Houston Texans: One Burning Question for Every Member of the Roster

Coming into the biggest season in franchise history, the only certainty is the expectations are high. 

The popular belief is that a healthy Matt Schaub is all that stood between the Texans and the AFC championship game last season. With the advantage provided by their defense, they would have triumphed over the New England Patriots. Next stop would have been Super Bowl XLVI. 

But Schaub was injured in Week 10 and replaced by a rookie. Houston’s most successful season to date ended prematurely in Baltimore. Even though his right foot has healed, other questions persist. 

Now, let us take a look at which of these questions burns hottest for every player at each position.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Quarterback

Matt Schaub: Just who are his secondary receivers? 

We all know the primaries: Andre Johnson at WR, Owen Daniels at TE, Arian Foster out of the backfield. All have been Pro Bowlers at one time in their careers. 

Everyone recognizes the likeliest targets. Who else can Schaub throw to and keep the defense off balance? 

Kevin Walter had a whopping 56 targets all of last season and caught the ball 70 percent of the time. That's a pretty high reception rate; so will he get more this year? With no solid No. 3 wideout yet, you would hope so. 

T.J. Yates: Will he learn to look off his primary receiver? 

This is not a simple skill, as it requires the QB to see the entire field and assess the situation in less than three seconds. If Yates has not been so deficient in this area, his two second-half interceptions might not have spelled doom in the playoff loss to the Ravens. 

To be fair, this is a part of every quarterback’s learning curve. If 2012 goes as planned for the Texans, he will have few opportunities to develop in this area. Gary Kubiak, like most NFL coaches, does not substitute for his starting QB even in blowouts.

Case Keenum: Can he become the No. 3 QB? 

It’s just six miles from the University of Houston to Reliant Stadium. For the next stage of Keenum’s career, the distance is harder to measure. 

At UH, the holder of half a dozen NCAA passing records operated almost entirely out of the shotgun. The “playbook” was more a series of options on a given play as opposed to fixed formation with a prescribed set of player assignments. 

Now, Case has to learn to take the snap from under center, work within a precise offensive framework, get his throws into a much tighter “window” than in college. He needs more than some reps in meaningless preseason games to qualify for the final QB spot.

John Beck: Will his experience be his trump card? 

After having to survive the last eight games of 2011 with a third-string QB, there's no possibility the Texans will gamble having just two passers on the active roster. 

Case Keenum and Beck could be running neck and neck for this spot, but the coaching staff has yet to tip its hand as to the winner. Keenum is going through so many changes at this point, the rather slim resume held by Beck could still get him the job when the final roster cuts are made.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Running Back

Arian Foster: Will his dietary choices affect his play? 

The Texans’ most unpredictable offensive force likes to keep everyone guessing. And not just the opposing defense, but seemingly, all concerned. 

His latest surprise was the announcement via a tweet that he was going on a vegan diet (h/t ESPN). Forgoing all animal products is certainly good for the planet. But, can he excel at the most physically demanding position in football without the occasional cheeseburger or chicken leg? 

The nutritional implications of this decision are too numerous to cover in this space.  Assuring Foster consumes adequate protein is the job of the team dietitian Roberta Anding. Recovering from the weekly pounding 20 carries per game will exact from his body will be the biggest concern through the course of the season.

Ben Tate: Will he accept being the No. 2 back? 

Tate made the most of his opportunity early in 2011, averaging over 100 yards in the first three games. Once Arian Foster returned to the lineup, his carries decreased even though he maintained an excellent average per attempt. 

The rumor of a trade to Cleveland (via ESPNCleveland) prior to the draft proved to be just that. Tate is playing under the terms of his rookie contract until the end of 2013. If he produces at his 2011 level this season, expect the trade rumors to start circulating again in the offseason.

Justin Forsett: Is he the third back or just a third-down player? 

Arian Foster: 6’1”, 230 lbs

Ben Tate: 5'11”, 220 lbs

Justin Forsett: 5’8”, 190 lbs

Which of these is different from the others? Running back by committee is all the rage in the NFL these days. If Foster or Tate goes down, can Forsett take over? 

Arian had 278 carries last season; Justin has 278 carries for his career. At his size, the former Seahawk was a change-of-pace back who was never asked to carry a starter’s workload. Does that disqualify him to back up both Foster and Tate? 

Jonathan Grimes: Can small-school success translate to big time? 

Does an impressive college career against the likes of Towson State and the University of New Haven prepare you for the pros? Only if you happen to be a special teams standout in disguise.

