Just because this board needs topics that are'nt Carr--maybe

[D-Vizzl]

In looking at the Texans roster what are you most certain will improve this year. For me I feel preety good about the linebackers, it pained me to see our LB's wait for the ball carrier and then tackle for the last 4 years. If healthy Sam Cowart is a pursuer who isn't having it, everything I hear about Ryans is great (and I watched the cotton bowl), and if all can learn the blitz packages quick it's sure to be more succesful. IMO-- what's you'rs?

[AFD1717]

Sacks.

We gave up too many. We didn't get enough.

If the improvement doesn't start there, we are in for a LONG season.

[Hutch13]

I think we improved our Recieving Core because Eric Moulds is a good veteran WR who could be a number one WR for more than ten teams and We added Kevin Walters who reminds me of a young Joe Jorveicus which was what Carr needs, a big WR.

[Texans Horror]

I agree on the sack ratio, but if there was one thing I predict will improve, I'd say offense overall. The Texans actually have more than one threat who can catch the ball. The coaches are setting Houston up for a good running scheme. I think that whoever ends up running for us will look good. The line has also shown big improvements. The addition of Flanagan at Center is a major improvement. The fact that Mike Sherman and Gary Kubiak are running this offense is inspiring. So I don't have one specific stat for this thread, but to say that that the overall offense will improve: passing yards, running yards, total offense, sacks allowed.

Defense is the question mark to me.

[Texan Asylum]

I think we improved this team in one aspect that will make the biggest difference of them all...the instilling of a WINNING attitude. All the best people in the world won't do any good without the right ATTITUDE.

[El Tejano]

I think one area that I am expecting improvement from is 3rd down effeciency on both offense and defense. In the past our offense was never creative enough to keep teams guessing and so our 3rd downs have been bad thus less wins due to not being able to burn the clock.

On defense we always seemed to let a running back get that 1st down with ease.

I think Kubiaks offense will be so unpredictable that we should see us holding on to the bar more, I think on defense we have the run stoppers available that should help our defense stop offenses.

[Double Barrel]

My focus is the trenches on both sides of the ball. If we can consistently control the line, then everything else falls into place. If we fail (again) to have any success at the line, then don't expect much this season. This is, by far, the most important aspect of improving our team, IMO.

[D-Vizzl]

No one thinks that the D-Backs are a guarantee-------joking!!!!!!!

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

My focus is the trenches on both sides of the ball. If we can consistently control the line, then everything else falls into place. If we fail (again) to have any success at the line, then don't expect much this season. This is, by far, the most important aspect of improving our team, IMO.

agreed. 3 of our 4 first day picks went to the trenches. peek & babin are basically 2 new additions to the team as they're back on the line where they belong, along with major acquisitions weaver, kalu, flanagan, & putz. we improved several areas this offseason, but it's obvious where the focus was. i'm not expecting to be the best lines in the games next season, but after being worst on both sides last season, there's room for the most improvement.

an arguement could be made for carr also. he's got a gameplan that will be as simple as possible to follow, and 2 very strong offensive minded coaches guiding him. he's got one of the best schemes in football which creates probowl runningbacks yearly, and dominant blocking, both of which free him up to make plays. not only those gems, but he got a brand new set of proven best friends in eric moulds wide, putz over the middle, and flanagan's big body directly infront of him. carr's a happy camper and has a chance to make dramatic improvements.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by AFD1717

Sacks.

We gave up too many. We didn't get enough.

If the improvement doesn't start there, we are in for a LONG season.

Agreed. Put me down for a PB sighting. Any production out of the tallented one would be good. OLT. Is Wand /Spencer finally the solution ?
Can our DTs hold the point of attack vs the rush ?
I believe our linebackers are stop gap at best.

[D-Vizzl]

Originally Posted by threetoedpete

I believe our linebackers are stop gap at best.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! They have been stop gap lb's for 4 years, we need some head hunters, please Ryans or Cowart step up for ya boy, pursue that LOS and make the best LB corp in the game-------please

[srstex]

NFL . com has a poll that asks who will catch the Colts, I need all Texans fans to go there and vote for our team. Let's show the rest nation how we feel about our team.

[TexanBacker93]

I think the improvements need to start with the offense. More specifically, controlling the clock and increasing protection. The offense in the past 4 years had too many 3 and outs and that can kill your defense more than anything. Even if they don't score each time, at least putting together a few first downs improves the field position for the defense and gives them a breather. As for the protection, it can't be worse than in the past. There is talent at the skill positions and giving Carr the time he needs will allow this offense to soar. We've seen games where he had good protection and had great production.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by TexanBacker93

I think the improvements need to start with the offense. More specifically, controlling the clock and increasing protection. The offense in the past 4 years had too many 3 and outs and that can kill your defense more than anything. Even if they don't score each time, at least putting together a few first downs improves the field position for the defense and gives them a breather. As for the protection, it can't be worse than in the past. There is talent at the skill positions and giving Carr the time he needs will allow this offense to soar. We've seen games where he had good protection and had great production.

Glad you are back and just in time for TC.

[TK_Gamer]

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

My focus is the trenches on both sides of the ball. If we can consistently control the line, then everything else falls into place. If we fail (again) to have any success at the line, then don't expect much this season. This is, by far, the most important aspect of improving our team, IMO.

I totally agree on the lines, after the initial line battle the rest is cause and effect. I do worry about our line backers, with wong banged up and no real new talent besides ryans (rookie) and cowart and rainer (past their prime). we should be better than last year , but i dont think that will be enough to stop the run consistenly. but if we get enough penetration from the line we can get by with less talent at LB

[TK_Gamer]

I just noticed something. our new dline better rock this year. cuz many have made similar posts about the dline making our secondary better. and now im hoping the dline makes our lb corp better. lets all hope

[Brandon420tx]

Originally Posted by TK_Gamer

I just noticed something. our new dline better rock this year. cuz many have made similar posts about the dline making our secondary better. and now im hoping the dline makes our lb corp better. lets all hope

I noticed that too

[BigDTexansFan]

Originally Posted by oso

I agree on the sack ratio, but if there was one thing I predict will improve, I'd say offense overall. The Texans actually have more than one threat who can catch the ball. The coaches are setting Houston up for a good running scheme. I think that whoever ends up running for us will look good. The line has also shown big improvements. The addition of Flanagan at Center is a major improvement. The fact that Mike Sherman and Gary Kubiak are running this offense is inspiring. So I don't have one specific stat for this thread, but to say that that the overall offense will improve: passing yards, running yards, total offense, sacks allowed.

Defense is the question mark to me.

From all am hearing if Defense decides to take some plays off, Richard Smith DC will be taking some backsides off. I think we will see a top 15 for both sides of ball

[M@DD Mike]

I think the offense will be most improved simply with the play of Carr who now has a "good" coach and "two" good recievers. That will open up the running game which will keep the defense off the field which in turn will lead to better defensive production. It all rests on Carr's back it's crap or get off the pot time.

[Bobo]

Originally Posted by D-Vizzl

In looking at the Texans roster what are you most certain will improve this year.

Sorry. I don't see it. It's basically the same people or the same talent level. However, with Kubiak at the helm, I don't see any major improvement at all. Sure, he might win five games this year which is technically an improvement over last year. But Capers will have taken this team a lot further from its inception than Kubiak will. My prediction -- four more years of three to six wins, maybe seven -- and then Kubiak's gone.