As I was driving into Houston this morning, I got to listen to a Rick Smith interview on 610. (BTW - What happened to the old morning crew?) Living in Austin, I don't get much Texans news on the radio, so it was a real treat to hear something that I didn't have to find on the internet.
Looking back at this off-season, you have to admire what the front office has accomplished in the past couple of months. It is June and we have no idea how it will work out, but at the very least, you have to respect that these guys had the balls to make some tough decisions, take the heat of local and national critism based on previous mistakes, and make bold moves to try to make this team better...now. The front office could have easily taken a more conservative approach, but in doing so, I just think it would have delayed the progress that we are starting to see now.
Without having put on pads in 2007, the Texans have accomplished three major goals. We cut our losses with DC and brought in a young, promising QB who at the VERY LEAST has injected the fan base and organization with new hope and excitment for the upcoming season and the provided the team with the new attitude and leadership that was simply lacking the past couple of seasons. The initial backlash and commentary was tough, but I think we have moved past (if not completely, in large part) the second guessing from last year's draft that would have persisted for another season or two if we had not made a move.
Second, we have appeared to made the moves this year to take the financial hit to free up cap space next year and in doing so let go players from the previous regime who just did not fit the mold of what we are trying to accomplish now. This year we really cleaned house and got to start over...next year we will have the flexibility to build.
Finally, with limited cap space, we have appeared to brought in some veteran players to a young squad who will increase competition on the squad and either crack the starting line up or provide more quality depth accross the board. The Texans were not able to bring in the "big name" free agent (although Schaub and Green were at the top of the list at their positions), the front office was able to sprinkle in a lot of mid-level guys to improve the feel of the locker room.
I am excited to see the following position battles:
(1) RB - Green and Dayne seem to be set, but the third spot is up for grabs. I think Gado, Lundy and Taylor all have the potential to surpass Dayne, but at the same time, I can't see all three of them making the team. Do we think any of these guys has the talent to be the RB of the future to be groomed over one or two seasons or do we look to upgrade next draft?
(2) DT - Travis Johnson starting to look better before getting injured, we pick up Maddox of the streat who ends the season strong, bring in a solid veteran in Zgonina and draft Okoye. This could be our deepest position.
(3) CB- Faggins or Fletcher?
(4) OT - Can Spencer come back and play? Winston, Salaam and Black can all play either side.
(5) WR - I don't get a whole lot of comfort that we are in fact comfortable with Walter as our #2 if we are actively shopping for another body at WR. Can Mathis stay healthy and contribute? Will Jacoby prove he is worth a third round selection? Does Andre Davis have what it takes?
I think we were lucky to finish with 6 wins last season, but I think the team has improved enough for two more wins.
Looking back at this off-season, you have to admire what the front office has accomplished in the past couple of months. It is June and we have no idea how it will work out, but at the very least, you have to respect that these guys had the balls to make some tough decisions, take the heat of local and national critism based on previous mistakes, and make bold moves to try to make this team better...now. The front office could have easily taken a more conservative approach, but in doing so, I just think it would have delayed the progress that we are starting to see now.
Without having put on pads in 2007, the Texans have accomplished three major goals. We cut our losses with DC and brought in a young, promising QB who at the VERY LEAST has injected the fan base and organization with new hope and excitment for the upcoming season and the provided the team with the new attitude and leadership that was simply lacking the past couple of seasons. The initial backlash and commentary was tough, but I think we have moved past (if not completely, in large part) the second guessing from last year's draft that would have persisted for another season or two if we had not made a move.
Second, we have appeared to made the moves this year to take the financial hit to free up cap space next year and in doing so let go players from the previous regime who just did not fit the mold of what we are trying to accomplish now. This year we really cleaned house and got to start over...next year we will have the flexibility to build.
Finally, with limited cap space, we have appeared to brought in some veteran players to a young squad who will increase competition on the squad and either crack the starting line up or provide more quality depth accross the board. The Texans were not able to bring in the "big name" free agent (although Schaub and Green were at the top of the list at their positions), the front office was able to sprinkle in a lot of mid-level guys to improve the feel of the locker room.
I am excited to see the following position battles:
(1) RB - Green and Dayne seem to be set, but the third spot is up for grabs. I think Gado, Lundy and Taylor all have the potential to surpass Dayne, but at the same time, I can't see all three of them making the team. Do we think any of these guys has the talent to be the RB of the future to be groomed over one or two seasons or do we look to upgrade next draft?
(2) DT - Travis Johnson starting to look better before getting injured, we pick up Maddox of the streat who ends the season strong, bring in a solid veteran in Zgonina and draft Okoye. This could be our deepest position.
(3) CB- Faggins or Fletcher?
(4) OT - Can Spencer come back and play? Winston, Salaam and Black can all play either side.
(5) WR - I don't get a whole lot of comfort that we are in fact comfortable with Walter as our #2 if we are actively shopping for another body at WR. Can Mathis stay healthy and contribute? Will Jacoby prove he is worth a third round selection? Does Andre Davis have what it takes?
I think we were lucky to finish with 6 wins last season, but I think the team has improved enough for two more wins.