NFP: Five Questions Facing the Texans...

[Flash80]

But do I still like this team going into 2009? Enough to pick them as AFC South champs? Not just yet, but enough to expect to see them playing football in January.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

[raginbull]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1. i think Schaub gets the feeling he has to go out and stay on the field this year or they might shake things up next offseason. 2. We invested in Antonio Smith and paid Shaun Cody. We drafted Connor Barwin. I see a significant improvement over Anthony Weaver at leftend. We have lots of players on the front four to have a rotational line at all positions and ocassionally at Mario's spot when he needs a spell. i say we will improve in the sacks category. 3. Much of the same if not more than last year. Slaton has been working hard this offseason the one area he has targeted specifically is his pass protection. Not untill after this season. He is givin a gimme year with a new defensive coaching staff. 5. i believe it is very likely!

[Schaubie Love]

I think a bigger question is how we handle Dunta and OD after this season and future star FA's into the future as we continue to develop great young talent.

[TheGoaT]

they will handle it like any other team. They will balance their value to the team against the available cap space and try to resign them for the most economical deal possible. If the players agents try to overvalue them too much, they will walk. We can't be like the Snyders of the NFL and give everyone 100 million just to get your name in the media.

[zanth91]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. The same
4. No
5. Yes

[TEXANBRONCO]

i agree with zanth91 almost 100%:D....i do hope MATT makes it a important year for a change, and stays healthy

[johndoe]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. The same
4. No
5. Yes

I concur...

[wildroot]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1. Yes

2. Yes Smith, Barwin.

3. More of the same

4. He'd better be. Or does he get "forever"?

5. Hopefully

[Jwwillis1]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1.) See (Can O-Line protect the QB better?)
2.) Yes, DelJuan baby!!
3.) Help from a reliable #2
4.) NO
5.) See (Can the team stay healthy?)

[Flash80]

Just so everyone is clear... I was not posing those questions. I was simply linking to the article. I however agree with most of the answers you guys have posted. I just liked the guys view on us as a team and his playoff prediction (what else is new?)

[South Texan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1. Matt says he has been working on strength and conditioning in the off season. The O-Line was really starting to get cohesive in the final part of the season last year. Slaton says he has been concentrating on pass blocking and has added close to 10 pounds of muscle. Bottom line, better protection for Matt this year. Even if he should miss a game or two, we have two backups with a lot of potential talent that have never had anywhere near the weapons that they will have here. Kubiak should be able to coach up at least one to be a pretty good backup and we wouldn't suffer that much if Matt has to miss some time.

2. Two fancy words here... proactive vs. reactive. Last year was reactive, wait and see what their offense was going to do. I expect this year with Bush will be proactive, as in "Go get em boys!". On obvious passing downs we will have Smith, Cushing, and Barwin on one side, Mario and hopefully Diles on the other side, and DeMeco coming up the middle. If I had written that article, my #2 question would have been on how the secondary will hold up.

3. More muscle. More experience. Better O-Line especially with the new TE's. Hopefully a little help from at least 1 of the other RB's. A passing game that is going to burn the opponents if they try loading the box too often. "Sleepy" could have a stellar year.

4. Of course he is on the hot seat. Almost every coach in the NFL is. (Ask Shannahan.) But don't confuse McNair with Jerry Jones. I don't think Kubiak's seat is all that hot.

5. Almost any other division I would say no sweat on the playoffs. However with Fisher and Payton to get past this could get interesting. I will be very surprised though if we don't at least get a wild card spot.

[Chris24]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

i think many of these things depend on each other...sort of a chicken or the egg scenario. if everyone comes out and does their job, all things click...if one peice of the puzzle falls out...the whole thing may not work.

the ultimate question is can they do it all season long?

1. no way to tell now. im sure he realizes this is about his last chance to have a healthy season...if he doesnt, he is just going to have a reputation as the injured guy, and become a career backup. he has to realize he has to not only be careful with the ball, but careful with himself. it might be worth it to take a hit to get off a pass...but not if its gonig to take you out of the game.

2. yes. we have brought in help. mario is very capable. the help will spread the qb protection...you cant double team everyone...some of these guys are going to get through.

3. more of the same with some improvement. with shaub back, the passing game will spread the field and give the double s more room to move. this will make him more dangerous and slippery. at the same time, he is gaining a reputation, and teams will be studying his film and trying to do better to account for him.

4. hells yes. i think he has done a good job with team thus far. however, this is the year in which doing a good job isnt enough, and results must be shown. i would guess 10 wins and he keeps his job. 9 wins and he probably keeps his job, with ownership at least taking a look at who is available to bring texans into the next stage.

