The difference with this 8-8 vs last year...

[worldlyman]

is that the Texans finished a solid 8-4 down, developed an identity on offense.

Just a power-oriented running back and get some pieces to at least upgrade a bad defense to at least a so-so one...this is a sure playoff team next season.

So all the cynics and naysayers crowing, "just another mediocre season"...well, let's just say that I give credit to the team for playing hard after a very, very difficult 0-4 start considering circumstances here in Houston and difficult Steelers and Titans defenses that stuffed the new learn-on-the-fly offensive line scheme.

Go Texans!

[mexican_texan]

Bottom line is, this team wins with a healthy Schaub at the helm.

[Spled]

I really think they're set on offense other than ol depth. Draft should focus on defense.

[Maddict5]

Originally Posted by mexican_texan

Bottom line is, this team wins with a healthy Schaub at the helm.

exactly we have a top qb and a top rb this yr

we didnt last yr. alot of the pieces are in place. no serious offseason rehabs. last push to fix up the D in the offseason

[stingray]

I think the biggest variable is Schaub. He simply needs to improve by next year. He can hardly take any pressure. If he gets any pressure, he seems to panic. But I think he will have a breakout year next year.

[Lucky]

The Texans finished with the exact same 8-8 record as in '07, despite having a healthy Andre Johnson for 16 games and finding a legitimate runner in Steve Slaton. No matter how you spin it, the Texans underachieved in 2008.

[Jackie Chiles]

Originally Posted by stingray

I think the biggest variable is Schaub. He simply needs to improve by next year. He can hardly take any pressure. If he gets any pressure, he seems to panic. But I think he will have a breakout year next year.

Most QBs are like that though, the O-line needs to improve its pass protection. They are young and should continue to improve and gel next year, especially Duane. Schaub's skills improved this year, hes not perfect but his numbers are better pretty much across the board, lets see if he can stay healthy next season.

[IlliniJen]

Originally Posted by Lucky

The Texans finished with the exact same 8-8 record as in '07, despite having a healthy Andre Johnson for 16 games and finding a legitimate runner in Steve Slaton. No matter how you spin it, the Texans underachieved in 2008.

Agreed. And put me in the "I'll believe it when I see it" corner when it comes to doing anything better than 8-8 next season, despite what should be a pretty easy schedule.

I'll await improvement on the defense and playcalling before I'll buy into any "turning the corner" talk that I was far too quick to buy into a couple weeks ago.

[Texanballer]

If we played under control against the colts at home we are 9-7. If we go into the Raiders came calm and serious i think we are 10-6.

No biggy though. This is something to build on for next season.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by stingray

I think the biggest variable is Schaub. He simply needs to improve by next year. He can hardly take any pressure. If he gets any pressure, he seems to panic. But I think he will have a breakout year next year.

In his last 7 starts, Schaub was 5-2, threw only 3 picks, and had 10 TD passes. We can live with #'s like that from our QB.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

Most QBs are like that though, the O-line needs to improve its pass protection. They are young and should continue to improve and gel next year, especially Duane. Schaub's skills improved this year, hes not perfect but his numbers are better pretty much across the board, lets see if he can stay healthy next season.

I understand that all Qb's perform better when they are given time. I just get a bad feeling when Schaub is in the pocket and he gets any kind of pressure. He makes more mistakes than he should. And that is what separates the great Qb's with the good Qb's, what they do under slight pressure.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by ChampionTexan

In his last 7 starts, Schaub was 5-2, threw only 3 picks, and had 10 TD passes. We can live with #'s like that from our QB.

So what did he do the before that? Threw alot of Int's and got hurt. I'm not saying that Matt is a terrible QB. He is pretty good. He just needs to take the next step to be mentioned with the Eilte.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by stingray

So what did he do the first half? Threw alot of Int's and got hurt. I'm not saying that Matt is a terrible QB. He is pretty good. He just needs to take the next step to be mentioned with the Eilte.

Since when does "We can live with #'s like that" translate to I think he's elite?

