In Gary Kubiak's third season as Texans coach, his offense improved in some important statistics but regressed in others.

For the third consecutive season, Kubiak employed a new offensive coordinator. Kyle Shanahan followed Mike Sherman and Troy Calhoun.

Shanahan did an outstanding job when given the play-calling duties in the last game -- a 31-24 victory over Chicago that evened Houston's record at 8-8 for the second season in a row.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we were a better team this season," Kubiak said. "Now it's about finding a way to win 10 or 11 games so you get to play some more."

This season, the Texans ranked a franchise-best third (382.1 yards) in offense, but they fell from tied for 13th (23.6 points) in scoring in 2007 to 17th (22.8) this season.

Of the 11 key offensive statistics the NFL tracks, the Texans ranked among the top 10 in seven. Two of the most impressive were yards per play (fourth) and passing yards per play (fifth).

With the addition of running back Steve Slaton, who set a franchise record with 1,282 yards rushing and generated 1,659 yards from scrimmage, the running game improved from 99.1 yards in 2007 to 115.4 this season.

"Obviously, we made a great deal of improvement in the running game," Kubiak said. "I think to be a champion, though, it's got to get better. We were simpler this season. We were better at what we were doing. The five linemen played every snap. We were very consistent."

Working with quarterbacks Matt Schaub (6-5 as a starter) and Sage Rosenfels (2-3), Andre Johnson led the NFL with 115 catches and 1,575 yards.

Turnovers hurt the Texans most of the season; they committed 32 compared to 38 last season. They were minus-10 in turnover ratio (29th). Last season, they were minus-13 (31st).

Schaub and Rosenfels combined for 21 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. Last season, they had 24 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

Schaub lost a team-high four fumbles.

"I think it's a combination of everything, but I'm going to start with the quarterbacks," Kubiak said. "I'm not pointing all the blame there, but that's how hard I coach those guys.

"My meeting (Monday) with Matt kind of revolved around that a great deal. I think he's turning into a fine player. His numbers, had he played the whole season, I think he would have been right in the mix of being a Pro Bowl player. I think that's what he's capable of.

"But for him to take that next step and for our team to take that next step, that turnover margin at that position for this team has got to go down."

Defensively, there weren't so many positives to draw from. Of the 11 important defensive stats kept by the NFL, the Texans didn't rank in the top 15 in any of them. They ranked 21st overall.

When the season ended, Kubiak fired defensive coordinator Richard Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin. They are starting to slowly fill those positions though.

Frank Bush was promoted to defensive coordinator already, and the Texans made it clear they hope that means there will be more aggressiveness in the game plan.

"We're going to be aggressive," Bush said. "We're going to attack. You'll see more passion in our play."

Bush talked about developing a mindset that will help the players force more turnovers, which has been a weakness on defense for a number of seasons now.

"I think the first thing you do is simplify so your guys get faster," he said. "The faster we play, the more times we get big hits. The more big hits we get, the more times that ball will come out. We want guys to attack and be violent and create turnovers."

The more Bush talked about what he'll bring to the Texans' table, the more fired up middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans got.

"The guys I've talked to are excited about Frank getting the job, and I'm excited too, because, as the play-caller, I'm going to get to work with him the most," Ryans said. "He's got an aggressive philosophy. It's going to be violent. And I love it.

"In our situation, stability's important. Frank's got a head start because he knows the players, and we know him. Guys want to play for him. When he speaks, all eyes and ears are focused on him."