Home
The Battle Red Chronicle
Houston (AP) -- The 2013 Season was a magical one for the Houston Texans, but the players, coaches, staff, and their fans we're left with a sour and empty feeling after their 15-1 season ended with a early playoff loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the 2014 season upon us, the city of Houston is ready to dispose of that empty feeling and get back on track to reach the goals they had seemed all but destined to reach last year. But how do you build on what was such a wildly amazing 2013 regular season run?
Last season, everything seemed to go right for the Texans. Injuries were few and far between, with every offensive starter starting all 16 games last season. Defensively, only Joseph, Sharpton, and Mercilus missed a couple of games. The Offense led the league in scoring, averaging nearly 37PPG. They went 5-1 in the division, only losing to the Colts in an early season matchup in Indy, a major turnaround from a dismal 1-5 division record the season before. The Texans finished the season on a 14 game win streak, one of the longest streaks in XML history. Defensively, the team was 2nd in the league in interceptions, top 5 in turnover diff, and top 5 against the run.
Players had outstanding individual seasons for the Texans as well. HB Arian Foster finished with over 1500 yds and led the league in rushing TDs. QB Matt Schaub executed the pass game well, ending the season with 5 receivers over 500 yards. OLB Brooks Reed had another stellar season, finishing with 18 sacks. Safeties Danieal Manning and Mike Mitchell each finished with 5 interceptions. And CBs Johnathan Joseph, Brandon Harris, and Tracy Porter had career years, each finishing with 15, 11 and 8 interceptions respectively.
Coach Darris Anthony was proud of his players individual efforts. "When you have 10 guys who go to the pro bowl all in the same season, you know you're doing something right here. But it takes more than individual effort for those guys to get recognized in that capacity." But Coach Anthony knows that going forward, those guys have to continue to play at that high of a level if they want to continue to succeed. "Not only do those guys have to continue to build on their successes, but we need everyone to elevate their game if we want to reach the ultimate goal."
Coach Anthony is excited about what the 2014 season brings. 21 of the 22 starters have returned for the 2014 season, only losing Pro Bowl Strong Safety Mike Mitchell to the Vikings in free agency. Replacing him will be the Texans highly touted 1st round draft pick out of Auburn Austin Virgil. The 6'2'' prospect from the south expressed his excitement to us about what it means to step into the locker room of such a competitive defense. "It means the world to me that this coaching staff trust me to step in an make an impact from day one. I got to step my game up to the highest level in this environment for sure."
We here at the Battle Red Chronicle have our list of five players we are most excited about in the 2014 season:
5. CB Brandon Harris - Harris is coming off of an unreal 11 interception season after moving from the Right Cornerback position, to the nickel corner position, and its a move that could have single handedly won Coach Anthony Coach of the Year last year. Harris had career highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for a loss to go with his outstanding interception total, and we think he's only getting better from here.
4. OLB Whitney Merclius - We already know what Brooks Reed brings to the table each and every season. Mercilus on the other hand saw his numbers decrease slightly in a season where he missed a few games due to injury. If he can stay healthy, we expect to see him surpass the numbers he put up in his rookie season, making this pass rushing duo one of the tops in the league for a third straight year.
3. RE Christopher Hardman - Hardman won our hearts over when he stole the starting DE job from DE Arthur Jones, and he hasn't let up a bit. He's coming into 2014 with more experience and a complete grasp of the starting RE job. And we expect him to continue to flourish while standing next to JJ Watt.
2. SS Austin Virgil - This first round draft pick has the whole city excited. At Auburn, he was an enforcer, appearing on the highlight reels every night with his explosive hitting ability. We can't wait to see him knock the helmet off of the likes of Chris Johnson and CJ Spiller twice a year.
1. HB DeRay Ray - We can't help but to continue to gush over the likes of what DeRay bought to Houston last season. Explosiveness in the kick return game, and an absolute burner out of the backfield. We expect to see even more of this explosiveness this season.
The Texans also added a few other new pieces through free agency and the draft. Guys like DT Marvin Austin and NT Kenrick Ellis look to add depth to a studly defensive front. ILB Jasper Brinkley was signed to enforce the special teams unit with the departure of Lorenzo Alexander. SS Troy Nolan returned on a 3 year deal to continue his role in the safety rotation. And fan favorite TE Joel Dreessen returns to Houston after two years away in other cities.
There is also buzz around the development of other young stars on the team, such as WRs Mohamed Sanu and DeVier Posey, each entering their 3rd NFL Seasons, and MLB Darryl Sharpton, who resigned on a 5 year extension last season, who is looking to continue to be the enforcer next to Brian Cushing in one of the top LB corps in the league.
It won't be easy by any means in the 2014 season. A first place ball club gets a first place schedule, and will face the likes of teams like the Chiefs, Steelers, and Bills this season. That, to go along with matchups against the NFC North, and AFC East should make this one wild ride of a 2014 XML Season for the defending AFC South Champion Houston Texans.
