HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans didn't get their wish with NFL
realignment, but at least they'll start with one intense rivalry.
The NFL unanimously approved a new format Tuesday that will
place the Texans, who begin play in 2002, in the powerful newly
created AFC South along with Indianapolis, Jacksonville and
Tennessee, formerly the Houston Oilers.
"We're happy to have a home and we're excited about who we'll
be playing on an annual basis," Texans owner Bob McNair said.
"Our fans should also be excited and judging from the South
lineup, they probably see us having at least one instant rival."
The Texans expected their destination all along.
"It wasn't a surprise, it was something we knew from the
beginning," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "I
think it was decided two years ago when we came into the league.
"I've seen no change in the plan that I saw written two years
ago. It's just that the bar is set high and when we reach it we'll
be at a very high level.
McNair wanted to be in the same division as the Oilers, who had
a rich history in the former AFC Central, competing against the
Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
"We can't control how the other three teams perform," McNair
said. "All we can do is try to get better every year. If we follow
that philosophy we'll be competitive in this league regardless who
we have to play."
The Oilers enjoyed some of their most memorable playoff moments
in the late 1970s battling the Steelers for divisional supremacy.
Although the Texans didn't get to keep the city's historic
rivalries, the Tennessee Titans will be an immediate rivalry. The
Oilers left for Nashville, Tenn. after the 1995 season and two
seasons ago reached the Super Bowl, a feat they never accomplished
in Texas.
There was acrimony between Oilers management and fans in the
final year before owner Bud Adams completed the deal that sent the
Oilers, an original AFL team, to Tennessee.
Those feeling undoubtedly will be revived for Titans-Texans
games.
"I think our fans will be excited about playing Tennessee,"
Casserly said. "There is a revenge factor there that our fans
feel. But now we've got three archrivals and they are three of the
best teams in the league."
The NFL's realignment created eight four-team divisions for the
32-team league. To get the balance, Seattle moved from the AFC to
the NFC. Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh will join Baltimore
in the AFC North.
The AFC South places the Texans geographically closer to their
rivals.
"There are logical reasons why each team was placed in a
certain division," McNair said. "We stated our preference early
on but we didn't have a vote in the process and the league had a
very difficult task in trying to keep all 32 teams happy.
"We understand the league's decision and we are ready to ignite
some new rivalries for Houston in the AFC South."
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