2011 NFL Season Preview: Houston Texans
By Editorial Staff
Houston Texans
Front Office:
Owner: Robert McNair
GM: Rick Smith
B: This regime has built a very talented team, however, there are two things holding them back. First is coaching, and the other is the Indianapolis Colts. The hiring of Wade Phillips as DC should help as well as the continuous gradual aging of many of the important pieces of the Indianapolis Colts.
Coaching:
HC: Gary Kubiak
OC: Rick Dennison
DC: Wade Phillips
B: I think Kubiak was a great OC who is over his head as a HC. He is not horrible, but he has not been able to get his team into the playoffs in his tenure. OC Rick Dennison is a hot name and is becoming a HC candidate. Wade Phillips, while a failure at HC, knows how to create a dominate defense. Phillips is a huge pickup for this team and could have a Gregg Williams like effect.
QB: B+
Matt Schuab has posted some huge numbers but at some point he will be judged on what he hasn’t done: led his team into the playoffs. The Texans drafted TJ Yates to develop and Matt Leinheirt is a solid backup; depth is not a problem. Schuab has all the skills to be a very good QB will he prove it this year.
RB: A-
Arian Foster is fricken amazing. He is strong, quick, great vision, great hands, and always falls forward. He is perfect for Dennison’s Denver Broncos scheme. The Texans have solid backups in Derrick Ward and Ben Tate. Why did the Texans not resign Vonta Leach though? As a team that stresses a strong run game, it was imperative for him to resign. His price was prohibitive either, I don’t get the move to let him go.
WR/TE: B
Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels are explosive. Only problem with this unit is there is no one else to be scared of. Sure, Kevin Walter has good hands and is a solid 3rd down target. Sure Jacoby Jones has some speed, but neither does damage consistently. Johnson will not be dominant forever and I am a little surprised they haven’t given him more help. There are reports that Dorin Dickerson is having a great camp, but until he does it on the field he can’t be counted on yet.
OL: B
The Texans lack a dominate player….but as a group they are amazing. Obtaining players who fit the zone scheme is very important and this is what the Texans have done. Eric Winston and Duane Brown have been solid at OT. Wade Smith was a great acquisition at LG. Chris Myers is decent at center and at RG the Texans are hoping Antoine Caldwell can improve and claim this spot.
DL: C+
This group will need to improve if the Texans want a dominant 3-4. JJ Watt is off to a good start. At the other DE Antonio Smith is solid but not spectacular. NT will be a job that is given to either Earl Mitchell or Shaun Cody. Year two in this scheme will need to address this position.
LB: B+
Mario Williams is one of the elite players in the NFL…in a 4-3 scheme. It is unknown yet if Mario can play to that level in a 3-4. I love Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed. Both are capable of 10+ sacks in this scheme. Brian Cushing will be a Phillip’s favorite. He can do it all: run stuff, pass cover, and blitz…he just has to stay healthy. DeMeco Ryans is the team’s voice and will be welcomed back from injury. Depth could be a negative factor for the Texans if injuries occur.
DB: B-
Texans signed Daniel Manning Jr. and Jonathon Joseph which significantly improved the Texans pass defense. I like the potential of Brandon Harris and Shiloh Keo. I am unsure of Kareem Jackson, but the kid has talent. Jackson will have to battle Jason Allen to start. This unit is miles ahead of where they were last season.
Last Draft:
Though I thought Cameron Jordan should have been their choice, I cannot fault them taking JJ Watt. He is relentless. The Brandon Harris and Brooks Reed combo made for an amazing 2nd round. I also like the selections of Rashad Carmichael and Shiloh Keo, both of whom will add more talent to the secondary. A-
Sleepers on Offense/Defense
Derrick Ward will not get a lot of opportunities, but when called upon will make the most of them. In order to keep Foster fresh I would give Ward around 100 carries for around 450 yards and 3 TD’s. He is also a solid receiver.
Brooks Reed will be a terror this year. He is capable of being solid vs. the run and in pass coverage. However, when unleashed he will get around 8 or 9 sacks.
Prediction for the year: 10-6
This team will push for the division lead. The Texans, I believe for this year, are the favorites to win the AFC South. I don’t know how far they will go in the playoffs because they lack experience in the playoffs, but the Texans are on the right path. Don’t mess with Texas!!!