[IlliniJen]

Originally Posted by stingray

So what did he do the before that? Threw alot of Int's and got hurt. I'm not saying that Matt is a terrible QB. He is pretty good. He just needs to take the next step to be mentioned with the Eilte.

You make it sound like getting his knee bashed in by dirty defensive Jared Allen play is Schaub's fault.

Schaub is improving, and that's a good sign. He doesn't do horribly under pressure, but he does need to improve what he does with the ball when under pressure. Too many grounding penalties this year.

[PapaL]

I think this is going to be our most interesting offseason to date. Will DRob come back and for how much? Where do we go with this draft? Will FA take us serious. Who will be our new DC?

Exciting offseason to come.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by IlliniJen

You make it sound like getting his knee bashed in by dirty defensive Jared Allen play is Schaub's fault.

Schaub is improving, and that's a good sign. He doesn't do horribly under pressure, but he does need to improve what he does with the ball when under pressure. Too many grounding penalties this year.

I never mentioned Jarred Allen's name in any post. Bottom line, Schaub hasn't played all sixteen games here in two years. Not even close. It's like an employee who misses work for a variety of reason. Sick kids, death in the family, ETC, ETC... Yes, they are all legit, and it's a better reason than the guy who misses work because he is always hungover, but htey still miss work. Bottom line, you need someone who shows up to work.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by Spled

I really think they're set on offense other than ol depth. Draft should focus on defense.

Disagreed either Brisiel or Myers needs to be replaced IMO. We can live with one or the other starting but both compromise the OL. Brisiel didn't make a great case for himself today especially on the holding play that cost us a TD. Schaub IMO has looked better as he's gotten more reps as the starter and doesn't hurt when you have a healthy AJ. If we can get someone to spell Slaton this team offensively is going to continue to be hard hang with.

I think this defense would look better with a new DC that can bring a real scheme. This team looked a lot better with Adibi starting because he can get sideline to sideline. We've got some good TEs in our division and team will continue to carve up our defense until we get speed on our OLBs.

Bottom line IMO got to get new OLBers and OG or C with our first two picks.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by stingray

I never mentioned Jarred Allen's name in any post. Bottom line, Schaub hasn't played all sixteen games here in two years. Not even close. It's like an employee who misses work for a variety of reason. Sick kids, death in the family, ETC, ETC... Bottom line, you need someone who shows up to work.

But in the scenario you made it would be your employer that is going out and getting your kids sick and killing folks in your family.

Schaub hasn't been hurt by his own doing, i.e. Griese tripping over a dog or Plax shooting himself. He's been hurt due to the team. Injuries are part of the game. It's a matter of deciding how much they are willing to deal with. I don't think we are anywhere near our limit when it comes to Matt missing games. Think Bennine J. and Jerome Mathis.

[stingray]

Originally Posted by PapaL

But in the scenario you made it would be your employer that is going out and getting your kids sick and killing folks in your family.

Schaub hasn't been hurt by his own doing, i.e. Griese tripping over a dog or Plax shooting himself. He's been hurt due to the team. Injuries are part of the game. It's a matter of deciding how much they are willing to deal with. I don't think we are anywhere near our limit when it comes to Matt missing games. Think Bennine J. and Jerome Mathis.

So Schaub is the only QB in the NFL who takes dirty hits? Come on... Spin it like you want but he needs to prove he can handle sixteen games in a year. If he does it next year, then I'll shut up.

[spurstexanstros]

I didnt see anyone mention the schedule thsat had us playing 3 out of first 4 on the raod and Hurricane Ike that disrupted the season and the city of Houston. That alone could doom a season. I predicted 10-6 at the end of last season and there was a couple of games that should have given them that record. After the Pitt loss I was afraid this would be a set back season and after Ike I had lost confidence in a 10-6 record, some predicted a 3 in season....you know who you are. I consider this season a step forward if not remaining stationary. As I have said The texans need to have a 10-6 record before having hope of making playoffs.

My prediction for next year 10-6 until proven otherwise........