Where the Texans stand as we await the season kick off.
Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (center) congratulates center Chris Myers (55) and running back Ben Tate (44) after a Texans touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Areas of Concern:
Arian Foster and Ben Tate. Yes, Arian will be back for kick off so we’re told for the first game of the season. With so much going on with him this offseason once he’s out there on the field taking care of business a lot of fans will feel much better, myself included. As for Tate, hey he had a good outing Sunday, no denying it. However, he had a few balls slip out of his hands. Fortunately without causing harm however fumbles are not something one wants to see, ever. Hopefully it was just an anomaly and he can keep the ball in tight and healthy until Foster is at 100%
Special Teams. Yes, the kickers are doing a fabulous job and that makes it much easier, but no matter how good your kicker is, sometimes the other team takes it out from deep in the end zone or a ball just won’t quite go as far as intended. During this preseason, it’s not been pretty and coverage was suspect the few times teams have had the chance to run a ball back.
The game Thursday is of course, to settle those last roster spots, the live or die for a lot of young players hopes of making the roster and for Kubiak to finally announce TJ Yates as the backup. Which is a pity because Keenum has done a very good job this preseason and I have a feeling we’re not the only ones watching him. Rick Smith made some comments during the game Sunday about how these cuts are very hard to break to young player. I wish them all well and hope Smith and Kubiak make the right calls moving forward.
Barring injuries which of course can only be countered with depth, Houston is primed for another great season and after feeling the sting of back to back one and out playoff appearances the Texans are as ready as any team can be for a run at the Super Bowl. On a side note, the Farmers Almanac is calling for a rather cold winter this year. I happen to agree with them, it’s gonna be a winter this year to remember. Perhaps it’s too early for the team to invest in some red and steel blue long johns, but they might want to look into lining up a supply.
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