Davin Meggett: Does my birth certificate count as much as my stats? 

My father, Dave Meggett, was a great punt returner, excellent third-down back, went to two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with the Giants. I ran for almost 900 yards for a 2-10 Maryland team last year, and my dad is now serving 30 years in prison (via ESPN) for criminal sexual conduct and burglary. 

On second thought, let’s forget about my dad.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Fullback

James Casey: What is he doing here? 

In an effort to finally get his talents off the bench and into the offense, Coach Kubiak and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison have designated Casey as the starting fullback. 

You get the sense after not wanting to pay Vonta Leach $3 million or Lawrence Vickers $1 million, GM Rick Smith figures he can fill this job on the cheap. Thank you, James, for your $661,250 cap hit. 

If Casey is going to make this work, his blocking must improve. And this being his contract year, he wants to see a lot of passes come his way.

Moran Norris: Is he glad to be back? 

Norris must be thinking: “If this is the final act in my career, it might as well be with a team on the upswing.” Considering he's the only true fullback on this crew, he could find himself a valuable commodity. 

But 34 is a bit long in the tooth for any position, much less one that takes contact most every play. If Norris' body holds up, then maybe, Casey can find his true calling: the biggest, baddest slot receiver in the league. 

Derrell Smith: Is change always good? 

If your only path off the practice squad is to change positions, why not? If this path means being hit as a fullback instead of doing the hitting as a linebacker, you might want to think about it. 

Thirty seconds later, you decide having FB next to your name instead of LB isn’t so bad.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Wide Receiver

Andre Johnson: Are the years starting to add up? 

Everyone talks about a receiver’s hands but only think about their legs when injuries happen. When it comes to the greatest Texan of them all, it's the first thing that comes to mind now. 

Two pulled hamstrings in 2011, then a groin pull in the first week of training camp, and the doubts start to add up. Only a handful of NFL stars continue to excel well into their 30s, and Johnson may find himself at that turning point. 

The Texans are a different team without him, going 6-5 when he was out of the lineup last year. Their only reliable downfield threat, his probable replacements are both unproven (Lestar Jean, DeVier Posey, Keshawn Martin) and undistinguished (Bryant Johnson). Tread lightly, No. 80. 

Kevin Walter: When will I be loved? 

The Rodney Dangerfield of the Texans, the only respect he gets is for everything but his pass-catching skills. As noted previously, when the ball comes his way, he catches it with great efficiency. 

His supporters are forced defend his role by noting his superb blocking for the running game, running disciplined routes and veteran leadership. Not sexy enough for a position that demands a certain “wow” factor. 

With the lack of experience behind him on the depth chart, could this be when he finally returns to the numbers of his earlier years (via Pro Football Reference)? 

Lestar Jean: Will they learn how to properly pronounce my name? 

There have been so many variations by now, only one solution remains. Get out on the field, snatch every pass that comes your way and you’ll get enough interviews to set the public and press straight. 

He showed some flashes in the 2011 preseason, but injured reserve was his destination for the balance of the year. The time has come to show the coaching staff why he should get the bulk of the snaps in preseason and make the No. 3 receiver decision a no-contest consultation. 

Keshawn Martin: Does fast enough make him big enough? 

The fastest real receiver on the roster at this point, he lacks the ideal size favored by the Shanahan system that Gary Kubiak imported from Denver. Already slated for punt return duties, could he also fill the third-receiver role, just like Jacoby Jones? 

I just realized the painful memories evoked by recalling that name. Forget what I said. Martin will occupy No. 4 on the depth chart until actual in-game performance warrants his promotion. 

DeVier Posey: Will they learn how to properly pronounce my name? (Act 2) 

Just when "De-veer" appeared correct, now I’m hearing "Dev-ee-ay." If he can overcome his double-suspension senior year and make us forget the disappointments of the Jacoby era, we’ll call him Prince Posey or whatever he asks. 

For now, he needs to get into true football condition before his name becomes of equal importance to his game day execution.

Jeff Maehl, Juaquin Iglesias, Jerrell Jackson, Mario Louis, Trindon Holliday: Does anyone in this bag of  “J.A.G.s” have an NFL future? 

The definition of  J.A.G. is “Just Another Guy.” Both Maehl and Holliday came off the practice squad last season for a few games to play special teams. Iglesias, Jackson and Louis showed promise in college, but not enough to get drafted. 

