Houston Texans - Southern Division Champs?
The Houston Texans are excited about the 15th pick in the draft for the 2009 season. They played a good game, last year, and are working strengthening their weaknesses, some of which were noted in the 2008 season. The addition of a good defensive player would put the team in a good position for a good winning record this year.
With the door wide open, people are still making their assumptions as to what type of player the Texans will choose. There are many reasons, and people who believe, that the Texans will go with a defensive player, and more specifically, a linebacker. A good linebacker will give the defensive line the speed and penetration they are looking for, and may just give them that boost into a championship.
Houston had been without a football team for many years, and was finally granted ownership of an NFL franchise in 1999. Unfortunately, there was no stadium for the new team to play in, so construction began right away. In 2002, the Houston Texans played their first professional game, in their hometown, and in their new stadium - the only on (at this time) with a retractable roof.
Their best year, since 2002, came only five years later in 2007. The ended the 2007 season with an 8-8 record, giving them a .500 for the year, yet they had the worst record in their division. They have their work cut out for them, as they will have to achieve records higher than Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indiana if they want any division records.
Regardless of division placement, Texan fans continue to show up to every home game. The Texans are a new team, and are beginning to show signs of playing like a veteran team; fans anxiously await the day this comes true. Even with the disappointing division placement, 2007 financials show that record ticket sales took place this year, giving the team the financial support they need.
The following season - 2008 - proved to be a better year for the Texans. While they ended the season with the same record as before - .500 - they finished third in their division. Jacoby Jones and Andre Johnson used their skill to start getting more attention for the team as they began to set and break records. In fact, Jones was recognized - on many occasions - as Player of the Week, the first on his team to acquire this accomplishment.
The Texans’ .500 record put them in third place in their division, to be topped by Tennessee and Indianapolis. The record itself is a decent record, after all, the San Diego Chargers made it to the Super Bowl with a .500. It just so happens that other Southern division teams are playing exceptionally well.
Regardless, the Texans are a standup team, and their fans know it. The team is beginning to play and acts like a team that has been playing for years. Draft picks are near complete, and the team can begin practicing for another season. With new faces and strong skills, the Texans may just make it to the top of their division this year!