Even though the Texans officially have been eliminated from the playoffs, the glow from two wins in five days still hasn't worn off the players in Reliant Stadium. That's no surprise considering all the love that the team received from the national media (
check out the Texans making SI.com Peter King's 'The Fine Fifteen' list) following the 31-13 win over the Denver Broncos.
For those of you that missed Thursday night's nationally televised game on the NFL Network, below are some of the quotes from the telecast.
Thursday Night Football Telecast Notes
Play-by-Play: Tom Hammond Analyst: Cris Collinsworth
Broncos vs. Texans, Dec 13, 2007 on NFL Network
PRE-KICKOFF:
Adam Schefter Reports:
Houston quarterback Matt Schaub will undergo off-season surgery on his dislocated left shoulder, the team has decided. Even knowing Schaub needs surgery, the Texans have not entirely abandoned hopes that he can play again this season but they aren't entirely optimistic, either. If Schaub can regain the strength and range of motion in his non-throwing shoulder, he could play again this season.
FIRST QUARTER:
"Nobody thought he was ready to play in the NFL, but he's proven that he is."
-Collinsworth on Texans RB Darius Walker.
"I don't think we're allowed to have a quarterback controversy yet, but Sage Rosenfels has been playing awful well for Kyle Shanahan."
-Collinsworth on Texans QB Sage Rosenfels.
"D.J. Williams going from the outside linebacker position to the inside. He's a terrific player and growing in the position. Every time I put in the tape this year, he's a little better than he was the time before, he's going to be a Pro Bowler."
-Collinsworth on Broncos LB D.J. Williams.
"They're really much happier with the power punch of Travis Henry and the finesse of Selvin Young."
-Collinsworth on the Broncos offense.
SECOND QUARTER:
"He's trying to make his case for the Pro Bowl."
- Collinsworth after sack by Texans DE Mario Williams.
"If you want to talk to John, you might have to caddie for him."
- Collinsworth on possibility of Broncos QB Jay Cutler discussing the position with Broncos Hall of Fame QB John Elway.
"You wonder how can a guy that big be fast and run routes and get open, but where he's really dangerous is when he gets in the open field and you have to try to tackle him.
- Collinsworth on Broncos WR Brandon Marshall.
"His hands are so strong going up for the ball he doesn't care if he gets hit."
- Collinsworth on Broncos WR Brandon Marshall.
"You should start with #24 and find somebody else to pass to. The thing that makes Champ Bailey a true sure-fire Hall of Famer is the way he tackles."
- Collinsworth on playing against Broncos defense and CB Champ Bailey.
THIRD QUARTER:
"He's going to be heading to Hawaii a whole bunch of times before his career is over."
-Collinsworth on Texans LB DeMeco Ryans.
"It's sort of like Julius Caesar -- with either the 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down'."
- Collinsworth on Texans head coach Gary Kubiak deciding whether to use offensive coordinator Mike Sherman's play calls.
FOURTH QUARTER:
"If you want to debate the best pick between Vince Young, Reggie Bush and Mario Williams, at this time there's no doubt in my mind, it's Mario Williams."
-Collinsworth on Texans DE Mario Williams vs. other top picks in 2006 NFL Draft.
"This is a completely different football team when Andre Johnson is playing. He forces teams to do things and attempt coverage that they wouldn't otherwise… and this is with a Champ Bailey on the other side."
-Collinsworth on Texans WR Andre Johnson.
"There is at least a quarterback discussion going on in Houston."
- Collinsworth on the performance of Texans QB Sage Rosenfels.
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