Problems Aplenty For the Texans

Organized team activities bring with them a renewed sense of optimism that encompasses all fans of all franchises.

It’s at this time—as well as during training camp—that regardless of the previous season’s outcome, every fanbase is energized and ready for the upcoming season. It’s at this time the Detroit Lions’ fans feel they can win four games. 

Now is the time all of those acquisitions made during free agency and the draft look to be the player to take one’s team over the top.  All of this is done before the cold, harsh reality of the regular season rears its ugly head.

Thus, considering some transactions were made by the Houston Texans’ front office over these past couple of months to improve various groups throughout the roster—the sad reality is some won’t work out.  History dictates that regardless of how it seems in May, June, or July, come October—some of these moves will prove to be illogical.

Nevertheless, rather than wait until Halloween, here are a few holes that are apparent on the roster, and will create serious problems throughout the regular season.

Backing Up Schaub: The Backup Quarterbacks

The Texans’ front office made two big transactions when it came to the quarterback position this offseason: trading veteran Sage Rosenfels and signing Dan Orlovsky.

Sage Rosenfels had been with the Texans since head coach Gary Kubiak was hired in 2006, and had proved to be a serviceable backup during his tenure. Be it as replacing David Carr in ’06 due to the former No. 1 overall pick’s poor play, or seeing the field these last couple of seasons because of various injuries to Matt Schaub.

And even not being the starter, Rosenfels still played quite a bit.

And while he wasn’t a stellar starter, he went 2-3 in 2008, and despite his obvious turnover problems (see the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4), he made sure the offense wasn’t totally inept when Schaub was out.

So when he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in February, it left a bit of a hole.  Considering Schaub’s injury history, and the serviceable job Rosenfels did in the interim, the Texans’ were gambling that either Schaub stayed healthy for the season, or the production Rosenfels provided was replaceable with any available quarterback—including one Dan Orlovsky.

It’s a bit of a gamble, but one that likely won’t pay off.

As much as one would like to make the declaration that Matt Schaub will stay healthy, it’s hard to be so bold and assume that Orlovsky will see no time on the field.   So when the inevitable occurs, and Dan leads the offense, his production won’t match that of Sage’s. 

Orlovsky did OK as the Lions’ starter quarterback during their infamous 2008 campaign. 

Eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, and an average of 200 yards passing per start aren’t cringe-worthy, but at the same time it’s worrisome to believe that an individual who led the Lions to half of their losses will be handed the keys to the Texans’ offense when Schaub misses a few weeks with a separated shoulder.  

Moreover, Orlovsky has the distinction of being known more for his self-induced safety in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, than any other football achievement. 

Backing up Orlovsky is Alex Brink, the Texans’ seventh round pick in 2008.  Brink didn’t see the field in 2008 and likely won’t again.  However, if for whatever reason both Schaub and Orlovsky both succumb to injuries, it’s plausible Brink would see the field, and likely lead the offense to a stagnant state, negating any chance of long-term success.

Right now, the Orlovsky-Rosenfels switch seems to have turned what was once a strength of the team, into somewhat of a liability.

The Bulky Tackles In The Middle: The Defensive Tackles

From 2005 to 2007 the Texans used three straight first-round picks on the defensive line —two were for defensive tackles. 

Travis Johnson (2005) and Amobi Okoye (2007) have both underperformed, and while it’s too early to designate Okoye in the “bust” category, the word as been used frequently for Johnson.

Neither of the aforementioned players performed well in 2008, as Okoye fell from five and a half sacks in his rookie season, to one; While Johnson had a mere single sack as well. 

Much money, and high draft picks have been sent towards the position, while apparently it has yet to pay dividends. 

So for a group that was arguably performed the poorest this past season, it made sense that moves would be made to improve a woeful group. 

Nevertheless, no impressive moves were made.

The lone “significant” transaction the Texans’ made to bolster the position was sign former Detroit Lions starter, Shaun Cody. 

And yet for a group that struggled to provide consistent pressure on the quarterback, the hope is for a tackle, which in four seasons has one and a half career sacks, to provide pressure and possibly be the missing link in the defensive tackle puzzle.  

The rationale is a bit odd.

