Houston Texans Season Preview

(Courtesy of My Sportsbook) - Yes, the Houston Texans are making progress as the NFL's newest franchise. Dom Capers' club went from 4-12 in their inaugural season, to 5-11 in 2003, to 7-9 last year, and are expecting to continue their upward trend in 2005. Trouble is, more slow, steady progress probably isn't going to earn the Texans a playoff berth this season. A two-game leap to 9-7 would likely be just good enough to keep Houston on the outside looking in on a talented and crowded AFC picture, and to be sure, Capers and company are shooting for more. That's why Houston made several quiet but pivotal changes this past offseason, in the hopes of shaking up the franchise in all the right places. Inside linebackers Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman, who had given the defense its identity for most of three seasons, were dispensed with, as were former secondary starters Aaron Glenn, Marlon McCree, Eric Brown, and Kenny Wright.

Offseason acquisitions in linebacker Morlon Greenwood (Dolphins), cornerback Phillip Buchanon (Raiders), and defensive tackle Travis Johnson (a first-round draft choice out of Florida State) were brought in to assist a unit that will have a fresh look under new coordinator Vic Fangio. On special teams, return man J.J. Moses was given his walking papers in May, and Buchanon and speedy fourth-round pick Jerome Mathis (Hampton) were welcomed in to give the club some additional punch on punts and kickoffs. If the moves pay off, the City of Houston could be looking forward to playoff football for the first time since Warren Moon guided the Oilers into the 1993 AFC Playoffs. And that's the only type of progress Texans fans are likely to applaud. Below we take a capsule look at the 2005 edition of the Houston Texans, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

RB: After a slow start to 2004, Domanick Davis (1188 rushing yards, 68 receptions, 14 TD) picked it up in the second half, scoring touchdowns in each of his final nine games. The Texans need Davis to come out of the gate quicker in 2005 and maintain his consistency throughout the campaign. Jonathan Wells (299 yards, 11 receptions, 5 TD) started one game when Davis was hurt last season, and will again be the backup if he can beat out veteran Tony Hollings (47 yards) and rookie Vernand Morency (3rd Round, Oklahoma State). Moran Norris (4 receptions) and Jarrod Baxter both saw time at fullback last year, and should again be 1-2 on the depth chart at that position.

WR/TE: Andre Johnson (79 receptions, 6 TD) took the opposite route of Domanick Davis last season, starting the year like gangbusters but accruing just 11 catches, 124 yards, and one touchdown in his final four games combined. Despite the disappearing act, Johnson was selected to his first career Pro Bowl. In fairness, the Texans never developed a No. 2 receiver to complement Johnson, and it doesn't look as if such a player exists this year. Jabar Gaffney (41 receptions, 2 TD), Corey Bradford (27 receptions, 3 TD) and Derick Armstrong (29 receptions, 1 TD) made contributions but were inconsistent overall, and the team did not locate a marquee receiver via either the draft or free agency. Rookie speedster Jerome Mathis (4th Round, Hampton) may be able to lend a hand, but he is considered raw. Reggie Swinton (18 receptions, 1 TD with Detroit) and Kevin Kasper have both started in the NFL, but both are more valuable as return men. At tight end, Mark Bruener (4 receptions) and Billy Miller (17 receptions) split time last year, and Marcellus Rivers (5 receptions, 1 TD with the Giants) was brought in to compete during training camp. Former second-round draft pick Bennie Joppru (Michigan), who has yet to play an NFL game due to a groin injury, was in camp but is not being counted on by the team.

OL: If one major area of weakness could be singled out during the first three years of the Texans' existence, the offensive line would be it. And despite an offseason effort to trade for Rams All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace, Houston returns basically the same trench unit that allowed David Carr to be sacked a league-high 49 times last year. Tackle Seth Wand and guard Chester Pitts started all 16 games along the left side last year, and will be the key to turning around last year's dreadful sack numbers. If Wand falters, Victor Riley, a 16-game starter with Houston in 2003 prior to a one-year stint in New Orleans, will get an opportunity to step back in. Center Steve McKinney, right guard Zach Wiegert, and right tackle Todd Wade all appear to have little serious competition for the starting jobs they held in '04. Guards Fred Weary and Milford Brown were both spot starters a year ago, and backup center Todd Washington appeared in 15 games. The presence of fifth-round draft choice Drew Hodgdon (Arizona State) could pose a threat to at least one of the 2004 second-stringers.