Holliday is on his “now or never” tryout for the Texans, and Maehl is too small and slow to be a receiver at this level. Wide receiver is the biggest shakeout position this preseason, meaning Iglesias, Jackson and Louis will ride the pine through most of it.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Tight End

Owen Daniels: Is he the real No. 2 receiver or not? 

Another feature of the Shanahan system is how it favors the tight end. Shannon Sharpe did not become the all-time leader in touchdowns for the position when he retired by accident. 

With the emergence of Arian Foster as receiving threat, combined with his elusiveness in the open field, Daniels may have become option 2A. 

This is through no fault of his own. If Daniels is the jealous type, he might have felt Joel Dreessen was the preferred tight end in the red zone in 2011. He did have six TD’s to Owen’s three. But Dreessen is now a Bronco, so no worries in that area. 

Garrett Graham: Is he the real No. 2 tight end or not? 

Graham is well aware that James Casey could be the people’s choice to pair up with Daniels in two tight end sets. All Casey has to do is move out of his FB spot and line up next to the LT. 

All Graham can do is hope James gets weary from lead blocking for Foster and Tate and takes a seat when Owen needs someone to line up on the weak side of the field. 

Logan Brock and Phillip Supernaw: Can great names lead to great things?

Wasn’t Logan Brock a screen name for Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights? I have never met a “Supernaw,” but it sounds like someone I’d want beside me in a street fight. 

Even if these guys lack top-notch talent, their names would just look cool on the practice squad roster or making a touchdown-saving tackle on special teams.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Offensive Tackle

Duane Brown: What else does he have to do? 

How does one improve on zero sacks allowed for 2011? Maybe, you learn how to use your mind to generate an impenetrable force field around Matt Schaub. 

Seriously, all Brown has to do is keep improving at the same rate he has every year of his Texans’ career. What remains for this LT is some overdue recognition for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, not to mention the reward of an eight-figure signing bonus when he re-ups with the team following this season.

Rashad Butler: Can the team afford him next year? 

The Texans should feel fortunate Butler decided to resign with the team last season. This meant a replacement RT was ready and waiting when Eric Winston was surprisingly released. 

That two-year contract means he's playing this year for a raise in 2013. This should bring out the best in this swing tackle known for his quick feet. It may take some more cap shenanigans to bring both Butler and Brown back.

Derek Newton: Is he ready for the big time?

Newton has played well enough on special teams and some goal-line situations to get a longer look in training camp. He managed to gets some reps at RT with the first team after a minor injury to Duane Brown.

He could get extra snaps during the preseason depending on how cautious the coaching staff wants to be with Brown. This represents the perfect situation for any player with something to prove.

Nick Mondek: Which side of the ball will he line up on? 

Mondek is another position switcher who will get crowded off the active roster. The former defensive linemen has only one year of college experience on the OL. 

But something tells me, given half a chance, a year on the practice squad could do wonders for this guy who's still learning his craft.

Nate Menkin: How does he explain he is not from that Baylor? 

I have lived in Texas for 35 years and did not know Baylor had an affiliated campus named Mary Hardin. How the Texans found this fellow must have been strictly through word of mouth. 

And by the same token, he is strictly a long shot to make it past the first round of cuts.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Offensive Guard

Wade Smith: Does anyone know he's the other starting Smith? 

Ask who is the most vocal Texan in the locker room, and the most frequent answer will be DE Antonio Smith. Ask the casual fan to name the other Smith who starts for their team, and you will be met with blank stares.

Such is the fate of the left guard of their favorite team. No matter what, penalties are the only thing that calls attention to those who play this part, and who wants that. 

Antoine Caldwell: Will he stay healthy enough to keep his job? 

In and out of the lineup over his three-year tenure with the team, the time has come to stay put. The third-round pick used to select Brandon Brooks out of Miami (OH) was not for his above-average size. 

It was to let Caldwell know his replacement has already been chosen. Caldwell’s ability to stay on the field and put his talent to work is under strict scrutiny. 

Brandon Brooks: How was he supposed to know it gets this hot? 

If he came to Houston out of shape and expecting to use training camp to get there, Brooks is woefully unprepared for the demands of the NFL.

If he did not realize it gets bloody hot in summertime Texas and all his excess baggage just makes it worse, then he should have studied geography in college. 

Kasey Studdard: Can he stay out of the trainers’ room this go-round? 

Studdard had a promising career cut short more than once due to injuries. Knowing how to zone block and knowing his way around the Texans’ facilities could explain why he’s been brought back for another try. 

