How do you deal with being discouraged?

I love this Message Board, but it really messes a guy up. All offseason, I hear great debates, articles, footage, etc of the Texans, and get pumped up. Theres this psychological theory called "Cognitive Dissonance" which, in its simplest form, argues that if a person says something enough times, they'll eventually believe it to be true.

Now I'm not saying I thought we'd go 16-0 this season, but before the regular season started, I seriously thought wwe had a chance at a winning record. Looking back, I know that was wishful thinking considering we are rebuilding, but I'm just saying.

I'm not going to give up on the team or saying I think things are going poorly--I know we're a rebuilding team and its going to take time to turn things around. Its just that when I look ahead on the schedule, their isn't 1 game that I KNOW we will win. As bad as the Titans, Browns, Raiders, etc are this year, the difference in skill level isn't so great that we don't have a legitimate chance of losing. It just comes with the territory of being a team starting 5 rookies.

I thought Kubiak was a quick fix. The recent roster moves, the hybrid schemes, the rotating depth chart all scream rebuilding. I know its crazy to think that everything would be fixed immediately, but I think thats a product of spending too much time here lol. Kubiak is going to take his time, and while I know it'll be better in the long run, its tough knowing it.

Does this ever get discouraging to you? And if so, how do you deal with it?

I've been a Texans fan since the beginning, and I'm not going to stop any time soon. Its just tough to go into every game hoping for a win rather than expecting one.

I feel your pain brutha!!! But you honestly expected to go from 2-14 to a winning record??? I think it just depends on what you were expecting...All the things that you named that were discussed on the board during the off season IMO, have shown themselves to be true...We aren't where we need to be yet, but we have definitely improved...just hang in there!!!

xtruroyaltyx said:

I feel your pain brutha!!! But you honestly expected to go from 2-14 to a winning record??? I think it just depends on what you were expecting...All the things that you named that were discussed on the board during the off season IMO, have shown themselves to be true...We aren't where we need to be yet, but we have definitely improved...just hang in there!!!

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If you tell yourself its going to happen, and other people show the same attitude, its hard not get caught up in the hype! We have a lot of talent here. Sometimes I just forget how much talent EVERY OTHER TEAM in the Nfl seems to have

gtexan02 said:

If you tell yourself its going to happen, and other people show the same attitude, its hard not get caught up in the hype! We have a lot of talent here. Sometimes I just forget how much talent EVERY OTHER TEAM in the Nfl seems to have

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Im not denying that...but I said "expected"...Can it be done...sure...but you expected that ? And that was just one game...we could go 15-0 the rest of the way !!!1

You know what discourages me. The 49er's have been equally terrible if not worse as our Texans for the last 2 seasons. 49er's have been drafting best player available for 2 years, not by needs. I know it may be a little early to tell, but the 49er's look to be much further along than the Texans in the same amount of time. 49er's can put pts on the board and hung tough with a good Arizona team. I know we drafted to improve defence but it still dont matter if you can't score any pts. Plus with a little offense we could make it a little more exciting and put people in the seats.

How do you deal with being discouraged?

Laugh when that is the only viable alternative.

Alcohol

Just realize that rooting for the Texans is at least better than a swift kick in the ....then again maybe not.

Embedded in my head are my fathers words:

Good things come to those who wait. . . I am waiting!

I want us to win...............but, I don't expect us to win?
I'm confused.

Cheering for the Texans is like gambling. You lose almost every time, but when they win, its so much the sweeter.

I like to think of these losing seasons as "build up" to the big climax. On the glorious day when this team becomes a championship caliber team, you will feel an elation that will reveal all of these discouraging moments for what they were which is build up to the big moment.

At this point the best record we could finish with would be 15-1 and I'm thinking we're a few losses from falling short of that 9-7 "winning record" that you had in your minds eye.

Seasons aren't over in a single weekend. Teams sometimes start hot and go cold. Others start slowly and geet it all together later in the year.

