Every-Thing Sports

Texans organization and fans need to get it together!

Jermaine Every
Jan 8, 2019, 7:04 am
It's time for a change Kirby Drive. Houston Texans/Facebook

Saturday evening, the Texans were eliminated in spectacular fashion at home. What's that? You don't think a 21-7 loss at home to the division rival Colts after winning the AFC South constitutes as "spectacular fashion?" THAT is exactly what I'm talking about!

I get so sick and tired of the "well that was good enough" mentality from some fans. It makes me sick. The organization isn't any better. As a matter of fact, they tend to feed into the foolishness with making a big deal of the division title banners and Bill O'Brien's infamous line "we went 9-7 and won the AFC South two years in a row."

That's a mediocre, happy to be average, participation trophy, progression of the wussification of America type of mindset. If that's OK with you, so be it. But that should NOT be the mentality of this organization. The fact that they held on to guys like Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith as long as they did before making a change was a sign that they prefer the devil they know rather than the one they don't.

But enough of the history lesson. We all know what this organization has done in its past. It's time to focus on the future. More specifically, it's time to focus on this offseason, which is currently under way.

First up is help in the coaching ranks. O'Brien has proven that he can't handle being head coach, play caller, and overseer. He needs someone to take the load off and help develop Deshaun Watson, as well as call plays. I made my case for Adam Gase already. But if he gets a head coaching job, I'd prefer they get an offensive coordinator that maybe has head coaching experience, or is an up and comer with new ideas and/or philosophies, Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is an old and he should've been replaced a long time ago. Right now, there are several former defensive coordinators and former head coaches that can fill that void.

General manager Brian Gaine did a good job last year in the draft. Free agency was another deal. With a first rounder this year, as well as two seconds, he should be able to find help along the offensive line, corner, running back, and wide receiver. He's also going to have a good amount of cap room to spend. Now is the time to prove your worth and either find good value, or hit a homerun or two and find the right guys to fill some of those positions I previously listed.

A couple other key components to furthering the success and expectations of this team comes from the media and fans. Too often the media lets this team make it by not asking the tough questions or holding them accountable. This mainly comes from those that are quite friendly with those on Kirby. Gow Media hasn't been treated as friendly by that organization. Even if we were, it wouldn't change how most, if not all, of us would cover this team. If the fans started to show their displeasure with the product by not spending, it would make the organization pay closer attention to the fan response. Sadly, the six years this city spent without an NFL franchise has conditioned most of the fan base to fall in line with whatever the organization spits out for fear of losing them the way Bud Adams took the Oilers, and their history, to Tennessee.

I'm not hating on this organization. As a matter of fact, it brings me great joy to see them succeed rather than fail as miserably as they have. I get more from the Texans having a measure of success than wallowing in their pity. But something has to change. This organization has been mired in mediocrity for far too long. "We went 9-7 and won the AFC South two years in a row" should be a thing of the past. I long for the day when "we lost a Super Bowl, but the last two we won lessens the sting" is ore of a thing. I'm not saying I should be a team executive either. I just want more and better for this team and this city dammit!

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Positions to watch at Texans training camp

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Football season is finally upon us. We've waited since the Super Bowl ended (or longer for those who eject after their team is eliminated) for another taste of football. The offseason has been tumultuous for the Texans as they fired their general manager, franchised their enigmatic for number one overall pick, failed to draft the best player at their biggest position of need, and didn't sign any top flight talent in free agency.

Training camp starts on Thursday July 25 for the Texans. This is a team that went 11-5 and won the AFC South last year. People out there are expecting them to win the division again, repeat that 11-5 record or better, or some are expecting them to possibly challenge for a Super Bowl berth. I, however, am a bit more reserved in my expectations. I can see an 8-8 type of season, or a 10-6 season. That will depend on how some key positions perform. Usually there are a few players and/or positions to look out for every camp. Here's a look at some positions (and players) that will make or break the Texans' season:

Offensive Line

The Texans missed on Andre Dillard when the Eagles swooped in front of them and drafted the best tackle prospect in the draft at the pick in front of them. They followed that up with drafting Tytus Howard with their first round pick and Max Scharping with the second of their second round pick. Signing Matt Khalil, an injury prone left tackle that once had All-Pro ability, did very little to ease fears. If Deshaun Watson is to avoid another 60+ sack season, the OL will have to improve greatly.

Edge Rusher

With Jadeveon Clowney out until he signs his franchise tender, and Whitney Mercilus in a contract year, expect this position to be hotly contested as well. Not only are guys going to get reps with Clowney out until hr signs the franchise tag then reports, and Mercilus competing for his livelihood as well, not only will other guys get valuable reps, but some may get a chance to shine and prove why they may be worthy of more time..

Wide Receiver

After DeAndre Hopkins, there's a logjam of a bunch of guys at receiver. Will Fuller and Keke Coutee need to prove themselves worthy of being the number two and slot receivers on this team. Other guys may want to shoot their shots as neither of the aforementioned guys have been able to firmly establish themselves in their positions. Somebody has to step up in these backup roles, or else the team will be drafting for another position of need in 2020.

Defensive Backs

Sure this team has Justin Reid coming off a promising year, but they let Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson leave via free agency. Jonathan Joseph is as old as I am, but he's coming back for another year. Bradley Roby is signed to a one year deal, but hasn't proved he's worth more in his time in Denver. Maybe one of the two rookies the Texans drafted will step up and prove themselves worthy? However it pans out, the position is one to watch all season long.

Tight Ends

Neither of the guys they drafted last year did much to separate themselves. Enter Kahale Warring. As an athletic third rounder selected this year, he's set to come in and give Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins some much needed competition. When there's a good tight end to occupy the middle of the field, it opens up more routes for the wide receivers, and gives Watson more targets. If any of these guys can step up, this pass game has a chance to be pretty good.

Running Back

Yes, Lamar Miller is coming back, so is D'Onta Foreman. However, one is a veteran who hasn't proved he's capable of carrying the load for a real competitive team for a complete season, and the other is coming off a serious injury. Nothing was added to this position this offseason in terms of adding competition. Therefore, the team believes in these two guys being able to get it done. Also note that valued backup Alfred Blue was not retained. Losing him means more to your special teams, but having a guy like that as a backup added to the depth of the position.

i may sound down on this team, but I have my reasons.Seeing the way they've operated over the course of their history makes me extremely skeptical. Add that to the fact that they're going about it with a general manager by committee, and it ups the level of difficulty tenfold. If they should happen to catch lightening in a bottle two years in a row, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong, but I could see another disappointing season ahead. I'd love nothing more than to admit I'm wrong, but this team has given me very little to be excited about. If you want to wear your battle red and deep steel blue fan glasses, you have your right to be wildly optimistic. I, however, tend to look at things more objectively and see this team taking a step back from what they did last year. These five position groups will go a long way into proving me right or proving me wrong.

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