*****Note: I had to change my Panthers/Vikings pick due to the injury to Peterson, and the return of Smith. The information I received on those two players was after I posted my picks on 09/16. Thanks***********
With the first week of the new season in the books, is the AFC South now up for grabs? Could we be watching the fall of a dynasty, and the emergence of a new team wanting to be crowned "King of the South"? Tough to say, especially with all the injuries that seem to be unfolding.
I know most people will disagree right off the bat, that it is way to early do answer that type of question. Well, maybe it is? But, let me point out a few reasons why I think (at this point in time) the AFC South is no longer the power house that it has been in years past, and it's wide open for whatever team wants to step up!
1. Payton Manning is not 100% and I think his knee is bothering him a lot more then what he is leading us to believe. Without any preseason games under his belt this season, his timing was off and it showed. 30/49, 257 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INT's, 2 sacks. Puting pressure on Manning is going to be key for any team, and trust me they are going to be chasing him! Add to that, Addai (RB) is questionable for next week and Harrison (WR) had another fumble resulting in a TD.
2. David Garrard had a shaky game at best. Not the Garrard that we watch against the Steelers in the wildcard game. 23/35, 215 yards, 1TD, 2 INT's, 7 sacks? Jones-Drew (RB) & Taylor (RB) combined for 57 total yards. If that wasn't bad enough 3 of thier offensive linemen are going to be out for 5 weeks. It doesn't get any easier facing the Bills after the big win their coming off of.
3. Vince Young is waiting on the results of an MR done on his knee today. They have not released any other information at this point. There were however reports that Police were called to try and help locate VY when he went missing earlier today. Go figure? He was said to be "emotionally down". This doesn't seem very promising for Titans fans, who booed him off of the field anyway. He went 12/22, 110 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's, 1 sack.
4. Matt Shaub is suffering from Carr-itis. He didn't have a good opening day against a stellar Steelers defense. He seemed uncomfortable from the begining and was rushing almost everything he threw. He finished 25/33, 202 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's, 5 sacks. Green (RB) is day-to-day with an ankle injury and Slaton (RB) rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries. Without a running game, and not allowing Shaub time in the pocket, the Texans best weapons (WR) are not being utilized.
So, with that said.........We might be seeing a changing of the guard at the top spot, but only time will tell at this point!
With the start of the new season only 24 hours away, the Texans find themselves in uncharted territory. Just two years removed from a dismal 2-14 record, the Texans finished with a franchise best 8-8 last year. Most would agree that the Texans would have made it into the play-offs if injuries didn't play a key role in stopping them. They lead the league last year with 17 people on the injury list. Despite having so many people out last year, only 3 remain on the IR from last years team. Good news heading into the new season.
There are, however, a few key things the Texans are going to have to do if they want to improve from last years record and take the next step in becoming a play-off team. It's not going to be easy, but it can be done.
1. Division wins- The Texans finished 1-5 in divisional games last year. Granted the AFC South is probably the toughest division around, but you need to improve on your win/loss record within your own division. This is the overall breakdown since 2002. Colts 1/11, Jaguars 7/5, Titans 2/10
2. Stay Healthy- Schaub (QB) missed 5 games and part of two others last year. Johnson (WR) missed 7 games. Robinson (CB) missed 7 games. Green (RB) only 216 yards. Still, even with all the injuries the Texans had, they still managed to set franchise records in- points, average yards per play, touchdowns, passing touchdowns, total yards per game, kick-off returns, punt returns, and sacks. Not bad!
3. Protect the ball- We all know that turnovers kill a team, and the Texans have had problems in the past with turning the ball over.
4. Touchdowns not Field Goals- Not to take anything away from Kris Brown, who is probably the best Kicker out there, but the Texans need to score touchdowns in the red zone to compete with higher caliber offenses.
Expectations could not be higher for this team and the fans. Coach Kubiak has made some good moves, but there are still a few pieces missing from the puzzle. Dunta Robinson will be a big help on the defensive side when he returns in six weeks. Steve Slaton (RB) has shown some skills in the preseason. I think he will be a difference maker and help the running game out tremendously. Mario Williams is coming off a season high 14 sacks and should only improve on that. The addition of some new key players are going to make this a team to watch. 2 months ago I said the Texans would finish 8-8 again this year. I hope they can prove me wrong.
Hello all, my name is P_REZ. I have always been involved in sports. From playing, to coaching, to watching, and betting. I am a native Houstonian. Which means I take Houston sports very seriously! The Astro's, Rocket's, and Texan's (Oiler's) are my favorite Teams! I don't always agree with some of the moves they tend to make (via trades, play calling, moving a franchise) but I do support them. Make no mistake about that! I think I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to sports. I have written a few blog's and will be writting a lot more in the future (or at least when I think certain things need to be addressed) I'll let you be the judge. So feel free to post a comment on my blog's and let me know what you think. Thanks! T/C until next time......... ..........PEA CE!
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