There's an ebb and flow to the football season that I truly enjoying watching happen. Each one has a life of it's own with different ups and downs along the way. I like watching the entire thing and I only truly despair during those years (2005 comes to mind) where it's apparent that "the journey" is going nowhere. As bad as last season was I can't honestly say that I knew it was going to be a total disaster after the opener at Buffalo. Give it some time to develop.

For those times when I really can't get over the dissappointment I prescribe Guiness Extra Stout and keep 'em coming.

Try to look on the bright side. I mean I look at what we did in the pre-season and think it's like warm up. Now that the regular season's started is the real test. I look at the first game and I gotta think that the coaching staff saw what worked and what didn't. Not only that but I think this is the first time players can actually see themselves in real action and see where they should have been looking at or what they should have been doing and work on improving it. I saw alot of running plays where had the running back made the cut to the backside or tried to have a little patience and take it further outside they would have had a good gain. I know it's one cut and go, but our backs have to realize that if they wait just a little bit a better hole can open up and at worst they would have gone out of bounds at the line of scrimmage. I think that's the purpose of the ZBS. Our running game had opportunities to get going, but our guys just didn't capitalize on it and know that they had a chance to review they should improve for next week. Same thing on defense, I'm sure they saw what plays had the most success and what plays failed. I gotta belief they'll make adjustment. One thing I didn't like even at the beginning of the game was the cushion the receivers got. One of the passes Stallworth caught was between four defenders and he had room to gain yds. before anybody got close to him. I believe we will make adjustments and be a better team this weekend. I believe we won't allow the Colts to gain as many yds. as the Eagles and I believe we will gain more yds. against the Colts D then against the Eagles D. We might not win, but I gotta believe we're gonna get better. That's how I deal with disappointment, looking to the next game. You gotta believe and expect our team to be better.

I can understand being discouraged...but I keep myself in the perspective that our ship will eventually come in.

I try to keep my expectations realistic, so I won't be disappointed. We have yet to get close to a winning record (sorry, but 7-9 is close to a non-losing record), and everything is a process.

2-14 frustrated the heck out of me...that was as tough of a season to endure as anything that I've experienced as a football fan...so hopefully, our worst days are behind us.

And I realize the important things in life - family, friends, career - and being a football fanatic is merely an entertainment diversion.

But even having a losing football team in town is better than no football team at all. And I'll never forget the empty feeling of football season without a hometown team.

So it's all perspective, IMO. And hey, even when we lose, tailgating is still a blast!

nflnutswife said:

Embedded in my head are my fathers words:

Good things come to those who wait

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This, too, shall pass. And then all will be well!

I sometimes wonder what it must be like to be a patriots, steelers, etc fan right now. Do they get complacent?

gtexan02 said:

I sometimes wonder what it must be like to be a patriots, steelers, etc fan right now. Do they get complacent?

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Speaking as a long-time Steelers fan - I never get complacent. Every year they have to prove themselves. It was a tough off-season for the Steelers. So many losses, so many question marks as well for the team. Even though pre-season doesn't mean a lot, it was hard to see them go 0-4.

So far, so good this season, we're 1-0 . But there is a long way to go.

I believe the Texans will be better this season - but it will take some time. If I had to predict, I would say 5-11 or 6-10.

Hervoyel said:

At this point the best record we could finish with would be 15-1 and I'm thinking we're a few losses from falling short of that 9-7 "winning record" that you had in your minds eye.

Seasons aren't over in a single weekend. Teams sometimes start hot and go cold. Others start slowly and geet it all together later in the year.

There's an ebb and flow to the football season that I truly enjoying watching happen. Each one has a life of it's own with different ups and downs along the way. I like watching the entire thing and I only truly despair during those years (2005 comes to mind) where it's apparent that "the journey" is going nowhere. As bad as last season was I can't honestly say that I knew it was going to be a total disaster after the opener at Buffalo. Give it some time to develop.

For those times when I really can't get over the dissappointment I prescribe Guiness Extra Stout and keep 'em coming.

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Ditto, though I prefer tequila.

