The Texans were a Caste Football favorite for several years, starting four White players on defense along with a White QB, TE, and for a while Kevin Walter at receiver, combined with a sumo-dominated offensive line.
But now the White defensive starters have dwindled to two, while the o-line is still sumo-dominated.
Houston’s stretch of relatively White friendly teams was a combined effort of coach Gary Kubiak and black GM Kevin Smith. Now that Kubiak is gone, the team is slowly but inexorably becoming blacker, but still isn’t as bad as many other NFL rosters.
Newly acquired Brock Osweiler is earning a lot of money to see if he can become a franchise quarterback. Like many starting White QB, Osweiler is big, athletic and mobile. At 6’8” he joins Dan McGwire (brother of baseball slugger Mark) as the tallest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
Osweiler will be backed up by third year man Tom Savage out of Pitt, and former Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Brandon Weeden.
As usual, Houston’s top tight ends are White, and as usual they’re nothing to get excited about. C. J. Fiedorowicz is more of a blocker than a receiver, while Ryan Griffin has good receiving skills but has been underused in that department to this point.
Greg Mancz, in his second season out of Toledo, mans the starting center position. Backup center Tony Bergstrom is the only other White o-linemen on the roster.
Little used fullback Jay Prosch had all of six carries in 2015.
There are five White defensive players on the roster. Right end J. J. Watt is the best defensive player in the league and it’s not even close. At the age of 27 he should still have at least several peak seasons left.
LILB Brian Cushing from USC is entering his 8th season. Derailed at times by injuries, he remains one of the best at his position when healthy.
OLB John Simon was rescued from irrelevance in Baltimore and is playing a bigger and more effective role every season in Houston. Given that he is the main backup to china doll/bust Jadaveon Clowney, Simon has a good chance of seeing the field on a regular basis in ’16.
ILB Max Bullough was ignored in the draft despite a superb career at Michigan State and is slowly carving out a role with the Houston defense. If the over-rated Bernardrick McKinney continues to struggle, Bullough may eventually be able to oust him and start next to Cushing.
Brian Peters, in his second year out of Northwestern, is another backup at inside linebacker.
TE Eric Tomlinson (Texas-El Paso) and tackle Joseph Cheek (Texas A&M) made the practice squad.
Starters:
QB Brock Osweiler
FB Jay Prosch
C Greg Mancz
TE C. J. Fiedorowicz
DE J. J. Watt
ILB Brian Cushing
Number of White players on 53 man roster: 16
Grade: D
But now the White defensive starters have dwindled to two, while the o-line is still sumo-dominated.
Houston’s stretch of relatively White friendly teams was a combined effort of coach Gary Kubiak and black GM Kevin Smith. Now that Kubiak is gone, the team is slowly but inexorably becoming blacker, but still isn’t as bad as many other NFL rosters.
Newly acquired Brock Osweiler is earning a lot of money to see if he can become a franchise quarterback. Like many starting White QB, Osweiler is big, athletic and mobile. At 6’8” he joins Dan McGwire (brother of baseball slugger Mark) as the tallest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
Osweiler will be backed up by third year man Tom Savage out of Pitt, and former Cleveland Browns first round draft pick Brandon Weeden.
As usual, Houston’s top tight ends are White, and as usual they’re nothing to get excited about. C. J. Fiedorowicz is more of a blocker than a receiver, while Ryan Griffin has good receiving skills but has been underused in that department to this point.
Greg Mancz, in his second season out of Toledo, mans the starting center position. Backup center Tony Bergstrom is the only other White o-linemen on the roster.
Little used fullback Jay Prosch had all of six carries in 2015.
There are five White defensive players on the roster. Right end J. J. Watt is the best defensive player in the league and it’s not even close. At the age of 27 he should still have at least several peak seasons left.
LILB Brian Cushing from USC is entering his 8th season. Derailed at times by injuries, he remains one of the best at his position when healthy.
OLB John Simon was rescued from irrelevance in Baltimore and is playing a bigger and more effective role every season in Houston. Given that he is the main backup to china doll/bust Jadaveon Clowney, Simon has a good chance of seeing the field on a regular basis in ’16.
ILB Max Bullough was ignored in the draft despite a superb career at Michigan State and is slowly carving out a role with the Houston defense. If the over-rated Bernardrick McKinney continues to struggle, Bullough may eventually be able to oust him and start next to Cushing.
Brian Peters, in his second year out of Northwestern, is another backup at inside linebacker.
TE Eric Tomlinson (Texas-El Paso) and tackle Joseph Cheek (Texas A&M) made the practice squad.
Starters:
QB Brock Osweiler
FB Jay Prosch
C Greg Mancz
TE C. J. Fiedorowicz
DE J. J. Watt
ILB Brian Cushing
Number of White players on 53 man roster: 16
Grade: D