Health a Major Factor For 2018 Houston Texans

By Michael Case

Future Houston mayor JJ Watt’s slogan is “Dream big, work hard.” Well, the 2018 Houston Texans are dreaming big. Only a few times in Texans’ history has the team gone into a season with any amount of confidence in their quarterback, but this season is different.

Former Texans quarterback, Matt Schaub, had multiple solid years in Houston, even leading the league in passing yards in 2009 with 4,770 yds. No QB controversy there. Nope, those off-seasons were filled with questions about defense and special teams. Schaub, Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Owen Daniels and company had the Texans offense humming, though the defense couldn’t stop anyone. The defense improved with DC Wade Phillips’ arrival and the emergence of top picks, Watt and Mercilus, as well as other FA acquisitions.

But when Schaub fell off, he fell hard, breaking the NFL record for ‘pick sixes’ in consecutive games, a record no Texan fan forgets. The offense and defense were only both good for two seasons, and during that time the Texans won back-to-back division titles and got out of the first round both times. One year with a 6th round rookie in T.J. Yates. The team has always struggled to get both sides of the ball to complement each other. Well that, and they just can’t beat the Patriots.

Current quarterback, Deshaun Watson, gives hope to every Texans fan. His six and half game display last season showed the entire league what he was capable of doing. With Watson starting, the Texans averaged over 30 pts/gm, it fell to under 15 with Tom Savage leading the offense. Though some questions remain with only a few starts under his belt, many pundits and experts are excited to see Watson take the field and prove it in 2018.

The injured positions on the Texans last year would ruin any team. The starting quarterback, Watson, who looks to be a franchise player, was lost before the eighth game. Watt, a great pass rusher and all-around defensive players in the league when healthy, was coming off back surgery when he broke his leg, Mercilus was lost a few plays later, a solid linebacker and leader on the team.

The Texans only won four games in 2017, with a first-place schedule and over 20 players on IR, it’s not surprising to see that win total. However, the 2018 Texans could impress this year if they stay healthy, however, that is a huge IF.

The Texans also added big name free agent Tyrann Mathieu, the honey badger, who was signed along with ex-Jaguars cornerback Aaron Colvin. Legitimate beast, Clowney, showed he was worth a number one pick after his play last year. All these stars, if healthy, can play extremely well with their counterparts.

On the offensive side, Deandre Hopkins and Will Fuller look to be an excellent wide receiver tandem, again if Fuller can stay healthy. Watson has great chemistry with both receivers, and the offense added two big tight end targets in the draft. The offensive line has been completely revamped, returning linemen Nick Martin and Greg Mancz remain (as well as Lamm for some reason) but GM Gaines brought in multiple rookies and free agents to help Watson and Lamar Miller get those extra yards. The Texans are not short on stars, but those stars need to stay healthy if this team is going to make a playoff run.

The Texans former GM Rick Smith, had to step back from football for personal reasons, but Brian Gaines took his place and is starting to make his mark. Gaines made the big signings of Mathieu and Colvin, as well as cleaning house of offensive linemen, looks like the buffet line just got longer. He cut future hall of fame punter, Shane Lechler, a tough cut but a necessary one, Lechler is 42 after-all.

The veteran fullback, Jay Prosch was also released, a significant cut as the Texans were one of the few NFL teams to have an active roster spot dedicated to that position, but not anymore. The remnants of the Kubiak era are truly gone. The Texans now have Deshaun Watson, and they are looking to change that old-school attitude into a new, more electric offense.

The Texans look to improve off last year’s four-win team with a similar roster to last year’s, if those starters can stay healthy. That word is vital to the Texans 2018 season. The team is, realistically, a year or two away from contending for a Super Bowl. However, the playoffs are not out of the question. In a weak AFC, the Texans only true threats are the Patriots, Steelers, and Jaguars. If the Texans stars can stay injury-free, this team could, and probably should, win 10-12 games with a weaker schedule this season. If more of the same happens to the Texans, Coach Bill O’Brien could be shown the exit. And Texans fans will say what we do every season, “There’s always next year.”