A two-toned blue look at the 2008 Houston Texans

First up in our previews of the Titans’ AFC South brethren are the Houston Texans.
Playing in the city of Houston, where the Titans’ franchise dwelled before their move to Nashville, the Texans have failed to attain a winning record since debuting as an expansion team in 2002.
Buoyed by the performance of a once ridiculed but now feared former#1 overall draft choice (Mario Williams), the Texans finished the 2007 season with a respectable 8-8 record.
Was last year the foundation for bigger and better things to come for the Texans, or will they once again lay claim to their typical last place rung on the AFC South totem pole in 2008?

Houston Texan offense
I wouldn’t be shocked if Matt Schaub already has appointments booked with team physicians during the weeks of September 21st and December 14th.
In 2007, Schaub was knocked out of the game not once, but twice in their first meeting with the Titans and staying true to form, was removed once again via injury during Houston’s late season loss in Nashville.
Of course, an explanation for this phenomenon could be the Titan defense accidentally mistaking Schaub for former Texans’ QB David Carr, who was often harassed by Titan defenders during his forgettable Texan career. In 10 career games, Carr was 2-8 against Tennessee while throwing 12 interceptions and getting sacked 33 times!
Whatever the reason, the Titans appear to be enamored with imposing destruction upon helpless Texan starting quarterbacks.
Hoping to play a role in manning the fort at RB is a guy we are all too familiar with: Mr. Chandelier himself, Chris Brown. Chris has wasted no time proving his fragility to the fanbase of his new franchise, which is already frustrated with what Titan fans said good riddance to this offseason: the injury-prone nature of their new tailback.
Fellow Texan RB Ahman Green was a great back in Green Bay but injuries have beset him as of late. Due to the brittleness of Brown and Green, youngsters Darius Walker, Chris Taylor and Steve Slaton will have their opportunities to earn carries in the Texans’ running game.
As a result of the presence of zone-blocking guru Alex Gibbs, the Titans and other teams should now expect to see a lot of cut-blocking from the Texan offensive line. Here’s what Albert Haynesworth had to say about the notorious practice of cut-blocking:

“They always talk about us being dirty, maybe they need to look at that, trying to hurt people and stuff…If they aren’t man enough to stay up, shoot, they shouldn’t be in the league then…The coach either.”

Be afraid, Houston…Be very afraid.
The Texan WR group is led by the talented Andre Johnson, who when healthy, is one of the better receivers in game. Kevin Walter, Andre Davis and the improving David Anderson are other receivers on Houston’s roster who each scored touchdowns against the Titans during last year’s epic first meeting between the two clubs.
Jacoby Jones, an ex-teammate of Titan undrafted rookie free agent WR Ed Williams at Lane College, rounds out the Texans’ slate of wide outs.
Owen Daniels is a solid tight end who always plays well against the Titans. In four career games against the Tennessee defense, Daniels has caught 16 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Folks, he’s a certified Titan-killer.
Houston Texan Defense
Youngsters Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye anchor a talented Texan defensive line. Houston also picked up mammoth DT Frank Okam, a late round choice in April’s draft who if motivated, could prove to be a solid run-stopper on the NFL level. Travis Johnson is another big body who after disappointing initially, started to blossom as a run-stopper in 2007.
The Texans also acquired veteran Roosevelt Colvin, late of the New England Patriots, to provide a pass rushing presence opposite of Super Mario.
Considering the Titans are mostly a running team, neutralizing an improved Texans’ defensive line will be of utmost priority during the teams’ battles next year. Newcomers Jake Scott and either Eugene Amano or Leroy Harris must hold their own at the guard spots against the Texans’ young and improving d-line.
The Texans have an adequate group of linebackers, led by Pro Bowler Demeco Ryans. Youngster Zach Diles and steady veteran Morlon Greenwood are the other two starting LB’s.
The Titans have a shiny new multi-dimensional threat in Chris Johnson, who will attempt to get the best of the unfortunate Texan LB who will be assigned to account for his speedy presence. To quote the immortal Mr. T, “I pity the fool!”
The Texans defensive backfield will miss the presence of Dunta Robinson, who is currently injured. Fred Bennett is a solid corner who is getting better, but if the Titans want to pass the football, they should throw in the direction of newly acquired Jacque Reeves, who struggled as a nickel for the Cowboys.
The safety position is manned by C.C. Brown and veteran Will Demps.
Special Teams
Kris Brown has been a solid kicker over the course of his long NFL career, but has had his share of struggles against the Titans. A memo to veteran punter Matt Turk: If you see Chris Johnson back there, avoid kicking to him at all costs.
Andre Davis and Jacoby Jones are the team’s kick/punt returners.
Two-toned blue prognosis for the 2008 Texans:
Houston is an improved team with a nice core of young players on both sides of the football.
However, I’m not sold on their running game or the ability of Schaub to stay healthy for entire 16 game season (to be fair, Sage Rosenfels is a solid backup QB who could start in Chicago and San Francisco). Their secondary should also be a concern.
Despite their solid front seven on defense, the always dangerous Andre Johnson and underrated Owen Daniels on offense, I see yet another last place finish (7-9) for the Texans in the ultra-competitive AFC South in 2008.
Now it’s your turn, Titan fans: Are the Texans a threat to the Titans this year?