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Here's the definitive list of changes Texans fans want to see this offseason

Here's the definitive list of changes Texans fans want to see this offseason
Fans want to see Davis Mills get a real shot moving forward. Composite image by Jack Brame.

Every so often, I like to talk to the people and find out their thoughts on things. Fans who engage on social media can be a wild bunch. Some will pose as your "average" online fan who simply loves their team. Others will be wildly passionate to one extreme or another. There may even be some fans who are just observing, but not nearly as passionate. I've come across them all.

Texans' fans are no different. They run the gamut of fandom. Some can be a little too extreme, whether it's positive or negative. For the most part, they're a really good bunch. So, I posed a question to Texans' fans and got some pretty good responses:

Something I noticed when talking to Texans' fans on social media: if you stay away from the McNair's selling the team and firing Jack Easterby, you'll take away two of the most polarizing franchise altering topics. Lots of them have used either or both as a way to immediately improve the team. So much so, that I've seen some that feel as though ownership actually owes them an explanation behind the recent direction of the team! No, really! There are grown people who truly feel this way and are damn serious about it!

After all they've been through, there are a portion of fans who are no longer fans. They've taken their support, monetarily and otherwise, home with them. Some have supported other teams, while the rest have withdrawn. There are even some who've lost their passion for the sport altogether!

There's a good amount of them I've encountered that have a good feel for the team and what needs to be done. I saw a couple well-thought-out responses that almost sound like they regurgitated them from a sports radio or TV personality. Some fans are that smart and have formed great opinions on their own. From them, you get a clear-cut course of action. Things like trading Deshaun Watson, adding more talent, finding a capable play caller, and even giving Davis Mills a chance to hold the keys to the car have come up.

That last one was a bit of a shocker. I didn't think there were that many fans on the Mills bandwagon. Boy did I find out this past weekend! I was told Mills could be a future MVP as the franchise quarterback if he's given the weapons he severely lacks. I think the kid has some talent and could have a decent future in the league, but slow down on crowning him a future MVP and franchise quarterback. That's a good way to get a mental health warrant issued for you.

Overall, fans are fed up. If the stands went from looking like an overweight cow ready for slaughter, to an emaciated shell of its former self, I think they've spoken. For goodness’ sake, the tailgating lot looked like a scene from one of those shows on abandoned towns and structures this past season! If those two indicators don't tell you what the fans are thinking, I don't think you have a pulse! One thing this organization has always been able to count on is fan support. Now that it's faded so quickly, they have no choice but to react.

Righting this ship won't be easy, and it most likely won't be quick. Some fans are sticking around and waiting for the team to be good again. For them, I hope this thing is turned around soon. This city and these fans are loyal to a fault when it comes to this team. They willingly put themselves through heartache and pain every year, only to be rewarded with mediocrity more often than not. Here's to the road to recovery. It may be long, winding, and seemingly never-ending, but the payoff is so worth it. Hang in there guys!

 

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The Rangers beat the Astros, 7-3. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.

Wyatt Langford homered with a career-high tying four hits and Adolis García added a solo shot to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

The Rangers jumped on Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4) early. There were two outs with the bases loaded in the first when Evan Carter’s single to right field knocked in a pair to put the Rangers up 2-0.

The AL West-leading Astros cut the deficit to 2-1 when Cam Smith scored on a groundout in the bottom of the inning.

García homered for a second straight game with one out in the third that made it 3-1. Carter walked with two outs before a single from Jake Burger. Jonah Heim’s double to right field scored them both to extend the lead to 5-1.

McCullers allowed six hits and five runs in three innings as Houston’s losing streak reached a season-high four games.

Langford’s blast came with two outs in the seventh to push the lead to 7-3.

Jack Leiter (5-6) yielded five hits and three runs while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

Christian Walker singled to open Houston’s fourth before Victor Caratini’s home run to right field got the Astros within 5-3.Burger was replaced in the middle of the sixth inning with discomfort in his left quad.

Houston’s top prospect, second baseman Brice Matthews, went 0 for 4 with with three strikeouts in his major league debut.

Key moment

Heim’s two RBI double in the third that pushed the lead to four.

Key stat

The Rangers forced McCullers to throw 36 pitches in the first inning.

Up next

Houston LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) opposes RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29) when the series continues Saturday.

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