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Monday, May 27
What can Houston fans realistically expect this season? General manager Charley Casserly and coach Dom Capers have done a masterful job in assembling the Texans roster, but, for those Houston fans with lofty expectations, there is this sobering reality: The last five NFL expansion franchises,
dating back to 1976, averaged just three victories in their inaugural campaigns. Were the Texans to double that average it will be an achievement.
The Texans should, on defense, present some problems for opponents. Capers doesn't have the outside pass rushers he needs to really make his 3-4 alignment a force, but the scheme will still present sack opportunities, and the secondary should be solid. The biggest problems figure to be on offense where the Texans likely will expose rookie quarterback David Carr fairly early in the season, and allow him to learn on the job. But this is a team that, for all its planning, doesn't possess a lot of big-play performers. The offensive line appears to be a strength, but only if tackle Tony Boselli is whole.
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Since Oct. 6, 1999, when the NFL owners voted 29-0 to award the 32nd NFL franchise to Houston and Bob McNair for a record $700 million, the Texans have been busy preparing for the upcoming season. However, all that work didn't really begin to take shape until this offseason, when the bulk of Houston's current roster was assembled.
While general manager Charley Casserly was hired in January of 2000 and head coach Dom Capers was hired a little more than a year later, the Texans didn't actually sign their first players until December of 2001, inking 10 players to contracts. Of those 10 players, seven remain on the roster, with free safety Kevin Williams currently penciled in as a starter.
However, the real building of the Texans roster didn't take place until the expansion draft on Feb. 18, 2002. With the first choice in the expansion draft, the Texans selected six-year veteran offensive lineman Tony Boselli. The selection of Boselli set the tone for a draft that saw Houston focus on established, veteran talent. With a free-agent pool that was generally regarded as below average, the Texans used the expansion draft to grab immediate impact players such as linebacker Jamie Sharper (Ravens), wide receiver Jermaine Lewis (Ravens), cornerbacks Aaron Glenn (Jets) and Marcus Coleman (Jets), defensive tackles Gary Walker (Jaguars) and Seth Payne (Jaguars) and offensive tackle Ryan Young (Jets). In all, the Texans selected 12 players who are currently penciled in as starters.
One area the Texans clearly focused on was the offensive line. In addition to Boselli and Young, Houston also selected guards Jeremy McKinney (Browns) and Matt Campbell (Redskins). Campbell figures to start, while McKinney will battle free-agent pickup DeMingo Graham (Chargers) for the job at right guard. Center Steve McKinney (Colts), signed as a free agent, rounds out the offensive line and gives the Texans the making of a solid unit, which will be especially important when rookie David Carr ends up winning the quarterback job.
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TEXANS AT A GLANCE
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| David Carr threw for over
4,000 yards last season. |
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Texans team news
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Defensively, the Texans should be solid at cornerback. Coleman started all 16 games for the Jets last season, while Glenn led the Jets with five interceptions. Both have seen better days in the NFL, however, they should be solid performers in Houston. The biggest worry for the defensive backs is whether Houston can generate any kind of a consistent pass rush. Walker, a defensive tackle in Jacksonville, recorded 7½ sacks last season and figures to play defensive end in Houston's 3-4 defense. However, the Texans don't have a legitimate pass-rushing presence, a weakness that will be hard to hide once the season starts.
For a complete list of all the players Houston has signed and lost so far this offseason, click here.
How they drafted
Like any expansion club, Houston will count on big-time production from a number of its rookies. Carr will beat out Kent Graham sooner rather than later and don't be surprised if it happens before the regular season starts. Word out of Houston so far this offseason is that Carr has been the best quarterback on the roster. Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was a good value in the second round and should start immediately for Houston. Other rookies who should contribute right away include fullback Jarrod Baxter, guard Chester Pitts and running back Jonathan Wells.
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Fantasy Focus
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Not much should be expected from Houston's passing attack with quarterback David Carr likely to struggle in his rookie season. Look for the Texans to receive the most consistency from the ground game as their promising offensive line includes tackles Tony Boselli and Ryan Young and center Steve McKinney. James Allen will be the starter entering training camp, but fourth-round choice Jonathan Wells has the potential to be the better back. Allen offers little size (5-foot-10 and 215 pounds) and power while Wells is a big back (6-1 and 243 pounds) who came on strong at the end of Ohio State's season. For more fantasy football news, click here.
-- Roger Rotter, Fantasy editor
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For a complete list of Houston's draft picks, click here.
Unfinished business
All eyes in Houston will be on the recovery of Boselli (shoulder) and Walker (hernia/groin tear) from offseason surgery. Arguably the two best players on the Texans' roster, the former Pro-Bowl performers are being counted on to anchor the lines on each side of the ball. Of the two, Walker's injury was the more serious, with initial fears that the six-year veteran could miss the entire season. While it is now believed Walker will be ready for the season opener (Sept. 8), he could be limited throughout training camp. Boselli is in a similar situation. The five-time Pro Bowler is expected to be ready for the regular season, however, he will be limited in training camp and likely won't play during the preseason.
Outlook for 2002
Despite the optimism immediately following the expansion draft that caused ESPN analyst Sterling Sharpe to say the Texans could make the playoffs, Houston will face an uphill battle in 2002. With a rookie quarterback, no true starting running back and no go-to wide receiver, the Texans figure to struggle to score points. Of the last three expansion teams, the Browns were the worst with only two victories, while the Panthers were the best with seven. Houston will be better than Cleveland was, however, expecting anything more than the seven wins recorded by Carolina is asking too much.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
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