2014 Houston Texans

[Don Wassall]

Third year player Jared Crick as of now is the team's starter at right end according to Weenieworld, replacing Antonio Smith who signed with Oakland. Crick alongside J. J. Watt will give Houston bookend White starters at end, and with ILB Brian Cushing expected back from his latest knee injury and entrenched OLB Brooks Reed, the Texans should have four White starters on defense.

There are currently four White starters listed on offense -- QB, TE, C, LG -- so the Texans should be one of the Whiter teams in 2014, hopefully they'll bounce back from last season's debacle. Brad Smelly is also listed as the team's starting fullback. Fullback was almost never used in the Gary Kubiak regime but maybe that will change under Bill O'Brien. Let's hope they aren't foolish enough to draft Bridgewater as their quarterback of the future.

 

[whiteathlete33]

Third year player Jared Crick as of now is the team's starter at right end according to Weenieworld, replacing Antonio Smith who signed with Oakland. Crick alongside J. J. Watt will give Houston bookend White starters at end, and with ILB Brian Cushing expected back from his latest knee injury and entrenched OLB Brooks Reed, the Texans should have four White starters on defense.

There are currently four White starters listed on offense -- QB, TE, C, LG -- so the Texans should be one of the Whiter teams in 2014, hopefully they'll bounce back from last season's debacle. Brad Smelly is also listed as the team's starting fullback. Fullback was almost never used in the Gary Kubiak regime but maybe that will change under Bill O'Brien. Let's hope they aren't foolish enough to draft Bridgewater as their quarterback of the future.

Great news! I remember a few years ago Crick was very hyped up and then right before the draft he suddenly fell off. I predict they draft Manziel.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Yes indeed! It was only a matter of time before Crick became a full time starter! Crick had been mentioned as a 1st or 2nd Round talent out of Nebraska...however injury dropped him into the 4th round.

Hopefully Cushing can stay healthy the entire season...there was a drop off for the Texans defense when he was out of the line-up...

There is a lot of pressure from the locals to draft Manziel...if not they go Bortels? Bridgewater has dropped to early 2nd round projection by some.

 

[Extra Point]

Great news! I remember a few years ago Crick was very hyped up and then right before the draft he suddenly fell off. I predict they draft Manziel.

I believe Crick fell in the draft because of injury issues. He's a perfect fit as a DE in a 3-4.

Manziel is the best choice for Houston at number 1. He's not only a great football player he'll generate a lot of fan interest for the team.

 

[dwid]

Yes indeed! It was only a matter of time before Crick became a full time starter! Crick had been mentioned as a 1st or 2nd Round talent out of Nebraska...however injury dropped him into the 4th round.

Hopefully Cushing can stay healthy the entire season...there was a drop off for the Texans defense when he was out of the line-up...

There is a lot of pressure from the locals to draft Manziel...if not they go Bortels? Bridgewater has dropped to early 2nd round projection by some.

it wouldn't be as bad when Cushing gets injured if they had kept Barrett Ruud on, he looked good in the 2 or 3 games he got significant playing time in. Ridiculous that he goes from being 100+ tackle guy with the Bucs to a guy no team really wants except as an emergency backup, Saints had him the year the Texans had him, needed a linebacker but let him go and then the Texans picked him up, oh yeah Seahawks had him that year as well. Not like he didn't have an impact besides making tackles, 6 interceptions, 20 pass deflections, 5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles in a 4 year stretch where he started every game, except for 1. Wasn't even 30 when he was out of the league.

 

[Leonardfan]

I really hope all this clowney talk to Houston is just smoke screen. They need to get bortles or manziel. Bortles plays the game much like Andrew luck, i would rate him just a tier below Luck but he has all the talent in the world and would give Obrien the qb of the future. Manziel would also be a good fit.

The worst case scenario would be seeing the texans draft clowney and or bridgewater depending if he falls into the second round. it would be just another fairly pro white team getting Africanized just like Green Bay and Denver have been in recent years.

 

[Upside]

2014 Position Battles/Outlook

QB - Fitzpatrick vs. Keenum vs. Savage ... Fitz should be the starter week 1, and if he struggles at all, Case Keenum should get his chance. I think Savage stays on the bench his first season, though I expect him to be the future at the position.

OG - Ben Jones vs. Brandon Brooks ... Aside from veteran Chris Meyers, this whole line is a bunch of underachievers. Although he's listed as a center, I'll be pulling for Jones to take one of the guard spots.

Slot WR - DeVier Posey vs. Travis Labhart ... Though widely, considered to be a longshot to make the team, I feel Labhart has a pretty good shot to see some action this season. Johnson is disgruntled and could be dealt, leaving only DeAndre Hopkins as the only legitimate threat at WR.

TE - Graham vs. Fedorowicz ... After a solid job of filling in for Owen Daniels last season, Graham deserves his shot to be the guy at TE. He should be heavily involved in the offense for reasons previously mentioned. Look for Fedorowicz to get a lot of touches as well.

FB - Smelley vs. Prosch ... I give the edge to Prosch, but I do expect Smelley to make the team as well or better still latch on somewhere else as the possible starter.

