Texans Training Camp Preview

You've made it through the Sports Calendar Doldrums! Football begins this Friday and we've got you covered here on your home for Houston Texans Football, Sports Radio 610. Let's take a look at each position as we head into camp and see what questions need to be answered before the September 13th opener versus the NY Jets.

QB

The only thing standing between Matt Schaub and a monster season is his own health. He understands what Gary Kubiak wants done out there and he is an obvious leader in the huddle. He needs very little work in camp, and I would imagine we will not see much of him in the pre-season.

It is rare to start camp with three QB's with starting experience, but that's exactly what the Texans have at their disposal. Dan Orlovsky may have a few more practices under his belt with the team, but it's no gimme that he beats out Rex Grossman. Grossman's accuracy can be erratic, but he throws a beautiful deep ball. He must improve on his decision making. Orlovsky started 7 games last season on the infamous 0-16 Lions squad. The Texans are paying him like they expect him to win the backup spot. I think Grossman gives the team a better chance to win a pinch this season, so I would not be shocked if the Texans decide to keep three QB's for the 1st time under Gary Kubiak.

RB

Steve Slaton exceeded all expectatons his rookie season. He averaged 4.8 ypc enroute to a 1600+ yards from scrimmage year. He is a weapon in the passing game and an improved pass-blocker. The Texans are once again gambling on the health of their starter. Chris Brown would be the ideal backup, but he never stays healthy. Ryan Moats can handle all the technical aspects of the position, but from a running skills standpoint, he is just another guy. Undrafted, free-agents Jeremiah Johnson and Arian Foster both have an excellent shot to make this team. Vonta Leach returns at FB. Rookie TE James Casey may get a look at FB too.

WR

The top end of the depth chart is as good as it gets. Andre Johnson is the best WR in the AFC while Kevin Walter was a more prodcutive player than names like Donald Driver, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Eddie Royal, Wes Welker, and Desean Jackson. Andre Davis may begin camp as the #3 receiver, but he needs a bounce back campaign after seeing his production fall by 50% in 2008. Davis remains the teams leading option as a kick returner though guys like Darnell Jenkins and Jeremiah Johnson will get looks back there. The Texans matched a restricted-free agent offer sheet by the Broncos on David Anderson. He remains the teams slot specialist as well as a punt returning option if Jacoby Jones can't hold on to the football. As for Jacoby, this is a make-or-break camp for the former 3rd round draft pick. He has not progressed much as a WR, so he will have to show that he can consistently field punts to make this team. Other WR's to watch include Darnell Jenkins who is a special-teams demon and showed improved ability as a WR during OTA's and mini-camp.

TE

This could be one of the fun positions to follow during camp. Owen Daniels made the Pro Bowl last season and is looking to earn a lucrative, long-term contract. The Texans drafted Anthony Hill out of NC State in the 4th round primarily due to his blocking prowess. He showed off some skills as a receiver during OTA's. James Casey would never have been a Texan is he had not dropped as far as the 5th round. Many mock drafts had Casey sliding into the late 2nd round, so the Texans felt like it was a value they could not pass on despite TE not being a major need on the team. Casey will be tested at a variety of positions. He can line up in the slot as a WR. He can be your 3rd down RB as a blocker or receiver. He will be lined up at FB to see if he can be a reliable backup to Vonta Leach. He can also be your "Wildcat" QB. At the very least, he should excel on Special Teams. Joel Dreesen is not spectacular, but he is a well rounded TE that has the confidence of Coach Kubiak. Clark Harris starts camp as the long snapper.

OL

The Texans return their starting OL intact. The right side of the line (Eric Winston and Mike Brisiel) has the potential to be Pro Bowl good. Dwayne Brown seemed to plateau as the season progressed last season, but it is hard to imagine him taking a step backward. The Texans do need to develop some depth here. Rookie Antoine Caldwell, a 3rd round pick from Alabama, is a future starter. He can play guard or center, but it appears the team is grooming him to be the backup at center for this season. Rashad Butler is a question mark as the presumed gameday, "Swing-Tackle". I think it is possible for someone to emerge out of nowhere at this position. (Jason Watkins?)

