Go Back   New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com > Main > Saints

Texans turn attention to Saints

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; http://www.houstontexans.com/news/in...cont_id=203930 Texans turn attention to Saints September 10, 2003 By Carter Toole HoustonTexans.com The Playbook of Dom states that players shouldn't get too high or too low during the long, grueling NFL season. And the Texans, as his gridiron disciples, ...

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-10-2003, 02:35 PM   #1
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,209
Texans turn attention to Saints

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/in...cont_id=203930




Texans turn attention to Saints
September 10, 2003

By Carter Toole

HoustonTexans.com

The Playbook of Dom states that players shouldn't get too high or too low during the long, grueling NFL season. And the Texans, as his gridiron disciples, are following that book to the letter.

There was little talk of Houston's season-opening win at Miami Wednesday in the locker room. In their collective mindset, the Texans have turned the proverbial page and are focused squarely on Sunday's date with the Saints in the Superdome.


The Texans celebrated in Miami, but now their attention is on the Saints.

"We had a good game but, really, we can talk about that game at the end of the year," nose tackle Seth Payne said. "Now we're worried about the Saints."

And with good reason. Don't be fooled by New Orleans' 27-10 loss at Seattle last week. First off, the Seahawks are a much-improved club. Secondly, the Saints still managed to rack up enough yardage to rank sixth in total offense, three spots behind the Texans.

(Let's pause for a moment to savor that statement…OK, carry on.)

"The score wasn't indicative of how the Saints played," Payne said. "They had a lot of turnovers. They've got a lot of weapons between the running game and the passing games. We've got to get ready for another running quarterback, another good running back and another solid cast of receivers."

Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks threw for 274 yards last week but had three turnovers (one pick, two fumbles). Running back Deuce McAllister collected 134 combined yards but failed to score, disappointing many fantasy owners. While the guys up front focus on those two, Texans cornerbacks Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman will have their hands full with two talented receivers -- Pro Bowler Joe Horn and second-year standout Donte Stallworth.

New Orleans was the lone NFC South team to lose last Sunday so the Saints can't afford to overlook the Texans. Not that any team should anymore.

"A lot of teams tend to look over new franchises or franchises that don't have a background in winning," said linebacker Charlie Clemons, who will be facing his old team. "Miami was probably thinking 'They can't come in here and beat us.' But we've got some guys that really want to win."

Now the Texans are looking to make that a habit. Houston has never won consecutive games. In fact, the Texans were outscored after its four victories last season by a combined total of 104-28. In 2002, maybe wins were cause for celebration. But this year's version of the Texans expects to win and they know they can't contend without stringing some victories together.

"That's got to be our next goal," center Steve McKinney said. "Last year in our four wins, we really came back and played poorly the week after, at least offensively. We know our next step as a team has to be to come out and play well after a win."

Tennessee and Indianapolis face each other Sunday so a win by the Texans would allow them to remain tied for first place in the AFC South with that game's winner. It's early, but any momentum the Texans can carry through the first month of the season will only help them gain confidence. We already know their focus won't waver from week to week. The Playbook of Dom says so.

"You have to try to forget about wins and realize that it's a long season," guard Zach Wiegert said. "It's a marathon, not a sprint. We have to prepare the same way each week."


BillyCarpenter1 is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:29 AM.


Copyright 1997 - 2020 - BlackandGold.com
no new posts