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THE TEXANS 2009 SEASON WRAP UP

Posted by richardson on January 18th, 2010
kubiak

Just making playoffs is too low of a goal heading into season number 9

After spending the entire 2009 season reporting on the Texans, I wanted to wait a few weeks to allow everything to sink in before I conclude with a season ending perspective.

First of all, I’m not as ecstatic about a 9-7 record as most people. Where are all those people (including area journalists) who were saying that this team was going to go 11-5 or possibly 12-4 this season? Anyone with a modicum of football intelligence is keenly aware that the Texans were fortunate to play one of the softest schedules in the NFL this season. An opening day loss to rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the Jets got the season off to an ominous start, but to their credit, the Texans did rise to the occasion and feasted on the weaker sisters in the likes of Seattle, St. Louis, Buffalo and Oakland.

And aside from getting a heavy dose of the dregs of the league, the Texans also caught other fortuitous breaks along the way during the season:

A home date against a Colts team that was so battered, three quarters of their starting secondary and pass rush extraordinaire Dwight Freeney, didn’t even suit up for the game. Then, another huge break came by the way of the Patriots, who were scheduled as the last opponent of the season and had nothing meaningful to play for.

You talk about missed opportunities.

Here’s my question to everyone who accepts the 9-7 feat as a big accomplishment: Wasn’t the goal of Bob McNair and his organization last August to make the playoffs? Fullback Vonta Leech and some of his teammates even went on record to say that the 2009 season would be either “playoffs or bust.” Some will argue that the Texans’ season was successful due to the fact they remained in the AFC playoff chase until the last game of the 2009 season. But the truth of the matter is that this team basically eliminated themselves from the playoff chase by losing four straight during that horrible stretch from November through early December. Is it truly accurate to say that you are in a playoff race when winning your games doesn’t determine your playoff fate?

Mindset change begins with coaching

After defeating the Jacksonville JV squad to boost their record to 8-8 after the 2007 season, the Texans organization boasted to their fans that the team had finally turned the corner and was ready to challenge prominently in the AFC. But two seasons later, this same team has registered no playoff appearances and is stilled mired in mediocrity. The 2008 campaign started in disastrous fashion at (0-4), although they rebounded nicely to finish 8-4 down the stretch. But ultimately, it was another season of disappointment. The 2009 launch began a solid 5-3 start; only to ten languish in a four-game losing streak that for all intents and purposes ended the season.

Who should bare the blame for these repeated lapses? Should it be the players? Should it start with the head coach? Who’s at fault for this team only being able to put winning streaks together after the pressure is virtually gone? I’ll admit that it wasn’t Kubiak who missed important field goals during the year; or fumbled the ball in crucial situations; or tossed ill-advised interceptions that resulted in losses. But he has not demonstrated the propensity to have this team consistently prepared week-to-week during his four years at the helm. There are perplexing losses each year that leave you scratching your head.

Kubiak has carved out an underwhelming 31-33 record with no playoff appearances during his four seasons in Houston. No current NFL coach has performed with such futility and has managed to hang on to his job, while others have even done more and been fired. Most of this tolerance for mediocrity is because of ultra-patient owner Bob McNair. Uncle Bob truly likes Kubiak and is willing to give him every chance possible to succeed. Plus, there is no current pressure from fans to make a change. Mc Nair is fortunately to be in a city where winning doesn’t appear to be the most important thing to fans.

Personally, I don’t have a he problem with Kubiak being allowed to finish out the fifth year of his contract, but his firing would have certainly been justified. And for those who believe that it puts the Texans at a disadvantage of having a lame duck coach, that’s baloney. It would be a huge mistake to give the guy a two year extension. Anyone remember the David Carr extension? Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan and Tony Dungy have collected four Lombardy trophies among them. And they were all fired for only being able to take their teams so far. Another important point: MAKING A COACHING CHANGE DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN! Often, it proves to be the impetuous that takes a team to the next level.

Playoffs…Don’t talk about playoffs!

Shouldn’t this organization be focused on more that just making a playoff appearance after nearly a decade? The excuse of being a new franchise is no longer valid. The excuse that it takes time to build a winner is no longer valid. Did anyone notice how quickly it took the Miami Dolphins or the Atlanta Falcons to regroup and produce playoff caliber teams back in 2008 after both teams combined to win a total of three the season before? Bob McNair owes it to his loyal fans to hold this team accountable for its failures on the field.

I’m extremely curious to see how next season plays out. Hopefully, we’ll see more consistent football and less whining. No more whining about VY slapping refs on the butts; no more whining about other teams pulling their starters; and no more whining about the Cowboys having success again. How disheartening must it be for Texans fans to see Jerry Jones and the Cowboys making all the right personnel moves and winning playoff games again. By the way Texans fans: All other 31 NFL teams will be trying to improve during the off season also! Every year, we hear how next season is going to be the year. We already know that there is no cream puff schedule on slate for next season.

Plus, did anyone notice that this team again came through pretty decently on the injury front other than losing a few players on the O-line; although losing the emerging Owen Daniels was significant. But injuries will also be a factor as they will next season for sure. Every team loses pro bowl caliber players at some point, but the good teams find a way to survive. Check out the 2009 Colts. The Jets lost arguably their best defensive player in Chris Jenkins and still managed to win a playoff game.

While many Texans fans will bask in the glow of the Cowboys’ defeat at the hands of the Vikings in the NFC Divisional playoffs, it still doesn’t erase the fact that their team still has a lot of work to do just to make the playoffs someday. And by the way, Andre Johnson is growing sick and tired of having the world see how great Larry Fitzgerald is each post season while all he gets to do I say “wait ‘til next year.”

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