2004 Houston Texans

Still an extremely young franchise, the Houston Texans have shown that they can compete effectively in the NFL. While their 2003 record of 5-11 did not take them close to the playoffs, ongoing improvement will make the Texans stronger in 2004. A preseason victory over state rival Dallas Cowboys has both players and fans optimistic. Regardless of their record, Houston fans are glad to have a team after the Oilers left town for Tennessee, so tickets will be a scarce commodity in 2004.

The Houston Oilers were entrenched as an NFL franchise, playing their games in the Houston Astrodome, until ownership decided in 1997 that Tennessee was a more suitable venue for football. The NFL accepted Houston's proposal for an expansion team after a competing bid from Los Angeles, California, fell apart in 1999. The Texans are owned by businessman Robert McNair, and the general manager is Charley Casserly. The franchise selected its team name in September 2000. In early 2001 Houston hired Dom Capers, former defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as its first head coach. Capers was also the first head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who joined the NFL in 1995.

In 2002, the Houston Texans were a team of two minds -- the offense performed below expectations while the defense exceeded them.

While Houston knew that its offense would be young with six rookies starting there, it also built a veteran defense to carry the bulk of the load. The offense finished near the bottom of the league in nearly every offensive statistical category, but the defense remained among the better teams in the league. The running game had no playmakers and never let the offense get on track, whereas the defense kept the team competitive in most games.

This year, the veteran defense is expected to keep the Texans competitive. Houston's bets rely on quarterback David Carr, a reconstructed offensive line, a potentially electrifying WR corps which features Corey Bradford and first-round selection Andre Johnson, an upgraded backfield and as many as six new starters on offense. The defense happily returns 10 of 11 starters, including Pro Bowl CB Aaron Glenn and DE Gary Walker.

Gone is the expansion label, but expectations remain modest as the Texans continue to look down the road long-term and realize success won't come overnight. Head coach Dom Capers has worked magic before with an expansion team during its second season, taking the Panthers within one victory of the Super Bowl in 1996.