No real reason to think we can't finish with 8 or more wins. A number of teams in recent memory have started out flat and finished hot. Last year's Dolphins (themselves adjusting to a new coach) come quickly to mind.

The Oilers taught me not to get your hopes up too high cause you'll just get kicked in the balls. I just take the games for what they're worth and have a good time. Not too many Texan fans here so I am usually watching the games with the opposing teams fans. It's hard sometimes but it gives you a thick skin. When the good times FINALLY do start it will be a lot sweeter after going trough all this.

Hey, look at the bright side. At least we aren't Browns fans.

I just remember how this feels like my team and how being a bandwagon dude sucks because you never get to experience the true joy of seeing your team turn the corner.

Think about how much Tampa fans really enjoy their Super Bowl, or Red Sox fans or how we cling to our Rockets championships even 10 years later.

Losing helps you appreciate winning. Sometimes you gotta do that first.

Think about if our team always won. They might act all dumb.

Txn_in_VA said:

The Oilers taught me not to get your hopes up too high cause you'll just get kicked in the balls....

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The Oilers taught a lot of people that lesson. They were like Phd's in the science of kicking you in the "boys" while they had your head in the clouds.

Txn_in_VA said:

The Oilers taught me not to get your hopes up too high cause you'll just get kicked in the balls.

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Indeed, even a term was created by the Oilers. "Oilered"

Boy, the Astros sure "Oilered" that game against the Cardinals.
Damn, Phil Mickelson "Oilered" the last hole at the US Open.
Oh brother, another thread on this message board has been "Oilered"

Brad Lidge is now working on his own special word. "Lidged"

Malloy said:

Alcohol

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Dot.

I don't get discouraged. First, I try to look at the team without prejudice. I see them for what they are, not what I want them to be. I predicted 6-10 coming in. If they go 5-11, I am one game off. These 13-3 people will probably be found on the ledge of a high rise somewhere.

Secondly, I keep myself well grounded and keep the proper perspective. This is football. A game. A diversion from real life. It's like the playground at school. Sure, you can go out after lunch and play on the see saw for 15 minutes, but soon enough, you have to get back to practicing your cursive in Mrs. Lanes first grade classroom. This folks, is the see saw of life. One year we are up, and the next we are down. Okay, maybe in our case, we have the joker who gets off when we are at our highest, and we come crashing down with a thud, but when the next day (or year) comes, we will get right back on the see saw, because in the end, we enjoy the ride, even when their is no real destination.

gwallaia said:

Indeed, even a term was created by the Oilers. "Oilered"

Boy, the Astros sure "Oilered" that game against the Cardinals.
Damn, Phil Mickelson "Oilered" the last hole at the US Open.
Oh brother, another thread on this message board has been "Oilered"

Brad Lidge is now working on his own special word. "Lidged"

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lol. Kind of like being Munsoned in the middle of nowhere.

Hervoyel said:

The Oilers taught a lot of people that lesson. They were like Phd's in the science of kicking you in the "boys" while they had your head in the clouds.

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yep...I still wince at the kicking the 'boys' took back in '92. I'm still talking high!

I do feel weathered and thick-skinned after experiencing the highs and unbelievable lows as an Oilers fan. I doubt this team could ever put us through the ordeals we went through with that team.

gtexan02......read your first post, I understand where you are coming from, I think the message board, does get you excited about the upcoming season and draft.....it is sad to go to a game and not see our team win.....but that's what it's all about, Football and being a fan.......we our the upside I belive this year, with Kubiak & Mike Sherman at the helm......we have alot to look forward to, it might not come as fast as we want it to......but until then this message board reminds me that other's out there feel the same way I do, and support each other on this board and our team for many years to come...............


TRUE HOUSTON TEXANS FANS HERE !

all the losing has made me into a different type of fan. I now have a lot more appreciation for the game of football. I watch it like a student and now I enjoy the game way more.

When watching the Texans I don't pin my hopes and dreams on the final score. I used to just follow the ball when I watched. but now I watch the little things, the line play, the formations, look to see how the linebackers read and react...all that good stuff.

