasons (135) as linebacker Demeco Ryans had in all of his rookie year (155), the Texans have shipped you off to Seattle to fill their need in the secondary with strong safety Michael Boulware.
Now that Smith has brought in the talent needed, and coach Gary Kubiak has put the pieces together, the Texans look prepared to move forward instead of reverse. The Texans start the season this Sunday, at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. My prediction: Houston 24, Kansas City 17.
(This column appeared in the September 3rd, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
Seeing Is Believing
You have to admit at this point this isn’t the Texans team we are all used to seeing. We are seeing touchdowns scored. We are seeing an offense average 27 points per game, the most scored out of any team in the NFL this preseason.
And yes, it is just the preseason, but after all that hasn’t happened since the inaugural year in 2001, shouldn’t this be reason for excitement? If you still have a bitter taste in your mouth from watching Vince Young in a Titans jersey, or David Carr picking himself off the turf with a Paris Hilton-esque look on his face, then here are 10 reasons you should get pumped for this season’s Houston Texans.
10. No longer refer to Jacoby Jones as “that guy from Lane.” After the preseason Jones is having, there is no question he will line up in that second receiver spot. It isn’t just the special teams play either, although the two punt returns for touchdowns in two games doesn’t hurt. He is quick, and gives quarterback Matt Schaub another target besides Andre Johnson. The opposing safeties will have to think twice before double teaming AJ, when you have Jacoby streaking down the sidelines.
9. Mario Williams has something to prove. Will he? Who knows. Saturday night, when Tony “can the center turn around and just hand me the ball” Romo fumbled the snap, Mario was right there in his face to bring him down. Now if he can bring that speed and power all season, with Amobi Okoye commanding attention on the inside, we might have something to talk about.
8. Guess what everybody? We have a running back that isn’t either a washed up veteran or a no-name rookie. Ahman Green, although in the later stages of his career, is an all-pro back that can easily tack on 1,000-yard seasons. With him standing in the backfield, defenses now have to pay close attention to the Texans’ running game, and it makes the play action game deadly.
7. There has only been one sack in the entire preseason. That gives me reason to believe a few things. One, that David Carr is as bad as I thought he was. And two, that the offensive line might actually be able to block someone this season.
6. They beat the Cowboys. So even if the Texans somehow go 0-16 for the season, fans can at least look back and say, “Oh well, we destroyed Dallas.” Governor’s Cup, baby.
5. Dunta Robinson. If you haven’t watched him closely yet, start now. Every game I have watched so far, I found myself asking “what did this guy do in the offseason?” Nothing gets by this guy. Saturday, Romo tried a short pass to T.O. and Dunta hit him with such immediate force that Owens dropped the ball, then looked around for Drew Rosenhaus to explain what just happened.
4. Did you know that Johnson lead the league in receptions last season? And that was with Carr at the helm. You can’t tell me you never thought to yourself, “man if this guy had a good quarterback he could really do something.”
3. No more Charlie Casserly. ‘Nuff said.
2. Lack of turnovers. They aren’t giving the ball away. The Texans starters have yet to fumble or throw an interception this preseason. I will wait for you to go buy your Schaub jersey before I get to number one. Speaking of...
1. Houston, we have a quarterback. He can throw. He can read defenses. He isn’t spending the entire game looking up at the roof of Reliant Stadium. I don’t care about the ‘lack of experience.’ In approximately three quarters worth of preseason play, his stats read 24-of- 33 for 242 yards, two touchdowns and a 102.5 passer rating. He doesn’t make mistakes, he doesn’t take a lifetime to make a decision and he doesn’t train dogs to fight each other. He is the ultimate answer to what the Texans needed.
And now I think this team is finally ready to compete. The schedule looks difficult at first, but analyze it. The Texans split with the Super Bowl Champion Colts last season and split with the Jags. I am calling for a 9-7 season. Whether that is good enough to make the playoffs is yet to be seen, but it’s going to be fun watching them try.
(This column appeared in the August 27, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
And yes, it is just the preseason, but after all that hasn’t happened since the inaugural year in 2001, shouldn’t this be reason for excitement? If you still have a bitter taste in your mouth from watching Vince Young in a Titans jersey, or David Carr picking himself off the turf with a Paris Hilton-esque look on his face, then here are 10 reasons you should get pumped for this season’s Houston Texans.
10. No longer refer to Jacoby Jones as “that guy from Lane.” After the preseason Jones is having, there is no question he will line up in that second receiver spot. It isn’t just the special teams play either, although the two punt returns for touchdowns in two games doesn’t hurt. He is quick, and gives quarterback Matt Schaub another target besides Andre Johnson. The opposing safeties will have to think twice before double teaming AJ, when you have Jacoby streaking down the sidelines.
9. Mario Williams has something to prove. Will he? Who knows. Saturday night, when Tony “can the center turn around and just hand me the ball” Romo fumbled the snap, Mario was right there in his face to bring him down. Now if he can bring that speed and power all season, with Amobi Okoye commanding attention on the inside, we might have something to talk about.
8. Guess what everybody? We have a running back that isn’t either a washed up veteran or a no-name rookie. Ahman Green, although in the later stages of his career, is an all-pro back that can easily tack on 1,000-yard seasons. With him standing in the backfield, defenses now have to pay close attention to the Texans’ running game, and it makes the play action game deadly.
7. There has only been one sack in the entire preseason. That gives me reason to believe a few things. One, that David Carr is as bad as I thought he was. And two, that the offensive line might actually be able to block someone this season.
6. They beat the Cowboys. So even if the Texans somehow go 0-16 for the season, fans can at least look back and say, “Oh well, we destroyed Dallas.” Governor’s Cup, baby.
5. Dunta Robinson. If you haven’t watched him closely yet, start now. Every game I have watched so far, I found myself asking “what did this guy do in the offseason?” Nothing gets by this guy. Saturday, Romo tried a short pass to T.O. and Dunta hit him with such immediate force that Owens dropped the ball, then looked around for Drew Rosenhaus to explain what just happened.
4. Did you know that Johnson lead the league in receptions last season? And that was with Carr at the helm. You can’t tell me you never thought to yourself, “man if this guy had a good quarterback he could really do something.”
3. No more Charlie Casserly. ‘Nuff said.
2. Lack of turnovers. They aren’t giving the ball away. The Texans starters have yet to fumble or throw an interception this preseason. I will wait for you to go buy your Schaub jersey before I get to number one. Speaking of...
1. Houston, we have a quarterback. He can throw. He can read defenses. He isn’t spending the entire game looking up at the roof of Reliant Stadium. I don’t care about the ‘lack of experience.’ In approximately three quarters worth of preseason play, his stats read 24-of- 33 for 242 yards, two touchdowns and a 102.5 passer rating. He doesn’t make mistakes, he doesn’t take a lifetime to make a decision and he doesn’t train dogs to fight each other. He is the ultimate answer to what the Texans needed.
And now I think this team is finally ready to compete. The schedule looks difficult at first, but analyze it. The Texans split with the Super Bowl Champion Colts last season and split with the Jags. I am calling for a 9-7 season. Whether that is good enough to make the playoffs is yet to be seen, but it’s going to be fun watching them try.
(This column appeared in the August 27, 2007 edition of The Huntsville Item.)
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