July

July 18, 2008   

Playing time could be hard to come by for Texans WR Jones

The way we hear it, second-year WR Jacoby Jones has his work cut out for him when it comes to earning more playing time on offense. Jones had an electrifying first training camp with the Texans last year but could not sustain that progress in the regular season, catching only 15 passes for 149 yards in 14 games. As it stands, Jones could struggle to be more than the club's No. 4 receiver behind starters Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter and highly paid No. 3 receiver André Davis. A source close to the club says Jones hasn't matured quite as quickly as the team had hoped. That said, Jones has flashed impressive talent in his brief NFL career, and he could develop into a game-breaker on special teams in the interim as his all-around game develops.

July 12, 2008   

Salaam-Brown competition for OLT job a training-camp story line to watch

The way we hear it, first-round pick OLT Duane Brown will push hard for a starting job. While his primary competition, Ephraim Salaam, boasts more experience in the Texans' zone blocking scheme, the team has not been afraid to put talented rookies into the lineup in Gary Kubiak's tenure. Case-in-point: Two years ago, then-rookie Charles Spencer beat out veteran Seth Wand for the OLT job. Brown already has had his mettle tested against teammate Mario Williams, one of the league's most talented defensive ends. "You look at the first day he came out here, it was a rude awakening and he was able to compose himself even as quickly as the next practice and improve, and so he’s got the right temperament," Texans GM Rick Smith told Houston reporters in June, referring to Brown's early struggles with Williams. "This kid’s a tough-minded kid. He’s smart. So he’s going to be fine.” Brown worked with the first-team offense in OTAs, a clear signal that the team quickly is trying to get him ready. Salaam's best chance to start, according to a source close to the club, is if the rookie is overwhelmed in training camp.

June

June 25, 2008   

Could CB competition be on the horizon in Houston?

Keep an eye on the development of rookie CB Antwaun Molden throughout the summer. Molden, a third-round pick from Eastern Kentucky, is likely to be a backup, with ex-Cowboys CB Jacques Reeves settling in as the starter opposite of second-year pro Fred Bennett. However, we're hearing it will not be a surprise if Molden eventually pushes Reeves, and perhaps sooner than later. Molden has played well in his early workouts with the club, and Bennett's ascension to the starting lineup — and impressive development as a rookie — is a reflection of the Texans' ability to develop young cornerbacks. Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season but was picked on at times.

June 20, 2008   

Colvin could be a difference maker for Texans

Could Rosevelt Colvin be the missing piece the Texans’ defense has been lacking? The way we hear it, the idea is not that far-fetched if the ex-Bears and ex-Patriots pass rusher is healthy. Colvin, who signed a multi-year contract with Houston earlier this week, will be a situational rusher for the Texans, who mustered only 31 sacks last season. Colvin, who turns 31 at the beginning of September, notched 27 tackles and four sacks for New England in 2007 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Colvin played outside linebacker for the Patriots, and the Texans could play him at that position in a pinch, but he primarily will rush the passer, and likely from the DLE position. The Texans have been looking for more of pass-rush threat from that position; the starter, Anthony Weaver, is known for his strength at the point of attack, not his ability to get to the quarterback.

June 6, 2008   

CB Bennett looking to build upon promising rookie season

As a rookie, Texans CB Fred Bennett received valuable experience, starting eight games and becoming a key member of the secondary. Now the Texans hope he is primed for bigger and better things in his second season. Bennett told PFW he has worked closely with assistant DB coach Ray Rhodes, one of the league's most respective defensive minds, on a couple of technical issues. Bennett has sought to improve his footwork. "You can't take a false step at the line of scrimmage," the cornerback, who's known for his ability to play press coverage, said. Bennett has also worked on using his eyes to his advantage. "When a receiver is running (toward) you, you've got to keep your eyes on his hips," Bennett said. Bennett offered this update on CB Dunta Robinson, who is recovering from knee and hamstring injuries suffered last November: "He looks good. He's backpedaling. He's running around." Robinson is expected to miss the beginning of the season, and Bennett told PFW that the veteran is being sure "not to rush" back into the lineup before he is ready.

