http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/texans.html Most significant changes: The Texans will have several new starters on offense, but they won't include Tony Boselli, who was forced to retire this summer after missing all of last season following shoulder surgery. New faces on the offensive line include ORG Zach Wiegert and ORT Greg Randall as part of the sack shield for QB David Carr, who was taken down 76 times as a rookie. Reasons for optimism: The defense had some success in Year One of the franchise and ranked 16th overall. Head coach Dom Capers has a talent-filled front seven for the 3-4 defense and good talent in the secondary, especially at cornerback. The Texans weren't good rushing the football in 2002, but with a rebuilt offensive line and Stacey Mack in the backfield, they should be better. Also, six rookies started last season, so this is a more experienced club. Cause for concern: With Boselli having retired, second-year man Chester Pitts figures to occupy the OLT spot again. Problem is, Pitts gave up 12 sacks last year, almost as many as Boselli allowed in his career. Consider, too, that Wiegert has had trouble translating ability into production, and Randall was traded by New England despite the fact that the Patriots need depth at tackle. If Carr is the franchise, the Texans must get better protection. As the depth chart reads now, Carr's safety is in doubt. Training-camp battle to watch: Rookie Bennie Joppru may not start immediately, but he will push fifth-year veteran Billy Miller for playing time. Miller and Carr were on the same page more often than not last season, but Joppru has great hands and athleticism. Miller, however, does have better straight-line speed. Don't be surprised if: The Texans make noise in the AFC South behind an aggressive defense and Carr.
if the texans win 6 games then i consider that making noise. They aren't going to even come close in making the playoffs
Vegas has 'em at 200-1 Here are the rest of the odds right now Name Open Current PHI EAGLES 9/2 6/1 OAK RAIDERS 5/1 7/1 STL RAMS 6/1 8/1 PIT STEELERS 8/1 8/1 T B BUCCANEERS 8/1 5/1 G B PACKERS 12/1 15/1 MIA DOLPHINS 12/1 10/1 N Y JETS 12/1 15/1 N Y GIANTS 15/1 15/1 ATL FALCONS 15/1 12/1 S F 49ERS 15/1 15/1 TEN TITANS 15/1 15/1 IND COLTS 15/1 15/1 DEN BRONCOS 15/1 15/1 N E PATRIOTS 18/1 15/1 N O SAINTS 25/1 25/1 K C CHIEFS 25/1 20/1 CLE BROWNS 30/1 30/1 WAS REDSKINS 35/1 20/1 DAL COWBOYS 35/1 35/1 S D CHARGERS 35/1 30/1 BUF BILLS 35/1 30/1 BAL RAVENS 40/1 30/1 MIN VIKINGS 50/1 50/1 CHI BEARS 50/1 40/1 SEA SEAHAWKS 60/1 40/1 CAR PANTHERS 75/1 75/1 JAC JAGUARS 75/1 60/1 ARZ CARDINALS 200/1 300/1 DET LIONS 200/1 200/1 CIN BENGALS 250/1 200/1 HOU TEXANS 250/1 200/1
that's the odds to win the super bowl right? this article isn't talking about winning super bowls...it's about making noise in the AFC South...that could merely mean playing spoiler to the Titans or Colts during the last two games of the season...and winning a few others along the way.
they've got a couple of guys approaching 20 losses...you really should follow this more closely! but i think sweet Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell will pull enough double plays to keep the tigers in the hunt for the super bowl this year.
it's cool..we're totally kidding. RM95 and I are like peas in a pod...big time smart asses. you'll get used to it...and just start ignoring our posts!
The Texans should do better then there 4-12 record from last season, but the playoffs are still out of their reach. They are still lacking a big time running back, sack specialist OLB, and a few quality guys on the o-line. The foundation is there but it will probaly take this season, and probaly 1 more after before the Texans can become a legit playoff team.
I just don't see them making them playoffs at all this year. They lack a marquee running back and their offensive line is still no better than the non-existant one depicted on the ESPN NFL Draft commercials. I think 6 wins would be a good season for them, especially considering their glaring weaknesses. I think their defense will be able to keep them in games, but with Carr unable to get protection and surrounded by inexperience at running back and wideout, their offense will be anemic at best. It will be another year or two before they get to the level of a playof team, but with the very capable Dom Capers at the helm, they are in good hands.
We should be able to contend in our third year. That's when we will know what holes to fill via free agency. By year 4, we should be Super Bowl contenders with a maxed out salary cap and plenty of experience by our draftees. But we should be able to play spoilers this coming season to a couple teams in our division.
We will go 6-0 in the division and win one game other than that going 7-9 making this 2nd year a success. Jacksonville will however win the division going 9-7. Tony Hollings will rush for 800 yds in 7 starts this season. Mack will rush for 11 TD's. Carr will finish with 23 TD's and 9 INT's. Gaffney will lead the team with 80 receptions. Do you need a reading? Call me now operators are standing by.
He has the potential to have a season like that, but it won't be this season with a weak o-line and run game, and with a group of inexperienced recievers.
These are the most inaccurate set of predictions I have ever seen. Other than the 7-9 season prediction, everthing else is off the wall.
I have a dry wit you may not be used to yet. Let me remove my tongue from my cheek and apologize for those predictions. I hope they have caused you no injury. ....................I refuse to use a smilie--Flagrant1......................... ..........word...........................
Damn those are some bold predictions. I hope you are right because if you are I know the Texans will win the division 800yds from Hollins and 11 tds from Mack? If that happens the Texans should win more than 7 games.
