(06-27-2024, 03:17 AM)rpr52121 Wrote:

(06-20-2024, 09:50 PM)cland Wrote: In terms of the Texans, I think that the improvement to their defense is what is most overlooked.  Bringing in Hunter, Autry, and Al-Shaair will definitely pay dividends.  Despite being DROY, it's reported that Will Anderson Jr. is currently in pass-rushing school; getting advice from not only DE Danielle Hunter, but OT Laremy Tunsil as well.  Having one of the best pass-blockers in the league trying to school up a young and hungry DE is exciting (Iron sharpens iron.)  JJ Watt went from 5.5 sacks his first year to 20.5 sacks in his second--I'm not saying that they are the same player--but it's exciting to see that type of progress from year 1 to 2.

Al-Shaair is a DeMeco disciple, who played for him while he was the 49ers DC and had the 5th most tackles in the league in 2023.  And Christian Harris who was on a huge upswing last year now has a great mentor.

Autry while older (34) is coming off a career year with 11.5 sacks, and will likely line up as the 3-tech.

CB has a chance to improve with the Texans first draft pick Lassiter, a 2nd round rookie who is reportedly playing extremely well in OTAs and mini-camp (he won the SWARM award (aka. DeMeco's own thing) in minicamp. They also have Okudah, a former #3 draft picks who has been injured. If he can get right (not predicting he will) that would be a huge shot in the arm.

However the safeties are the same as last year, and if Pitre doesn't improve in the new scheme or Jimmie Ward gets injured again that could be the weak spot.  Calen Bullock, the Texans third round pick, looks like he'll probably need a year to put on weight before he gets going.

I don't think anything about the Texans is being overlooked. I see more pundits claiming they will win 12-13 games than fewer than 12 games.

They definitely appear to have improved their team at the moment, but nearly every team looks dramatically improved in July. Especially since player/position development/improvement is not consistent, often with back steps or plateaus.

Vegas has the Texans at 9.5, the Jags and Colts at 8.5, and the Titans at 6.5.  I generally lean on the betting odds rather than a pundits opinion.  If I had to bet I'd go over, over, under, under...but only expect it to be half right. (Enjoy the juice bookies!)

In terms of things not working out in the next season, I always feel that it comes down to when and where the injuries take their toll.  For the Texans I think a serious injury to Derek Stingley, Laremy Tunsil, then Danielle Hunter/Will Anderson in that order would have a serious impact on the team (I'm leaving the QB out cause that's the true for every team across the league.)

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