May

May 29, 2008   

Transition to Texans' offense could be a smooth one for RB Slaton

Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton starred running behind zone blocking at West Virginia, so he is familiar with elements of Houston's offense, which also features a zone blocking scheme. "Once you see something, you commit to it," Slaton told PFW. "It’s a 100 percent full-go. There’s really not going to be too many cuts (for a running back to make)." Slaton, who is likely to compete for carries as a backup in his rookie season, adds a needed dose of speed to a Texans backfield that lacked it last season. Slaton told PFW he has taken well to the Texans' offense, which is modeled after the Broncos' attack that Texans head coach Gary Kubiak ran as Denver's offensive coordinator. "At West Virginia (under then-head coach Rich Rodriguez), a lot of the tape we watched was Denver film," Slaton told PFW. "Running the zone for three years, I think that’s a great transition for me."

May 23, 2008   

Johnson expected to be ready for training camp after surgery on left knee

WR Andre Johnson recently had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee that kept him sidelined for seven games last season, but the team expects him to be ready for training camp. Upon returning to the lineup, Johnson caught 46 passes for 589 yards and five TDs in the final seven games of the ’07 campaign. However, the knee was bothering him throughout that stretch. When the condition did not improve in the offseason, the decision was made to have surgery after the team’s May minicamp. “Watching him practice during the minicamp, it was hard to believe that he needed his knee scoped, but that’s the great player that he is,” head coach Gary Kubiak told Houston reporters. “We know what we are going to get when he is back, and he’ll be healthy at camp. The great thing is that you are watching (WRs) Kevin Walter, André Davis, Jacoby (Jones), David Anderson — man, they are getting better every day, so that’s important for our team.”

May 16, 2008   

Williams picking up where he left off

One of the lasting impressions of the Texans' latest minicamp, the way we hear it, is how dominant DRE Mario Williams looked. Williams was just too much for rookie OLT Duane Brown, though the young tackle did show improvement as the minicamp progressed, according to a source close to the club. Williams finished the ’07 season on a tear that caused both team and league sources to marvel about how tough to stop he had become. The early returns suggest he is ready to pick up right where he left off, and that is bad news for those who hoped his fast finish to the season (10 sacks in the final seven games) might have been a fluke.

May 2, 2008   

McNair: 'Exceptional' draft filled needs for Texans

Texans owner Bob McNair knows that on the surface, the team’s 2008 draft doesn’t stand out like past editions, such as the one two years ago that featured No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams and playmaking LB DeMeco Ryans. Houston’s ’07 rookie class, led by DT Amobi Okoye, also turned heads. But McNair, in a recent interview, called the Texans’ ’08 draft haul an “exceptional” one. “This year is not as flashy,” McNair said. “We had several needs we felt we had to address if we wanted to strengthen our team, and we did.” The most pressing need was at left tackle, and the Texans believe they have found a long-term solution in Virginia Tech’s Duane Brown, their first-round pick. “[Assistant head coach] Alex Gibbs was convinced that of the left tackles, he could be the best option,” McNair said, indicating that Gibbs, a longtime O-line expert, had a major say in the Texans’ decision to take Brown, a prospect not linked to the club in many draft projections. But the Texans had him in their sights when they traded back from No. 18 to No. 26 in a deal that also landed Houston extra third- and sixth-round picks. Said McNair: “We got a tackle we think is young and (athletic) and who can fill that position the way we want it to be (filled).” McNair praised general manager Rick Smith for pulling off the deal and credited head coach Gary Kubiak's personnel acumen. "He has a good idea for the type of players he wants at each position," the Texans' owner said.

