Following their breakthrough into the playoffs, the Houston Texans face some big questions.
Foremost among them are the contracts of outside linebacker Mario Williams and running back Arian Foster. Williams can become an unrestricted free agent and potentially command the richest contract for a defensive player in league history. Foster will be a restricted free agent who could be pursued by another club.
While general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak worry about roster construction, and while many analysts like this one predict continued big things for the franchise, team president Jamey Rootes is looking at growing the team’s loyal following.
He’s already using a theme Kubiak is sure to hit with his players when they reassemble:
“You start back at zero. Nobody gives you anything. You’ve got to go out and earn it again.”
As with any team, a playoff breakthrough marked a significant increase in interest in the Texans.
But because theirs was the first time in the postseason, a lot of people were being exposed for the first time. Rootes wants to ensure the big moments of last season -- an AFC South clinching win in Cincinnati, a home playoff win against the Bengals, and a tough divisional-round loss in Baltimore -- are sticky.
