So here we are, eight games into the NFL season. Halfway through the 17 week regular slate of games, and I, as a Texans fan, am about to pull out what little is left of my mane.
The season held such promise. A new quarterback, Matt Schaub, a backup obtained from Atlanta for two first round picks next year. Anyone remember the last Falcon backup traded to start for another team? Brett Favre? That’s right, the Packers all-millennia signal caller with the hair trigger rifle of an arm and winning smile. So how has the Houston version of the former Falcon quarterback done? Not quite as well as Favre. (My spell check hates the names Favre and Schaub)
Week one found the Texans opening up against Kansas City. Schaub, although not spectacular, did an admirable job and Houston won 20-3.
Week two saw the Houston team fall behind the Carolina Panthers 14-0 before the Texans mounted a comeback on the road and beat the Panthers 34-21. Schaub was elected President of Houston, without shaking a single hand or kissing any babies.
The Indianapolis Colts came into Houston for game 3 and beat a scrappy Houston team 30-24. Hanging with the Super Bowl champs for 3-½ quarters and only losing by 6 was seen as an improvement over the hapless Texans of last season.
Week four the Texans went into Atlanta for Schaub’s return to Atlanta. Houston was actually favored. Good teams are favored to win on the road, not Houston. Schaub’s return to Atlanta was spoiled by too many turnovers that lead to Falcon points. Schaub is immediately impeached as the President of Oil City.
The Texans won again, although slightly, in week 5 as kicker Kris Brown puts a last second field goal through to beat Miami 22-19. Kris Brown is nominated for President of Houston.
Fast forward, please, through week 6 as the Texans, who by now are producing more turnovers than Pillsbury, get throttled by Jacksonville 37-17.
Week 7 saw the Titans come to Houston, and marked the annual return of Vince Young to Reliant Stadium. Young was injured and did not play as Tennessee was quarterbacked by Vinny Testaverde’s baby brother, Kerry Collins. Collins performed masterfully from his prescription motorized scooter as he directed the Titans to a big lead over Houston. Schaub left the game with an injury, so, in comes Texans backup Sage Rosenfels, who proves to be wiser than his namesake, and leads the Texans to a come-from-behind lead with less than a minute to play. Collins, who had fallen asleep while watching a Matlock rerun on the sideline, comes in to engineer a last minute game winning drive punctuated by Rich Baronas’ eighth field goal, an NFL all time record. Baronas is appointed King of Tennessee.
Which brings this recap to last week’s game. Houston was on the road again, this time playing the Chargers in San Diego. My ex-wife was a fan of the Chargers, until she found out the reason they’re called the Chargers has nothing to do with a credit card. I know, I’ve used that joke before, and I’ll use it again too. Deal with it. The San Diego game was highlighted by a helmet to helmet cheap shot by the Chargers’ CB Drayton Florence. The hit put Schaub out of the game with a concussion. It’s rumored that Schaub was overheard on the sideline commenting that he didn’t even know Florence Henderson still played for San Diego. Chargers won 35-10. Matt Schaub will paint any car for $99.
So the Texans sit at the bottom of the AFC South midway through the season at 3-5. What’s a fan to do? I’ll keep watching whether they are winning or losing. I think that’s why I identify so easily with Cleveland fans. There’s always next year.
Thanks for stopping by my blog - I really appreciate it! I can feel your pain!! The Texans are getting close, but I know that game against the Titans must have given you an ulcer. If there's any consolation to be found, at least the Texans aren't bottom feeders anymore. Every time they take the field, they have a realistic shot of making it a competitive game.
I know this past Sunday the Chargers handed it to them, but the only other game where they were soundly defeated was against a really good Jacksonville team. Yes, they are in last place, but the AFC South may very well be the toughest in the NFL. Last year and the preceding years, would the Texans have won 3 games? Would they have been in 6 of the 8 games they played? NO! But now they are, and they have a future that looks promising.
Thanks again for stopping by my blog. I've added your blog to my list of favorites and I'll be visiting frequently.
It doesn't help that Andre Johnson has been injured much of the season. A healthy Johnson means an additional 2 wins up to this point. But the Texans are building something special, especially with that defense.
Last edited by jon_464 on October 30th at 9:14 PM.
OSL - I feel sorry for you guys. Your promising new franchise past on not one but two golden opportunities, Bush and Young. That type of talent being offered is rare and the Texans had their pick. Personally, Young was the best choice. He is from Houston and the NFL is about QBs. It could have been another Earl Campbell story. Charlie Casserly is a #### and his mistakes just set you guys back several more years. Good luck!
Last edited by Towelboy on October 31st at 10:37 PM.
One Southern Lion
Don't pull out anymore of your. It's certainly not in your best interests to do that. One can only hope that Kubiak will instill a hell of a lot more discipline into his team. They're still young and learning how to acquit themselves with winning. It's a tough thing to learn and to repeat that feat consistently.
Every team has to go through these spells.
Injuries have butchered the Texans thus far. Ahmad Green and Ron Dayne are both injured, and your team can only get worse when a 100 reception receiver is lost from the line up. Also, lifetime Texan offensive lineman, Steve McKinney's absence has been noticed. This week we can add Shaub to the out list.
Despite the offensive problems, I'm more concerned with a D that has some quality personnel that are not playing up to par. Travis Johnson, Amobe Okoye, and Mario Williams need to play up to 3 1st round draft choices. Dunta Robinson is the most overrates CB in the league. Yeah he's fast and athletic, but he frequently gets burned when he was cheating his coverage, and almost every tall wide-out owns his shorty height. ####gins and Hutchins are bench players in a starting role.
There's some talent on this team, but they need to mature some. The offense needs to be able to stay on the field longer, and the red-zone offense needs more than field goals.
Towelboy- The passing of the Texans on Young and Bush doesn't bother me. Williams and Okoye will be huge I think with a little more experience.
tophat- Yeah, I don't have a lot left. You're right about Kubiak needing to instill maturity to the team. He also needs to do a better job of play calling.
Cygnus- Johnson's absence is what hurts the most. Robinson has pro bowl potential (so all the experts say) ####gins couldn't cover me.