I desperately want the Texans to win but at this point, I enjoy the small victories of the mini battles that happen between the players. I guess this is my way of dealing all the losing over the past few years.

The key is to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes that light might be a freight train but just keep moving toward it.

Also if you go to the game or watch the game at a bar or at home, make sure your plans include having fun, regardless of the final score. I had a great season last year, sure the team went 2-14 but I have fun and enjoyed my sundays with the team. (If I didn't I would be here.)

Porky said:

This is football. A game. A diversion from real life.

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BLASPHEMER!

I will probably upset a few with my statements but here goes, I think some people look only at the win/loss column to get satisfaction from a sports team. Yes, it feels good with a win and a loss is unsatisfying. To me, if I see good progress in an area (Carr against Eagles) it causes excitement. The total break down of the defense and the O line screwed that up. I think we allow our entertainment to define our feelings and that is wacky. We also identify with an individual player and get caught up excessively in that person's ability.
Now that said, Evaluate the team realistically. As others have said, most teams do not go from 2-14 to a winning record so do not expect them to. Look at what has been done to "fix" the problems. Did you as a person get where you are today in five years? I believe "potential" is a drug served to us as a fact already accomplished. I think McNair wants a winner as do we. Let's see how the new team and management does. If we don't win Sunday, I suggest we fire everyone and root for Dallas. (sarcasm). It will get better, I'm just not sure when....

gtexan02 said:

I love this Message Board, but it really messes a guy up. All offseason, I hear great debates, articles, footage, etc of the Texans, and get pumped up. Theres this psychological theory called "Cognitive Dissonance" which, in its simplest form, argues that if a person says something enough times, they'll eventually believe it to be true.

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I haven't read this whole thread..... I will, but I was moved by your honesty & pain, i wanted to respond.

gtexan02 said:

Now I'm not saying I thought we'd go 16-0 this season, but before the regular season started, I seriously thought wwe had a chance at a winning record. Looking back, I know that was wishful thinking considering we are rebuilding, but I'm just saying.

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& why shouldn't you believe we'd go 16-0?? I still believe we had a team that was good enough talent wise to get us into the playoffs. But we got punched in the mouth with the reality about the other team not doing what you think they will be doing when you practice during the week.

I don't think the Old crew understood that teams are going to blitz us in ways they wouldn't normally blitz other teams, because the risk/rewards spread was too wide. Nobody came at us with a rational gameplan...... there was no reason to. Blitz on 1st & 10.. blitz on 3rd & 2..... hell, blitz on 1st & 2, until it's proven unwise to do so.

So, while most coaches plan on seeing man coverage, and 5 to 6 blitzers... and game plan for that, who would ever think to plan for 7 or 8 blitzers on a regular basis??

I don't know how you'd go about fighting that kind of mentallity, so to me it's understandable that Capers didn't.... But not being able to get the team to work with you(because it looked like they were just as relieved as we were to get rid of him) is inexcusable. You can't win, if you can't get people to buy into your system. & you can't get people to buy into your system, when you change it every six weeks.

gtexan02 said:

I'm not going to give up on the team or saying I think things are going poorly--I know we're a rebuilding team and its going to take time to turn things around. Its just that when I look ahead on the schedule, their isn't 1 game that I KNOW we will win. As bad as the Titans, Browns, Raiders, etc are this year, the difference in skill level isn't so great that we don't have a legitimate chance of losing. It just comes with the territory of being a team starting 5 rookies.

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nah.... I've never been to that territory.

You say that as if it's a bad thing..... Owens is starting over a guy Kubiak brought with him from Denver..... a guy that he is comfortable with, and knows his system.... so Owens starting is a good thing, like Jason Witten starting or Vernon Davis, or Jeremy Shockey starting as rookies.

Spencer, I thought he was starting solely because we have no one else to play the position, but after watching him handle Howard(who may/may not have lost a step) I'm becoming a beleiver. I think he showed to be a liability in the run game against Philly's linebackers, who I believe now are underrated.

