Aug. 26, 2004, 11:24PM
Texans getting serious
Broncos game closest thing to real season
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES
DENVER - The Texans need a double shot of mouthwash to counteract the bad taste left from last week's 35-point loss at Pittsburgh. The Denver Broncos will have to do.
At least tonight at Invesco Field, coach Dom Capers won't have to wonder if his team finally can follow up a good performance with another. The Texans did little right in a 38-3 loss to the Steelers, but they hope to clean up their act in what basically amounts to the most significant game in an otherwise meaningless preseason schedule.
The Texans went through their first week of normal game preparation, including implementing a game plan for tonight's matchup with the Broncos. Capers will play his starters the first half and possibly into the third quarter in what could be the clearest window into what the Texans might have to offer this season.
The Texans close out the preseason Sept. 2 against Tampa Bay at Reliant Stadium, but the starters barely will break a sweat in that game, so tonight will be their last real tune-up for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener against San Diego.
"There is a sense of urgency," strong safety Eric Brown said. "We didn't play well last week, and it's time to put things together. We're coming up on the start of the season, and by the time the season rolls around, we want to be perfect. Judging by last week, obviously, we're not there yet, so we definitely need to get on the right track (tonight)."
Capers hopes to see major improvement in two areas where the Texans were particularly inefficient last week at Pittsburgh. The Steelers rushed for 205 yards and averaged 4.2 yards a carry, while the Texans managed just 54 rushing yards on 21 attempts. He also wants to see the Texans cut down on their penalties (21 in two games) and mental errors.
Davis makes debut
"We have to make sure we go out and continue to play hard and try not to lay another egg like we did last weekend," free safety Marcus Coleman said. "The thing you have to do is bounce back, correct the mistakes of last week and try to move on."
The preseason debut of starting running back Domanick Davis, who missed the first two games because of nagging leg injuries, should give the ground game a boost. Davis practiced without setbacks this week and looked as if he was playing at a higher speed than everyone else on the field, perhaps the result of fresh legs.
"I just want to get out there and try to add some energy to the offense," Davis said. "I want to get these guys laughing and joking in the huddle and get them pumped, just relax and have fun."
The Texans' run defense will get a stiff test from a Denver team that has produced four different 1,000-yard rushers over the past six seasons.
"It will be a good test for our defense," Capers said. "They've certainly been one of the best teams in the league at running the football. They have a mobile quarterback, and they'll give you formation variations, and they do an excellent job offensively. I know every player on our team is anxious to get back on the field and redeem themselves.
"You certainly hope you don't have to have (a wakeup call), but we certainly had one. This is a game where you have to answer the bell every day. You can't afford to have a bad practice, you can't afford to have a bad week. We're looking for guys who can be consistent who we can count on day in and day out."
Time to execute
Despite the fact the Texans return to Invesco Field on Nov. 7 for a regular-season game against the Broncos, Capers doesn't feel the need to limit what the Texans expose in tonight's game. Instead, the focus will be on execution.
"I think if you play them early in the season, you're always concerned that you don't want to show too much," Capers said. "We don't play these guys until the middle of the season. They'll be able to see all of us that they want to see, and we'll see all of them that we want to see by that point in time.
"Many times, you're a totally different team than what you see in the preseason. Things can look much different. I don't think it's much of a concern. Both teams will get to know the other's personnel, but beyond that, X's- and O's-wise, I don't think there's much to it.
"I would be concerned if we were playing them in the first four games of the season."
Texans getting serious
Broncos game closest thing to real season
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
RESOURCES
DENVER - The Texans need a double shot of mouthwash to counteract the bad taste left from last week's 35-point loss at Pittsburgh. The Denver Broncos will have to do.
At least tonight at Invesco Field, coach Dom Capers won't have to wonder if his team finally can follow up a good performance with another. The Texans did little right in a 38-3 loss to the Steelers, but they hope to clean up their act in what basically amounts to the most significant game in an otherwise meaningless preseason schedule.
The Texans went through their first week of normal game preparation, including implementing a game plan for tonight's matchup with the Broncos. Capers will play his starters the first half and possibly into the third quarter in what could be the clearest window into what the Texans might have to offer this season.
The Texans close out the preseason Sept. 2 against Tampa Bay at Reliant Stadium, but the starters barely will break a sweat in that game, so tonight will be their last real tune-up for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener against San Diego.
"There is a sense of urgency," strong safety Eric Brown said. "We didn't play well last week, and it's time to put things together. We're coming up on the start of the season, and by the time the season rolls around, we want to be perfect. Judging by last week, obviously, we're not there yet, so we definitely need to get on the right track (tonight)."
Capers hopes to see major improvement in two areas where the Texans were particularly inefficient last week at Pittsburgh. The Steelers rushed for 205 yards and averaged 4.2 yards a carry, while the Texans managed just 54 rushing yards on 21 attempts. He also wants to see the Texans cut down on their penalties (21 in two games) and mental errors.
Davis makes debut
"We have to make sure we go out and continue to play hard and try not to lay another egg like we did last weekend," free safety Marcus Coleman said. "The thing you have to do is bounce back, correct the mistakes of last week and try to move on."
The preseason debut of starting running back Domanick Davis, who missed the first two games because of nagging leg injuries, should give the ground game a boost. Davis practiced without setbacks this week and looked as if he was playing at a higher speed than everyone else on the field, perhaps the result of fresh legs.
"I just want to get out there and try to add some energy to the offense," Davis said. "I want to get these guys laughing and joking in the huddle and get them pumped, just relax and have fun."
The Texans' run defense will get a stiff test from a Denver team that has produced four different 1,000-yard rushers over the past six seasons.
"It will be a good test for our defense," Capers said. "They've certainly been one of the best teams in the league at running the football. They have a mobile quarterback, and they'll give you formation variations, and they do an excellent job offensively. I know every player on our team is anxious to get back on the field and redeem themselves.
"You certainly hope you don't have to have (a wakeup call), but we certainly had one. This is a game where you have to answer the bell every day. You can't afford to have a bad practice, you can't afford to have a bad week. We're looking for guys who can be consistent who we can count on day in and day out."
Time to execute
Despite the fact the Texans return to Invesco Field on Nov. 7 for a regular-season game against the Broncos, Capers doesn't feel the need to limit what the Texans expose in tonight's game. Instead, the focus will be on execution.
"I think if you play them early in the season, you're always concerned that you don't want to show too much," Capers said. "We don't play these guys until the middle of the season. They'll be able to see all of us that they want to see, and we'll see all of them that we want to see by that point in time.
"Many times, you're a totally different team than what you see in the preseason. Things can look much different. I don't think it's much of a concern. Both teams will get to know the other's personnel, but beyond that, X's- and O's-wise, I don't think there's much to it.
"I would be concerned if we were playing them in the first four games of the season."