April

April 25, 2008   

Production of Texans' safeties an issue to watch

A veteran NFL assistant recently told PFW that the play of safeties, more so than other positions, can be more easily judged on the basis of statistics, with interceptions among the primary indicators of performance. In this category, the Texans’ safeties have fallen short in recent seasons. C.C. Brown was the only Houston safety to intercept a pass last season, and he intercepted just one. In 2006, Brown and two other Houston safeties intercepted one pass apiece. It should be noted that S Will Demps, who worked his way into the lineup last season, was a pleasant surprise in pass coverage; he didn’t intercept a pass, but he knocked away four throws and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate. Demps and Brown are the favorites to start, with Glenn Earl — who’s shown promise at times but has also struggled to stay healthy — leading the cast of challengers. Whatever the starting lineup, more big plays are needed from this position group.

April 18, 2008   

Houston's pass rush a chief concern as draft approaches

The Texans have a slew of needs to address in the NFL draft, and at present, they only have five draft picks to exercise: selections in Round One (No. 18), Round Three (No. 79), Round Four (No. 118), Round Five (No. 151) and Round Seven (No. 223). We continue to hear the defensive and offensive lines, as well as the secondary, are the positions the Texans are most likely to look closely at with their first pick. Figure Houston to think long and hard about adding at least one prospect who might be able to improve the team's pass rush. DRE Mario Williams already ranks among the elite at his position and had 14 of the team's 31 sacks a season ago. However, the team sack total was a little more than three less than the league average, and finding another pressuring presence off the edge — whether it be a rush linebacker or a defensive end — is a necessity. As far as the other glaring positions of need, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak had some good news this week, reporting that OLT Charles Spencer (knee) and CB Dunta Robinson (knee and hamstring) are faring well as they try to return to action. Spencer is a little further along in his recovery, though his ability to help the O-line after missing much of 2006 and all of the '07 season remains to be seen. Robinson is expected to miss the beginning of the season but could contribute in 2008.

April 2, 2008   

Right guard one of the few positions up for grabs for Texans

One of the few contentious position battles in Texans training camp could be at right guard, where Mike Brisiel will try to hold off Kasey Studdard. Brisiel, a former undrafted free agent, started the last four games of the ’07 season and made a positive impression. According to STATS, Brisiel did not allow a sack and only committed one penalty in his four starts. Studdard is said to be well-regarded by the coaching staff, but he could not crack the lineup last season. Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Texans’ offensive line is the addition of assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, who is expected to work closely with the group.

March

March 26, 2008   

Signing of Gray gives Texans flexibility at important position

The Texans have one of the league's better backup quarterbacks in Sage Rosenfels. And they now have one of the top No. 3 signalcallers in former Jaguars QB Quinn Gray, whom they signed to a one-year contract on Monday. The speculation now turns to whether Gray will eventually move up the depth chart as a result of the Texans choosing to deal Rosenfels to a club in need of a starting quarterback. Rosenfels impressed observers when filling in for the injured Matt Schaub last season, and the Vikings reportedly have expressed interest in trading for him. The way we hear it, it will take something more than a third-round pick to pique the Texans' interest; though Schaub is the team's undisputed starting quarterback, the team is high on Rosenfels. It would not be surprising if the Texans carried all three quarterbacks into the regular season.

March 19, 2008   

Trade for center Myers another big change for offensive line

The Texans may have found a long-term solution to one of their most pressing offensive problems with the acquisition of C Chris Myers from Denver on Monday. Houston traded its sixth-round pick to the Broncos in exchange for the 6-4, 300-pound Myers and also signed him to a four-year, $11 million contract extension. Myers is familiar with the zone-blocking scheme that is used in Houston, as it's similar to the one employed by Denver. Improving the offensive line has been one of the themes of the offseason for the Texans. In January, head coach Gary Kubiak hired Alex Gibbs, regarded as one of the game's best O-line experts, as assistant head coach/offense. Steve McKinney and Chris White may compete to back up Myers at center, but both players are coming off knee injuries.

March 14, 2008   

Green still in Texans' RB picture, but expectations lower than in '07

The Texans’ RB situation bears watching. The Texans are eager to see what Ahman Green, 31, can do after missing 10 games last season because of swelling in his left knee due to a bone bruise. However, we’re hearing the Texans aren’t banking on Green, who hasn’t played all 16 games since the ’03 season. Houston is likely to add a running back via the draft, but perhaps not in Round One, what with needs in the secondary and along the offensive line. The Texans do not have a second-round pick after trading it to Atlanta in the Matt Schaub deal last offseason. While not showing much interest in re-signing Ron Dayne, their leading rusher from a season ago, the Texans signed former Titans UFA RB Chris Brown on Thursday. Of the other backs currently on the roster, Chris Taylor, who missed last season with a knee injury, appears to rate a slight edge over Darius Walker, the way we hear it.

