Some playoff teams stumble out of gate

[Mistril48]

Only one team that made the playoffs last year started the 2003 season 0-2.

. . the Eagles (12-4) lost to the Bucs (7-9) and then lost to the Patriots (14-2) in the first two games.

The following teams made the playoffs last year but lost their first game of the 2003 season. They came back to win their second game, thereby starting the 2003 season 1-1:

. . Patriots (14-2) lost to the Bills (6-10) and then beat the Eagles (12-4)
. . Ravens (10-6) lost to the Steelers (6-10) and then beat the Browns (5-11)
. . Packers (10-6) lost to the Vikings (9-7) and then beat the Lions (5-11)
. . Rams (12-4) lost to Giants (4-12) and then beat the 49ers (7-9)
. . Cowboys (10-6) lost to Atlanta (5-11) and then beat the Giants (4-12) (in OT)

QUESTION: What will the Texans record be after the Detroit game this weekend?

MY GUESS: 1-1, the same record as last years playoff teams the Patriots, Titans, Ravens, Packers, Rams and Cowboys after two games into the 2003 season.

[HoustonLionsFan]

Kinda putting the cart before the horse, aren't cha?

Next week it will read:
Only one team that made the playoffs last year started the 2003 season 0-2.

. . the Eagles (12-4) lost to the Bucs (7-9) and then lost to the Patriots (14-2) in the first two games.

[Mistril48]

Certainly a possibility. It happened to the Eagles.

Just pointing out that losing the first game isn't that unusual, even for teams that have good seasons

[texan279]

I'm not panicking about this season. I am kind of excited. We are a much improved team from last year in only our third season.

[TexansTrueFan]

Yeah we will be fine we lose one 15 more to go so i wouldnt worry about it to much we'll get some mometium going ! And hopefully David can cut his hair soon

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by HoustonLionsFan

Kinda putting the cart before the horse, aren't cha?

Next week it will read:
Only one team that made the playoffs last year started the 2003 season 0-2.

. . the Eagles (12-4) lost to the Bucs (7-9) and then lost to the Patriots (14-2) in the first two games.

The same might be said of you. Don't get too excited just yet about your 2-0 start man. The Chargers game looked to be the closest thing to an easy win that the Texans would see all year and we were feeling pretty good about that one. Obviously there are no sure things in this league.

On the other hand I have no problem with the Lions team counting their wins before the games are played. They can do that all they want. I hope they're already thinking about the piece of cake follow up they've been handed following their season opening triumph.

[HoustonLionsFan]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

The same might be said of you. Don't get too excited just yet about your 2-0 start man. The Chargers game looked to be the closest thing to an easy win that the Texans would see all year and we were feeling pretty good about that one. Obviously there are no sure things in this league.

On the other hand I have no problem with the Lions team counting their wins before the games are played. They can do that all they want. I hope they're already thinking about the piece of cake follow up they've been handed following their season opening triumph.

I didn't predict a win. I was just talking some friendly smack. Actually, I am more nervous about this game than any other. Most games you have an idea who should win, but this one I have no idea. I think in the 'prediction' thread I said it could go either way, but I picked the Lions because they are at home and I'm a Lions fan 1st, but it could go either way. Plus, I have no delusions of Playoffs like some on this board. I predict 7-9 to 9-7 for the Lions, playoffs are just gravy. Mmmmmm...gravy.

[geekster]

The Lions are an improved team - the Texans made a far greater improvement. Give the two rooks a chance to jell and after the Rook corner becomes a shutdown corner (which he will *very* soon), light a fire under the DC to let those linebackers blitz! (If he doesn't - fire him).

Personally I see the Texans making the playoffs THIS year - can't say the same for the Lions. Look at the schedule and tell me I'm wrong.

[HJam72]

This team has only lost one game all year.

[SBTexans08]

Originally Posted by HoustonLionsFan

Kinda putting the cart before the horse, aren't cha?

Next week it will read:
Only one team that made the playoffs last year started the 2003 season 0-2.

. . the Eagles (12-4) lost to the Bucs (7-9) and then lost to the Patriots (14-2) in the first two games.

Nice.....good one!!

Lets just hope it doesn't come to that!!

[HoustonLionsFan]

Originally Posted by geekster

The Lions are an improved team - the Texans made a far greater improvement.

How do you figure? Lions added a probowl guard (Woody), a #1 CB that was #2 CB for the Lions that is now #1 again (Bryant), a stud WR (RW), a RB (KJ) (talent yet to be determined), got a WR that put up good #'s opposite TO and knows the offense (Streets), a Butkus award winning LB (Lehman), got 2 previous starting CB's back from injury (Goodman and Cash), got a RB who put up 1600 yds in the SEC back healthy (Pinner), and aging previous multi-probowl S (Marion, and he is still good and adds leadership).

You got a good OT, a good LB (Babin), and a rookie CB who got burned in his first game. How did you make 'far greater improvement'?

[clandestin]

Don't forget we also got a higly regarded DL in Robaire Smith, and a great blocking tight end in Mark Bruener. Our project LT from the 2003 draft has taken over and will only get better throughout the season, he also upgraded both LT and LG (by shifting Pitts inside.) Starting Robinson at RCB allowed Coleman (a good corner) to FS.

Offensive 1st string positions upgraded: 4 (LT, LG, RT, TE)
Defensive 1st string positions upgraded: 3 1/2(OLB, FS, DE, CB--eventually)

[281]

I think we're gonna be alright... Our stats are about middle of the pack.

