NFL's surprise team for 2009: Houston Texans

If you're dying to know of a surprise team in the NFL for 2009, I just might have one.

The Houston Texans.

For a long time, the Texans have been hungry for the playoffs. Houston quietly had an 8-8 season in 2008 after opening with four straight losses. They played against their AFC South foes quite well. They beat the Titans and Jaguars near season's end, they lost in Jacksonville by a last-second field goal and, in addition to playing well in Indianapolis, they had the Colts down for the count before they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at home.

Houston has a potent offense led by wide receiver Andre Johnson, a miniature version of Terrell Owens. Johnson is one of the most physical receivers in the league. Houston received a huge boost in the backfield last year with the drafting of running back Steve Slaton. The knock on Slaton coming into the 2008 draft was that his speed didn't match his toughness, but his performance in 2008 proved otherwise.

If there is one team in the league that could use consistency at the quarterback position, it's Houston. Matt Schaub, the Atlanta Falcons castoff, is a smart, strong-armed passer with all of the skills needed to excel at the position. Schaub has been riddled with unfortunate injuries that have derailed his career, but he is very effective when in the lineup. Sage Rosenfels, also known as Rosencopter after the meltdown against the Colts, was traded to the Vikings.

The Texans have one of the most promising defenses in the league heading into the 2009 season. The unit is led by defensive end Mario Williams. Williams has 26 sacks over the last two seasons and figures to be a dominant, long-term fixture for the Texans at defensive end.

Houston signed 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle Shaun Cody and ex-Colt linebacker Cato June in free agency. Cody will team with Travis Johnson and 21-year-old Amobi Okoye to give the Texans a solid rotation in the trenches. 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans continues to dominate at middle linebacker. Houston drafted USC linebacker Brian Cushing with their first-round pick. June vs. Cushing will be a hot battle during training camp.

What does all of this mean? The Colts could be in for trouble. Tennessee outplayed the Colts in 2009 and won the AFC South for the first time in five years, but they face an immense challenge with replacing Albert Haynesworth. Jacksonville is in rebuilding mode with a roster devoid of proven talent at many key positions. Tony Dungy, Howard Mudd, Ron Meeks, Russ Parnell and Tom Moore have left or are in the process of leaving Indianapolis.

That leaves Houston. The Texans will have the same coaching staff that they had in 2008. They're also in great salary cap shape: $14.4 million in space, according to InTheBullsEye.com. The Texans came out of the draft with some of the best players available. To top it off, only two (Tennessee and Arizona) of Houston's first seven games are against 2008 playoff teams. Three of Houston's first four games are played at home.

They've been waiting for a long time. They're finally ready.
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Bryan Ault is a student at Franklin College, and he writes columns for The Tribune. He may be reached online via his blog at bryanaultfootball.blogspot.com