With a new system implemented by defensive line coach, Bill Kollar, and defensive coordinator Frank Bush, which intends on incorporating more blitzing packages, as well as utilizing smaller and quicker tackles, Cody could blossom in the system.

However, in four seasons he has done very little, and rather than make a declaration he is ready for a breakout season, the likelihood is he’ll perform no different than he did in Detroit.  At best, he gets a sack or sack and a half.

The other backup at the tackle position, DelJuan Robinson, arguably played the best towards the end of the season, and is still young (24), so he could develop into a good player. 

But at the same time, Robinson could be the 2008 version of Anthony Maddox—a defensive tackle that plays well towards the end of the season, but by the following season had proved he was nothing more than a “flash in the pan.”

Defensive end Antonio Smith, the Texans’ biggest free agent acquisition, should see some time in the tackle rotation. But he is unlikely to be there a considerable amount.

If anyone is going to shine it will be Okoye.  He’s about to turn 22, and has shown flashes of being a dominant pass-rusher, while his run defense has continued to make strides. If he makes the jump to a quality defensive tackle as some have speculated, then he could validate his first-round status, and be the shining star of an otherwise lackluster group.

But for now, the Texans’ defensive tackle rotation of Robinson, Okoye, Johnson, Cody, and Smith (part-time) offers little hope for optimism. And as a group that last season struggled at times defending the run and providing pressure on the quarterback, it seems in 2009 the results won’t be any different.

The Last Line of Defense: The Safeties

The safety position might be the most interesting group for the Texans.

Featuring lackluster performances throughout much of the 2008 season, a group often maligned for missed assignments and overall poor coverage, there was more done to try and improve the quality of these uninspiring defensive backs in the offseason than any other group.

Nevertheless, despite some acquisitions, both safety positions are likely to become liabilities this upcoming season.

With three selections in the past year’s draft: Glover Quin, Brice McCain and Troy Nolan—the influx of talent didn’t bring about the caliber of defender that would intimidate opposing offenses.

Quin and McCain were both drafted as cornerbacks, but scouts and pundits alike assess that despite playing as a cornerback in college, each are destined to be safeties in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Nolan—who played safety at Arizona State—was a solid starter for the past couple of seasons.

Going into the season the starting free safety, Eugene Wilson, was a castoff from both the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before finding a home with the Texans before week one of last season.

He signed a three-year deal in the offseason, which was somewhat wise considering he played well enough to be retained, but there is much to be desired, and a Pro Bowl selection isn’t in his future. 

And on the other side there is Nick Ferguson, who was formerly with the Denver Broncos, and is 34-years-old. 

Ferguson may not have done a poor job in terms of run support, but his lack of quickness becomes a problem on passing downs.  No interceptions and two pass deflections was what he provided throughout the 2008 season, and considering his backups (Brandon Harrison and Dominique Barber) have spent the bulk of their careers on special teams—there is an apparent problem. 

While Ferguson wasn’t atrocious, if he succumbs to any injury, the strong safety position is likely to be amongst the worst—if not the worst—in the league.

The draft picks—with the possibility of Quin—are unlikely to see playing time at safety. Quin has 4.5 speed, fairly good size (5’11”, 204) and if he exceeds all expectations, he should either push Wilson for playing time, or see time as either a nickel or dimeback. 

But for the other two, McCain and Nolan, scouts assess that McCain has the speed, but lacks the overall bulk to compete with wide receivers in the pros. 

Meanwhile, Nolan has the knack for getting the ball (10 interceptions the past two seasons), but his downfall is a lack of speed, and a lack of speed will likely doom his chance for playing time at safety.

At best, Nolan will be a special teams contributor, but could very well not make the team.

Draft picks aside, for a position that had its share of problems in 2008, the likelihood is none of the aforementioned draft picks will make an impact.

Thus, for a group that had trouble defending the big pass play, the same problem will continue to be magnified throughout 2009.

Doom and Gloom?

For now, here's a few things to expect in 2009: a lackluster safety core, a defensive tackle rotation with one possible stellar starter, and questionable quarterback depth.

Does it mean the season is over before it began? Unlikely. 

Problems apparent in 2008—depth at running back, the pass rush—have both been addressed, and it appears the team is better with an influx of talent at most positions. 

The team is unlikely to play poorly throughout 2009, but the aforementioned problems will surely limit how long the Texans’ season will last.