March 7, 2008   

Reeves gives Texans options at cornerback, but they're not done shopping

The signing of Jacques Reeves bolsters the Texans’ secondary depth and gives them a badly needed veteran cornerback with significant starting experience. The 5-11, 188-pound Reeves started 13 games for Dallas last season, breaking up 12 passes and intercepting one pass. At present, he likely is to slated to start as Dunta Robinson recovers from knee and hamstring injuries that will keep him out of the lineup for at least the first part of the ’08 campaign. Should Robinson ever return to his past form, or if the Texans find a cornerback superior to Reeves in free agency or the draft — and we hear that Houston is not done looking for corners — Reeves would provide Houston a solid No. 3 CB option. Reeves, 25, reportedly received a five-year, $20 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

OT Spencer ready to return to action

Texans OT Charles Spencer, who has missed the last 30 games because of a left knee injury, is ready to return to the field, head coach Gary Kubiak said at the Scouting Combine. “I’ll put it this way — Charles is ready to go back to work," Kubiak said. "He’s doing well. When we start the offseason program, he’ll be right in there with the football team. When we get to OTAs, he will be cut loose to go play." Whether Spencer is capable to returning to the form he showed early in his rookie season in 2006 remains to be seen; before the injury, many were high on Spencer's potential. "I think time will tell when he goes out there, performs as a player, he’s in drills, doing football stuff again as compared to doing just rehab," Kubiak said. "We’ll see how it responds." Kubiak hopes Spencer will be able to stay at left tackle, the position at which the Texans believed he could become a longtime starter.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Texans' offensive line could be in for some changes

As it stands, the Texans' secondary is the most pressing issue facing the club in the offseason, what with CB Dunta Robinson to miss the start of the season and four safeties eligible to depart. But Houston's offensive line is also a position group to watch. The addition of assistant head coach Alex Gibbs underscores the Texans' dedication to continually improving the long-scrutinized line, which, by all accounts, played better in 2007 than it had in some time. But work still needs to be done. A left tackle to challenge starter Ephraim Salaam might be signed in free agency or found in the draft. Center is also a position of intrigue, with the Texans lacking a clear-cut starter. Also, it appears the Texans will let relatively untested Mike Brisiel and Kasey Studdard compete at right guard. So while there is a sense of urgency when it comes to putting together the secondary, the offensive line is another area that could get some new faces in the offseason.  

Feb. 15, 2008   

Texans have decisions to make at strong-side linebacker

The Texans have some decisions to make at outside linebacker, with SLBs Charlie Anderson and Danny Clark both unrestricted free agents. Anderson, a former defensive end at Ole Miss, was drafted when the Texans were a 3-4 team, and he can play outside linebacker in a three- or a four-man front. Clark, 30, has been a serviceable starter and backup for the past eight seasons. He started eight games last season and figures to draw interest from teams looking to bolster their LB depth. Anderson, 26, saw consistent playing time in the final month of the season and responded with some of the best football of his career. Anderson notched 25 tackles in the final five games of the season. In Week 17, Anderson made nine tackles and registered two sacks.

Feb. 1, 2008   

ORT Winston garnering respect

A player who has quietly garnered respect from opponents, the way we hear it, is Texans ORT Eric Winston. The 6-7, 310-pounder started all 16 games this season, allowing only 3½ sacks, per STATS Inc. The Houston offensive line isn’t without its share of issues; the team’s interior line play was not a strength last season, and the Texans’ long-term plans at left tackle were altered when promising Charles Spencer suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the ’06 season. So Winston’s development is key for the Texans. One area that Winston needs to shore up: moving too early. He committed seven false-start penalties in 2007.