Wattafan

Texans:- Best case scenario - key players stay healthy, Ryan Fitzpatrick is serviceable within O'Brien's system, defense is a beast. 10-6 record. Worst case scenario - opposite of above. 4-12 Realistic - 7 or 8 wins.

And 5000 yard seasons will also become meh. Soon 6000 will be the standard.

Exactly. I am fed up with the sometimes subjective calls and the ones that could go either way and the defender gets caned with a 45 yard penalty. It's the one area I hate about the game - it needs to be cleaned up properly.

The whisper is he was concerned he might have been in line for the chopping block next season. Bob McNair apparently stepped in and spoke with him and assured him that he would retire a Texan. Perhaps he got some guaranteed money? - stay tuned.

You got a good one there Rain Man - I was hoping Texans would take him, but Xavier Su'a Filo is looking awesome at training camp even though he is way behind so I'm happy with that.

I agree on Su'a Filo but Savage is well, meh. 4th rounder so no biggie if he is a no goer. Dude throws a frozen rope and is reportedly very teachable and working his tail off. Preseason could see him throw a few around and that will be interesting to watch.

Texans have several battles looming. With the addition of Tyson Clabo, Derek Newton will have some competition for the RT position, despite DN already being named starter. Newton could keep it for now, simply because he has a heads up on Clabo. The linebacker positions also need to be solidified as do some of the secondary spots. Brooks Reid will likely switch to ILB with Cushing, with hopefully some strong competition from Max Bullough.

I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly - just heard rumblings over the off season that Crennel will be very imaginative with his D and it was suggested the scenario I mentioned could happen. A novelty play possibly, but would be fun to watch - even if it was threatened, it could throw an O off sufficiently to slow a play/drive down.

There's a very good chance Crennel could swing Watt to the edge a few times this season. That will be fun to watch. He may not be as fast as some of those guys, but he will be harder to stop. Watt has been in full beast mode in training - I can't wait to see him in action again this season.

Johnson showed up at training camp this morning per NFL network. All you vultures can go back home now.

My pick for overall team was the obvious one - last seasons Texans. The most under-rated one is the Arizona Cardinals - last season they finished with a 10 - 6 record but missed out because they are in the toughest division in football. On the flip side of that, Packers scraped into the playoffs with an 8 - 6 - 1 record and home field ad. I pity the Rams, who also are also in that division and will give grief to many opponents this season.

Call me a homer but I think Foster is in the top 5 RB's - simply because he is a dangerous receiver as well. As far as a system making him look good is concerned, you could probably make that argument for most RB's. With Andrew Luck, he is probably a little over-rated. He does throw plenty of ints but you have to admire the way he can bring his team from behind for wins - that's impressive for a relatively new NFL QB.

You can have Winston - I'll take Petty.

And - Joe Buck Award - for the most objective poster.

For a top flight team they certainly got an easy looking schedule. If they don't make it to the playoffs again then they only have themselves to blame. My Texans get an easier schedule than last year but still face 5 top defenses.

Fitz will be interesting to watch. I hope he isn't a dumpster fire. We will be marginally better in the secondary and the line in general should be better - I hope Newton's injury woes are over and his hard work in the off season pays dividends otherwise RT could be problematical again. Su'a Filo can play there I believe but he is a rookie.

There's a thought...

He has lost a step these days, but his route running is very clever. I saw one bit of footage where he made Sherman look like an amateur in last season's match-up. I will hate to lose him as it hurts Texans offensive firepower this coming season, but it will make sense financially for Texans and may snag us an extra pick in the next draft.

Texans likely suffer from lack of good QB play but I don't think it will stop them from a .500 season - an injury to Watt would gut this team's morale and another injury to Cushing would also hurt big time. It is very obvious this team's D is not the same without it's captain and it effects the whole team.

Donald is a strong chance to take DROY and ROY. It's between him and Clowney imho.

I agree on Roethlisberger - not only is he a decent scrambler, but even when the D gets a hold of him he is hard to bring down and regularly manages to get the ball away when in the clutches of defenders.

I'm with you bro - I hate Indy like crazy, but I respect Luck. He is the real deal and in three years will be the best QB in the NFL.

Mustn't leave my Texans out:- Hopkins will show his worth this year. Johnson will be his usual self. Posey is also very close. Foster has always had very reliable hands. Graham and Griffin have also shown flashes and Fiedorowicz will get some chances. We just need the QB to get the ball to them.

Yeah - it's not an easy list. I wonder how Eli would go with a new team with a whole new outlook and culture...I think he just needs a change of scenery. I know it won't happen, but it would be real interesting to put a Texans uni on him with what they got going on over there.

Just for the heck of it:- Peyton Manning Tom Brady Drew Brees Aaron Rogers Matt Ryan Andrew Luck Cam Newton Russel Wilson Ben Roethlisberger Eli Manning