Texans moving forward after playoff loss

The mood in the Texans locker the day after a gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Ravens reflected a team which is looking forward to its future as opposed to players distraught after letting a winnable game get away. There were remarks that certainly replayed the lost opportunities: "Just the fact that a couple of things that I did could have turned the outcome of the game is the thing that hurts the most," said quarterback T.J. Yates. But players also discussed the achievement of reaching the divisional round of the playoffs after a myriad of injuries and how there is enough young talent on the roster to expect repeated playoff appearances. "I can't wait," said defensive end J.J. Watt about looking forward to the off-season team work-outs. "I didn't get a chance to do them last year. I have a lot of things to improve on, so I can't wait to get to work." Veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans, too, preferred to discuss how the 2011 playoffs are likely the first step in the process for the Texans. "We feel better about where we're headed now," said Ryans. "The guys in this lockerthe players that we haveI feel really good about moving forward." But looking ahead to possible Super Bowl contention next season cannot negate perhaps the single biggest blunder by the Texans in the loss: Jacoby Jones' muffed punt in the first quarter which led to a Baltimore touchdown. Despite Yates' three interceptions, it is Jones' error which stands out as the most avoidable of the four Texans turnovers. "Obviously it was a big mistake," said coach Gary Kubiak. "It can't happen. There's no talking around that or getting around that." "I made a mistake," Jones said Monday. "I apologized to my teammates. It's something I have to grow from." Now the Texans go into an off-season with the task of improving a 10-win team. One of the key issues that must be addressed in the coming months is the status of linebacker Mario Williams who spent the majority of the season recovering from a torn pectoral muscle and who is now a free agent. Monday Kubiak was far from committal about the club's plans with Williams. "Obviously Mario is a tremendous player," Kubiak said. "He's done a great job here. Those things will work themselves out." The Texans cannot place a franchise tag on Williams unless they are prepared to pay him 22 million for one season, the tag number for a linebacker. In addition, running back Arian Foster is a restricted free agent, meaning the Texans can retain Foster by matching any offer he receives from another club. Kicker Neil Rackers and cornerback Jason Allen are among the free agents the Texans will have to address. While it was apparent that the loss to the Ravens remained painful, players along with Kubiak had a brighter outlook about what they can accomplish with a healthy roster next season. "(This season) was a very positive move forward," Kubiak said. "It's still a very difficult day. When you put the film on, it's a very difficult day. But we have to be able to use that to propel us as we move forward. I'm very proud of the effort, very proud of the work that was put in."