Team Preview: Houston Texans

Two years ago, this team was the laughing stock of the league for taking defensive end Mario Williams at the top of the draft and passing on Reggie Bush and Vince Young, both of whom have taken their teams to the playoffs. A lot of “experts” thought that the Texans were on the brink of the playoffs in 2004, before their dreadful 2-14 campaign in 2005. The Williams pick came on the heels of this, bringing them even more scrutiny. However, the Texans mounted a 6-10 season in 2006 and had a franchise-high 8 wins last season. After Williams tallied 14 sacks last season and Bush and Young both had lackluster years, the critics started to turn believers. The Texans now have one of the better front seven’s in the AFC with last year’s first round pick Amobi Okoye at tackle and pro bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans anchoring the middle. In the offseason, the Texans added former New England linebacker Roosevelt Colvin, who is projected to play at defensive end, to the unit. In spite of the skill up front, Houston’s secondary is flat out awful. Houston was 25th in the league in Passing Defense and finished in a tie for last in the league (with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia) in interceptions with 11. To make up for this deficiency, the Texans spent two draft picks on defensive backs this spring.

The revitalization of this team came in large part to the addition of Matt Schaub at quarterback. Schaub, who missed some key time last year due to injury, created some great chemistry with receiver Andre Johnson. When Schaub went down, Sage Rosenfels proved to be a capable backup. Johnson also spent some time off with injury last year, but Andre Davis stepped in to fill the void. Wide receiver Kevin Walter is moving into his 3rd year with the team, and seems set to have a breakout year, coming off a 65-reception, 800-yard, 4-touchdown season last year. The Texans also boast one of the best young tight ends in the league in Owen Daniels, who put up numbers similar to Walter (63 rec, 768 yds, 3 TD) last season. Daniels’ numbers last season were essentially double those that he put up in his rookie year. If Schaub is able to stay healthy, this offense could be dangerous through the air. Even with the injuries last season, the Texans finished with the 11th best passing offense in the league last year, ahead of teams like Cleveland, Washington, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

For as proficient as they were through the air, the Texans were equally bad on the ground, finishing 22nd in the league in rushing. In camp this year, the Texans are testing out a variety of running backs in an attempt to determine their opening day starter. The Texans feature a collection of “former starting” backs such as Ahman Green and Chris Brown, as well as Darius Walker and Chris Taylor, two backs they picked up during the season last year, and speedster Steve Slaton who they drafted in the third round this year. Green and Brown will probably split carries this season and Slaton will see action as a 3rd down back and a home-run threat. As the old football adage goes, “you pass to score and run to win.” The Texans once again will struggle to close out games if they can’t run the ball effectively.

The lack of a running game, coupled with their inept pass defense, will result in a lot of shootouts for Houston once again this year. Let’s be brutally honest here: the AFC South is the best division in football. Houston is, at best, the third best team in this division. Houston gets to play the AFC North, NFC North, as well as last place finishers Miami and Oakland. Look for Houston to put together another decent season and make a run towards .500, but the strength of their schedule may result in them falling short. In short, the teams at the top of this division are just too good for the Texans to be able to make a serious run at the division title.

Ian’s 2008 Prediction: 6-10
John’s 2008 Prediction: 5-11