The impending release of Shelley Smith, Andrew Gardner or Cody White could be another explanation.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Center

Chris Myers: What can he do for an encore? 

Fans have complained for years that Myers was not big enough to handle mastodon-sized DTs. Then, all of a sudden, he turns out to be the perfect size to block for one of the most balanced offenses around. He also possesses the temperament to call signals for the best OL of 2011. 

When he re-signed for four years and $25 million, these same fans drew a collective sigh of relief. Now that he has a new set of partners on his right, his leadership skills will be tested. His encore will hinge on assuring there's little or no dropoff in efficiency for 2012.

Ben Jones: Will he get off the bench this season? 

Being able to apprentice under one of the best in Myers would be considered an ideal way to spend his rookie season. Except, Jones will have to do it with the second team on the practice field. 

Barring injury, Jones will be given ample time to adjust to the Texans' way of playing OL. It entails leading the opposing player in a certain direction as opposed to straight up blocking him. Jones may have to unlearn much of what he knew about playing center.

Cody Wallace: Is the practice squad his destiny? 

Since the team drafted a center, is there any chance he could be activated this year? Oh well, at least he can keep working on his Masters in Sports Management.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Defensive End

J.J. Watt: Will the dislocated elbow slow him down? 

For a player whose strength made him so hard to handle, this injury could keep him out of the weight room for some time. He will keep the rest of his frame in shape, no doubt. 

Will he still be able to toss blockers around like rag dolls when the regular season starts? There was no ligament or tendon damage mentioned, so his downtime is expected to last no more than a couple of weeks. 

Antonio Smith: Can he handle not being top dog anymore? 

His coordinator, Coach Phillips, has decided his second-year linemate is headed for the Hall of Fame, according to John McClain of the Ultimate Texans. Even though Smith has proven to be an above-average player over his seven years in the league. 

Sure, Watt is good. But, it takes the two of them to keep the offense guessing. If Smith fails at his job, J.J. gets no shot at the glory. The same holds true for Antonio. 

But, he is a pro, and all he can do is go out and get it done. If the team goes further this season than last, there will be more than enough glory to go around.

Tim Jamison: Will the backup DE get enough snaps to impress some other teams? 

Jamison is going into a contract year and needs some extra playing time to negotiate a bump in pay. His strongest offers might come from outside the organization. 

His size (6’3”, 285 lbs) may be better suited for a 4-3 defense. Regardless of the system, the more he shows in the game, the more he will see on his contract offers.

Jared Crick: How does a possible first-round pick handle being taken in the fourth round?

A torn pectoral muscle curtailed his final college season. It also ended the possibility of being selected in the first or second round of the draft. He was versatile enough to play multiple positions in college, but defensive end will be his professional designation. 

Jamison will take Watt’s reps with the first-team defense until J.J. recovers from his elbow mishap. In turn, Jared will have more chances to show what he can do. The time has come to forget where you were chosen and just get after it.

Keith Browner, Rennie Moore, Mitch King: How does it feel to be preseason fodder?

The sad truth is every training camp roster has 20-30 inhabitants who have one job. They will play just enough in the preseason to prevent the real pros from getting injured in these meaningless games.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Nose Tackle

Shaun Cody: Is $3 million too much to get paid for a part time job?

On average, NFL teams pass the ball 60 percent of the time. Putting pressure on the QB is the No .1 task of every defense, regardless of the alignment.

In the 3-4 defense, the NT is expected to keep one or more offensive linemen occupied. Rushing the passer is not part of the job description.

This is why Cody was on the field for only 396 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. This is the final year of his Texans’ deal and could very well be his final year in Houston.

Earl Mitchell: Is he ready to be a true 3-4 NT?

Mitchell added some bulk so he could more closely resemble everyone’s ideal of an NFL nose tackle. Now tipping the scales at 300 lbs, will it affect his stamina or quickness?

More importantly, is he ready to take over No. 1 on the depth chart? This would allow management to sever ties with Cody and still have experience at the position.

Hebron “Loni” Fangupo: How old is too old for an NFL rookie?

If you make your debut in the NFL at 27, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage: Life experience and less wear and tear on the body.

Disadvantages: Shorter potential career and gaps in football experience.

Fangupo has the prototypical mass for the position (325 lbs) but is a bit on the short side (6’0”). It's hard to see the Texans carry three NTs, but having Cody’s successor on the practice squad makes sense.

Ra'Shon Harris and David Hunter: Do they wish the Texans played in a 4-3 configuration?

