September 1, 2013
Seeking More Than 3rd Division Crown
by Bob Husey

Has it really been eight years since Gary Kubiak coached his first Houston Texans club? Yes, the Mike Shanahan protege - former Aggie quarterback and career backup/coach for John Elway - began the rebuild in 2006 after the expansion regime was sent packing. Kubiak finally cleared the .500 mark last year and is now 59-53 (.527) as Texans head coach, plus 2-2 in the postseason.

It's that postseason record he wants to improve upon this year, but to do that, he'll probably have to lead the Texans to a third consecutive AFC South title. Signing veteran safety Ed Reed from the Super Bowl champion Ravens was the "all in" signal from management. The Texans will be shooting for an AFC Championship this year if not more.

Reed brings veteran leadership to Wade Phillips' defense but he'll have to overcome hip surgery and nagging shoulder injuries to get on the field. As insurance, the Texans drafted D.J. Swearinger in the second round, and he's made his presence felt throughout the preseasaon.

The defense is led by the phenomenal J.J. Watt who has been seen more in commercials this year than on the field. But that's okay since he will attract a lot more attention from offensive linemen this year too. Expect last year's gaudy sack and "swatt" numbers to decline with all the double teams, but it should mean more opportunities for the rest of the defense.

Brian Cushing returns from knee surgery which should help Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus get to the quarterback. Keep an eye on backup Willie Jefferson who dazzled in training camp.

Johnathan Joseph is back to anchor the secondary - whether Ed Reed plays or not - and he should get help from Danieal Manning and Kareem Jackson. All-Pro punter Shane Lechler comes over from Oakland to improve field position.

On offense, Matt Schaub begins his seventh year as the Texans' quarterback and most believe he will have to rebound from a sloppy second half to establish his dominance again. Gone is Kevin Walter, but Schaub still has the remarkable Andre Johnson to throw to as well as top draft pick DeAndre Hopkins and quick healer DeVier Posey as targets. Owen Daniels returns as the top tight end with fellow Badger Garrett Graham as his backup.

The running game centers around Arian Foster who did not play in the preseason while nursing back and leg pains. He hopes to improve on the 1,641 combined yards he posted last year but may find himself sharing time with Ben Tate and undrafted rookie Cierre Wood to keep him fresher for the postseason.

The offensive line continues to be built around LT Duane Brown and C Chris Myers, but the focus could become RT where the Texans are still struggling for answers. Don't be surprised if backup David Quessenberry claims a starting job after the bye week. Randy Bullock has won the placekicking job after a season on injured reserve.

The schedule begins with a Monday nighter in San Diego and a home date with Tennessee before a tough three-game stretch that includes the two Super Bowl combatants from last year, Baltimore and San Francisco, on the road.

The Texans may not match last year's 12-4 record. I see 10-6 or 11-5 as more likely. But as Ed Reed can tell you, the NFL is more about how you finish than how you start. Kubiak knows this and is hoping 2013 will have a happier ending.

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