Let's talk D-line

[Keith]

I agree with Kravix on TJ... Travis was also a late bloomer of sorts in college too, so I expected him to also have a slow start to his NFL career. I also can't help but wonder what impact having Robaire Smith as a veteran mentor has meant to his development, and I don't really mean that in a good way.

The Texans D-line has been overrated and overpaid pretty much every season since the beginning, but I think 2008 might be the first year where it really all comes together, what with young guys gaining proficiency (even excellence, esp in the case of Mario), and with older vets contributing in the rotation.

They will need to show improvement in stopping the run (19th last year) and in creating turnovers from the running game (also 19th), but it looks like this might be the year that group makes the jump.