Then, the team might need as many as four defensive tackles. Sorry fellows; this means The Turk may already have your names.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Outside Linebacker

Connor Barwin: How close will he have to get to his 2011 stat line this year? 

In turn, how will this affect his value on the open market? If he gets close to his 11.5 sacks his price tag will rise out of Houston’s reach. 

How long could the Texans expect to keep an OLB with sub-4.5 speed and a nose for the passer? Right around four years is my guess, which is up in 2012. 

Brooks Reed: Will he make everyone forget Mario Williams? 

To Reed’s good fortune, Mario only lasted five games as the subject of the DE to OLB experiment. Only Williams’ biggest fans believe his one-sack-per-game average could sustain itself for all 16 games. 

Reed had primary run responsibility for the OLB position, which gave Barwin the freedom to hunt down the QB. Brooks still had six sacks of his own over 11 starts, not a bad beginning for converted college DE.

Whitney Mercilus: Which job am I being groomed for? 

All Mercilus had to do at Illinois was beat the dude in front of him with his quickness, then tackle whatever came his way. No need to worry about defending the run or pass coverage. 

That will be his mission as a pro while he adds the other skills he must acquire. Handling the zone blitz is one of them, where some intermediate pass coverage will be his responsibility. The rate at which he learns will soften the blow of potentially losing Barwin to free agency.

Bryan Braman: Is he crazy good or just crazy? 

Braman may have gotten busted for possession of psychedelic mushrooms (via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle), but he has tried to turn his life around by busting butt of the field. Anyone who plays football has to be a little crazy, but a little extra has benefited a host of players over the years. 

When you use your head as a battering ram to bring a punt returner, you might have that little extra that made Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert and Ray Lewis special. 

Jesse Nading: Can he stay of the active roster for an entire season? 

Nading has been from the practice squad to the active roster and back so many times, he must wonder if he can keep taking this round trip again and again. He is so good on special teams he just might stay this time. It’s down to him and Braman for the final OLB pick.

D.J. Bryant and Delano Johnson: What can they do to get noticed? 

Maybe run down Arian Foster from behind or consistently beat Duane Brown around the edge or turn lead into gold. Otherwise, hope for an unprecedented rash of injuries. 

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Inside Linebacker

Brian Cushing: Does everyone finally believe it’s not the PED’s? 

When Cushing was suspended for HCG in 2010 (via ESPN), it confirmed the rumors following him since college. He was more than just a workout warrior, he was also a juicer. 

What he did for the Texans in 2011 proves it was his drive and not the drugs that made him Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009. It also made him a unique force at ILB courtesy of Wade Phillips and his simplified 3-4 scheme. 

Bradie James: Will he be able to take it with him? 

What James accomplished in Dallas, that is. Leading the team in tackles and assists year after year, defending the run and pass with equal skill, patrolling the middle of the field so the OLB’s could harass the QB.

Thirty-one does not mean you are too old for the job; it means you are experienced enough to know what’s coming at any given time and still have the quickness to do something about it. 

Darryl Sharpton: Is he too young to be hurt this much? 

Or, is he just unlucky? While working himself back from the torn quad tendon suffered last year, he messes up his hip. This just adds more time to his overall recovery process.

It was understood Sharpton would not be ready by the start of training camp. This is why Bradie James was brought in. To end up further behind just adds to the frustration and could open the door for someone to take his job. 

Tim Dobbins and Mister Alexander: Does Sharpton’s injury save my roster spot? 

That could be, or it just might open the door for the other guy. 

Dobbins did all that was asked of him last year. Contributed on special teams, made some key stops in game situations and carried himself like a veteran on a rather young squad. 

But then, so did Alexander upon his promotion from the practice squad. So, do the Texans go with the young stud or the experienced pro? Stay tuned… 

Shawn Loiseau, Greg Williams or Keyaron Fox: Who has the advantage here? 

It clearly goes to Fox, who's a four-year special teams expert. But, the real competition for Keyaron is Dobbins and Alexander, who are also proven contributors. It may take the entire preseason to come up with a winner. 

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Cornerback

Johnathan Joseph: Can one player make such a difference in a defense? 

To the untrained eye, the answer would be yes. Danieal Manning was also added to the defensive backfield, but everyone knew the real prize was Joseph. 

But, even the armchair expert knows it takes more to go from worst to nearly first in the standings. The co-stars in this ensemble are too numerous to mention here. Let’s just say a much-improved pass rush combined with the closest thing to a lockdown corner in team history share in the honors.

