Steve Slaton

Late in Steve Slaton’s junior season at West Virginia, he was answering criticism about being too small to be a featured back in the NFL.

When one reporter asked Slaton if he would be relegated to a third-down back in the NFL, the agitated 5′9″, 195-pounder responded “I don’t know, was Tony Dorsett a third-down back? I am bigger than he was when he played in the NFL.”

People chuckled but it’s Slaton who is getting the last laugh.

Despite being one of the most explosive players in college football and a star at West Virginia, Slaton lasted until the 89th pick in the NFL Draft because he was deemed “too small” to be an every-down back in the pros.

It didn’t take long for Slaton to smash the stereotype that size matters in the NFL.

As a rookie he burst on the scene with 1,282 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also caught 50 balls as a receiver coming out of the backfield.

This is a strong rookie season for any running back but these numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that Slaton didn’t carry the ball 20 times in a game until Week 12.

Just imagine what kind of production he’ll put up now that he enters the 2009 season as the Texans’ unquestioned starter at running back.

Slaton, like Dorsett, is the rare breed of athlete where size really doesn’t matter. Scouts were right to question Slaton’s size at first.

Nine times out of 10 a running back with Slaton’s build would find it difficult to take the physical pounding that accompanies a 16-game NFL schedule.

But what makes Slaton different than most is that he’s a freak of nature.

He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash (he’s actually much faster than his timed speed too which is even scarier) and his quickness and elusiveness in the open field are a God-given talent that most running backs can only dream of.

These qualities help negate Slaton’s lack of size because he rarely gets hit hard. It’s similar to that of Emmitt Smith, who Slaton is built like. Slaton is currently five-foot-nine, 201 pounds, while Smith played most of his career at 5 foot 9 inches, 209 pounds.

Like Smith, Slaton has a knack of avoiding big hits and slipping tackles, which keeps him fresh throughout the season.

Because of these unique qualities, I really don’t think Slaton will get worn down over a 16-game season. I fully expect him to be able to carry the load for the Texans and improve on his impressive rookie campaign.

Emmitt Smith did it for the Cowboys. Tiki Barber did it for the Giants. Brian Westbrook does it for the Eagles. I believe Slaton will do it in Houston as well.

Every now and then a player comes around that defies logic. Someone who is so special that scouts can’t evaluate him just based on measurables like size and NFL Combine numbers. Steve Slaton is one of those players.

The Houston Texans are this year’s sexy pick as everyone’s sleeper team to make the playoffs. It could happen. Houston has a lot of good, young talent on both sides of the ball.

But if the Texans do indeed make the postseason for the first time in franchise history, they’ll do so on the back of 5′9″, 201-pound Steve Slaton.

Looks like he’s big enough to carry the load after all.

 

Have the Houston Texans found the tough-yardage back they’ve wanted for so long?

 

Not yet, says head coach Gary Kubiak—but when training camp starts July 31, he’s not exactly going to be moaning over the lack of talent.

 

“It’s hard to tell, but they all have the ability to run the ball and have the foot quickness,” Kubiak said in the team’s daily media circular. “But you find out a lot about backs when you put pads on and start picking up blisters and taking that pounding every day. So come July 31st, we’ll find out more.” 

 

The Texans will enter pre-season with last year’s pleasant surprise, Steve Slaton, firmly entrenched as the starter. From there, however, it’s up for grabs.

 

Veteran Chris Brown, the former starter for the Titans, has the credentials to win at least one backup job: he’s the physical type of runner the Texans need in the red zone—but injuries have daunted him the last two seasons.

 

Ryan Moatsturned some heads late in the 2008 season with some gutsy play as well, and Kubiak said the third-year man out of Louisiana Tech “had a good camp” during the OTAs and mini-camp.

 

In the off-season, the Texans picked up former Colt Clifton Dawson and rookie free agents Arian Foster and Jeremiah Johnson. Kubiak says all three of them have a chance to make the team, and the pre-season will be their chance to step it up.

 

“…when you look at the young guys, you know I think it’s really going to be important who kind of stands out,” he said. “ Because it’s going to be so competitive, Jeremiah has to get going right now. But we’ll have to see. Obviously, we entered the draft and we did not draft a back, but I think we’ve got some good guys in there with Foster and Johnson and Dawson, so we’ll see how it pans out.” 

 

Of the backups, Foster has the edge in size, Brown has an edge in experience, and Moats may have the edge in speed.

 

Slaton, in a feature story at the team’s web site, said he’s pleased with the help, but expects more from himself entering the 2009 season.

 

“I know more of what the coaches want and what the coaches need and what I need to do to get the yards that I left on the field last year and get them back.,” he said.

 

“The first year is the biggest learning year you are going to have. I think I learned a lot from the veterans being on me and the coaches being on me. (Now), I can step my game up more.”

 

Slaton mentioned the biggest adjustments for the youngsters will be making the transition from a run-oriented college game to the pass-oriented pro style.

 

“You have to make sure you protect the quarterback,” Slaton said. “In my case, I didn’t block that often in college. It’s definitely a skill you need to get on the field.”

 

Foster said he is pleased with his progress thus far, but knows he still has a lot to learn.

