Houston Texans Offseason Analysis

If the Texans can’t show they can make the playoffs, the Houston fan base would be better off watching old tapes of the Oilers, the last snake-bit franchise of that city. Before each of the last three seasons, experts had predicted it would be the year this team finally pushed through to the playoffs. But known problems that went unaddressed held them back. Two seasons ago, Steve Slaton had shown big play ability at the running back position, but the next season he proved he couldn’t carry the load. The following offseason had them draft RB Ben Tate, and although he was injured in the preseason, Arian Foster stepped up, leading the nation in rushing. This vaulted them into the top 5 offenses, and a much improved red zone scoring average.

Prior to 2010, the team lost their top cornerback and they were forced to draft one in the first round. The problem - not a single corner on their roster had more than a year of experience. Along with god-awful safety play, the Texans posted a pass defense so bad it nearly set records for its “suckiness”. This offseason brings their savior, the guy that will FINALLY get them into the playoffs: Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator.

Relax. I know a lot of people are skeptical about this. He single-handedly destroyed the Cowboys chances of being the home team in last year’s Super Bowl. However, while he is a great schemer he is a huge pushover that could not control the locker room. That is why he will fit in Houston. Let him install the new 3-4 defense, but don’t actually allow him to be in control. I could go on and on about how he has greatly improved the team defenses after joining (e.g., San Diego, Buffalo, Dallas, etc.). Regardless, a switch in schemes will require a drastic change in personnel in addition to the overhaul of the secondary. Let’s look at the needs.

Cornerback

Honestly, what were Gary Kubiak and the defensive staff thinking last season? How could you think that you could win games with your top three cornerbacks having a combined experience of 3 years?

Glover Quinn showed the most promise, but still blew too many coverages and batted a Hail-Mary directly to a waiting receiver. I give him respect for improving throughout last season, but in no situation should he be your number one corner. I wouldn’t mind seeing him moved to free safety where his tackling and zone coverage skills would be better utilized.

Kareem Jackson - what is going on? I would like to note that he is a complete idiot off the field as well. Recently, he just posted comments and pictures via Twitter regarding his trip to Dominica and his viewing of cockfighting. Remember Mike Vick kid. You’re just killing your image kid and there wasn’t much of a good one after people saw you get blown past by receivers for touchdowns on a weekly basis. Sure he is a first round talent, but this offseason he needs to get some good coaching and show great improvement.

Brice McCain is a fast kid, but don’t put him in situations that matter.

Traditionally, the Texans build through the draft, but this season I would love to see them go out into free agency and throw a ton of money at one guy. It paid off last season when the Bears took Julius Peppers. Some of the big name FA’s make huge impacts on your team. Nnamdi Asomugha would be a beautiful thing to see in a Houston uniform, but the problem is literally every other team in the league would love to get one of the two true shut down corners in the league. The loss of Dunta Robinson last season was too drastic and a new guy must be brought in. Cromartie is another viable option.

Look for them to also throw a draft pick at this position at some point, too. Prince Amukamara could be taken at the #11 spot seeing as he fits a need and he fits the pick. However I feel many are skeptical about Houston taking cornerbacks in the first round in back-to-back drafts. He is a supremely gifted cover corner, but I just see the Texans going in a different direction with the pick. Do not count this out though.

Safety

I could not be happier to see Eugene Wilson leave, except wait… Bernard Pollard is on his way out too! Both safety positions made the cornerbacks look good. Sure Pollard, along with Brian Cushing, vastly improved the porous run defense, but his inability to cover even mediocre tight-ends allowed offenses to convert on countless third downs. Both the Free Safety spot and Strong Safety spot need upgrades.

As I said before, Glover Quinn has adequate size and ability and would be a perfect fit at Free Safety. It’s always nice to daydream about bringing in one of the hot free agents, but it would have been a fantastic move if Bob Sanders or OJ Atogwe were brought in.

This year’s draft has been called weak at the safety position for there is no clear first round talent, but there are plenty of midround prospects which fit in to when Houston will be picking. DeAndre McDaniel, Quinton Carter and especially the six foot five Robert Sands are possible options and Aaron Williams would be a great pick up as he can play either cornerback or safety. All have questions even they have proven at different times that they are true play makers.

> Find Houston Texans jerseys & hats online through Pro Football Fans for all your team gear!

Outside Linebacker

Other than Connor Barwin, there is no other player on the roster who truly fits the mold of a 3-4 outside linebacker. These guys must be the most athletic men on the field, being able to drop in coverage, play the run and most importantly, get after the passer. Connor Barwin is a converted tight-end who switched to defensive end in his last year in college. He was praised for his great burst and motor, and many originally projected him as a 3-4 pass rush specialist. The problem is that last season when he was supposed to have his break out year, he broke his ankle in the first game. The question now is whether he can show the same ability he had before this disaster.