5. *mora voice* playoffs? dont talk about PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS?

sorry had to...yes i think they have a realistic chance of getting in. however, i think the texans still need roster changes and improvement to do much in the playoffs. this is the stage of the season where weaknesses are exposed and taken full advantage of. guys who think they are good, find out they are ok...guys who think they are ok...may be looking for jobs.

[Whiskeyrbl]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-bowentexans070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Good article that poses the following questions about the team going into 2009:

1. Can we count on Schaub for the entire season?
2. Can anyone besides Williams rush the passer?
3. What can we expect out of Slaton in year two?
4. Is Kubiak on the hot seat?
5. PLAYOFFS!?

1. This is the year Schaub plays 16 games. This is his 3rd as a starter and I think he will only get better.

2. With the new scheme they say they are implementing and the signing of Smith and the drafting of Barwin and Cushing it all looks good. I think we have a sleeper secondary that is going to surprise this year and make the QB's either make bad throws or hold onto the ball longer.

3. I see Slaton having a better year with the OL gelling and him being more confident in his abilities.

4. Kubes could be if we take a step back but I don't see that happening.

5. A definite YES.( Barring all kinds of injuries ).
P.S. Sorry about the symbols(comma) my dog got hold of the keyboard and promptley removed it.

[TransplantTexan1]

I'm actually okay with Steve Slaton dropping a couple hundred yards in overall productivity on the ground so long as we replace that plus another couple hundred yards with another running back. Part of the problem last year is that we didn't have a reliable #2 back. If we can find one who can give us around 500-600 yards, that would definitely be a positive, especially if Slaton plays the entire season and gives you 1,000+ yards.

Last year, Ahman Green was the team's second leading rusher with 294 yards. Ryan Moats was third with 97. So there's definite room for improvement with the #2 and #3 RBs. An improved running game would also help keep Schaub healthy.

If we can reduce Schaub's pass attempts by about 2.5 / game and reduce his sacks by 0.5 / a game, both would do a lot to preserve him for the entire season, IMO.

As for the pass rush, I'm really hoping the Smith acquisition frees up Mario to do even more damage. I also hope Amobi comes alive. If Amobi can give the Texans 5-7 sacks and Smith can give them another 5-7, you have to like the defense (especially the pass defense) next season. Barwin, I hope, will simply be the icing on the cake.

And, yes, Kubiak does have a little fire under him. You can't do worse than last year and expect to keep your job. He might but it seems unlikely. The Texans are going into their 8th season. I'm sure Bob McNair feels that it's time for some real success and not moral victories.

[raginbull]

I'm actually okay with Steve Slaton dropping a couple hundred yards in overall productivity on the ground so long as we replace that plus another couple hundred yards with another running back. Part of the problem last year is that we didn't have a reliable #2 back. If we can find one who can give us around 500-600 yards, that would definitely be a positive, especially if Slaton plays the entire season and gives you 1,000+ yards.

Last year, Ahman Green was the team's second leading rusher with 294 yards. Ryan Moats was third with 97. So there's definite room for improvement with the #2 and #3 RBs. An improved running game would also help keep Schaub healthy.

If we can reduce Schaub's pass attempts by about 2.5 / game and reduce his sacks by 0.5 / a game, both would do a lot to preserve him for the entire season, IMO.

As for the pass rush, I'm really hoping the Smith acquisition frees up Mario to do even more damage. I also hope Amobi comes alive. If Amobi can give the Texans 5-7 sacks and Smith can give them another 5-7, you have to like the defense (especially the pass defense) next season. Barwin, I hope, will simply be the icing on the cake.

And, yes, Kubiak does have a little fire under him. You can't do worse than last year and expect to keep your job. He might but it seems unlikely. The Texans are going into their 8th season. I'm sure Bob McNair feels that it's time for some real success and not moral victories.

i agree with you. i just get the feeling that Chris Brown is another Aman Green. Moats could be productive with more carries. the running game was good last year, and can definitly improve especially in the red zone and short yardage areas. schaub also has to protect the football better. h e keeps the int's low, but he does fumble alot as well. they had some games where they couldnt keep our defense off the field last year and that in part lead to the majority of problems we faced defensivly. The D-line with the exception of Mario willl be under heavy scrutiny this season. and with Kubiak breaking in a new defensive staff (except for johhnie Holland) He could finish 8-8 or 7-9 and still have his job next year, But I feel 9-10 wins is more realistic. and good coaches are scarce to come by in Today's NFL. they wont dump Kubiak so easily. how many chances was Capers given? He posted worse marks than kubiak.