 

“I feel like (the Texans system) suits my attributes very well,” he said. “They are a one-cut system; I’m a one-cut back. I’m big. I’ve got hands out of the backfield and they utilize their running backs out of the backfield. I’m just looking to fit in somewhere.”

 

Johnson said he feels he has something to prove after a shoulder injury in his senior year at Tennesee left him an undrafted free agent.

 

“I am hungry,” he said. “…I had a second-round grade in college as a junior—and I am just hungry. I feel like I deserve to be in this league. I am going to work every day to prove myself.”

 

Johnson, from Oregon, said he’s going to have to get used to the Texas heat but he’s getting used to it, and is taking a mental approach to success.

 

“The first practice I was kind of blowing up because of the heat,” he said. “I’ll be a student of the game. I’ll go in the film room and look at a lot of film and correct myself and study the playbook.”

 

 

NFL football teams win games through the utilization of strengths while capitalizing on mistakes, creating turnovers, managing ball control and exploiting opponent’s weaknesses

 

When determining a team’s five most effective players during a season, several evaluation tools come into play. Basically, one looks for a player’s ability to add a new dimension to the game. It’s more than just saying that a player is a great quarterback, receiver, running back or records a substantial amount of interceptions, sacks or tackles on defense.

 

Sometimes, the player who doesn’t get the recognition is the key component for a successful play. Also, it takes dedication on the player’s part to execute the playbook within the particular offensive or defensive schemes. For the Houston Texans, the following were the five most effective players on the 2008 squad:

 

 

1) Andre Johnson

 

Pound for pound, the best wide receiver in the NFL. He led the league in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,575 yards). Johnson recorded his first 200-yard game of his career Dec. 14 at home against the Tennessee Titans.

 

He tied a career high with eight touchdowns while thriving in the Texans’ traditional XYZ formation.

 

Johnson lines up on the opposite side of tight end Owen Daniel and No. 2 receiver Kevin Walter. Can overpower most top cover corners with his ability to beat “bump and run” coverage.

 

Even when defensive backs cut off his routes, he finds a way to get open. Creates double and triple teams, allowing QB Matt Schaub to spread the field around the field.

 

If Johnson draws a triple team and either TE Owen Daniels or No.2 receiver Kevin Walter makes the reception, the former University of Miami standout did his job.

 

 

2) Steve Slaton

 

The 2008 third-round draft pick excelled in Gary Kubiak’s offensive scheme last season. Slaton led all rookies with 1,282 rushing yards (a franchise record) on 288 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

 

He added another 377 yards on 50 receptions. Slaton was suppose to be a third-down back, but emerged as the team’s No. 1 back after an injury to Ahman Green.

 

Finished sixth in the NFL in rushing. Lacks prototypical size (5-foot-9, 203 pounds), but makes up for it with blazing speed. Ideal running back for the team’s zone blocking scheme. Can slash and cut back to find the open hole.

 

Slaton expects to get hit hard based on the offensive scheme. The success of the Texans depends on him staying healthy over the course of the regular season. At this point, the team still has no adequate backup.

 

 

3) Mario Williams 

 

The No. 1 pick of the 2006 NFL Draft has emerged into a Pro Bowl defensive end. His size (6-foot-6, 283 pounds) is enough to intimidate opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks.

 

Selected to his first Pro Bowl as a starter last season after recording 12 sacks and 53 tackles. Had three sacks and one forced fumble in the team’s first ever appearance on Monday Night Football.

 

More than just a prototypical defensive lineman in a 4-3 style of defense. His presence on the field alters the success of opposing offenses. His talent and skills makes him a threat on any given play.

 

Adjusted some technical weaknesses from his 2006 rookie campaign to record 14 sacks in 2007. Keeps his feet on the ground and uses short, quick steps. No longer uses long strides to get to the quarterback. 

 

 

4) Dunta Robinson

 

The Texans’ star cornerback returned last season in week 7 from a potential career threatening torn right ACL and hamstring injury suffered on Nov. 4, 2007 against the Oakland Raiders.

 

Team finished with a 7-4 record upon his returned to the lineup. Considered one of the best cover corners in the NFL. Thrives in the Texans’ “cover 2” defensive back scheme. Presents an exciting one-on-one matchup against opponent’s No. 1 receiver. Ranks as one of the most effective “bump and run” corners.

 

Can get his hands in the right position to disrupt a wide receiver’s route. Robinson has the ability to watch his opponent’s belt buckle and take away four of five potential routes a wide receiver can run on a particular play.

 

Quarterbacks tend to throw away from him during games. Recently, he became the first Texans player in history to be given the franchise tag.

 

 

5) Jacoby Jones

 

The third-round draft pick out of Lane College in 2007 impacts the Texans on special teams. Football is a game of field position.

 

In order for an offense to thrive, it’s the responsibility of special teams and the kick or punt returner to give the offense great field position and protect the football.

 

In 2008, Jones averaged 12.1 yard per punt return on 32 returns. He ran back two punts for touchdowns and recorded six returns of 20+ yards and two for 40+ yards. His longest return was for 73 yards.

 

Was susceptible to fumbles at times, but overall, proved to be a valuable commodity in establishing adequate field position for the Texans’ offense.

