2007-08 Season
It remains to be seen who runs the Texans offence better this season, Schaub or Rosenfels? The Texans have no less than 5 backs they think they can start, but a favorite is Wali Lundy in the coming season. Andre Johnson will continue to be a brilliant WR – so long as the Texans find a key player to get him the ball. They have a reliable center in Mike Flanagan, and depth on the OL. The Defensive line might still be a bit weak, but two first round picks in two years will help strengthen things. Texans ticket buyers can expect first draft pick Amobi Okoye to be guarded at all times, allowing Williams coverage on the outside. The depth looks good, and fans can bank on an exciting season from Houston.
Team History
The city of Houston welcomed their new franchise to Reliant Stadium in 2002, and the Texans immediately showed they could play by upsetting the Dallas Cowboys in their first game as a team. The game, shown on ESPN and seen around the world, was a slap in the face to the unprepared Cowboys but for the Texans, it might have been the worst thing possible. After a win over their in-state rivals, expectations in Houston became out of control, and many people lost perspective on a team that was still in its first year together. The team finished with a 4-12 record but had trouble staying with some teams and staying competitive. They weren’t afraid of the big name squads like the Cowboys, Colts, and Titans, and they weren’t going to back down and run, but they were still short on talent. The Texans followed up their inaugural 2002 season by going 5-11 in 2003, including wins over the Dolphins and Jets and close games against numerous others. Their 2004 season was easily the best of the bunch so far with the team finishing 7-9 and challenging for a playoff spot well into the season. If the trend of progress continues, this Texans team could find itself in the playoffs as soon as this year.
Dom Capers has been the only coach in the team’s history, and has experience working with expansion teams from when he took over the Carolina Panthers in their inaugural 1995 season. He took that team to a division championship in only their second season, and remained on the staff for another two years following the success, but in Houston, he’s managed to build a potentially dangerous team in the long-term by drafting well and thinking big picture instead of trying to hit the proverbial “home run” in the first few seasons.
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