Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans. Noon. 9/9. **Liberty White Kickoff GameDay Thread**

[ThaShark316]

It's back, ladies and gents!!!

Coming off the first playoff appearance in franchise history, the Houston Texans are setting their sights even higher.

A strong ground game and a tough defense - along with a healthy Matt Schaub under center - are big reasons for that optimism, but key members from both units are in doubt for Sunday's season opener.

Star rusher Arian Foster and starting linebacker Brooks Reed are question marks as Houston tries to improve to 7-0 all-time against the visiting Miami Dolphins, who look for Joe Philbin to get them on track in his first season as coach.

A year after dealing with lengthy injury absences to Schaub and five-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, Houston begins this season with health issues involving two more key players. Foster has a sore knee, Reed has a sore hip and both missed practice Friday.

Coach Gary Kubiak said they'll be "game-time" decisions against Miami, though he's "optimistic" that both will be ready to play.

Ben Tate would start for Foster, who averaged a league-high 141.6 scrimmage yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season despite missing three games. The 2010 rushing champion signed a five-year, $43.5 million extension in March and is expected to carry the load again despite the emergence of Tate, who ran for 942 yards as a rookie last year.

First-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus would get the call in place of Reed, who had six sacks during his 2011 rookie season.

Last year, the Texans lost Schaub to a foot injury in Week 10 and played nine regular-season games without Johnson, but earned their first playoff berth behind a formidable rushing attack and an impressive defensive turnaround under coordinator Wade Phillips.

More NFL Network picks: http://challengegames.nfl.com/pickem...me-day-morning

What I want to see:

Spread the ball around.

We'll run it soon enough. We know that the Texans will pound the rock with Foster and Tate throughout the game, not to mention getting Dre and OD the ball through the air. However, I want to see Graham, Jean and Martin get some touches also. Show the Dolphin D that we have all sorts of weapons on the field offensively.

Bottle up Reggie Bush.

His goal is 4 yards every time he is handed the football. Sunday afternoon needs to be a day where he fails at achieving that goal. Don't let him get outside and do work. The second he decides to kick it outside, Cushing and friends have got to meet him there and chop him up, as I like to say.

1st step toward ending that "right side of the OL" concern.

Everyone around here knows that this has been a hot topic throughout T-camp and in the pre-season. One week won't turn Caldwell and Newton into all-pros, so let's all take an extra look at these two and expect them to improve. Caldwell is especially going to get an extra look from me, since this is his 4th year....kind of expect him to take big step this season.


Pressure, confuse and frustrate Ryan Tannehill.

The 1st year man out of Texas A&M was named started by the Dolphins a few short weeks ago. Doesn't hurt that he got to bring his head coach Mike Sherman with him. However, he's still a rook. This game needs to be HELL on him. Blitz him, show different coverages, etc. Make this a debut he'll want to forget. Get Tannehill to start staring down receivers, as well...makes for easy picks.

The Game.

We haven't played in over 7 months. It's been a long time coming.

Ahhhhhhhhh, this has been a LONG, LONG off-season! All the talk, predictions and whatever else is done! Now, we actually get to play some got damn football! 1-0 every week, that's the goal! LETS MUTHA****IN GO, TEXANS!!!!!

[DX-TEX]

Im so drunk on the Kool Aid!!

[drs23]

Great opening remarks for the opening day thread!

MSR

[DX-TEX]

Need Peter Kings comments on the game:

Miami Dolphins (0-0) at Houston Texans (0-0)
Of the 16 games on opening weekend, there's one I can't imagine the underdog winning. This one.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz25w15G0TP

Picks Texans 30 Dolphins-9

[gtexan02]

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

Gameday Eve thread? (or maybe he's in London?)

[EllisUnit]

Dang when i saw this thread i thought i had entered some kind of time warp and it was Sunday . Come to find out it's not.

I sure as hell wish it was

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

It's a curse!

[Showtime100]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

Agree.

[Playoffs]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

Yep. May have jinxed the entire season.

[TdotTexas2Step]

AND

[ThaShark316]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

Risky to start a gameday thread when .... its..... not.... gameday??

Bigger risk = letting someone ELSE start these threads. Check the Panthers game from last season.

[TejasTom]

Originally Posted by drs23

Great opening remarks for the opening day thread!

MSR

Got him.


Go Texans.

[Thorn]

Today has been a long time coming. A season starts with the Texans favored for the big time. Our expectations are high.

GO TEXANS!

[NitroGSXR]

Hitting da road now.

[BullBlitz]

Originally Posted by ThaShark316

[center]I'm back, ladies and gents!!!












More NFL Network picks: http://challengegames.nfl.com/pickem...me-day-morning



Ahhhhhhhhh, this has been a LONG, LONG off-season! All the talk, predictions and whatever else is done! Now, we actually get to play some got damn football! 1-0 every week, that's the goal! LETS MUTHA****IN GO, TEXANS!!!!!

All of these sportscasters and writers picking the Texans is great, but they would have picked just about any team vs the Dolphins. I'm sure that we will win, but it's nothing to get all pumped up about. The Dolphins have little talent and a rookie QB.

[The Medic01]

Originally Posted by BullBlitz

All of these sportscasters and writers picking the Texans is great, but they would have picked just about any team vs the Dolphins. I'm sure that we will win, but it's nothing to get all pumped up about. The Dolphins have little talent and a rookie QB.

Way to put a damper on opening day. We will worry about how good they really are after the game. For now let's just enjoy some football. Put a damper on it on Monday.

[Tailgate]

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Gameday! Ok, of to the Blue lot.

Go Texans!!!!

[Joe Texan]

Alright Truck is loaded and I might just start down to Reliant. Lets get this Dolphin on the grill baby Lets Go Texans.

[NastyNate]

CAN NOT WAIT!!! See you there big dog, going to make an unwelcome welcome amongst the blue crew in a few short hours