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.

Oh the drama! Yes, it's happening once again.  Another season in the books, but the question remains the same.........Is T-mac one and done......again?

One and done? Come on people, your not really buying into this #### are you? How could you honestly say that one person controls the destiny of an entire team? Is he a magician? I don't see T-Mac holding a crystal ball in his hand before each game! Think about it! That's like saying you will go ahead and play every game of the season 1 on 5. (T-mac vs. your team)  If you lose against our five players then you don't have what it takes to win in the playoffs! 

Give me a break! Anyone who says that one player is responsable for the outcome of an entire team is mad! If you have followed Basketball long enough, it goes without saying that it requires a team effort to win and to lose! If you do not have a supporting cast around you, chances are you are not going to get far in the playoffs.(umm.....first round exit) Plan and simple!

 The media should give T-Mac the credit he deserves. Not dwell on the fact that he has had some early exits. Do your homework, he has been close on several occasions. If the Rockets were healthy this season it would have been an entirely different question facing T-Mac right now!

The following is an alphabetical list of players mentioned in the Mitchell Report. It in no way suggests these players used performance-enhancing drugs.

 Chad Allen,  Rick Ankiel,  David Bell,  Mike Bell,  Marvin Benard,  Gary Bennett , Larry Bigbie, Barry Bonds,  Kevin Brown (pitcher),  Paul Byrd , Jose Canseco,  Mark Carreon,  Jason Christiansen,  Howie Clark , Roger Clemens,  Jack Cust,  Brendan Donnelly,  Chris Donnels,  Lenny Dysktra,  Bobby Estalella,  Matt Franco,  Ryan Franklin,  Eric Gagne,  Jason Giambi,  Jeremy Giambi,  Jay Gibbons,  Troy Glaus,  Jason Grimsley,  Jose Guillen,  Jerry Hairston Jr.,  Matt Herges,  Phil Hiatt,  Glenallen Hill,  Darren Holmes, Todd Hundley,  David Justice,  Chuck Knoblauch,  Tim Laker,  Mike Lansing,  Paul Lo Duca,  Nook Logan,  Josias Manzanillo,  Gary Matthews Jr. , Cody McKay , Kent Mercker,  Bart Miadich,  Hal Morris, Daniel Naulty,  Denny Neagle,  Jim Parque, A ndy Pettite,  Adam Piatt,  Todd Pratt , Stephen Randolph,  Adam Riggs,  Brian Roberts,  John Rocker,  F.P. Santangelo,  Benito Santiago,  Scott Schoeneweis,  David Segui , Gary Sheffield,  Mike Stanton, Miguel Tejada,  Ismael Valdez,  Mo Vaughn , Randy Velarde,  Ron Villone,  Fernando Vina,  Rondell White,  Jeff Williams,  Matt Williams,  Todd Williams,  Steve Woodard,  Kevin Young , Gregg Zaun

The Astro's new catch phrase "Win now, screw our future"

 Win now? (or try to) Trade all our top prospects! Worry about the future of this club later! Wow! Great idea Ed! This is the approach new Astro's GM Ed Wade seems to be taking. Three months as a GM for the Astros and he has somehow traded six players and gained two. Now I'm wondering if Tim Purpura (former GM) was such a bad guy after all? Two wrongs certainly can't make things right here. Don't worry Wade, I know all the blame doesn't fall solely on you. I'm sure Drayton Mclane (owner) has something to do with it as well. The Astro's went from making their first World Series appearance to finishing in fourth place in the division. Ticket sales, I'm sure, are the first and foremost thing on Draytons mind right now. With Biggio retired and only one ace in the starting rotation (Roy Oswalt) who is going to want to buy season tickets or even spend the ridiculous amount money it cost to see a game?

 So this has become the quick fix to Houston’s problems, trade who we can now to get players that will help us win games next year. I have no problem with Ed and Drayton signing, Kaz M. and Tejada. Both are great players. Just don’t sacrifice what little prospects we did have in the process. The Astro’s have always had a strong fan base. Minute Maid has sold out game after game after game since opening day in 2000. But what future does it hold when we are losing our future guys and gaining players with one, two, and three year contracts? You still haven't even addressed to biggest problem of all.......PITCHING! Maybe that will cost us our outfield?