Upon further review: Texans have a lot to do

Jordan Godwin is sports editor of The Daily News. This weekly column allows you, the reader, to chime in on the week’s hottest sports topic. Email your response to sports(at)galvnews.com for publication in Sunday’s sports section.

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Believe it or not, the Texans have a lot of work to do to make it to the next level next season.

They’re not guaranteed a spot in the 2013 AFC Conference Championship just because quarterback Matt Schaub will be back. Coach Gary Kubiak was the first to admit Monday afternoon that they need to get back to the drawing board.

Here are seven steps to help the team return to the playoffs and go even farther than it did this season.

1. Keep Wade Phillips. There’s no doubting the fact the Texans finally made the playoffs because they finally had a solid defense. Phillips brought in the right guys and helped transform a soft and paper-thin defense into the “Bulls on Parade.” Give him whatever he asks for to keep him here.

2. Draft a strong No. 2 receiver. When Andre Johnson wasn’t in the game, the Texans suddenly had very few options in the passing attack. There are a lot of good receivers in this draft, and I don’t think you need to overspend on a superstar like Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon. But if the price is right, go for it.

3. Lose Jacoby Jones. Let me first make it clear this request has nothing to do with Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He’s a nice and funny guy from New Orleans, but he just doesn’t get the job done, and his ceiling has been reached.

4. Bring Mario Williams back. This has been one of the hottest topics on the local sports radio stations this week, and many fans say let him go. I think the Texans should pay to keep Williams because he’s a monstrous force at outside linebacker, and the team isn’t super deep at the position. He’s too special to let go.

5. Draft a cornerback in the second round. Yes, the Texans still need work in the secondary. General manager Rick Smith did a fantastic job bringing in Johnathan Joseph last season, but when guys like Kareem Jackson and Jason Allen are still on the field in the playoffs, good teams eat them alive.

6. Move to a dual tight end offense. The Patriots have the best offense in the NFL because quarterback Tom Brady moves 6 yards at a time by hitting Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez. The good thing about this move is the fact the Texans already have the right pieces in Joel Dreessen and James Casey, two players who would be starters anywhere else. Use them along with Owen Daniels and good things will happen.

7. Get a new field goal kicker. Neil Rackers had an atrocious season, and it’s time to move on. He just doesn’t have the leg strength or the accuracy the Texans need. Either spend some money on a new guy or pick up an undrafted rookie free agent. Easy fix.