Offense: 15th

Defense: 17th

[HoustonLionsFan]

My bad, I did forget Smith. I don't consider Bruener much of an improvement, much like I don't count Stephen Alexander as an improvement for the Lions, but I guess we could count them as well. Oh, and we got a starting DE back healthy

Offense upgrades for the Lions- 5 (TE, OG, WR, WR, RB)
Defense upgrades for the Lions- 3.5 (OLB, CB, nickel CB(1/2 point), DE, S = 4.5, but we lost Boss for awhile so -1)

Well, it is about even, but Streets experience in the WCO will really help, and Woody (same for your line shifts), TE's are a wash, Det needed there 2 young RB's bad. Edge to Det and the CB addition, as of right now, both got rookie OLB's, having a starting quality CB as the nickel helps Det. About even, slight edge to Det.

[Kingzofthejungle]

Originally Posted by HJam72

This team has only lost one game all year.

Yeah and you have only played one game!

[TexansTrueFan]

come on who cares ,,,,wow the lions are "undefeated" watch out texans .

[texasguy346]

Originally Posted by HoustonLionsFan

Well, it is about even, but Streets experience in the WCO will really help, and Woody (same for your line shifts), TE's are a wash, Det needed there 2 young RB's bad. Edge to Det and the CB addition, as of right now, both got rookie OLB's, having a starting quality CB as the nickel helps Det. About even, slight edge to Det.

Are you counting Cash as a starting caliber CB? Or are you considering Goodman a starting caliber CB since I assume he plays NB when Bly comes back? I'm not sure what you're qualifications for a starting CB is, but Wright started for the Texans last season due to Glenn's injury, and Faggins saw significant playing time and performed well. Wright was once a starting caliber CB, but I don't consider him that anymore because he would be a NB by most teams in the NFL. He could still be a starter for a bad team. Faggins is technically our NB, but he shifts to the outside and Dunta plays the NB when we go with 3 corners. Faggins could start for other teams and be a good/steady CB, but Dunta gets the nod because he has the potential to be a shut down corner. As far as Bruener is concerned he's a great blocking TE, and that comes in handy with DD in the backfield. Alexander is talented and a very good reciever, but his only draw back is his injury history.

[HoustonLionsFan]

Darn, I forgot about Faggins!!! That guy is pretty good.
Yes, Goodman was the NB, but will be starting due to Bly's injury. I was actually referring to Cash as the 'new' NB, who also started his rookie year. Many people think he is actually better than Goodman, but his knee is untested.
Alexander is a good receiving TE, and YES his injured past is a concern. I personally liked Ricks, but I'm not a coach.

It is a pretty even matchup across the board. Detroits weakest aspect is run D, going against a team with poor (at least last year and 120+ in 1 game this year, LT or not) run D. WR'S a wash, Secondary's a wash to slight advantage Hou, front 7- wash, Oline- slight advantage Det (IMO, and I emphasize slight), QB- ??? depends on which QB shows up for both teams, RB's- on paper, huge advantage Hou, but I think Chicagos front 7 will show to stop many a running game, so this game will tell where Det running game is at, could be a good day for them. All around, the makings of a great game

[texasguy346]

I liked Ricks too, and I was surprised that the Lions let him go to the Jets. Imagine my surprise when he didn't make the Jets either, but I guess Becht has a lock on the starting spot there. Also, I believe Ricks was injured. He's essientially like Billy Miller. Big reciever converted to a TE. Don't feel to bad about forgetting Faggins, but he was a great find for the Texans. He was nearly let go before getting the nod to play against the Colts and performed well. He's kept performing well ever since. There was a good article about him, but I'm not sure by whom. It was on the MB a while back. I pretty much agree with your assessment, and I, too, think it will be a great game. The WR I would give a slight edge to the Texans due to our depth, but if Rogers hadn't been injured then I'd say its still a wash. Armstrong is our 4th WR, and he didn't see much time (if any) in the SD game, but the coaches are high on him. We might see him in Detroit, and he's got excellent hands and decent speed. Bradford is pretty much a big play threat, and Gaffney is a very good 3rd down reciever. Everyone knows about AJ already. Ironic how the running game could be the determining factor in a game advertised as a 'Battle of the 2002 QBs'. If Jones trys to rush to the outside on the Texans D he might have more trouble than he did in the Chicago game. Babin played well against LT, and Wong is very good on the edge too. Pretty typical of most 3-4 defenses. I don't recall Jones being much of a bowling ball type of back that could run over tacklers, and I consider him more of a make 'em miss type of back. QBs will be an interesting matchup to watch. Can't wait till Sunday.

[HoustonLionsFan]

Quick note about Ricks- did you know his mom lives in Houston? She used to post on the MB I post at.

WR's- We still have RW, Streets, and Hakim as the 1, 2, 3 which is pretty good, especially if Az quits dropping the dam ball (2 drops on third that would have got the 1st). Lions just brought up Dave Kircus. Fans love tis guy. D2 player that broke a ton of record for the D2 winners Grand Valley State. He added 1" of height and 12 lbs. of muscle in the offseason and has great hands. Tough to judge though, haven't seen him play much (even in preseason, I think they were guarding his so other teams wouldn't sign him on waivers).

Jones isn't the quick back everyone remebers from college. He gained 10-15 lbs. of muscle (up to 225), wich slowed him up a bit. I saw him last week and against the Ravens in preseason and he is not afraid of contact. He got up in Ray Lewis's grill, it was pretty funny. He would have had a much better game last week if he would have just hit the holes that were open. He danced a little and made some people miss, and he also lowered his shoulder and got a few extra yards, but it was missing the holes that cost him. I saw 2-3 runs that he would have had big gains, >5 yds, if he would have hit the right hole. He are some highlight clips:
clip 1
clip 2
clip 3
clip 4 I also have access to a couple RW highlights if you want me to post those.
Pinner is more of the Bowling Ball type on the team. He hits the hole straight away, fast, and hard. He may get more time if KJ keeps trying to bounce it outside, or so I hear.