**Official** 2009 Houston Texans thread

[EricB]

Antoine Caldwell is a beast. If he can start on opening day that would be awesome.

Caldwell I believe was up for the Ribington award for best center in the nation.

If they can put up a good offensive line in front of Schaub and Slaton and Cushing, Williams, Okoye, Ryans and others step up, this team has a shot health permitting of course.

I like the sneaky good CB pick of Glover Quin in the second round as well.

[Marcus Bryant]

Houston

A+

Quality from top to bottom. Top: Cushing was an All-Pac 10 linebacker and leader of the Southern Cal defense. Bottom: Nolan started only two seasons but intercepted 10 passes. Barwin and Casey bring versatility, and Brice has 4.33 speed.

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I don't know about a A+. It looks like a solid A-/B+ kind of draft. Lots of athleticism, versatility, and skill. I like that the picks in the first three rounds were used on positions near the line of scrimmage. The Texans generally don't seem to reach in the early rounds on glamour spots. When they do make such a pick, they've done well (ie Slaton).

They've also made some nice UDFA signings, including two RBs (Johnson from Oregon and Foster from Tennessee).

[Marcus Bryant]

Houston Texans
GRADE: B+

This was a very productive draft, as the Texans' first five picks (Brian Cushing, Connor Barwin, Antoine Caldwell, Glover Quin and Anthony Hill) will all contribute quickly. These are solid football players and I really like the Barwin pick. Look for sixth-rounder Brice McCain and seventh-round selection Troy Nolan to also compete for playing time.

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[ATRAIN]

I agree with Kiper, I think we got a great steal with Barwin (and I saw it on a site somewhere that was one of the top 5 steals of the draft). Texans fans things are starting to fall together. I wasnt sure about the whole 2 TE back to back but im sure they were getting the best avail. All in all I think we have had a GREAT off-season, now hurry up and give Demeco and Daniels thier money!!

[Marcus Bryant]

Houston

Several teams told me that the Texans picked some very athletic players, starting with USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing. Cincinnati defensive end Connor Barwin is a converted tight end who led the Big East with 11 sacks in his senior season. Barwin sounds like the next Mike Vrabel. Alabama's Antoine Caldwell started 34 of his 48 career games at center. He's a great long snapper and can also play guard.

New Mexico cornerback Glover Quin had a record 40 3/4-inch vertical jump while also squatting 500 pounds; he may be the strongest athlete at the position. Quin could end up being a free safety. Anthony Hill is a blocking tight end from North Carolina State, while everyone will be curious about Rice's James Casey, who had 111 receptions last season. Casey is a former baseball player who is a very special athlete. Grade: A

Rice tight end James Casey is a former baseball player. (Scott Boehm / Getty Images)

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[Marcus Bryant]

I agree with Kiper, I think we got a great steal with Barwin (and I saw it on a site somewhere that was one of the top 5 steals of the draft). Texans fans things are starting to fall together. I wasnt sure about the whole 2 TE back to back but im sure they were getting the best avail. All in all I think we have had a GREAT off-season, now hurry up and give Demeco and Daniels thier money!!

Breuner is gone so they needed a blocking TE like Hill. Perhaps Casey will eventually replace Daniels. The Texans had one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league last year so I'm glad to see that they used their two top 50 picks on the front 7. That, along with signing Smith and June in free agency should result in some significant improvement.

[Marcus Bryant]

Then again, Daniels + Casey would give Kubiak and Shanahan some added wrinkles to the offensive playbook. People are reading way too much into the fact they drafted two TEs.

[ATRAIN]

Breuner is gone so they needed a blocking TE like Hill. Perhaps Casey will eventually replace Daniels. The Texans had one of the bottom 10 defenses in the league last year so I'm glad to see that they used their two top 50 picks on the front 7. That, along with signing Smith and June in free agency should result in some significant improvement.

Yeah I knew Breuner was gone I wonder if they are going to use both depending on situations?

[IronMexican]

Cushing is a beast. Trust me on that.

[EricB]

I think quin has the potential also to be a starting cb on opening day. That vertical is crazy.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Then again, Daniels + Casey would give Kubiak and Shanahan some added wrinkles to the offensive playbook. People are reading way too much into the fact they drafted two TEs.

I agree. I don't think the FO is dumb enough to let one of the top TEs in the league go because they picked up a TE in the 4th round. I have a feeling Casey is going to be a slot receiver and wildcat guy.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I think quin has the potential also to be a starting cb on opening day. That vertical is crazy.

He would have to have a great training camp. Dunta, Reeves ( ing Jacque Reeves ) and Bennett are already their top 3 CBs. Bennett made strides last season and I think he will eventually be a starter. Quin will be the dime CB/special teams guy this season. However, if they trade that piece of Dunta, I think he will get a chance.

