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2005 Team Report: Houston Texans
Quarterbacks
Starter: David Carr
Starting QB: After a rough start as a rookie in 2002, David Carr was expected to make a huge leap in year two. 2003 was mired with injury, and Carr actually lost ground playing in 12 games. A year late is better than never as Carr made a leap forward in 2004 with 3,531 passing yards and 16 TDs, while climbing to 14th in QB fantasy points after being in the mid-20s his first two seasons. The biggest obstruction holding him back is HC Dom Capers and his conservative ball control ground attack offense. Carr has all the ability, and is surrounded by young talented players. Dom Davis is a great weapon in the receiving game out of the backfield, and AndreJohnson surpassed 1,000 receiving yards last season. If Carr can make further strides in 2005, he may begin to approach starting caliber fantasy numbers. At worst, Carr is a good fantasy backup and bye week starter.
Backup QB: Journeyman Tony Banks filled in well for David Carr in 2003 before going down with an injury himself. He had 693 passing yards and 5 TDs in just 3 starts in 2003. In 2004, Tony Banks had only 2 passing attempts, completing just one of them for 16 yards. Entering his tenth year in the league, Banks is nothing more than a good backup who can be called upon if needed. He has no learning curve to overcome, and if Carr goes down again, Banks should be able to step right in and produce. Short of that, Banks is not worth a roster spot on your fantasy team. Dave Ragone set numerous NCAA records while at Louisville, but hasn't had the opportunity of any playing time in the NFL. Neither of these backups is likely to threaten Carr for any playing time.
Running Backs
Starter: Domanick Davis
Starting RB: Domanick Davis has been ultra productive on an up-and-coming team. He has great balance, cutback ability, and a good burst off the line. Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards with eight TDs only playing the last ten games of his rookie season. He followed it up with another 1,000 yard, 14 TD season last year. Davis is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, adding 68 receptions and 588 yards for an average of 8.6 yards per catch in 2004. There are a number of injuries Davis has struggled with in just two seasons in the NFL: broken hand, back problems, groin injury, chest sprain, more than one ankle injury, and a bruised quadriceps muscle. Davis has added almost 10 lbs to his 5'9" frame since coming into the league, but he is still undersized, in a position that gets hit on every play. At the halfway point of last season, costly fumbles, nagging injuries and the emergence of Jonathan Wells kept Davis on the bench a lot more than anyone might have expected. Davis bounced back, and going into 2005, he is clearly the starting RB for the Texans. Backup RBs: The Texans used a third-round draft choice on Oklahoma State running back Vernand Morency because they wanted a quick, strong back to take pressure off Domanick Davis. Morency has had a strong preseason; and although he has not locked up the backup RB job yet, he appears a strong candidate for the role. Jonathan Wells got his chance last season. With starting RB Domanick Davis out with a sprained an ankle suffered at Kansas City and backup RB Tony Hollings missing his second game with a bruised right knee, the Texans had no choice but to start Wells against Oakland, and he delivered. Wells rushed for 105 yards and a TD, adding 28 receiving yards. Wells was unable to deliver enough to take the starting role, but at 6'1" and 243 Lbs, he could easily fall into a roll of goal line, short yardage back, producing a number of short TDs on negligible yards. Tony Hollings spent his rookie campaign recovering from a torn ACL only to face knee and hamstring injuries in 2004. At this point, it looks like he will not justify the second-round pick the Texans spent on him.
Fullback: Moran Norris is an excellent blocker. The fullback role in Houston is not a fantasy force, regulated to the role of blocking. The fullback is entrusted to provide protection for David Carr, and open holes for Davis to scoot through. HC Dom Capers uses a power running attack, so Norris will be on the field a lot, however, this is not a position that carries any fantasy value.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Andre Johnson, Corey Bradford
Starting WRs: Andre Johnson has breakaway speed, runs great routes with sharp cuts, and is fearless over the middle. The issue with his lack of concentration turned out to be a poor vision problem that has been corrected. Still young and improving with an up-and-coming team, Johnson has ranked 23rd and 22nd in WR fantasy points over the last two seasons, putting up 79 receptions, 1,142 yards, and 6 TDs in 2004. Johnson has all the talent needed for a huge breakout season, and is entering his third year in the league. Although David Carr is still developing, and may not throw for a ton of yards, Johnson will get the lion's share of them. Corey Bradford shared the starting job opposite Johnson with Jabar Gaffney last season; and won the job to open the 2005 season thanks to a strong camp. Bradford is a big-play threat, but has always been inconsistent, putting up marginal fantasy points for weeks on end before exploding with a long TD reception. If Bradford falters, Jabar Gaffney would take over almost assuredly. Backup WRs: Jabar Gaffney is an exceptional athlete with great body control, balance, and soft hands. He is a natural WR who can make big plays down field. Gaffney put up 41 receptions, 632 yards at 15.4 yards a catch, and two TDs last year. Rookie Jerome Mathis, while raw, was considered a draft day steal by many pundits and will be given the opportunity to earn his way into the rotation. At 6'2" 196 pounds, Derick Armstrong has good size but very little playing experience.