Lundy.... if he starts, he'll be starting over RonDayne, which says a lot, because Denver had him slotted as their starter going into training camp. But he might not start.

Mario...... Demeco..... I doubt there is a team in the league who wouldn't find a place on their starting line up for these two. Yep.... that's what I believe. Anyone saying differently is upset we didn't pick their boy in the draft.

gtexan02 said:

I thought Kubiak was a quick fix. The recent roster moves, the hybrid schemes, the rotating depth chart all scream rebuilding. I know its crazy to think that everything would be fixed immediately, but I think thats a product of spending too much time here lol. Kubiak is going to take his time, and while I know it'll be better in the long run, its tough knowing it.

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Again, I don't know what makes you think everything isn't fixed now. at the end of the first half, we failed to get into the endzone for a reason that I don't want to get into right now. Then again in the 4th Qtr because a DB (who doesn't normally get on the field) made an amazing play. if we'd got those two scores, it'd been 24-24 with 8 minutes left in the 4th Qtr.....

shoulda, woulda, coulda....... and all that...... but remember we were 2-14, we are starting 5 rookies, and to me that says alot.

Yeah, we're going to be playing playoff teams for the next 4 or 5 weeks, trial by fire and all..... but I ain't scurred. heck, I can't wait..

I expect to fix the things that went wrong against philly during the week. Then against Indy, we're going to find some more wholes, and fix those as well. We've got the best of the best showing us where our team needs fixing, if we learn our lessons, come week 9 we'll be playing championship quality football.

If we can squeeze out a few wins, like Miami, Dallas, Jacksonville & Tennessee in the first half of the season, then we'll be in the playoff race come december. I don't doubt that at all.

gtexan02 said:

Does this ever get discouraging to you? And if so, how do you deal with it?

I've been a Texans fan since the beginning, and I'm not going to stop any time soon. Its just tough to go into every game hoping for a win rather than expecting one.

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Everything I've read about our team this summer has me believing we are moving in the right direction. & I don't believe Kubiak is blowing smoke up Carr's......... well, you know. So, there is a commitment to being better week after week. Not just on our OLine, but at runningback, TE, WR, QB, DL, LB, DBs.....

Watching this team against KC, StL, & Denver...... we are further along than I thought we'd be. That tells me, we've got a bunch of smart guys, and coach who can get his ideas across to the players.

If you can't tell, I didn't get down after the Philly loss, like a lot of us have. We lost.... I didn't expect us to do any different. I'll only be disappointed once we get past 6 losses, or if Oakland plays like they did last week, and we still loose in week 13. To play like we did against Philly in a loss, is nothing to be ashamed of.

Porky said:

I don't get discouraged. First, I try to look at the team without prejudice. I see them for what they are, not what I want them to be. I predicted 6-10 coming in. If they go 5-11, I am one game off. These 13-3 people will probably be found on the ledge of a high rise somewhere.

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I still think we'll go 13-3........ but i have one caveat....

It depends on what we look like next week, and the week after, and the week after, and the week after.

Until we can't mathmathically can't be 13-3 at the end of the season, I'm going to be saying we'll go 13-3. Then I'll say 12-4, then 11-5. and so on.

But I didn't see anything in the Philly game to think we won't go 13-3. We're right were I thought we'd be. I said we'd avg over 24 points...... & we were two bad plays away from scoring 24 points.

I said we weren't going to allow more than 14 points....... & we were two big plays away from that.

I said we'd be undefeated at home........... I'm going to have to revise that.


But we will beat the Colts this week in Indy...... hang your hat on that.


But, when you see people say things like I've just said, you've got to know it's more wishfull thinking than anything else. I have no idea what our running game is going to look like, or who's going to be on our starting defensive line.
Or why anyone would think Sanders should be starting over PBuch(I hope he's okay, and good to go.)

