Just how bad are the 2-13 Texans?     

Being an expansion team in the NFL is a dicey proposition at best. Let's take a look at the first four year records of the last six expansion teams including the Texans:

Jags    35-29

Best record of the six expansion teams with 3 playoff appearances

Seahawks 25-35

No Playoffs

Browns  21-43  

Playoffs in year four.

Texans 18-45

Lost 8 games in the last two seasons by a TD or less.

Bucs 17-43     

Lost their first 26 games. Shut out 11 times in their first two seasons. Made it to the NFC Championship in Year 4 with running back Ricky Bell.

 As the "Reggie Bush Bowl" gets set to kickoff in a couple hours, let's look at what the Texans have done right the first four years, what they have done wrong, and what they need to do now.

The Texans have a first class owner in Bob McNair and he will do what it takes to get the franchise back on the right track. Whatever that is will depend greatly on what Dan Reeves has to share with him on his observations. I admire the way that McNair has stood behind his people through all of this and not taken advantage of the usual media bashing that takes place when a team hits the slippery slope to Hades. In fact in one interview during a long losing streak McNair told one reporter, "If your looking for someone to blame, it starts with me." That is a telling statement for an owner who has put his life's blood into this project.

Charley Casserly once regarded as a genius in the GM ranks has become the forgotten man this season. He has completely slipped under the radar. Whether by luck or design, it looks like he will be the first to be fired. Casserly is genuinely excited about his job and puts forth the maximum effort, unfortunately his is a results oriented business. He has had some misfortunes with draft picks along the way. From Boselli to Joppru, the ball has just not bounced Charley's way.  The results are in at 2-13 and counting, and Casserly will be gone.

Dom Capers is another genuinely honest, hard working and respectable defensive coach. Ultimately what will cost him his job is his highly conservative play calling on offense.  The thing Dom could never grasp hold of was that while you could lean on the Texans defense at times, it completely lacked the talent to shoulder the load. Thus you have to try some things on offense. Why did it take a 1-12 record for Dom to finally roll the dice on 4th and 1 against the Cardinals? Why couldn't he have taken that chance any number of times during the three games prior that could have brought home the victory? Lack of confidence in the offense? Nope, too much faith in his defense. Three weeks running he had the chance to go for the throat and win the game and three times he chose to lay up and let the defense hold it. All resulting in the eventual loss of his job. One thing most people are not aware of about Dom is that he is so meticulous in his job, he plans every day down to the precise minute. Sometimes that will stifle your imagination. That is what happened to Dom Capers.

With the exception of one curious kick in Cleveland this season, the Texans special teams have been tough to beat. They have been the bright spot these first four seasons. With a true touchdown threat in Jerome Mathis this season, the return teams have been electric. Kris Brown has been about as dependable of a kicker as a struggling expansion team who lives from field goal to field goal can ask for to be sure. Brown is never given the credit he is due. Stanley has been consistent and that is what you ask for from your punter. The special teams play with enthusiasm and precision. Joe Marciano should be recognized for his ability to take less talented players and turn it into an exceptional group effort.

Offensively the Texans were horribly unimaginative under Chris Palmer and they continue to be under Joe Pendry. Under Pendry there has been improvement, but it is like putting gas treatment in an Edsel. You did something, but in the end it is just not even close to being good enough.

The Texans defense played well at times. The unfortunate thing is that it took a Herculian effort to do that. The Texans simply lack talent on the defensive side of the ball. Is that Vic Fangio's fault?  Maybe not, but there were too many times this season that the defense just mailed it in when the going got tough. Plus it is hard to respect a coach that kept Phillip (Phyllis) Buchanon on his defense after the first game against Buffalo. He should have been traded,benched, demoted to practice squad, anything but allowed to go forward with the team.

The Texans marketing department is one of the best the NFL has ever seen. Despite the lack of successes on the field, the team is still popular with the fans in Houston and around the country. The Texans do not mind spending money to make money and that is one of the bright spots of the organization. It would be easy to crawl in a hole and wait for better days, but the Texans are out in the community and doing positive things. Anyone who has seen the tailgating spectacle of a Houston Texans home game knows this team is far from lacking in support. The Houston NFL experience is one to behold.

The Texans have a foundation for building. David Carr will prove himself to be a quality quarterback with the right offensive schemes and personnel. Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the game today. Davis missed his third straight 1,000 yard season by 24 yards and an injury. 

Defensively, the Texans have one of the best corners in the game in Dunta Robinson, and Demarcus ####gins seems to be coming into his own.  The special teamers are solid for the most part. Everyone and everything else is fair game. 

So where does all this lead? Trying to decide whether to draft Reggie Bush is difficult. Thinking about it from all angles can give you headaches. Should the Texans trade away the Reggie pick for offensive linemen? Should they trade down and draft some defensive players? Will they trade Dominack Davis? Personally, I was hoping the Texans would go on a mini-win streak and nullify the decision process. Sometimes its just better never to have to make those decisions. The more I see of Bush, and the more I think of life in the NFL, I have come to this conclusion. NFL running backs are like beer. You can never have too many in the fridge. Make it a Bush, and let the good times roll.