Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans. Noon. 9/9. **Liberty White Kickoff GameDay Thread**

Coming off the first playoff appearance in franchise history, the Houston Texans are setting their sights even higher.

A strong ground game and a tough defense - along with a healthy Matt Schaub under center - are big reasons for that optimism, but key members from both units are in doubt for Sunday's season opener.

Star rusher Arian Foster and starting linebacker Brooks Reed are question marks as Houston tries to improve to 7-0 all-time against the visiting Miami Dolphins, who look for Joe Philbin to get them on track in his first season as coach.

A year after dealing with lengthy injury absences to Schaub and five-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, Houston begins this season with health issues involving two more key players. Foster has a sore knee, Reed has a sore hip and both missed practice Friday.

Coach Gary Kubiak said they'll be "game-time" decisions against Miami, though he's "optimistic" that both will be ready to play.

Ben Tate would start for Foster, who averaged a league-high 141.6 scrimmage yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season despite missing three games. The 2010 rushing champion signed a five-year, $43.5 million extension in March and is expected to carry the load again despite the emergence of Tate, who ran for 942 yards as a rookie last year.

First-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus would get the call in place of Reed, who had six sacks during his 2011 rookie season.

Last year, the Texans lost Schaub to a foot injury in Week 10 and played nine regular-season games without Johnson, but earned their first playoff berth behind a formidable rushing attack and an impressive defensive turnaround under coordinator Wade Phillips.

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What I want to see:

Spread the ball around.

We'll run it soon enough. We know that the Texans will pound the rock with Foster and Tate throughout the game, not to mention getting Dre and OD the ball through the air. However, I want to see Graham, Jean and Martin get some touches also. Show the Dolphin D that we have all sorts of weapons on the field offensively.

Bottle up Reggie Bush.

His goal is 4 yards every time he is handed the football. Sunday afternoon needs to be a day where he fails at achieving that goal. Don't let him get outside and do work. The second he decides to kick it outside, Cushing and friends have got to meet him there and chop him up, as I like to say.

1st step toward ending that "right side of the OL" concern.

Everyone around here knows that this has been a hot topic throughout T-camp and in the pre-season. One week won't turn Caldwell and Newton into all-pros, so let's all take an extra look at these two and expect them to improve. Caldwell is especially going to get an extra look from me, since this is his 4th year....kind of expect him to take big step this season.


Pressure, confuse and frustrate Ryan Tannehill.

The 1st year man out of Texas A&M was named started by the Dolphins a few short weeks ago. Doesn't hurt that he got to bring his head coach Mike Sherman with him. However, he's still a rook. This game needs to be HELL on him. Blitz him, show different coverages, etc. Make this a debut he'll want to forget. Get Tannehill to start staring down receivers, as well...makes for easy picks.

The Game.

We haven't played in over 7 months. It's been a long time coming.

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