 

 

Honorable mentionees: TE Owen Daniels, LB DeMeco Ryans, QB Matt Schaub, OL Chester Pitts

By Jim McCurdy

Call it a case of the Young and Restlessness.

Seven days into organized team activities, Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats is starting to turn heads.

Moats was drafted with the 77th pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech. In three years with the Eagles, he ran for a combined 347 yards on 77 carries, spending the entire 2007 season on injured reserve after breaking his ankle in the preseason.

The Eagles waived Moats in late August last year. The Arizona Cardinals signed him to the practice squad 18 days later, only to turn him loose after a two-week evaluation. A week later, Moats’ career was resurrected when the Texans signed him to the practice squad on Oct. 7, 2008. Following three weeks of practice squad duty, Houston added him to the active roster.

“I remember studying Ryan coming out, so I knew a lot about him,” Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said in interviews with team insiders. “I liked his ability. Why it didn’t work in Philly? You never know. The one thing that was constant when I talked to (Eagles coach) Andy (Reid) and a few of the guys that had him there, they were very positive about him. It just didn’t work out for him.”

In Houston last season, Moats played in eight games at running back and on special teams units, rushing 26 times for 94 yards and one touchdown. He caught three passes for 14 yards, all the while backing up rookie Steve Slaton. He returned nine kickoffs for 212 yards with a long of 32.

This year, Moats is determined to amp up his game, and the Texans are giving him that chance. The team did not select a running back in April’s draft.

“Of course I have a lot to prove,” Moats said. ”At the same time, it did feel good to know they have a lot of confidence in me as a runner. I’m looking forward to capitalizing on that more. Opportunities only come around once in a lifetime, so I will be full throttle at everything I do.”

No doubt, the Texans have put an emphasis on elevating their ability to run the ball, the noticeable signs pointing toward the blocking department—an area Houston has been forever dogged in the past. This year, the organization drafted a center in Alabama’s Antoine Caldwell in the third round and chose a blocking tight end in North Carolina State’s Anthony Hill a round later.

Last season, Houston ranked 13th in the league in rushing, at 115.4 yards per game, in large part due to Slaton. Come September, Moats intends to offer greater contributions himself. So far, the Texans like what they see. 

“I think a lot of times you’ll see players, (tight end) Joel Dreessen is a good one that comes to mind, it doesn’t initially work for ‘em, but they’re hungry enough,” Kubiak said. “They’ll make it in this league, and I think that’s what you’re seeing from him right now. Hey, there’s not many stops you get in this league. He’s getting an opportunity, and he’s taking advantage of it.

“The thing I see is a lot of progress from young players. That’s very important as we move forward. We’ve got a very competitive roster, and it’s going to be a very competitive training camp.”

You know, to be honest, I hate these kinds of headlines saying someone or some team is the new last-year’s-hot-team or the new former-one-hit-wonder-player. But for the Houston Texans, the worn-out moniker might fit for 2009. They could be the new Arizona Cardinals.

I know, I know. They are in the toughest division in the NFL. They’ve only won eight games the last couple of years. Their quarterback has a glass jaw, and glass knee, and… well, he’s just made of glass. And yes, outside of Andre Johnson and Mario Williams, the star power on this team is pretty light.

But the Texans have had pretty good draft classes the last couple of years, including this year’s selection of USC stud linebacker Brian Cushing. Add him with Pro Bowler Demeco Ryans, and Houston has a tough front seven that can put pressure on the quarterback.

That is one of the big keys that has the Texans as the chic pick to be the new breakout team in the AFC. Here’s a couple more keys that could put Houston into the playoffs in 2009:

1. New zone-blocking scheme: Just call them Denver South, because the Texans will try to copy the same offensive system that Denver uses with Mike Shanahan as coach.

Gary Kubiak was the long-time offensive coordinator at Denver, and he has done a decent job in turning the rag-tag offensive line he inherited into a stronger unit that is very good at run-blocking.

With new zone-blocking schemes being taught and trained during the summer mini-camps, that could help improve the Texans’ running attack that finally caught fire in the middle of last season.

2. Favorable schedule: Except for the opener against the Jets, the Texans start the season with four home games against teams with losing records last year (Jacksonville, Oakland and San Francisco).

If Houston can win those games as well as the Jets home opener and road wins at Cincinnati and Buffalo, the Texans could be 6-2 heading into a big showdown in Indy.

That could help put the Texans into position for at least a wild-card birth heading down the stretch of the season. Plus, they have the Colts and Titans at home in late November, and no sign of cold-weather games on the schedule.

3. Better pass rush: So far, Mario Williams has become a strong defensive end that the Texans envisioned when they took him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft. But his pass-rushing skills haven’t been featured yet.

Now with linebacker Brian Cushing in the fold, opposing offenses will have to key on either Cushing or Williams to block, freeing up either one to get to the quarterback.

While there’s a optimistic feel to the Texans, there are a few obstacles that could creep up and make this team stay an average team.

1. Can Matt Schuab stay healthy? The Texans quarterback hasn’t finished a season totally healthy, and Houston needs him to stay healthy for at least 14 of its 16 games to help this team be successful.

Of course, if there’s a good veteran backup quarterback that can fall into the Texans’ lap in the rest of the offseason, then maybe Schaub can afford to miss a few games.

