NFL Draft Info - Houston Texans

HOUSTON TEXANS OFFSEASON REPORT

OVERVIEW OF 2010

The Texans started 2010 with high expectations, but it wasn't long before a historically-awful pass defense and an inconsistent offense not only meant no playoffs, but turned the season into one of the worst in team history.  Houston decided to go young in the secondary, and they paid for it.  Kareem Jackson couldn't live up to his billing as “the most NFL-ready cornerback in the 2010 NFL Draft,” and Glover Quin regressed significantly from a very solid rookie year.  Strong safety Bernard Pollard's already suspect coverage skills got dramatically worse, and free safety Eugene Wilson went from below average to terrible.  Add to all of that a typically below-average Texans' pass rush, and you can see why the defense was so bad.

On the offensive side of the ball, despite Arian Foster's breakout season, the Texans often seemed unprepared and lost to start games.  Gary Kubiak's gameplans were highly questionable at times, as he infuriatingly would ignore the running threat he had in Foster, and would instead insist on “balance” for his offense.  The offense struggled mightily in the first half of games, and would often mount furious comebacks in the second half, which almost always failed to result in a win.

NOTABLE UFAs (Assuming CBA goes back to old rules)

CB Jason Allen

LB Kevin Bentley

OT Rashad Butler

DT Shaun Cody

TE Owen Daniels

LB Zac Diles

WR Jacoby Jones

FB Vonta Leach

SS Bernard Pollard

P  Matt Turk

RB Derrick Ward

NOTABLE RFA

OG Mike Brisiel

ERFA

RB Arian Foster

PREDICTIONS AND TEAM NEEDS HEADING INTO THE OFFSEASON

The Texans are going to aggressively attack their defensive problems this offseason.  Unfortunately, with the labor problems there's just no way to know HOW they're going to attack it.  With Wade Phillips in as the new defensive coordinator, the Texans will switch to a 3-4 defense in 2011, and if they want the instant turnaround they claim to want, they're going to have a lot of personnel turnover.  There will be a lot of talk about current guys in the roster being “fine fits” for the new scheme, but if the Texans are going all-in for next season, they need new players – period.

DRAFT & FREE AGENCY NEEDS

NT - Phillips has said that Amobi Okoye, Shaun Cody, or Earl Mitchell could play the nose for him in his 3-4, but I'm not buying it.  These guys could be solid depth perhaps, but I think the starting NT is currently not on the roster.

OLB - Depending on where Cushing ends up (it's kind of split as to whether he'll be inside or out in the 3-4, I think he's a better fit inside) the Texans will need another linebacker.  They are going to need another rushing OLB. Connor Barwin could excel in this role, but he's never played a 3-4 and he's coming off a major injury.

FS/SS - SS Bernard Pollard is a free agent, and starting FS Eugene Wilson is, well, awful.  The Texans will very likely need help at both of these positions.

CB - Awful cornerback play is one of the main reasons the defense was so bad this year.  At least one of Glover Quin or Kareem Jackson cannot POSSIBLY be starting in 2011.

WR - Jacoby Jones proved he can't be counted on to take the next step as a WR.  A team is going to give him a lot of money to be a #2 WR, and I hope it's not the Texans.  Kevin Walter dropped off in 2010, and the Texans are suddenly in need of another threat at WR.

OT/OG - Rashad Butler is a solid swing tackle, and I fully expect him to end up elsewhere.  The Texans will need to address that swing tackle position, and get some more depth at tackle and guard.  I also wouldn't be opposed to them looking at a tackle to compete with Eric Winston, who went from a guy we all thought was on the verge of being a Pro Bowl player, to having a very rough season in pass protection.

KR/PR – The Texans got next to nothing from their return game all season.  I don't anticipate Trindon Holliday will make a big enough leap to be the full-time return man the Texans hoped he would be.

P – Matt Turk was absolutely horrendous in 2010.  Having a terrible defense paired with a terrible punter is a dangerous combination.

Thanks to Christopher Watkins for the Texans offseason report.