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About the Texans
I
t was supposed to happen last year. The Houston Texans were everybody's dark horse to make a playoff run. After a disappointing 6-10 season last year and sporting a horrendous defense, the Texans are finally ready to reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Wade Phillips is back where he belongs as a defensive coordinator, converting the Texans to a 3-4 defense. They have a solid front seven with a few playmakers as well. The secondary was the team's biggest issue and they addressed it in a large manner. Houston signed Johnathan Joseph to a five-year deal worth $48 million. That is money well-spent. Nnamdi Asomugha got all the headlines this offseason, and rightfully so, but Joseph was the second best corner on the market. He immediately improves a secondary that continuously was torched last year.
The offense will still be electric, even with the departure of Arian Foster's lead man Vonta Leach. Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels need to stay healthy as they are top tier players at their respective positions. Matt Schaub is among the league's top passers and Foster exploded onto the scene last year.
New guys to watch
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J.J. Watt. Immediately put on the first-team defense, Watt told me he needed to prove to his teammates through hard work and production that he belonged. According to Smith, who plays the opposite defensive end, "J.J. can do it, he's doing it every practice and he makes us better."
» Brooks Reed. Has not established the reputation that Watt has, but Reed is viewed as a high-energy guy who is learning a new defense. The 3-4 scheme being installed by coordinator Wade Phillips is going to need outside linebackers who can rush the passer. At this point, Reed is one injury away from having to deliver. Keep a close eye on Reed this preseason. There's cautious optimism that he'll contribute this season.
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Johnathan Joseph. Not new to the NFL, of course, but Joseph is a welcomed addition. Kubiak said Joseph came right in and became the leader of a secondary that lacked an identity last year. Johnson said that Joseph pushes him in every practice. Another player told me, "Andre isn't used to having a teammate challenge him that much.
Observation deck
1. Mario Williams looks natural at outside linebacker. I had some doubts about the Texans' decision to move Williams to linebacker, especially at his size, but coach Gary Kubiak gave an honest assessment of the situation. "We're not trying to fool anyone that Mario is going to be in coverage a lot," Kubiak said. "He's rushing the passer."
After watching a 2 1/2-hour practice and talking with the people that have to block Williams, any doubts about his transition are gone.
"Now he gets a running start at you, explodes into you and then makes his move," offensive tackle Eric Winston said of Williams. "He's harder to block now than ever before." Defensive end Antonio Smith added, "Mario now realizes that he can bull rush anybody, and he's playing like a guy that can dominate every play."
2. Owen Daniels is having a great camp. Andre Johnson said Daniels is having his best camp with the Texans.Matt Schaub explained that a healthy Daniels really takes some pressure off Johnson by splitting the safeties in the passing attack. Daniels said that he's more than a year removed from his injuries and feels quicker than ever. This looks like it could be a Pro Bowl season for the veteran tight end. 3. The offense is ready to play a real game. The Texans were able to send three different offensive groups on the field for a live two-minute drill. Even the third unit, led by rookie QB T.J. Yates, looked in control of the package. Schaub was quick to point out that everyone is back on offense except fullback Vonta Leach. Leach's replacement,Lawrence Vickers, has picked things up quickly. 4. More to come from Arian Foster. In talking with the running back, Foster said the sky is the limit for the offense. Don't forget, along with leading the league in rushing last year, he also caught 66 passes and it looks like the Texans are expanding his role in the passing game.