2. Can Steve Slaton avoid a sophomore jinx? The running back had a great rookie campaign, and greatly contributed to the success of the offense. But defenses will now key on him and he will have to make adjustments because of the zone-blocking schemes.

This will either make him a better running back or could hurt his numbers. Also, the Texans need to find a suitable backup for Slaton. Chris Brown could be that backup, but it remains to be seen if he has recovered from his injury that caused him to miss most of last season.

3. How tough will the Colts and Titans be? Having two really good teams in the division will hurt the Texans to get a playoff spot. Indy will still be a good team as long as Peyton Manning is behind center, but the Titans might be a bit vunerable thanks to the loss of Albert Haynesworth going to the Redskins.

Plus, how effective will Kerry Collins be behind center? He had a great season last year, but he’s another year older and it remains to be seen if he can still be a big-time QB. And you can say the same for his popular backup, Vince Young.

So far, I like the Texans’ chances to win this year. But the AFC South is still full of tough teams and Houston must get two wins of the four games against Tennessee and Indianapolis this season to make the playoffs. So I feel the Texans will go 10-6 and sneak into the playoffs this year.

If you are looking for the next fantasy surprise star, just look down south. Steve Slaton of the Houston Texans shows all of the signs of an upcoming fantasy star. 

We will look at him at a fantasy, statistical, and logical level. Let’s start with some stats.

In his rookie season, Steve Slaton posted over sixteen hundred total offensive yards, nearly 1,300 of which were rushing. He played on a team with a weak defense and acted as nearly the sole running back for the team.

What makes the feat even more impressive is how well he did considering his conditions. Following a season where the Texans’ star running back had only 773 rushing yards, Steve Slaton nearly doubled the yardage, all as a rookie. Slaton played under a weak and inexperienced offensive line that hardly were an asset to him.

Now let’s compare Slaton’s rookie season to a few other running backs that we know. Slaton worked for an average of 4.8 yards per carry (the same average as Peterson for 2008), a better average than the average of the rookie seasons for Ladainian Tomlinson (3.6), Marshall Faulk (4.1), and Matt Forte (3.9). Quite impressive!

Wait, wait wait, you say. What about the other rookie stars who posted much higher averages in their first year? Why leave them out? What about players like Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders?

Well, we have to remember that Slaton played under a poor offensive line, though it will improve as years pass. Peterson, for example, played behind two pro bowlers in his 2007, rookie season.

Steve Slaton displayed consistency and endurance throughout the 2008 season. Four of his last seven games of the season were 100+ yard games. His average for rushing attempts 21 through 30 for each game was an amazing 8.7 yards per carry. This came as a surprise to some who saw him as too weak to take the beating as a starting running back.

Now let’s look at Steve Slaton at a fantasy level. He was one of the most consistent producers for all fantasy players last year. Ranked seventh of the running backs at the end of the season,11 of his 15 injury-free games were above ten points (ESPN standard scoring).

In fact, he had less single digit point games than Adrian Peterson, excluding non-started games.

Finally, let’s think this through logically. After posting such a consistent, surprising, and amazing rookie season, Steve Slaton can only go up. With Andre Johnson stretching the field, Slaton should get open lanes and few men boxes to run through.

With an offensive line that is gradually getting better and better, and with a team that is now at a playoff level, Slaton should flourish.

Expect Slaton to continue his consistency throughout this year and beyond. He will exceed his milestones of 2008, and I expect he won’t just rise to sixth or fifth of the running backs. I fully expect Steve Slaton to be a top three fantasy running back in the next couple of years.

So when you are at your draft, don’t pass him up. Think hard about him as a late first rounder, and definitely snatch him as a second-rounder. 

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When picking a player from this Houston Texans’ team there was a lot of names I highly considered. There’s all-pro wideout Andre Johnson, coming off an absolutely stellar season.

Mario Williams who has proved the doubters wrong that though Vince Young or Reggie Bush should be the pick instead of him and has actually been able to relatively live up to the No. 1 draft pick hype.

Matt Schaub, who has helped vault this offense into a serious aerial passing attack and DeMeco Ryans; the former defensive rookie player of the year.

Ultimately I came to the decision to direct my questions to breakout second year running back Steve Slaton.  A rising star while at West Virginia, Slaton slipped in the 2008 NFL Draft due to his size, former system and injury history.

Question One:

Steve, you were able to prove 31 other teams wrong by passing on you. What type of vindication do you feel, if any, after having the type of season you did your first year in the league?

Question Two:

 You haven’t been here for a lot of the team’s past failures, but you’re surely aware of them by now. What do you think the team needs to improve the most in order to get over the hump that’s stopped this team from reaching the postseason?

Question Three:

The team didn’t spend a draft pick on another running back this year, but signed two undrafted free agents in hopes of providing a larger back compliment to you. Do you think a dual back system is necessary in the NFL now?

Question Four:

What have you learned from your early success in the league that you think will help you improve even more in your second year?

Question Five:

You’re signed for four years with the Texans. In none of those years will your base salary exceed the $1 million dollar mark.  The first running back in the same draft as you, Darren McFadden, made more with his signing bonus than your entire contract.

What do you think of the Rookie pay-scale in the NFL versus the NBA, where salaries are restricted? Do you think there should be a rookie salary cap in the NFL?

