Derrick Mason Trade: How This Helps the Texans Offense

The Houston Texans acquired veteran wideout Derrick Mason this week and he will help the Houston offense get better.

Will he fill the void left by Andre Johnson?

No way. Only the Detroit Lions' WR Calvin Johnson can do that.

And my gut feelings says Calvin is probably not available, except for an arm and a leg. Literally.

And two first-round picks.

And a new job for the GM of the Lions, Martin Mayhew. 

Derrick Mason provides the Texans another viable option for QB Matt Schaub.

He is a smart route runner.

Mason has 15 years experience in the NFL and I assume he has learned a thing or two along the way.

He has very good instincts and will be able to find a way to get open for Schaub. He will be able to read the zone coverage and find the open areas. 

Mason has used that ability to pull in 13 receptions this season. That is good for third on the Texans behind Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels.

This means he could quickly become one of Schaub's favorite targets.

Schaub is great at finding the open receivers, especially after a play has broken down. Mason will use those instincts and his high football I.Q. to help Schaub when the pocket collapses.

That is probably the biggest thing Houston is missing in the passing game.

It always seemed when Schaub was in trouble and scrambling, he always seemed to find Andre Johnson open.

Mason does not have the athletic ability, but he can find the soft spots in zone coverage from the slot and should be able to find away to get open.

Mason also brings sure hands. If the ball hits his hands, then expect him to catch the ball.

That alone is valuable with Matt Schaub as your QB. Schaub is a very accurate QB and is good at putting the ball where only his receiver can catch it.

Let us not forget he spent a good amount of time with the Baltimore Ravens, the next opponent for Houston. He will have a say in the game-planning for this matchup against his former team. 

This move is a temporary solution while Andre Johnson is out. 

Only when Johnson returns will the Texans offense be back to dominance.