Some fans believe that Sage is pressing this year in an attempt to show that he should be a starting QB in the NFL. Last year, he (should have) harbored no illusions that he would again be the No. 2 in ‘08. Maybe he’s trying to show another GM that he can be their guy?

Truthfully, I don’t know. I just know that right now Sage Rosenfels’ legacy in Houston is the Rosencopter, not 4-1 last year.

1. The night before the 2006 NFL Draft, I was at a dinner party. Ladies were in the kitchen; dudes were huddled around the TV, which, oddly enough, was replaying the Texas-USC national title game that had taken place about four months ago. Clear as day, I remember seeing the ESPN Bottom Line announcing that the Texans had agreed to a six-year deal worth $54 million with N.C. State DE Mario Williams. I let out a scream. Not of joy. Of horror.

The team had announced the day before that they weren’t taking VY, and I didn’t want Reggie Bush, who I thought would be Eric Metcalf, Jr. in the NFL. But I didn’t want Super Mario either; I feared he was a workout wonder who wouldn’t do jack squat in the league. I wanted the Texans to trade back a few spots, pick up another pick or two, and take D’Brickashaw Ferguson to be their LT. In my mind, at that time, I thought the Texans made a mistake. Without any reservation at all, I now say this: I am too stupid for words. Super Mario has been everything a No. 1 pick should be, and we’re truly fortunate to have him.

2. In three words, up-and-down. On balance, I’d probably give him a B, considering he inherited a 2-14 team. Kubes has remade a crappy offense into a damn fine one (when Schaub is on the field, that is). I might question his playcalling at times, but I think that’d be the case with any coach. The concerns about Kubes are chiefly (1) clock management; (2) use of challenges; and (3) refusal to fire Richard Smith (DC). I want to believe the first two are merely growing pains, but the truth is he hasn’t shown many signs of improvement in those areas. The latter had better be resolved at the end of the season, or I’m going on a killing spree.

This season, it’s most assuredly been The Super Mario Show. Okoye has been a big disappointment thus far, especially considering he looked very good for long stretches in his rookie year. I’m not ready to give up on Amobi, though. He’s still absurdly young, and the coaching staff has yet to embrace a very simple notion: Amobi needs a big DT next to him to tie up blockers. Instead of plugging Frank Okam in to see if he can be that guy, Richard Smith insists on playing abhorrent first-round bust Travis Johnson next to Okoye. Both Okoye and Tr. Johnson are small for their position, and each can generally be handled by a single blocker. The Texans drafted Amobi for his pass-rushing skills. If he isn’t getting into the backfield, he’s just a guy, as he’s not very good against the run right now. Because of the coaching staff’s apparent inability to put him in a position to maximize his talent, I’m giving Amobi a mulligan for his year thus far. If Amobi doesn’t begin producing on a more consistent basis next year, however, I’ll be considerably less forgiving.

Jacoby Jones scares the crap out of me. He’s as fast as anyone in the league, but his terrible ball control skills leave me with a lump in my throat every time he touches the ball. The Texans drafted him with an eye toward making him their No. 2 or No. 3 WR; at this point, I’d say that’s a pipe dream. He’s one of the best punt returners in the league (despite mental failings that have resulted in him fair catching punts at his own ten yard line), no question. But is punt return success alone a good return on your third round pick from ‘07? I don’t think so.

Thanks for the kind words about ‘Dre. He is criminally underrated. Colts fans know good WR play, so saying he’s the best means a lot from your fan base.

First, thanks for the kick to the pills. Life as a Texans fan: Draft talk in mid-November! Huzzah!

At this point, I’d peg us as a six (6) win team, which probably means a pick somewhere between 7 and 11. In terms of need, I said this before last year’s draft, and I’ll say it again: We could draft nothing but DBs for the next two years and you wouldn’t hear a word of complaint from me. Secondary is the most glaring need by far, but we also desperately need a DE to wreak havoc opposite Super Mario. A one man pass rush is not very effective.

I think Slaton’s legit and hope that he’s a part of the solution at RB for years to come. Nevertheless, I hope the team acquires a bigger back to keep Slaton fresh next season. When healthy this season, Ahman Green has done a fine job in limited action, but he isn’t worth the money he’s being paid (even with a renegotiated deal for this season’s salary). In other words, I look for the team to bring in another RB to serve as the yin to Slaton’s yang next year in the hope of further strengthening an improved running game.

It’s all pure speculation at this point; I don’t really have anyone particular in mind, though the names of Wade Phillips and Marvin Lewis (assuming both are canned at season’s end) have been tossed around. Phillips is probably unlikely, as his preferred scheme is the 3-4, which the Texans have been getting away from since Capers was run out of town.

Doubt it’ll be anyone from within the organization. If it does end up being a guy like Bush or Rhodes, fans will wonder why the change wasn’t made during the season.

I say 10, maybe even less. Remember—the Texans were up 17 on your squad with about four minutes left to play a few weeks ago.

I do not. I’m dead inside.