The free agent class of this year does not offer much in terms of quality outside backers or at least any that will remain unsigned. There is no way Lamar Woodley or Tamba Hali will leave their respective teams. Among names you might actually recognize, the only player that comes to mind that could make an impact is Mathias Kiwanuka coming from the Giants. He usually plays 4-3 end though at times plays upright. Once again it is unlikely to see him hit the open market.

Looking at what Wade Phillips did with the Cowboys in his first season, where he drafted an extremely long and physically gifted, if extremely raw, DE and transformed him into possibly the best pass rusher of today—Demarcus Ware, you can expect Houston’s first round pick will be an athletic pass rusher. Lucky for them, the draft is packed full of them. In terms of guys who could stand upright and pass, Von Miller is on everyone’s draft board. Too bad he won’t make it past Arizona at 5. A little more on the realistic side, the supreme talent that is Robert Quinn could fall out of the top ten simply because the draft has so many potential blue chip defenders. The six-foot-four, 265 pound freak was suspended for the 2010 season but still showed great athleticism and quickness following the combine.

There is a chance he does go before this pick, but other possible fits include Aldon Smith of Missouri, who is rough around the edges, but has great length and potential (and has actually been compared to Demarcus Ware), and Brooks Reed who posted a ridiculous ten yard split at the combine, showcasing his ability to burst off the line at the snap. Other players that may be seen in the second round include Justin Houston, Akeem Ayers and Sam Acho.

Nose Tackle

This is by far the most important part of a 3-4 defense. The big man must be able to anchor himself down in the middle of the line and stay immobile. He will occupy guards and the center freeing up the backers to make a play on the running back. In passing situations, the most elite fat-men are able to push the pocket and disrupt the quarterback. In most people’s mind, the perfect examples of this kind of player are either Haloti Ngata or Vince Wilfork, each weighing in at about 330 and more than capable of plugging the hole.

As much as I respect Wade Phillips in his transformation of Jay Ratliff into a Pro-bowl player, I don’t see his praise for Earl Mitchell or Shaun Cody being any more convincing than Kubiak’s remarks last season about Glover Quinn being a shutdown corner. Though it is true that this scheme involves a much simpler 1 gap penetration by the nose as opposed to the usual 2, I believe a true anchor is needed for the defense to work.

The only free agent nose tackle that I could see starting is Aubrayo Franklin. He played extremely well two years ago in his contract year, but after a short holdout and his signing of the tender, he failed to perform to this level. Although at times he can be a huge force, I don’t see the Texans going out and spending up to $10 million on him. I would much rather see that aimed at Nnamdi or Cromartie.

Thus once again, we look to the draft as the Texans usually do. The two ideal players for this position are either out of reach (Marcell Dareus- a top 5 pick) or would be a reach (Phil Taylor- late first round pick). I don’t see the first round pick as a nose tackle anyway, but outside of these to tanks, the Texans will have to wait.

We might end up seeing the Texans start second year man Earl Mitchell after all (let it be known he is sub 300 pounds).

Wide Receiver

A second wide out to take pressure off Andre Johnson has been a need for a while now. Kevin Walter shows good hands and okay route-running but no one truly fears him. The guy that everyone hoped would step up into that important role was Jacoby Jones. The hope that he would mature and finally show reliable hands and play-making ability was never realized … again. He’ll forever be stuck at the 3 rd spot.

I really expect this area of need to once again be completely ignored, but there has been plenty of talk among mock drafts about Houston taking Julio Jones in the first round. As much as I want to hate the idea, I believe if both Robert Quinn and Prince Amukamara are gone, this pick could definitely be Jones. This wide out at times showed questionable hands, but his pure talent is undeniable. His combine performance wowed the football world as he posted a 4.39 second 40 yard dash, an 11’3” broad jump and a 38.5” vertical jump. These answered questions about his explosiveness as each of these numbers was either the best or among the best of his position. His size (6’3”, 220 lbs), strength and playing style are very similar to Andre “Haymaker” Johnson (6’3”, 225 lbs). It’s not a bad thing to be compared to the best in the game.

Unfortunately I once again see this need being avoided.

A quick mock of the Houston Texans in my mind would be:

Round 1- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri Fills Pass Rushing Need

Round 2- Aaron Williams, S/CB, Texas Versatile player with good ability

Round 3- DeAndre McDaniel, SS, Clemson Has huge upside, but could bust

Round 4- Sione Fua, NT, Stanford Well coached, he is a true anchor

Round 5- Bruce Miller, DE/OLB, Central Florida Depth at the position is needed

Round 6- Aldrick Robinson, WR, SMU Small program, great skills

Round 7- Rob McGill, OT, Louisiana Tech Can play multiple spots on the line

By Derek Updegrove
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer