After closing the 2008 season with a win over Chicago, coach Gary Kubiak turned to post season evaluations. Kubiak answered fan questions about how the team graded out and what his expectations are for next year.
Brooke Bentley (Texans TV): What are your thoughts on rookie Dominique Barber? What kind of potential does he have at safety? (Kyle Mitchell)
Gary Kubiak: I think he made a lot of progress this year and he was a contributor in the second half of the season, and that's very important. I think he has the ability to be a starting safety in this league, but it's up to him to take the next step. I had a good visit with him today. He understands that. The good thing about him, he goes home and gets the same thing from his dad, so I expect him to come back better.
Brooke Bentley: The Texans did a great job of moving the ball but had issues in the red zone. What will you do in the offseason to address those issues? (Charlie)
Gary Kubiak: Well, the key to becoming a great offensive team is scoring points. I mean, we moved the ball pretty darn good this year, but you've got to finish those drives. We were better yesterday. But when you look back at the big picture, we're going to have to be even better to be a better team.
Brooke Bentley: How would you grade the Texans pass rush this season? And how important is it to improve that pass rush opposite of Mario Williams? (Biff Droddy)
Gary Kubiak: I think we definitely have to get better. Mario has been the best that we have, and everybody knows that. He's done his part. I think we have to continue to build around him and get better as a group and get better defensively as a group. If we do that, I think our football team will get better. We'll take a look at that in the offseason and see how we can improve.
Brooke Bentley: It seemed like this team had great chemistry. Can you talk about the chemistry on this team and what do you think got this team going after being down 3-7?
(Kelly)
Gary Kubiak: Well, the chemistry comes from success, and we weren't having a lot of it early in the year. I think the character held the group together and the chemistry started to come along as we got on a roll and won the four straight. We have a bunch of young players and they are all kind of growing up together in this league. They are not young anymore. It's time for us to take the next step, and those guys are the ones who have to do it.
Brooke Bentley: As you move into the offseason, what is your top priority as far as player personnel goes? (Larry)
Gary Kubiak: I can't really say right now. I think I would be wrong to put my finger on that today. I've got to evaluate the football team and we all have to take a look at it: Rick (Smith), myself, the coaches, Mr. (Bob) McNair. And then we have to come up with a game plan. There's a big picture here, and today is not the day to make all those decisions.
