From now until the start of the season, I'm going to make a Training Camp Preview thread for each of the 32 NFL teams. I'll cover projected rosters, biggest question marks, biggest position battle, draft recap, team strengths, and a 2009 projection for each team.
With my third installment, I'll be focusing on a team that has made some steady improvements each of the past few offseasons, and have a chance to finally make it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
2009 Projected Roster
QB- Matt Schaub, Dan Orlovsky
RB- Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats
FB- Vonta Leach, Cecil Sapp
WR- Andre Johnson, Andre Davis
TE- Owen Daniels, Joel Dreessen
LT- Duane Brown, Rashad Butler
LG- Chester Pitts, Kasey Studdard
C- Chris Myers, Antoine Caldwell
RG- Mike Brisiel, Chris White
LG- Eric Winston, Rashad Butler
WR- Kevin Walter, David Anderson
DE- Antonio Smith, Connor Barwin
DT- Travis Johnson, Frank Okam
DT- Amobi Okoye, DelJuan Robinson
DE- Mario Williams, Tim Bulman
SAM- Brian Cushing, Cato June
MLB- DeMeco Ryans, Kevin Bentley
WILL- Xavier Adibi, Zac Diles
CB- Dunta Robinson, Antwaun Molden
SS- Dominique Barber, Brandon Harrison
FS- Eugene Wilson, Nick Ferguson
CB- Fred Bennett, Glover Quin
K- Kris Brown
P- Matt Turk
KR- Andre Davis
PR- Jacoby Jones
LS- Clark Harris
Biggest Question Mark
With the current happenings in Texans camp, the biggest question mark has to be the secondary. Franchise player Dunta Robinson is holding out, and Jacques Reeves is now out for the season. That leaves second year man Antwaun Molden, rookie Glover Quin and third year man Fred Bennett as the starting CBs right now- definitely not a lineup that scares anyone. At safety, Dominique Barber is entering his first year as a starter, and while the talent is there, the experience is lacking. Eugene Wilson brings veteran experience to the unit, but he was cast off from Oakland last year, so that has to say something about his talent.
Biggest Position Battle
The biggest position battle on the Texans is coming from a position that now has some considerable quality depth. The winner of the Zac Diles/Xavier Adibi battle is going to set the tone for how the defense is going to play in 2009. Before fracturing his tibia after 8 games last season, Diles was leading the Texans in tackles and was playing very well. Adibi came in after the injury and played well before he himself also got hurt. Diles is the much better LB against the run, but Adibi is far more athletic and provides more big play ability. With Ryans and Cushing entrenched in the other two LB spots, no matter who wins, the Texans now have a deep LB group.
Team Strengths
On offense, the Texans have one of the best foursomes in the league. Schaub (when healthy), Slaton, Johnson and Daniels are all up and coming players at their positions, and all have loads of talent and potential. The Texans have added some great young playmakers to build around, and they make up the core of the offense. Their passing game was making huge strides last year, and Slaton proved to be a feature back even though he lacks size. If the Texans can keep their 4 key guys healthy, this offense could crack the top 5 in 2009.
On defense, the Texans now boast one of the deepest LB corps in the league. DeMeco Ryans is one of the premier MLBs in the league, and Zac Diles and Xavier Adibi proved that they could play in the NFL last season. Now they just need to stay healthy. The Texans then added another playmaking LB in the first round of the draft, landing USC alum Brian Cushing, who's hard nosed style of play will add some force to the Texans defense. After those four, the Texans have some quality backups in Cato June, Kevin Bentley, Buster Davis, and Chaun Thompson.
2009 Draft Recap
1st Round- LB, Brian Cushing
Cushing should be the starting SAM for the Texans, and has the athletic ability to really help the Houston D.
2nd Round- DE, Connor Barwin
If Barwin can improve his technique, he'll be a force opposite Mario Williams on the DLine.
3rd Round- G/C, Antoine Caldwell
Caldwell's versatility should prove useful along the Texans OLine, especially in the interior.
4th Round- CB, Glover Quin
With Robinson holding out and Reeves out for the year with injury, Quin has the chance to make an impact as a rookie.
4th Round- TE, Anthony Hill
Daniels is already the starter, but Hill has a chance to make an impact as an in-line blocker.
5th Round- TE, James Casey
The Texans didn't really need another TE, but Casey's playmaking potential as a receiving TE were too much to pass up.
6th Round- CB, Brice McCain
He has the ability to be an NFL Corner, but is he may only be a workout warrior.
7th Round- S, Troy Nolan
Nolan could provide help in run support as a safety, but he'll have to make an impact in Special Teams to stick.
The Texans had an excellent draft in 2009. On the first day, they landed two players who could be starters within 2 years for their defense. On the second day, they landed much needed depth to their OLine, depth for their secondary, and 2 TE's who can make a difference in both the run and passing game. With 8 picks in the draft, the Texans are looking at 3 or 4 of them making big impacts in their rookie season.
2009 Projection
9-7, 3rd in AFC South
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