HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans are preparing to start their 2008 training camp this week and they are setting their sights on not only having a winning record, but making it to the NFL's postseason.

Last season, the Texans finished with a franchise-best 8-8 record playing in the AFC South, the NFL's toughest division. The Indianapolis Colts (12-4), Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5), and Tennessee Titans (10-6) all made the playoffs.

The Texans reported on Thursday at 2 p.m. CT and will begin the first-round of their two-a-days on Friday morning. Houston will play its first preseason game on Saturday, August 9th as they play host to the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium.

Staying healthy will be a key this season. Houston finished last season with 17 players on injured reserve, including five who were starters at the beginning of the 2007 season.

The biggest loss came in the defensive backfield with cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson, who is still recovering from knee and hamstring surgery is expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform list.

He will miss the first six games before the Texans have to make a decision to activate him or place him on injured reserve for the season.

Over 50,000 free training camp tickets were distributed at participating Wachovia Financial Centers. Due to the heat index, all practices that were made available to fans have been moved from the afternoon to the morning.

The dates for morning practices were fans are allowed include: this Saturday and Sunday; Friday, August 1st, and Saturday, August 2nd. There will be only one night practice on Thursday, July 31st from 7:15-9:15 p.m.

Here is a breakdown of our picks for the Texans' projected starters:

OFFENSE

WR  Andre Johnson
WR  Andra Davis
LT  Ephraim Salaam
LG  Chester Pitts
C   Chris Myers
RG  Fred Weary
RT  Eric Winston
TE  Owen Daniels
QB  Matt Schaub
RB  Chris Brown
FB  Vonta Leach

DEFENSE

DE  Anthony Weaver
DT  Travis Johnson
DT  Amobi Okoye
DE  Mario Williams
LB  Morlon Greenwood
LB  DeMeco Ryans
LB  Zac Diles
CB  Fred Bennett
CB  Jacques Reeves
FS  Will Demps
SS C.C. Brown

SPECIALISTS

K   Kris Brown
P Matt Turk

DATES TO REMEMBER

Aug.   9th -- Preseason game vs. Denver Broncos
Aug. 16th -- Texans travel to New Orleans Saints
Aug. 25th -- Texans travel to Dallas Cowboys
Aug. 26th -- Roster must be trimmed to 75 players.
Aug. 30th -- Roster must be trimmed to 53 players.
Sep. 7th -- Regular-season opener at Pittsburgh.
Sep. 14th -- Home-opener against Baltimore Ravens