McNair Ready for Texans in Playoffs

Updated: Tuesday, 03 Jan 2012, 8:01 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 03 Jan 2012, 7:45 PM CST

HOUSTON - Houston Texans owner Bob McNair has waited ten years for one of his dreams to come true.

On Saturday the Texans take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the first playoff game in the history of McNair's franchise and they get to do it at Reliant Stadium.

"Because it has been a long time and we've been so close several times, the excitement builds rather than being one spontaneous moment when it strikes you," McNair said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"I think where we notice it is in the excitement in the building with all of our front office people and with the players, the way they are practicing and with the coaches. It's just a higher level of excitement."

McNair has watched this year's Texans make history while overcoming tremendous adversity.

Rookie T.J. Yates is the team's starting quarterback because Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart suffered season-ending injuries.

Outside linebacker Mario Williams also suffered a season-ending injury, while All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson has missed nine games because of injuries.

The actual list is even longer.

"I'm not very happy with all of the injuries," McNair said. "I mean it's been unbelievable.

"I think that's a testament to the great job that Coach (Gary) Kubiak has done. Look at Indianapolis. They lost one player and the whole team fell apart.

"I just think it's remarkable that we are where we are under those conditions."

McNair applauds the work done by general manager Rick Smith, who put together a roster that provided the depth that became a necessity.

"Absolutely, that's an important point," McNair said. "In the game Sunday (against the Tennessee Titans) we had our backup players playing for a good part of the game and they played very well, absent a bad snap at the end of the game. It looked like we were going to win the game.

"To have that kind of depth is terrific and it's just so important. Rick and the scouting staff have done a great job in assembling this group of young players."

Both Smith and Kubiak have one year left on their contracts.

"I'm very happy with them, but we don't even think about those kind of things until the season is over," McNair said. Right now we're just focused on trying to have enough guys healthy to go out there and play Saturday and win a game and get ready to move on."

McNair is thrilled with the way the City of Houston has embraced his franchise.

"I think what I just described gives cause for the city to embrace this team," McNair said. "They're a very special team to be able to do what they've done. It's sort of like life itself. We all have problems or hit bumps in the road and the question is 'how do you respond to it.' "

"This is just such a wonderful example of how you can have those bad things happen, yet still go on and accomplish great things."

And if the Texans win on Saturday McNair can dream of even greater success for his franchise.