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.)
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