There is a big element of the fan base and the city that think we've got the division in the bag before training camp even starts. We can't buy into any of that and need to remember that ever year starts from zero and we need to build into a successful team all over again. That said, we're confident and there is nothing wrong with that. The mindset is important, and we need to keep each other in check if it starts to slide places it shouldn't go. During this down time, it would be gigantic if we could open negotiations with left tackle Duane Brown or outside linebacker Connor Barwin . Because if we go into the season with no extension done for Brown, Barwin or quarterback Matt Schaub , we face some serious free-agent issues when the 2012 season ends. Maybe we lack some building blocks, but what good does it do for us to say so out loud or spend any real time lamenting it? The predictions from the outside expecting us to be terrible set us up to surprise people. On both side of the ball we will be different than we've been, so there is plenty of room for us to surprise. There is only so much you can do in offseason work, and we did the biggest thing: We got players to buy into the new coaching staff, the new systems and the idea of "Building the Monster." The cornerbacks and the offensive line