Fantasy Football Notes: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans had a promising 8-8 season in 2008, but it could have been so much better, which is one reason there is a plethora of optimism surrounding the team right now.

Houston lost four of its games by a total of 20 points, including an overtime loss to Jacksonville in Week Four, and a 31-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week Five in which the Texans allowed 21 fourth-quarter points and saw Sage Rosenfels snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with costly turnovers.

Despite the team just missing out on success as a group, some individuals were able to bring success to many fantasy football owners.

Rookie running back, Steve Slaton, overachieved in the eyes of virtually everyone, rushing for 1,282 yards, catching 50 passes, and scoring 10 times, while providing weekly consistency to his owners.

Wide receiver Andre Johnson performed similarly, with a total of six games with at least 10 catches en route to an eight touchdown, 115-catch, 1,575-yard season.

KEY ADDITIONS

Cato June (LB) & Antonio Smith (DE) - For all of their offensive skill, the Texans have long been lagging on the defensive side of the ball. Their ranking of 22nd in total defense last season was the highest in the expansion franchise’s history, so it would only be natural that they continue to work on improving that area.

Thus, in the offseason they signed free agent Cato June to play linebacker and free agent Antonio Smith to be in the rotation at defensive end. At the other defensive end spot, Mario Williams is proving everyone who lambasted the Texans for selecting him instead of Reggie Bush wrong.

Yet, he desperately needs someone else to take the pressure off of him, so he isn’t the only consistent pass-rushing threat. The Texans are hoping Smith and June can help in that area.

KEY DEPARTURES

Sage Rosenfels (QB) - To an untrained eye, it would seem a bit of a stretch to lament the loss of a team’s backup quarterback, and though it’s true Sage Rosenfels had some struggles, he was a competent No. 2 option who has a chance to earn the starting job in Minnesota.

The problem also lies in the fact that Houston quarterback Matt Schaub has had problems staying healthy the last two seasons. He’s played a total of just 22 out of 32 games.

If trouble befalls Schaub this season, the team will be relying on former Lion Dan Orlovsky, who might be best known for unknowingly running out of the end zone for a safety in a game against the Vikings last season.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Brian Cushing (LB) - As previously mentioned, the Texans have had a teeny problem stopping the opposition from scoring, so they not only addressed the problem via free agency, but also through the draft as well, selecting former USC linebacker Brian Cushing with their first-round pick.

There’s little reason to think Cushing won’t be in the starting lineup come Week One, as the team’s linebacking corps needs an infusion of talent to play alongside DeMeco Ryans in the middle.

BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

Steve Slaton (RB) - The question surrounding running back Steve Slaton is: Can he do it again?

People point to his relatively small frame as being an issue, but considering how well he held up last year, there’s little reason to think in just his second year, he’ll begin to wear down.

There is no particularly relevant backup with Houston, so fantasy owners should be confident in selecting Slaton in 2009 fantasy drafts.

Matt Schaub (QB) - With Matt Schaub, it all comes down to health. He’s an intriguing option considering the weapons he has at his disposal and the steady development he’s shown as an NFL quarterback, but none of that will matter if he can’t stay on the field.

Drafting him as a QB1 is a huge risk, but there are few better potential QB2s.

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