We’ve all heard the cliché.
“You can’t win without an elite quarterback.”
Tell that to the 2009 and 2010 New York Jets squads that went to back to back AFC Championship games.
More from Houston Texans News
- Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
- Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
- Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
- Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
- Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith
They were led by Mark “butt fumble” Sanchez.
I’m going to be an optimist for once and say that the Texans can muster up a comparable performance from a crop of undeniably more capable passers.
Now, Mark Sanchez did show slight improvement in his short time with the Eagles, but that could be attributed to an innovative offensive system implemented by head coach Chip Kelly.
Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is also an innovator. He mixes an irrefutably successful New England Patriot offense with a twist of his own. New England totaled 438 rushing attempts as a unit in 2014. Compare that with the 551 of Houston and the difference is clear: smash mouth attitude.
Bill O’Brien is also a player’s coach. Former players have praised him, and he radiates with passion for the game. Texans analyst John Harris observed in OTA’s just how authentic coach O’Brien truly is (item #9).
O’Brien’s mix of accountability, charisma, and intelligence will carry this Houston Texans team to new heights never before witnessed in their franchise’s brief history. With a potent defense at his disposal and all-galaxy defensive end J.J. Watt being the anchor, the quarterback play just has to be “Dilfer-esque.”
The Texans will field arguably the best defense they’ve ever had, and realistically they have more offensive weapons than previous years. Even without Andre Johnson, the Texans’ offense can get the job done.
This all makes for a silver lining, a sliver of optimism heading into the 2015 season. The Texans will be looking to improve on a 9-7 record.
They may just have the tools to do it.