Brando
Hall of Fame
HOUSTON -- No one connected with or rooting for the Houston Texans wants to hear words such as promise or potential any longer.
The Texans are well beyond being the "little NFL franchise that could." They're the multi-billion-dollar investment of Bob McNair, and, like his players and fans, he's tired of them being a .500 club that comes close to making the playoffs ... but doesn't quite get there.
The Texans have been in business since 2002. They have yet to reach the postseason, a dubious distinction that they don't share with any other team in the league.
In the early stages of their eighth training camp, the talk (which is more like a roar) among the Texans and their faithful is that they are embarking on a playoffs-or-bust journey.
"It's time for us to be there, and we're ready for it," McNair said. "I think our team's ready for it, our coaches, and that's our expectation."
Said general manager Rick Smith, "I think our expectations need to be high. Part of the reason why they are is because people feel like we're a better football team. When you look back at the way that the season ended last year (five wins in the final six games), some of the momentum that we gained, I think our players feel good about what we're doing."
They do. To a man, Texans players express the strong belief that the team has all of the ingredients necessary to be a major force in the tough AFC South.
"It's just a lot different than when I first got here (in 2007)," wide receiver David Anderson said. "We wanted a winning team when I got here. Now we want a playoff team. That's just different expectations for us and for the city and for everyone."
Camp practices are drawing crowds of several thousands, including a family from Midland, Texas, which is more than 600 miles away. The fans loudly show their appreciation for big plays on both sides of the ball. Most of their entertainment comes from watching wide receiver Andre Johnson catch long throws from quarterback Matt Schaub.
But they're mostly here because of what they believe they'll be finally getting at the end of the year: A playoff appearance.
"This is a great football town and they want winners," McNair said. "Their expectation level is high, but believe me, when we're in the playoffs, this city is going to go crazy, absolutely crazy. That's what I'm in it for ... to see the excitement and the fun that the people have out of it really makes it all worthwhile."
Observation deck
» There were two plays that drew the loudest responses from the crowd Monday morning. One was a run by bruising, 6-foot, 265-pound fullback Vonta Leach, who knocked off the helmet of 6-foot-1, 200-pound cornerback Fred Bennett. As one fan on the sideline remarked, "I thought his head might still be in that helmet." Another play that drew cheers was wide receiver Andre Davis showing excellent concentration as he came down with a deflected pass from QB Dan Orlovsky.
At 29 years old, Texans offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kyle Shanahan is only a year older than Schaub and Rex Grossman, and four years older than Orlovsky. But don't let his relative youth fool you. Shanahan brings a great deal of knowledge to the job, and has no problem gaining the respect and holding the attention of his pupils.
"He's wise beyond his years as far as football goes," Schaub said. "When I first came here (in 2007), there was definitely some like, 'How's this going to go?' when I knew he was our quarterback coach. But once we got in there, talking to him and realizing how intelligent and how football smart he is as far as passing game, defenses, the route adjustments, the protections ... he's just so smart, the sky's the limit to him."
From the sound of his voice when he yells to his mannerisms, including the way he squats when he huddles with his quarterbacks, Shanahan reminds you of his father, former NFL coach Mike Shanahan.
» Linebacker DeMeco Ryans and tight end Owen Daniels have complained publicly about their contracts, yet they're in camp. And given the exuberance with which they're practicing, they seem far more focused on football than on the dissatisfaction with their pay. Although negotiations hit a snag with both players, the Texans aren't giving up hope that they could eventually work out long-term deals with them. For now, however, all parties feel the best approach is put off contract discussion until after the season. That's especially important for Ryans, who, as a captain, is one of the team's primary leaders.
"The contract side of stuff, it'll handle itself," Ryans said. "My job is to just go out there and be the best that I can be at my position and also lead the other guys to get it going."
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