D.J. Swearinger says Houston Texans ‘have a chip on shoulder’

Dec 5, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Houston Texans strong safety D.J. Swearinger (36) takes down Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) in the third quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL-worst 2013 season of the Houston Texans was unexpected and unnecessary for a team that was coming off consecutive AFC South championships.

With the 2-14 finish due to injuries, coaching changes, quarterback changes, bad luck and just bad football, the 2014 Texans are entering this season with a clean slate.

For those who went through that experience last season they have a chip of their shoulder.

Texans strong safety D.J. Swearinger stated that fact in a press conference with the Houston media on Tuesday, saying (with quotes provided by the Texans media dept.):

"“As a defender, you always have to have a chip on your shoulder. You always want to be the top defense; you want to force turnovers. We went 2-14 last year and we definitely got a chip; not just the defense, but the offense and the special teams.”"

I actually believe the statement by Swearinger is more than just the cliché quotes we hear on a daily basis from professional athletes and coaches.

In fact, if this team doesn’t enter the 2014 season with something to prove to the entire NFL, then they have problems and will end up most likely one of the worst teams in the NFL for a second consecutive year.

The defense must improve for the Texans to get better, and with some of their offseason depth additions, plus by drafting Jadeveon Clowney No. 1 overall they started in the right direction.

But for that “chip” Swearinger spoke of … the defense really needs to play with that in their mooned all season. They need to be that defense that they were in ’12, and remember how bad they played in ’13.

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I believe the Texans’ defense will improve, and with Andre Johnson back on the offense and Bill O’Brien running the show the Texans will be improved some on the offensive side of the ball as well.

If I were to guess, the defense won’t be the problem for the Texans in ’14, but the offense does need a lot more work than the defense to be a threat in ’14.

What are your thoughts about the Texans having “a chip” on their shoulder in ’14?