One on One with Vic Carucci

[Vic Carucci]

A One on One with stevebsfan
	By Vic Carucci National Media

[Vic Carucci]

1. First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on a job well done. Houston is off to not only their best start ever, but you already have more wins this year than this team ever has had.

Thank you, it's been a fantastic season so far. We have been involved in many close games in the past, losing a ton of games by under a touchdown, but this season it appears we're winning a lot of those close games we normally would be losing. The team is really molding together, and we hope this continues for awhile

2. Obviously the biggest change for your team is brining in a big time QB in Nigel Booker. How difficult was the negotiation in acquiring him? and what happens after this season with his contract?

The negotiations actually weren't very tough at all. Once we heard he was available, we contacted SLC right away and opened with a very generous offer. There was not a lot of back and forth that needed to be done as we knew he was the guy we wanted to replace St.Clair for years to come. SLC actually made it one of the easier trades we have made so far, but that's not to say any team made out more than the other by any means. We got a franchise QB, and SLC got very well compensated for it.

As far as keeping him, we'll likely place the franchise tag on him and then seek out a long term extension during the off-season.

3. Can this Houston team dethrone the Cards? Either way, it appears that you're on your way to the playoffs, how well can this team do with no previous experience? I mean, most of your players have never played in games that meant anything.

It will be extremely tough to win the division, especially considering next week is a "must win" game in order for that to happen, and we're on the road. The pressure of winning and the postseason looming has definitely had an impact on the players, both good and bad. Some are stepping up at extremely key moments in games lately, while others appear to be drained both mentally and physically from this long season.

We're turning the ball over more than we have in the past, and our once extremely stingy defense has given up 53 points over the last 2 games. That's 9 fewer points than we have given up combined in 7 of our first 9 wins

4. After a down year last year, Mathew Bramlett has really turned on this season. How big of a key has he been for your defense.?

I don't know what it is, but Bramlett seems to really turn it up a few gears when he is the leader of the defensive line. In 2006 he was a monster for us, getting 7.5 sacks as well as 12 hurries, but then we brought in John Ash to help him on the line, and he didn't seem to have the same fire and drive he once had. We decided to take a gamble this off-season and let Ash go in exchange for linebacker help, and just let Kaye man the line with Bramlett, and it has worked out very well.

Not only does he have the drive he once had, but he also has improved skills and more moves he picked up from his time with Ash. He has already flew by his old team sack record, and has a career high in hurries as well.

5. Besides your own team, which teams or players do you enjoy to watch on Sunday's

Like most people in the league, I enjoy watching both Crespo and Caro do their thing for their teams, but I also enjoy watching some players from my own division, except when they play against my team. Holst is one of the most feared receivers in the league regardless who is throwing to him, and Maldonado is one of the scariest defensive players in the entire IFL. I am also enjoying the up and coming combo of Opie and Fortune with the Mules. I'm actually a little nervous about that team and that combo, as they appear to only be getting better and will be around for a long time.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you, Vic!