Question Six:

With Coach Shanahan taking over play calling duties this year, what changes in the offense are we going to see this year?

Question Seven:

Pinpoint one aspect of your game right now that you feel needs the most improvement. What is it and how do you plan on improving it for the upcoming season?

When picking a player from this Houston Texans’ team there was a lot of names I highly considered. There’s all-pro wideout Andre Johnson, coming off an absolutely stellar season.

Mario Williams who has proved the doubters wrong that though Vince Young or Reggie Bush should be the pick instead of him and has actually been able to relatively live up to the No. 1 draft pick hype.

Matt Schaub, who has helped vault this offense into a serious aerial passing attack and DeMeco Ryans; the former defensive rookie player of the year.

Ultimately I came to the decision to direct my questions to breakout second year running back Steve Slaton. A rising star while at West Virginia, Slaton slipped in the 2008 NFL Draft due to his size, former system and injury history.

 

Question One

Steve, you were able to prove 31 other teams wrong by passing on you. What type of vindication do you feel, if any, after having the type of season you did your first year in the league?

 

Question Two

 You haven’t been here for a lot of the team’s past failures, but you’re surely aware of them by now. What do you think the team needs to improve the most in order to get over the hump that’s stopped this team from reaching the postseason?

 

Question Three

The team didn’t spend a draft pick on another running back this year, but signed two undrafted free agents in hopes of providing a larger back compliment to you. Do you think a dual back system is necessary in the NFL now?

 

Question Four

What have you learned from your early success in the league that you think will help you improve even more in your second year?

 

Question Five

You’re signed for four years with the Texans. In none of those years will your base salary exceed the $1 million mark.  The first running back in the same draft as you, Darren McFadden, made more with his signing bonus than your entire contract.

What do you think of the Rookie pay-scale in the NFL versus the NBA, where salaries are restricted? Do you think there should be a rookie salary cap in the NFL?

 

Question Six

With Coach Shanahan taking over play calling duties this year, what changes in the offense are we going to see this year?

 

Question Seven

Pinpoint one aspect of your game right now that you feel needs the most improvement. What is it and how do you plan on improving it for the upcoming season?

daniel v. woodson

bleacher reports

 

HOUSTON-Towering above The Houston Astrodome, the eighth Wonder of the World, Reliant Stadium awaits the 2009 Campaign of The Houston Texans.  The Astrodome, now a forgotten landmark, hosted several playoff games during the fan-crazed days of The Houston Oilers’ Luv Ya Blue Regime.   Houston has experienced the excitement of playoff football but, it remains a fading, distant memory. 

 

The Oilers, who provided the excitement of Earl Campbell’s jaunts through AFC defenses en route to showdowns with The Pittsburgh Steelers in consecutive AFC Championship Games, also had a strong passing game.  Dan Pastorini’s bombs to Kenny Burrough and the stingy Oilers defense anchored by Elvin Bethea and Curley Culp made them a force to be reckoned with.

 

The Oilers of the days of The Run-And-Shoot and Warren Moon would amass 400 or more yards of offense with ease.  They too made playoff appearances and the fans of Houston were in the throws of excitement.  Unfortunately, there was that game in Buffalo…. I won’t go into it.  I know it’s still too painful to Houston fans.  Houston now aches for another reason.  It aches for another playoff experience and it could happen in 2009 if the Texans can manage to put most of the following key components into play this season:

 

A Reliable and Steady Offensive Line

 

The offensive line is the key to any NFL offense. Without consistent offensive line play, there is no reliable protection for the quarterback, no efficiency in the passing game nor any sizable running lanes for the running game.  Do you remember what happened to David Carr in 2002?  76 sacks!  The Texans must have a solid group on the offensive line headed by Duane Brown at left tackle and left guard Chester Pitts. Keep your eyes peeled for third round draft choice, Antoine Caldwell from Alabama.  The 6’3” 307 Caldwell is not only a mountain of a man, but he’s quite an intellectual finishing his college curriculum in less than three years and will be a quick study of the Texans’ playbook.  He also brings versatility having played all positions on the offensive line except left tackle at some time in his college career.

 

If the Texans cannot protect their starting quarterback, Matt Schaub, who is susceptible to injury, he will eventually get hurt.  As a result, the offense will have to rely on a backup quarterback who is new to the Texans’ offense and there will be a drop-off in performance.  The Texans can ill-afford such a thing and losing Schaub could derail any chances of making the playoffs this season.  The offensive line must stay intact for the Texans to make a realistic run at a playoff berth.

 

Durability at Starting Quarterback

 

Matt Schaub, in his two seasons with the Texans, has yet to play an entire season. Even David Carr, in his average, shell-shocked five-year career with the Texans, was able to play all 16 games four out of five of those seasons (76 games out of 80).  Much like an average boxer with a pretty good chin, Carr survived the pounding of over 76 sacks in his rookie season and 249 in his career with the Texans to answer the bell nearly every Sunday.

