[Texans] Was Titans win Dungy's Confidence Piece?!?

Back in June, Tony Dungy gave an interview in Jacksonville where he stated the following,

Since that time, we've incorporated some new players on defense (Smith, Cushing, etc.) and a new, supposedly more aggressive scheme with Frank Bush to compliment an offense that could move the ball between the 20's but struggled converting in the red zone.

Dungy mentioned a "confidence piece," and I'm starting to think more and more that this piece will be a signature win rather than another player (even though I think Cushing has been a revelation at OLB thus far).

We've all seen the Texans fail to build on a big win (see Tennessee last year), but from what they're saying in the media following the Titans game, it sounds like that light has gone off.

Regardless of what anyone says, Andre Johnson is the leader on this team. I think the other players recognize his greatness (Mario is getting to this level), how hard he works, and how much he cares and they want to play well for him because of the standard he sets. I think DeMeco and Dunta are the voice of the defense, and to hear Ryans come out and say that no one is going to come to their house and punk them (except Rex Ryan) and the mindset that Dunta plays with, you can't help but think they're going to somehow figure this thing out.

Can you say, attitude adjustment? Call it what you will, but I think our little team is growing up right in front of our eyes. Yes, they've shown signs before, and ended up tripping over themselves, but maybe they've finally got to the point where they're ready for their next big growth spurt?

We'll get a better read on how our little adolescents are doing come Sunday afternoon.

Oh, and one of the guys I'm most excited about stepping up to more of a leadership role on the offensive end is Eric Winston. He has a winning pedigree (Midland Lee and "the U"), and I think he's ready to step up and lead this O-line.

His comments after the Jets game

and the Titans game where he challenged Kyle Vanden Bosch were inspiring to say the least.

 

Thanks, ima! To your point about 3:30 on Sunday, I fully agree.

They've got to seize this opportunity that's in front of them, rally around each other, and go out and take care of business. I think if the Texans can come out and really put away the Jags early (i.e. play with that killer instinct from kickoff) and then shore up their deficiencies against the Raiders (offensive and defensive running game), we can look back and better appreciate the Titans game as a true turning point - not just for this season, but for the franchise.

Of course, they can just as easily piss it all away by coming out flat and having MJD run all over them all day long....

As Parcells used to say, "you are what your record says you are." Are the Texans a 3-1 team, or just a .500 team?