Are the Texans an Elite Team?

Added on Jun 25, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

After years of bowing at the feet of the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans took advantage of Peyton Manning’s season-ending injury in 2011 to climb to the top of the AFC South. The franchise’s first division title culminated with a trip to the AFC Divisional Playoffs after defeating the Bengals 31-10 in the Wildcard round. A loss to the Ravens ended their run, but Houston is poised to take another step in 2012.

With superstars Arian Foster and Andre Johnson providing plenty of offensive punch, and Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin leading a rising defense, the Texans boast a roster rich in talent and hungry to prove last season was a harbinger of future success, not a mirage.

Quarterback Matt Schaub is a notch below the elite signal-callers, but shows enough command of Gary Kubiak’s system to challenge some of the AFC’s top defenses, as long as he stays healthy. However, backup T.J. Yates, who was under center during the playoff drive, could be a diamond in the rough.

The free agent loss of defensive end Mario Williams and the trade of Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans to the Eagles will leave voids in a front seven that finished 4th in the league versus the run last season. This will put extra pressure on rookie first-round pick Whitney Mercilus and second-year pass rushing end J.J. Watt.

Ex-Cowboy Bradie James, who is familiar with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme, will be asked to fill the leadership role once assumed by Ryans. James was a tackling machine from 2006-2010, posting 100-plus stops in each season, but fell off considerably in 2011 with Sean Lee emerging as one of the game’s best linebackers.

Houston must still find an answer opposite Andre Johnson, especially now that Jacoby Jones has left for Baltimore. This leaves veteran Kevin Walter and a list of unproven names including rookie DeVier Posey and second year pros Juaquin Iglesias and Trindon Holliday to stretch the field.

Helping Houston’s chances in the upcoming season is the weakness of the AFC South. Indy is in rebuilding mode, Jacksonville is the definition of below average and Tennessee has question marks on defense and at quarterback.

There are no guarantees in the NFL, but if Houston has Super Bowl aspirations, now is the time to seize them.