DE - Jared Crick vs. Tim Jamison ... Crick should easily take this one, starting opposite JJ Watt. These two should be quite a dynamic duo in 2014.

OLB - Brooks Reed vs. Whitney Mercilus ... Assuming the Clown takes one of the spots, it'll be a battle for the other side. Reed is great against the run, but an average pass-rusher. Whitney is horrible against the run, and an average pass rusher. Reed should take the starting spot, at worst, splitting time with Mercilus.

ILB - Jeff Tarpinian vs. Max Bullough ... I'll be rooting for Bullough to win the job after he was screwed over so badly in the draft, but really wouldn't mind seeing Tarp start opposite Cushing. Bullough should have a bright future in Houston none the less.

S - Shiloh Keo vs. Kendrick Lewis ... Frankly there isn't a safety on this roster worth a starting job, but wouldn't mind seeing Keo take one of the spots.

Overall, Houston should be a fun team to follow this year. I would say they still need some help at OL, WR, and S.

 

[Extra Point]

Case Keenum may still develop. Last year was his first year starting.

I think Savage has the potential to be a franchise quarterback.

 

[Vanilla_Sky]

Texans released their first depth chart:
QB - Ryan Fitzpatrick
FB - Jay Prosch
TE - Garrett Graham
LG - Ben Jones
C - Chris Meyers
RG - Alex Kupper

DE - JJ Watt
DE - Jared Crick
LB - Jeff Tarpinian
LB - Brooks Reed

and that's with a black starter at Cushing's position..

Also, Mike Mohammed and Max Bullough are both second stringers at LB.

 

[Leonardfan]

I read some reports that before trading for Mallet, the Texans were trying to get Barkley from the Eagles. I am kind of torn as I feel both Mallet and Barkley deserve a shot at starting. For the Texans it would be ideal if O'Brien could develop either Mallet or Savage to become their long term QB of the future.

 

[Woody]

Mike Mohamad is starting for the Texans, giving them 5 whites on defense and 10 overall.

 

[Leonardfan]

I hope they crush the Redskins tomorrow.

 

[Freethinker]

Texans signed OLB John Simon off the Ravens practice squad.

Simon reunites with Mike Vrabel, who coached him at Ohio State. The tweener type will likely contribute on special teams if active for Thursday's game against the Colts.

Houston continues to give chances to White players, especially on defense.

By my count they now roster 21 White players out of 53. Where they lack is at WR, S and OL, otherwise they could reach the magical 26 or 27.

 

[Leonardfan]

Mallet set to start in two weeks when Houston plays Cleveland.

 

[FootballDad]

The Number One pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Jadeveon "the" Clown-ey has been placed on IR. Not that he has done a thing during the rare moments he has actually been on the field.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...okie-season-is-officially-done-213801216.html

Most (all?) of us here at CF knew that he was going to be a colossal mega bust. Now, he still has a few caste years to "prove" himself, but I don't think anything will change.

 

[Leonardfan]

The Number One pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Jadeveon "the" Clown-ey has been placed on IR. Not that he has done a thing during the rare moments he has actually been on the field.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...okie-season-is-officially-done-213801216.html

Most (all?) of us here at CF knew that he was going to be a colossal mega bust. Now, he still has a few caste years to "prove" himself, but I don't think anything will change.

I still cannot figure out why they drafted him. I assume the media hype got the best of them. Their front seven is one of the best in the league without him. Bortles would of been a much better choice.

 

[Extra Point]

I still cannot figure out why they drafted him. I assume the media hype got the best of them. Their front seven is one of the best in the league without him. Bortles would of been a much better choice.

Manziel would have been good choice too, certainly a better choice than Clowney.

Clowney had about 3 sacks his last year in college but he was hyped to the skies. Because he has "upside," lol.

 

[icsept]

The Number One pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Jadeveon "the" Clown-ey has been placed on IR. Not that he has done a thing during the rare moments he has actually been on the field.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...okie-season-is-officially-done-213801216.html

Most (all?) of us here at CF knew that he was going to be a colossal mega bust. Now, he still has a few caste years to "prove" himself, but I don't think anything will change.

He played several games, and failed to record a sack. He sat out games with minor injuries and personal reasons. The Texans have no quarterback, yet they wasted the No. 1 overall pick on this clown. If they didn't like any of the QBs in the draft, they could have at least traded the pick instead of flushing it for this turd.

 

[Leonardfan]

Fitzpatrick is done for the year, savage may be done for the year, Thad Lewis is next up unless case keenum can beat him out after being signed this week. I really hope the texans don't draft a black quarterback. I actually think savage could be the potential long term solution for Obrien.

 

[celticdb15]

How the **** is Thad Lewis still a pro?! That's infuriating Texans will lose rest of games if it turns out that bum is starting..

 

[Extra Point]

With the injuries to Fitzpatrick and Savage it looks as if Case Keenum is going to get another opportunity with the Texans.

Keenum had some success in the past with the Texans. He also had some not so good games.

Here's hoping he takes the bull by the horns and does well as a starter for Houston.