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Posts: 38451
Mar 11 09 10:51 AM
Golden Boy
Bob, all of what you say is true. You have good analysis of the Texans. I think you're right about the 11-5 record if the team stays relatively healthy. I'm not entirely sure if it has to be an "outside shot" though. I believe the Texans are talented enough to go 12-4 if they improve their turnover ( minus, plus ) ratio. Offensively, the Texans had the third best offense in the NFL last year ( yards per game ) and they should have done better than middle-of-the-pack for points scored, but all of their silly turnovers cost them from being one one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. Matt Schaub has to stay healthy. He's proven to be really good and reliable when he's able to stay on the field. The past two seasons he has suffered some dirty and nasty hits, resulting in fines given by the NFL. That cornerback from the Chargers ( Drayton Florence I think his name is ), Jared Allen of the Vikings and also Albert Haynesworth of the Titans injured Matt Schaub on dirty hits. Which ultimately cost Matt Schaub a total of seven games on the injured list.
The reason I believe the Texans will go 12-4 in 2009 are for several reasons.
1. The offense is freakishly good. Andre Johnson is arguably the best WR in the NFL and will lead the league in receptions and receiving yards. Steve Slaton as a rookie was phenomenal last season, easily a top five RB in the entire NFL already. Owen Daniels is a pro bowl caliber Tight End and the offensive line has been able to stay healthy and develop consistency, which makes them better in the long run. Chester Pitts at Left Guard and Eric Winston at Right Tackle are two of the most underrated players in the league. I believe both of them are two of the better players at their respective positions. Chester Pitts was named a pro bowl reserve but he and Winston both deserved pro bowl invitations. The rookie Left Tackle Duane Brown is quickly becoming a solid player as well. I expect big things out of him in his second season.
2. The defense is going to be a lot better. I love the addition of Antonio Smith, which solidifies the entire defensive line. Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, Frank Okam and Antonio Smith. It doesn't get much better in the NFL. I believe Okoye will really step up in his third season, he's only 22 years old! Frank Okam will eventually become the starter instead of Travis Johnson I feel. The linebacker depth isn't good, we need to draft another outside linebacker and middle linebacker for depth purposes, but the starting three linebackers should be Zac Diles, DeMeco Ryans and Xavier Adibi. That's a young and talented core. Zac Diles was leading the Texans in tackles prior to his season-ending injury last year. Xavier Adibi was an energetic rookie which had great speed to pursue the ball carrier, sideline to sideline. And of course, DeMeco Ryans is already one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. Secondary wise, having Dunta Robinson healthy and playing all 16 games this season is going to make this team so much better. I was a little skeptical about giving him the franchise tag - raising his base salary from $2 million to $10 million, but he's clearly worth it when healthy. He can take away half the field. We need better safeties, I'm sure the Texans will draft one. Probably even with their first-round selection. They could use an upgrade at Free Safety and Strong Safety. Will Demps played well two years ago but was plagued with injuries last year. I thought he would be somebody to count on, but he's aging and injury prone. C.C. Brown, Brandon Harrison, and those other safeties on the current roster just don't do it for me. All and all, I can easily envision a 12-4 team... No doubt about it, just need to win the turnover battle, week in and week out. That's the main thing, and the only reason the Texans went 8-8 this past season. Too many turnovers cost them wins.
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