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I just don't think that we have moved into "Playoff Contender" range yet.


In the NFL, I believe any losing team, even the Texans, are one good off-season away from being a playoff team. For instance, a lot of the off-season moves the 3-13 New Orleans Saints made last off-season, the 2-14 Houston Texans had the same opportunities to make similar moves, but they decided to go in a different direction.

But regardless of the fact that the Saints were one game short of the Super Bowl in a much weaker conference, people need to realize as bad as the Texans were last season, they still went 6-10 and left 4 noticeable wins on the table, that turned out to be 4 heart-breaking losses.

The 14-10 loss to Giants, the 24-21 loss to Bills, the 28-22 loss at Tennessee, and the 26-20 loss in Overtime to Titans in Houston.

All 4 of those games were winnable, and we also had the 4th quarter lead in 3 of those 4 games. If those 4 games become wins, we're a 10-6 wild card team heading to Indianapolis or New England for a wild card game. In fact, wasn't the last AFC wild card team ( The Chiefs ), 9-7 ?

Which means, depending on a tie-breaker scenario, the Texans only needed to win 3 of those 4 games I mentioned above to make the playoffs last season. Most notably, the 3 games we blew 4th quarter leads in, which occurred in the Giants game, Bills game, and the Titans game in Houston.

I don't think the Houston Texans are far away from the making the playoffs, which is what many of you probably think. I believe we can make the playoffs in 2007 this season.


Jordan Black is a 27 year old Tackle, who started all 16 games at Left Tackle for the Chiefs last season. John Clayton on ESPN said Jordan Black turned down a 2-year, 6 million dollar contract with the Raiders, and he took the much less 2-year, 3.5 million dollar contract with the Texans because he felt more at home with the Texans.

He turned down an extrs 2.5 million dollars to return home to Texas. He lives in the Dallas area. What a huge steal he was for the Texans, in terms of the money they were able to sign him with.

I think there is a good chance Jordan Black will be the starter at Left Tackle for the Houston Texans this season. I don't expect Charles Spencer to return to Left Tackle, he will likely play Right Tackle if he is healthy again, which will move Eric Winston inside to Right Guard. Either way, I expect Ehpraim Salaam to be the Swing Tackle and be the backup player to either Tackle position.

The 2007 NFL Draft

I really have no idea what the Houston Texans will do with the 8th pick. People say LaRon Landry or a defensive lineman. Some people even say they will still draft Adrian Peterson or Brady Quinn, should one of them fall to 8th pick ( unlikely either will fall that far ).

But the more I think about it, don't be surprised if the Houston Texans end up drafting Ted Ginn Jr. They still lack a speedy threat at the number 2 WR position to compliment Andre Johnson. And unless the Houston Texans sign Donte' Stallworth or Antonio Bryant ( The two decent WR's left on the free agent market ), then we will likely enter the 2007 Draft with a huge need for a WR.

I am sorry, but after Andre Johnson, we have little talent at Wide Receiver. I think Kevin Walter is a 4 or 5 on most teams, and Jerome Mathis has potential to be a number 3 WR with his speed in the slot, but he hasn't developed as a WR yet.

Ted Ginn Jr. is a lot like Jerome Mathis, speed-wise, but he is also more polished as a WR, not to mention, bigger and stronger. Our special teams would also be amazing with Ted Ginn Jr. especially if Jerome Mathis is healthy again. Imagine the speed the Texans would have with both Ted Ginn Jr and Jerome Mathis, not only as the number 2 and 3 WR's, but both on kickoff returns as well. Also, Ted Ginn Jr. would be the guy returning punts for us.

Still too early to tell, as most experts have Ted Ginn Jr. going in the teen-range 11-19 in the draft. But some people have him going as high as 7 to the Vikings. So the Texans at 8, may or may not be able to get him, and they may or may not be able to trade down a few spots, and still land him while picking up an extra 3rd round pick.

It's obvious Ted Ginn Jr. is the type of playmaker the Texans need on offense. He is faster and quicker than Reggie Bush, believe it or not. Can you imagine this guy in 1 on 1 coverage ? He would see that a lot with Andre Johnson getting all the Cover 2 and double-team coverage.

The only reason I mention Ted Ginn Jr. is because I heard Texans GM Rick Smith mention him as the 2nd best playmaker in this draft, and a player the Texans are strongly considering.

Texans have interest in Ted Ginn Jr.