 

Schaub has not been nearly as durable.  In his two seasons with The Texans, Schaub has played in only 22 of their 32 games and the feast or famine backup play of Sage Rosenfels was insufficient to get key wins while Schaub was out.  When Schaub plays, he usually produces. One of his more impressive performances last season was on the road against Green Bay at Lambeau Field.  In single-digit temperatures, he went 28 of 42 for a season-high 414 yards with 2 TDs, 1 INT and the Texans defeated the Packers, 24-21 despite 4 turnovers.  He was also quite the Fantasy Football stud that day amassing over 20 points in most leagues on the frozen tundra of Lambeau.

 

Believe it or not but last year, the Texans had the #3 overall, the #4 passing, the #13 rushing offense in the NFL!  Unfortunately, they were only the #17 scoring offense in the league.  That’s pretty impressive but, Matt Schaub must start all 16 games this season so that the offense doesn’t miss a beat. He must also put up the kind of numbers that are representative of a playoff-contending or championship-caliber quarterback.  If he gets hurt, the Texans’ offensive production will suffer, especially if it happens during divisional play which may lead to an early vacation for Houston.

A Competent Backup Quarterback

 

With the departure of Sage Rosenfels and the questionable durability of Matt Schaub, the Texans need a backup QB who can drop the clipboard, strap on his helmet and effectively step in should Schaub fall victim to injury.  The free-agent signing of former Detroit Lions’ backup, Dan Orlovsky at least provides the Texans with a backup QB with some NFL game experience.  Orlovsky played in 10 and started 7 games last season for Detroit so, he has something to draw from should he be thrust into the Texans’ lineup.  He was 143 of 255 for 1,616 yards with a 72.6 passer rating including 8 TDs and 8 INTs. The Texans expect that should Orlovsky have to step in, he can get a least one win for the team.  As you all know, he and the hapless Lions suffered through an NFL record 0-16 season last year.  Dan, we hope you didn’t have any of the Lions’ losing ways in your luggage when you landed at Bush International!

 

If Schaub gets hurt and Orlovsky has to step in, all he would need to do is manage the offense and not lose games.  If he is not a steady and calming presence in the huddle and tries to be a hero, he could hurt the team’s playoff chances.  The entire league was watching when he unwittingly ran along the end line for a safety while scrambling last season.  Just stay “between the lines”, Dan and you’ll do just fine.

 

Depth and Versatility at Running Back

 

As dependable and explosive as Steve Slaton was last year, he does not have the durability to play every down of a 16-game schedule.  Add to that the trend of “running back by committee” in the NFL, the Texans need one, if not two running backs to help “catch and carry” the load for the offense.  There wasn’t much of a drop off with Ryan Moats because he brings durability, but he hasn’t shown the big-play ability of Slaton. The Texans also need a big back who gives them the option to go for a frist down in a tough 4th and 1 key situation. Chris Brown, formerly of division rival Tennessee, may provide that punch.  He was signed as an unrestricted free-agent in 2008 and he possesses speed and power but, he was placed on injured-reserve for the 2008 Season. 

 

The Texans have also signed two undrafted free-agents Arian Foster from Tennessee and Jeremiah Johnson from Oregon and both are great, shifty runners who are excellent pass receivers out of the backfield.  The threat of their abilities would open up possibilities of play-action passes to the Texans’ pass-catching specialists Andre’ Johnson, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels.

 

If the Texans don’t use a balanced offensive attack, they run the risk of under-utilizing their resources and falling short of the playoffs yet again.  Being a one-dimensional team brings all sorts of pitfalls and if the Texans don’t diversify, they run the risk of crashing and burning like most stock-portfolios and 401(k) plans during this financial crisis.  Historically, they have had a balanced attack, so this should not be an issue unless they lose a key component in their running game such as Steve Slaton to injury.

Effective Use of Receivers

 

Andre’ Johnson was a gift from the NFL gods to The Houston Texans’ franchise and has been an All-Pro caliber receiver with a mediocre franchise.  If he remains healthy, he’ll easily exceed 1,000 receiving yards yet again.  He is in the third year of his 6-year, $60 million contract and when he is on the field, he has yet to disappoint Texans fans and continues to threaten opposing defenses. 

 

Kevin Walter will benefit from the double-coverage that Johnson gets and his deceptive speed has made him a reliable deep threat.  Tight End Owen Daniels has become a very versatile option for Matt Schaub but, during the middle of last season, he was not used very effectively.  The Texans must make O.D. as integral a part of their offense as Dallas Clark is in Indianapolis and Jason Witten is in Dallas in order to take the team to the next level.

 

Any injury to Andre’ Johnson and not expanding the use of Owen Daniels will be a detriment to the Texans’ offensive potency and will limit their chances of being a power in the AFC South and making it to the playoffs. 

 

Defensive Line Depth and Toughness

 

A bad defense is the enemy of a good offense any day and last year, the Texans’ defense ranked near the bottom of the league at 22nd overall, 17th against the pass and 23rd against the run.  That won’t get the Texans to the playoffs.  It all starts with the defensive line and Mario Williams has proven his worth and has been an excellent pass rusher and run-stopper but no one else on the D-Line has stepped their game up. 

 

Another strong defensive end opposite Mario Williams is needed to put pressure on the quarterback. There were great expectations for defensive tackle Amobi Okoye but, he hasn’t been lights out nor has nose tackle Travis Johnson. The Texans need a stopper like Albert Haynesworth, who can occupy two blockers to free up Mario Williams to make even more plays this year. Unfortunately, Albert Haynesworths don’t grow on trees.  If they can sure up the middle of the defensive line, they could rank amongst the top defenses in the AFC.

