Steve Slaton Injury Prompts "Wait Till Next Year" Cry from Houston Texans

By now we've all heard or read that Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton is out for the rest of 2009 with a neck injury.

Early reports indicate that the nerve damage is not career-threatening and that Slaton will be ready for next season.

Next season. Wait till next season. Houston fans were not supposed to hear these words until well into January.

The team was 5-3 and rolling. The offense was one of the league's best, and the defense was coming together. The playoffs were in sight.

Well, many NFL commentators have said that the NFL stands for "Not For Long," and the Texans are yet another example of that old adage. Injuries, stupid plays, and a crippling inability to close games have left the Texans out in the cold.

It's clear that this season is over. There is a slight mathematical chance the Texans could make the playoffs. But by virtue of me owning a set of golf clubs, there is also some mathematical chance of me making the PGA Tour. The word mathematical does not mean likely or even probable.

In other words, it's just not going to happen. Consider the 2009 season over. 

With that being said, the Texans are not a lost cause for the future. There are some good pieces in place. Matt Schaub has demonstrated he can stay healthy and rank among the best passers in the NFL. 

Andre Johnson continues to amaze. Brian Cushing has been better than expected and is an impact player. He is solidly in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

There are, however, some questions surrounding the team. Let's take a look at some of the major holes on the roster. I'll examine the offense today and take a look at the defense and special teams tomorrow.

Let's get to it, shall we?

At backup quarterback, Rex Grossman looked nothing short of horrible when he played early against Jacksonville in place of the temporarily injured Schaub. 3-of-9 with an interception for a passer rating under 6.0 against rookie cornerbacks is embarrassing. 

We don't know what Dan Orlovsky has to offer, but if the coaches are more comfortable with Grossman as a replacement for Schaub, Dan is certainly not the man. A solid veteran quarterback is needed unless the light magically switches for either Grossman or Orlovsky.

While Slaton has not been able to follow up his remarkable rookie year with a successful sophomore campaign, his value to the team remains high. Slaton's shiftiness and speed are big parts of the passing offense. What must be determined is whether or not Slaton can be a feature back in the NFL. Can he learn to hang on to the ball? Can he run effectively between the tackles?

A big back must be brought in to complement and perhaps even overtake Slaton if Slaton is unable to improve on this season's less than stellar performance. Chris Brown is clearly not the man for the job, and if somebody says differently, they haven't been watching the right games.

The interior of the line must also be addressed. Have injuries to both starting guards sapped the strength of the running game? Will lifelong Texan Chester Pitts be able to play after being injured? Will the team sign him? 

Who will replace Kasey Studdard in the lineup? Studdard is intense and passionate. That's clear. What he does not have is the athleticism to play guard in the NFL—which is too bad, because I think Studdard brings a little bit (OK, more than a little) of that nastiness a good running team needs. 

At center, Antoine Caldwell was drafted last year after a great career at Alabama. He's big, he's tough, and he's a good player. He should start next season. He's simply bigger and better than Chris Myers. After learning the system this year, he should crack the lineup in 2010.

The tackles, Duane Brown and Eric Winston, are both good young tackles. Brown could use a little more nastiness in the running game, but he has held up well in most games. Keep in mind, he's only played left tackle for three years. Still, a dependable veteran backup brought in for insurance would be a smart move. 

At receiver, Kevin Walter is a free agent after 2009 and has had a good season. Is he irreplaceable? Probably not. Jacoby Jones is actually making headway as an NFL player and could be a bigger contributor next season. Bringing in a veteran is a smart move, but breaking the bank for Walter is not. If his contract demands are exorbitant, consider him an ex-Texan.

Lastly on offense, the status of Owen Daniels is huge. The Texans have yet to win a single game this season without OD. The injured tight end is simply one of the best in the game and must be signed. Without him, the offense goes from dynamic to good. James Casey and Anthony Hill are going to be solid players in the NFL, but Daniels is on the verge of stardom. He simply must be retained.

Wait till next year might be a frustrating and disappointing refrain to hear again from the Texans, but all hope is not lost. I'll examine the defense and special teams tomorrow.