The year of no excuses.

[Fox]

The Texans have no excuse not to have a solid answer at every position and it's back up. It's not like there's a lot of turn over on NFL rosters or anything.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

It's been my experience in any sport that a team where the teammates are used to playing together and know each other well, can beat a team of better athletes who aren't used to playing together.

The Texans offense has been together for the same time period as the defense. The offensive line had 2 1/2 new starters in '08 (Brisiel had 4 starts in '07). The QB was only in his 2nd season with the club. A rookie RB carried the weight of the running game. I'm not saying that it was a playoff offense. It wasn't. But, they had as much cohesion as teams like the Dolphins and Falcons. Who did make the playoffs.

Dunta, Mario, DeMeco, and Travis will begin their 4th season together. Okoye and Bennett will begin their 3rd season. Wilson, Reeves, and Antonio Smith are vets with playoff experience. The Texans are playing defense with NFL talent. Not superstars at every position. But, as much ability as many teams who have made the playoffs. And this is Frank Bush's 3rd year with the team, so even though he has never coordinated a defense, he should know what these guys can do and put them in a position to succeed.

No, the 2009 Texans are not the 2008 Steeler defense. But, the 2004 Steeler defense played with 5 new starters and led the league in fewest points and yards allowed. Why can't the 2009 Texans defense be the 2004 Steelers defense? New players and new coaches aren't reasons for a team not excell. They're excuses. Which aren't allowed in the year of no excuses.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Lucky

The Texans offense has been together for the same time period as the defense. The offensive line had 2 1/2 new starters in '08 (Brisiel had 4 starts in '07). The QB was only in his 2nd season with the club. A rookie RB carried the weight of the running game. I'm not saying that it was a playoff offense. It wasn't. But, they had as much cohesion as teams like the Dolphins and Falcons. Who did make the playoffs.

Dunta, Mario, DeMeco, and Travis will begin their 4th season together. Okoye and Bennett will begin their 3rd season. Wilson, Reeves, and Antonio Smith are vets with playoff experience. The Texans are playing defense with NFL talent. Not superstars at every position. But, as much ability as many teams who have made the playoffs. And this is Frank Bush's 3rd year with the team, so even though he has never coordinated a defense, he should know what these guys can do and put them in a position to succeed.

No, the 2009 Texans are not the 2008 Steeler defense. But, the 2004 Steeler defense played with 5 new starters and led the league in fewest points and yards allowed. Why can't the 2009 Texans defense be the 2004 Steelers defense? New players and new coaches aren't reasons for a team not excell. They're excuses. Which aren't allowed in the year of no excuses.

we don't have Dick Lebeau - 2004 was when he took over the Steeler defense.
Coincidence? ...maybe
but I don't think so.

Frank Bush may be > Richard Smith
but Dick LeBeau > Frank Bush until proven otherwise

[DBCooper]

Originally Posted by GNTLEWOLF

Let me give you a few excuses..... No real back-up Rb..... DB's do we really have any that are good?....and we still really know nothing about Frank Bush's defensive scheme and if it is any better than Richard Smith's

If he has a scheme, it will be better than Dick's.

For me, the excuses ended last year when the Steelers took us apart like little kids against warriors.