Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
Offseason Additions: Antonio Smith (DE); Eugene Wilson (S); Cato June (LB/out for the season); Deltha O’Neal (CB); Shaun Cody (DT); Rex Grossman (QB).
Offseason Losses: Sage Rosenfels (QB); Bryan Pittman (C); C.C. Brown (S); Will Demps (DB); Anthony Weaver (DT); Ephraim Salaam (OT).
Player to Watch: Steve Slaton, RB.
After amassing 1,282 rushing yards on 268 carries, 377 passing yards on 50 receptions and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie, all eyes are on Slaton this season. He’ll give up short-yardage and goal line carries to Chris Brown, but Slaton is going to be on the field plenty for the Texans this year. The shifty sophomore gives Houston something it has been missing from its backfield since the team entered the league: An explosive playmaker that can score every time he gets his hands on the ball. As long as the extra weight he put on in the offseason doesn’t slow him down, Slaton should avoid a sophomore slump and help open things up for Matt Schaub and the passing game.
Team Strength: Thanks to ends Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, as well as tackle Amobi Okoye and 17-year coaching vet Bill Kollar, defensive line should be a strength this season for the Texans. But it’s hard to talk about this team without focusing on its offensive skill position players. Schaub could shine in head coach Gary Kubiak’s offense, but he has to stay healthy. If he can, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, most notably Slaton, Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson and tight end Owen Daniels. Slaton is a home run threat every time he gets his hands on the ball and Johnson is one of the best playmakers in the game. When they’re both healthy, Schaub and Johnson make an excellent pair and have developed good chemistry with one another. Daniels is upset about his contract, but he hasn’t let the situation become a distraction and he could once again post Pro Bowl numbers this season. As long as the line continues to improve, the offense has enough weapons to get the Texans to the playoffs.
Potential Weakness: The Texans have young talent in their linebacker corps, but they must get better production out of the group this season. Houston gave up 4.5 yards per carry last year and part of that is because its linebackers couldn’t get off blocks and make plays up field. It’s hard to criticize former Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans after once again leading the team in tackles, but many of those stops came downfield last season. Maybe the addition of first round pick Brian Cushing will help, although the former USC product missed the entire preseason with a sprained LCL. He has declared himself 100% healthy and ready to play, but Zac Diles will still see plenty of action at strong-side linebacker, especially early on. Speaking of Diles, he could move to the weakside if Cushing eventually takes over the strong-side position full-time. Diles is fast and aggressive, although he must work on taking better angles and shedding blocks. Xavier Adibi will also see time at the weakside position as well. Overall, linebacker could become a strength this season for Houston, but the group has some question marks and must perform better as a whole than it did in ’08.
Outlook: The Texans are definitely a sleeper team this season after winning five of their last six games in 2008. They have plenty of weapons on offense in Schaub, Slaton, Johnson and Daniels, and their defense has improved with the offseason additions of Smith and Cushing to their front seven. Offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has a knack for getting the most out of his linemen and he has a good group to work with in Duane Brown, Chester Pitts, Eric Winston, Chris Myers and Mike Brisiel. The key to this unit is the development of Brown, who must protect Schaub’s blindside and become as reliable as Winston is on the right side. Even though they play in a tough conference, the Texans have more than enough weapons to make the playoffs, or at the very least, post a winning record. Still, it’s going to be tough for them to unseat the Titans and Colts in the division, even though Indy looks primed for the taking because of its defense. Can this team stay healthy and finally cash in on of their potential?
2009 Prediction: 3rd, AFC South.
