Colts, Texans could have exciting seasons

NFL mini-camps are underway, which means preseason games are just around the corner.

The Colts look to have another great season, while my other favorite team -- the Houston Texans -- may be able to squeak out a winning season.

The Colts' offseason was more quirky in recent years with the retirement of Head Coach Tony Dungy then the almost forced retirements of Howard Mudd and Tom Moore, who were able to come back last week.

Other than releasing fan favorite Marvin Harrison, the biggest loss in free agency was punter Hunter Smith, but they didn't make much of a splash by picking up any major components either, instead focusing on re-signing their own.

The biggest storyline from my perspective this season is how will the running game fare.

To be honest, it can't be much worse than last season.

Joseph Addai needs to stay healthy for this team to be able to run on all cylinders, as not only will the running game be better, but it will make Peyton Manning's play fakes all the more effective. However, rookie Donald Brown could make a major impact should Addai not be able to play a full schedule. Brown can bring a little more of a power running game and is also an adequate receiver out of the backfield.

While the team may not be as good as it has been the past few years, I can still see them grabbing the AFC South division, but if not, they should still nab a wild card spot.

Their interdivision rivals and my hometown Texans, on the other hand, had an active offseason, but still have a lot of questions.

Offense shouldn't be a problem in Houston as long as Matt Schaub can stay healthy for a full season with running back Steve Slaton set to start at running back all year long and Pro Bowlers Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels to throw to.

I believe they have vastly improved the defensive front seven by picking up defensive tackle Shaun Cody, defensive end Antonio Smith and linebacker/former Colt Cato June through free agency, along with linebacker Brian Cushing and defensive end Connor Barwin in the draft. As a side note, I wouldn't be surprised to see Barwin line up at tight end near the goalline this year as that is where he played to start his college career.

The biggest question marks I see are the offensive line and the defensive secondary.

The offensive line has been a problem since day one in what I am considering calling the "Boselli curse," after the team drafted star left tackle Tony Boselli first in the expansion draft years ago, only to never see him play a down in a Texans uniform due to injuries. However, the line has slowly improved the past couple of seasons and if they can keep Schaub upright, it could be a big year for the team.

On the flip side, the secondary is in limbo as Dunta Robinson is holding out after being slapped with the franchise tag, but never signing off on it. Pass defense has also been a struggle since the team began, and without Robinson, Schaub may have to air it out in some exciting (for the fans) high-scoring shootouts.

Their schedule provides a mixed bag of opponents having to play a weak NFC West and a strong AFC East, so it could be a third-straight 8-8 season for the Texans, but depending on injuries, it could easily swing a couple of games in either direction. At best, I can see them pulling down their first-ever winning season, possibly even 10-6, but in a stacked AFC, it may not be enough to grab a playoff appearance, and in the AFC South, it could realistically still be a third-place division finish.

Come whatever may, it will still be an exciting year for both the Colts and Texans.