 

If teams can consistently run against the Texans, they will be forced to rely on their offense to keep them in games and as it’s been said over and over that defense wins championships.  Without a solid defensive line, the Texans will be at home in January and I don’t mean hosting a playoff game.

 

Swarming and Agile Linebackers

 

DeMeco Ryans returns as the leader of the linebackers and with the addition of the experience of free-agent Cato June formerly of Indianapolis and Tampa Bay to the linebacker core of the Texans and first-round draft pick Brian Cushing, the Texans should have one of the better groups of backers in the NFL.  Some of the Texans’ linebackers are a bit small but, their toughness and speed make them suited for pass coverage of quick backs out of the backfield.  There will be serious battles for starting positions in training camp between the likes of Kevin Bentley and rookie Toddrick Verdell who will add depth at this very important position on the gridiron and just might be key to getting the Texans a date in January with a playoff opponent.

 

If the linebackers cannot step up and take up the slack in the run defense for a defensive line that has yet to strike fear into the hearts of opposing offenses then, the Texans will have another long off-season of trying to figure out how to finally ‘get it right’.  They will be deep at the linebacker position but will they be tough enough to “plug things up”?

Intimidating and Consistent Secondary Play

 

Dunta Robinson, Jacque Reeves, Fred Bennett, Eugene Wilson and Nick Ferguson played most of last season in the secondary but, the Texans don’t have any big hitters in its defensive backfield.  Receivers run their routes fearlessly across the middle of the Texans’ secondary as if it was a stroll in the park.  They have also fallen victim to the deep pass, therefore, the team has had to outscore its opponents rather than rely on a secondary that pounds receivers into the turf. 

 

Robinson’s surgically-repaired knee seems to be holding up but, he’s lost a half-step. He is still, however, the closest to a “shut-down corner” that the Texans have.  They will need to field another shut-down corner and a strong safety that puts fear in the hearts of receivers like a Brian Dawkins or for you old-school football fans, a Jack Tatum.  The Texans have never had that type of player on their defense and it’s time for someone to become the “Texas Terminator”.

 

If the secondary continues to be below average and fall prey to good passing teams, the Texans’ opponents will always be able to move the ball down the field at will.  This can only put additional strain on the offense and force Matt Schaub and Co. to press and run the risk of turning the ball over in their haste to outscore the opposition.  Without a strong, hard-nosed secondary, the Texans will spend New Year’s at home.

 

Game-breaking Special Teams

 

Place kicker Kris Brown had another excellent season and was 29 of 33 on FGs (88%) and 37 of 37 on PATs including 2 of 3 on FGs over 50 yards.  He has a big leg and is very reliable from anywhere on the field and is considered one of the Texans’ most reliable offensive weapons.

 

Punt returner Jacoby Jones and kickoff returner Andre’ Davis showed big-play ability and cause special teams coaches of the Texans’ opponents to lose sleep.  Both scored key touchdowns for the Texans last year and Jones is a threat whenever the ball is in his hands.  Unfortunately, he did mishandle a few punts last year which could have been disastrous for the team.  Both he and Andre’ Davis occasionally step in to contribute on offense and their speed is an asset and fans hold their collective breaths in anticipation of the excitement they create. 

 

Thirteen-year NFL Veteran Matt Turk has been consistent and has performed exceptionally well during his stint with the Texans.  He’s even been known to tuck the ball and run!  If he’ll leave the running to Steve Slaton and continue to use his legs or leg to put the opposing offenses in unfavorable field position, the Texans defense will handle the rest. 

 

If the Jacoby Jones isn’t more sure-handed or if Kris Brown’s leg begins to fail him, the loss of the edge of the Texans’ Special Teams intangibles could hurt the team’s chances in their bid to make the playoffs.

 

Recipe for a Playoff Berth

 

If the planets align themselves, the injuries are held to a minimum, all good luck charms work and all or most of the above things fall into place, Texans fans should prepare themselves for one heck of a ride which will end and begin with a playoff berth for the 2009 Season.  Then, for the first time since the days of The Houston Oilers, The City of Houston can enjoy seeing their team in the playoffs in the National Football League! 

A third ranked offense; that’s what the Texans had in the 2008 season.

Well, that may be a bit misleading.

Yes, they had the third-ranked offense in terms of yards per game (382.1), but as for the more important stat pertaining to an offense (points per game), the Texans finished 17th with 22.9.

Thus, for an offense that seemed to have relative ease moving the ball, but failed to put up a lot of points, the weakness in the offense becomes abundantly apparent: red zone efficiency.

The Texans’ red-zone offense was amongst the worst in the league.  They failed to score a touchdown in less than half of their appearances (45.9%), and even more egregious — they were amongst the leagues worst in failing to come away with any points when they got to at least the opponents’ 20-yard line.

Only the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys did a poorer job of coming away from the red-zone with any points than the franchise from Houston.

Nevertheless, despite the apparent problems with the red-zone offense in ’08, for ’09, the problems could be fixed with a batch of new arrivals, and the inclusion of some new formations.