I don't know what the Linebackers have been doing this week, or if Kubiak blames them, like I blame them for giving up all those screens.... or if they were where they were supposed to be on those zone coverage plays, when LJSmith, ReggieBrown, and BrianWestbrook caught those 2 yard passes that turned into 34 yard touchdowns........

xtruroyaltyx said:

I feel your pain brutha!!! But you honestly expected to go from 2-14 to a winning record??? I think it just depends on what you were expecting...All the things that you named that were discussed on the board during the off season IMO, have shown themselves to be true...We aren't where we need to be yet, but we have definitely improved...just hang in there!!!

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You know, as a Colts fan, there is noone that understands what you are going through, like we do. But to clarify something real quick... it is possible to go from a record like 2-14 to a winning record. Peyton's first year with us we went 2-12 and his second year we went 12-2. It happens and its quite possible. All I can say, is hang in there with your team. It gets very discouraging and I still remember the days when noone could even watch the games locally, because we couldn't sell out. Now, my family has been season ticket holders for years, so we would get to see the games... but I can't count the times we would walk into a very quiet stadium, with women actually sitting there doing cross stitch, because the game was so one-sided, there was nothing better to do. It was embarrassing for our team. Now look at us! When the winning seasons come, then you will be all the more grateful for it. I know we are, as Colts fans! Keep your chin up... your time is coming! Parity has made sure of it!

I deal with it by not thinking about it. I know what we are probably doing and how long it could probably take.. but acknowledging it would just ruin the season for me.

Instead, I think about all the teams that no one expected to do well, who got a wild hair up their butt and had huge seasons.

Valium

gtexan02 said:

I love this Message Board, but it really messes a guy up. All offseason, I hear great debates, articles, footage, etc of the Texans, and get pumped up. Theres this psychological theory called "Cognitive Dissonance" which, in its simplest form, argues that if a person says something enough times, they'll eventually believe it to be true.

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They argue so long that eventually you believe only because if you say it long enough.......well evntually you do finally get good, albeit it may take several years, but sooner or later it's going to happen.

gtexan02 said:

Now I'm not saying I thought we'd go 16-0 this season, but before the regular season started, I seriously thought wwe had a chance at a winning record. Looking back, I know that was wishful thinking considering we are rebuilding, but I'm just saying.

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And you should keep on saying it, your gonna be right and then you can say I told you so......

gtexan02 said:

I'm not going to give up on the team or saying I think things are going poorly--I know we're a rebuilding team and its going to take time to turn things around. Its just that when I look ahead on the schedule, their isn't 1 game that I KNOW we will win. As bad as the Titans, Browns, Raiders, etc are this year, the difference in skill level isn't so great that we don't have a legitimate chance of losing. It just comes with the territory of being a team starting 5 rookies.

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You have to at least give your coach time to draft players he wants, as for his moves, don't know for sure but it kind of looks like he is structuring you guys like the Broncos and if thats the case, you will need 3 RBs, but you also need a better blocking line, your coach and his pick ups are gonna suprise alot of people, look at the denver team, thats his vision for the O line, if that happens then your offense is gonna be killer, you guys got some nice weapons on that side of the ball.

gtexan02 said:

I thought Kubiak was a quick fix. The recent roster moves, the hybrid schemes, the rotating depth chart all scream rebuilding. I know its crazy to think that everything would be fixed immediately, but I think thats a product of spending too much time here lol. Kubiak is going to take his time, and while I know it'll be better in the long run, its tough knowing it.

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The only thing that needs rebuilding is your O line, the schemes I think tou may be talking about are RBs he is picking up, if so then you gotta believe he is going to do the same thing as in Denver, wear them down with Dain then pop a big on with a speedy back.

gtexan02 said:

Does this ever get discouraging to you? And if so, how do you deal with it?

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I have been a Colts fan sice they arrived in Indiana, man we had teams that would Make you guys look like the 49ers in the Montana glory years, discouraging is sayng things mildly, there are times where I just wanted to :brickwall , probably a few I actually did, just did it a lil to hard and dont remember. Maybe thats how I dealt with it, don't remember.............

gtexan02 said:

I've been a Texans fan since the beginning, and I'm not going to stop any time soon. Its just tough to go into every game hoping for a win rather than expecting one.

