2009 Texans Outlook

[football junkie]

After finishing the 2008 season with an 8-8 record, the Texans are on the verge bursting into the elite of the AFC.

QB Matt Schaub completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,043 passing yards or 8.01 yards per attempt, including at 15:10 TD to INT ratio and only 23 sacks lead to a 92.7 percent quarterback rating. He also scrambled for two touchdowns.

Wide outs Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter had stellar seasons. Johnson posting 115 receptions for 1,575 yards and Walter netting 60 receptions for 899 yards.

RB Steve Slaton enjoyed a phenomenal rookie season rushing for 1,282 yards or 4.8 yards average.

The offensive line is looking well. Rookie LT Duane Brown played in all 16 games. Third year man Eric Watson has started 32 games in the last two years -- establishing a reliable offensive line for perhaps a decade or longer to come.

DeMeco Ryans, Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye have taken over the defense and turned it into a decent unit. One more draft and a few players in the secondary should establish the Texans as a team to be reckoned with.

Gary Kubiak should be able to handle a decent draft -- likely pushing the franchise over the top. Houston drafts 12th overall and at that point should have a decent shot at Vontae Davic, CB or Taylor Mays, S.

Playing in the same division with the Colts and Titans will be tough but I think the Texans will overcome the obstacles in 2009.

[ATLFalcons]

Eric Winston not "Watson". ;)

I agree with you the Texans are on the verge of bursting into the elite of the AFC. But, they won't take the next step until Matt Schaub plays 16 games.

Just look back at the games Rosenfels lost:

Oct. 5: The 1st game against the Colts when he tried to dive for the 1st down and he fumbled which ignited the Colts comeback.

Nov. 2: He relieved Schaub. Had Schaub been healthy, maybe they would have beat the Vikings.

Nov. 9: BLOWOUT at the hands of the Ravens

Nov. 16: 6 point loss to the Colts. Once again, Schaub could've helped.

In no way am I downplaying Rosenfels solid year as a backup, but as I mentioned earlier they can't take that next step without Schaub under center every game.

[football junkie]

Eric Winston not "Watson". ;)

Typing too fast for my fingers again. The CB they should consider in the draft is also Vontae Davis, not Davic. He's the younger brother the 49ers TE Vernon Davis.

[football junkie]

Starting week 13 the Texans had posted a 5-6 record -- in probably the best division in the NFL.

While Steve Slaton regressed in his second year as a pro, Matt Schaub had established himself as pro-bowl quarterback, and then Derrick Harvey sacked him and injured Schaub's shoulder a few moments ago.

Houston is playing in Jacksonville, an in-division rival and losing 16-0. Rex Grossman is in for Schaub, and quickly went back to Rex's old habit of tossing costly interceptions. Depending on how long Schaub misses, this team could finish 9-7 or 5-11. This was exactly the wrong time to lose the franchise QB.

On the bright side, an excellent core of players is in place and if the Texans do finish with a poor record and get better draft picks -- a decent draft should push Houston over the top.

[football junkie]

Schaub eventually came back into the game but because of a bevy of bad decisions from both Schaub and Chris Brown -- who confused himself for a QB, the Texans still managed to lose a game they probably should have won.

Jacksonville QB David Garrard was simply superior. This loss almost certainly knocks the Texans out of the playoff picture. The running game continues to sputter.

[Seattle1]

The Seahawks are coming to town next week. This will be the first game for the Seahawks in Reliant Stadium (is that the name?), and only the second game ever between the Seahawks and the Texans.

[ATLFalcons]

Schaub eventually came back into the game but because of a bevy of bad decisions from both Schaub and Chris Brown -- who confused himself for a QB, the Texans still managed to lose a game they probably should have won.

Jacksonville QB David Garrard was simply superior. This loss almost certainly knocks the Texans out of the playoff picture. The running game continues to sputter.
What the hell was Chris Brown thinking on that play?

[football junkie]

The Texans have finished the season at 9-7, impressive considering the franchise resides in the AFC South. As I write this, if Baltimore, the NY Jets and Denver lose, the Texans will be a wildcard playoff team.

And while Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Duane Brown, Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing took that huge leap into the NFL elite, Steve Slaton regressed and then suffered a significant injury that could end the career of a player who looked like one of the best young running backs in the league.

- first winning season in franchise history
- core of elite young players
- possibly first playoff berth

Add a better secondary and a solid running back (Arian Foster?) and the franchise has taken a lot of huge steps forward from when they handed the keys to David Carr.

The Texans have arrived.