Tight Ends
Starters: Mark Bruener
With the release of former starter Billy Miller, the TE job in Houston is open for either Mark Bruener or Matt Murphy to fill. Breuner, a former Steeler, is one of the better blockers in the league from the TE position, but he lacks speed and quickness as a receiver. (He does have good hands, however, and will seldom drop a ball. His problem is in getting open.) Matt Murphy has good size, and is having a solid preseason. He caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Tony Banks against the Broncos, and HC Dom Capers speaks highly of him. Bennie Joppru has the most physical talent of the Texan TEs, but tore a right knee ligament in May and has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Place Kicker Kris Brown : Many kickers struggle their first year or two in the league, but eventually come around. Kris Brown appears to be the opposite. He hit 84.7% on FGs his first two years and 71.9% since. That's his responsibility. He scored over 100 points each of his first three years, and 71, 81 &, 85 since. That's a result of moving from an established team (Pittsburgh) to an expansion team. Brown recently signed a new lucrative five-year contract. Kick and Punt Returners Kick Returners: Jerome Mathis, Vernand Morency, Domanick Davis, Jabar Gaffney The Texans released J.J. Moses, their leading KR and PR the last two years. His top ten numbers were more a result of quantity than healthy averages. Fourth round draft pick WR Jerome Mathis appears to have made the transition from a small school to the NFL, and won the return specialist job. Mathis set a division 1-AA record by returning five kickoffs for scores for Hampton last year. He is very fast. Rookie RB Vernand Morency entered the 2005 regular season as the backup KR. WR Jabar Gaffney saw limited action last year (2 returns, 15.5 avg). Punt Returners: Phillip Buchanon, Jerome Mathis, Jabar Gaffney The contenders for the PR job include Gaffney (4 returns, 5.5 avg in 2003), and recently acquired CB Phillip Buchanon (21 returns, 5.8 avg last year for the Raiders). Although he's better suited for kickoffs, Mathis was also given a try on punt returns. Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Todd Wade, RG Zach Wiegert, C Steve McKinney, LG Chester Pitts, LT Victor Riley
The Texans offensive line is progressing nicely and could be considered a top-twelve unit by this season's end. Great size, good run blocking ability and youthful enthusiasm abound within this unit. This group will never be excellent in pass protection, but they should be able to open gaping holes for RB Domanick Davis and the running game to exploit. Guard Chester Pitts has great size and has started every game for the club over the last few seasons. He has made giant strides in each of those three years. He is a premier drive blocker who can knock defenders back with consistency. Veteran tackle Todd Wade and veteran center Steve McKinney are the leaders of this unit and bring both consistency and experience to the table. If young players such as guard Pitts, guard Fred Weary, and tackle Seth Wand can continue to grow as players, the sky is the limit for the Texans running game in 2005 and beyond. Wand will be pushed for the job by free agent acquisition Victor Riley who came over from the Saints. The Texans are also considering switching positions between Wand and Pitts, and moving McKinney to LG and starting Washington at C. Team Defense The Houston Texans went 7-9 last year and are hoping to make the playoffs this season. In order to do so, their defense must improve. The defense was ranked 23rd overall in 2004, but it's a unit that seems to be getting better. The Texans ranked 16th in scoring defense. One area that needs major overhaul is the pass rush, which has been amongst the league's worst the last three seasons. In 2004, the Texans were a league worst with only 24 sacks. The team needs improved play from the secondary, although last year's first round pick Dunta Robinson is an emerging star. Depth is also an issue at linebacker and defensive line, and the coaches are looking to improve overall team speed defensively. The Texans play a 3-4 defensive alignment that funnels plays towards the linebacking corps. In the offseason the team released LBs Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman, as well as safety Eric Brown, all in its quest to reshape their team. The Texans defense is led by Head Coach Dom Capers and Defensive Coordinator is Vic Fangio. Defensive Line
Starters: DE Robaire Smith, DE Gary Walker, NT Seth Payne
Starting DL: The defensive line is an area of weakness, although the defense is designed to have the line take on the offensive blockers, allowing the LBs to make plays. The veteran of the group is DE Gary Walker. Although Walker has over 45 career NFL sacks, he only had ½, sack last year. Walker, despite starting 15 games in 2004, only had 29 total tackles. At 325 pounds, Walker is not exactly a speed rusher. Needless to say, he was a disappointment last year. Opposite Walker is Robaire Smith. Smith is another oversized DE, topping the scales at about 330 pounds. Smith had two sacks in 2004, which tied him for a team high among the linemen. At nose tackle is another veteran, 30-year old DE Seth Payne. Weighing in at 315 pounds, Payne also is not a threat to get to the QB and has had only four sacks in the three seasons as a Texan. Payne did not have a good season last year, but he remains fairly solid. Although Payne underwent offseason surgery to repair tore two hamstring tendons, he's expected to be fully recovered for 2005. Backup DL: Junior Ioane is big at 330 pounds, but plays both DE and DT. He played in only three games in 2004 after recovering from ACL surgery. When provided some playing time in 2003, Ioane had some nice games and ended up with 29 total tackles. Travis Johnson was drafted with the team's first round pick in 2005. He brings along some baggage regarding character issues, but the Texans like his strength, speed and athleticism. He probably starts off in a supporting role but he'll see plenty of action. NT Jerry DeLoach started for Houston for two complete seasons, in 2002 and 2003, before losing the starting nod last year. DeLoach is a powerful player how had 37 solo tackles in 2003 and can step up in a pinch to help on the line.
