eNFL - 2005 Houston Texans - American Idols

[SplitPersonality1]

America's Team? So-what. Screw the Dallas Cowboys! The 2005 Houston Texans will be known as the next American Idols.

(cue theme music)

Come follow along as I try to lead this rag-tag bunch of cast-offs, journeymen & rookies to the playoffs and beyond. There are no superstars on this team and nary a Pro-Bowler to be seen. However, I think with the right system and a bit of luck, these guys can turn this team around and possibly capture a division crown.

The Past
2003 - David Carr & Stacey Mack led the Texans to a 6-10 in the inagrual year of the eNFL. The Texans were probably closer to a .500 team as several of those losses came in either overtime or last second plays in the fourth quarter.

2004 - The surprise non-signing of Mack and several trades for picks gave the Houston franchise a much younger look as they build toward the future. Unfortunately, the bottom dropped out when several key players, including CArr sat on the bench for most of the season. Veteran Tony Banks took the team about as far as they could go and the Texans only managed 5 wins.

The Present
The Texans wil have yet another new look this season as they revamped their roster yet again. They were very busy during the offseason with 13 free agent signings, 3 resigned players and 11 renegotated contracts. Combine this with 9 draft picks and most Texans fans will need to study their game yearbooks in order to figure out who is on the field.

The Future
The future looks bright as there are less than a dozen players with contracts that expire at the end of this season. Most of these are marginal players anyway, so the core of the team should remain intact. No matter what, GM SplitPersonality1 promises entertaining football to all of the Texans fans.

[SplitPersonality1]

Money - Pink Floyd
Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay and you're OK
Money it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team

Ah, yes. Free agency. A team accountant's nightmare.

The renegotiated contacts that were made gave Houston a large amount of cash to work with. We made the most of it by signing several proven veterans to the team. I believe we were only turned down by a half dozen players. Everyone else wanted to play in Houston (for the right price, of course)

The Texans begin the signing craze by giving a 3 year $9.99M to C Rich Braham, an eleven year vet who is one of the best centers in the league. His blocking abilities, both run and pass, are exceptional. He did not allow a sack in 2004. He is a huge improvement over last years starting center, Steve McKinney, who will remain on the team as a backup.

Next, the Texans resigned FB Jerrod Baxter to a $12.86M - five year deal. He played an integral part of the running game in 2004 by gaining 385 yards rushing and 284 yard passing. He is a power runner with sure hands (1 fumble in 20 starts in the past two seasons), a great combination. He will once again be the starting fullback.

to be continued...

[Passacaglia]

I was just thinking yesterday, that the Texans look like a really solid team that can go places this year. If you had managed to get DE Wheatley, that would have filled a prime need this year. And what's more, it seems like he was drafted by a snafu in San Diego, who could certainly use a Guard -- have you thought about trading for him?

[SplitPersonality1]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

I was just thinking yesterday, that the Texans look like a really solid team that can go places this year. If you had managed to get DE Wheatley, that would have filled a prime need this year. And what's more, it seems like he was drafted by a snafu in San Diego, who could certainly use a Guard -- have you thought about trading for him?

Definitely. The offseason is probably not yet complete for the Texans. I have several things bubbling around right now.

[Passacaglia]

If you get your young DE, talk to me about DE mentor Keith McKenzie.