The Coach’s Son

Kyle Shanahan, the second-year Offensive Coordinator, is now assuming the play-calling duties for the 2009 season.

For the first fifteen games of 2008, head coach, Gary Kubiak, was the primary play-caller, but in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears — Shanahan got his chance.

Watching the offense operate against the Bears’ defense, there weren’t many notable differences, until they got to the red-zone.

At that point, you noticed one key difference between Shanahan and his predecessor.

Namely Shanahan finally called the obligatory “fade to the corner of the end zone” with Andre Johnson.

It was a welcome change considering Kubiak seldom, if ever, called such a popular goal line play.

It’s a play most offensive coordinators seem to call at least once around the goal line, and evident by the success Larry Fitzgerald had in the postseason: if you do it right, it’s nearly impossible to defend.

With Johnson’s 6’3” stature, his strength coupled with his jumping ability, it should be one of the new wrinkles that Shanahan implements at the goal line.

The Backup Bruiser

Another asset that Kyle Shanahan has is the arrival of new faces, and the assimilation of some older ones.

The running game was good last year.  Steve Slaton ran for nearly 1300 yards, and for a third-round pick, who before the season began was projected to be nothing more than third-down back, his success came as a relative surprise.

However, as it has been noted, and discussed throughout the offseason, the Texans lack that solid backup.

Slaton isn’t the ideal short-yardage back. Fortunately for Slaton and Shanahan, there are a slew of options: Arian Foster, Jeremiah Johnson, Chris Brown and Ryan Moats.

Of those four, the logical conclusion would be that one of those guys are likely to step-up, and assume the backup or “tough yardage” back role.

Chris Brown is back, and despite missing the entire 2008 season due to a back injury, his size (6’3”, 220 lbs) and running style seem to fit the mold of that “tough yardage” or “bruiser” role.

For Jeremiah Johnson, an undrafted free agent, his running style is more aligned with that of Slaton’s, and he’s not that big either (5’10”, 200 lbs).  So he may not be the ideal fit to be the short-yardage, third-down back. Instead, at-best, he can be a third-down receiving option, or shy away carries from Slaton on first or second down.

Ryan Moats did little when given the opportunity to inspire confidence that he can backup Slaton. For Moats, he has experience with the offense, and running behind that offensive line, he could fill the void.

Lastly, the other undrafted free agent, Arian Foster, is quick and bulky enough (6′1″, 230lbs) to be valuable in third or fourth and short running situations.

The Tebow Wildcat

Another wrinkle the Texans’ will have in their red zone offense is the “Wildcat.” A formation made famous by Ronnie Brown in the early portion of the 2008 season, it was all the rave by the end of the season. The Texans even tried to utilize this formation, but it’s use came with disastrous results as Jacoby Jones attempted to make the popular scheme work.

With the fifth round selection of former Rice standout James Casey, the Texans could have the answer to their “Wildcat” problem.  

Casey, the former minor-league baseball prospect, lined up at wide receiver and tight end positions amongst other positions while at Rice.

He not only has the hands (111 receptions in ‘08) and quickness (4.66 40-time), but also the arm-strength to make this scheme work.

Furthermore, if the Texans want to learn anything from the college game, they can look at the offense the Florida Gators utilize. Specifically the zone-read QB draws  that Tim Tebow runs.

Tebow and Casey are relatively similar in size, and as it’s hard to gauge if Casey could be as effective running a zone-read QB draw as Tebow, but at the very least, it’s something the offensive staff can experiment with.  

The Other Tight End

Keeping with the theme of drafted tight ends, Texans’ fourth-round selection, Anthony Hill, can fill the role that Mark Bruener had before he retired this offseason.

Many draft pundits considered Hill the best blocking tight end in the draft, and because of this, he can be used in a variety of ways in Shanahan’s offense.

Like Bruener, Hill can be used in short-yardage situations.

Be it second-and-short in the “Wildcat” formation, and Casey is looking to follow behind Hill’s block. Or a third-and-short situation around the goal line where Foster is at running back, and the Texans’ position both Hill and Daniels next to right tackle Eric Winston, and Foster runs behind those three blockers.

Nevertheless, those are only a couple of scenarios where the inclusion of a quality blocking tight end’s presence can be used.  

Barwin Is The New Vrabel

Connor Barwin, the second round pick of the Texans, was a converted tight end before switching to defensive end his senior season.

Therefore, the athleticism and pass-catching ability is still there to make him a viable red zone target.

If anything, Barwin can be used in the red zone, or specifically in goal line situations, much akin to what the Patriots did with their former OLB, Mike Vrabel.  

During his tenure with the Patriots, occasionally Vrabel would come into the game when the ball was either at the opponents’ one or two yard line.

Vrabel would be line up as a tight end, and the play would either be a run, or a play-action pass.  The play-action generally worked, and at the end, it often found Vrabel catching the pass.  

He had eight catches and eight touchdowns during his time with the Patriots, with no one reception greater than two yards.  

If anything, the offensive coaching staff can learn from this, and utilize Barwin in similar situations.

With a potential lineup at the one or two yard line of (in terms of skill players): Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Owen Daniels, Steve Slaton and Connor Barwin, it’s a cavalcade of offensive threats that should enable Matt Schaub to find at least one open receiver, thus, overall resulting an improved red zone offense.