2007 Rankings
Rushing: 22nd (99.1)
Passing: 11th (234.4)
Total Offense: 14th (333.6)
Run Defense: 19th (114.1)
Pass Defense: 25th (230.1)
Total Defense: 24th (344.2)
What was the Texans’ best move during the offseason?
The Houston Texans continued to build mostly through the draft and may have come up with a couple more key components in offensive tackle Duane Brown, their first-round pick in 2008, and running back Steve Slaton, who was picked up in the third round. Brown is penciled in as the starting left tackle on a young offensive line that has been revamped over the past couple years and appears to be on the rise.
Slaton isn’t being looked at as a big contributor this season by most, but I believe he could be a sleeper. His skills fit head coach Gary Kubiak’s one-cut-and-go style of attack very well. Current starter Ahman Green has been injury prone and is way past his prime, while backup Chris Brown has had health issues of his own. Slaton could prove to be the most explosive of the group if he is given adequate playing time.
What needs to go right for the Texans to succeed this season?
Outstanding wide receiver Andre Johnson must stay healthy this year. When he went down last season the Texans were 2-0. Not exactly a blazing start, I know, but for a team trying to escape the tag of “expansion team”, it was a very positive development. While he was gone, however, the team won just two of its next seven games. Overall, they were 6-3 with Johnson in the lineup and 2-5 without.
He is coming off of knee surgery that was performed back in May, and has recovered well from that. But he has suffered through an injured groin muscle the past few weeks that the team hopes doesn’t linger into the season. In a tough AFC South, it is imperative that the team get off to a quick start if they hope to escape the division basement.
Also, with cornerback Dunta Robinson not expected to be ready to go at the start of the season because of an injured knee, the team will go into the 2008 season with Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves as the starters. If they can’t hold up over a tough opening stretch that includes teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Titans, Jaguars, and Colts, this team could get buried in the standings early and start looking once again to next season.
Where will the Texans finish the 2008 NFL season?
The Texans certainly seem to be on the right track, but it’s hard to fathom them leapfrogging either the Colts or the Jaguars unless those teams are struck by a rash of injuries at key positions. They do, however, have the potential to surpass the Titans, perhaps.
Prediction: 8-8 and third in the AFC South.
