Dan Pompei

With a little health and a little luck, the 2007 Texans might have had a much better record than the 8-8 they finished with.

If, before last season the Texans had to choose four players that were most critical to their success, they might have chosen quarterback Matt Schaub, wide receiver Andre Johnson, running back Ahman Green and cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Schaub missed five games with a shoulder injury. Johnson missed seven games with a knee injury, and the team lost all but two of the games he sat out. After signing a lucrative free agent contract, Green played in only six games because of a knee injury. Robinson was limited to nine games because of a knee injury.

So in the offseason the Texans decided to play it low key, counting on improvement coming from players returning from injury. They did fortify their pass rush with free agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and give themselves some insurance at the running back position, signing free agent Chris Brown from the Titans and drafting Steve Slaton.

It makes sense that the Texans should improve without adding much in Gary Kubiak's third season. Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith have done a nice job of finding players who fit the offensive and defensive systems. Now they just have to get them on the field.

The defense should be ready to take the next step behind the dynamic trio of defensive end Mario Williams, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

Williams the former No. 1 pick in the draft, began to hit his stride last season. He had 14 sacks, ten of which came in the season's last seven weeks. Okoye had a decent rookie year in 2007 and should be able to take his game to the next level in 2008. Ryans is one of the game's best young linebackers, having won the defensive rookie of the year award in 2006 and having earned a Pro Bowl invitation in 2007. And like Williams and Okoye, he still is improving.

The Texans have the look of a team that could sneak up on the AFC in 2008.

Hot seat
The Texans paid a hefty price for Schaub, giving the Falcons two second round picks and swapping first round picks in 2007. They also paid Schaub a hefty price, giving him $48 million over six years.

Schaub has not justified the investments yet. He is capable of doing so, however. First, he has to stay on the field. Then he has to establish himself as a consistent, reliable performer. The time to do that is now.

Overheard at camp
The Texans considered trading backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels, but thought better of it after determining they couldn't get much for him and coming to the realization that they probably are going to need him.

They also signed Jaguars free agent Quinn Gray in part because the Texans can't be sure that Schaub will overcome his shoulder injury and then stay healthy. This team very well could be calling on its backup quarterback at some point in 2008, and then they will be glad Rosenfels is in the building.

Comings and goings
In their seven year existence, the Texans never have had gotten their offensive line to where it needs to be. They made some strides last season, allowing the fifth fewest sacks in the NFL.

But in order to take the next step, they needed an anchor at left tackle. Some say the Texans reached by taking Duane Brown with the 26th pick in the first round, but Brown definitely scratched the left tackle itch. He also was the last of eight offensive tackles to be taken in the first round, so the Texans knew they couldn't wait until later rounds to get a player they thought could be a starter in fairly short order.

Brown will be under the direction of new assistant head coach Alex Gibbs, who should bring out the best in the Texans' blockers.

Prediction
The moves the Texans made in 2006 could pay off in 2008. Look for them to break out and finish with a winning record for the first time in their short history.

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