THE TEXANS FILE
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Home field: NRG Stadium
Coach: Lovie Smith
Offensive star: WR Brandon Cooks
2021 Season: Failed to make playoffs
Super Bowls: None
Greatest Player: DE J.J. Watt
Factoid: The Texans replaced the Houston Oilers who moved to Tennessee in 1996
By Lenn Robbins
Let’s start with one of the least creative nicknames in the NFL – the Texans.
The first NFL franchise in Houston was the Oilers and they hit every note for the city and the state.
Houston is the home of big oil and gas money. We’re talking big money. With their catchy fight song. oil well logo, and character of a coach named Bum Phillips, the Oilers were truly beloved.
But owner Bud Adams play the “Hold a City Hostage for a New Stadium,” game, ultimately leaving for Tennessee and a new stadium. Enter the Texans. In Houston. Which of course, is in Texas. Not much there.
Which sums up the 2022 version of the Texans – not much there.
After back-to-back playoff appearances under Bill O’Brien, a good coach, the Texans suffered through back-to-back losing seasons that were highlighted by mismanagement, bad trades and unfathomable decisions. O’Brien wasn’t nearly the franchise builder that he was coach.
The Texans are the only team we could not find a true defensive star. They are hoping that former third-round pick Davis Mills can emerge this season as a franchise quarterback. Their 2021 draft could yield as many as five starters before the season is over.
This bodes well for new coach Lovie Smith, who replaced David Culley after one season. Yes, this Houston franchise is at ground zero in its rebuild.
But consider the use of “Texans,” as a franchise name. San Antonio Texans of the CFL are no longer in business. The Houston Texans of the WFL moved to Louisiana to become the Shreveport Steamers. The Dallas Texans of the AFL moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs, paving the way for the Cowboys to become Texas’ Team if not America’s Team.
There just isn’t a helluva lot about to get excited when it comes to the Texans. Kind of makes Houston fans yearn for the days of the Oilers and a coach named “Bum.”