Wanting National Respect for Team is Part of Being a Fan

[Mailman]

I've just skimmed the thread so my apologies if this has already been said but I disagree with the notion that the Texans aren't getting any national attention or respect. I watch a lot of NFL Network and they are constantly praising the Texans, calling this team the best, most complete team in the league. It's almost a universal opinion at this point. The Texans are dominating the power rankings discussion almost as much as the Packers did last year while they remained unbeaten.

One easy solution to the perceived problem of the Texans not getting enough attention? STOP WATCHING FIRST TAKE.

That show is terrible and Skip Bayless is way behind the times on all things Houston sports. He will never give this team a proper analysis because he's wrapped up in his preconceived beliefs about the Best Teams in Sports. Also, the Texans don't generate much controversy either way so there's no place for those two assclowns to talk about them being the best team in the league.

Winning cures everything, however. They'll figure it out eventually.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Hookem Horns

I don't know what you guys are watching or not watching. Almost every NFL show I am seeing they are all saying the Texans are the most complete team, best in the NFL, etc etc. After the Rams/Cards game on the NFL Network someone was saying Matt Schaub so far is the NFL MVP. Another one said JJ Watt is the MVP.

All NFL power rankings I have seen have the Texans as 1. What else do you want?

If anything I think they are getting too hyped up nationally for my liking.

The Jets are getting national attention because they are a train wreck and those types of stories are great for ratings. Believe me, you don't want the Texans getting that type of media attention. I am sure every Jets fan would swap the type of media attention the Texans are getting right now with what they are getting right now.

I don't see the Giants complaining either. They just win Super Bowls while the Jets get all of the media.

All the positive pub makes me nervous, as well. Too many times in NFL history has the teams that jumped out at the beginning of a season melted down later in the season. While I do not think this will happen with the Texans, we don't know until that time comes to pass.

I want this team to stay hungry and never let up on the gas pedal. Too much hype can often lull teams into a sense of perceived greatness before they achieve actual greatness. Hopefully Kubiak's personality is shaping the mindset of this team, and I believe it has already, so they keep their noses to the grindstone and only see the publicity in hindsight of enjoying an NFL championship season.

Originally Posted by jaayteetx

Man, for some reason it's hard for me to find a Texans hat that fits my head. Either too big or too tight and gives me a headache.

I've got the same problem. Must be big brains. You can find some hats out there that are "L/XL", and those are super comfy for our massive-brained domes.

[Trail.Blazr]

Originally Posted by drunkcookie

Not talking about people saying the Texans are the best or ranking them #1 in a poll, talking about the air-time which still lacks... And the fact they are ranked #1 in the polls and still don't get as much air-time just goes with my whole point..it is turning around, though...

Like i said in the blog, i understand why there's been a lack...truly it doesn't bother me that much.. it just really bothers me that some expect fans not to care about it, with the whole "you should just want them to win" take...if that were the case why even tune into the games? Just check back in February and see how it shook out...

It seems that anyone who spends time watching media has recognized that the Texans ARE getting recognition from the talking heads in form of an almost consensus "best Team in NFL"-ish type banter. I was just thinking in the past few days, that despite this, as I sit in front of the TV or listen on the radio(mind you I am in NC), national correspondents still seem to be lacking in air time as Drunken Cookie suggests. While some want to maybe interpret that as a lack of respect, which is fine.. I don't care about their respect... I care about Score Board. But, what I do NOT like is stemming from the fact that when I do actually sit in on a national broadcast, being a fan, I'm definitely anxious to get as much insight, knowledge, opinion, info.. whatever about MY team as I can. And given the old notion that we've all heard throw around... it comes with winning..... Now we ARE winning and have this engrained sense of entitlement that I should be witnessing the lion share of air time for MY team for once :-) Granted.. as a franchise-long fan, I recognize an increase and am ecstatic in what I do hear.. Just longing for more. Meanwhile, Jets fans, on the inverse may be having the opposite effect in that they are hearing TOO much of what they don't want to hear!

Personally, I've settled on the notion, that as of today, Houston being one of 2 remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL after 4 weeks, kind of forces the media to recognize they have likely arrived. If the winning continues, and say we find the team sitting at 8-0 or 9-0 (I believe its possible/borderline probable), those talking heads will transition from recognizing to really believing as well. It's easy for me to believe... I've been hopefully anticipating the day belief becomes reality and with each passing week, I'm savoring the heightened sense of pride I feel that I personally can't imagine being able to feel if not for the past ups and DOWNS I've endured following practically every game since Sept. 8, 2002.

It's a GREAT year to be a Texan Fan.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by Trail.Blazr

Just longing for more. Meanwhile, Jets fans, on the inverse may be having the opposite effect in that they are hearing TOO much of what they don't want to hear!

snip...I like what I'm hearing as well. To the bolded, Believe it! Just go read their boards!

Personally, I've settled on the notion, that as of today, Houston being one of 2 remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL after 4 weeks, kind of forces the media to recognize they have likely arrived. If the winning continues, and say we find the team sitting at 8-0 or 9-0 (I believe its possible/borderline probable), those talking heads will transition from recognizing to really believing as well. It's easy for me to believe... I've been hopefully anticipating the day belief becomes reality and with each passing week, I'm savoring the heightened sense of pride I feel that I personally can't imagine being able to feel if not for the past ups and DOWNS I've endured following practically every game since Sept. 8, 2002.

I'm with you on the bolded as well. I was talking to members of the Blue Crew before & after the game Sunday. While trying to maintain the "one game at a time" mindset and focus that the team lives by, it's dadgum difficult for this fan.

My mindset is after we win it all I don't want to see the imaginary asterisk by our season. My point being we need to beat the big 3 on our schedule starting with the Ravens, followed by the Pack and then the Bradys and continue to win the games we're 'supposed' to win. If we can sweep these 3 Big games we are So There. That's a bye and homefield for the playoffs. When the season began I was including the Lions as well but at this point I think they will make Turkey Day even that much more enjoyable. I didn't give the Vikes a second thought, that's slowly changing. Call me a if ya wanna but I feel I'm just being optimistic .

It's a GREAT year to be a Texan Fan.

I saw that Peter King quote on MMQB and couldn't agree more. Great post, thanks.

Go Texans!

[CloakNNNdagger]

USA relates the Texans past "respect" problems and their climb on the status pole.

Texans very ready for primetime
Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

Given that the Texans are 0-5 in prime-time road games, Monday represents an important steppingstone game.

"As an organization we still have a lot to prove," Cushing says. "Yeah, we're 4-0 for the first time. Until last year, we'd never won a playoff game. People are going to continue to doubt us until we really prove ourselves as an organization.

"This is a chance to show we're for real.

"To be 4-0, a lot of America will be watching to see if we're legit or not. But we'll prove it."

The wounded Jets (2-2), reeling from a 34-0 trampling by the San Francisco 49ers, figure to be dangerous even after losing top receiver Santonio Holmes to a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury.

The Jets are 2-0 vs. the Texans with Rex Ryan as coach and Mark Sanchez at quarterback.

Ryan was embarrassed by his team's inept performance against the 49ers, as his vaunted defense surrendered 245 rushing yards and three touchdowns and was accused of quitting by San Francisco cornerback Carlos Rogers.

"Obviously, we have to get a heck of a lot better, and we have to do it in a hurry," Ryan said. "This football team we're playing is arguably the best team in the league.

"I don't know what to say. But I'd much rather play my son's high school team than the Houston Texans."

Rest of story

Word should be fed back to Ryan that the Texans, on the other hand, WILL be playing a high school team this Monday night.