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Yea, but you could be a Titans fan and just wishing to at least resemble a football team.

Malloy said:

Alcohol

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That's two of us. My Bacdi bill has been going up steadily the last two seasons.
I jumped on the 7-9 bandwagon. I avoided the 13-3 one. Now I'm looking at this thing as how in the world are they going to pull one of the next five out of the hat ? And after missing on the Eagle's your pretty much putting up a four win winning streak in the last eight. Not imposible. But for a team who has never done it, a very high hurdle. We just do not have the over all tallent to compete competitively with the top tems in the league. Too many bad personel mistakes/busts and not enough winners. Anytime you trade a third rounder for a FA, that there thing is a bust. We're going to get better. We're so low on the NFL food chain now we've got now where else left to go but up. Just don't expect it too soon.

After a woman gives birth it's hypothesized that her body releases a hormone to help her forget the pain of birth so she's more likely to go through the process again. I think this is fairly analagous to what I experience as a Texans fan. After a good walloping on sundays, I feel pretty crappy about some aspects of our team. It's discouraging to see us get dominated in the same basic aspect of the game, week after week. Then, miraculously, as the week progresses I forget the sting of the loss and our inadequacies a little bit at a time until I am once again hopeful that this is the week we'll break out and come up with a big win to shove in the faces of all of our critics. Texans homerism, it's really one of nature's greatest mysteries.

Double Barrel said:

yep...I still wince at the kicking the 'boys' took back in '92. I'm still talking high!

I do feel weathered and thick-skinned after experiencing the highs and unbelievable lows as an Oilers fan. I doubt this team could ever put us through the ordeals we went through with that team.

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Spot on right there. Everytime I am flipping through the ESPN's and they are replaying that game it's like a car wreck, I have to stop and watch, and it takes me back to the exact time and place I was at when I was watching that game. Ugh...

i tell you exactly how you deal with being discouraged...you think about all the browns fans and bills fans and how long they have dealt with it. then i laugh because we might have a bad year or two but they never will get passed it.

The best way to deal with dicouragement in relation to this team is to look at this way - Look where Capers is after 4 years of losses then take a look where you are. You're still a part of this team through your own will and he's not. You don't have to be sacked so at least you get a choice unlike he did. You can cherish the good times later on down the track whereas unfortunately for Dom, he can't. So that's 1 way to look at it (this rule also applies if you are Randy Moss atm, Norv Turner last year and Art Shell for the time being, along with Aaron Brooks who probably all wish they were just Raider fans, not a part of the organisation the way they are so they had a choice in when to be discouraged)...

You should only be discouraged if you thought we were going 16-0. I figured we would go 6-10 and still see that as a strong possibility. Do not get your expectations and the Texans actual progress confused with one another.

how do i deal with being discouraged? i remind myself that 1) last week was week 1...2)we played a good eagles team...and 3) we can still realistically win 8 games.

Eh, I think the Texans will go 5-11 this year, but I'll still watch.

The Houston Sports fan is more discouraging than our teams.

How do I do it? I am aggie, and it comes with the territory.

Seriously, I love the building of a team. I am a draft junkie. I already am looking at LBs and DBs we could draft next year. That said, I have been wondering when the foundation would be built. This last draft gave me a start to the foundation.

Spencer, Winston on offense are a good start, we still need a stud young Center. It all starts with the line. As we have learned you can not buy a line you have to grow it. Casserly/ Capers never learned that. You either have to coach up average guys or draft studs. We did neither before this last offseason.

Williams and Ryans added to Travis Johnson and Duante. You can build on these guys. Our defense is young and can get better, but it appears to be 2 years from fear by the league.

So I look at the team as the same as a marriage. The honeymoon is over, and there were some good times. But now the work begins for the longterm survival, so we called in a the therapist, Kubiak with his assistants Sherman and Smith.

Now we wait and pay our dues.