Houston Texans Offense First Quarter Report Card

Many coaches and players in the NFL look at a season as four equal parts and break it into quarters. Rather than fret on a daunting 17-week schedule, breaking the season into manageable chunks can help teams maintain focus over the long haul.

I'll take a look at the offense today and the defense plus special teams tomorrow.

The Texans record at the quarter pole is 2-2. While some expected a 3-1 record, 2-2 is not exactly a failing grade. Coming into the season, the Texans were expected to have an explosive offense. Expectations were certainly high. Let's take a look at the offense, position by position, and see how the Texans have performed.

At quarterback, Matt Schaub has played well and is on pace to pass for more than 4,300 yards and 30 touchdowns. Schaub has been effective throwing the deep ball. He has thrown three interceptions and been sacked eight times. Schaub's passer rating is over 98. 

In spite of the good numbers, Schaub still holds onto the ball too long at times. He is the captain of the ship, and if the ship is 2-2, the grade can't be too high. I grade Schaub at a solid B. There is room for improvement, both for Schaub and the Texans.

At running back, Steve Slaton has not exactly set the world on fire in his second season. Four games don't exactly make a slump, but he is averaging 3.3 yards per carry, a very Ron Dayne-esque number. Slaton is third on the team with 11 receptions and has played better in the past two games. Still, three fumbles are worrisome.

I'd like to give him an incomplete, because I think at year's end, he will be among the AFC leaders. However, if forced to grade Slaton's performance, I'd give a C since I'm feeling generous.

For fumbling away a chance to tie Jacksonville, Chris Brown gets an F. His 3.1 yards per carry is actually worse than Slaton. Considering he was brought in to get the tough yards, 3.1 is simply not getting it done. Ryan Moats leads the team with 3.7 yards per carry. Giving Moats a B seems fair.

Moving to receiver, what can be said about Andre Johnson?

He's only pace for 80 catches, 1,300 yards, and eight touchdowns. For most receivers, those are incredible numbers. For Andre, those are less than expected. Normally stoic and reserved, Johnson drew the ire (and a fine) of the league office for his part in a brawl with the Titans in Week Two. For this newly displayed fire, Johnson deserves an A-.

Kevin Walter deserves a good grade for his performance against the Jags (minus a dubious pass interference call), but in missing the first two games, Walter gets an incomplete. He has posted solid numbers, averaging 17 yards per catch. Walter is a key for the offense. He runs precise routes and is exceptionally skilled at using his body to shield defenders and move the chains.

Jacoby Jones makes Texans fans sit at the edge of their seat every time the ball comes near him. This is unique among Texans players and is both good and bad. Jones has the speed and skill to score almost every time he touches the ball. He is averaging over 20 yards per catch to lead the team. He also has two touchdowns.

At the same time, he has dropped a few balls and continues to have ball security issues. This is especially true in the punt return game (more on this tomorrow). Still, considering some expected Jones to be cut, his explosive additions to the offense cannot be ignored.

Based on expectations coming into the season, Jones deserves an A.  Based on the loads of yet unfulfilled potential, he deserves a C (as well as a firm kick on the backside).

David Anderson has been solid, if unspectacular. Andre Davis showed true alligator arms against the Jets in the opening game. A grade of C seems generous, but what can I say? I'm a giving kind of guy.

At tight end, Owen Daniels is second on the team with 17 catches and has two touchdowns. Daniels is an adequate blocker and has good speed. The fourth year player out of Wisconsin has emerged as a good NFL player that deserves to be part of the team's future. I gave Daniels a B+.

Joel Dreesen has made clutch catches, including one on fourth down against Tennessee. He also had a touchdown taken away by a pass interference call against the Jags. Dreesen has played well on special teams and has four total catches. A grade of B seems fair.

Rookies Anthony Hill and James Casey have not had any impact, other than Hill's case of swine flu, and receive incompletes from me.

Last, but certainly not least, let's explore the offensive line. A good offense can only go as far as its line takes it, and the Texans are sitting at 2-2. This could perhaps be seen as an indictment of the line.

Coming into the season, the team's second under offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, expectations were very high. The team was coming off a top three offensive season.

Not only that, but the entire line was returning. Continuity is as hugely important among offensive lines as it is rare. Still, the team is on pace to give up more than 30 sacks and has struggled in the running game.

This season, the Texans have gotten solid play from both tackle positions. The training wheels have been removed from LT Duane Brown and he has been solid in his second season. Brown has been quick enough to ward off pass rushers and agile enough to maintain blocks in the secondary in the running game. 

Eric Winston has developed into one of the AFC's best right tackles. Yet, the concerns about the running game continue. Overall, the bookend tackles deserve a grade of a B-. There is certainly the talent to improve.

The biggest problem on offense has been the interior of the line. Center Chris Myers weighs less than 280 pounds and has been pushed around by bigger players such as Kris Jenkins of the Jets. Yet, he must still be better than rookie Antoine Caldwell, otherwise Caldwell would be on the field.

Chester Pitts, a true gentleman, is out for the season after starting every game in team history. Longhorn Kasey Studdard replaced Pitts at left guard and has been as intense and fierce for the Texans as he was on the 40 acres. I do not find it a coincidence his insertion into the lineup has been coupled with the (slightly) improved rushing attack. Mike Brisiel has been slightly below average on the right side.

The interior of the line has been pushed around and has not helped the rushing attack generate much success. The template for success is there and coaching should not be a problem. Along with Gibbs, Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews offers tutelage to the Texans. As of this moment, the interior of the line earns a D, but there is much room for improvement.

What do you think, Texans fans? Was I too lenient in the first quarter grades?

Check back tomorrow for the defense and special teams grades, but, in the mean time, feel free to leave comments.