Linebackers
Starters: OLB Jason Babin, ILB Morlon Greenwood, ILB Kailee Wong, OLB Antwan Peek
Starting LBs: In the Texans 3-4 defense, the LBs play a vital role. After getting rid of LBs Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman, the Texans replaced one spot with former Miami Dolphin Morlon Greenwood. Greenwood's signing increases the overall team speed and brings overall versatility and athletic ability to the linebacker unit. Greenwood had 66 solo tackles and 42 assists with Miami in 2004. Playing alongside him at ILB will be Kailee Wong, who started last year at one of the OLB spots and finished with a career- and team-high 5.5 sacks. Although he hasn't had the tackle numbers he had as a starter with the Vikings several years ago, his 51 solo tackles was his best output in three seasons as a Texan. Jason Babin, a former college defensive end, will start at one of the outside spots. Babin is highly touted after the Texans traded up to select him in the first round last year and will be the team's primary pass rusher on the strong side. The other outside spot is expected to be filled by Antwan Peek. Peek, a third round pick in 2003, has excellent speed to get to the outside and is a playmaker. He is a fan favorite but is not considered to be a complete player yet as he lacks a bit in pass coverage and is inconsistent against the run. Backup LBs: If the move inside doesn't work out for Kailee Wong, there are several other options in place (Troy Evans, DaShon Polk, and Shantee Orr) who have played primarily on special teams throughout their careers. Zeke Moreno would've been a factor, but is now lost for the season on Injured Reserve (IR). Charlie Anderson was a 6th round pick last year who should see more playing time this year, almost by default.
Defensive Backs
Starters: CB Dunta Robinson, CB Phillip Buchanon, SS Glenn Earl , FS Marcus Coleman
Starting DBs: The Houston secondary started two rookies last year in Glenn Earl and Dunta Robinson, and both showed enough to project long NFL careers in their futures, especially Robinson. Robinson, the tenth overall draft choice in 2004, showed uncanny instincts for such a young player. Houston intercepted 22 passes last year, third best in the AFC, and Robinson led the team with six of them. Robinson also had three sacks and an impressive 73 solo tackles. Former Texan Aaron Glenn was given his release after the team traded to acquire CB Phillip Buchanon from the Oakland Raiders. Buchanon, a strong fluid corner who at times finds himself out of position by going for the big play instead of the smart one, will start opposite Robinson. Glenn Earl started 9 games at SS last year for Houston and was expected to be the long-term starter, but has been challenged by rookie 6th round pick C.C. Brown. Brown is a hard hitter with great speed, who is also a member of the Mississippi National Guard. Veteran Marcus Coleman will be the team's starting free safety once again. Coleman, who turns 31 in May, was hurt at the end of last year, missing the last four games, but he's a solid player with good size and excellent ball skills. Backup DBs: CB Demarcus Faggins has continued to progress. The fourth-year player really started to contribute in 2004 and is a key component in the nickel defense. Continued top play by Faggins might mandate more playing time. CB Lewis Sanders is a five-year veteran who adds much needed depth at the position. Sanders played for Cleveland the previous five seasons and has almost 100 total tackles in his career. S Ramon Walker is an aggressive player who can provide quality run support. He missed all of 2004 because of a knee injury, but if healthy he can contribute, especially on special teams. Jason Simmons is a versatile type who started at a handful of games last year at safety, but also can play at CB in the dime package.
Last modified: 2005-09-08 18:52:42
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