So, it's been a fairly wild few days, let's take a look back and forward.
1. Big Sandy's own Lovie Smith was announced as the Texans head coach on Tuesday.
2. Along with Lovie being handed the head coaching reins, Pep Hamilton was promoted to OC and it was also announced that Frank Ross would return as special teams coordinator. A handful of coaches were also added to the mix but nothing was announced officially by the Texans at this point.
3. NFL Honors held its gala on Thursday night announcing a number of awards…
Rams OT Andrew Whitworth, Walter Payton Man of the Year
Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Comeback Player of the Year
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Offensive Rookie of the Year
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons, Defensive Rookie of the Year
Rams WR Cooper Kupp, Offensive Player of the Year
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, Defensive Player of the Year (2nd Watt to do it, fourth overall for the Watt family)
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, NFL MVP
4. The 2022 Hall of Fame class was also announced and unfortunately, THIS TIME, Texans GOAT Andre Johnson was not inducted. The class included…
(To me the list has to start with a Houstonian) Raiders great WR Cliff Branch
Packers S LeRoy Butler
Patriots/Raiders DL Richard Seymour
Saints/Panthers LB Sam Mills
Jaguars/Texans OT Tony Boselli
49ers DT Bryant Young
Eagles/Rams/Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil
Referee/Contributor Art McNally
I kept hoping that we would hear "Texans great Andre Johnson" on stage but it'll have to wait for now. I can't wait for that day to happen. The ten finalists from 2022 that didn't make it this time were…
Chiefs/Vikings DE Jared Allen
Cowboys/Broncos OLB Demarcus Ware
49ers LB Patrick Willis
Dolphins LB Zach Thomas
Bucs CB/slot CB Ronde Barber
Bengals OT Willie Anderson
Bears/Falcons K Ret Devin Hester
Rams WR Torry Holt
Colts WR Reggie Wayne
Also, there will be a handful of big-name first-timers up for election in 2023 as well.
Jets/Pats/Bucs DB Darrelle Revis
Steelers/Patriots OLB James Harrison
Browns OT Joe Thomas
Colts DE Dwight Freeney
Raiders/Texans P Shane Lechler
Saints OG Jahri Evans
49ers LB Navorro Bowman
Furthermore, there are a few from earlier years that weren't named finalists for the 2022 class who should get even more consideration in 2023.
Panthers/Ravens WR Steve Smith
Patriots/Texans DT Vince Wilfork
5. The Super Bowl will take place in Inglewood, CA at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. The surprising Bengals led by Burrow and Chase will face the Rams in their home building and this will be the second season in a row that it's happened - the Bucs beat KC in Raymond James Stadium after playing all three playoff games on the road in 2020. Seeing as I always make predictions thanks to my friends at Caesars Rewards, let's do it for SB LVI.
Rams - 27 vs. Bengals - 17
MVP - Aaron Donald, Rams - the final coronation for his great career.
6. The Harris 100 v. 3.0 will drop Monday, February 28th, 2022. CAN'T WAIT!!
7. The NFL Scouting Combine will commence in Indianapolis, IN on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 and continue through Monday, March 7th, 2022. There were 324 invites handed out and announced last week. There are 14 Georgia Bulldogs on the list, eight Cincinnati Bearcats, three Houston Cougars, nine LSU Tigers, 11 Oklahoma Sooners & Alabama Crimson Tide, two Longhorns, nine Aggies and one Sam Houston Bearkat.
8. The NFL's legal tampering period begins on Monday, March 14, 2022, at midnight EST and two days later on March 16th, the 2022 league year begins. It's on!!
That should be enough to get us through the middle of March and then you know what happens five to six weeks later…
THE 2022 NFL DRAFT.
Let's GO!!
Get your tickets today or renew your season tickets for the Houston Texans 2022 Season.
