Houston Texans' Midseason Report Card

A lot of people in both the local and national media pegged the Texans for a break-out season in 2008.  They promptly fell flat on their collective faces in the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and had to scramble to finish at 8-8.

Before the 2009 season kicked off, many members of the local and national media predicted the Texans would take the next step in their evolution and at least challenge for a playoff berth.

In the opener, much like in 2008, the Texans came out flat and got ran off the field against a physical New York Jet team.

Many people bemoaned the embarrassing start of the season and assumed that the Texans would remain stuck in neutral and fail to capitalize on the accumulated talent on the team.  The next few weeks did nothing to dispel this perception.  The team played up and down football and embodied inconsistency.

But something happened to the Texans against Arizona.  Although the Cardinals won, the Texans woke up.  They fought back against a good team and nearly pulled off an improbable win.  Something seemed to click and the Texans came to life.

The next three games saw the Texans win three in a row and improved to a franchise best 5-3 at the midpoint of the 2009 season.  Two wins on the road against the Bengals and Bills along with a home win against an emerging San Francisco 49ers have led the Texans to the middle of the playoff race at the halfway point of the season.

The defense has improved in some ways but has remained inconsistent in other ways.  Steve Slaton has continued to fumble, but the offense has not skipped a beat.  The loss of tight end Owen Daniels is troubling, but I'm confident the Texans have enough firepower to overcome his loss.

Let's start the grading process with the most important position on the team: quarterback.  Matt Schaub still leads the league in passing yards and is among the leaders in touchdowns and passer rating. 

More importantly, he has led the team to a winning record by staying healthy and playing smart football.  He continues to hold onto the ball too long at times, but it's hard to argue with the results.  A-.

At running back, Steve Slaton has remained dangerous in the passing game but his maddening fumbling could potentially cripple the Texans in the race to the playoffs. Chris Brown has played well in spurts but cannot be counted on in goal line situations.

On the other hand, Ryan Moats has played very well.  Granted, most of his damage came against the worst rush defense in the league, but the Bills are still an NFL team.  Moats deserves credit.  Overall, I'd give the backs a C, but Moats deserves higher marks.

The wide receivers have been, in a word, great.  Andre Johnson is simply from another planet.  Is there anyone having a better season than AJ?  Kevin Walter has come on lately. David Anderson has produced and even Jacoby Jones has stepped up when called upon.  Without Daniels, this group must continue to play at a high level.  A-.

At tight end, the play of Owen Daniels was nothing short of exceptional.  His loss has been chronicled and I won't go into it again.  Players will have to step up in his absence.  Daniels deserves an A.  Let's hope the other players on the team can play up to a C level.

The offensive line has played inconsistently.  Schaub has only been sacked 14 times, but the running game has been up and down.  The insertion of Kasey Studdard and Chris White has helped in recent weeks.  There have been less losses at the line of scrimmage.  Tackles Duane Brown and Eric Winston have been the best players on the line.  B-.

What can be said about the defensive line?  The lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks continues to be problematic.  At the same time, the defense has played very well against the run. 

Is defensive end Mario Williams more hurt than the team is disclosing?  Will Amobe Okoye play with the same passion and intensity from game to game and even play to play?  Is Antonio Smith worth his paycheck?  Where will the pass rush come from?  Has the light come on for Frank Okam and Connor Barwin?  At this point in the season, more questions than answers remain. 

Defensive line Coach Bill Kollar and Coordinator Frank Bush must get more out of the talented linemen if the Texans are going to make the playoffs.  C.

Linebacker has been the unquestioned strength of the defense.  I've made no secret of my appreciation and admiration for the effort, hustle, passion and intensity of rookie Brian Cushing.  He leads the team in tackles, interceptions, passes defended and safeties.  He's also among the leaders in sacks.  Most importantly, he plays like a man possessed and has energized the defense.  He warrants serious Rookie of the Year consideration. 

DeMeco Ryans has also played well.  He has helped Cushing learn the ropes and leads the defense.  He still struggles defending athletic tight ends over the middle.  Vernon Davis' three TD game should be example enough of that.  Zac diles has been solid if not spectacular.  A-.

In the defensive backfield, Bernard Pollard deserves special recognition.  The Texans were lucky to claim him off waivers when the Kansas City Chiefs cut him after Week one.  Pollard is another player who plays with an edge.  He tackles with authority.  In only five games, he is tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 30. Few of those tackles have been less than vicious.

Eugene Wilson has been better of late and has two interceptions.  At corner, Jacques Reeves has been very solid.  Dunta Robinson has been above average but not elite against the pass.  He has been physical in run support.  Glover Quin has played very well for a rookie.  B.

On special teams, penalties have hurt some of Jacoby Jones' fantastic returns.  Andre' Davis has been average.  Kicker Kris Brown had two field goals blocked, but the line deserves the blame for those miscues.  Punter Matt Turk has been good.  B.