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah I knew Breuner was gone I wonder if they are going to use both depending on situations?

Could be. Could also be insurance, could be to use in part as leverage in negotiations with Daniels.

The Casey pick to me seems like an opportunistic pick given where they rated his talent.

I'd rather see them use their 3rd and 4th rounders to improve the Oline than to reach on a RB just for the sake of drafting a RB. It seems like they had a couple RBs they were interested in for their 3rd rounder, but when those were off the board they went with a high quality, 4 year starting center who has played every position on the Oline. I'd also rather see them drafting for talent with a bias towards the defense in the early rounds. The fault I see would be that they didn't use one of their picks in the first 3 rounds on the secondary, but if they can get an above average front 7, then they can rely on ballhawking corners and safeties from later rounds.

[ATRAIN]

He would have to have a great training camp. Dunta, Reeves ( ing Jacque Reeves ) and Bennett are already their top 3 CBs. Bennett made strides last season and I think he will eventually be a starter. Quin will be the dime CB/special teams guy this season. However, if they trade that piece of Dunta, I think he will get a chance.

We should trade Dunta and Reeves together for a first Rounder and give Moulden and Quin some time.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I really don't think they can get a 1st for Dunta. They should try and get at least a 3rd.

[ATRAIN]

I really don't think they can get a 1st for Dunta. They should try and get at least a 3rd.

I want to want Dunta can do this season. He will be playing for free agent money so lets use him all we can. Reeves damn I hate him soo much!!

[Dr. Gonzo]

A little snippet from a Houston Chronicle article.

Robinson would settle for a deal like defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received from Tennessee. He would report on time, but if he reached certain incentives, the ans wouldn’t franchise him. He signed with Washington during the offseason as a free agent.
“That would be wonderful,” Robinson said. “I hope they do it, but you never know. I didn’t think I’d be franchised, but I was.”
Before he was franchised, Robinson turned down a multiyear contract that included $23 million guaranteed.
“I want to play football,” Robinson said. “I love Houston. I love running out on the field on Sundays with my teammates. I think this is going to be a great year for us. ... I’d love to finish my career here, but I’m not going to take anything less than what I think I deserve.

[Dr. Gonzo]

"Not going to take anything less than what I think I deserve" lol

Heis coming off a MAJOR knee injury and even before it he wasn't a shut down corner. 23 million guaranteed is probably more than he deserves. him. I hope he goes.

[ATRAIN]

I dont know about you guys but I would love to see what Orlovsky can do with Talent around him. I am going to try to catch a pre-season game for that reason even though he wont be taking reps with the starters. Given Matt's track record im going to get my wish im sure.

[Marcus Bryant]

I dont know about you guys but I would love to see what Orlovsky can do with Talent around him. I am going to try to catch a pre-season game for that reason even though he wont be taking reps with the starters. Given Matt's track record im going to get my wish im sure.

Yeah, the big "if" next season will be the health of the offense. If that's not a concern, they should be able to make the postseason. I also expect to see some marked improvement on the defensive side, with Frank Bush taking over and the personnel moves they've made so far. Overall, the franchise's been headed in the right direction the last three seasons, but now's the time to start cashing in.

[ATRAIN]

Yeah, the big "if" next season will be the health of the offense. If that's not a concern, they should be able to make the postseason. I also expect to see some marked improvement on the defensive side, with Frank Bush taking over and the personnel moves they've made so far. Overall, the franchise's been headed in the right direction the last three seasons, but now's the time to start cashing in.

Yeah I agree, our time was coming the last few seasons, NOW our time has started. I wont settle for anything less than 1st or 2nd in the div and a wild card spot.

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah I agree, our time was coming the last few seasons, NOW our time has started. I wont settle for anything less than 1st or 2nd in the div and a wild card spot.

Let's also hope that Okoye's sop re slump was a blip and that perhaps Travis Johnson can contribute something. I guess ultimately it will be who is on the depth chart to push them?

[Dr. Gonzo]

Okoye played most of the season with a high ankle sprain. He came on at the end of the season when it got a little better. I expect him to be huge next year. Especially with Mario and Smith getting so much attention.

[Marcus Bryant]

Okoye played most of the season with a high ankle sprain. He came on at the end of the season when it got a little better. I expect him to be huge next year. Especially with Mario and Smith getting so much attention.

Hope so. Any word on how Okam is progressing?

[ATRAIN]

Hope so. Any word on how Okam is progressing?

I havent heard anything but I say her give him a shot, he cant do anyworse than Johnson lol. I hope with all the talent we got in the draft and free agency that will push some of these guys to work harder.