Kareem Jackson: How much did he really improve? 

More than you might think. Believe it or not, Joseph was thrown at more times than Jackson! According to Pro Football Focus, it was 76 times for Joseph to 53 for Jackson. 

That demonstrates some measure of respect for his progress as a cover man. The next step is to get his 16.4 yards per catch down to a more manageable figure. Nothing important is built quickly, so patience please. 

Brice McCain: Does he have to share my position name with the most hated band in the world? 

Brice wants everyone to know he plays nickelback on the field and not with Nickelback on stage. 

All right, I made that up. But how can one of the best in the business at a really tough position get some attention? McCain not only has to stick with the slot receiver, he has to fight through a pick set by the tight end, running back, or outside receiver on most every play. 

That part I did not make up. 

Brandon Harris, Sherrick McManis and Roc Carmichael: Will someone step forward and be the dimeback, please? 

McCain does his job very well, but on obvious passing downs, he needs a buddy to help out. McManis had the most field time last year, Harris got a few reps here and there and  Carmichael languished on injured reserve.

Hard to pick the front-runner, but Harris is a second-round draft choice, and they usually get the benefit of the doubt. All will see plenty of action in the preseason. 

Alan Ball: Should he thank Wade Phillips on the way out? 

Everyone should be grateful for the opportunities they are given—even if they are asked to tackle a job they have little experience doing. 

It's not uncommon to go from playing cornerback to safety. Glover Quin did it for the Texans last year. Rarely is it the other way around.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Safety

Danieal Manning: Will his job description be restricted to free safety in 2012? 

Manning returned kickoffs throughout his career, and is a better than average returner (Pro Football Reference). Ask him to take the job again, and he will do it. 

But why risk your starting free safety when there are other likely candidates for the job? The league is trying to de-emphasize kickoffs (via Don Banks of Sports Illustrated), so maybe, the Texans should play along. Let someone else do it.

Glover Quin: Is strong safety more fun than playing cornerback? 

You might think so, given that mistakes used to be not as obvious at the safety position. Except these days, you have to cover tight ends the size of power forwards who are just as fast as you. 

Remember Jimmy Graham of the Saints last season? Four catches for 100 yards and a TD. This season, it’s Gronkowski with the Patriots. Maybe, Quin can get Barwin or Reed to help out. 

Troy Nolan: Would he be starting on another team? 

Nolan played enough in 2011 to qualify as a dimeback but is still listed as a safety. Is that so they can pay him less? Is McCain paid twice as much because he's a cornerback?

He provides the same kind of quality depth as McCain and is another Texan in a contract year. Play as well as last year, and he may have a new address come 2013. 

Shiloh Keo and Quintin Demps: Which is more valuable on special teams? 

Keo could make a career out of taking down returners. This is a valuable, but fairly common, talent. Demps, on the other hand, is a quality kickoff returner (Pro Football Refence). This is a task that should be removed from Danieal Manning’s duty list. 

Both have a place on the active roster, but if one has to go, the preferred cut is Keo. 

Torri Williams and Eddie Pleasant: What is the real difference here? 

Williams is a free safety, Pleasant plays the strong side. Williams has one season under his belt on the practice squad, Pleasant is a UDFA rookie with a quality college resume. 

But is there room at the inn for either? Most likely not. 

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Punter

Brett Hartmann and Donnie Jones: Will Hartmann be welcomed back after his suspension? 

Hartmann had a decent year as a rookie punter but was particularly explosive with his kickoffs. He tore his ACL late in the season and has yet to participate in training camp.

On top of that, he has a three-game suspension to serve. 

So, Jones will serve as the punter for the first three regular-season games. The assumption is Donnie will be on his way by Week 4, but how well recovered is Hartmann at this point?

The club, so far, is not updating the world at large.

One Burning Question for Every Houston Texans' Kicker

Randy Bullock and Shayne Graham: How bad would Bullock have to be for Graham to stick? 

The Texans took the unusual move of spending a fifth-round draft choice on a placekicker. Bullock won the Groza Award as the best kicker in college but has to earn his stripes in the NFL. 

Graham is both insurance and something of an instructor for the rookie. It is possible Bullock is just not ready to handle the pressure, and Graham would be his replacement should that occur? 

If Bullock’s kicks lack distance, accuracy, or even the proper trajectory, too much is at risk this season to the leave the kicking game to chance. Then, Graham would come to the rescue and Bullock would be shown the door.