DL: A defensive line that was considered a team strength heading into last season struggled, with end Gary Walker (29 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and nose tackle Seth Payne (51 tackles, 2 sacks) both failing to register their former impact. Due to this, the Texans used their first-round draft pick on Florida State's Travis Johnson, who has the ability to play any of the three positions along the Houston defensive line. Officially, Johnson entered training camp listed as the backup at left end behind Walker. Right end Robaire Smith (53 tackles, 2 sacks) started all 16 games for Houston in 2004 and had a productive year. Jerry Deloach (25 tackles), Junior Ioane, and Corey Sears (10 tackles) were all backups a year ago and should again serve in a second-string capacity.

LB: Changes abound here, as starting inside linebackers Jamie Sharper (137 tackles, 2 sacks) and Jay Foreman (79 tackles) were shipped out after serving at the heart of the defense for the first three years of the franchise's existence. Sharper and Foreman will be replaced by free agent signee Morlon Greenwood (101 tackles with the Dolphins) and Kailee Wong (71 tackles, 5.5 sacks), who will move over from outside linebacker. Wong's previous outside slot will be occupied by up-and-coming Antwan Peek (20 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), and second-year man Jason Babin (63 tackles, 4 sacks) will start opposite Peek. The Texans have a number of backups with some experience in their scheme, including DaShon Polk (37 tackles, 1 sack) and Troy Evans on the inside and Charlie Anderson (13 tackles) and Quincy Monk on the outside. Frank Chamberlin, who started three games with the Bengals in 2003 but missed all of last year with a biceps injury, was brought into compete for a job on special teams.

DB: The depth chart will have a different look in the secondary, as the team waved goodbye to four players - cornerbacks Aaron Glenn (63 tackles, 5 INT) and Kenny Wright (13 tackles, 1 sack) along with safeties Eric Brown (15 tackles) and Marlon McCree (31 tackles, 1 INT) - who had started for the team over the past two years. The 2005 defensive backfield will be built around 2004 first-round pick and cornerback Dunta Robinson (87 tackles, 6 INT), who had an impressive rookie campaign, and Raiders castoff Phillip Buchanon (59 tackles, 3 INT), who will start opposite Robinson. The team is counting on free safety Marcus Coleman (56 tackles, 2 INT) and strong safety Glenn Earl (44 tackles) to provide some stability in the secondary. Jason Simmons (40 tackles, 1 INT), a six-game starter at corner last season, can back up either of the corner or safety positions. Demarcus Faggins (39 tackles, 3 INT) and Lewis Sanders (23 tackles, 2 INT with the Browns) were both spot starters a year ago and should contribute. Sixth-round pick C.C. Brown (Louisiana- Lafayette) could stick on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Texans are pleased with the work of both kicker Kris Brown (17-24 FG, 34-34 XP) and punter Chad Stanley (41.2 avg.), and there will be no turnover there. J.J. Moses (22.1 kickoff return avg., 8.6 punt return avg.) was released after two lackluster years as the return man, meaning the team is holding open auditions for his replacement. Jerome Mathis scored five touchdowns on kickoff returns as a senior at Hampton, and will get an opportunity to take over there. Phillip Buchanon (5.8 avg. with Raiders) has three career touchdowns on punt returns, and is likely to receive a shot with his new team.

PROGNOSIS: Houston took a calculated gamble in forming this year's roster, choosing to more or less ignore the team's offensive inadequacies in favor of blowing up the defense. The moves on the latter side of the ball could either pay off in spades or backfire totally, but even if things go well, the Texans are still going to require plenty of improvement on offense. Carr will need more time to throw, Davis and Johnson will have to show up to play the same days, and a credible No. 2 receiver will have to be unearthed. If both sides of the ball make the necessary strides, don't be surprised to see Houston competing for second place in the AFC South along with Jacksonville. If there are significant hiccups, Capers and his crew are likely staring at a .500 or worse finish for the fourth consecutive year.