DL

For the 9th consecutive season, the Texans are searching for a consistent pass rush. It was Mario Williams or bust last season. Overlooked was the fact that the team wasn't great against the run either. The Texans were dead last in 1st down defense last season. Antonio Smith was a high dollar acquisition, but I would hardly call him an established threat. He had a great run in the playoffs like many of his Cardinal teammates, but many credit his uptick in production to the play of mammoth DT Darnell Dockett next to him. Amobi Okoye is in a crtitical year to prove that he warranted the 10th selection in the 2006 NFL draft. He showed little explosion or aptitude to rush the passer last season. The Texans are banking on a coaching change (Bill Kollar) and a scheme change (Frank Bush) to jump start his career. Travis Johnson is likely to begin camp on PUP (physically unable to perform) following sports hernia surgery. Johnson's absence will give Deljuan Robinson a chance to earn the starting job at DT next Amobi Okoye. Tim Bulman will be the 1st guy off the bench at DE. 2nd round pick Conor Barwin missed nearly the entire off season work because of the dumb rule which states that guys can't participate in practices until their college class matriculates. Antonio Smith is expected to move to DT in pass rushing situations with either Barwin or Bulman playing DE opposite Mario Williams.

LB

This is probably the deepest position on the team other than QB. Demeco Ryans and 1st round pick Brian Cushing are penciled in the lineup at MLB and Strong side backer, respectively. Xavier Adibi has a leg up on Zach Diles for the weak-side position since Diles is still recovering from a broken leg last season. Cato June signed in free agency and will likely be the 1st backup. Kevin Bentley played well last year after Diles got hurt. He can backup both Ryans and Cushing and is an excellent special teams player. Chaun Thompson is a some what forgotten guy. He looked good in camp last season, but could not stay healthy.

DB

The secondary is the biggest question mark on this team. Dunte Robinson is expected to hold out of camp. That leaves Jacque Reeves and Fred Bennet as the starters at CB. Reeves is fast enough to play the position, but does not consistently look back for the football. Bennet would probably be better served as a nickel CB, but he does not lack for confidence. Neither guy is the run supporter that Robinson can be. 4th round draft pick Glover Quin will enter camp as the Nickle Corner. This depth chart is WIDE OPEN. Eugene Wilson is a proven commodity at free safety. He has solid cover skills if the Texans need him to move to CB in a pinch. More than anything, he does not make mistakes. Nick Ferguson and Dominique Barber are probably pretty close at strong safety. Ferguson is a good blitzer. Both Barber and Brandon Harrison look the part of the safety, but have yet to show it on the field.

Special Teams

An obvious strength of this team, both K Kris Brown and P Matt Turk return this season. Jacoby Jones is the punt returner if he can hold onto the football. Andre Davis is the primary kickoff returner.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Camp questions

#1 Who blinks 1st, Rick Smith or Dunte Robinson?

The Texans' defense can't achieve its full potential without their vocal leader and best cover corner. Robinson says he will sign his franchise-tag if the Texans wave their right to place it on him again next season. Rich Smith does not want to lose Dunte for nothing.

#2 Who else can rush the QB besides Mario Williams?

The bet here is that 2nd round pick Conor Barwin shows the speed and agility to be a 3rd down specialist. Xavier Adibi is probably the Texans best blitzing LB, but he needs to stay healthy.

#3 Can the defense get off the field?

Without a decent pass rush, I don't see the talent in the secondary to force turnovers and break up long drives. They should be improved against the run with the addition of Cushing at LB.

#4 Will Redzone scoring be a problem? Can they be worse than last season?

I don't think so. Gary Kubiak is committed to running the football inside the 10 in an effort to wear out the opponent and prevent turnovers.

#5 Is this team screwed without a healthy Matt Schaub?

Probably...but Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman will get ample opportunities to show they can win in a pinch should Schaub miss any time.
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